The Island in Mist

	"Leaving the frightful island of the Kyklopes, still days of rough 
sailing ahead, the mighty current carried us no where near land. I was very
worried. Neither the sun nor the sky were seen when one raises his head, 
only the dark cloud of adversity. I stood facing the strong North wind, and 
saw one of the fast boats struggling in the waves like a child clinging onto 
the mother for his dear life.
	"My bone-tired crews were not at all joyful. They murmured to each
other in low voices: 'Even the wind is against our favors, all because the 
ill-tempered captain, who would not quit invoking a son of god for our benefit.'
	"I over heard them, and decided to rally their spirits. With a little 
help from Eurylokhos, I started: 'Are you not the fearless soldiers who fought
bravely at Troy? Are you not the proud Akhaians, who agreed that I am the 
captain who will bring you all safely home, to Ithaka? Are you not men? No
more moaning, for we can not be defeated by water! Fear not of a little wind!
Almighty Zeus is our protector!'
	"The men quickly replied: 'But Zeus can not protect us, not now, 
not here! For the ocean is the kingdom of Lord Poseidon!'
	"I said without delay: 'Nonsense! How can Poseidon match his 
power to those of the Father of all Gods?'
	"For that ill-mannered phrase, I was going to pay with ten of my 
years alive. 
	"I went back to my cabin, then laid painfully down onto the hard-
carved bed. The candle lamp that was tied to the ceiling began to swing from
left to right, and left to right. I watched it swing until my eyelids became very 
heavy. The thrashing of waves against the lower decks of the ship is now 
more powerful than ever, even some of my well-trained sailors are starting 
to feel sick to their stomachs. Our ship began to tremble wildly. Sometimes 
leaning on its side, and most of my men slide over, then plunged into the 
wine-dark sea. I heard them plead for help, that is why I ran up to them. 
Eurylokhos was holding onto the mast, but his wet hands slipped, and he
screamed like a madman: 'Help me! Save me!...'
	"The sword-like waves swallowed him whole before I can reach
his hands. One by one, the crew went tumbling into the dangerous water. 
I too, who forgot how mortals do not compete with the wills of the gods, 
rolled overboard. When I opened my eyes again, I was on a strange and 
unknown island. I stood to see more of the place, but saw only the thick 
fog around me. Hours passed, and none of my men ever appeared.
	"I wept silently, for all and Eurylokhos, a brave soldier under my
command. Then, as tears dried, a crow flew toward my face, and almost 
stabbed me with its beak. I dodged quickly, but only to find its return. It 
shrieked. The terrible noise shocked me. With fast pace I went inland, in 
an effort to lose the black-feathered creature. The silvery mist covered 
the earth and all its elements, making it very difficult for me to spot anyone. 
The crow was not again seen, but my troubles were not yet over. Soon I 
saw a silver-back wolf laid quiet and still near my feet. I thought of no 
grave danger to try to go around it, but the shriek of the meat-eater proved
me wrong. One look into its eyes and I was sure that running is not the 
way to survive, even though staying might be the end as well. I bent slowly 
and searched the ground for a weapon, and with a handful of dust I moved 
forward and thrown them onto the creature. I hoped to blind it temporarily, 
but to my surprise, the strong-legged wolf jumped through the cloud of 
dust without even blinking. I rolled aside, cleverly avoiding its sharp claws. 
The two of us circled one another slowly, like two clear-minded warriors in 
a duel: eye to eye, face to face, without any distracting movements to 
affect judgment; planning the strategies in the head rather than trying out 
any barbaric fighting skill; breathing deep and hard, both were ready for the 
offense. But none was willing to attack first, only to wait for the other to take 
action. Suddenly the meat-eater leapt closer, with its open mouth full of 
stained teeth. At that spur of the moment I laid flat on my back, folded my 
legs then sprung them straight into its stomach. The silver-back creature 
flew backward into the ocean of mist. Never again have I seen it reappear. 
Although a victory, my warm-blooded friend left a claw streak on my right 
leg. I raised myself, treated the wound until it no longer bleeds, and then 
continued my journey. 
	"I was surrounded by incorporeal figures created by the fog. I 
followed the breeze of wind through wet soiled beach to the stiff stone 
land. Finally, a shadow of familiar shape caught my attention. At first 
glance, it seemed like the body of a woman, though unlikely was any of 
whom I knew. I stood; I waited, then boldly asked aloud: 'Fair maid, of all
the shades on this island, you seem true to my weary eyes. Do not be 
alarmed by my presence, for I am only here for guidance, nothing more 
I will ask.'
