Book 10

I did take a break from telling the story to Alkinoos. Well, when a man's got to go, he's got to go. So I left off at us leaving the island of the Kyklops. Our fleet of ships then made port at different places. We first stopped at Aiolia, where for a month I told the story of the war to King Aiolos. He then, being the warden of winds, bagged us some wind to us on our trip home. We said our good-byes and were on our way. Leading a few ships is a very tiring job, especially for nine days. Well I did it. So, like any normal man I took a little nap. All of the sudden I wake up, and we are flying back to Aiolia. Someone in the crew had opened the bag of wind, thinking it was gold! We pleeded to Ailos to give us another bag, but he sent us with are tails between our legs. Back on the open sea again, we found port in the land of the Laistrygon. We were soon chased away from their too after they showed us their cannibalistic ways. However we did not leave without our losses. Their slingers destroyed all of our ships, but mine. Grief haunted us for days until we reached the island of Kirke. We landed in a port, and stayed there for two days. After those days I decided to climb up, and what was inland. I saw red smoke rising from Kirke's Hall. Although the men were weary to go, remembering the Laistrygons and Kyklpos, we drew lots to see who would investigate. My second in command, Eurylokhos, was drawn. He took half our men to see Kirke's Hall. The next I saw of him he was panting with a weary look on his face. He said that the men were turned into animals and locked up by Kirke. Immeadiatley, I sling my broad sword onto my belt, and told Eurylokhos to take me back there. But only a coward showed within him, so I went alone. On my jounrey there, a small boy approached me as if he knew me. It was pretty weird, however he armed me with a flower that would make me resist Kirke's charms. Only a god could have uprooted that flower. I thanked his immortal presence, and made my way to Kirke's. When I got there she greeted me with her poisonous drink, and I drank. The plant though, made me uneffected. When she tried to turn me into an animal, I unsheathed my sword and held it to her throat. Amazed at what she saw, Kirke invited me into her bed. I had to decline. I had seen it all with Kalypso. I swore her from then on not to use her magic on me, and thankfully she agreed. Then four maids bathed me and prepared the room with food and drink. I did not touch either. I still did not trust the fair Kirke. Because I was not eating, she told me to bring my ship ashore and my men to her. Although I did not trust her, I was a gentleman and followed her orders. We stayed with Kirke for many months, and put on a few pounds, until one of my men brought to my attention that we must return home. I agreed with him because I too was longing for home. I told Kirke that we will be leaving her. To this she said we could leave her (very good) but not to home (VERY BAD). We all wanted to go home, but Kirke said we first must travel to the Land of Death. How exciting. There, a prophecy of the future would be made by Teieresias. We were given our sacrificial animals, and Kirke disappeared into thin air. Well, were on our way to cold dark realm of Death and pale Persephone, no matter how hard we cried.

Book 9

After mych anticipation I decided to relieve Alkinoos of his ignorance and tell him my name. So I said to him I was Odysseus, but he did not get a chance to respond because with my name, comes the great tale follows it. I start with my leaving in victory at Troy, and us arriving and almost conquering the island of the Kikones. However when I advised the men to leave with our treasure, they got drunk on almost all our storage of wine. Our enslaved women escaped and assembled the main force of the Kikones. I could not beleive it! Now we had to fight a powerful army, which many lives were lost to as we attempted to ward them off. The emotion of losing many of our best fighters traveled with us as we retreated to sea. For three days we mourned the painful loses of our men. This was not the time to do the "I told you so" dance. Suddenly though, Zeus unleashed a powerful storm which caused us to go ashore for two whole days. We took off again only to Poseidon doings once more. He caused us to drift for nine days until we reached the lovely Lotus Eaters, whose hospitality was endless. Our journey continues as we find ourselves to land upon the shores of the dreadful Kyklops. My cousin's bestfriend's wife's father's grandchild's once removed was eaten by a Kyklops, so I was cautious. Then we see a desert island which we make land on with its perfect pastures, and plentiful hunting meat. Now from where we came, every stare was directed at the smoke coming fromt the Kyklope's Land. The next day, my ship alone embarks for the treachurous land. Me and twelve of my best men went ahead to the cave of the Kyklopes we saw on the way in. I brought a big goatskin full of the drink of the gods to show our graciousness. We arrive at the cave, and to our disappointment the brute we saw earlier was gone. All the men wanted to take his cheese and goats and leave him be, but I wished to see what the Kyklop would offer to us. When he arrived back, he shut the huge rock door and milked his goats for supper. Only when all this was finished did he notice us. Like the leader I am, I introduced us and kindly threatened the giant with Zeus's vengence if he was not hospitipal. Then he says he is greater than Zeus (which cannot be), and ask us where are ship could be. Being the sly fox I am, I tell him we are shipwrecked here. To that no response, but then all of the sudden he grabs two of my men and grinds the in his teeth for dinner. How furious I was. I almost killed him right then, but soon realized if the Kyklops were to die, then not even a thosand horses could remove the stone door. So we all sleep in the cave that night. However, I prayed to Athena to give me an olive tree to help avenge my devoured men. Althoguh two wrongs do not make a right, there are a few exceptions. And so she did, and while the Kyklops was away, my men made a stake from the tree. Then when we all return to the cave I intoxicate the cavman, casuing him to passout cold. Then my men and I go home with the stake in the Kyklpos third eye. It was a succsses! When the giant awoke due to the stab he called for his friends. Cleverly I told him that my name was Nohbdy, so when the giant said nobody attacked me, his friends went home as did we. We all set sail with a victory under our belts, and with a few minor boulder dodges and bragging rights, we sailed off onto the open sea, blissfully unaware of Zeus's terror ahead.

