The setting sun dyed the Scamander River into flowing gold-red silk. The sky was darkening as they reached the Dardan Valley port. A thin mist rose over the water. Like a veil. The outline of the Dardan hills faded in the twilight. Like a watercolor painting losing its color.
Aeneas and his group, aboard the ship Hippodamia had arranged, neared the Dardan landing.
Aeneas watched the fading light. His dark-gold curls shifted in the evening breeze. He turned to Achates. "Achates, we head for Callippus's camp first."
"We need his help. The road's too dangerous at night... With a sick woman and children, we need extra hands."
Achates gave a silent nod of agreement. He turned to Nisus. They began dividing watch duties and tasks for after landing.
Euryalus, meanwhile, poked at the thin horse's ribs with curious fingers. "Hey, still alive?" he said with a grin. Then he muttered under his breath,
"You're so skinny I can count your ribs. Just don't drop dead the moment we reach the manor, alright?"
"The young master brought back a bunch of kids for your sake... You'd better work hard for him!"
"You getting any of this? Say something... Hey...."
He looked like a big kid playing with a new toy.
Aeneas stared in disbelief.
(He's reached a whole new level of boredom... That horse is probably too weak to bother, or it'd kick him right into the river... This guy is seriously annoying!)
The boat bumped against the wooden dock with a dull thud.
"Easy now. She needs it smooth." Nisus directed Euryalus. The two worked together to settle the unconscious Lady Puduhepa on the stretcher. Euryalus was surprisingly reliable when focused. The two strong guards made the transfer steady and secure.
Aeneas looked after the four children. He'd worried the landing might be risky. But he discovered something unexpected. Children from hard lives could be remarkably capable and well-behaved...
Arinna held her sister Talia's hand tightly. Her eyes, once full of worry, now shone with hope. She told her sister the good news. They were nearly at their "new home." Karik was the picture of a dutiful older brother. He shielded Mira. Carefully guided the well-behaved little boy ashore. Achates led the emaciated horse onto the dock. It was so weak it could barely stand. Its ribs showed clearly under its thin hide. Every breath seemed a monumental effort.
They moved along the town's darkening streets toward the manor hill. Callippus's camp stood guard near the entrance. Its fires were bright spots in the dusk. The small fortress of earth and timber stood solid in the night. The silhouettes of patrolling soldiers moved in the firelight.
The old captain, his face a map of scars, listened to the request. His battle-worn face broke into a ready smile. He immediately gathered men to help.
"Don't worry, young master. I could walk this mountain path blindfolded!"
His voice boomed. He was built like an ox. He carried the classic soldier's scent of this era... which was potent. His leather armor gleamed with a soft sheen in the firelight. His whole look was very... well... formidable.
But surprisingly, the rough-looking Captain Callippus seemed fond of children.
When Talia and Mira hid timidly behind their sister, the battle-hardened man knelt. His voice was unexpectedly gentle. A stark contrast to his rugged exterior. "Hey there, little ones. Let old Callippus take you up the hill."
Talia looked up at Callippus. Then, hesitantly, she reached out a small hand. Callippus easily scooped her up.
"Ha! Braver than some of my new recruits!"
Callippus held Talia with one arm. He settled Mira on his other shoulder. His bristling beard shook with his laughter. Like a cheerful hedgehog.
The two children adapted quickly. They weren't scared of his scarred, bearded face. They chattered away in their childish language. Having a completely nonsensical conversation with the big, bearded man.
Amazingly, Captain Callippus didn't mind at all. His beard seemed to twitch with delight. As if they were having a splendid chat.
Aeneas watched the heartwarming scene. He couldn't help an amused smile. His mind started to wander.
(Who knew the tough soldier had this side to him... The contrast is perfect for a social media post. Call it 'Iron & Innocence.' Huh. Just thinking about it feels wholesome.)
(If I could start an IG or X account in Troy, this pic would get so many likes.)
By the light of flickering torches, the strange procession started up the hill toward the manor.
Callippus adjusted his hold on the children now and then. His hands, used to gripping weapons, were incredibly gentle. As if he held the world's most precious treasures.
Cradled in his strong arms, the two kids finally let go of their fear and anxiety. Soft, bell-like laughter began to escape them.
Before they even reached the manor, Terani came flying toward them like a happy sparrow.
Her brown curls streamed in the evening breeze. Her simple maid's dress cut a lively path through the twilight.
"Young master! Young master!" Terani bounced excitedly around Aeneas. Her round face glowed with barely contained excitement.
One moment she was scolding him. "You're back so late! The mistress was so worried she nearly sent men to Troy to find you!"
The next, her tone shifted to pure admiration. "But you're so amazing, young master! A true genius blessed by the goddess!"
Terani was practically dancing with excitement. But her circling was making Aeneas dizzy. He put a hand on her shoulder to steady her.
"Wait... wait, Terani! I appreciate the praise, but what in the world are you talking about?"
Terani finally caught her breath. But her excitement remained. "Dinner! That... that 'special dish from the Far East' you taught Lady Marsha!"
She struggled to recall the unfamiliar term. "The venison steak cooked low and slow in olive oil! With the red wine sauce and blanched wild greens!"
She kept explaining, bursting with excitement. They had missed the usual dinner hour. So the master and mistress had eaten first. But the main course had stunned them. Head cook Lady Marsha had served venison steaks with a red wine sauce. Alongside wild greens, just blanched and dressed with olive oil and salt.
This delicious food was unheard of. Unprecedented. They asked and learned the truth. Aeneas had personally taught Lady Marsha this "special dish from the Far East" the night before. A "sacred technique bestowed by the Goddess."
"The mistress thought you wanted everyone at the manor to taste it," Terani's voice quivered with excitement, "so she had half the deer shared among the servants! Now everyone at the manor is sure you're truly divinely inspired!"
As she spoke, an enticing aroma drifted from the manor's kitchen area. It was a complex scent. Rich wine, savory meat, the clean fragrance of olive oil. A true miracle for this era. Servants gathered, excitedly discussing the special dinner. Their faces shone with disbelief and joy.
Head cook Lady Marsha praised him to anyone who would listen. Her rough hands mimed the cooking process. "The red wine sauce the young master taught me! Even the master praised it! Just as he said: it must be a divine skill from the Goddess!" Her eyes glittered with pride. "That method of letting the meat rest overnight, slow-cooked over a gentle fire... I've never heard of it in forty years of cooking!"
The old gardener savored the last piece of venison in his hand. He sighed with feeling. "In sixty years, I've never tasted venison so tender! The master, the mistress, the young master... they are truly remarkable! Such generous, kind lords! I've never heard of lords sharing such fine food with their servants..." His voice grew thick. His wrinkled face was full of emotion.
The serving girls whispered nearby. They stole glances at Aeneas, still standing at the manor gate. "I heard the young master rescued kidnapped children in Troy..." "Really? No wonder he brought back so many new faces..." "I told you! The young master must be the goddess's chosen!" "Nonsense! The young master is the goddess's child! See how merciful he is! Full of her virtue..."
A young guard said proudly to his companion, "With lords and a young master like this, Dardan's future is bright!" His words struck a chord. Everyone nodded. Their eyes shone with hope.
Aeneas listened to the chatter. He felt both amused and genuinely touched.
He hadn't expected this. Bringing a modern cooking technique like low-temperature poaching to the Mediterranean three millennia early would be seen as a divine revelation.
But seeing their sincere, happy faces... maybe it wasn't a bad thing. After all, "miracles" that made people happy... the more, the better.