Defying Fate

Chapter 32-p3

They reached Odysseus' cabin to find several boxes spread out over his bed and his desk. Each was labeled with a name in the strange alphabet they used in this world, but as Odysseus stared, he could make it out.

"They're our names," he said, handing a box to Eurylochus. "That's for you. Polites, that one's yours. Cassandra—"

In minutes, they were sorted out. Each box has contained an appropriately sized jacket, a thick pair of trousers, sturdy boots and several other layers. Odysseus even found a knitted hat in his box, and for some reason it made him feel strangely nostalgic. He shoved the hat into his jacket pocket, just as another box rattled. It was the chest of extra finery that Penelope had packed, where Cassandra had gotten her blue chiton. It rattled again as the children looked at it, and Odysseus knelt down to open the lid, when it flew open on its own, and the three wind spirits flew out.

"Stookie!" Polites hugged the little creature as it flew passed him, still wearing the scraps of his old headband. It obligingly allowed the hug, snuggling under his chin and making a strange chirping purr sound.

"How come everything and everybody knows its you?" Eurylochus asked. "And no one knows its me or Odysseus."

"Everyone knows its you and Odysseus," Polites looked at Eurylochus curiously. "We aren't trying to hide it, right? Even Louiza recognized Odysseus, even though she only met us a few days ago."

"No, we're not trying to hide it," Odysseus mumbled, looking around the cabin. It had been so much smaller a few days ago. Then the wind spirit BomBom landed on his head, and made Asterion laugh where he was sitting on the bed, newly dressed in a baggy jacket and tiny boots.

It was hard to feel anxious with the little misty creatures around. Odysseus reached up as if to pet it, but it fuzzed into mist and his hand went straight through it.

"Fine, go over to Polites if you want some affection," he muttered, waving away the creature. "I'm going on deck." He left the other four without a word, stomping up the steps as fast as he could.

The sun was well above the horizon now, as they sailed northward along the coast. Diomedes directed the men, but the wind was blowing from behind them, and they didn't have to do much. They sat in their benches, chatting and laughing, as if it were a perfectly normal day.

Odysseus went over to the side of the ship, and put his elbows on the railing, resting his chin on his hands and watched the island go by. They weren't going terribly fast, and while Ithaca wasn't large as far as islands went, it would take them a few hours to clear it. He wanted to watch the whole time, re-memorizing its hills and valleys.

Bombom had followed him, and he re-solidified near Odysseus' elbow, looking out at the island as well.

"Ithaca's waiting..." he sang softly. "My kingdom is waiting..."

"What do you know about that?" Odysseus tried to wave the wind spirit away, but again, his hands collided with only air.

"What do I know about what?" Athena came up beside him. "What's this?" Bombom swirled around her, chirping softly and grinning a toothless grin.

"You are Athena, Athena!" He sang. "Badass senorita."

"Musical little creature," Athena said, holding up a hand to stop his swirling, the spirit ran into it and puffed into a number of smaller bits of cloud, before re-consolidating with a giggle. "He sounds a bit like you."

"He does not," Odysseus mumbled.

"Well," Athena leaned on the railing, looking down at him fondly. "Not like you now. Maybe in a few years though."

Odysseus buried his face in his hands as Bombom spun over his head gleefully.

"Athena!" It was Zeus, calling her over from where he, Hera, Hermes and Apollo stood near the stern of the ship. "We need to talk about the plan."

"Coming, dad," Athena called. "Not a strategist among them," she added softly to Odysseus. "Be good."

"I can hardly get into trouble here," he muttered to the wood, not looking up. Athena patted him on the shoulder, and then her hand slipped away, and he was left alone.