Many moons ago Sparta was being invaded. A sailor called Thallsa was really suffering. His parents had been captured and his son had been sent to Argos away from the war.

Thallsa was in grief, he was also furious, so furious he asked Igetis (the admiral) if they could call up the sailors and warriors and defend Sparta. Although Thallsa was a great warrior he was only in charge of one ship that followed behind igetis’. But that didn’t hold him back.

The next crisp autumn morning, Thallsa and the rest of the crew set out to go and defend their city from the Athenians but as soon as he saw the Athenians he knew he was no match for them. He gave the gods and offering of wine. He prayed to Hephaestus and Poseidon , he prayed for help and to hold the Athenian ships back .Hephaestus answered his prayer and made him a pure bronze prow that could crash through any ship and Poseidon made a huge swell of water to push the Spartan ships forward. Thallsa was so thankful. However only Thallsa prayed to the gods so only Thallsa’s ship went forward. So everyone thought Thallsa was doing all the work.

When they arrived back on the shore everyone was praising him. But he claimed it was the gods, they should be thanking them instead. They just ignored him, they got so carried away they voted him up to admiral! Thallsa was astonished he thought Igetis was the best admiral ever but he couldn’t change their minds.

The next morning Thallsa was woken by a loud horn. The Athenians had arrived. He got up and instead of his normal ship he had to transfer into the admiral’s ship. But he hadn’t forgotten about the bronze prow Hephaestus had made for him. He sneakily transferred it onto his ship so none would find out. When all the troops arrived they got into their ship. Thallsa however had different plans. He sailed right passed the Athenians ships.

‘What are you doing Thallsa? We must defend Sparta not go and waist our time attacking other cities, we will never win these battles anyway’. Shouted Igetis.

‘Stay back Igetis you are no longer admiral, I am I can do what I want, now drive forward’ Commanded Thallsa

Battle after battle Thallsa just kept crashing into cities.

‘I know I’m not in charge, but I’m second in command and I’m the oldest here I have had the experience and this is a bad idea so stop.’ Advised Dwo the second in command.

‘Did you not just here what i said to Igetis STAY BACK! We must crash into Crete next to prove our strength against the gods’! Bellowed Thallsa.

‘This is a bad idea, Poseidon has made the beaches perfect on Crete and Hephaestus has made a sleek silver palace, Thallsa is sure to be punished by the gods.’ Dwo mumbled to Igetis.

Dwo didn’t bother warn Thallsa for he knew by now the answer would be no. But even if he did want to Warn Thallsa .it was too late. They had crashed into Crete the beach was transformed from calm to incredibly choppy from the force of the ships and hephistas’ silver palace was shattered. Thallsa was overjoyed. However the 2 gods were watching from above, they were furious they swept down to meet Thallsa. ‘You fool your friends warned you they were right you will be punished by us, your friends will get rewarded but you have to face the consequences.’ Shouted the mighty Poseidon 

‘You’re not wrong there Poseidon. We helped you Thallsa and this is how you repay us you will pay.’ Bellowed Hephaestus

At that very moment the prow on Thallsa’s ship started to melt

‘Is that the best you can do Hephaestus, melt my prow! You lame mortal you don’t act like you are a god the only thing you have is a Brocken leg.’ Laughed Thallsa.

Hephaestus was outraged.

 But Thallsa hadn’t yet realised how venerable he was without a prow. Nor how mighty the soldiers were on Crete. They had been blessed by the gods and they were immortal.  Suddenly the ground started to shake, all the soldiers on Crete sprinted on to the boats they were unstoppable, they jabbed every human that stood in their way.

However Poseidon wasn’t done with Thallsa he sent a school of dolphins to circle round and round Thallsa’s boat a huge whirl pool started to grow it swallowed Thallsa and his ship. Never to be seen again.