Image by SylwiaWroblewska from Pixabay "The crew won’t last much longer, Odyssea,” Eurylocha commented. “We must find food and replenish our supplies. Otherwise we’re all going to faint from hunger and possibly die out here.” “We’re almost at the island,” Odyssea said. “It will save us from starvation. We can hunt game and build a fire.” “But we don’t know who or what lives there,” Polita said. “It could be overrun by cannibals, for all we know.” “If we remain on our boat any longer, we will die,” Odyssea said. “At least we have a chance with the island, unknown as it may be. Whatever comes, let’s face it with courage.” The crew docked their boat and stepped ashore. The island was covered by a forest, so the crew figured there would be plenty of wild animals to hunt for food. Odyssea took a small team with their bows and arrows and they scouted the island. “There is a trail of smoke rising in that direction!” Eurylocha said. The crew headed towards the smoke and soon came upon a large house made of white, polished stone, with a golden gate stretching around it. “Look! There are animals guarding the gate!” Polita said. Sure enough, there were wolves and lions sitting like sentries in front of the gate. The crew wondered who lived in such a magnificent place on a solitary island. Perhaps it was a child of the gods? “There’s something strange about those animals. They don’t seem wild,” Polita said. When the animals spotted Odyssea and her crew, they rushed over to them. The crew barely had time to run or draw their bows and arrows. But they didn’t need to. The animals surrounded them in a friendly manner and set to licking their faces and arms. Then Odyssea heard the singing. It surely was a child of the gods, the tuneful voice reaching her ears through the open window. The singing stopped and a young man came out to meet them. “Welcome, travelers,” the young man said. He was elegant and handsome, with gold-yellow hair and eyes as clear as the shore. His stylish chiton was of the palest blue and a gold sash was tied around his waist. “My name is Circes, and I welcome you to my island. Do you have any others with you? Please call them and bid them come to the feast I am holding in your honor!” “There is something strange about all of this,” Eurylocha said. “It’s almost like he was expecting us.” “I agree his invitation is a bit strange,” Odyssea said. “I don’t know if we can trust him, so let’s be on guard.” They sent a young woman back to the ship to call the others, and soon they were all gathered at the gates. They were afraid when they saw the wild animals come to lick them but soon realized the animals were friendly. “They’re extremely sociable,” Circes said. “They just want to play with you. You may pet them as much as you wish. They love visitors!” Circes unlatched the gates and invited the young women into the stone house. The house was exceptionally large, with a beautiful hall and a long table set with gold and silver bowls and plates. Four servant boys mingled about, setting out the feast. The young women were famished and gawked at the food that was being set out. There were platters of soft bread and numerous types of cheese. The servant boys filled their goblets with wine and offered honey to complement the bread. The crew members had hung their weapons near the entryway, but Odyssea had kept her sword sheathed at her side. Odyssea remembered all too well what had happened on the island of the lotus tree. She had let down her guard because the people were so friendly, and then the fruit had made her forget her quest. Her face reddened with shame when she thought about it, how Eurylocha had her tied up and forced to the ship, along with half of the crew who had also eaten the lotus fruit. And so Odyssea had decided she wouldn’t be caught unawares again. She didn’t quite trust Circes, so she refrained from eating, despite being ravenous. Eurylocha tried to be cautious, but at last she couldn’t resist the delicious aroma of the food in front of her. Odyssea sneaked a glance at Circes and noticed he was watching them closely, as if waiting for something to occur. He seemed friendly enough, smiling and joking with her crew members, but Odyssea believed he had a subtle motive. She wondered if her suspicions were reasonable and was tempted to order her crew to cease eating. But looking around at the ragged crew made her pause. After the hour had passed and everyone was stuffed, Circes stood from his chair and raised a golden rod. It glittered like sunlight and Odyssea wondered if Circes was related to the sun gods. “Trill, tweet, and twitter, I command thee to sprout feathers and fly!” he chanted. Instantly, the young women began to chirp like birds and feathers grew over their arms, which turned into wings. Their forms shrunk until they were the size of sparrows. Startled, Odyssea dove underneath the table, hoping Circes hadn’t noticed her. She watched as the strange boy, Circes, used