Odyssea is shipwrecked and lands on Calypse's island. Image by Jonny Belvedere from Pixabay 4.1
Odyssea held on to the mast for what felt like days, clinging for dear life amidst the endless sea. The past few days had been a blur. Lightning and tempestuous waves had struck her raft and she had grabbed the mast as it snapped off. It kept her afloat, safeguarding her life. For now, at least. Now the storm had abated and the sea was calm. Odyssea was drenched and freezing, her wavy brown hair in tangles. She lifted her head and noticed an island in the distance. It seemed very green, filled with all kinds of trees. As the mast carried her to shore, Odyssea finally let go of the pole and succumbed to exhaustion. Right before descending into oblivion, she thought she glimpsed a shadow approaching. The last thought on her mind was her precious eye pendant, her most treasured possession. Odyssea opened her eyes and found herself lying on a thick quilt made of soft, brown fur. Could it be the pelt of a bear? A fire burned in a large hearth in the spacious room, and it seemed like she was in some kind of open cavern. She sat up and looked around. It was a beautiful cavern with lots of light and circular windows that looked out into a grove of trees. Odyssea wondered who had saved her. Soon she heard singing, along with footsteps coming down the hall, and the melodious voice getting closer. A dashing young man came into the room, with dark hair and wearing a bright purple chiton. Odyssea wondered at the bold color, since it was costly to acquire that rich hue. “Welcome to my home,” the young man smiled. “My name is Calypse. I’m the grandson of the goddess Calypso. This is my island, officially named Ogygia. But I call it the Island of Delight! You are fortunate to have arrived here, since I’m one of the most attractive descendants of the gods.” Odyssea stifled a laugh. “I’m Odyssea, daughter of Telemachus, King of Ithaca,” Odyssea said. “You saved my life, Calypse, and I am honored to be in your presence.” “Well, I’m honored to be in your presence,” Calypse grinned. “I have not laid eyes on such a beautiful girl as yourself before.” Odyssea felt a blush creep past her cheeks. “I rejoice to have such a fine guest as yourself in my home,” Calypse said. “You’ve been shipwrecked, I gather. There was a harsh tempest a few days ago and I noticed remains from your ship wash ashore. You must be famished and tired. I have prepared a bath and some clothing for you.” He handed her a folded bundle and showed her to the bath room. After he left, Odyssea looked around the bright cavern, where a large pool waited, and it seemed warm, like a hot spring. She eased out of her drenched clothes and slipped inside, the warm water washing the saltwater from her skin. She was still exhausted and lingered in the spring for some time, not wanting the comfort to end. But eventually she stepped out, dried herself with a large towel, and donned the white chiton and the dark blue peplos that Calypse had given her. Calypse showed her to the dining area and they sat on a fur rug to eat some bread and fruit. “The blue color makes you look divine,” Calypse smiled at her. “I have my own loom and I weaved the garment myself.” “I’ve never worn anything so fine,” Odyssea said. “Thank you.” “If you’d like, I can teach you how to weave,” Calypse offered. “Yeah, that would be nice,” Odyssea said. She was a bit at a loss, since she was shipwrecked on this island and didn’t know what would come next. After Odyssea had eaten her fill, she followed Calypse to the area where the loom was and he showed her how it worked. “I know nothing of weaving,” Odyssea tried out the loom. Calypse seemed amused at her lack of coordination on the loom. “I’ll give you another lesson tomorrow,” he said. “Now it’s time to sleep, so I’ll show you to your quarters.” The cavern had several rooms, some smaller and some larger. Calypse had set up a pallet for her in one of these smaller areas, hanging a blanket to cover the entrance, and there was a bowl of water and some pillows. He preferred to sleep in the main area, next to the hearth. As Odyssea settled down for the night, on the soft fur pallet, she reached to her neck for her eye pendant. Her hand came up empty and she gave a start. Dragging herself up, she walked quietly into the hall, then retraced her steps to the bath room. She peered into the pool, wondering if she’d dropped her pendant somewhere, but didn’t see anything glinting in the still water. She scoured every area of the bath room but found nothing. In fact, she couldn’t remember having her eye pendant with her when she’d awoken. Could it have gotten lost in the sea? Or had Calypse taken it? The following day, Odyssea met Calypse for breakfast in the dining area. