( video ) un: achilles

[heelies]

[As when storm-bruised clouds cast their dark pall over the sky, a harbinger of the torrent and tempest to come, so appears the countenance of Peleus' son. He is harnessed in the glorious armor that lame-foot Hephaestus did forge for him, and upon his head fiercely glints the golden helmet which once served as a beacon to the Myrmidons and all of the vast host of war-loving Argives. Like the thunder that is hurled by almighty Zeus who bears the aegis, his voice roars out over the network.]

Koltira, you whose heart is blackened with vile hatred! Hear now the son of Peleus, Achilles, best of all the Achaeans - I whose pride was rent by your blade when you did raise arms without first issuing a proper challenge as is honorable between warriors. I demand that you meet me in single combat, that I may avenge myself and slake my spear upon your blood. Meet me then to the east of the town ere the sun touches the far horizon, where it settles for the night into the couch of the desert - unless the worm of cowardice burrows deep within your breast to weaken your fighting spirit!

It is for this reason that I give my challenge in this public forum, that others may bear witness and hold you accountable to this duel. What say you, Koltira? Recoil not from the bloodshed you so take pleasure in! Long has my anger rankled in my breast, and long has my pride festered without salve potent enough to soothe it, for the cure lies only in victory by dint of my spear. Thus, today I wait no more!

[In the colloquialisms of the locals: This town ain't big enough for the both of us.]

Comments

[backthatup]

I consider myself a supporter of anyone who wishes to better themselves. Holding onto grudges, holding onto hate, that only makes a person weak. [ Yeah, agreed, inner peace is for chumps sometimes. ]

But I suppose I have my own personal feelings against you, too, even though we have not ever met. A rudeness I shall apologize for now. [ Only not really. ]

[heelies]

Then if hatred does burden a man's heart as you say, as once I was prisoner to my loathing for murderous Hector, he who robbed the life from my dearest companion's limbs, he whose father, wise Priam of Troy, kissed my hands and entreated that I return to him his son's body for burial, and thus my heart relented - if truly you believe that which you advise, then let me raise my spear in single combat and settle the matter that I may have peace.

If even in the height of my strength I cannot lay Koltira low, then there shall be nothing more that I can do. But until the final blow is struck, I cannot know for certain. Thus, just as peace was restored within my heart upon the burial of Hector, so too shall it be restored once I can put behind me this duel.

[backthatup]

It is not so much that you cannot defeat Koltira with all your strength. [ You can't, but moving on. ] That is not the path to peace in one's heart. Killing another to ease the pain one has, is that truly the way?

Koltira will not kill you, if it comes to that. [ This, he believes. ] And so if it turns out that you could not, and you remain alive, you will continue to feel slighted and angry, won't you? Or worse, will you then accept every duel from those that are hurt over Koltira's death?

[ Let's go with that route. ]

Because just as you would feel pain for your friend's limbs being lost... I would feel a part of ALISTAIR is lost with him, if he dies. How many of us will you kill in order to feel like you have done well for your own heart? That is why I say you speak with no honor because you see only your own and no one else's.