Phoenix- Comrade and Tutor of the great Achilles

During the envoy to Achilles' camp, we learn of the background between Phoenix and Achilles, and why Achilles asks Phoenix to stay with him for the night and to sail with home the next morning if that is what they do. We learn that Phoenix is older than Achilles and has known him back in his endemic homeland. They are very close and have obviously had many experiences together. The request of his friend Achilles and the plight of the communal Achaeans create a dichotomy in which Phoenix must way his feelings and his actions with two things to decide between.