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful. After all, he was doing so much for her, giving her of his food and shelter and friendship. And he was doing everything himself, she was sure. She hadn’t noticed any servants about. Calypse showed her the vine that grew along the entrance of the cavern, which had delicious grapes hanging from it. He plucked some grapes, dropping them in a bowl, and offered them to Odyssea. She ate a few but was quiet, trying to decide how to phrase her request. “I can’t seem to find my pendant,” Odyssea said. “Have you seen it?” Calypse’s smile vanished, and Odyssea realized he knew exactly what she was talking about. She continued to watch his face closely, noting the subtle changes in body language. “It’s an eye pendant and it’s very special to me,” Odyssea continued. Calypse said nothing but took a drink from his goblet. “I know you’ve seen it,” Odyssea said, being careful not to prematurely accuse him of theft. “Just tell me where it is.” “It’s a magical artifact,” Calypse swallowed and put down his goblet. “It shouldn’t be in human possession. Who better to guard it than a child of the gods?” Odyssea gaped at him. “So you took my pendant?” she asked. “Where have you put it?” She continued watching his eyes and head closely, in case his eyes shifted or head moved in the direction he had hidden it. But Calypse was crafty and revealed nothing. “I’ve placed it in a secure location,” Calypse said. “There’s no need to worry. I am your trusted friend.” “How can you call yourself my friend when you’ve taken my only treasure?” Odyssea’s voice took on an edge. “It wasn’t yours in the first place,” Calypse ate a grape. “It’s not yours either,” Odyssea replied. “Where is it?” She wanted to threaten him to give it to her, but her sword and bow had been washed away in the storm. “Look, I am at your command,” Calypse said. “Anything you ask of me I will do, except this one thing.” “Why do you want it so much?” Odyssea said sharply. “You took my only memory of home! Friend, you say? You’re nothing but an evildoer preying on a shipwrecked voyager!” “For all I know you could have stolen that pendant from a child of the gods!” Calypse shot back. “I didn’t steal it,” Odyssea said. “I found the pendant on one of my travels. The pendant gave me hope and saved my life.” “That’s a likely story,” Calypse said with sarcasm. “Do you even know the power of the pendant?” Odyssea thought for a moment. “I do know the power of the pendant. It gives one hope to keep going despite the obstacles one faces in life.” “There’s more to it than that,” Calypse said. “The pendant is filled with powerful magic.” “I know nothing about magic,” Odyssea frowned. 4.2 Weeks went by and Odyssea would wait until Calypse fell asleep and then probe through the cavern in search of the pendant. Each night she returned to her room empty-handed. She had to think like an immortal. Where would Calypse hide such a treasure? If she were immortal, she would probably hide it somewhere where mortals couldn’t reach it. It’s also possible that he had hidden it on his person. But she hadn’t noticed any necklace around his neck. It had to be somewhere difficult for a mortal to find. Or what if he were two steps ahead and thought to hide it somewhere so easy that no mortal would even think of looking? She thought long and hard. Where did Calypse spend most of his time? There was the main cavern with the large rug and hearth. Then there was the loom. Could he have hidden it somewhere in the loom? Surely that would disrupt the threads and cause the loom to not work. She could tell Calypse treasured his loom and she didn’t think he would risk hiding the pendant there. After dinner one day, Calypse worked on his loom and sang. While Odyssea could hear his voice, she went into the main area of the cave where the hearth was and searched near the fire. Nothing. Odyssea didn’t trust him at all and Calypse acted like everything was fine, flirting with her and giving her weaving lessons. Odyssea wondered what to do. She couldn’t fight him. He was a child of the gods, an immortal, and thus was stronger than her. What she needed was a weapon. “I was wondering if you had some weapons I could borrow,” Odyssea said. “I would like to practice my swordsmanship.” “You don’t need a sword here,” Calypse said. “There are no dangers.” “But I need to practice my combat skills so that I’ll be ready when I need it later, after I leave this island,” Odyssea said. “How are you going to leave?” Calypse mocked her. “Is a boat going to magically appear? Are you going to swim across the entire ocean?” Odyssea glared at him. A few days later, another idea struck her. “Calypse, I really appreciate all you do for me, cooking our food and all. I was wondering if I could return the favor today. I would be happy to prepare dinner.” “Okay,” Calypse said. “What did you have in mind?” “Well, I was thinking of making some fish and vegetables over the fire,” Odyssea said. Calypse showed her to the stream. “Do you have something I can use to catch the fish, like a spear?” Odyssea tried not to seem too eager. “I always just use my hands,” Calypse said. “Or a net. Here you go.” Disappointed at not receiving a spear, Odyssea took the net and caught some fish. Then she searched the kitchen for a knife. “I’m not handing