"Meg!" Dan said, pointing to the animal.
"Shit! I see it!" Megaera spit. "Sorath uses those damned things as spies. They know where we're heading!" Megaera lifted her bow and notched an arrow. She carefully aimed and let an arrow fly. It streaked across the distance, striking the coyote. The animal burst into flames with a piercing howl. It twisted as it fell off the cliff into the river, the water extinguishing the carcass.
"Try to get near it," Megaera ordered. Dan pushed on the pole, leaning to his right. The boat fought, then it turned the bow to port. Megaera reached out and snatched the arrow, dragging the animal alongside. When she pulled the arrow free and let go of the coyote, it sank quickly.
"Nice job, honey!" Megaera said, smiling. She turned and looked ahead. "Several turns are coming up. We're going to need to take the channel to the right, so hard to starboard after the second channel opening!"
"Aye, Captain!" Dan yelled back. He found it was simply a matter of pushing the bow of the boat and it would aim in the direction he needed it to go. Then he noticed the river was speeding up, and he had to be ready. Several openings in the cliffs were coming up, two on the left and one on the right. He leaned on the pole and the bow drifted to the right, slowly. He pushed harder and strained as the bow finally came around and they shot into the channel.
"This isn't on any of the maps Thanatos drew for me!" Dan yelled over the sound of the rushing water. They'd entered an area of rapids, white water on all sides.
Megaera crouched and grabbed the boat on both sides to keep herself steady. "I only know about these channels from flying over them ages ago. Keep an eye out for the next channel we need. The Lethe branches off and we need to go down it a few miles until the Acheron branches off. Again, take the right channel. Whatever you do, don't get wet until we get to that last channel."
"Yes, ma'am," Dan said. The rapids slowed as the river widened, allowing him to relax for a moment.
High overhead, Mable glided, using her keen eyes to scan the ground for the escaping Fury. Grimes was also scanning, but his human eyes were no match for Mabel's vision. He allowed her free reign to conduct the search. She had as much reason to want to find the mortal as Grimes had.
They flew over the swamps and Mable noticed a bright light suddenly appear in the far distance. Something just exploded into flames well down the river. She sent a thought to her pilot and turned to investigate.
Dan was watching for the next channel, which appeared to be coming up fast. The branch to the right looked smooth and easy. The branch to the left appeared to disappear into the cliff face.
"Stay to the right, or we'll be swamped. That channel takes the water back around," Megaera said.
"Where does it come out?" Dan asked, starting to lean into the pole to bring the bow to the right.
"I have no idea. As far as I know, it travels to the center of the earth," Megaera said, turning to scan the sky. She spotted movement a few miles away.
"Get ready," she said. Dan pushed on the pole as he glided them into the new channel.
"Remember, whatever you do, do not touch the water now," Megaera warned. As they shot into the new channel, she looked back again. Yes, there it was, a glint of light reflecting off a dragon.
"We're going to have company," Megaera said, reaching for her bow. "We're about two miles from the next split. So, keep us steady while I try to shoot that damned dragon out of the sky."
Dan froze, then looked around. The dragon was the same one that he had evaded days ago. He could see the pilot now, readying to sweep in.
"How soon before the portal?"
"Too far, so keep me steady. I never shot a dragon out of the sky," Megaera said.
"I need to ditch this pole for a nice outboard!" Dan said, trying to speed the boat up. The water was starting to gain speed again, but it'd never match the speed of a dragon in a dive.
Grimes spotted the boat at the same time Megaera spotted them. He urged Mable into a dive and asked her if she has sufficient gas to shoot a flame from this altitude.
"Only once, then I'll have to recharge," she sent back.
"Then, we get closer. But she has her bow. That was the light you saw, her shooting something," he thought.
"Good, let's see who flames who, shall we?" Mabel thought back as she adjusted her wings to take aim at the small boat. She angled her head down, increasing her speed.
Megaera notched an arrow and took aim. The dragon was head on. Megaera saw flames beginning to appear around the dragon's snout. She pulled the arrow back and adjusted for the dragon's speed.
She let fly.
Simultaneously, Mabel exhaled.
The jet of fire streamed out of her nostrils and streaked forward at the arrow. A tremendous fireball erupted where the two met. The explosion rocked Mabel, and she twisted to avoid the worst of it.
