Divine blood flows differently in each god-born child. Orpheus’ voice
made the trees weep, Heracles could kill a man by clapping him on the
back. Achilles’ miracle was his speed. His spear, as he began the first pass,
moved faster than my eye could follow. It whirled, flashing forward,
reversed, then flashed behind. The shaft seemed to flow in his hands, the
dark gray point flickered like a snake’s tongue.

Chapter 5