Stranded at the Coast of Love

The shrill cries of seagulls hung over the entire coastline, broken only by the steady crash of waves rolling onto the shore.

Aeneas lay sprawled out on the scorching sand. His lips were cracked. His skin sunburned and splitting. His helmet half-buried beside him.

Absentmindedly, he stared up at the azure sky, a strange calm on his face.

Well… guess that’s it for my mission. Honestly? Could be worse. Sure, I’m slowly drying out like a raisin, but at least I don’t have the legacy of an entire people weighing on my shoulders anymore.

His dry mouth curled into a faint, satisfied smile as he closed his eyes.

Yeah… this is fine…

It didn’t take long before thundering hooves shattered his peace.

“There he is! I found him!” a voice shouted.

“Is he still alive?”

“I think so! His face just twitched pretty hard!”

OH COME ON, YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

A short while later, Korydros was kneeling beside him, handing him a waterskin and a small pouch of dates.

“Here, my lord. You must regain your strength. The men need your leadership.”

Aeneas’ voice dropped to a raspy whisper as he turned toward him with exaggerated drama.

“Leave it, Korydros. I’m finished. You lead our people. Just leave me here to die in peace. You can leave the food, though.”

Moved, the commander’s eyes filled with tears as he shook his head with a smile.

“I'm honored you think I could lead the Trojans into a radiant future, my lord. But Jupiter himself chose you. No one else could do it!”

Aeneas rolled onto his side.

No one else, my ass…

“…Without your brave and farsighted order to beach the ships in a controlled landing, so many would never have survived the storm. It was a stroke of genius, my lord!”

“Stroke of genius?” Aeneas echoed, baffled, pushing himself upright before taking a long gulp from the waterskin and stuffing a few dates into his mouth.

“Of course!” Korydros insisted. “After all, you were the only one who went overboard. A miracle, really.”

“N-no one else?”

“Come, my lord. The ships are anchored in a bay south of here, but the storm damage has left them unseaworthy. You must decide how we proceed.”

Aeneas sighed.

“Of course I must…”

When they finally reached the makeshift camp around the landing site, a tense silence hung in the air.

“Something wrong?” Aeneas asked carefully.

“My lord, look!” Korydros pointed toward the northern edge of the camp, where Trojan hoplites stood in disciplined phalanx, spears ready.

Facing them were a dozen riders in unfamiliar armor.

“Apparently troops of the local ruler. Shall we cut them down?” Korydros asked casually as they rode closer.

WHY WOULD I WANT TO CUT THEM DOWN?!

“N-no, Korydros. Let’s at least ask what they want…”

A short time later, Aeneas sat opposite the riders. His helmet slipped down over his brow, and he hastily adjusted it.

“Aeneas, Prince of Troy?” their leader asked in a rough, authoritative voice.

“Y-yes…” He cleared his throat. “I mean… indeed! And you are?”

The riders bowed.

“We come in the name of our lady in Carthage to welcome you. Queen Dido wishes you to know that you may rely on her gracious support in repairing your ships, provided you come in peace. You are also invited to visit her court and enjoy her full hospitality.”

Korydros leaned toward Aeneas with a skeptical look.

“Shall I order the attack, my lord?”

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!

He turned to the rider and bowed awkwardly. “I-I thank you for the invitation and humbly accept…”

“Come with us then. I am ordered to escort you safely.”

“What, right now? Well… if you insist…”

Soon they were already on their way, Aeneas accompanied only by Korydros and a handful of hoplites.

🏛️🏛️🏛️

As they reached the outer edges of the capital, Aeneas let his gaze wander curiously over the many unfinished buildings surrounding them.

“Wow… still quite the construction site, huh?”

The rider nodded.

“Carthage was founded only a few years ago and is still a very young citystate. But thanks to the leadership of our brilliant ruler Dido, it is already on its way to becoming a thriving kingdom!”

“Brilliant ruler…?” Aeneas murmured.

Sounds like she's kind of a big deal. Wonder if she’s dealing with the same headaches I am. Yeah… doubt it. She’s probably some old crone anyway.

Fanfares and trumpets announced their arrival as they waited before the gates of the great palace.

When the doors finally opened, their footsteps echoed across the smooth marble floor while the entire hall seemed to hold its breath.

