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I went to Agamemnon’s party today.
I brought him one of Epieus’ belts as a present.
Just before lunch, I went to the build site to talk to Epieus about it. My timing was good, as I caught both Elpenor and Epieus preparing lunch.
When they inquired about my visit, I told them I was just checking upon the Horse, and to see how they were doing.
Elpenor seemed a bit cold. -I think he is still upset about not going with Odysseus.
However, Epieus was very gracious, and he insisted that I eat with them before I have a look at the Horse. I happily consented. Today’s lunch was grilled fish wrapped in flatbread, accented by some sort of pickled root. -It was fantastic.
After such hospitality, I almost felt guilty inquiring about the belt. However, I had little time, and I had already decided the belt was the perfect gift: significant, but not over-stated.
Anyway, after bringing up Epieus’ belts, he became cool too. Unfortunately, this time, Elpenor wasn’t on my side.
I worked on Epeius as we looked at the Horse, and after complimenting the work he has done several times, he agreed to let go of one of his belts. -At a price, of course.
After looking at his selection, I finally settled on the one he was wearing. The buckle was the brass head of a lion, with the lion’s teeth worked into the clasping mechanism. -It was pretty cool.
I pledged five bottles of ‘good’ wine, a new pair of sandals, and my favorite oil lamp for the belt. I consider it a fair trade.
After thanking Elpenor, I headed back to my tent to clean up.
When I arrived, I was surprised to see Eumelus and Thoas waiting for me. Fortunately, they hadn’t been there very long.
I guess Agamemnon’s dinners start well before dinner-time. -It seems that Agamemnon is really into this Egyptian game called Alquerque, and he likes to play a few rounds with an audience before everyone gets down to eating.
I really don’t like board games, but I had to play tonight. Agamemnon chose me as his first opponent.
The reason why I don’t like those games is because I’m terrible at them. Today, that worked in my favor. Agamemnon had a great time trouncing me in front of his band of Generals, and I played the role of ‘rookie’ perfectly, much to everyone’s delight.
To my surprise, Agamemnon didn’t win every game. In fact, some of the players were much better than the Commander-in-Chief, and they didn’t hesitate to show it. Eumelus, for one, is a hell of an Alquerque player.
Like most meetings between the Generals, there was plenty of wine to be had tonight. However, unlike any of the previous gatherings I have attended, this one was much more casual.
I expected to be sitting at a long table all evening, listening to Nestor tell endless stories, while everyone else took turns kissing Agamemnon’s ass. However, the atmosphere of Agamemnon’s dinner party couldn’t have been further from that.
Tonight’s gathering was very fraternal, full of lewd jokes, shit-talking, and even some rough-housing. We didn’t even eat at a table. Instead, we sat on a floor littered with animal hides and rugs, while Agamemnon’s pretty maids mingled about, keeping our plates and cups full. -It was a great time.
I swear one of Agamemnon’s maids was making eyes at me tonight.
Anyway, although some of the Generals got really tanked, I paced myself, making sure that I was never drunker than those around me.
It wasn’t until the party was nearly over that I decided to give Agamemnon the belt. As things were much less formal than I anticipated, I thought making a show of the gift would have seemed more like ass-kissing than gratitude.
As everyone filed out of Agamemnon’s tent, Eumelus and Thoas offered to walk me back. With just the two of them present, I gave Agamemnon the belt.
The Commander-in-Chief seemed a bit surprised, but very pleased. He immediately replaced his own belt, and smiling broadly, he slapped me on the back and said: “Eurylochus, you are a clever man. You are a terrible Alquerdue player, but you are an astute soldier. No doubt, if General Odysseus sinks, you will make a hell of a leader.”
With that, we left.
On the way back, Eumelus and Thoas ragged me about what Agamemnon said. Still, I could tell they were pretty impressed by his amity.
I can’t believe Agamemnon spoke about Odysseus’ possible demise so bluntly. -I’ve always been under the impression that he likes Odysseus.
Maybe it was just the wine talking.
-That reminds me, I need to get some good wine tomorrow.
