Following the battle of Tenedos, the Achaeans have to decide whether to bury the dead per their custom, or burn them per Tenedoian custom. No one wants to offend the gods, though both sides continue to do so inadvertently. The Achaeans sacrifice a hundred bulls on the altar of Herakles, but accidentally kill the altar snake when it bites the King of Methone and drives him mad.

Meanwhile, King Priam has Troy's defenses ready and makes sacrifices to the gods, but he's still having trouble recruiting allies, and ill omens are turning up everywhere!