Aeneas kept his head lowered as he stepped before the throne, sweat trickling down his neck as he felt the eyes of the entire court on him.

“Prince Aeneas of Troy!” he was finally announced in a booming voice.

Carefully, he lifted his gaze.

When his blue eyes met Dido’s emerald ones, his heart skipped a beat. Then it started pounding faster than ever before.

That’s no old crone…

Her smile was cool and regal, her expression kind yet resolute.

SHE’S SUPER CUTE!

“It pleases me to see you well, Aeneas of Troy…” the queen began.

It… pleases her?

“With deep sorrow I learned of the destruction of your country, whose fall is a loss to the entire Mediterranean world. All the more do I admire your endeavor to find a new homeland for your people.”

She placed a hand over her heart, something soft shimmering in her eyes. Even her cheeks flushed faintly, and the sight left Aeneas frozen.

“Such an ambitious undertaking can only be accomplished by a truly capable man…”

She thinks I'm truly capable?!

“Now tell me, good Aeneas, what is your destination? Where do you intend to found your new home?”

All eyes turned to the Prince of the Trojans, who was already drenched in sweat.

Damn it, what am I supposed to say?! I have no clue where we’re even headed! I just pretended I understood Apollon’s oracle back then, but it was basically incomprehensible nonsense! ‘Westward’ has been my go-to answer ever since, but I can’t just say that again, can I? Crap, she’s getting impatient, her eyebrow just twitched. Has she already seen through me? Her skin looks so soft and flawless… FOCUS, damn it! Or you’re done. DONE!

As the seconds dragged on, Queen Dido shifted uneasily on her throne.

What is he waiting for? Did the question really throw him off that much? Is he perhaps not as capable as I thought? No, hard to imagine. He’s calculating. He likely doesn’t want to reveal too much of his grand plan and give me leverage. Has he already seen through my generous offer? Of course I was aiming at favorable trade agreements later on. He must suspect that and that’s why he refuses to commit! Oh, you’re good, Aeneas…

Aeneas took a deep breath.

“W-we sail westward a-and...”

“It’s all right,” Dido interrupted with a swift gesture of her hand. “You need not disclose the details of your voyage before the assembled court. It was discourteous of me to ask before ensuring you are properly provided for. Let us continue this conversation later, in a more private setting, after dinner.”

She… wants to continue the conversation?

“O-okay…” he managed weakly.

And with that, the reception concluded.

As the court gradually dispersed, Trojans speaking among themselves, Dido conferring with her advisors, no one noticed something dangling from the rafters above.

Two delicate feet, skin like porcelain.

“Oh, this is not good at all, Alexios,” whispered the voice belonging to them. “Just look how that witch is already spinning intrigues to ruin my poor Aeneas!”

Venus rubbed her head in distress while Alexios blinked beside her.

“Hm… to me it looks more like she wants to support him in his mission.”

But the goddess shook her head with a knowing smirk.

“Oh, Alexios, you still have so much to learn about women… That’s just her tactic! All façade! No, I must act before it’s too late…”

She reached behind her and pulled out a small bow, already nocked with an arrow shaped like a heart.

“Borrowed this from dear Cupid…”

Alexios fidgeted nervously on the rafters while Venus awkwardly took aim.

“I-is this really a good idea, my lady? Do you even know how to properly use that thing?”

“Why, of course! It’s the best idea I’ve ever had,” she replied, squinting as she aimed. “If I make sure this Dido falls in love with Aeneas, she will certainly cause him no harm. Simple math.”

Down in the hall, Dido had just risen from her throne and was about to retire to her chambers with her handmaiden.

At the same time, Aeneas and his Trojans were being led away by a Carthaginian official.

But Aeneas’ eyes searched once more for the young queen, drifting upward...

...catching the outline of a bow in the rafters.

W-hat’s that? An assassin?!

“Hey, watch out!“ he suddenly shouted, as he realized the bow was aiming at Dido.

Without thinking, he bolted straight toward the queen.

“He saw me?!” Venus cried, but she could no longer hold the drawn string, and the arrow slipped forward uncontrollably.

Dido’s eyes widened as she saw Aeneas charging at her.

“W-what are you...”

WHAM.

Dido on the floor.

Aeneas on top of her.

Their eyes locked.

Their breath hot against each other’s skin.

A second later, the arrow shot past their faces...

...grazing both of their cheeks.