Thread: The Handmaiden's Tale (Wander and Chanti)

How can defeat be defined? Would it be the absolute rendition of the impossible? Or is the scenario whereupon your side of the board comprises of only pawns while the enemys side has a double supply of rooks, knights, and bishops, and queens? Well, for the Grecian army either scenario would be befitting for they were at the doorstep of defeat. They may have on their side the greatest warrior known to mankind, the indestructible Demi-God Achilles. But how does one man make the slightest difference? How many men can he compensate for? 10? 20? 50? Certainly not more than 100. Yet, can he be compensated for the impenetrable walls of the heavily guarded forces of Troy? Definitely not. With this dilemma, the Grecian army stood upon the seashore. Waves of the ocean lashed against the shore in a mighty uproar as Poseidon displayed his might in full wrath. Water was gushing back and forth and if the Grecian army had not set up their camp at a considerable distance from Poseidons vast abode, they would have been sleeping on his salty blanket of moistness. Pacing back and forth just outside his tenement which was a small hut constructed in make shift pattern using calf skin hide fastened tightly upon four strong stilts of bamboo shoots placed parallel to one another in a perfect square, the temporary abode was ill fitting a commander of his stature. Much to Herodontus displeasure, the sand managed to percolate between his feet and attach itself to his toes. A frown of ill amusement coursed through his countenance for the commander of the Grecian army despised sand and everything to do with the sea. It reminded him of the tragedy that swept his entire existence into dismay and left the warrior nothing more than an empty shell with no remorse or empathy. Hero! Hero! The voice seemed to seep through his spine and send a chill across his entire body. If only.... Thought he with sigh of dismay, If only I had jumped in that day, but I did not. I shall never forgive myself for it and this war...This ocean repeatedly reminds me of my error. They say that To Err is human Yet, my error was so profound that a second opportunity at fixing it seems almost as possible as Reaching down in to the land of Hades and extracting them from the clutches of the evil Lord. Give me strength, Lord Zeus. Give me strength to endure this pain. As these thoughts tortured his soul into an impeccable mode of foreboding and self loathing, Herodontus was not absolved from his misery for every moment of that day returned to his memory like nefarious illness that keeps lapsing after repeated medicine. Herodontus was a young cadet, long golden hair which cascaded down to shoulders in a torrent of curls like a pool of mesmerising lava, handsome features with heart shaped, eyes the hue of which could rival the brightest of emeralds with cheekbones so stiff and rough, one could slice paper on them. He had thin lips and a long and pointed chin upon a colossal stature of herculean proportions. After Achilles, Herodontus was the heartthrob of the women of Greece. The irony of this scenario is such that this young cadet was now a mere shadow of his old handsome form. Short buzz cut of gray hair was no longer golden, eyes were still green, but now they had become a dark mossy green and gave the one gazing into them an ominous expression of bemusement. Sagging skin had caused the cheekbones to disappear and young Herodontus who never had a single hair on his face during his days of youthful glory, now had a thick beard beyond which the pointed chin had completely dissipated. Yet, the greatest change became of the mark that ran from his left temple across his eye, nose and down to the right side of his chin. The slash mark earned during a battle with the Macedonians was in fact the greatest prize of his frightfully brave adventures when Herodontus battled seven men at once. On that day, the young cadet was returning to his family after a long day of training in battle. Herodontus was the heart of all women in Greece along with Achilles. But his heart lay with only one woman, the love of his life, his Athena. Athena! Heracles! The sound reverberated within the large house. But there was no reply. The young cadet advanced forward into his room and there was a note placed there. Picking it up, he read it. The son of the brave, wanted his own cave. Take refuge in Poseidons shadow for your destination, there you shall go. Herodontus grinned upon reading this verse. Athena and her riddles, He thought. She always keeps me on edge. With a few moments of deep thought, he had it. Heracles had built his little cave in the sand. Poseidons shadow can only mean the sea. They have gone to the sea for a swim. With this, the cadet made his way out towards the sea. But when he reached there, the most horrifying sight awaited him. A sentry by the Lord Poseidon himself was