Anything But Riddles, Please

Relentless rain hammered the street outside the tavern.

Beyond it lay the sea, where the damaged ships of the Trojan fleet rode at anchor, rocking steadily in the swell.

Aeneas stared pensively into the distance, hunched over a table, his cheek resting on one hand.

Just one more day until the ultimatum expires, and I still haven’t heard or seen anything from Dido… Is the situation really that serious? Could she already be preparing for war?

He sighed and reached for the brimming cup beside him.

But just as he raised it to his lips, a booming voice thundered through the tavern.

“MY LORD AENEAS!”

Startled, he spilled half the wine down his chin.

“Damn it, Korydros, do you always have to...”

His general hurried up beside him.

“Your orders, my prince?”

Aeneas wiped his mouth in irritation.

Does this guy really not exist unless someone tells him what to do?

“Why in the gods’ name do you barge in here like that, asking for orders? Nothing has changed… We remain ready until Queen Dido rejects that Gaetulian king. Then, as her allies, we will…”

“You haven’t heard?” his general interrupted, looking surprised. “The queen has decided otherwise. She intends to marry Iarbas after all. It's a shame… I was already looking forward to a proper battle.”

But Aeneas was no longer listening.

A high-pitched ringing cut through his head, drowning out all other sounds, while his heart seemed ready to burst from his chest.

She… she wants to marry him? That can’t possibly be true. I… I don’t believe it.

Aeneas sprang to his feet so abruptly that his chair toppled over.

“What’s wrong, my lord?” Korydros asked in surprise, but Aeneas didn’t answer.

He strode past him without a word, out into the rain, fists clenched, gaze fixed ahead, on Byrsa Hill.

That doesn’t fit the Dido I know. Could it be a ruse? It has to be. Or does she really intend to…

He tried to shake the thought as he hurried up the path toward the palace, the ground slick beneath his sandals.

I don’t care whether she wants to see me or not, I need to hear it from her own lips…

By the time he arrived, the crowd in front of the palace gates had already dispersed after the news spread.

The Queen's Guard, however, still held their posts as the rain drummed continuously against their helmets.

As Aeneas tried to pass them, their commander blocked his path.

“I’m sorry, Prince Aeneas, but I have orders that even you are not to be granted entry at this time…”

Aeneas blinked at him in confusion.

“But... I urgently need to speak with Dido! I mean... with the queen.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Not to mention that all my stuff is in my chamber...” he added dryly.

But the commander stood firm.

“I’m sorry. Orders are orders. If you need any of your belongings, I can have them brought to you.”

Aeneas shook his head.

“Never mind…”

Lifting his gaze, Aeneas let it travel up along the towering palace walls to the window of Dido’s chamber, rain streaming down his face.

I really did mess things up with her, didn’t I?

He thought of her smile.

Of her bright green eyes. Of the way her cheeks had flushed and her lips had trembled when they had finally drawn closer.

No. I can’t give up on her yet!

He clenched his fists and stepped forward once more to stand before the Queen’s Guard.

“Captain, I speak to you as one soldier to another. I ask you once more to grant me entry, for I carry urgent news that I can deliver only to the queen in person.”

The other guards exchanged curious glances while the captain studied him closely.

A faint smile flickered across his lips.

“As one soldier to another, you say? Many of my kin fought and fell against yours before the walls of Troy. And just as you and they fulfilled your duty there, I fulfill mine here at these gates.”

Only now did Aeneas notice that the captain already had a hand resting on his sword.

“…So you will surely understand that, if you expect me to neglect that duty, there is only one way you will succeed.”

Aeneas understood.

He narrowed his eyes as their gazes locked.

For a moment, nothing could be heard but the pounding rain.

The other guards slowly reached for the hilts of their swords, as the tension grew.

Aeneas’ fingers twitched.

Then he stepped back with a weak, forced laugh.

“Hahaha, t-that's good to hear! This was just a test, you know? To see whether the Queen is in safe hands with you. And now I’m quite certain! W-well done. Keep it up!”

Slowly, he withdrew, while the guards exchanged puzzled looks.

