Short Story 1:
'My liege, I did deny no prisoners'
-Henry IV Part 4, Act 1 Scene 3, Line 30
I was walking through the labyrinth that is the prison of Crete. The beast in the middle was slain but still I was scared. I felt guilty of my deeds; I failed to defend my country putting me in this palace of death. I was never a military man but being a Spartan the army became my destiny. I wasn't very strong or assertive but still brave and daring. I wish I was Athenian, I want be learned, this life is driving me mad.
"Well sergeant, go get them, go, hurry" said the commander. I watched as the enemy just ran away and I saw no point in going to get them, but his wish unfortunately was my command. I ran after them for 3 days and couldn't find them, I ran back to camp hoping it wasn't moved.
Upon my return, I was interrogated about why the prisoners weren't with me. I replied saying that I hunted them down but they escaped and I lost them. I knew the consequences. At meals I was avoided and I was always ignored.
Then one night about a week after my return I was called to appear in front of the council. I was to be exiled. They told me that I my failed attempt at capturing the spies was a sign of my incompetence and a Spartan cannot be an incompetent soldier so I was to be banished from Sparta or any Spartan camp.
I wandered and wandered and ended up at a port. I stowed away on a large wooden vessel and took on the role as an oarsman in order to stay on the boat. The leader didn't even notice due to the great number of rowers aboard. We reached another port after about 10 days of travel. I walked along the streets of the island for days trying to find shelter. I learned that we had landed in Crete and I was glad to be so far away from home. Then I saw her.
I was fishing of the shore and I saw her come out of the forest and plunge into the water. I kept on fishing but I also kept my eye on her. She came out after about an hour and wandered toward the city. I followed her and finally asked her to go to dinner. I was so nervous; I had never seen someone so beautiful before, that I can't even remember the conversation. All I know is that she came to dinner with me. We ate and talked and I ended up telling her my story. That's when she betrayed me.
I saw her make complicated hand motions behind her head. I decided to ignore them. Then two men came up behind me and picked me up from under my armpits. The next thing I remember is waking up in here. I knew where I was because of the myths and the descriptions of this castle of darkness. I wandered and wandered through the maze looking for anything at all. I turned a corner and there he was. The bull stared me right in the eyes and the tusks pierced my vision.
~m