“A good BEGINNING makes a good end.”
Everyone was shocked. A second of silence passed until the murmurs within the discussion started. Achilles was sitting on the front row, beside his partner, Briseis. He couldn’t speak. His cousin, Patroclos was tapping his back for support. Tears flooded the eyes of the gorgeous Briseis. She looked onto Achilles deeply, very deeply. She does not know what to do, until her hands were grasped by two big warriors. She was crying as she left her love. As Agamemnon was cheering, Achilles and his colleagues were poignant.
“Stop this nonsense! This is crazy.” Achilles shouted as he walks towards Agamemnon. He then clutches him by his armor. “Who do you think you are? Are you not a real man? Are you not a real warrior? Are you not an Achaean warrior?”
“I do deserve this,” Agamemnon said, “and you have no right to talk and question your king like that!”
Surprisingly, Briseis was able to get hold of one of the warrior’s sword. Desperately, she stabbed herself. She was caught by Achilles as she falls.
Achilles holds her firmly, embracing her until she catches her last breath. He shouted and cried without removing his tight arms around her.
For weeks, he was not able to fight; he was not able to be on his own. The Achaean fleet has been in danger on those times. They really need Achilles’ prowess in fighting. Until one day, Patroclos was able to convince his cousin to join the wars again. He reminded Achilles of what Briseis told him, that she will be with him always, and keep him safe on his future fights, that she will not leave him. This gave the energy back to Achilles in the battle. He was able to regain his former strength, by thinking of that Briseis is present.
This is my revised beginning of the Iliad. Instead of Achilles being stagnant on his tent, this alteration of the written story will be able to change the flow of happenings. It will be able to prevent unexpected events such as Patroclos’ death, or the continuous loss of the Achaeans in the battle.
A good beginning really creates a great ending. I hope that with this version of the start, the story of the epic novel will meet its expected improvements.
Score: 30
This is brilliant! Congratulations!
Miss Carmie