The king had been notified in the early evening of the wooden statue that stood outside the city walls. The head of the great animal reseted just below the gated arch of the drawbridge and the body was as long as a moderate dwelling.

"Come, dear husband. Let us bring it inside and welcome the surrender," Helen said, her lips parted just above his ear, warm breath fanning his neck. "We shall rejoice knowing our troubles are over."

With the seed of pride sowed in his heart, Menelaus ordered the acceptance of the gift into the fair streets of Sparta. The people ran behind the soldiers as they carried the wooden figure to the main square in front of the palace so all the world could see the power of Sparta. That night, the people danced and sang, drinking the deep purple alcohol from the crates in the city. The festivities carried into the palace as servants and soldiers alike made their stomachs and feet merry.

Long after midnight, Helen and her husband retired to their bedroom. The king had bragged about his superior military and drank with his generals until he was delirious. With the end of the battles, people seemed to forget the rumored trader and drinks were shared innocently. Helen watched as the council and nobles failed to remember the danger they were in.

As the king sat down to prepare for bed, Helen offered him tea to soothe his pounding heart. Delighted at his conscientious wife, he drank it. Not long after the king finished the nightshade, Helen disappeared from the room.