Unwelcome

“CAPTAIN!” Screamed the voice of my first mate as he barged himself into the room. My eyes slowly began to open and my mind was swelling, slowly, back to life. I was groggy, unable to hold a single thought as the effects of the wine began to unload itself out of me. However, due to my lack of decorum in this moment, I accidentally gave Eurylochus a sight fit for the Gods as I laid in the bed still in the state I was the night before.

“My apologies for waking you Captain.” He said, though his voice was quick, and his tone was harsh as if he were trying to rush me. I slowly began to sit up, stretching slightly whenever I started to hear…

“Screams?” I whisper, as my ears were filled with the sounds of chaos. Loud screams surrounding the village, both of fear, and of violence, began to fill my senses and quickly sober me up. My eyes widened and I quickly stood, still only in underwear, but without need for calling it out in this moment.

“What is going on?” I ask as I look out the window and see a roaring flame towards the shores, directly towards one of our boats. My eyes widened, and I looked back to Eurylochus who had begun to shake, but I am unsure if it is in fear or anger.

“The locals have begun their attack. They claim we have forsaken Zeus’s Law and that we have overstayed our welcome.” He says, and the sounds of harmonizing screams beneath his tone only seemed to double the seriousness of this situation. “Captain, I greatly apologize for waking you in such a manor of state. But I believe it is for your own safety we leave. Now.” He says, grabbing my sword off of the nightstand and pushing it into my hand.

I hesitate slightly at the sound of screams. It is not within my nature to run, as showing such cowardice would, in no uncertain terms, label me for the future. However, as a warrior of the mind, I also knew when a battle is too far gone and a tactical retreat is required.

“Let me put on my clothes.” I say, slightly choked up in my voice as I put one hand against my friends chest and forcibly push him out of the room as I got ready.