Part 10

Phoenix and Theseus's sons have sailed from Troy and are following you with an armed flotilla.

NEOPTOLEMOS

Do they plan to take me with violence or persuade me to return with them?

TRADER

I do not know. I tell you only what I have heard.

NEOPTOLEMOS

Are Phoenix and his friends so eager to jump when the Atreids tell them to?

TRADER

They have already jumped. They're not wasting a second.

NEOPTOLEMOS

And Odysseus would not bring the message himself? Does some fear now act upon his spirit?

TRADER

When I left, he and Tydeus's son were off chasing down another man.

NEOPTOLEMOS

Who is the man they now pursue?

TRADER

He is---wait. First tell me who that man is, and tell me quietly.

NEOPTOLEMOS

The man is great Philoktetes, friend.

TRADER

Then ask no more questions. Get out of here, and quickly. Run away from this place.

PHILOKTETES

What is he saying to you, boy? Why does he bargain in the shadows, hiding his words from me?

NEOPTOLEMOS

I'm not sure what he means by all this. But he'll have to speak openly to all of us.

TRADER

Son of Achilles, do not upbraid me before your men. I do much for them and get much in return, as a poor man must.

NEOPTOLEMOS