Stray Dogs,

  "What reason are we to return to the fleet, Captain? Do we wish to rid our remaining crew of the rest of their rations, and starve them like stray dogs?" Midday approached, Sol stealing away Dawn's gentle embrace of fog. The heavens themselves seemed to clear, allowing the sun its glorious and uninterrupted staring.

  "Aye, O Eurylochus. We row yet to fetch a trinket of grand importance to me." Sandaled feet pivoted, kicking up dust as heels pried into the sands. Digits curled around the rim of the docking vessel.

  "We've not much daylight left, brother. You expect to reach Troy by dusk tomorrow, yes? At this rate, we will not." The creaking of wood protested the boat's movement, the grinding of planks against gleaming sands refusing its return to the ocean.

  "Assist me, brother. We will speak during our return." Bodyweight of both men proved sufficient in returning the boat to it's floating struggles. Figure spun, crossing the path of his subordinate. Pupils locked, a reassuring smile crossing the stubbled petals of the Captain. Digits slapped against opposing's shoulder, before falling with frame to lift oars. "Let us make haste, O Eurylochus. For true your words ring, we haven't much time. Lest we wish to starve our crews and rot the horse. We've the pleasure of a day's delay, at most." Rough-spun leggings rolled up one's thigh, lower appendages dipping into the glimmering water of the Aegean. The weight of entering men rocked the boat, resisting the rhythmic bobbing of wages momentarily. Frame rose, sea-steady legs kicking up the limb of an oar. Head pressed under the waters, prying the boat against the sea bed further into the waters."Now tell me, O Captain. What importance does this treasure hold?" Darker flesh glimmered with sweat under the overbearing sun, larger limbs cutting waves with the oars' heads vigorously. The king of Ithaca rested his blade upon clothed lap, pardoning himself from it's cleaning.

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  "Ah. Very well. It was bestowed upon me by Athene herself, in an attempt to protect me and our cohort from the gods' tampering." Rags of shoddy weaves drooped over the shining blade, the ironwork appearing fit for a god in all its glory.

  "You play yet amongst deities, Brother? Athene adores you yet, for you should have been forsaken long ago with your differences. Tell me, of what trickery do the gods wish to play during our voyage?" The looming shadow of the fleet's flagship crossed the vessel's smaller stature, dwarfing the docking boat.

  "I know not their plans, brother. Nor if they mean to take action at all. But, I'd rather not stake my crews' lives upon an unnecessary gamble." Digits ran along the sea-ridden hull of the much larger ship, guiding the rowboat along the side of the anchored beast. "Lower the rope, your Captain arrives!"

  "–Aye, at once, Captain!" A grin crossed the king's visage, standing as blade repositioned to its leather sheathing. Oh, the satisfaction behind power. Only a handful of each ship's crew lingered upon the boats, a mere fraction of the 50 per. Rope dropped, the knotted string looping through the seat of the docking vessel.

  "I'll await you here, Captain. I've many things to appreciate, mere days from true war." The darker frame sat ever-still, enamel chewing at the inner lining of mouth.

  "Very well, old friend. Keep watch for our brother fleets, for we know nay where neither Menelaus nor Agamemnon plan to join us." A pat of the second-in-command's shoulder, followed by the king's strained climbing efforts. Another day without worry nor dread in the ruler's heart, but alas: That'd change very soon.