I brought him one of Epieus’ belts as a present.
Just before lunch, I went to the build site to talk to Epieus about it. My timing was good, as I caught both Elpenor and Epieus preparing lunch.
When they inquired about my visit, I told them I was just checking upon the Horse, and to see how they were doing.
Elpenor seemed a bit cold. -I think he is still upset about not going with Odysseus.
However, Epieus was very gracious, and he insisted that I eat with them before I have a look at the Horse. I happily consented. Today’s lunch was grilled fish wrapped in flatbread, accented by some sort of pickled root. -It was fantastic.
After such hospitality, I almost felt guilty inquiring about the belt. However, I had little time, and I had already decided the belt was the perfect gift: significant, but not over-stated.
Anyway, after bringing up Epieus’ belts, he became cool too. Unfortunately, this time, Elpenor wasn’t on my side.
I worked on Epeius as we looked at the Horse, and after complimenting the work he has done several times, he agreed to let go of one of his belts. -At a price, of course.
After looking at his selection, I finally settled on the one he was wearing. The buckle was the brass head of a lion, with the lion’s teeth worked into the clasping mechanism. -It was pretty cool.
I pledged five bottles of ‘good’ wine, a new pair of sandals, and my favorite oil lamp for the belt. I consider it a fair trade.
After thanking Elpenor, I headed back to my tent to clean up.
When I arrived, I was surprised to see Eumelus and Thoas waiting for me. Fortunately, they hadn’t been there very long.
I guess Agamemnon’s dinners start well before dinner-time. -It seems that Agamemnon is really into this Egyptian game called Alquerque, and he likes to play a few rounds with an audience before everyone gets down to eating.
I really don’t like board games, but I had to play tonight. Agamemnon chose me as his first opponent.
The reason why I don’t like those games is because I’m terrible at them. Today, that worked in my favor. Agamemnon had a great time trouncing me in front of his band of Generals, and I played the role of ‘rookie’ perfectly, much to everyone’s delight.
To my surprise, Agamemnon didn’t win every game. In fact, some of the players were much better than the Commander-in-Chief, and they didn’t hesitate to show it. Eumelus, for one, is a hell of an Alquerque player.
Like most meetings between the Generals, there was plenty of wine to be had tonight. However, unlike any of the previous gatherings I have attended, this one was much more casual.
I expected to be sitting at a long table all evening, listening to Nestor tell endless stories, while everyone else took turns kissing Agamemnon’s ass. However, the atmosphere of Agamemnon’s dinner party couldn’t have been further from that.
Tonight’s gathering was very fraternal, full of lewd jokes, shit-talking, and even some rough-housing. We didn’t even eat at a table. Instead, we sat on a floor littered with animal hides and rugs, while Agamemnon’s pretty maids mingled about, keeping our plates and cups full. -It was a great time.
I swear one of Agamemnon’s maids was making eyes at me tonight.
Anyway, although some of the Generals got really tanked, I paced myself, making sure that I was never drunker than those around me.
It wasn’t until the party was nearly over that I decided to give Agamemnon the belt. As things were much less formal than I anticipated, I thought making a show of the gift would have seemed more like ass-kissing than gratitude.
As everyone filed out of Agamemnon’s tent, Eumelus and Thoas offered to walk me back. With just the two of them present, I gave Agamemnon the belt.
The Commander-in-Chief seemed a bit surprised, but very pleased. He immediately replaced his own belt, and smiling broadly, he slapped me on the back and said: “Eurylochus, you are a clever man. You are a terrible Alquerdue player, but you are an astute soldier. No doubt, if General Odysseus sinks, you will make a hell of a leader.”
With that, we left.
On the way back, Eumelus and Thoas ragged me about what Agamemnon said. Still, I could tell they were pretty impressed by his amity.
I can’t believe Agamemnon spoke about Odysseus’ possible demise so bluntly. -I’ve always been under the impression that he likes Odysseus.
Maybe it was just the wine talking.
-That reminds me, I need to get some good wine tomorrow.
