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I went to a meeting with Odyesseus today.

I guess that Agamemnon wanted some kind of inquiry into the Trojan attack. He called about 20 of the generals together, and Odysseus asked that I come and take notes for him.

It started pretty slow. Basically, each general was given the floor for a few minutes, and they were allowed to comment or ask questions. Most of the generals just expressed how surprised they were by this attack, and how we needed to be much more vigilant in the future. They would then invariably kiss Ajax's ass, and compliment him on his duel with Hector. -Ajax was pretty pleased with these proceedings.

That is, until it was Odysseus' turn.

Odysseus was sitting next to Agamemnon, which made him last to speak. First off, he echoed the other general's concerns about how we should have been more aware and such. But then, he started talking about the Trojan calvary, and how it was so surprising that the Trojans should have had so many horses.

This drew some murmers from the other generals, and many of them thoughtfully grabbed thier beards and nodded.

I knew where Odysseus was going. Apparently, Ajax did too, because he wasn't smiling anymore.

Odysseus did have a big grin however, and making an exaggerated gesture, he signaled to the guards at the entrance. They pulled the flaps open, and Elpenor rode into the tent on a horse.

At that, Odysseus said: "Gentlemen, let me present to you one of the horses captured from the Trojans! -A Salamisian horse!"

All hell broke loose.

Ajax slammed his fists and yelled "Bullshit, Laertes!", then everyone started shouting.

Elpenor's horse spooked, and after kicking a captain in the jaw, charged out of the tent.

It was total chaos. Odysseus began going off about how it was treasonous to trade weapons with the enemy, and Ajax was yelling about how Odysseus had set him up. The other generals were shouting too.

It was apparent that the other generals weren't sure where they stood. No doubt, some of them had been trading with the Trojans as well. Still, it wouldn't look good to side with Ajax in front of Agamemnon. Therefore, many of them were just crying in disbelief, or just making noise.

Anyway, I didn't get to see the resolution. After about fifteen minutes of madness, Agamemnon restored enough order to have us aides escorted out.

I didn't see Odysseus again today.

This evening, Elpenor dropped by my tent. He was worried that Odysseus would be angry at him. I reassured him that he had done a good job, and that he couldn't help what the horse had done.

I wanted to tell him that he probably should avoid doing such favors for Odysseus in the future, but I know that he wouldn't understand why.