Maddox was tired and worn when he stepped off the ship into the water. He pulled the ship to shore with his fellow soldiers but his mind was not on the task. He was already several miles down the road in his head, almost home. The call to battle could not have come at a worse time, when he left his farm in Epidaurus 4 months ago life had just become good. The call to war had come on the night of his wedding. He had just wedded Alethia the daughter of a neighboring landowner. They had known each other since she was born, and he had been promised to her since. He was desperate to get home and see his wife and enjoy the rest of their time together.
An old woman walked by and dropped the basket she was holding, Madoxx bent down and gathered her items and handed the basket back to her. “Be careful Grandmother, not everyone in the port is kind and well-meaning” The old woman looked at him with cloudy eyes, “Thank you, A word from the old, not everything is as it seems. Be Safe Soldier” she took the basket and headed back in the direction from which she came. Maddox shook his head, and then brushed the incident from his mind; He would be home with Alethia tonight, His mother still lived in the farm and he had missed his family dearly.
As Maddox’s horse finally crossed onto his lands, he smiled to see his brother’s children running around laughing and smiling. One day he hoped to have a large family just as they did. He vaulted down from his horse and rushed inside calling for his mother and Alethia. He saw his mother first, she seemed older and more frail, but h rushed to hug her. “Mother I missed you but the Gods brought me home safe to you.” She looked at him but did not respond; Alethia came out next; She smiled brightly and threw herself into his arms, Maddox was shocked at how much heavier she felt in his arms after the brief 4 months, it was not until he set her down and noticed that she had gained a large stomach. “Alethia what happened?” She looked at him abashed “I do not know what came over me, husband.I was in the field gathering roses with your mother when all the sudden there was a man, and husband he bid me to lay with him and although I did not wish to I did. He told me if ever I needed him in the future to call on Zeus and he would assist.”
Maddox saw red. “Alethia, I swear I will avenge you. I will not rest until I’ve punched Zeus in the face.” With that vow, MAddox gathered his items turned, and left his home, He would not return until he had completed his mission.
Word count 486