a net to capture the birds and then stuffed them in a large cage, which he hung outside the kitchen window. Her poor crew members chirped madly, flying this way and that, searching unsuccessfully for a way out. “Now you will be like me,” Circes said to the sparrows. “Just as I am exiled alone on an island, unable to go anywhere or meet anyone, now you can experience my plight. You may gaze at the sky and the forest and feel the sweet breeze and smell the fragrant flowers, but you’ll be unable to join it, since you will be trapped in this cage.” Odyssea wondered at Circes’ powers. He had used magic food and drink that turned people into birds. Could she take him on, or would he overpower her with magic? As Circes walked past the table, Odyssea snatched his ankle and tripped him. He let out a surprised cry as he crashed to the ground. Now that he was down, Odyssea leaped over him, pinning him to the floor. Circes had fallen on his stomach, so Odyssea twisted his arm behind his back and unsheathed her sword. Circes yelled out in pain and tried to break free. But Odyssea planted the blade against his neck. “I have a sword and I mean to use it,” Odyssea said, as the servant boys scurried away. “Unless you give in to my demands.” “I’m a child of the gods! The grandson of Helios!” Circes sputtered. “You can’t kill me!” “True, I can’t kill you,” Odyssea said, “but I know how to cause pain.” “What manner of mortal are you that you were able to resist my magic? I am skilled in the arts of enchantments. Surely you must be some being sent by the gods to torment me! It wasn’t enough for them to send me into exile!” Odyssea narrowed her eyes at him. “Your ways were suspicious and I refrained from eating, despite being famished. Now, turn my friends back and let them go.” “I’m willing to negotiate,” Circes stopped struggling. “First, promise me you will not betray my trust. Promise not to use enchantments on me.” “I promise,” he said. “Make the Unbreakable Promise,” Odyssea retorted. She recalled that this was the only promise that gods couldn’t break. Circes let out a long sigh. “How long are you going to keep me detained? Those good-for-nothing wimps I have for servants! They’re afraid of a mere mortal!” “I’m not just a mere mortal,” Odyssea snapped. “I’m Odyssea, Princess of Ithaca. And future queen of Ithaca.” “I have heard of you,” Circes said. “All right then. I promise by the River Styx. I make the Unbreakable Promise to you, Odyssea, Princess of Ithaca.” “It’s a good thing you value your life,” Odyssea released him. “Come with me,” Circes got to his feet. “I know you are famished. Let me at least offer you food and a warm bath afterwards.” “I accept,” Odyssea said, for she was inching closer to fainting. She had held fast to her strength for as long as she could, but the lack of food was starting to make her dizzy. The servant boys- after Circes assured them that Odyssea wouldn’t harm them- set out silver bowls and golden goblets and placed all manner of food on the table. There was warm bread, cheese, and different kinds of fruits. They filled her goblet with wine. Since Circes had made the Unbreakable Promise, Odyssea now felt secure enough to eat the food he offered. After she had gotten her fill, the servant boys prepared a bath for her. Odyssea slipped out of her clothes and got into the gold bathtub, the warm water massaging her stiff muscles. She was so relaxed that she dozed off in the bathtub. When she awoke, she noticed that the servant boys had left fresh clothes for her, a white chiton and a pale-blue peplos. Odyssea dried off with a large towel and dressed. She marveled at the clothing, wondering how someone living alone on an island could acquire such fine fabric. 2.2 “This is my loom,” Circes was giving Odyssea a tour of his home. “The clothing you are wearing was weaved by me. I hope it is to your liking.” Odyssea was tired of the endless chitchat and hoped to get to the more important matter at hand, that of restoring her crew members to their human form! “Those wild animals by the gates, are they humans that were turned into animals?” Odyssea asked. “No,” Circes replied. “They are wild animals that I tamed with my magic.” Odyssea walked slowly, feeling the despondency envelop her. “Perhaps you are tired after this eventful day,” Circes said. “I will show you to your room. A good night’s rest will refresh your spirit.” “I fear I won’t be able to sleep,” Odyssea said in an undertone. “How can I rest when my friends are changed into animals and sealed in a cage?” “They may have the form of birds, but their minds are still human,” Circes said. “Your crew members have retained their human memories.” “Then that is even worse,” Odyssea said. “How can I ever sleep knowing they are in this cruel state? I will have to remain an insomniac.” “What would make you feel better?” Circes asked after a pause. “I want to see my friends and have them restored to their true form,” Odyssea