In one corner of the square, two young men stood out.
The one in front was Nisus, about twenty-seven. Broad shoulders, thick back.
He carried a full-grown roe deer on his back. The antlers looked like a crown, swaying with each step.
Sweat ran down his bronzed skin, shining in the morning light.
He shifted his grip. Brow furrowed. Muttered to himself,
"Tch... heavier than yesterday's hare." His tone held a hunter's focus. And a thread of satisfaction.
A few paces behind was his younger brother, Euryalus, twenty-four. Lean and wiry. He carried a longbow and a quiver.
Light steps almost a dance.
His brown hair was short and neat.
A grin hung on his lips, full of playful.
His eyes jumped around, curious for everything.
He watched his brother struggling along. Mouth twitched. He thought, Serves you right for showing off. 'Big strong brother will handle it,' you said. Feeling it now, huh? He shook his head slightly. He said to himself, "Next hunt, I'm carrying the deer home. Startle him good!"
Their clothes were simple and practical. Leather vests and linen trousers. Stained with mud and bits of grass. Clearly just back from the woods.
"Careful, brother!" Euryalus called out suddenly. He pretended to warn him about a stone in the path.
Nisus glanced back with a smile. "Relax. I've handled trickier boars." A slightly amusing boast.
Townsfolk watched the brothers. Some smiled and nodded. Others murmured to each other.
Aeneas observed from a distance. "Good teamwork. Strength and agility combined. They could be very useful. For hunting, or for emergencies in the territory."
Nisus carried the deer. His stride was steady, fluid. He occasionally wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. Euryalus walked easily beside him. He waved to stall vendors. He teased his brother about his clumsy posture. Their sibling rivalry and trust added life to the morning air.
Euryalus quickened his pace. He fell into step with Nisus. A sly glint in his eye.
"Hey, Nisus. Has this deer gotten heavier? Want me to take it? Though... it'll cost you your share of the barley beer!"
He nudged his brother's side with an elbow. Like he was checking if he could still hold up.
Nisus narrowed his eyes at him. He pressed his lips into a stern line. A mock severity.
"Save your breath, Euryalus. Who was it pretending he couldn't lift it back on the hill? Now you want to cheat me out of my beer?"
He stopped. He shifted the deer on his shoulders. He raised an eyebrow.
"This one should fetch... hmm..." A flicker of gentleness in his gaze. "...about fifty Obols in small silver? Enough for grain and salt. Maybe a new spindle for Mother."
Euryalus heaved an exaggerated sigh. He crossed his arms. His smile was overly bright.
"Only fifty? I say it's worth sixty! We chased the thing half the day! Oh, and we need good cord too. My bowstring needs replacing."
He glanced toward the bowyer's shop nearby. New wooden bows and bronze-tipped arrows glinted in the light.
Nisus snorted. His shoulders shifted slightly. "That bowstring was new last month! Grain and salt come first. Whatever's left…" His tone was stern, yet concern bled through. "Might get you new sandals. Those ones are falling apart."
Euryalus couldn't hold back a laugh. He nudged his brother again, his chuckle warm and bright. "Knew you cared! Ah, I mean it. You're all gruff on the outside, soft on the inside. Ha!"
A faint smile touched Nisus's lips. He didn't retort. Just gave the roe deer's shoulder a light pat. Beneath the easy banter lay a bond, deep and solid.
Morning light and market smells filled the air. The heat from a flatbread stall mixed with vendors' cries. The brothers found a small spot near the square's edge. Nisus carefully set the roe deer down. He adjusted its position with focus. As if this deer was the morning's main attraction.
He wiped his brow. Let out a long breath. "Watch it for a bit. I'll get water. I'm parched." He took the oxhorn cup Euryalus handed him. Headed for a nearby branch of the Scamander River.
The water shimmered blue-green in the morning sun. It mirrored his tall frame. Even his walk had that steady, hunter's rhythm.
Euryalus crouched. He smoothed the deer's fur. Took a deep breath. Then he started his call.
"Fresh roe deer! A prime buck from Mount Ida this morning! Tender meat, perfect hide! Even got a fine set of antlers for your hall! Come and see!"
His voice was clear. Playfully teasing. Not annoying, just engaging enough.
Soon, curious townsfolk drifted over. One man rubbed his chin, asking the price. Another pointed at the deer, muttering to his companion.
Amid the haggling, an old man with white hair looked up. He clicked his tongue in admiration.
"Not a bad deer. A bit small, though. Hear about young master Aeneas from the manor? Took down a massive boar solo yesterday! With just a javelin! Nasty beast, it was!"
He gestured wildly, showing the boar's supposed size.
"I heard he used a rock!" a woman holding a child chimed in, her voice hushed with awe. "Some say the young master was hurt. But Lady Aphrodite herself appeared! Healed him right up! A true miracle. Means the gods favor him."
"And that's not all!" the baker joined in, waving his arms as if he'd seen it himself. "I heard he drank three bowls of hot broth last night. Was up at dawn for sword practice! No ordinary man could do that!"
A young shepherd edged closer, lowering his voice.
