Brittney Compton Prestonsburg High School 10-29-07 Laocoon
I sit here in my study pondering over the outcome of the war at hand. I think of the Trojan army, how they are so brave for defending us. However, we are losing as of now. Damn these wretched Greeks! How dare them! Calm now…I cannot be quick to anger. I am a priest after all. Oh, Poseidon, what to do!
Where are my sons I wonder? Off at the square? I would suspect so. I arise and walk slowly over to the window. Oh? Nearly everyone is gathered? What for? I shall go see. I grab my spear that I use as a walking stick, for safety measures, and I walk out of my small study, out the temple corridor, and to the square to have a look.
What is this? I speak into the crowd. Some one answered me: “Something is outside the gates!” I wonder what that could be. Thank you good child, I reply to the unknown voice of the crowd. Make way, make way! I speak again into the now larger crowd. Citizens move out of my way as I request.
I feel a gentle hand upon my shoulder. I turn to see Cassandra’s face. Ah, Cassandra! Your timing is well! I say to her. She replies “As always. Now, Laocoon, what is this? What is everyone in a fuss about?” I shake my head to her. I do not know what the fuss is about. Let us go see, I say to her. Together we walk pass the gates to our grand city.
A large horse stands before my eyes. It seems quite odd. Why is it here? Better, what is it? I glance at Cassandra with a raised eyebrow. We both walk toward the odd, wooden horse. A small crowd of officials and soldiers are gathered upon the base. I ask, what is this? Where has this come from?
“Priest Laocoon! This is a gift from the Greeks! It is a peace offering!” Someone answered. I give them a face of disgust. A peace offering! From our enemy! They are trying to trick us! I look at Cassandra who expresses what I had just thought verbally.
“What makes you think that this is safe, my people?” She shakes her head in question. I over hear some young soldiers talk of bringing this “horse” inside the city. They speak of our stolen Palladium. Bring us luck! Idiots are they! How could a supposed gift from the enemy bring us luck?
I speak to them: 'O my poor people, Men of Troy, what madness has come over you? Can you believe the enemy truly gone? A gift from the Danaans, and no ruse? Is that Ulysses' way, as you have known him? Achaeans must be hiding in this timber. Or it was built to butt against our walls, Peer over them into our houses, pelt. The city from the sky. Some crookedness is in this thing. Have no faith in the horse! Whatever it is, even when Greeks bring gifts I fear them, gifts and all!
They all look at me with disbelief. “Priest, how can you deny a gift? It is wrong!” some unknown voice spoke. This angers me so! I slam the bottom of my spear to the ground. How can you not see this! I yell. I take my spear and launch it into the flank of the horse! People back away in fear. I turn my back and say to the crowd, Believe me or not, I shall go pray for the safety of the city.
I leave the crowd behind. Cassandra and I part to go pray. I walk back to the temple, still angered. I cannot believe…Idiots are they. I climb the stairs leading to the temple. I stop halfway to grab a bull for sacrifice. I lead it up the remaining stairs.
I bring the bull to the center and slay it for sacrifice. I speak to Poseidon: ‘Oh Poseidon, please watch over my poor city! There is something odd of this gift…I present this sacrifice in your name.
I bow and back off. At that time, I hear my sons call my name. I rush to them. Antiphantes, Thymbraeus! I call to them. When I reach them I see such horror! Two giant sea serpents have entangled my poor sons! I call them again with rage in my voice. I take hold of a nearby rock and launch it at the savage beasts. I grab a spear out of the quiver that I keep outside the temple and run toward the snakes!
I start to attack one of the serpents with all my strength. I turn my head for a mere second and I see the most horrid thing! My sons! My sons have been swallowed! Why so, Poseidon! Why must you let this happen!
With rage, I lunge at the beast that ate my poor sons. When I near, the beast opens its massive mouth and I tumble inside. I feel the beasts’ fangs pierce my flesh and I let out a scream. Poseidon, what of this? Why? Then, I feel nothing…nothing anymore.
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