Chapter 11Aeneas dragged his feet through the passage back to the temple. Father was waiting for him on the steps. Ankhises seized him by the forearms.
‘You with us, boy?’
Aeneas nodded.
‘Hm. Good.’ Ankhises released him.
Aeneas let his arms fall slack. He raised his head. Hundreds of pairs of Trojan eyes shone upon him in expectation. He beckoned Ankhises, Sergestos and Mnestheos over for private counsel away from the crowd. After a moment’s hesitation, he gestured to Gyas as well.
‘What am I to do?’ he whispered.
‘You’re to be king, of course,’ said Mnestheos. ‘There’s no time for an official coronation. No crown, either, for that matter. But it must be you. You’re Priam’s nearest surviving heir.’
‘Ah,’ said Sergestos, and he adjusted the strap of his baldric. ‘That’s, eh, not qui