said. “Please, Circes. I know you bewitched them, but I want to know whether this magic can be reversed. What do you wish to trade? We have plenty of treasures aboard the ship.” “I have no use for mere pirate treasure,” Circes said. “I am exiled on this island and I’d like a companion. You may stay as long as you want on my island and may visit your crew anytime you wish.” “I can’t leave them behind,” Odyssea said. “Just the thought strikes horror into my heart.” She thought for a moment. “What is keeping you here on this island?” she asked. “You are an enchanter. Can’t you leave?” “There’s a barrier beyond the reefs,” Circes said. “I’ve tried to leave many times before. I’ve bewitched dolphins and whales to carry me away from the island, but there’s a kind of barrier that I can’t go past, no matter what I do. The dolphins and whales are able to pass through but I’m stuck here on this island.” “What will it take for you to free them?” Odyssea asked again. Circes seemed unwilling to let them go. She also wondered what he’d done that caused the gods to send him into exile. “There’s nothing you can do,” Circes replied. Then a rash thought struck her. Circes had said he wished for a companion. “What if I stay in their place?” she asked before she lost the nerve. “Will you restore them and let them go? I will stay on this island and live here with you for the rest of my life.” Circes contemplated the idea. “Please,” pleaded Odyssea, glancing at the window where the cage was. “I’ll deliver myself up in their place!” Circes smiled. “I agree to this trade. Let’s shake on it.” Odyssea hesitated for a moment, staring at Circes’ outstretched hand. He waited, expectantly. Odyssea once again glanced at the birds. Then she shook Circes’ hand, even though everything inside her was warning her not to. Circes beamed. “You are a noble woman for giving up your life for your friends,” Circes said. “I admire your valor.” Circes brought the cage into the hall and unfastened the cage door. He released the birds, one by one, and fed them some magic birdseed. The feathers disappeared and the crew members reverted to their human form, back to their regular size. Odyssea was overjoyed to see her crew members again. They gathered around her, hugging and talking amongst themselves. That night, Odyssea’s crewmates slept soundly, not knowing the difficult news they would hear the next day. Odyssea and her young women had been shown to a beautiful spacious room, with a large bed and gilded furniture. The color scheme was mostly silver and soft blues. Three of the young women had claimed the bed, while Odyssea and the others slept on pallets on the floor. Odyssea found that sleep evaded her, and she tossed and turned all night, being kept awake by nightmares. The young women boarded the boat and were surprised to see Odyssea standing on the shore. Eurylocha and Polita approached. “Why aren’t you coming, Odyssea?” they asked. “Do we have to drag you to the ship once more?” “You’re free to go,” Odyssea told her dear friends. “But I must stay. You must forget me, for I have made a bargain with Circes that I will remain and live on the island.” Her friends pleaded with her to go with them. “I can’t break my promise,” Odyssea said. Her friends protested but it was useless. They told Odyssea to forget about Circes and escape anyway. But a promise was a promise. And Odyssea always kept her word. With tears in their eyes, they said their farewells and returned to the ship. They vowed to come again and free her. “It’s no use,” said Odyssea sadly. “Don’t return. When I see you, I will be reminded of my old life and will mourn if you do.” Her friends looked stricken but they agreed with her logic. “It’s better this way,” were Odyssea’s last words to her friends. Odyssea gulped as she watched her crew members leave. From the top of the cliff she glimpsed the boat move away and disappear into the horizon. Odyssea felt incredibly alone, as if she were suddenly freezing. Her friends were gone and here she was, stuck on an island forever. She was Princess of Ithaca, and now she was trapped as if in exile. A wave of sadness spilled into her mind, filling it with waves of hopelessness. Like a sea that never ends. When her vision became distorted by the tears, she sat on the ground with her arms wrapped around her knees and sniveled. She sat very still, mourning the loss of her freedom. How could something like this have just happened? Circes approached. “Don’t worry,” he said cheerfully. “We will have so much fun every day! We can do whatever we want!” Odyssea looked at him for a moment and then her head went down in despair. Circes sat beside her and wondered what to do. He now had a companion and wouldn’t need anyone else. His days of solitude were over. But now Odyssea wasn’t talking to him. “It’s okay,” Circes tried to soothe her. “There’s so much to do here. We’ll never get bored. There are myriads of animals to play