[Achilles looks like one born to have his likeness sculpted in marble for later generations to remember. He is at once lithe and strong, composed of both muscles and beauty. Likewise, the son of Peleus senses power about Clarisse such that he has never known to be borne by a maiden. Her hands, he notices, are shaped for the swords and long-shadowed spears of battle rather than the distaff and loom that are a woman's domain.]
No, Zeus the lord of gods and men will not answer every prayer. [His eyes darken, and sorrow wells up in his voice.] Well did I learn this when he granted Menoetius' gallant son Patroclus victory in battle, but in the same tilting of his mighty scales denied him safe return.
[He turns his curious gaze on the strange maiden.]
But what is this you are saying? Are you a child of the gods? I must know, fair maiden...if Zeus who marshals thunderheads is your grandfather, then who do you claim for your father?
[Her mother he does not consider, as the only she-child of Zeus he knows of is Helen who leads men to ruin. And grey-eyed Athena, of course, a virgin goddess.]
no subject
No, Zeus the lord of gods and men will not answer every prayer. [His eyes darken, and sorrow wells up in his voice.] Well did I learn this when he granted Menoetius' gallant son Patroclus victory in battle, but in the same tilting of his mighty scales denied him safe return.
[He turns his curious gaze on the strange maiden.]
But what is this you are saying? Are you a child of the gods? I must know, fair maiden...if Zeus who marshals thunderheads is your grandfather, then who do you claim for your father?
[Her mother he does not consider, as the only she-child of Zeus he knows of is Helen who leads men to ruin. And grey-eyed Athena, of course, a virgin goddess.]