War and Fate
War is a funny thing. Sometimes it happens so fast that your whole polis or hamlet or nation is drawn up, galvanized, and marshaled. Soon, you can hardly remember how you got there, just that you're there in the thick of it and fighting for you life. It's a common feeling for those not in the "know." The gods, they “know” though. They know why we fight, and more often then not, they are the cause of the fights. Their far-reaching gaze can see that weave we call fate as easily as we can see the back of our hands, and use it to their amusement. That’s life. But not even the gods, not Zeus himself, can change our fate or their own; all they can do is enjoy the ride.
There are some wars that simmer and there was such a simmer when I was a young boy called the Trojan War. I remember standing on the docks of Ithaca, and my mother and sisters watched as the black hulled boats faded off into an azure sea. Artemis had taken her favor away from Agamemnon and the ships were slow going with no wind to fill their sails. The only sound I remember was the rhythmic slap of oars hitting the water in unison. My father was on one of the boats; I can remember watching the boat he was on until they were far offshore and my eyes burned from lack of blinking. I did eventually, but only because a white cap burst over the wooden planks of the docks, covering my face with a cold salty spray. I rubbed frantically, but when I opened them I had lost his ship. They all looked the same after a point, nameless black specks dotting the blue stripe of horizon.
I used to curse the house of Atreus, like my curses would override an already gods-damned family, but now I save my breath. Fate would see to their line in time.
Now I find myself embroiled in a simmer with the Alliance. Like the Trojan War where the Greeks stood before breaching the walls of Illium after 10 years, this war is characterized by doldrums of stillness with very brief gusts of activity. It’s nerve-racking, but that’s mostly because I seem to be the only one on the field. With the exception of that witch, Vincenza, I haven’t seen another follower of the Book for months. Only a week ago I had the Book stolen from me by that Alliance half-mage, Edmond. And only with ingenuity and a bit of luck I was able to claim it back. And then I had another battle with an old comrade in arms, Meue, which was fought to a standstill. These experiences and others like it have made me acknowledge that the Alliance has the upper hand in warriors on the field. We enjoyed strength in numbers in the beginning but the tide is against us now. What was the Book’s intention of bringing the believers together if we only fade away into nothingness now?
It’s a possibility. It’s possible that there’ll never be an answer because I am not in the “know”. But I don’t want to be presumptuous. Presumption is equal to hubris and we all know how that goes for us Greeks. I’ll hang on to the Order for as long as I can and scour the Book for our version of the Trojan horse. And if I don’t find it, then nothing could have been done. Life will go on as it always does, unless fate has some other plans for me, that is.
There are some wars that simmer and there was such a simmer when I was a young boy called the Trojan War. I remember standing on the docks of Ithaca, and my mother and sisters watched as the black hulled boats faded off into an azure sea. Artemis had taken her favor away from Agamemnon and the ships were slow going with no wind to fill their sails. The only sound I remember was the rhythmic slap of oars hitting the water in unison. My father was on one of the boats; I can remember watching the boat he was on until they were far offshore and my eyes burned from lack of blinking. I did eventually, but only because a white cap burst over the wooden planks of the docks, covering my face with a cold salty spray. I rubbed frantically, but when I opened them I had lost his ship. They all looked the same after a point, nameless black specks dotting the blue stripe of horizon.
I used to curse the house of Atreus, like my curses would override an already gods-damned family, but now I save my breath. Fate would see to their line in time.
Now I find myself embroiled in a simmer with the Alliance. Like the Trojan War where the Greeks stood before breaching the walls of Illium after 10 years, this war is characterized by doldrums of stillness with very brief gusts of activity. It’s nerve-racking, but that’s mostly because I seem to be the only one on the field. With the exception of that witch, Vincenza, I haven’t seen another follower of the Book for months. Only a week ago I had the Book stolen from me by that Alliance half-mage, Edmond. And only with ingenuity and a bit of luck I was able to claim it back. And then I had another battle with an old comrade in arms, Meue, which was fought to a standstill. These experiences and others like it have made me acknowledge that the Alliance has the upper hand in warriors on the field. We enjoyed strength in numbers in the beginning but the tide is against us now. What was the Book’s intention of bringing the believers together if we only fade away into nothingness now?
It’s a possibility. It’s possible that there’ll never be an answer because I am not in the “know”. But I don’t want to be presumptuous. Presumption is equal to hubris and we all know how that goes for us Greeks. I’ll hang on to the Order for as long as I can and scour the Book for our version of the Trojan horse. And if I don’t find it, then nothing could have been done. Life will go on as it always does, unless fate has some other plans for me, that is.
Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.
Posted by
Ranmaru |
11:31 PM
I was always more of a General Hospital kinda guy. *grin*
Posted by
Rowane de'Dannan |
9:00 PM
Passions ftw.
Posted by
Nadia Ravenswick |
4:06 PM
Ftw == "Fuck the world" || ftw == "For the win"
I am old and do not understand you youngin's 1eeT sPk
Posted by
Rowane de'Dannan |
9:08 PM