Antiphate's+daughter

=Antiphate's daughter=

The Enigmatic Invaders
I am still haunted by that day, even though weeks have passed since it occurred. I, young daughter of the noble Laestrygonian King Antiphate, barely twelve years of age, was simply doing my daily chores down by the river, collecting water for my father's court, when a terrible band of pygmy invaders up to me, each of their grown men the same height as I. The strange assembly began to bombard me with questions about my city and people, until their leader, a strong-built middle-aged man, walked up to me and demanded, "I am Odysseus, wise tactician and mighty King of Ithaca. You are one of the lowly natives of this island, I assume. Take me to your King immediately."

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His uncouth attitude frightened me; no one had ever talked to me that way, especially if my father was around! Even though theyweren't an inch taller than me, I cowered before their bronze spears and swords; all I could think about is that if I disobeyed them they would cut me to pieces! I didn't want to bring these marauders to my parent's palace, but I saw no escape bar aiding them. I reluctantly agreed to help them and let them follow me up the steep hill to the hidden Laestrygonian city. Their weapons clanked as they walked, constantly reminding me of their looming presence. The gateway to the city appeared as we reached the top of the hill; I heard a few snickers from the group, commenting on the lavishly decorated houses and the wealth that our capital must have. I glanced around, hoping to see any guard or enforcer that could help me out of my predicament, but every house and street was empty and deserted.

As we turned down the street and began marching towards the palace I heard their captain, Odysseus, anxiously say, "Look at the size of the palace; it seems to reach up to the Heavens themselves! I have no doubt that the rulers of this city will bequeath us with gifts we shall never forget!" Entering the main chamber, Odysseus pushed past me towards the center of the room and yelled through the halls, "Greetings, fair people of this city! I, the hero Odysseus, have come to you in need of a hospitable place for me and my men to rest. I hope we will be welcomed into your halls of gold and marble." The cry's echoes were answered by the thundering footsteps down one of the halls. Within seconds my mother, who's head hung barely lower than the palace ceiling, appeared with a welcoming smile on her face, but as she saw my teary and frightened eyes, her smile turned into a glare that would make even Zeus himself hesitate. She let forth a battle cry that spread across the island, signaling to every Laestrygonian that there were unwelcome visitors here. My father came booming down the hallway, snatching up one of the tiny barbarians and gulping him down without a second thought. Seeing this, Odysseus and his comrades turned and ran as fast as their tiny legs could take them. I sprinted to my room and quietly hid there until the sounds of battle had stopped; the only sign of the invaders presence the next day was the wreckage of their broken ships in the harbor.