Achilles had come out of his trance that afternoon. When he awoke, the first thing he had said was: "Dear me, were my prayers cut short? I must get back to them!" He could be single-minded when he came to his prayers, he was quite like a wildebeest in that regard.
The moment that Falco, Rowena and the rest had become aware of Achilles' recovery, they had all been in the courtyard. A horse merchant, who was not a membership of the guild, was showing some fine stallions and mares to Falco. Everything had been going just swimmingly when a fight had broken between two stallions, a black and a red while a white waited for his chance to fight the victor.
Achilles paid the battling steeds no mind. He simply walked through the courtyard and back to the Fane of Honoured Monarchs Past.
Falco himself had joined in separating the two stallions. Throwing a rope around the neck of the red, he found himself biting off more than he could chew. Falco was a lean young man and a horse was much stronger, so naturally he needed help and Achilles was the first one to join in.
Any other time, Achilles would have completely ignored two stallions fighting in the courtyard. Had he not noticed his student Falco trying to separate the two beasts, he would have made his way into the Fane without a second thought.
Taking a moment to see who was helping him, Falco commented: "Good to see you out of your trance, Achilles."
"Always the hero you are, my student." Achilles stated. "You'll get yourself killed doing this."
"So let it be written." Was Falco's only response.
When the two stallions were separated, Falco and Rowena both caught Achilles up on what had happened. While having no reaction to the news that Falco and Rowena were engaged to be married, Achilles was troubled by not just the news that the Earth Bull would break free in a twelvemonth's time, but also what Taurus intended to do if he became the Divine Deucalion of Aether.
"I have heard it written that even a mortal man can wound a god." Achilles uttered, as he sat on the steps to the Fane of Monarchs Past with Falco and Rowena while Kenneth lay next to him. Gently, Achilles stroked the caracal's head as he stared out across the courtyard. "But slay? No, no... It is not possible. Not possible at all. Our only hope is to abandon Aether and settle somewhere else, found a new kingdom: New Aether."
"There must be a way!" Rowena exclaimed, causing Achilles to stare at her with a most disgruntled expression. "There has to be a way to stop the Earth Bull!"
Standing up, Achilles looked to the sky for a moment. Sighing, he looked to the two young redheads and said: "I wish I knew of a way. As for Taurus' plans, the only way to stop those from coming to fruition is to prevent his intended coup."
With a blank expression, Falco commented: "You are a master of stating the obvious, Achilles."
"Thank you, Falco." Said Achilles as proceeded to exit the palace completely.
"Where are you going?" Rowena asked, watching as Achilles walked through the front gate.
Achilles responded immediately with: "Someplace I have not decided on yet!"
Sighing, Falco shook his head and wondered if his mentor could be any help in this situation. For a man who was supposed to be wise, Achilles was not helpful in this situation. That only caused the Crown Prince to wonder if there was someone who could be helpful.