Yet Another Suitor

The dusty ground before the gates of Carthage trembled beneath the marching steps of the Trojan soldiers as they filed out of the city in disciplined formation, watched with fascination by the townsfolk.

They formed up in tight ranks directly behind Aeneas and his confidants, who sat astride their horses and gazed out across the plain.

A broad grin spread across Korydros’ face.

“At last, an opportunity for a glorious battle! Wouldn’t you say so, my lord?”

Aeneas did not return the smile. Instead, worried lines creased his brow.

Does this guy ever think about anything besides fighting?!

“We’re only here to make it clear that I stand at Dido’s… uh, I mean, that we stand at Carthage’s side. Not to start a war…” he replied uncertainly.

Or at least, I hope so…

The sun already stood high above the city when the booming call of Carthaginian horns rang out from the towers.

The Trojan commanders turned their heads curiously as the first ranks of Carthaginian cavalry trotted out of the gates in tight formation.

Behind them marched warriors with round shields and long spears, their banners unfurled and fluttering in the wind.

At the head of the army rode Queen Dido.

Aeneas almost didn’t recognize her.

Is that… is that really her?

She wore a crownlike helmet with two curved horns that covered the upper half of her face, leaving only her eyes visible.

Over her royal garments gleamed a golden cuirass, along with fitted shoulder plates that made her slender frame look much broader.

A long purple cloak fell over her shoulders and fluttered gently in the wind as she brought her horse to a halt beside Aeneas.

Her gaze was serious, contemplative even.

But when she noticed him staring at her with wide eyes and an open mouth, she quickly turned her head aside in embarrassment.

“W-why are you looking at me like that…?” she murmured softly.

He immediately averted his gaze.

“Ah... um, my apologies. It’s just that you look so…” His eyes lingered on the horned crown. “…so powerful. Like a raging bull.”

“…L-like a raging bull?” she repeated flustered.

Oh crap, that almost sounded like I just called her a fat cow!

Aeneas immediately began waving his hands apologetically.

“N-no, what I meant was that you look… uh… impressively martial. Y-yeah, that’s it.”

She pressed her hands to her warm cheeks.

“Do… do you really think so? The bull has long been a symbol of strength among my people in Tyre, so I thought it would be a fitting way to show Carthage’s resolve.”

Aeneas nodded with a soft smile.

"D-don't worry. It is."

She returned the smile, and for a moment, they forgot that they were on their way to meet an army.

“One of our scouts is approaching, my queen,” Eshmunet remarked at last, trotting up behind in her usual attire.

Their attention turned to the rider who hastily stopped his horse in front of them and began speaking.

“We’ve spotted the foreign force beyond the Plain of Bagradas, your Majesty. They appear to be camped there. It seems to be a Gaetulian army, led by a king named Iarbas.”

“Iarbas?” Aeneas repeated, then turned to a puzzled Dido. “Do you know him?”

But the queen merely shook her head.

“No. I’m hearing that name for the first time…” She adjusted her helmet and nudged her horse forward a few steps. “…So we’d better go find out who he is, and what he wants here.”

And so the army set itself in motion, the sun reflecting harshly off their armor.

 🏛️🏛️🏛️

After some time marching across the dusty plain, the silhouettes of the Gaetulian intruders appeared on the horizon.

Their army looked disorderly, consisting entirely of mounted warriors who clustered together in large groups.

Only when they spotted the approaching forces of Carthage and Troy did they form something resembling a battle line.

Their sheer numbers made Aeneas swallow.

“That’s… a lot,” he whispered, his thoughts suddenly drifting back to a time when he had uttered those exact same words before.

Pictures of burning houses flashed through his mind and the memory made his stomach tighten.

Pull yourself together, damn it.

He closed his eyes and gripped the hilt of his sword tightly until his hand stopped trembling.

Queen Dido gave him only a brief sidelong glance before riding resolutely forward, the reins clenched firmly in her hands.

Hasn’t Aeneas even opened his eyes? He’s so calm. I have to show him I can keep a cool head too, even in the face of an army!

A gap opened in the mass of Gaetulian riders as a troop in splendid attire broke through and rode out onto the plain.

At their head was a tall man with bronze-colored skin and a short full beard, his body adorned with chains, arm rings, and other ornate jewelry.

His black, curly hair whipped in the wind as his stallion galloped forward and came to a snorting halt before the Carthaginian queen.

Aeneas frowned.

So this is King Iarbas? 

The Gaetulian ruler looked at Dido with an enraptured, almost lovestruck expression.

But the corners of his mouth twisted the moment he noticed Aeneas beside her.

With a flourish he leveled his long spear at the Trojan prince.

“And who’s that boy supposed to be?!” he demanded loudly.

Dido and Aeneas blinked in equal surprise before the queen’s expression hardened.

“You believe you have the right to ask questions here, intruder? You are trespassing on Carthaginian soil. State your purpose, or turn back at once, unless you wish to face my wrath!”

The rider didn’t move. Only slowly did he lower his spear, narrowing his eyes at the queen.

Dido clenched her teeth.

Was this too harsh? No... It was necessary. He has to see that Carthage will not be intimidated by anyone.

The wind howled across the plain as everyone waited in tense anticipation for his response.

Grips tightened, spears and swords ready to be drawn, as the king slowly rode a few more steps forward.

But then a strange mixture of disappointment and confusion spread across his face.

“But Dido, sweetheart! What are you talking about?! After we shared the last night together, you said you wanted to marry me!”

The echo of his voice lingered in the air for a moment as the eyes of everyone widened.

For a heartbeat, there was silence.

Then a collective outcry erupted among Dido’s retinue.

“EHHHHH?!“

“Sweetheart?” Eshmunet repeated a little too loudly, blinking hard.

“S-shared night…?” Aeneas blurted, his face pale, his voice trembling.

“MARRY?!” Dido finally shouted in disbelief.