We all have separate bedrooms in the inn at Messene. I start the morning by knocking on our slave's door and keep my voice down. He's smart enough to do the same.

"I have an important mission for you, Eumaeus." To get some reparations, it takes more than to walk into the palace and complain. Even if I find everything they stole, they'll say it was pirates.

I need solid proof, but sheep are like banknotes.

They change hands many times and can end up anywhere.

How do you prove they were yours, and someone stole them from you?

And even if I do, the strong can get away with many things. Ithaca is a small kingdom.

Worse, it's too far away, and I didn't bring an army with me, so Messene has no reason to pay.

Unless I'm smart about it. Sure. I could threaten the king with force, or challenge his champion to a duel as a last resort, but I have no illusions. I wouldn't stand a chance.

"Consider it done, young — Odysseus." He nods, getting excited hearing my plan.

"Feed some sheep with wheat soaked in salt water. Buy these things and dress up our sailors exactly like this. Make sure they keep quiet. Look for these symbols and remember the words."

We will only have one shot at this, so I go over everything and repeat the details often.

Knowing he's more than a slave — a prince from Syra, even if he has no idea — I hope he can deal with something complex like this. My heart is already racing and we are yet to start.

It would be easier if I could write everything down for him. But alas, the ancient Greek alphabet, Linear B is still in its infancy at this age, and it's unlikely that he can read it.

I can't write it either, and there is no time to teach him English. Little things that I take for granted.

"Make sure you're done before the sun reaches the zenith, and come to the palace with the men." With that, he is gone. If only the Greeks invented money but they have other currencies.

They include sheep, cattle, and talents of metals. And we only have our supplies on the ship to trade for. If it's not enough, we're screwed. I ordered the boy to buy many things.

The mares Iphtitus looks for are an easier deal. And the servant already found the lost shepherds yesterday. The rest is up to me, the Argonaut, and our acting talents.

"Wake up you drunkard." Knocking on his door, I'm no longer worried about the noise.

Whoever carried him up at night had an easy time dealing with him.

The door is open and he's sprawling across his simple bedding, not moving even after I try to shake him up. Without resorting to violence, I pour cold water on his face, and that does it.

"What's so urgent, Odysseus?" At least he's not a violent drunk.

It takes him a minute to realize where he is and what is about to happen, but then he operates at a hundred percent. I'm a little jealous.

I tell him about my plan, and he hollers for another few minutes before calming down.

Funny or not, they'll never see it coming.

"What an ambitious idea. If this will work, I'll give you a luxurious gift." Does it mean he likes it or doesn't have faith in the plan? He prepares his chiton either way, so we set out.

King Polycaon rules the city of Messene, and his guards are reluctant to let us through.

Others would be happy to receive two princes, but he must know why we're coming. He has something to hide from us.

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His throneroom is way less decorated than the one in Ithaca, but it's full of riches.

Slaves and servants line the walls rather than frescos, and we all wait for the king to arrive.

We came early, but that was also part of the plan. I want to be as annoying as possible.

"Welcome to my humble halls, Iphitus, son of Eurytus, and Odysseus, son of Laertes." He greets us with minimal courtesies before taking his throne. "What can I thank for your visit?"

He has long dark hair and a similar beard. Ruling these lands must be stressful because many grey strands stand out in both. And he is still in his early prime.

"The occasion is unfortunate, good King Polycaon." Iphitus starts, showing no signs of his hangover. "Someone stole twelve mares and their mules from my father, King Eurytus."

He is careful before making accusations, and Messene's king couldn't care less.

Receiving no answer, the Argonaut bows, stepping back to give me some space too.

I'm much more direct.

"My reason is similar, My King. Hundreds of sheep and our shepherds disappeared when Messenian ships sailed by Ithaca." This puts a smile on Polycaon's face, but only for a moment.

"How unfortunate indeed. Piracy is rampant, and I had my fair share of clashes with their ships. You might have seen my fleet chasing after them, and I'm sorry they didn't get there sooner."

It's the classic example of playing at plausible deniability. It's not too bad, but I expected it.

"I'm sure you are, King Polycaon, and would your men commit such crimes, I'm sure you'd punish them too. Along with providing reparations to the neighboring kingdoms."

This upsets him. While we still aren't accusing him outright, I'm not beating around the bush either.

If it weren't for Iphitus, he might call the guards to throw me out, but he is careful.

"It is bold of you to assume my men would do such things without evidence." He leans forward on his throne, knowing well that it already happened. Still, he's not above the law either.

"I'm too humble and small to assume such things. I'm only asking for your help, knowing you as a wise and reasonable king, Lord Polycaon." Bowing my head, I back off for now.

My only goal is to keep him here anyway.

The longer we negotiate and the more impatient he gets, the better for us.

And Eumaeus needs time to execute my convoluted plan.

Let's hope I didn't overdo it, whether it's the planning or throwing covert insults at the king of Messenia. He sure seems upset, but seeing my withdrawal, he must think he's winning.

"But of course. Messene is a humble nation. If I saw irrefutable evidence of it happening, I'd serve justice for everyone involved." He gives the empty promise, adjusting his fancy garments.

"You must understand that trade is busy, and we often get wares stolen from elsewhere." He plays at plausible deniability again and is not even bad at it. His arguments are sound.

"I understand how troublesome this is for your small kingdom. But I can't compensate you for something I bought with honesty." He must love to hear his disparaging voice, but I let him talk.

"I can't give you the merchant's names either, or nobody would trade with us anymore."

"It is a fair point, My King. But they wouldn't trade with you if you gave them shoddy wares either."