	"The curved-outlined shadow moved a little, and spoke to me: 
'Who is the men that plead for guidance?'
	"I answered her: 'A soldier I was, at Troy. But now only a lost 
sailor, looking for the crew. To take sail again would mean the world to 
me, for I am too long apart from my wife, and my son.'
	"The curved-outlined shadow moved toward me, and spoke 
in a small voice: 'Are you the great tactician? The son of Laertes? And 
raider of cities?'
	"I never intended to receive an answer like this, but I was able 
to managed and ask: 'My fair maid, of whom are you referring to, as the 
great tactician? For I have heard tales about him in the war, might as 
well be my commanding officer.'
	"The fog dissolved, almost instantly, and there stand the queen
of Ithaka! It was Penelope, or I hoped. Without a thought I took a step, 
but when remembered that I was not, or at least sure was not on the 
land of Akhaians, I forced myself to stop.
	"Penelope spoke: 'My lord, why the delay? Are you not fond 
of me? Ten long years have I waited to see this day, and the god of the 
sea has granted my wish!'
	"If of anything she said that made me wonder, it was the part 
about 'the god of the sea'. I said nothing. She came near me and kept 
saying: 'My lord, what is it that you want me to do? How can I win your trust?'
	"I asked with a clear mind: 'My lady, why? Why are you here? 
Of which god did you come here for?'
	"Penelope put her arms around my neck, for the moment I was
going to let her do whatever she pleased, but then I saw the coldness in 
her eyes, and I withdrew myself. She tried to hold my hand, saying: 'Oh my
lord, is the years at sea made your heart stone cold? Is the hardship of the
sail so great that you can not recognize the earth you are standing on? 
Why, this is Ithaka, your home!'
	"The tone of her voice, something familiar yet strange, for I have
never heard her talk of Ithaka like that. Doubtful thoughts gave me the 
strength to ask: 'Fair maid, who are you?'
	"Penelope smiled, then she began to expand. The arms and legs
were melted into her sides and tails, and shiny scales were shown all over 
her body. Not long did the transformation take place right before my eyes! 
She, whom I did not know how to address then, became a giant boa over 
five men's height combined! With one two lines of sharp fangs and definitely
poisonous because of the green color, her figure frightened me. Shuttered 
speech came out of my mouth: 'Of which sinful crimes had I done for such 
an horrifying punishment? Or maybe death if the gods will it so? Be my last 
breath if you wish, but please tell me why I am here, at the mercy of your 
power!'
	"'How dare you question the will of the gods?' The giant boa kept 
Penelopes voice, but I dared not to think of her. She then said: 'Now let me 
see the tricks of the famous Odysseus, before I tear our your little heart!' I 
felt my knees began to shake, but quickly I regained control of my body. With
pure luck as I can recall, I spotted two dry rocks near my feet. Dodging her 
teethes the first time, I was able to pick them up and held firm in my palms. 
The tail took a grip of my chest, and torturous pain followed. Screams were 
at the tip of my throat, ready to burst together with tear and blood, but I bit 
my lips and slowly moved my two arms closer to one another. The looks of 
her mouth, seems like she wants to bite off my headĄ­ Using all the strength
I could possibly gather, I struck the two rocks against each other. Sparks 
created fire, and just as her mouth was closing toward me, I threw the fire 
stones into that hole of hell. Hissing and shrieking, I wished for everything 
in the world if I could only cover my ears from those horrible noises. I felt 
the fall. Helplessly in pain, I could not move without feeling tears coming 
out of my eyes. Curiosity forced me to look for the monster, and it was there, 
burned from the mouth up, with teethes stained coal-black from the smoke. 
However, she was not dead, because she was moving closer and closer...
	"'Teara, bow before my feet, for this day is your last!' My eye lids 
were too heavy to be lifted, but I heard the voice loud and clear. It was a 
familiar tone, alike the old red haired captain Menelaos' voice. But 
remembering the boa in shape of Penelope, I was more concerned of the
true identity of my friend this time.
	"'Who is this ill mannered mortal?' asked Teara the men eater, 
then she shriekedĄ­ I heard them fighting, until Menelaos said to me: 
'Son of Laertes, beware of Poseidons wrath against you and you alone. 
I will give you this to remember: a shape is nothing, but it can kill; trust your
heart, and you will survive.'
	"Dead silence followed. I opened my eyes, suddenly feeling 
painless. I saw the candle lamp still hanging, and I heard the call, 'Land 
ahead!'"