with. There are trees to climb, caves to explore, waterfalls to jump into, and lakes to swim in. We can even get married later on.” He put his arm around her and Odyssea felt even worse. Marry him? What had she gotten herself into? Oh well, she thought, I’m stuck here anyway, so I might as well. “Hey, I know!” Circes took her hands and pulled her to standing. “We never finished our tour! I’ll show you the gardens, the waterfalls, and all the other rooms in the palace.” She looked at him blankly; her mouth turned down in grief. He clasped her arm and showed her around the place. Indeed it was unbelievable. What had appeared to Odyssea and her crew to be a house made out of stone turned out to be more of a palace. It had every luxury a monarch could wish for, probably because Circes was a child of the gods. But Odyssea’s expression remained lifeless. “Don’t worry,” said Circes. “You’re not a prisoner here.” Odyssea thought about those words. Wasn’t she? Everything she knew was gone. Her family, her friends, and her kingdom. She would never see any of them ever again. Odyssea walked on lifelessly, following like a statue. She definitely felt like a captive, and had lost all hope. Her mind was imprisoned in a solitary cage. And her happiness was gone. Possibly forever. When night came, she slipped outside to gaze up at the moon. She sat there for what seemed like hours, not speaking, just sitting and mourning, hoping she could just curl up there on the seashore and die a peaceful death. Circes came searching for her, concerned for her welfare, and led her back to the palace. Odyssea fell asleep late that night after hours of sleeplessness. Something in her had been shattered. And the loss was showing. She woke up in the early morning, took out her eye pendant and studied it. It made her feel a little better somehow, comforting her so that she was able to sleep again. A voice came into her dreams. An owl flew through the night, and Odyssea recognized Atheno’s voice. “All things must end,” the whisper said. “Nothing is permanent.” Odyssea woke up with the words playing in her mind but she was too depressed to understand the meaning of the message. As the weeks went by, Odyssea had become completely numb to any kind of feeling or emotion, since she was overcome with sadness. Though her crying had stopped, she was still as blank as ever. Shocked by the loss of her freedom. How happy she’d been just a few weeks ago. Instead she seemed to be truly stranded here. But she hoped that her friends would find more allies and save the kingdom of Ithaca. Despite Circes’ impressive efforts to win her over, Odyssea still had her secrets. She kept her precious eye pendant hidden from Circes and his servant boys. It was the one thing she had from her old life and it gave her a glimmer of hope whenever she gazed upon it. On one particular day, Odyssea found a secluded place in a clearing of trees. Circes had asked if he could come with her, but she’d told him she wanted to practice her swordsmanship. Odyssea looked around and made sure she was completely alone. Even the birds seemed to have quieted. She unsheathed her sword and stared at it thoughtfully, raising it to examine the hilt. It had been a gift from her mother before she passed away. The sword had a sapphire jewel on the hilt, one her mother had received from her mother, and so on down the line of ancestors. She’d told Odyssea it was a guiding charm. She thought of her mother and wondered if she’d see her again that day. Odyssea flipped the sword around and pointed it to her heart, then shut her eyes. Her arms started shaking like branches in the wind. A few tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes. The numbness left her completely and a torrent of despair wracked her body, causing her to drop the sword. Odyssea sank to her knees in the grass and cried, thinking about how she was too cowardly to join her mother in the Underworld. “You’ll never get anywhere by staring at the ground,” a voice said. “You were meant for the stars.” Odyssea quickly got to her feet and scanned the area. A young man was sitting on the lowest branch of a tree, a few paces away. Odyssea wiped the tears from her eyes and picked up her sword. The young man had golden hair and wore a white chiton with a silver sash. He dropped from the branch and landed on his feet. “I didn’t see you there,” Odyssea said. “I thought I was alone.” She still felt like crying but didn’t want to do so in front of a stranger. She wondered if he was one of Circes’ servants, but she didn’t get that vibe from him. “I know what will take your mind off your problems,” the young man smiled enigmatically. “How about a friendly duel?” “I like the sound of that, but how are we to duel, seeing as you don’t have a weapon?” Odyssea was certain he was unarmed, but wondered if she’d missed something. The young man gave a sly smile and pulled a shining sword from behind him. It had a golden hilt