Book 16

Book 16: The Fall of Patroclus Patroclus begs Achilles for mercy on the battlefield, tears falling like spring rain on bare stone. Achilles, still refusing to fight, lends him his armor and his Myrmidons, but gives one warning: save the ships and return. Do not press toward Troy. Glory and death walk together when Apollo watches. Patroclus leads the charge in golden armor, and the Trojans think Achilles himself has returned. Fear grips their ranks as the Greek tide turns. They drive Hector back across the ditch and extinguish the fires from the ships. Victory surges. But then Patroclus meets Sarpedon, Zeus's own son. On Olympus, Zeus weeps blood tears, yet allows fate to run its course. The king of Lycia falls. Blinded by triumph, Patroclus ignores his friend's warning and attacks the walls of Troy three times. Each time, Apollo drives him back. On the third, the god shatters his gear, strips his armor, and leaves him vulnerable. The Trojan Euphorbus wounds him, and Hector finishes the blow. As Patroclus dies, he prophesies: you too shall fall, Hector, at Achilles' hand. Book 15 spoke the future. Book 16 makes it real, the first fatal thread pulled tight, summoning Achilles' wrath in its most terrible form.