"They say the blood's still on that javelin! That boar was ten times bigger than my sheep! Can't imagine how the young master handled it alone..." His eyes were wide, his tone a mix of admiration and pure fear.
Euryalus listened, his jaw practically hitting the ground. This was just... ridiculous.
He stared at the animated townsfolk. His mouth twitched. He felt a mix of amusement and sheer helplessness. The roe deer lay quietly before him. Its fur gleamed in the morning light, utterly indifferent to the rumors.
"Alright then..." he muttered under his breath. He raised an eyebrow at Nisus returning, his look a mix of resignation and amusement. "Seems today isn't just about selling a deer. We're in for some legendary tales too."
Nisus walked back, the oxhorn cup in hand. Their eyes met. A flicker of a smile shone in his deep green eyes. It seemed to say: You heard the rumors too, brother.
The square was getting livelier. Haggling, pointing, exclamations rose and fell. For the brothers, this was daily life. A small amusement. And the name Aeneas was whispered, exaggerated, celebrated. Like the wind, it swept through every corner of the town.
Euryalus was still busy arranging the deer. Trying to make it look more appealing.
Then, a young man drew near, attracted by the calls. He wore clean, common clothes, but carried himself with an unusual air. He crouched down. Curiously, he lightly touched the deer's back with a fingertip. A smile played on his lips. "How much for this one?"
Euryalus's mind was still on the rumors. He quoted without thinking. "Sixty Obols in silver!" The words out, he noticed the man's simple dress. He added, "Or the same in grain or salt." His tone was teasing. Testing if the buyer could meet the price.
Aeneas smiled inwardly. This one drives a hard bargain. The price wasn't steep. About two weeks' pay for a soldier. A little high, but fair.
He didn't haggle. Instead, he asked, "Is the meat fresh? Did you just hunt it this morning in the hills?" His voice was gentle, curious. Like an exploring youth.
Nisus returned with the freshly drawn river water. He shot Aeneas a measuring glance. Euryalus took the water. He said offhandedly, "Hey, friend, it's hot. Want a drink? Straight from the river. It's cold!" He gestured for emphasis. "Guaranteed fresh."
Aeneas frowned slightly. He took a step back. Waved a hand instinctively. "No, thank you!" he said quickly. He explained in a low voice, "Uh... it's better... to boil it first. Before drinking. Or there might be... tiny worms in it. They'll give you a stomach ache." His words were clumsy. He was trying to explain, using terms the era might grasp.
Nisus and Euryalus stared at each other. Their eyebrows shot up. Their looks were pure confusion. Boil water? Worms? What strange talk is this?
He seemed serious. Not joking. Nisus muttered under his breath, "Are you for real? We're mountain-born. What are you, some scholar from a library?"
Euryalus stifled a laugh. The corner of his mouth twitched. He waved a hand as if soothing his own sanity. "Ah, forget it. Look at him. The square's got another interesting character today."
Aeneas crouched again to examine the deer. He let out a soft chuckle. It was almost to himself. "Well, the hygiene standards here could use some work."
He looked up with a smile. Studied the brothers. Their clothes were simple, but their posture was straight. Their movements were sharp. Every slight gesture spoke of trained hunting instinct.
Aeneas assessed them mentally. These two are nimble. Seem decent. Hmm. They might make useful helpers.
He reached briskly for the pouch at his belt. Counted out sixty even, silver Obols. They glittered in the morning light. Like tiny stars dancing in his palm. He handed them to Nisus. His tone was light. "I'll take the deer. Sixty Obols it is."
Nisus took the silver. His hand stiffened slightly. His eyes widened. The count and quality were perfect. This was not something a commoner just carried around.
He instinctively glanced at Aeneas. Then exchanged a look with Euryalus. It was full of shock and confusion.
Euryalus thought privately: This guy's more generous than any buyer we've had.
Aeneas continued smoothly. "I live a bit far, though." He pointed toward the estate on the hill. His tone was as natural as asking a neighbor for help moving something.
"Could you trouble yourselves to deliver it? As thanks, I'll treat you to a proper lunch. How does that sound?" He raised an eyebrowslightly. A playful glint in his eye.
The brothers' eyes lit up immediately. They answered without hesitation. "Of course!"
Euryalus added excitedly, "We need to buy a few things anyway, young master... er, friend. If you've got time, could you wander the market with us? We'll head up with you right after!"
Nisus heard his brother's near-slip with 'young master'. His brow twitched. He speculated quietly. Refined air, that much silver so easily, lives up the hill... Could he be... the young master Aeneas from the rumors? The one who soloed the boar? Favored by the gods?
He stole another look at Aeneas's face. Young, with a faint smile. His manner was easy, yet carried a noble's unshakable composure.
Aeneas crouched down. His gaze rested on the deer. A slight smile touched his lips. It was like he was speaking to himself. "Not bad. These two lads. Quite interesting. Hope they can become my allies."
The market's noise, the scent of the deer, the glint of silver in the morning sun. They wove together into a strange morning tableau. Little did anyone know a great epic was quietly beginning with this generous deal.