Crap. Guess that's really it then...

With a sigh, he turned away from the palace.

He took a long breath, slowly accepting his failure, when suddenly another voice rang out.

“So, you’re giving up already? Tsk… Some ‘Hero of Troy’ you are…”

As Aeneas spun around, he saw a sour-looking old woman sitting on a stone by the roadside. She wore a shabby hooded cloak and leaned on a gnarled staff.

“Uh... what? Who are you?”

“‘uH... wHaT? wHo ArE YoU?’” she repeated mockingly, shaking her head. “The question is: who do you intend to be?”

Aeneas was baffled.

What hole did this crazy old crone crawl out of?!

He sighed, walked over to her, and grabbed her by the arm, earning an incredulous look from her.

“Come then, old woman. I’ll take you back to your caretakers at the poorhouse... ”

She sprang up with surprising force and tore herself free, suddenly no longer seeming frail at all.

“T-take your filthy hands off me, mortal!” her voice rang out, suddenly clear and sharp.

Aeneas blinked in confusion.

“Mortal...?“

When she realized her outburst, she quickly tried to slip back into her role.

“I-I mean…” She cleared her throat. “Are you such a fool that you’re not even aware of your own feelings for Queen Dido?”

“My feelings for...” He cut himself off, frowning. “Wait, how do you even know about...”

“If she truly matters to you, why don’t you turn back and fight for her?”

Her words hit him hard, and he clenched his fists, ignoring her strange knowledge.

“And how exactly am I supposed to do that, huh? In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a rather large obstacle in my way!” He gestured toward the Queen's Guard.

The old woman snorted disdainfully.

“Typical Trojan… always trying to smash through walls headfirst. Do you not know there is more than one path to a goal?”

“More than one path?” he echoed, puzzled.

The old woman fixed him with her violet eyes, raised a finger, and took a deep breath.

“Old belief, newly forged domain, keeps your beloved in a chain. Would you save her, break her hold, free her from that cage of gold? Seek a fate that seems so fair, does it truly lead you there? Circle round the marble wall and seek what’s hidden, heed the call. Where ivy veils a hidden way, it leads to her, where Baal holds sway.“

When she finished, she folded her arms, wearing a satisfied, almost proud, smile.

But Aeneas only stared at her in confusion.

What on earth is she babbling about? I don’t understand a word.

“U-huh, u-huh… Got it. But... could you maybe repeat that last part once more?”

The old woman’s pleased expression twisted before she began again, slower this time and clearly annoyed:

“…Circle round the marble wall and seek what’s hidden, heed the call. Where ivy veils a hidden way, it leads to her, where Baal holds sway...“

Aeneas scratched his head, trying to make sense of it.

A hidden way? Baal? What is she talking about? And who by Apollo is this woman, anyway, and how does she know I have something going on with Dido?

“You mean… I’m supposed to follow some kind of way, or…?”

The woman slapped a hand to her face, finally losing her composure.

“For heaven’s sake! There’s a hidden passage behind the palace that leads into its temple complex! How can anyone be this dense?”

Aeneas didn’t let that slide.

“Hey! Just for your information, I’m not particularly used to solving mysterious riddles from wrinkled old crones on a rainy day!”

She jumped up again, her face flushed deep red, eyes blazing with fury.

“W-what did you just call me, you little...?!”

But Aeneas was already preoccupied with the information she had given him.

A hidden passage? If she’s telling the truth, this could be my chance to reach Dido…

The mysterious woman had already shuffled off, angrily muttering to herself.

“…And this idiot is supposed to found Rome? Unbelievable...”

He couldn’t hear her anymore, and he was just about to set off when he stopped, turned back once more, and scratched his neck uneasily.

“Uh… sorry for calling you a wrinkled old crone earlier. And… thank you, whoever you are. For your help, I mean…”

The strange woman didn’t respond. She merely cast him a sideways glance as she made her way down the hill, suddenly walking much straighter.

But Aeneas’ curiosity about her soon gave way to renewed determination as he turned back toward the palace.

Something within him was burning once more.

I will reach her.

And then I will set this right!