Alexander's Odyssey

By Steven R. Southard

Alexander the Great might well be on his way to conquering the world, but when he decides to explore underwater in a glass-windowed wooden barrel, he enrages Poseidon. The other gods may debate Alexander’s fate and make their deals on Olympus but the ocean deity is determined to frighten the young King out of the watery realm. Will Poseido

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gypsy Shadow Publishing
• Release date: Mar 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781619503854

Steven R. Southard

Growing up in the Midwest, Steven R. Southard always found the distant oceans exotic and tantalizing. He served aboard submarines and now works as a civilian naval engineer. In his stories, he takes readers on journeys of discovery in many seas and various vessels. Steve has written in the historical, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and steampunk genres. Come aboard at http://sites.google.com/site/stevenrsouthard/ and voyage with his intriguing characters in tales of aquatic adventure.

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Contents

Copyright Page

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

About the Author

Alexander’s Odyssey

Book Three of The What Man Hath Wrought Series

by

Steven R. Southard

All rights reserved

Copyright © March 23, 2011, Steven R. Southard

Cover Art Copyright © 2011, Charlotte Holley

Gypsy Shadow Publishing

Lockhart, TX

www.gypsyshadow.com

This eBook is based on some actual historical figures; however, the characters and incidents depicted in this e-Book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

No part of this e-Book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission.

ISBN: 978-1-61950-385-4

Published in the United States of America

First eBook Edition: March 28, 2011

Acknowledgments

This story first appeared in the anthology Magic & Mechanica by Ricasso Press in 2009, but has been edited and expanded since that time.

Dedication

To the other members of my critique group. They made all my stories better and became close friends along the way. Andy, Kelly, and Margery—thanks for being such helpful companions as we travel on our writing journey.

Chapter 1

Poseidon wondered if the mortals were, once again, up to no good.

The sea-god knew several ways to monitor their activities, but preferred appearing among them in human form. Mortals reacted in a more natural way, and revealed more, when among their own kind. Therefore, when he’d been informed by an alert dolphin about an odd construction project on a beach in the eastern Mediterranean, he had decided to investigate it himself.

While walking toward the large, barrel-like object he thought it did appear most unusual. He frowned as he smelled a burnt, oily odor spoiling the salt breeze. Four humans worked on the upright cask, a couple of them standing on stools to reach its upper parts, their white clothes splotched with black smears. The barrel stood taller than a man and spanned three cubits at its midpoint, tapering to two at the circular top and bottom. Six square glass panels ringed its circumference one quarter of the distance down from the top.

One of the workmen looked up at his approach. Pelagios! We heard you were sick. You look well enough to work. Join us. There are extra rags. He dipped his own cloth