Deidameia leaves the kingdom to have her child and will stay away until the child's birth. Lycomedes tells the court she is visiting her aunt.
Achilles and the narrator spend time away from the palace but yearn to return to their previous lives in Pelion or Phthia; they feel observed and uncomfortable with Deidameia's absence.
News arrives about the war, Agamemnon's armies uniting the kingdoms, and the preparations to attack Troy.
A ship with yellow and black sails arrives at Scyros. The narrator recognizes one of the visitors, who came to their chambers, as Odysseus, one of Helen's former suitors.
Odysseus visits the narrator's chambers, saying he's speaking to promising young men about joining the army against Troy but doesn't recognize the narrator, who introduces himself as "Chironides".
The narrator, Odysseus, Lycomedes, and Diomedes, the King of Argos, have dinner. The atmosphere becomes tense as Diomedes challenges Odysseus's tales of his home and family life.
In response to Odysseus and Diomedes' request, Lycomedes calls for the palace's female dancers to perform. Even though Achilles is among the dancers, neither Odysseus nor Diomedes recognizes him.
A trumpet blows, signalling a disaster, and Achilles' reaction reveals his true identity. Odysseus and Diomedes reveal they have been purposefully searching for Achilles.
Achilles reveals himself fully and speaks with respect and dignity to Odysseus and Diomedes.
Odysseus requests to borrow a state room for discussions with Achilles and Patroclus, referring to Patroclus by his real name, indicating he knew his identity as well.