ργ′

I had a bizarre dream last night.

I dreamed I had to take over Polites' job of giving Odysseus his daily back-rub. -Polites couldn't do it any longer due to his bad hand.

Of course, Odysseus doesn't have 'nightly back-rubs', and I doubt Polites would be giving them if he did.

Anyway, I was massaging Odysseus, and Polites was standing by my side, giving me instructions.

It really disturbed me that the General's back was a dark orange, and rubbing it was making my hands orange as well.

Even worse, Odysseus couldn't seem to see or hear Polites, and while Polites continued to give me instructions, Odysseus dictated one of his inane letters to Penelope. -I'm not sure how I was supposed to write it down.

Getting frustrated, and listening to them both talk over one another, I stopped rubbing and asked Odysseus just how Penelope was supposed to get this letter. -I reminded him we were already on our way home.

To that Odysseus flatly answered: "Yes, I know. But Calchas is going to make a bird to carry it, remember. He's going to make a bird out of your liver. You remember that, don't you, Eurylochus? That is good with you, isn't it?"

Despite knowing Calchas isn't with us, I meekly assured Odysseus that it was 'good' with me. I then continued to rub his back.

Polites, however, stopped his instructions.

"What? Your liver?! Are you fucking kidding? Now he wants your liver? You know you have to kill him now, don't you?" Polites asked.

I didn't want to answer.

However, Polites pressed me: "Eurylochus, you know you are going to have to kill him now, don't you?"

Resolved, I whispered: "Yes, yes, I know. -I'll kill him."

At that, the General paused. "What was that, Captain?"

"Nothing, General. It's nothing." I answered.

I went back to the back-rub. However, Polites was no longer giving me instructions.

After a moment of silence, I looked back to see if he was still there.

Polites had been replaced by Odysseus, who was glaring at me angrily.

I woke up sweating.

I'm not so sure I should have committed that to paper.

Oh well. It was just a dream.

Anyway, breakfast today was fish, of course. So was lunch.

I skipped dinner.

I spent a good deal of the day with Macar on the Milesian Barge. We were going through our supplies, and making sure each ship had what it would need for the raid. -I still can't believe the riches we have on that boat.

Baius figures that we are probably three days out of Ismara, assuming our course is accurate. -I never have figured out how to navigate at sea.

I avoided Odysseus most of the day, but had to report to him after returning from the barge. Neither of us mentioned yesterday's catch.

The General seemed to be in good spirits, and was pleased I had taken to readying the fleet.

It surprised me that Odysseus wasn't obviously hung-over, and was already walking about without his cane. That guy has the constitution of a bear. I could spend every day working at it, and still fail to get into the physique he has without the least bit of effort.

Anyway, Polites walked up behind me and patted me on the back while I was talking to the General.

Unbelievably, I broke into a sweat.