The Trunk of the Olive Tree

I did not hear what had happened to Odysseus after our battling in the great hall and wasn't surprise when I did hear. I'd gone home and returned to my wife Alexa. My daughter had been married in the time I away and I regretted missing that so much. Even my son was soon to be married. I was proud of all of them, sad for the missed time but at least they believed it was me.


It didn't take long for the rumor of Penelope's doubt spread to me. I understood, considering we had looked like homeless and poor beggars, that she did not believe it was her husband but an imposter! She spoke of how she had moved the bed Odysseus had built for her and he was outraged. His angry was ultimately what proved to Penelope his husband had returned. I smiled at the memories of my captain and I that our journey had needed. It was hard to face the families of all the men we had lost and I missed them all very much. But that is where my adventure ended and I was happy about that.

Death in the Great Hall

I was aware this would happen and I'd fight by side of Odysseus one last time. Telemachus helped us and blood splattered everywhere. I prayed to all the gods I would be able to survive this and see my way through. Though it was a 3 to 100 I know with all our practice and experience we had the upper hand. I killed many man and I didn't know if they really deserved it. I did this for Odysseus and maybe its the last thing I would do for him so I swung my sword and fought with all my heart.

I was growing short of breath and saw one man run towards me and look of desperation in his eyes. I quickly turned, ready to defend myself. He was fresh and strong and I felt a wave of uncertainty roll over my body. The man stabbed, closely and I was lucky to have blocked it at the last second. And as he was in a short daze from the strength of my defence I stabbed him in the heart. I felt a surprising guilt fill me, but there were other men to kill and I shoved it to the back of my head. I was loyal to my captain and he needed this to be with his Penelope.

The Test of the Bow

When we arrived to our home land. I was overcome with joy and I was desperate to see my wife and two children but Odysseus insisted I help him with something first. I wasn't sure, I knew he'd gotten me home and we'd been through so much together that I should respect his wishes. Then he told me we had to dress as beggars and approach his home. I was beyond confused and very unhappy but agreed nonetheless. We spoke to his son who had grown so old since the day we had left. Telemachus told us of all the suitors that had been at the house and were waiting for Odysseus' wife's hand in marriage. We planned to spy on them and before long we heard a contest in which the winner would have her hand.

The task was to string Odysseus's bow and shoot in through 12 ax heads. I knew that only Odysseus would be able to. But the suitors were all against him. The looked down on him and although he was a guest of Telemachus, they treated him poorly. When Penelope left he quickly strung the bow and shoot it through. There was a moment of silence as they all waited in awe. Then Odysseus shot the first man.

Sea Perils and Defeat

After we visited the underworld, an experience I don't wish to talk about, we returned to Circe's island but Odysseus assured us it was a short stop before we continue on our journey home. Circe and Odysseus spoke for a long time but we were ordered to prepare the ship to leave. I was curious to find out what they spoke of but I knew that would be so rude and disrespectful so I refrained.

We border our ship and I could tell Odysseus was ill at ease. He started demanding we plug our ears as we pass a part of the ocean. And he was to be tied to a pole. I was confused but agreed. It wasn't before long that I saw the Sirens. I had heard stories about them from sailors but never seen them myself. I hoped Odysseus was okay, the legand said their song was so sweet and it lulled them into the water. I saw him screaming and wrigling, desperate to be free. I felt sorry for him but I knew my orders and I made sure he was never freed.

We finally passed them and I untied him. He immediatly began ordering us about, we had to stay focused and move fast, I liked him better when he was tied up. I was moving about the boat when I first saw the creature, disgusting and hideous! I ran to the captain, "We have to get away from here!" But he just told me to return to whatever it was I'd been doing. He was the captain and chose to sail this way. Then the rest of the crew saw the monster. That was chaos! They were all screaming and pointing. Odysseus quickly got back and control telling us to keep going and so we did.

By the time we had passed the monster we had lost six men and we were hungrier than ever. Our spirits were down despite being so close to home. Odysseus told us we'd dock and so long as we didn't eat the cattle on the island we would be home before we knew it. But hunger was knawing at the mens stomachs, they were angry at Odysseus for losing so many men and decided to disobey him. I knew better than to go against a direct order, turns out the cattle were the god Helios'.

Helios had his revenge. It was only Odysseus and me left now.

The Lovely Goddess, Circe

We arrived at another island and Odysseus sent a few of us to explore. We stumbled through the jungle for a while before we find a large building, it looked something like a castle and it had been a long time since we'd stopped at such a fine place. We climbed up though a few seemed unsure if it was wise. But I admit I was eager to find however was living here. As we made it to the steps I noticed huge lions, they didn't approach or anything, they seemed rather harmless but I decided not to test that theory. Soon we met a beautiful women, she smiled and asked us to sit and drink with her as though she'd been expecting us. We all assumed a women would be harmless to us and sat down. But before, things became strange I'm not sure what was happening but soon my eyes were lower to the ground as if I was sitting and when I tried to speak all I heard were the squeals of a pig. http://thewonderpigs.com/facts.htm

I wasn't sure what was happening to me but I saw Eurylochus running and new he was our only hope. Horror washed through me and I became desperate to escape and return to home. I feared I never would. I would just have to wait, perhaps Odysseus could help us escape from this mess to.

