Book 5

     We were readily welcome by Acestes as we landed upon his shores, avoiding the ominous storm that silently approached. Having been occupied with his past trials, Aeneas didn't realize until our landing that it was the year anniversary of his father's,  honorable Anchises's, death. Aeneas held games in the remembrance of his father.
     First came the boat race. Aeneas and I observed as four ships, full of brave Trojans, took to the sea. There were lead changes and mistakes made; Gyas and the Chimaera lost their lead to Sergestus, who marooned him and his crew on a rock, leaving him in dead last. Aeneas, however, honorably awarded everyone their own prize. The victors earned their extra spoils, while all the courageous participants were rewarded for their efforts. The games seemed all too uncommon for our travels. We, the Trojans, have been treated anything but fairly, yet Aeneas still has maintained his honor and justice, even in such simple an occasion as funeral games.
     After the boat race, the aged but honored foot-race followed. Nisus held the lead for much of the race, but, in an unfair twist of competition (all too familiar to the Trojans, alive and dead, who have experienced the journey to Italy), Nisus tripped the man who followed him, allowing Euryalus to be the victor. Once again however, unlike our travels, a fair decision was reached in the end, as Aeneas awarded each man, even those who tripped, their just rewards for their competition and athleticism.
     Following the foot-face, Dares and Entellus faced off in the boxing ring. Entellus, a man of age, faced the agility of Dares, a young and athletic soldier. Entellus shocked us all, as the aged boxer entered the ring and easily handled the young Dares, even making Aeneas end the match early.
     Finally, the archery competition. The competition was short-lived but brilliantly spectacular, as Acestes showed us a shooting-star of an arrow for his volley.
     After the joyous competitions, however, smoke began rising on the horizon. A young Trojan raced as we followed to find that the women had been possessed by the gods, burning down the fleets. Fortunately, the gods sent a rain down, extinguishing the flames before permanent damage settles. We repaired the ships and set on our way back to Italy.