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"Odysseus!" My screaming wife, came in, her beautiful gowns and hair flying behind her. "Ody! They are here, they want to take you to war! Oh, don't go!"
I noticed she was crying.
"Penelope, where is Telemachus?" I demanded.
She revealed our infant boy, he was wrapped in her purple embroidered shall.
"Good," I whispered softly, letting him hold my finger. "What should I do?"
She thought for a moment, letting me hold my son. "You could pretend you are insane?"
"Yes, that could work." I sighed thoughtfully. "I'll plow the fields with salt!"
"Excellent idea! I'll get you some." She hurried off in a blur.
I sat with my son and kissed him.
Penelope came back, she handed me a jar of salt.
"Go. Now."
I handed her Telemachus and ran to the fields. She followed me.
Palamedes was waiting. I had messed up my hair, dirtied my face, and tattered my gowns.
"Oh, don't take him! He is so mad! He has worn the same robes for weeks, and hasn't bathed! Oh, please!"Penelope begged.
I started to plow, putting in salt instead of seeds.
As I worked I watched the face of Palamedes shift.
"He indeed looks... strange, but he is famed for his wisdom, king of Ithaca."
Penelope huffed. She stamped her foot. "He really is insane!"
Palamedes got an idea, and grabbed my son from my wives' arms.
"No!" She shouted.
Palamedes put Telemachus in front of me.
I stopped and looked at Palamedes.
"Defeated," he spat, and smiled. "Gather up as many boats as possible. See you at Troy."
And with that, he was gone.