Though it seemed like forever, I could hear a new pair of feet entering the palace and I tried to contain my hope. But then I heard my captain voice and I was joyous. I had faith I'd be in my human body before long. And I was corrected. I wasn't sure how Odysseus managed it but I didn't care. I was human again.

I expected that we'd leave just as soon as we had come but I was wrong. Odysseus seemed please enough to stay but on occasion I mentioned we should be heading home, that our families were waiting. He usually listened and assured me we would be leaving soon but the date was never set and the time only became longer. Finally, I asked a few men to come with me and convince him and eventually he agreed and parted with Circe.

Athena and Friends (Book 1)

Odysseus took us, the men of Ithaca, to war with the Trojans. The war is over nothing but a woman, Helen of Troy. None of us were eager to go on this journey but we followed our king none the less. Luckily Athena, the goddess of war helped us on our victory. Also Poseidon, god the sea, helped us to trick the Trojans and stopped any one from spoiling our plans. We tricked them into thinking we had surrendered and left a wooden horse as our gift. But actually snuck into the city and slaughtered them all. It was a clever trick by Odysseus, we all knew he was full of guile but is also faulted in his hubris.

The gods did not only help Odysseus he helped me as well. Leonidas, a man I had become friends with, and I prayed to the Hephaestus so our weapons would be strong in what would hopefully be our last battle and to Zeus for all the other luck we would need to survive. We sacrificed our food to the gods and they heard our call for help. Leonidas told me how he'd been fighting three men at once and how his sword did extraordinary things. Similar things happened to me and the morning before battle I found an arrow, I didn't know where it had come from but I used it to save my life. I loved the gods more than ever in that moment.

Captured by the Cyclopes (Book 9)

We finally got away from Calypso's island, good thing that didn't take seven years! We really didn't do much, I think Odysseus had more fun than any of us. Then we got to the Island of the Lotus Eaters. The lotus looked delicious and despite what Odysseus said I was tempted to try it. Luckily I didn't because those who did lost all hope to return to Ithaca. Odysseus was able to tie them to our ship and we all escaped the terrible fate, but just barely.

We hit storms and washed up on a mysterious island. We were hungry and desperate needing a plan. Odysseus as our captain was smart to look for livestock somewhere on the island. But of course, he made his bad decisions too. We came to a cave, an eerie feeling washed over me knowing we shouldn't be here and whoever inhabited this cave was a danger to us. I knew the other felt the same way by the looks that crossed their faces as we walked up to the cave. But as any good soldier should we followed our captain.

We waited in the cave for many hours and were able to fill our stomachs for the first time in a while. But soon night came and I was becoming tired and absent minded. Many things were happening amongst the other men. What I did notice was a loud thumping in the distant, I could not guess what it may be but fear washed through me. For what if this creature was vicious and cruel I thought to myself.

It was only a few minutes more until the monster arrived in the door way. It towered over us and stared with it one giant eye. I gasped when I noticed it, hideous and dirty and an overpowering smell. My first reaction, like all the others', was to hide and at least attempted to avoid the fury of this cyclops. It spotted us all the same, even if it only had one eye that eye worked well. He slammed a bolder in front of the door and I knew no one would be able to open the door. We felt trapped and helpless, unsure of what we should do next.

The horror really began when he swept up my friend, Leonidas, a man I'd fought beside through all the hardships of war and he had survived this long only to be seen shoved into the grotesque mouth of a savage cyclops. I held back my scream as he reached for another. I watched them being squished between his rotted teeth and looked to Odysseus for advice or help or anything, but he too was in shock.

We spent three more nights there and I watched as others died grieving for the lost but also fearing the fate I was sure I would face. To my surprise Odysseus had us carve a giant spear out of log. I wasn't sure what use it could be, maybe he hoped to pry the door open. I knew that wouldn't work but to occupy my mind I helped carve. I couldn't stand waiting until the cyclopes returned.

The plan was morphing, I could see his guile was showing through and I thanked the gods he was gifted with such cleverness. He told the cyclops his name was Nohbdy and at first I was quite confused but then he started tempting him with a delicious wine. If I'd been him I know I would have taken that fine wine and be drunk in no time. And he was and I rejoicing following the orders of my genius captain.

I waited with anticipation for the night to come and when it finally did the cyclops was fast asleep, like a baby. He signaled for us to grab the carved spear and we quietly approached the cyclops. With all out force we jammed into his single disgusting eye! He screamed and swung his arm around but we were all prepared for his and moved out of the way. The others must of heard his agonizing screams and came to see the problem. They called in asking what was wrong. And for a second my heart stopped and I doubted my captains plans. But the cyclops boomed "Nohbdy's tricked me! Nodbdy's ruined me!" and I smiled. We would escape. I was sure.

I held back a laugh when heard them saying "Ah well if nobody had played you foul.." And i was gleeful right up into the morning. But that's when a new trouble was in our way but I trusted Odysseus more than ever before. We held on to the belly of the sheep which he would let out and we would run back to the ship and leave this island once and for all. The plan worked and nothing was standing in our way but then Odysseus called to the cyclops and told him the truth. I wished he would stop, we were safe now and it had all ended. But then the cyclops cursed us, screaming that he was the son of Poseidon and Odysseus would fail to bring us home to Ithaca.