blogwithvalor

The scent of land filled Nico’s lungs. His nostrils flared at the old familiar smell. He slung his sack of belongings over his shoulder, ready to see his family. The pay had been better than he could have ever expected. The weight of the gold lifted his spirits as much as it weighed him down. The journey was not without its hardships and losses, but he had fared much better than most of his crew. They’d lost 4 out of every 5 seamen on their year long journey. Of those that survived, half of them were maimed. Nico stopped at the dirt road, got down on his knees, and kissed the earth. He said a prayer to Artemis and Apollo, thanking them for his safe travel.

The voyage was to a far off island, where the goods his village brought were rare. The pay was promised to be greater than most and they were only supposed to be gone for 8 months, but much had gone wrong. The first part of their voyage went by without any issue. The trade with the far off island went as expected and the travel there was pleasant. On the return trip, a storm put them far off course. They found a small island to rest, which they thought uninhabited. After two weeks of rest and repairs to the ship, a home was discovered on the island. In it was a woman who welcomed them in and offered food and wine. Nico and a few of the other men were told to keep watch of the ship, while the others feasted. But the next morning, no one returned. The men aboard the ship waited another 3 days before deciding the woman was a monster in disguise that had taken their fellows. They sailed the next morning.

During the return, they narrowly avoided a whirlpool, only to have to fight off a multiheaded sea monster. Nico fought alongside many of his crew and watched as many were eaten or badly wounded. It was by chance or luck of the god Tyche that they escaped and he was unscathed. Their ship was again badly damaged, but due to the fear placed in them from their last respite they instead continued at a fraction of the pace they had before. Months of slow sailing and extreme rationing nearly destroyed the last of the men’s morale. However, a year after they’d left port, they returned home.

The profits were split equally and each man received multiples of what they’d originally expected. The original pay was already a good sum for Nico. Enough to start a small farm with his family, but this increase was more than he knew to do with. Nico excitedly hurried to his small home in the town to see his family. But when he got to his home, he found that they no longer lived there. He was told his wife, Chloe, and son, Sebastian, were living in the home of her parents. Questions swirled in his mind, but he made his way to his in-law’s.

As he approached the humble home, his wife appeared in the doorway holding their small boy. He ran to her. Tears flowed from both their eyes as they embraced, small Sebastian giggling between them.

“There’s so much I need to tell you about my journey, my love.”

“I know more than you know, Nico.”

Nico’s brow furrowed as he looked into Chloe’s eyes. “What do you mean?”

Chloe stepped back and Nico took in the ragged clothing his family was wearing. Chloe took in a deep breath before speaking. “I’d been praying to Poseidon every day since you left. I made small offerings with every visit. A few months after you left, I was greeted by the god of the sea, himself. He informed me that your ship was ill-fated. He told me about a storm that would send you to a nearby witch, who killed sailors that landed upon her shores. So the following day, I sold many of our belongings to make a large offering for your safety. Poseidon visited me again and informed me that he whispered to the captain to keep you away from harm but there was more danger in store for you. A whirlpool and sea monster. So I sold our home to make another large offering for your safety. He told me that he slowed the whirlpool and made sure the beast was fed before you passed so its hunger was lessened. Finally, he said that the last portion of your journey would be long and famishing. While I had nothing left to give, he promised to send enough fish your way to feed your crew. We may not have much left, but it was all worth it to have you back home.”

Realization of what had caused his luck washed over him as he took in Chloe and her smile that he had so fondly missed. Nico pulled the sack he had been carrying in front of himself. He opened it to reveal the shining gold contents. Chloe’s stared, her mouth agape. She looked up at Nico and they embraced, knowing that the gold would help them find a house but their love would make it their home.