#forty-nine ships of eeaaaaarth

[littlesparklight]

Another snippet from the sequel to This Pleased the heart of Aphrodite, with Kinyras of Cyprus and Menelaos :) :

"As you might know, I had the fortune of marrying Helen of Sparta over all the rest who came to offer bride price for her," Menelaos said after a beat of silence, closing his eyes briefly. A little tremble rippled through him. "And we had the fortune of a good marriage, until a number of weeks ago, by now. We received a guest, and he was---"

Kinyras nodded, as if that cracking pause had been an intentional break to draw breath. He thought of his own wife, usually so involved in the life of the palace but right now still in their rooms, weighed down under the loss of their daughters in such a manner. If he lost her---

Swallowing a sigh, Kinyras folded his hands together in his lap. But he was not the one who had lost his wife, and while he, too, was suffering from Aphrodite making herself known in the life of his family, it didn't matter. Not when it came to the king of Sparta.

"Pleasant. Charming."

Like whipcracks, those two words were condemnations, Menelaos' face instantly darkening and his hands, loosely spread out the moment before, closed into fists. His mouth briefly trembled before it, too, firmed.

"Too charming; he has stolen my wife with wiles, and emptied my house with impunity, while I was away attending my grandfather's funeral in Crete. This is an insult not only to me, but all married men, I'm sure you can agree. You didn't take part in the courting of Helen, and the oath all her suitors swore has no hold on you, but I beg you by the laws of Zeus Xenios and the oaths of our marriages; will you not aid me?"

Menelaos spread his hands again, chest heaving and as tumultuous as his words, his eyes.

"We are gathering the suitors and any who will join in this cause, but I might be able to avoid bloodshed if I can catch Prince Alexander of Troy before he reaches Troy with his stolen treasures, and I have cause to think he would come this way."

His wife stolen, but a very willing stolen, in such case. Kinyras well remembered Helen, imperious and glorious under the sun, distant and yet warm in the light. Gracious, and no trembling, tearful fawn.

If she had come to him, asking refuge---

Perhaps. But he was his goddess' priest first and foremost.

"Your loss is a loss for all of us," Kinyras said quietly, standing up. "And yet more so when having to deal with a loss in the family at the same time. I will do what I can - while neither your wife nor the prince of Troy is here on Cyprus, I'll give fifty ships to join your cause if you shouldn't catch them, and I'll give armour for your brother, as he surely will need to aid you in your cause. I am but a servant, and if I see your wife and Prince Alexander after you leave, I'll send swift word."