looming across the water and making its way towards his family in the water. They waved and he heard his wifes voice, Hero! Hero! She called out. Those were last words he heard for he charged forward and towards the water, but he was stopped by Achilles. No! Exclaimed the warrior of warriors, There is no hope now. The sight was one that Herodontus would never forget for the whole water was laid crimson as both his son and daughter were devoured under the bare sharp teeth of the creature that had swam out from the confines of Poseidons lair only to chastise him by consuming his family. No! Screamed Herodontus as tears were falling down his eyes like rivers. It had only been five years since the treacherous day, yet it seemed like centuries ago. The handsome man had crumbled. Though he was only thirty, his hair and skin made him look much older. But his body retained the tenacity so innate within the beast of man he was and it grew even more feral.Yes, he grew braver and had harboured a feral instinct that made the cadet grow quicker than Achilles within the ranks and rewarded Agamemnon himself, the man was christened as commander of the strongest platoon in the Grecian army. Herodontus had grown to be a war machine, battling with no fear for his own life, for he had no life or family to return to and only hoped to die in the midst of battle, incessantly raping spoils of war that while gave him only physical pleasure, never gave him any pleasure of the soul in the manner he experienced while making love to his dear Athena. His reveries were hampered by the sound of footsteps. What is that? Thought he and quietly made his way across to the guard post beside the gate. There was a young woman who had entered the majors tent. Now that weak bastard is ordering for women! I must tell Lord Odysseus about this. He has stepped far beyond. But he was amused by the sight of the creature falling unto his rear as the girl escaped at blinding speed right before his eyes. Dont you dare follow her! Exclaimed the commander and all the men and the major were instantly quiet and the gruff general who was humiliated also stood guard. The horse is almost ready you are not going to be a part of it and take your post. I do not want you pursuing women and divulging this deeply kept secret. I trust my lord Odysseus and his plan shall prevail if you carefully follow orders. Let her be, I shall have her and when I am done with her you can have what is left. Sir! Exclaimed the humiliated major as he bowed in supplication before his commander and then exiting the tenement, the commander made his way towards the gates of Troy. His long tunic stuck to his body without any armour. Herodontus refused to wear armour for he wanted to die in battle and without armour it would be easier. He merely carried a long sword which had until now been tainted with the blood of numerous adversaries. There he reached and right before him stood the horse. My good man, Hero! Exclaimed the Hero of Greece as Achilles came and bowed before him followed by Odysseus who merely grinned. My lord! Said the commander and genuflected before the wisest man in Greece. It is ready, Herodontus, we shall take our place in it immediately. Said Odysseus. But sire, you cou... Herodontus was cut off by the wave of Odysseus arm. My plan, it shall be incomplete if I am not a part of it. Said the Lord. The Grecian commander nodded and with another genuflect, he came forward and hand climbed on board into the confines of the horse, followed by the Hero Achilles and the cunning Odysseus. There, the horse stood as Agamemnon had driven the army off the coast of the shore and the fleet escaped the sight of the Trojans to a vantage point on the sea. With the break of Dawn, the gates of Troy opened and from it came the Lord Priam with an expression of flummoxed bewilderment painted across his facade. He was informed of the presence of the horse by one of the gate guards and had come to investigate it. Grief had enveloped his soul and the gruesome sight of his most beloved son Hector and his body being dragged across the perimeter of his own kingdom filled his soul with utter dismay. Warm tears trickled down his face and then he knew the meaning of this. Hector always prayed to the Lord Poseidon! Exclaimed the king. His soul has gone down to the Lord Poseidon and now, from the depths of the seashore, my son sends us a gift. He sends us this horse as a sign that he still lives within our hearts and is gratified to have been a Trojan. With these words, the Lord of the Trojans turned and walked back into the confines of his impenetrable walls . The men guarding the gates came forward with long ropes as they tied it around colossal wooden horse and heaved with all their strength to pull the unnaturally heavy horse within the confines of their chaste kingdom, inviting their very own doom within their land with an effort of their own hands.