Odysseus bowed his head, allowing his cup of wine to be refilled. He raised it towards the court.

'If I tell you how it really was, you will be able to sing the truth to the next guests fortunate enough to gather under this roof and enjoy your hospitality. But don't sing of heroes. There are no heroes in this tale. Only men and women. And gods... always gods.'

Odysseus looked around with a smile and began his story...