Argos (5 page)

I whirled around and found myself confronted by a woman. Immediately, I knew that this was the source of the unfamiliar scent. She was tall and slim and wore a suit of armor. A dazzling golden helmet adorned her head. But it was her eyes that really set her apart from humans. Unearthly gray eyes. Eyes lit by an internal radiance that spilled forth and bathed me in light.

She said nothing and there was, of course, nothing I could say to her. I sensed however, that she was slightly amused by my presence.

With one elegant hand, she gestured imperiously that I should follow. Without bothering to see whether I obeyed or not, she turned and strode lightly away, leading me out of the main hall and into a corridor. I trotted alone behind her, curious and a little awestruck. I had no idea who this woman was. I just knew that she was something
other
.

We came to a doorway. She looked at me and cocked one eyebrow in my direction. I knew this door. It led into Odysseus' and Penelope's bedchamber. She didn't bother knocking or even touching the door for that matter. Obedient to her wishes, the door simply opened.

The woman beckoned to me and I followed as she walked into the room casually, as if she owned the palace or was taking a stroll down on the rocky shore. As casual as she was, like me, she made no sound. Together, we walked to the side of the great bed. The woman, or whatever she was, picked me up with one hand so that I could see better. Her touch was a thrilling sensation, making me want to bark with joy, but I dared not.

Odysseus and Penelope were sound asleep; she cuddled into the crook of his arm. Telemachus, in a crib next to Penelope's side of the bed, moved restlessly and cried out. It was a tiny sound but even so, Penelope reacted, reaching out to lay a comforting hand on him. A mother's reflex. I doubt whether she was even awake.

Not that the woman who carried me seemed to care whether Penelope awoke or not. She looked down at me and patted my head. “He will need you, Argos,” she said, her voice containing a beautiful musical lilt that I had never encountered before. “Even if he doesn't know it now, he will need your strength. And your loyalty. Be true to him and he will be true to you.” I noticed that she didn't bother to whisper, but it made no difference. All three humans in the room continued to sleep, blissfully unaware of the intruders. Before I knew what was happening, the woman placed me in the crook of Odysseus' other arm and covered me with the blanket. When I managed to poke my head out, the woman was gone. I noticed that she had shut the door behind her.

At that moment, I was the happiest I had ever been. It was probably the happiest moment of my entire life, to be snuggled into the arm of my master in his own bed. Pure indulgence. I confess that I felt a little guilty. I knew that dogs did not spend the night in their master's bed. It was a luxury to even be allowed to spend the night in the palace let alone this. To maintain some semblance of pride and self-dignity, I did contemplate hopping out. But only for a moment. I was just too warm and comfortable. Besides, I was tired and just a pup. I didn't know any better.

The next morning, Odysseus and Penelope awoke and were surprised to find me still in their bed. I had been awake for some
time but I hadn't moved for fear of waking my master.

“How did he get in here?” asked Penelope.

“I don't know,” confessed Odysseus, scratching his stubbly beard. “He couldn't open the door. The handle is far too high.”

“One of the servants then?”

Odysseus shook his head. “None of them would dare enter this room without our permission.”

“Then how?” she asked.

“I don't know,” said Odysseus. Smiling, he picked me up from the bed and cuddled me into his bear-like chest. “Perhaps the gods helped him?”

“Do not jest about such things, my love,” said Penelope with a slight frown. “Are you sure you didn't bring him to bed with you last night?”

Odysseus shook his head. “I had a few goblets of wine but not enough to addle my brains. Besides, I was under strict instructions to the contrary.”

Penelope narrowed her eyes suspiciously, unconvinced.

“I know one thing for sure,” continued Odysseus, patting my head softly with one large hand.

“And that is?”

“I think he certainly enjoyed himself.”

Penelope looked down at me and smiled. I looked back up at her, trying my best to look cute. “Well, I hope he did,” said Penelope, “because as adorable as he is, he will not be sleeping in here tonight.”

I
didn't see that strange woman for a long time after that night, which was probably just as well. I don't think I would have endeared myself to Penelope if I had been a regular visitor to their marital bed. As a compromise, I slept outside the bedroom door each night. With the fire no longer available to warm me, I was cold. I wanted to be as near to my master as possible, regardless. It wasn't the bed but it was enough. I was content.

When Odysseus found me there the following morning, his face softened. He took me at once into the kitchen to feed me. After that, my bed was permanently moved to the exact spot just outside his bedroom door, perfect for my nighttime visitations.

The next few months passed in a blur. I grew quickly, aided by a diet rich in meat and bones. At first, I didn't notice what I ate. If it was put in front of me and it smelt and tasted fine, I
ate it. Sometimes I ate it even when it smelt bad or tasted foul. I wasn't terribly picky.

Odysseus was unable to attend to my needs himself. He was often busy about the palace or off on some errand somewhere within his rocky kingdom. Sometimes, I didn't see him for days on end, and I would wander about the palace miserably, pining for my master. During those times, the servants fed me and they paid little heed to my preferences. As far as they were concerned, I was so far down the pecking order as to almost be invisible.

I loved fresh boar. Odysseus noticed this and whenever he was around, I enjoyed generous portions of this delicious meat. At other times, I had to settle for goat or pig. Occasionally, I was even given fish, which I didn't particularly like. I ate it anyway.

As I grew, so did Telemachus. Even when Odysseus was away, Penelope would ensure that the two of us spent time together every day. Our play developed a new dimension when he started crawling and he began to chase me around the main hall. I always let him catch me, even though that meant painful pulling on my tail or ears.

I must have been about six months old when Odysseus began my training. As he had mentioned to Amycus, Odysseus had selected me because he not only wanted a companion for his wife and son but a solid and reliable hunting dog.

