Shield of Thunder (Troy, #2)

by David Gemmell

‘No, Gershom. I will bring that which feeds upon putrefaction and disease. I will bring maggots.’

saw you then in the moonlight, and something inside me knew you would be part of my life. Odysseus took me to a seer. His name was Aklides. He told me . . . he told me,’ tears began to fall, and her voice shook, ‘that I would know a love as powerful and as tempestous as the Great Green. I mocked him, and asked him whom I should watch for. He said the man with one sandal. When Odysseus and I left his tent I saw a common soldier some distance away. His sandal strap broke, and he kicked it clear. I laughed then, and asked Odysseus if I should call out to this soldier, this love of my life. I wish I had, Helikaon, for it was you, disguised to trick the killers. If I had called out then . . . if you had turned towards me . . .’ She hung her head and fell silent.

We are tiny flames, Helikaon, and we flicker alone in the great dark for no more than a heartbeat. When we strive for wealth, glory and fame, it is meaningless. The nations we fight for will one day cease to be. Even the mountains we gaze upon will crumble to dust. To truly live we must yearn for that which does not die.’

We all worship the unknown, and the unknowable. That is the essence of our lives. All we can ever know is what was, not what will be. Yet we yearn to know, to understand the mystery.

Tears filled Halysia’s eyes. Both her sons were with her now, and the world was in harmony again. In that one, blissful moment, as the light faded, Halysia realized she had never been happier.

Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and stepped forward. Rough hands grabbed her, hauling her back from the precipice. ‘What are you doing?’ asked a young shepherd boy, holding tight to her arms. Kassandra did not answer him. The journey to Thera would be long – and full of perils.