Book 8

Hey, its Odysseus. I have come to realize that me being a light sleeper, and waking up in that olive bush to come here, actually came to my aid. When Alkinoos said he would help me get home, he wasn't joking around. Today, he brought toghether all of his greatest generals and captains. He said to them that they must find a 52 man crew, the fastest sailer in the land, and rig and prepare a blackship for departure. Amazing! I could be back in Ithika in no time at all. And, to top it all off, everyone is invited to a feast in the evening with a fantastic minstrel. I watch them loop the oars and bring up the white sail, and before I know it, it is time for the banquet. Tuskers and oxen are brought out and cooked to perfection. After we all drink and eat for a bit Demodokos, the minstrel whose fingers must be guided by Muse herself, come out with his harp. He plays a song about the struggle between Akhilleus and I. I start to weep, but cover it up with my mantle. When you hear something that caused you great suffering, your emotion sadens even to the extent of tears. Only Alkinoos notices next to me, and thankfully stops the music. Instead he offers that we go to the pentathalon, where the Phaiakians show off their skill in track and field. Although this takes my mind off of the war, it dosn't cure my sulen mood. I watch a the sailers and princes compete who are quite good if I might add. Then, unexpectingly, Laodamas, a prince of Alkinoos, comes up to me and asks me to join in the games. I kindly tell that I truthfully do not wish to be there, and have more on my mind then their silly games. To this he insults my nautical skills and knowledge of sport. How dare he? Doesn't he know who I am? Then I realized that no one knows who I am. But still, so I insult him back and then accept his challenge. I pick up a disk and hurl it through the air farther than any before. Even an onlooker acknowledged the lenth of my throw. I am now all wriled up and ready to take on anyone, besides the host of course. However Alkinoos, seeing I was insulted, decides to stop the games and show off his famed dancers and performers. Demodokos then sang the story of Ares and Aphrodite's affair. After more acrobats gave us a show. I then knew what Alkinoos was saying when he bragged about his performers. When the acrobats were done, King Alkinoos proceeded to give me more gifts for the insult given to me. I was bathed and sent back into another feast once more. I do beleive that the king has repented for Laodamas's insult. Demodokus then told another story at which I weeped at, the Trojan Horse. However, when Alkinoos noticed this a second time he made the music stop. Although I did not say it, my heart was put at rest for this. He asked me for my name, but at this I must stop. There is much to tell him.

Book 5

This Odysseus and I'm back and very sore. I am free from Kalypso, and can now access my neglected blog. I can see that my son has been searching for me, and how he is annoyed by the suitors. Telemakhos, fear no longer cause daddy's coming home. That is if Poseidon permits. His grudge against me has made my jouney to this shore vey hard. Well, I guess I should start from the beggining. I was staring out upon the sea, weeping for home like usual, when Kalypso approached me, and said she decided she would free me. After all these years! I was overwhelmed, but then as she was describing how I must go about the Western Ocean on a raft I had second thoughts. She surely must have been trying to harm me for the Western Ocean is not one which can be easily conquered. However, she told me other wise, so I made a ship and prepared it. On the fifth day of making the ship, everything was ready and I took off. It was sweet sailing for the majortiy of the trip. Poseidon though had other plans for his worst mortal enemy, me. Just as I saw the shorline of Skheria the ocean turned into a strom that would make a tornado look like a summer breeze. As the winds blew from every direction, I pondered on this moment. Would it be my last? Was Kalypso correct when she said that I would come across many lethal problems on my journey? Just as I was thinking a wave washed me overboard and broke my ship to pieces. Poseidon must have surely hated me to cause my ship to crash through th seas like a leaf. Ino, a nereid, then came down and instructed me to swim ashore with her veil instead of Kalypso's robe. At first I would not listen because I had seen the shore, and it was too far away to swim, but when I tried to grab a plank I was just pounded with Poseiden's destructive work. As I swam I felt a swell in the water, and as if a god was carrying me. The swell took me straight to land after three days. It was like a dream that made my pains disappear. I saw land and trees adn rocks. yes I realzed that there was no were for me to land for I would be smashed into the rocks at any point. All I could do was stare, and now decide on what I should do. Once again though, Poseidon was not kind and threw me upon the jagged rocks. Then it pulled me under and out like an octopus. When the sea freed its grip I swam up and along the shore, and I saw one of the most beautiful sandy beaches I ever saw. I crawled onto shore and up land. Making a important decision of what to do with my desamted body cralwed under these twin bushes where I lay now. I must sleep and let my body heal. Good night.