When he was on the island, we spent as much time together as his duties allowed. At first, he taught me basic commands. I think he was amazed how quickly I caught on but it's easy when you understand human language. “Stay”, “come,” “attack,” “wait,” were all mastered within minutes. We quickly moved on
to more advanced commands and even Amycus, who came out of his kennels to watch us from time to time, registered grudging respect for my abilities.

Shortly after, Odysseus took me on my first hunt. I was unbelievably excited by the prospect of accompanying him. Odysseus had been out hunting many times before without me and I had been disappointed to be left behind. I always knew when he was about to go hunting. He would whistle as he slowly gathered his hunting equipment, sharpening and checking everything carefully. Each time I would look at him and raise my ears hopefully. Each time the response was the same.

“No, Argos,” he would say. “You are too young. You stay here and look after Penelope and Telemachus. Soon you will come with me, but not today.”

But today had come. Finally, I would hunt with my master.

My excitement mounted as I saw Odysseus gather his hunting equipment. I planted myself in front of him so he had no choice but to notice me and wagged my tail. Our eyes met and I saw his mouth slowly twist into a grin. “Yes, Argos. Today. Today you will go hunting with me.”

I believe I was born to hunt. I was certainly bred to hunt. Both my mother and father were fine hunting dogs, but I think the desire to please my master elevated me to new heights. Not only that, I was fast. Faster than all the other dogs from the palace kennels. Odysseus had named me well. It was a trait that gave Odysseus great pride. I think he was looking forward to taking me hunting as much as I was looking forward to going.

I could hardly control my excitement as Odysseus loaded his
spears and other equipment onto his horse. It was just before dawn but I could tell that the weather would be clear. A perfect day.

Other men were saddling up around him. I recognized Eumaeus and two other men that Odysseus counted as his companions. With them were three other members of Odysseus' household guard.

Eumaeus was Odysseus' constant companion and closest friend. I had heard his story from one of the palace servants. Although only a lowly swineherd, he was actually of noble blood. His father, Ktesios, son of Ormenos, had been king of an island called Syria. As a child, he had been kidnapped by a Phoenician sailor and sold to Odysseus' father, Laertes. Although purchased as a slave, Eumaeus was raised alongside Odysseus and was considered almost his equal.

“And what are we hunting today, my lord Odysseus?” asked Eumaeus.

“Same as we always do,” replied Odysseus, grinning with anticipation. “Boar.”

“You do realize,” said Eumaeus, “that you are rapidly depleting the stock of boar on the island?”

Odysseus nodded, adjusting the harness on his horse. “I know that. That's why I have had two score wild boars delivered. They were set free last week.”

The most common form of wildlife on Ithaca was goats—both domesticated and wild. Often Odysseus would return from a hunt empty handed other than a few wild goats he had killed with his spears. It was better than nothing, but it always put my
master in a foul mood. In an effort to lighten it, he imported boar from his neighbors.

It was his one luxury, his one indulgence. Penelope knew this and never questioned the extravagance.

“I wondered why that ship was in the harbor,” mused Eumaeus. “I didn't see them unload anything though.”

“That's because I had them offload their cargo under cover of darkness,” said Odysseus. “I wanted to surprise you.”

“Surprise me or you?” asked Eumaeus. “You're the huntsman. I daresay you had them set free in darkness so that you wouldn't get a hint of where they were going.”

Odysseus laughed. “You know me too well, my friend,” he said, mounting his horse. “Are you ready?”

Eumaeus nodded. “I noticed you are bringing Argos today,” he said, looking down at me where I obediently sat next to Odysseus' horse.

“You are as observant as you are wise, Eumaeus,” said Odysseus. “Next you'll be telling me that the sun will rise soon.”

“He's a fine looking dog but he is young. And the only dog you are taking today. Is that wise? Do you think he is ready?”

“More ready than a swineherd I could name. Don't you worry about Argos. He is the finest dog I have ever owned. I need no other. I have less concern about him than I do about you.” The other men chuckled and I saw Eumaeus smile easily.

“Now less talk, more riding,” said Odysseus eagerly. “We have boars to hunt!”

The horses galloped off. I kept pace easily, running at my master's side. Odysseus led us toward the interior of the island.
Now, many consider my master's kingdom of the island of Ithaca to be less than ideal. It was rocky and mountainous. All but the inhabitants thought it inhospitable.

Higher in the mountains, away from the human inhabitants and their farms, shrubs grew denser, providing food and shelter for the wild boar. Odysseus knew this and led us up and along a rocky game trail. We continued to climb until the rocky terrain made riding untenable and Odysseus gave the order to dismount. Odysseus, Eumaeus, and the other men tied their horses to a nearby cypress tree and collected their weapons.

“Argos,” Odysseus commanded. “Seek.”

I didn't have to be told twice. I had been like a coiled spring ready to unfold but had restrained my impulses to run ahead because that wasn't what Odysseus had wanted. Now, given the order to find boar, I shot forward like an arrow from a bow. I sprang ahead with swift bounds, quickly leaving my human companions behind.

After hurtling around the nearby shrubs like a dog possessed, I eventually found tracks and sniffed eagerly. There was no mistaking it. Boar. Given that they were my favorite meal, I knew their smell intimately. I began salivating, already imagining a juicy bone.

Nose to the ground, I followed the tracks further and further away from my hunting companions but I was committed. There was no turning back. Only a command from Odysseus would make me stop my relentless pursuit.

I realized after a time that I was definitely getting closer. The tracks were incredibly fresh. The scent of boar was so strong; I
could almost taste it. But there was something else, another scent mixed in. It was definitely boar but combined with some strange element that raised my hackles and curled my lip in a snarl.