Chapter Fourteen

Summary

• Deidameia leaves the kingdom to have her child and will stay away until the child's birth. Lycomedes tells the court she is visiting her aunt.
• Achilles and the narrator spend time away from the palace but yearn to return to their previous lives in Pelion or Phthia; they feel observed and uncomfortable with Deidameia's absence.
• News arrives about the war, Agamemnon's armies uniting the kingdoms, and the preparations to attack Troy.
• A ship with yellow and black sails arrives at Scyros. The narrator recognizes one of the visitors, who came to their chambers, as Odysseus, one of Helen's former suitors.
• Odysseus visits the narrator's chambers, saying he's speaking to promising young men about joining the army against Troy but doesn't recognize the narrator, who introduces himself as "Chironides".
• The narrator, Odysseus, Lycomedes, and Diomedes, the King of Argos, have dinner. The atmosphere becomes tense as Diomedes challenges Odysseus's tales of his home and family life.
• In response to Odysseus and Diomedes' request, Lycomedes calls for the palace's female dancers to perform. Even though Achilles is among the dancers, neither Odysseus nor Diomedes recognizes him.
• A trumpet blows, signalling a disaster, and Achilles' reaction reveals his true identity. Odysseus and Diomedes reveal they have been purposefully searching for Achilles.
• Achilles reveals himself fully and speaks with respect and dignity to Odysseus and Diomedes.
• Odysseus requests to borrow a state room for discussions with Achilles and Patroclus, referring to Patroclus by his real name, indicating he knew his identity as well.