you a knife,” Calypse said. “Do you think I’m a fool?” “How am I supposed to slice the vegetables?” Odyssea demanded. “Just cook them whole,” Calypse said before he walked out. That evening, for dinner, Odyssea served the food. Calypse sniffed it and took his first bite. “It’s pretty good,” he said, “but of course not as great as my cooking. Immortals are way better at cooking than mortals are.” “I’m tired of your arrogance,” Odyssea wanted to snap. She stopped herself and instead said, ”Fine, then you’ll cook from now on and I won’t do any cooking anymore.” They chewed in silence for a moment, and Calypse put down his fork. “Odyssea, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I am very fond of you,” he reached over and placed his hand over hers. Odyssea quickly pulled her hand away. Calypse continued talking, “I don’t mind cooking your favorite foods and weaving new clothes for you. I enjoy doing these things for you.” Though the words sounded generous, Odyssea thought his tone was condescending. She thought of a new idea. Perhaps she could retrieve her pendant while Calypse was in the bath. She waited until he headed to the bath room, then lingered right outside until she was sure he was in the pool. Odyssea swatted the curtain aside and barged into the bath room. “Hey! I didn’t know you were a snooper!” Calypse grinned. Odyssea blushed and turned away. “Where is it?” she asked sourly. “What are you looking for?” Calypse asked. “You know exactly what I’m looking for,” Odyssea retorted. She spotted a pile of clothes on a stool and began riffling through them. “Are you trying to steal my clothes?” Calypse seemed unconcerned. “Why, I didn’t think you were the prankster type.” Finding nothing, Odyssea dropped the clothes back on the stool. Calypse waded over, his head and shoulders above the water. “Why don’t you come in for a swim?” he grinned. Odyssea glanced at him, then her gaze drifted down to his neck, where a golden object sat. “You’re wearing it!” she lunged for the pendant without thinking. Calypse ducked into the water and Odyssea fell head-first into the pool. She came up and brushed the water from her eyes, then pulled herself out of the pool, wringing the water out of her hair. Her chiton was drenched and the water dripped onto the floor. “Are you leaving so soon? But we were just about to have fun!” Calypse laughed. He splashed some water in her direction, but it missed and made a puddle on the floor. Odyssea glared at him. She wasn’t about to battle with a naked guy in a pool. It was time for Plan B. She returned with a large fishing net and tossed it over Calypse. “What are you-“ Calypse tried to duck but the net tangled around him as he tried to squirm away. “Hey!” Calypse called out. “What if I drown?!” “You won’t drown, you’re immortal, remember?” Odyssea reached for the eye pendant. But Calypse sank below the surface, struggling within the net. “Oh no, now I have to save him,” Odyssea waded into the pool and seized Calypse’s shoulders, getting his head out of the water. She tried to grab the pendant from his neck, but the net was in the way. She realized it hadn’t been a very smart plan. Calypse coughed out some water. “Get me out of this!” he shrieked. “Give me the pendant!” Odyssea ordered. “How can I when I’m all tied up?” Calypse whined. “Promise you’ll give me the pendant if I free you,” Odyssea said. “You have my word,” Calypse replied. Odyssea used a fish hook to tear through the net, making a large enough hole for Calypse to slip through. Calypse wrapped a towel around his waist as he came out of the pool. “You ruined everything,” he said sourly. “We could have had fun, but you only care about that stupid pendant.” Odyssea cleared her throat and held out a hand for the pendant. Calypse sat on a stool, his hair dripping wet. “Can you leave now so I can dress in privacy?” “First things first,” Odyssea kept her hand out. “Do I need to trap you again? Like a common fish?” “Silly mortal,” Calypse smirked. “Did you really think I’d give you the pendant just like that?” Odyssea berated herself. She had neglected to get him to make the Unbreakable Promise. Feeling an urge to shove him back into the pool, she left before she could act on her violent thought. 4.3 “If I can’t find a weapon, then I’ll have to make one,” Odyssea decided. She noticed that Calypse had placed all the sharp utensils out of sight. Also, she’d seen a pouch at his waist, which he kept with him at all times, and she figured the pendant was in there. While Calypse was singing and weaving at his loom, Odyssea stole outside and found several vines, which gave her an idea. That night, when Calypse was asleep, Odyssea waited for her eyesight to adjust to the darkness and headed into the main room where Calypse slept, enveloped within the large fur quilt. The fire had been extinguished, leaving the hearth dark, and the only light came through the window from the moon outside. Odyssea slowly slid underneath the quilt, until she was lying next to Calypse, and hoped he wouldn’t