Chapter 16

Achilles and Patroclus arrive back in Phthia, where a large crowd greets them. Peleus and Achilles are reunited. Unaware of the prophecy, Peleus announces proudly that his son will bring his army victory in Troy and return in triumph. The praise from his father and the crowd changes how Achilles behaves. Achilles trains his soldiers, who are known as the Myrmidons. Realizing that Achilles no longer belongs to him alone, Patroclus starts to avoid him, haunted by visions of his death. Achilles reveals that he does not intend to tell his father about the prophecy and that he asked Thetis to protect Patroclus after Achilles’s death, which she refused to do. With no intention of outliving Achilles, Patroclus is unconcerned by the refusal.

Six weeks pass as the Phthians organize and equip the army Achilles will lead. The weapons and armor sent with Achilles are lavish but also include a wooden spear lovingly handmade by Chiron. The soldiers promise that they will come home with gold and glory. Knowing he will never see his father again, Achilles hugs him tightly as they say farewell. The Phthian ships depart.

Chapter 17

Before sailing to Troy, the whole army is to assemble at Aulis under Agamemnon. When Achilles lands, the Myrmidons raise a chant of his name, exciting the crowd on the beach. When they formally announce his arrival, Thetis makes him appear more godlike, intensifying his legend for the assembled Greeks.

Achilles and Patroclus go to greet Agamemnon, who is with his brother Menelaus, Odysseus, Diomedes, the clever old king Nestor, and other princes and kings of the Greeks. The social expectation is that Achilles will kneel and swear oaths to obey Agamemnon, but Achilles simply stands there, tall and proud. When he announces that he is a demigod and will bring them victory in Troy, Odysseus steps in and says he has brought Achilles to swear allegiance to Agamemnon. Yet Achilles refuses, saying that he has come freely to offer assistance. Agamemnon subtly criticizes Achilles by saying it is a shame he has arrived so late, then departs with his entourage of kings.

The Phthians pitch their camp. As Achilles walks around the encampment, the common people among the Greek armies show great interest in him and his activities. In whispers, they evaluate him, deciding that Achilles can live up to the rumors and lead the Greeks to victory.

Chapter 18

Waking in the night with a stifled feeling, Patroclus realizes that there is no wind. Without it, the army cannot sail to Troy. The problem goes on for days, as the men of the armies grow increasingly hot, frustrated, and angry. Achilles goes to speak to his mother, who tells him that the lack of wind is the work of the gods, a message Achilles passes on to Agamemnon.

After speaking with Calchas, a priest, Agamemnon decides that a huge sacrifice is necessary to soothe the anger of the goddess Artemis, whom he believes to be responsible. He announces that he will bring his daughter Iphigenia, a young priestess of Artemis, to Aulis so that she can preside over the sacrifice to Artemis. Remembering that weddings are also pleasing to the gods, Agamemnon offers Iphigenia in marriage to Achilles. Achilles agrees, in spite of his prior marriage to Deidameia, though he first looks to Patroclus for approval.

After Iphigenia arrives, the people gather for the marriage. Instead of a wedding, however, they witness a human sacrifice. Diomedes seizes Iphigenia and drags her to the altar. Agamemnon cuts her throat. The people are horrified, but just as they...