Ismarus (Land Ho!)

“Captain!” screamed the familiar voice of Eurylochus from above deck. “We have land! Praise be the Gods, we have land!” His voice was jovial and sweet, rightfully so. It had been over a week since our success in the battle of Troy, and our rations had begun to dwindle to the point of scarcity. Hearing land was music to not only my ears, but to the ears of the crew as well.

I stepped up to the main deck and stared off into the distance where, sure enough, the shadow of land blocked only by a deep mist could be seen in the distance. A small beam of smoke could be seen gushing off of the shoreline and into the sky as well. My heart felt full in my chest, and very quickly I ran up to the wheel, next to my first mate, with a pep in my step and a smile on my face.

“We must make landfall post-haste.” I say quickly, my voice booming with the confidence of a captain that had earned her the trust of every man on my fleet. “Where there is smoke there is people. And by Zeus’s law we shall be greeted with open arms, and hopefully full stomachs, yes?” I tease as I nudge Eurylochus’s arm, who laughed in response.

“You heard the captain! To the land for food, wine, and women!” He screams, getting a loud cheer from the crew as they began to work double time to their positions. I, however, give the man a raised eyebrow, crossing my arms across my chest and staring him down as Eyrylochus chuckled awkwardly.

“Apologies, captain. But as you know, a fine woman can be a great motivator to these men! I mean you no disrespect…” He says, his voice trailing off slightly before I finally break the tension with a small chuckle.

“Have no worries my dear friend, I understand.” I say, though my eyes do not meet his, and instead stare off to the distance towards the land once again. “We all have our motivations. Whatever is needed to be said to get us back home quickly, I will allow it.”

I didn’t know if it was the emptiness in my tone, or the glossy look to my eye that made Eurylochus speak, but as soon as he did I felt a knot tighten deep in my stomach.

“Penelope again, sir?” He asks, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Did you dream of her again? Her and of Ithaca?” He asks, before I shrug off his shoulder and finally meet his gaze again.

“Not quite. I find myself in a reoccurring nightmare that takes place back in the wreckage of Troy.” I say coldly, feeling my heart race slightly in my chest now. “The reason we left our home in the first place… and the vile nature in which we were required to act to live out our duties.” I say coldly, doing my best to not show too much emotion in front of my crew.

“We did what needed to be done, madam.” Eurylochus says with a small nod, but realizing my emotions does not push much further as he looks to the island again. “Shall I assemble a boarding party, captain?” He asks, raising an eyebrow as he turns to me once more.

“Yes.” I say, my confidence slowly returning before I start to step to the main deck once more. “Assemble a party and they shall be behind me. We will greet our new hosts graciously, as welcomed guests.”