The Minoan Rhapsody

Ravaged

The Strogula was the only ship afloat on Moudros Bay. The smaller anchored ships were no match for the storm. A handful of row boats with the crew that were on land approached the ship. On board, Sisyphus was barking out orders.

"We are not taking on water Captain!" A man said from below deck.

"We lost most of our supplies!" Another one yelled.

"The mast is good, but we lost the sail." A third one said.

Once all the men were on board, Sisyphus called for their attention. "There are a lot of holes on the hull. They are above the waterline but need patching."

"Will we beach the Strogula for repairs?" One asked.

"No. We will remain where we are."

The crew mumbled amongst themselves.

"Look around!" Sisyphus yelled. "We are surrounded by everything we need. We'll scavenge from the half-sunk ships. We'll grab anything we can find off land and bring it. It's not the first time we fix the ship at sea!"

"You are making this much harder than it has to be," another man argued.

"Nothing has changed. We can't beach the ship. Are you going to let a little difficulty spoil our prize? We've accomplished nothing yet, so if you want to leave, you'll need to swim because we need the boats."

The men proceeded to talk amongst themselves, deciding who was going to get and do what.

Sisyphus went below. Nothing was spared. Everything was either broken, turned over or spilled. Everything but Persephone, who as before, was sitting on the same chair, in the same place as before, with her legs crossed. A perfect circle around her was clean of debris. "Hmm. At least I don't have to deal with you," the Captain said.

Persephone tilted her head sideways as she stared at him silently.

"It will be a while before someone feeds you. We got more pressing matters to tend to. I'm sure you won't mind. After all you are immortal, aren't you?" He noticed a ray of sunshine usurping the otherwise dark, windowless deck. There was a small hole on a bulkhead. He grunted as he closed the door behind him. He scowled at the two guards who were beaten by the storm yet remained at their post. "Someone will come in later for repairs."

Above the Strogula, half the crew were out on the boats. Some were rowing towards the wreckages. Others were rowing towards the beach.

"Brasus!" Sisyphus called an old, bald man who was giving instructions to some of the crew. "All the food gone?"

"Not everything. We still got some grain, bread, and oil. Enough to last us more than a couple days."

"No food for anyone today. A quarter portion daily after. Repairing the ship comes first."

"Yes Captain."

On shore, Sisyphus noticed a man arriving on horseback. He dismounted by a boat that had just arrived. After what seemed like a heated debate, he got on the boat and with the help of two crewmembers, he approached the Strogula. After what seemed like an eternity to Sisyphus, he got on board.

"This better be good," the Captain said.

"Lord Thoas summoned all the captains."

"He'll have to wait. I'm busy."

"He especially called for you."

Sisyphus grunted. "The Strogula comes first!"

"Lord Thoas said nothing was more important. You are to take the horse and return to Poliochne at once."