A to Z 2026 - O - Contessina’s Collection of Human Treasures”

“A long time ago,” she said, “there was a man named Homer who composed a tale about the Trojan War, and that was called The Iliad, and then he wrote about the long journey home of one of the participants, and that was called The Odyssey, and ever since I heard about it I have been obsessed.”

“What’s so important about the Trojan War?” asked Shelby.

“In and of itself?” Contessina said. “Nothing. An archeologist found the city of Troy, proved that it was real, but its significance is more cultural. It was a story that had been told for ages, and they passed it on orally for most of it, and Homer’s version retains the hallmarks of the form, and yet his poetry remains unrivaled, in human tradition. That’s very evident in The Iliad, but as I’ve said, it’s more The Odyssey that interests me. It’s the intimate scale, which both tales share. The Iliad is tragedy, a warning about fate, about what they call hubris, The Odyssey about the triumph of the spirit, a man who endures all manner of obstacles, some on massive scales, some merely the limits of the heart, to reunite with his wife, his son, and even his dog.”

“There is a story I think you would find interesting, then,” Shelby said. “The obsession of a man named Lyman, which all Danab have known since our origins.”

“You’re probably going to have to explain,” Contessina said.

“Someday,” Shelby said.

“Well, you can’t just tease me,” Contessina said.

“You are not ready,” Shelby said. “There’s much you will need to know first in order to understand the context.”

“Every old story loses its original context,” Contessina said.

“This one, the context is still happening,” Shelby said.

“You’re saying it’s personal,” Contessina said.

“Yes,” Shelby said.

“So when you’re ready to tell your secret,” Contessina said. “The part you played in the war. Why you were exiled.”

Shelby made no reply. There was a brief flash of anger in her eyes. That was how Contessina knew she wasn’t ready.