Summary

In Chapter 8, Pyrrhus wakes up after his night with Andromache. He was so drunk he hardly remembers what happened. Then he remembers the ring. He regrets giving it to her. He hopes he has not impregnated her. When he remembers his success in battle, he feels satisfied and confident (62). Looking around the room, he sees Achilles's presence in everything. He goes down to the sea for a swim as "once Achilles swam—every morning, every night" (62). He longs for home. The water is cold, but feels good. He thinks of his horse, Ebony. He tells himself that killing Priam has made him "The hero of Troy" (64).

In Chapter 9, Briseis "thought about Priam" and decided to "visit his widow, Hecuba" (65). While she and Amina walked to Hecuba's tent, they saw men raking "the sand on the arena floor" (65). The men were preparing games to...