wake. “Odyssea,” Calypse whispered. Odyssea froze. For a moment, she worried he had awoken, but she saw he was still asleep. She found his wrists and was about to tie them together with the vines, but Calypse wrapped his arms around her, hugging her like a pillow. No matter. Perhaps she couldn’t tie him, but she could steal the pouch at his waist. Odyssea reached around Calypse’s middle to untie the sash the pouch was secured to. But Calypse hugged her closer and she lost her grip. Maybe she could open the pouch and take the pendant. She slowly inched away from him, then searched for the pouch, but just then, Calypse rolled over so his back was to her, and the pouch ended up beneath his side. Odyssea grabbed the material of the pouch and tried to pull it from under him. Finally, she managed to undo the sash of the pouch and waited for Calypse to roll over again so she could free the pouch. She had to be quick or he might put his arms around her again. Odyssea listened to the quiet hum of Calypse’s breathing. Finally, he rolled back in her direction, the pouch now freed behind him. She circled an arm around him and snatched the pouch, then carefully stashed it into her chiton, trying not to make a sound. Before she could inch away from Calypse, he wrapped an arm around her waist and moved closer. “Odyssea?” his eyes opened and his grip loosened. “What are you doing here?” he whispered. “I…um…got cold and needed some warmth,” Odyssea stammered. “I hope you don’t mind.” “Not at all,” Calypse tugged the fur quilt more securely around them. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ll make a fire next time.” He smiled at her and closed his eyes. Odyssea waited until Calypse drifted off to sleep, then slowly got out from under the quilt. She grinned and fastened the eye pendant securely around her neck. “You stole my property,” Calypse said the next morning, his expression dark. “It belongs to me,” Odyssea reiterated. “And now it’s back in my possession where it will stay.” She knew he had probably come into her room to get the pendant, but Odyssea had hidden it and then secured it around her neck after she’d woken. Calypse glared at her and Odyssea glared right back. Calypse left and returned with a small treasure chest. He set it down in front of her on the fur rug. “I am willing to trade you for the eye pendant,” he said. “Choose any treasures you want from here, even the whole treasure chest if you wish.” Odyssea didn’t even glance at the shiny trinkets. “The pendant is the most precious item I own, and I don’t intend to trade it,” she said. “Give up this foolish plan of yours!” “This island belongs to me and that means everything on it is mine as well,” Calypse said. “You are my guest and are also trapped here on this island. You have nowhere to go. So you’re mine to care for, and that pendant is for me to protect.” “I don’t believe you want to guard my pendant,” Odyssea looked at him scornfully. “You just want the magical powers for yourself.” “Now nobody can take this away from me,” she continued. “I’m the guardian of this pendant, and if you so much as lay a hand on it again, you will regret it!” “Give me the pendant!” Calypse lunged for it, but Odyssea sprung out of the way and kicked him in the shin. Calypse buckled to the floor, and Odyssea snatched the nearest vase and held it like a weapon. “I am armed,” Odyssea said. “Promise me you will not steal my pendant or even think about stealing it!” Calypse stared up at her, eyeing the vase which she held above him, ready to knock him out with. He sighed. “I promise,” he said in a low voice. “Make the Unbreakable Promise,” Odyssea reiterated. Calypse stared at her while she waited expectantly. “I, Calypse, swear by the River Styx that I will not steal the pendant. I make the Unbreakable Promise to you, Odyssea of Ithaca.” Odyssea let out a relieved sigh and restored the vase to its mantel. She reached out a hand and helped Calypse to his feet. “I hope we can put this behind us and be friends from now on,” Odyssea said. “It’s difficult to be friends when you act so tyrannical.” Calypse eyed the necklace one last time and retreated, heading back to his loom. While he weaved, the cavern was quiet and without melody. 4.4 At dinner, Calypse said nothing, just ate the food in silence. He had given Odyssea a portion fit for a monarch, as always. When they finished their meal, Calypse stood up to leave. It had been an awkward dinner and he avoided making eye contact with her. “Calypse,” Odyssea patted a place next to her on the rug. “Won’t you sit with me awhile? I wish to hear your story.” Calypse sat down a few feet away from her. There was silence. “I thought you came to sleep next to me because you wanted my company. Because you had feelings for me,” Calypse said in an undertone. “I didn’t expect you to trick me.” “I’m sorry for hurting your feelings,” Odyssea said. “But you did steal my pendant, don’t deny it. I had to use any means necessary to retrieve it.” “I understand,” Calypse sighed. “But, may I ask, do you have any feelings for me?” Odyssea blushed scarlet and glanced down. “I admit I do,” she said. “I mean, it didn’t help that you had stolen my pendant, which made me dislike you. And you can be condescending at times, like when you called me ‘foolish.’” “Yes, I apologize for that,” Calypse said regretfully. “I act all high and mighty, trying to impress you, but I don’t think this flamboyant charisma works on someone like you.” “Most certainly not,” Odyssea looked up. “Now, pendant aside, I want to know if we can be on cordial terms again.” “Well,” a slow grin spread onto Calypse’s face. “Cordial also means ‘invigorating to the heart.’ Do you mean that you want to be more than friends?” He shuffled closer to her, but Odyssea put out a hand to stop him. “My wish and my duty don’t always align,” Odyssea said. “Therefore, we can’t be more than friends. Also, I sense there’s something you’re keeping from me. I hope you can open up to me. I do care about you,” She blushed again. “I’ll tell you the reason why I wanted that pendant,” he said. “My younger sister Polyphema was placed under a curse many years ago. I haven’t seen her since and was hoping to find her and free her from her misfortune. She’s on the island of the cyclops, being held captive. I was sure the pendant could help me.” Odyssea fingered the pendant in her hands, wondering what powers it held. “If you had told me you needed the pendant to save your sister, we could have avoided that whole confrontation. I’d be happy to assist you in rescuing your sister. But if you know where she is, why haven’t you gone to save her?” “Because Hermisia is punishing me,” Calypse said. “I flirted with her and then I flirted with many others, and this made her angry. So she spoke to Zea and she’s decreed that I’m not allowed on the island of the cyclops. I’ve tried sending others to save her, but no one is willing to risk the wrath of Zea.” “How long ago was this?” Odyssea asked, feeling uneasy. “It was a century ago,” Calypse said. “She was whisked away in the middle of the night and I haven’t seen her or heard from her since.” He wiped a tear from his eye. “Thank you for telling me about your sister,” Odyssea said gently. “I imagine Hermisia wouldn’t hold a grudge for that long. Surely it would be okay if I went and rescued your sister. When I resume my voyage, I will see about going to the cyclops’ island.” “I am honored to meet such a generous soul,” Calypse kissed the back of her hand. Odyssea blushed. “Can I ask you something?” she asked. Calypse looked up. “Why do you live all alone on this island? You’re a child of the Gods. Can’t you just go to places and find someone to marry?” Calypse paused. “To tell you the truth, I have many enemies,” he said. “From the gods. And I don’t want to see them or talk to them. I’ve broken many hearts over the centuries, and so they made my life horrible, and then I inherited this island and came here to live. I’ve recently learned that they’re upset with me because…well…I fell in love with a mortal.” Odyssea was certain he was talking about her. “Why do they care who you fall in love with?” she asked. “Don’t gods fall in love with mortals all the time?” “Exactly,” Calypse said. “The higher gods can do what they want, but us lower gods have restrictions placed on us. I’m willing to break the rules, and that’s why I’m here on this island. I’ve turned it into my personal paradise and I was waiting for someone like you to come along.” Odyssea tried to hide the blush creeping across her face. She turned her thoughts back to the pendant. “I’m going to find your sister,” Odyssea declared. “Perhaps the eye pendant will lead me to her.” “Thank you,” Calypse embraced her. But Odyssea still didn’t know how she was going to get off the island. It seemed a hopeless wish, but she reminded herself that all was not lost. 4.5 “I can tell you’re wondering what all the extravagance is for,” Calypse grinned. He had prepared an extravagant feast that day. “Today marks seven months since your arrival and I have a special offer for you.” Odyssea was startled, not having realized that seven months had passed. She felt the renewed pressure to leave the island and continue her quest. “I have come to cherish you dearly,” Calypse gazed into her eyes. “I offer you all my love and soul. Will you marry me?” Odyssea’s eyes widened. “It wasn’t my intention to stay here forever,” she said carefully. “I am fond of you, but I have responsibilities back on Ithaca. I’m not ready to lose hope yet. I need to leave this island and finish my quest.” “But I offer more than just a mere lifetime together,” Calypse said. He took Odyssea’s hands and continued to gaze into her eyes. “I offer you a love that will last forever. I will make you immortal. You will be forever young and we will enjoy each other’s company for all eternity. We will not grow old together, but will stay young together and have the kind of love that most people only dream about. I offer you immortality, freedom from death. While everyone else will die, we shall live. For all time and