Troy: The Greek Myths Reimagined (Stephen Fry's Great Mythology #3)

by Stephen Fry

“I am not afraid. Besides, that isn’t soil—it’s sand.”

“You think you killed me, Hector,” Patroclus gasped. “But it took the god Apollo to do that. Euphorbus was next. You, famous Hector, noble Hector, were just the third. All you did is finish me off. I die knowing that your fate will be settled by one greater than any . . . by my Achilles.”

Achilles broke down completely. His despair overwhelmed him. He scrabbled at the ground for dirt and rubbed it all over his beautiful face. He tore his hair and howled with absolute and uncontrollable grief. Antilochus knelt beside him and grasped each hand—as much to stop Achilles harming himself as to show his sympathy and support.

“Forget him. What is treasure, or Briseis, or honor, or anything next to the life of the one I loved best and dearest, my beloved, my only Patroclus? Patroclus, oh Patroclus!”

Unromantic as it was, Achilles saw the justice in this very practical suggestion.