and seemed to gleam in the sunlight. “I have one now,” he smiled. “That’s an unbelievably shiny sword,” Odyssea admired it. “All right, then, let’s begin.” Odyssea sized up the stranger. He was several inches taller than her, and his weapon seemed strong. “I like your sword,” the young man grinned. “But will it be any match for mine?” He struck first and Odyssea quickly parried it, though the clang from the blow jarred her shoulder. She knew she was out of practice. Her skills weren’t as sharp as usual. “Anything can be a weapon in the hands of a master,” Odyssea retorted. She watched to see what he would do. The young man swung again and the sword clashed against hers as she hacked low to intercept the attack. “But the weapon also has to be good quality, otherwise it may break,” the young man thrust his sword at her torso. Odyssea jumped backwards and parried his attack. The young man regarded her with a curious glance. “Are you a doer or a watcher?” he asked. “All you’re doing is waiting for my attack. Have you lost already, warrior?” Odyssea wasn’t sure what he meant. Was he referring to her fighting style or to something deep within her mind? “Let’s make this more interesting,” the young man said, his sword up and ready. “If you win, I leave you here alone to your dark thoughts. Is that what you want?” Odyssea gritted her teeth and swung the blade at his shoulder. The young man leaned backwards and kicked out, catching her in the leg. Odyssea almost lost her balance, since she hadn’t been expecting that. Stay alert! She told herself. And whatever you do, don’t fall down! “What happens if you win?” she asked. “I’ll tell you after I win,” he said. They continued sparring for several minutes. Odyssea’s forehead was slick with sweat while the young man seemed barely winded. He slashed his sword towards her middle. Odyssea shuffled sideways to avoid the blow, then swung at her opponent’s upper arm. He parried with such force that the sword was knocked out of her hands. Then he lunged forward and pointed the sword at her neck. Odyssea stepped back onto an uneven patch of ground and fell backwards onto her bottom. She had lost and was furious with herself for doing so. Deep down she wondered, what is the use, anyway? “You won,” she said flatly. “So what is it you want?” “I want you to love your life,” he said slowly, lowering his sword. Odyssea glanced at him in surprise. “I know who you are,” Odyssea said. “Only a child of the gods can fight so gracefully and not break a sweat. You must be Atheno.” “You have spoken truly,” Atheno said. When she looked again, she saw that the golden sword had disappeared. “Tyresia told me you’re my patron,” Odyssea said, as Atheno extended a hand and pulled her to her feet. “That is true. You have great promise,” Atheno said. “I know you are in despair and I am disheartened by this. I came to give you courage.” He bent to pick up Odyssea’s sword, and handed it to her, hilt first. “How can you give someone courage?” Odyssea sheathed her sword. “Courage is a state of mind, not a quality you can just bestow on someone.” “True, but you can guide someone to the experience that will cultivate their courage,” Atheno smiled. “I know I have failed the quest,” Odyssea looked down. “To save my friends, I gave my life in their place.” “It may seem like it will last forever,” Atheno said. “But trust me when I say that change is inevitable. And the events will start to make sense after a while. Find the courage to love your life. Cherish it. Please don’t end it.” Odyssea stared at him in shock. “You knew what I was thinking of doing,” she said, and her mind descended further into darkness. She thought about how she didn’t know what was next in her life, and a tear trailed down her face. “Odyssea, I haven’t forgotten you. I care for your well-being and your future,” Atheno wiped the tear from her cheek. “You are the hero I’ve chosen to raise up and honor. Remember that you’re only stranded if you believe you are. And this obstacle might even be the stepping stone to your next adventure.” “But I don’t see a way out!” Odyssea whispered fiercely. She whipped around to hide the tears that flowed down her face. When she turned back to face him, she saw that he’d vanished. The forest was quiet and Odyssea was left in the turmoil of her thoughts. 