Matt's+story

=The Bow of Apollo= Matt Zakrevsky I was there to see the fall of Hector, now I watch the chariot sweeping across the plain towards the Greek encampment, its dust hiding the body of the fallen combatant. The grip on my bow tightened, the worn leather, smooth against my palm. My hand went to the sword at my hip, how many times had it saved my life. The armor, which I have worn, has saved me from many blows, the standard of Troy embellished on my chest. My quiver, which I have carried my arrows. I started towards the temple of Apollo, our chief god, to find a better insight on this war. I entered the temple the statue gleaming in the light that came through the roof above the statue. I walked towards the statue’s base, admiring the craftsmanship. I do not know the amount of time I sat there, but I felt the brushing of cloth against my arm. I looked down at a beggar seeing his haggard face. “What are you doing here my son?” He sat down before continuing. “Admiring the statue? I knew the man that had created this work, he was a good man, probably the best metal worker in all of Troy.” He got up and touched the bow that was in Apollo’s hand and an exact copy appeared in his. He presented the bow to me. “Test it, for if you carry this bow with you will never miss.” He stepped back and gave me room to string the bow. The bow was as light as a feather, but it was as solid as the bow that I normally carry. I drew an arrow from my quiver and took aim at a hawk that had landed on the statue. I let the arrow go. It flew like a boulder from a catapult, slamming into the bird and the wall behind it, leaving a hole in the wall. The beggar moved to the wall placing a hand on one of the bricks. They fell into place on the wall. “ Remember this war, and do not forget the people you serve and your purpose.” He commanded before a flash blinded me. When my eyes cleared I was the only one in the temple. The beggar was gone, but the bow remained in my hand. I went to the wall that my arrow had left a hole in, finding my arrow in one of the blocks. I left the temple bow in hand, my old bow and a feather of the hawk, lying on the altar as a tribute. A few days later after Hector was buried, the signal horn rang out over the city. I ran for the wall, the bow in hand. My archer unit was there before me. I took aim at a group of Greeks climbing a siege ladder and blew the ladder away in a cloud of splinters, leaving the men to plummet to the ground. The battle ended the Trojans were victorious once again. I left my men to their drinking and started toward the temple of Apollo. I enter the temple where I found the beggar curled in front of the statue. I woke him he opened his eyes and went to a sitting position. “The bow is useful, yes?” He went to the wall and pulled on the arrow. It came out as easily as going through sand. He handed me the arrow. I then recognized him as Apollo, the sun god, and patron of Troy. He disappeared in a blink of an eye. I left the temple dumbstruck, I, the head of the Archers of Troy received the bow of Apollo. I left the arrow on the altar and started towards the banquet hall. I now enter the temple after every battle and give my thanks to the sun god Apollo.

Bibliography Picture bow found on 3/8/07 at http://www.re-enact.com/Holywood1.htm