Dεαr UO rεαδεrs:

This chapter of Under Odysseus has come to a close.

Thank you to all who have followed Eurylochus' story thus far. In particular, I would like to thank those who have taken the time to share their thoughts and feelings along the way.

UO has been a pleasure to write.

Recently, the time I've been able to commit to UO has diminished. However, as you may suspect, we are only halfway through this story.

I predict the second part of this story will begin in the fall. In addition, I plan to make a well-edited version of UO available.

Until then, I will post any additional projects I might have running in the sidebar. Stay tuned.

Thanks!

ϙζ′

Homeward bound!

I am writing this from inside my cabin. I haven’t been in this room for almost ten years. In some ways, it feels like yesterday. In others, it could have been a century ago.

My little room, which is just small enough to prevent useful rest, is adjacent to the General’s. -In fact, I can clearly hear Odysseus snoring at the moment. It's almost as if he is timing his snores to the waves slapping upon our hull.

Slap, slap, slap, snore. Slap, slap, slap, snore.

We are making good time.

Today was breezy from the outset.

Soon after we had shoved off, I joined Odysseus, Biaus and Macar on the bow. Odysseus was in a good mood, and his jovial chatter was almost witty.

Macar had brought up a jug of wine. As Odysseus made us laugh, we drank Macar’s wine and inhaled the salty mist as we cut out to sea. By the time I thought to look back, I could only see a grayish plume rising from the smoldering ruins of Troy.

I almost forgot to say goodbye.

I have a strange feeling in me right now. When we first arrived in Troy, I would often wake in the morning, surprised I wasn’t in Ithaca. -Those days have long since passed.

No doubt I’ll wake up tomorrow expecting to be on the beachhead.

Not long after we cleared ourselves from the Achaean fleet, Odysseus ordered Biaus to raise the main sail. To everyone’s pleasant surprise, Elpenor and Epieus had painted a large silhouette of a horse on the sail. In response, a cheer erupted from all on board and from those Ithacan ships nearby. Odysseus’ eyes welled with tears. -To be honest, mine did as well.

Epieus didn’t come with us after all. -I guess he was Phocian.

I saw Elpenor and Epieus saying their goodbyes early this morning. Elpenor has been sitting at the stern all day. -Even Polites has left him alone.

I am going to check on the men before turning in. Maybe I’ll have a chat with Elpenor.

Anyway, it appears we won the Trojan War.

Two weeks of weather like this and we are home.