2.3 While Circes picked flowers in the garden, Odyssea sat on a stone bench, as if she were a statue. Circes returned with the flowers and placed one in her hair. “I know you’ve been despondent and heartbroken by your many losses,” he said. “And I want you to be happy here. And so I was thinking of celebrating the biggest event of our life together.” Circes took her hand and knelt in front of her. Odyssea noticed him kneeling and turned away to gaze out at the ocean. “Will you marry me?” Circes asked. Odyssea started trembling and tears trailed down her face. His question reminded her of her hopeless predicament and the permanence of the situation. “Don’t cry,” Circes consoled. “It will be fun, I promise.” “Let’s get this over with,” Odyssea sniffled. Once she married him, she would truly be stranded. Her hope would be extinguished, leaving her with nothing else to lose. The day of the wedding ceremony arrived sooner than Odyssea expected. The servant boys brought her a new peplos to wear, which was so dazzling she could hardly bear to look at it. Circes wore a light blue chiton lined with gold and silver. The servant boys had certainly outdone themselves, decorating the grand hall with garlands and hues of blue and gold and silver trinkets. They had picked flowers of dazzling colors from the garden and had placed them along the hall everywhere the eye could see. Odyssea tried to feel something. Anything. But her mind was just as lifeless as the day she’d lost her entire world. She went through the motions devoid of any feeling or emotion. Just a numb existence. Odyssea wandered the palace, wanting to get away from all the flowery decorations- which just made her feel nauseated- and came upon Circes’ room. She had never been in here before and was curious to learn more about Circes’ story. The room was large and spacious, with a large canopy bed and a balcony that seemed to wrap around the entire room. Odyssea spied a large tapestry on one wall, showing a figure wearing the same eye pendant she owned! She approached the tapestry and scanned the scene it depicted, showing what seemed like Circes, taking the eye pendant from Poseidona, the queen of the sea, and tossing it into the Underworld, through a hole in the ground, which appeared to have been part of some enchantment. “I was looking for you,” Circes found her. “What are you doing in my chambers?” “I wished to learn more about the person I’m marrying,” Odyssea said. She motioned to the tapestry. “Will you tell me your story? I want to know how you came to be exiled and what this eye pendant is.” “All right,” Circes stared up at the tapestry and seemed to get lost in another time and place.“It was centuries ago. I wanted to become an enchanter like my aunt Circe, but I didn’t want to work hard for it. I thought I could simply take the pendant and be filled with power. But it didn’t work like that. I stole the pendant from Poseidona, and then when she was gaining on me, I didn’t want her to have it, so I created a hole and used the magic of the pendant to transport it to the Underworld, where she couldn’t get it. Poseidona was so enraged that she held a council with the Gods and had me exiled on this island. The pendant has since been lost.” “How many pendants are there like that one?” Odyssea asked. “There are only three,” Circes said. “Poseidona’s eye pendant has a blue iris, but the other two have a red iris and a green one.” Odyssea recalled that her pendant had the red iris. “So if you find it and return it then you’ll be set free?” she asked. “Perhaps, but it’s not like I can go anywhere if I’m exiled,” Circes said. “Maybe Hadessa and Persephonus know where it is,” Odyssea supplied. At last she could see some hope of Circes’ exile being lifted and this kept her pensive for a while. “Shall we head to the ceremony?” Circes asked. They walked together to the main hall. Odyssea thought of her friends again and another thought struck her. A water nymph had arrived to perform the ceremony. “Let’s get this wedding started,” she announced, a bright smile on her face. “Do you, Circes, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” she asked. Circes smiled and gazed at Odyssea. “I most certainly do,” he said. “And do you, Odyssea, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the nymph asked. Odyssea looked up for a second, perplexed, until the nymph pointed to Circes. Odyssea pondered the situation anew. Should she marry someone she didn’t love? She was stuck here anyway. There was no reason why she couldn’t marry him, was there? But marrying him would take all her hope away. And the marriage would only bring added complications into her life. She was sure that if she said ‘I do’ she would start weeping and never stop. She would probably cry eternally. Odyssea picked at the flower in her hair and dropped it on the floor. A spark of feeling seemed to enter her mind just then. Maybe all was not lost. Perhaps she could escape from the island. But she’d need to build a raft. But how was that possible? Seeing how the wild animals would notice and would tell Circes of it. And how could she bear to break her promise? Odyssea wasn’t sure, but she felt that extinguishing her last drops of hope would mean her imminent death. And she didn’t want to die. But wouldn’t death be preferable to this loss of everything she knew? She didn’t want to lose all her hope. She didn’t want her promise to feel permanent. “I’m sorry,” she decided. “There won’t be a wedding today.” She left the hall and went straight to her room, opening the windows and looking out over the