without end.” He picked up a goblet of violet liquid and set it before her on the table. Odyssea eyed the goblet suspiciously. “One sip of this will render you immortal,” he said. “I offer you ambrosia, a future of immortality. All you have to do is drink it and your every wish will come true. Then we can be in each other’s company for forever.” Odyssea stared curiously at the goblet. She reached out for it but at the last second pulled her hand back. She let out a deep breath. “I fail to understand,” Odyssea said. “You are immortal and yet you are interested in a mortal like me? Why is that?” “Because I’ve fallen in love with you,” Calypse said. “And I hate the thought of you dying. Though your life has a deadline, I know what you can become. Immortal. And then our lifespans will align.” Odyssea thought for a moment. “There is one thing that I cannot accept.” “What is it?” Calypse said. “I cannot marry someone who is immortal, neither do I want to be immortal. I’m afraid I cannot reciprocate. I am an adventurer at heart and I deeply miss my family and friends. Staying here would be like dying a thousand deaths. I still wish to leave the island and I’m distressed because I don’t know how.” Calypse paused. “I know I should be deeply offended that you have rejected my offer of endless love, but I understand where you’re coming from. You’ve led a life of obstacles and perhaps feel you have not yet earned the state of paradise.” “I appreciate everything you do for me, but I admit I feel suffocated with this paradisiacal life which I’m not ready for. I need to return to my family and kingdom and complete my quest.” She stood up to leave. “If you change your mind, come back to me,” Calypse stood up as well. “My heart is open and willing.” He wrapped his arms around her and they shared a kiss. Odyssea almost relented to his offer just then, but remembered that this wasn’t her destiny. She had an important mission to fulfill for her kingdom. “I wasn’t completely truthful about the pendant,” Odyssea told Calypse a few days later. “I received it from a prophetess. She foretold my future, telling me I would save my kingdom from future enemies if I put my all into it. A future enemy is coming to my kingdom and my job is to meet with the children of the Gods and become allies. The prophetess foretold that doing this would save my kingdom. She presented me with this pendant. She said, ‘The eye pendant will help you arrive where you want to go and become what you want to be.’ That’s why this is my most prized possession. It represents my potential and future destiny. And the safety and welfare of my kingdom.” “I wish your destiny was with me,” Calypse said sadly. “Calypse,” Odyssea addressed him the next day. “I can’t stay here any longer. I am leaving and I need your help.” “I don’t want you to leave,” Calypse said, his face solemn. “But I must. I can’t be happy here,” Odyssea said. “Okay, I’ll assist you,” Calypse said. “Hermisia visited me last night and said I had to help you get back on your travels. She brought a message from Atheno.” Odyssea smiled at the thought that her guardian was looking out for her. “I need tools. Show me what you have,” Odyssea said. Calypse led her to his storehouse, where he kept all kinds of building tools. He didn’t have everything she needed, but she was able to use other supplies to fashion the tools herself. “You should have been a goddess,” Calypse lamented. “Why are you human? Then we could have been together. No quests. No needing to save your kingdom. And no bossy Atheno telling me what to do.” He glared up at the sky as he said this, probably hoping Atheno would get the message. Odyssea chuckled at his words. “If I’d been a goddess, I doubt you would find me as charming. It’s often the temporary things that matter the most to us, because we know they’ll be gone as fast as one can blink.” Calypse offered her the use of his grove of trees. Odyssea chopped down several trees, while Calypse refused to assist, still hoping she would change her mind and stay with him. Odyssea cut the wood and began to fashion a raft. When Calypse realized that she was serious about leaving, he weaved some linen sails on his loom and presented them to her. Odyssea thanked him, attached the sails to her raft, and accepted Calypse’s offer of food and supplies. “Thank you, Calypse,” Odyssea smiled her first real smile in a long time. “I’m sure we will meet again once my quest is over. If you still feel the same way…later on…” Odyssea trailed off and shyly glanced at him. “Farewell, Odyssea,” Calypse said. “I doubt my feelings for you will change. I’m immortal and immortality means permanence, remember that.” He dipped his head and they shared a last kiss. As Odyssea set sail, she watched Calypse on the shore waving to her, and she found she couldn’t stop the tears spilling down her face. “If my destiny allows,” she whispered to the wind. “I hope to meet Calypse again one day and share in that fervent love he talked about.”
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