Day 9

The next day arose, the day I was to depart from the shores of Phaeacia. Before I was to depart, King Alcinous had planned a big banquet and a special time of games, just for my departure. First was the banquet, for it was no different than my arrival at the palace. Well into the feast, a blind bard came to join the feast and even sung songs for the banqueters. However, I didn't think that the song would become so saddening for me. It was joyous for everyone else, everyone else but me. The song sung by the blind bard was about the "Strife between Odysseus and Achilles." No one knew my true identity at the feast, not even the king! Therefore, no one knew why I was crying and was not pleased with the the song. The reason why I cried was because it reminded me of my past, my painful past. A past that I would like to forget. The king must've heard my uncontrollable breath and seen the tears that rolled down my cheeks because he ended the feast early and didn't hesitate to move onto the games. I feared that at this moment, King Alcinous knew who I truly was.