peleus agrees to let patroclus be achilles’s therapon, or brother-in-arms. a brother-in-arms is sworn to a prince by blood oath and love, and becomes the prince’s most trusted adviser. after peleus gives his blessing, achilles informs patroclus that he must go train. before achilles goes, he informs patroclus of a prophecy that states he will be the best warrior of his generation.

achilles invites patroclus to sleep in his room. that night, achilles teaches patroclus how to juggle before they go to bed. after some time, patroclus becomes accustomed to his friendship with achilles and the new privileges that friendship brings. one afternoon, achilles lets patroclus watch him train, an honor only few people had been given. patroclus is so mesmerized and moved by achilles’ grace and sword- and spear-wielding skills, he asks achilles to fight him. when achilles refuses, patroclus leaps at achilles, but is quickly subdued. patroclus says that achilles is unlike anyone patroclus has ever met or seen.