Bouquet of Narcissus

Chapter Ⅲ

The country roads were strewn with debris, the rhythmic clopping of pony hooves resonating in the air.

At the bustling city gate, crowds surged in a constant flux.

As Narcissus ventured into the city, he was greeted by the familiar strains of the morning's song, now suffused with joy and relief.

Workers jubilantly exclaimed, "Workday's end! May tomorrow bring sunshine and sustenance, by the grace of God."

A voice interjected sarcastically, "Courtesy of the king's benevolence."

The supervisors from earlier had vanished, the workers dispersing into two factions—some entering the city, while others scattered into the outskirts, retreating into tents.

Amidst the throng, Narcissus blended seamlessly, riding his pony amidst the crowd of laborers. The city's marketplace had shuttered for the night, the moon casting its radiant glow upon the scene.

Clusters of jovial men roamed the streets, their laughter and banter filling the air. Narcissus found amusement in their antics, leisurely strolling along.

Suddenly, a passerby seized the little green parrot, releasing it abruptly, causing the startled bird to shed a flurry of feathers before finding refuge on Narcissus's shoulder—a spectacle that elicited laughter from onlookers.

Enraged, the parrot swooped down to peck at the pony's tail, inciting it to bolt through the crowd, chaos ensuing as people and horses scattered in its wake. With a mix of pride and mischief, the parrot reveled in the commotion.

However, the merriment soured when a disgruntled bystander hurled a stone at the pony, aggravating its unruliness.

"Slow down!" Narcissus cried out, attempting to rein in the panicked animal. Yet, as the situation escalated, a figure emerged to intervene, deftly redirecting the pony's course with a swift kick.

The pony stumbled, and Narcissus teetered precariously, his ire mounting. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.

The stranger, clad in black attire and sporting a straw hat, towered over Narcissus, his tone casual yet commanding. "Horses are heedless; it is we who must exercise prudence," he remarked, inspecting the wounded pony. "Take it home and tend to its wounds—it will recover." With that, he prepared to depart.

"Hold on—" Narcissus seethed, incensed by the man's audacity. Unaccustomed to such insolence, he attempted to assert his authority, only to be rebuffed with ease—his divine lineage notwithstanding.

As the stranger retreated, Narcissus grappled with a tumult of emotions, his frustration mingled with a newfound sense of vulnerability.

"Compensate me for the pony," Narcissus demanded firmly. The foal, a prized gift from the eldest prince Priam, hailed from the esteemed Silati bloodline.

"You can't simply walk away. At the very least, help me return the pony to the palace," he insisted, trailing after the retreating figure of the man in black.

But the man in black paid him no mind, striding away with purpose. Narcissus, struggling to keep up, felt a sense of foreboding. "Do you feel no remorse for your actions? You've harmed someone's cherished pet. Don't you feel compelled to make amends?" he panted, his veil torn off in his pursuit. "Stop, you scoundrel!"

The man in black halted abruptly, visibly perturbed by Narcissus's beauty. "You're as stunning as you are foolish," he scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. "Follow me again, and your pony will be lost to you. And your broken parrot? It will meet an unsavory fate."

Frustrated and uncertain, Narcissus turned to see a crowd gathered around the injured pony, but there was no sign of his beloved parrot. When he turned back, the man in black had vanished.

In a fit of anger, Narcissus vowed, "If I ever cross paths with you again, you'll regret it."

Returning to the palace, he recounted the incident to the eldest prince Priam, who sympathized and promised to assist in tracking down the culprit. In return, Priam offered him a new white horse and provided a copy of the city-state law.

"That man was correct. Riding a horse within an hour after sunset is forbidden. Both nobles and commoners are subject to punishment," Priam explained.

Though dissatisfied, Narcissus begrudgingly accepted. As he ate in a despondent mood, he perused the law, seething at the thought of the man in black's audacity.

Turning his attention to the scroll, the parrot lamented, "Capture that villain! I've been stripped bare, bald as can be—I can't face anyone!"

Narcissus resolved to visit Mount Ida the next day, longing for the company of Poro. But before he could act, Hesione, Laomedon's youngest daughter, interjected.

Eagerly eyeing the scroll, she exclaimed, "What's this, brother? A splendid gift indeed! Father would surely covet it."

Narcissus attempted to reclaim the scroll, but Hesione held fast, her curiosity piqued. "Who bestowed this magnificent treasure upon you?" she inquired, her green eyes alight with intrigue.

The current king of Troy, Laomedon, was a hero of great renown, having returned triumphant from an expedition blessed by the gods. He often regaled Narcissus and his mother, the water nymph Lyriope, with tales of his valor and conquests:

"I possess divine power and unmatched courage, and I established my kingdom through sheer wisdom," he would proclaim, painting a grandiose picture of Troy's might. Troy, the largest city-state on the Delos Plain, boasted neighboring states such as Romandro, Tovan, and Croti. The Delos Plain was also adorned with several islands, including Tenedos Island, Lesbos Island, Pedas City, and Lyones City, each contributing to Troy's prosperity through trade and alliance.

"I once embarked on an expedition aboard the Argo, accompanied by countless heroes," Laomedon would continue, his eyes alight with pride. "Upon my return, I brought back treasures untold—ships laden with gold, silver, jewels, and the bounty of the sea. Moreover, I bestowed upon the Trojans the gifts of medicine and agriculture, ensuring their welfare for generations to come."

His boasts filled his children with admiration, and Narcissus was no exception. However, Lyriope's words of caution echoed in his mind: "Never trust blindly."

With this warning in mind, Narcissus reclaimed the scroll and bid Hesione leave, feeling a mix of resentment and exhaustion. Hesione, hurt by his rejection, departed angrily, leaving behind a trail of insults and threats.

As Narcissus drifted off to sleep, he dreamt of his mother, who foretold of dangers lurking in the deep forest. Though puzzled by her words, Narcissus found solace in his mother's presence, even in his dreams.

Upon waking, he couldn't shake the feeling of longing for his mother, whose presence brought both comfort and uncertainty to his life.