Chapter Text
Hello there! My name is Polites! I am a Greek soldier. This is my story from beginning to end. I’m sure you’ve heard it before from other points of view. We begin in Ithaca where I was born and raised by a loving mother and father. I was their only child. I had a happy childhood despite being a lower class commoner. I unfortunately lost my father at ten years old. At the same time I lost my father, I befriended the Prince of Ithaca! Odysseus! Never could I imagine becoming so close to royalty. When I was thirteen, he became king and he allowed me to come into the palace to train alongside him and his other best friend Eurylochus. Eurylochus was the son of the General which explains why he’s in the palace and close to Odysseus. Eurylochus was tall and very outspoken. Odysseus was the same but he had more calmness to him. In the palace I learned how to write and fight, both very useful skills. One of our best memories is the three of us together took down a monster boar. It was thrilling. I almost died but Odysseus saved me. I worked for local businesses to provide for me and my mother despite Odysseus insisting he provide for us. I could never ask that of him, especially now that he is running a kingdom. Odysseus married a beautiful Spartan princess to become his queen. Her name is Penelope. She is so lovely. To everyone’s surprise, Eurylochus married Odysseus’s sister Ctimene! They’re a happy couple. Alas, I never found the one for me. Between you and I, I never really felt for women.
For five more years we lived peacefully and then the dreaded day came…war. Helen of Sparta was kidnapped by Troy. Odysseus made a vow years ago when being a suitor for Helen that if anything were to happen he and all of Greece would fight for her. He had to keep his vow. Poor Odysseus, having to leave just after having a son. I can tell he is devastated. His name is Telemachus, such a precious boy who looks just like his father and mother. Odysseus gathers his men. Ithaca sends off an army of 600 to Troy. We are all worried for what lies ahead. Odysseus is a great leader and Eurylochus is his second in command. I am his best friend so he values my input as well. It takes us nine days to get to Troy. We meet up with the other kingdoms. We know we have a difficult war ahead. Troy is quite the force to be messed with. I have faith in our leaders. Personally I am not a fighter. I prefer mercy. I only came to war because Odysseus asked me to. I can help out as a healer, I was trained by my mother to heal. She could see my merciful nature, she wanted me to spread mercy to others. I remember our goodbyes. She waits for me back home. I miss her dearly. I promised her I’d make it home and I never break my promises. I settle down, bracing myself for what I know I will inevitably must do. I hope I can be forgiven. Little did I know how long we’d be stuck here.
Ten long years. It seemed like only one year went by. We’ve lost track of time. We underestimated Troy. Thankfully Ithaca has lost none of our soldiers. I try not to think of the blood on my hands. I know better. Past this war, we are all men trying to get home to our loved ones. We are protecting our homes. I wonder about my mother constantly. How is she? Does she remember me? I can’t imagine how Odysseus feels. He’d missed his son’s childhood. Our hope is dimming. We are growing restless. Our solution was unexpected. I call it the wooden saviour, the wooden steed. We created a wooden horse to conceal ourselves and sneak into Troy. It was truly a last resort. We thought there was no way they would fall for it but they did. Tonight was the night we’d end this once and for all. We all listened to Odysseus closely. The plan was set. We waited in silence. Once we were certain the Trojans were asleep we ambushed them. I stayed off to the sides the best I could, avoiding the fight. I was disoriented by the loud noises of war cries and swords slashing. The scariest sounds were death cries and bodies hitting the ground. It took almost all night but we were victorious! Ithaca still has all 600 men! We all cheer in relief. Finally we can go home! Odysseus rushes over to me making sure I’m ok. Eurylochus is with him. I hug him tight. I know I mean a lot to him. We eat and drink to replenish ourselves. I am so eager to go home. I miss home and my mother. I can’t wait to tell her all about my travels. I can see how relieved Odysseus is. He should be proud, he kept his entire army alive. He’ll finally get to meet his son. I will too! Me and Eurylochus will be the best uncles ever! After a long two days to recover from our victory the long awaited moment arrives, we set sail for home.
I am happy to be away from that horrid place that smelled of stress and death. No more death. It is behind us now. I stand at the end of my ship closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, replacing the smell of death with the ocean and fresh air. I wince. Even though I know it’s over when I close my eyes I feel myself back there. I should have known such horrid memories will stick to me. All I can do is focus on the bright future ahead. I will be there soon mother! How I long to be in your embrace again, tell you my stories, eat your homemade meals, rest peacefully for the first time in years. I help myself by helping the others, keeping the spirits of the crew high. I can see Odysseus struggles as I do, feeling guilt for leaving his family behind and taking others away from theirs. I always hug him and remind him it’s not his fault. It’s none of our fault. We had no choice in the matter. What matters now is we are alive and free! We cheer each other up by telling each other our favourite memories of home and what we plan on doing first when we get home.
We are halfway home when we encounter a problem. Eurylochus tells us we’ve run out of food for our crew. We’ve still got quite a way to go so we will need food. We turn to Odysseus for advice. He knows we can’t go on without food. Our journey can wait. We’re out of dangers way. He changes course to follow the birds to find an island that will provide food. It takes a day and a half but we finally see an island in the distance! I see a fire! That must mean there are people! I tell Odysseus we can ask them to share some food. Eurylochus suggests we raid the place. I frown and shake my head. Why is he always so harsh? We just finished a war, we shouldn’t want more bloodshed. Thankfully Odysseus agrees. To my surprise he asks me to gear up alongside him. He and I will explore the island together to make sure it’s safe for the crew. I smile brightly. It’s nice seeing Odysseus trusts me and is giving my view a try. We gear up and head onto the island. If only I knew what would happen after encountering this island…