Book 4

Now that I, Telemakhos, have arrived in the domain of Menelaos, I hope to find a reason for me to stop blogging for my father. Pisistratus and I arrived in Sparata to be welcomed by baths, and a feast for the marriage of Menelaos's son and daughter (they didn't marry eachother). As soon as I stopped eating to look around, I see a palace lavished with gold, silver, and ivory. I whisper my amazment to Pisistratus, but the red-haired king overhears me. He explains how he obtained the riches in the Trojan war, and how he misses his companions. He goes on to mention the man he misses the most which of course was none other than my father. At this I can to nothing else, but weep into my fresh tunic. Thankfully, my companion, having the speaking qualities of Nestor, explained who I was to the the captain. Well, it cheered me up to hear all of the great stories of my father's valor, and with that I slept on a good note. The next morning was when I told Menelaos why I had come. He then starts his long story, which I won't get too in detail with, about his return from Troy. His dilema was he was stuck in Egypt, and did not have enough provisions to sail home. So, a fair nymph approached him. She told him Proteus of Egypt could tell them how to atain a route home where they could fish for food. Menelaos listened to the nymph and he captured Proteus and he said some stuff and bla bla bla. The good part is what the immortal wise man said of my father. He said that he lives!!! He is on Kalypso's island, being held there. Wow! I can't actually believe that my father, gone my entire life, could still live. I could truely meet him face to face. What a treat that would be. Though the kind king asked me to stay for another 11 or 12 days I had to refuse. I mustn't delay my crew, still waiting for me at Pylos.I would love to stay in Sparta, but what knews I will bring to Ithika! I must set off at once with my new wine and mixing bowl that is just absolutley beautiful. Now thinking of Ithika, I have not thought of what those nasty siutors are up to. Well, no matter what they have in store for me, Mentor and my crew will protect me.

Book 3

Although I always like to have high spirits, I might be writing on my father's blog forever. After our long sail to Pylos we finally arrived on their sunny shores. To this we found thoasands of the Akhaians sacrificing nine big black bulls to the great earthshaker, Poseidon. Actually seeing all those people just made me more nervous so I was the last to leave the ship. I had to confront a king for the gods' sake! But like he always does, Mentor comforted me. He told me the gods were with me and that my heart would give me the right words to say, since I knew that my brain wouldn't. So, Mentor lead the way, and we started to walk towards the great charioteer, Nestor. We all prayed to Posiodon with wine in hand, and we feasted on the tender sacrifice to the blue-maned god. It was delicious I might add. Well, after we all had our fill of wine and meat, Nestor finally asked who we were and where we came from. I respnded pridefully, and told him why I had come.In response he told us the logn story of the Trojan War, and all he knew of my father. It turned out that my long jounrey to Pylos was in vain. After Agamemnon and Menelaos could not decide to flee or stay and sacrifice they split. Nestor left with Menelaos, and my father eventually tunred back to join Agamemnon. So he did not know anything of where he could be! I did get a few good meals though. Nesotor told me to travel to Menelaos by chariot, with one of his sons and captain, Peisistratos. So this I did after a nights stay in Nestor's palace. As for Mentor, he is watching over our young crew and keeping their young morale up. Oh man! Its getting dark, and its hard for me to see so this is farwell for now. Pray the gods are with me.

Book 2

It is I, Telemakhos, still writing for my father. I am so angry at the ingnorance and stubbornness of this town. I called all the Akhaians to an assembly today to adress the topic of those pestering suitors. Well, do you want to know what was accomplished? Nothing, absolultey nothing. I gave my speech, and others helped me like Mentor. However all the suitors just kept agruing with me. They even went as far as to call my mother a trickster, and said they will only leave if one of them is to marry her. You cannot just betray someone who has shown considerable love and kindness to you. She is still in mourning of Odysseus. How is she to choose another husband, or worse, have her father decide for her? Even though the assembly failed to run out the suitors, I still will continue my search for info on my father. Mentor is helping get a ship and crew while I get provisions for the jouney to Pylos and Sparta. Mentor tells me not to worry about the suitors, and that their doom shall arrive shortly. Well, I am taking off in my ship with Mentor and a crew. A new journey begins tonight.

Book 1

My father, Odysseus has been gone so long I thought I'd restart his blog. I know that I am supposed to be a man now. Even one of dad's old friends said so, who visited today. But I just cannot stop thinking that maybe my own father is dead. I need to be strong though, for my mother. She is the most sad that Odysseus is gone. She was even down enough to stop our amazing minstrel from playing one of his best songs. I mean come on! I was waiting all day to hear that one. I guess that if the main leader of a household is gone, the next one in line must take that position. Well anyway, the visitor, Mentes, gave me some very promising advice. He said to get rid of these suitors, who do not respect me or my father. Then I'll build a raft, and search the seas for any tale or rumor of my fathers existance. I shall vistit the red-haired king of Sparta, and Nestor of Pylos just as fatherly Mentes instructed. Daddy's still got a chance! Now I must rest for I have a long day ahead of me.