I do not ask that you feel my pain and live my life,
for to inflict the burdens of war upon the people
would defeat the entire purpose for which I went to war.
For the battles the people are told of are fair tales,

Meant to inspire some youth to emulate our example.
For him to forge his body into a tool that obeys
no matter the shape that the smith dictates.
Many dream of a being mighty spear or shield, but

It is the unfortunate few who are chosen to be makhaira.
And it knows the enemy far better than the spear,
Hoisted aloft with a cheer and a cry, while we sit
Unthought of, but waiting to deliver the decisive cut.

For the deeds that end a war are not honorable or glorious,
they are the actions of the moment, when the enemy is convinced
of victory. And upon that moment of glory, the heel is uncovered.
And it is the regretful hand that strikes without warning.

While the priests sit upon their idols,
thinking themselves in the place of gods,
I hear Athena clearly, and she does not speak
of glory or honors, but a time when priests

will themselves stand as kings, and claim dominion
over the whole of creation. Even the thoughts within
the mind they shall claim are theirs. Her lesson is pain.
Her lesson is pain as are all lessons by a wise physician,

who knows that to withhold treatment to lessen the hurt,
is to condemn the patient to a long and lingering death.
So they do as little harm as they can, but make no apologies
for the wrenching and sewing. They too are a part of the lesson.

I am not calling you stupid. For a stupid man would not listen.
A stupid man would laugh at my words, and dismiss them with a wave,
and look to books and scrolls for words that contradict their eyes.
Stupidity is the greatest evil, but only to those who have it.

Call me what names you will. Laugh at me, scorn me and condemn me.
It matters not, for I have what I came here for.
I came here to sack Troy and reclaim Helen. My task is complete.
I leave now, and shall not forget what has happened.

When you call on me again you will not find me,
for I shall find my redemption in my voyage home.
I shall seek forever more to live a life of peace,
But I shall never forget that I was the murderer of Troy.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1d0ivyTTk]