Tuesday, September 25, 2012

We must defend our ships


Calchas has spoken to Little Ajax and me through Poseidon and granted us new strength.  In the midst of the battle, the Trojans have done their best to advance further in our camp, but we are holding our own. I am fighting in the center and holding my ground here to defend our fort.  It appears we have killed most of their best fighters, but Hektor remains.

Poseidon has arrived to tell us that the strongest fighters must grab the strongest armor and as a result, I put on the heaviest armor I can find. During battle, I was able to pick up a giant boulder and hurl it at Hektor who definitely got injured as he was dragged away from the front line by his men.

Another battle between Hektor has arisen as we fight over our ships. I was able to kill Caletor, but in response, they killed my friend Lycophron. I will not stand for this. I immediately told Teucer to send a bow at Hektor, but his bow mysteriously snaps. I then called out to all of my men to defend these ships at all costs as we will not win this war if they destroy our ships. I was able to use a massive pike to fend off incoming Trojans. With Achilles still out, I must be the leader in battle for these men. Our ships are intact, for now.

Poseidon through Calchas:
Aiantes, you two, remembering the spirit of warcraft and that that of shivering panic, must save the Achaian people. Elsewhere in truth I do not fear the Trojans' invincible hands, though in full force they have swarmed over our great wall; since the strong-greaved Achaians will be able to hold the rest of them. But I fear most terribly disaster to us in the one place where that berserk flamelike leads them against us, Hektor, who claims he is the son of Zeus of the high strength. May this be the message some one of the gods gives your minds to carry, that you stand fast strongly yourselves, urge the rest to stand also. Thus, hard though he sweeps on, you might stay him beside the fast-running ships, even though the very Olympian wakes him to battle. (13.47-58)
Aias response:

So for me also now the invincible hands on my spearshaft are furious, my strength is rising, and both feet beneath me are sweeping me onward, so that I long even for single combat with Hektor, Priam's son, the forver avid of battle (13.77-80)

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