balcony. Circes knocked on her door, which Odyssea completely ignored, but he let himself in and joined her on the balcony. “I’m just like a caged bird,” Odyssea said. “I can look out over the horizon and see the ocean, and all it does is cause me to yearn for home, filling me with despondency and nostalgia.” “But this is your home now,” Circes said. “You haven’t accepted it. You resist this life.” “Accepting it would mean extinguishing all traces of hope,” Odyssea said. “I can give up nearly everything. But I find that I can’t give up hope.” “But love is the meaning of all!” Circes said. “Of course we don’t love each other now. But love will come later. Wouldn’t you like to undertake this new adventure?” “There is more to living than this,” Odyssea said after some thought. “In Ithaca I have my parents, my father Telemachus, my younger sister, and my kingdom. I have my people to protect. I have responsibilities and family ties. I have my friends, my crew members, whom I love dearly. How can I toss all of it away just for one person, though he may be a child of the gods, whom I don’t love and who practically forced me to give up my life for my friends. It is a difficult thing to let go of all the things I love, for a promise I made in the moment, when saving my friends seemed like the urgent priority. I mean, I wouldn’t do anything differently. I had thought I could give in to my exile, but I find that hope tethers me to my family and friends. I can’t be companions with you because I have nothing left.” Circes seemed to get smaller and to lose all energy. He sat down on the tiles of the balcony, shoulders slumped and head tilted down. “What do we do now?” he asked in a subdued voice. Odyssea glanced at him, then turned back to the horizon and a spark of hope seemed to get brighter inside her. “Perhaps we can end your exile. I will intercede on your behalf with my patron god Atheno. Maybe something can be done. You obviously don’t want to live on an island all alone. You want companionship, and I bet you can get companionship if you come with me to my kingdom.” Circes looked at her. Odyssea seemed like a different person than what she’d been like the past few weeks. She seemed to be coming back to life, her eyes taking on the usual spirit they’d had when he’d first met her. “There’s nothing you can do,” Circes stared at the floor. “Circes, listen to me,” Odyssea got down to his level and studied his face. “No one, not even the gods, can change your destiny,” she said. “You are the master of your own life. If you truly want to leave the island, come with me. We’ll go to my kingdom and you’ll have a place there. I will be one of your most trusted friends. I’m not searching for a life partner, but I am always ready to accept a friend.” “I will come with you,” Circes’ face lit up and they both stood and gazed at the ocean from the balcony. “First we’ll need to build a raft,” Odyssea said. “Then we will catch up with my crew and return to Ithaca. Atheno will protect us during the journey.” “I almost made you lose your life, and yet you have saved my life,” Circes said. “I will forever be indebted to you and I offer my services to aid the kingdom of Ithaca.” They called the servant boys and water nymphs together and built a raft. Odyssea called to Atheno and he visited her. The young man wore armor and helmet, and held a golden spear. “Atheno, please free Circes from his exile,” Odyssea pleaded. “It is only if he’s liberated that I’ll be able to free myself of my vow.” Atheno was about to speak when he was interrupted. Suddenly, a woman came out of the water standing on a wave. She wore a sea-blue peplos and had a trident in one hand and a tiara on her head. She had long dark curls framing her head and was striking to look at, but also seemed warlike. Odyssea knew this was none other than Poseidona, Queen of the Sea. “Are you sure you want an enchanter to leave the island? Imagine what havoc he could cause! He was exiled for a reason. Even his grandfather Helios doesn’t care about him,’” Poseidona explained. “He has sworn his loyalty to my kingdom,” Odyssea said. “And he won’t be able to turn more people into animals. I don’t want anyone to go through the despair I experienced. And the loneliness Circes felt for all those years surely has been punishment enough.” Poseidona gave it some thought. “Agreed,” she said. “Circes is free of his exile and is allowed to leave the island. But I have one condition.” Circes looked up as Poseidona turned a glare on him. “You need to go to the Underworld and retrieve my lost pendant. You have three months to complete the task. If you fail, you will return to the island and live in exile forever.” Circes let out the breath he’d been holding, then turned to Odyssea. “Will you help me?” he asked, looking distraught. “Let’s go at once,” Odyssea said. They set sail, Poseidona and Atheno watching after them.
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