The bright orange flash made Dan duck. He looked up to watch the fireball skim over Megaera. She quickly notched another arrow and drew the bow up. She relaxed as she watched the dragon evade the fireball.
"Jesus, that was close," Dan said as he stood again. "How much further?"
"The next channel should appear when we round that bend," Megaera said, pointing. Dan strained to see, but the river did make a hard-left turn about a half-mile ahead. He had to be ready, or they'd overturn on such a tight bend.
"How soon until you can flame again?" Grimes yelled. He leaned to the right, getting Mable to make a tighter turn. He swiveled his head, keeping an eye on the boat. He saw his best chance. They'd have to slow down to make that bend, or run aground on the rocky shore.
"I need a few more minutes. Let's attack with my claws. I can evade her arrows," Mabel thought as she turned and lined up for another attack.
Grimes nodded and held on to the leather straps as Mabel began her attack run. He leaned in against her neck, leaning into the dive.
The boat grew larger.
Megaera released another arrow, which the dragon evaded easily, but it altered their path so that they missed the boat. Megaera cursed as she picked out another arrow.
Dan was having to slow the boat for the tight turn, and he put all his weight and strength into the pole. The boat entered the bend too fast, and Dan had to work fast to avoid the rocks he spotted looming ahead. He pushed again, the bow was barely moving to the left.
It was going to be close.
He glanced up to see the dragon wheeling around to make another attack run. He was jostled as the boat scraped along the hidden rocks, almost overturning them both. Quickly, he used the pole to right the boat and push it back into the channel.
"Try not to turn us over, honey. And no more splashing," Megaera warned. She kept her eyes on the dragon as it was lining up again. This time, from the front. She checked, and she only had three arrows left. She crouched and held on as the dragon bore down upon them.
She pulled Dan down just as the dragon passed overhead. The enormous claws swiped at Dan's head, then impacted the bowsprit, causing the boat to twist in the water. Dan stood and tried to right the boat as it began to aim for the far shore.
Megaera was distracted by the sight of the next channel coming up quickly. "Dan! Quick, push us to the right!"
Dan pushed off the far shore and tried to guide the boat to the correct channel. Megaera turned to grab another arrow when the dragon appeared and reached out. As Dan was pushing on the pole, the dragon's claw hooked his right shoulder, pulling him up. He let out a yell as the dragon's claw dug into his shoulder. His left hand grabbed at the edge of the boat, then his legs caught on the side. He held on as the dragon tried to pull him free of the boat. The claw tore free and Dan fell forward.
Megaera wheeled and loosed an arrow at the dragon as it flew away.
Her heart leapt into her throat when she spotted Dan dangling from the side of the boat, his head in the water. She grasped his pants and hauled him back into the boat. Standing over him, grabbed the pole, pushing to swing the bow around to make the next channel.
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The boat bumped up against a wall of rock, about to miss the turn as Megaera shoved against the rocks with her hands and pushed the boat into the channel.
She looked up to see the pilot command the dragon to twist to avoid the arrow and start to drop.
Grimes gripped tightly with his only hand as Mabel executed a barrel roll to avoid the arrow. He lost his grip on the leather and fell away from the dragon as the arrow passed. Mabel twisted and turned, trying to bleed off airspeed so she could turn and try to catch her pilot.
Megaera watched as the pilot impacted the water, the dragon following, it's talons out to snatch them the man from the water. The dragon lifted the man out of the water and flew to the top of the bluffs overlooking the river.
Mable gently placed Grimes onto the ground and watched as the boat disappeared into the channel, and into a tunnel. She nudged the man, checking him to make sure he wasn't dead. She had no idea what had happened. All she knew is this man was important to her. All else was forgotten.
Once in the channel, the river dipped into a tunnel, then into a set of caverns that led out into the mortal world. The boat drifted with the current. This was as far as Megaera had ever explored, and all she knew was that the river eventually spilled out into the sea near Greece.
She held Dan carefully, checking his shoulder where the claw had torn into the flesh. She used her dagger to open the cloth, so she could inspect the gash. She closed her eyes, trying to bring up the healing energy, then she remembered she'd lost her abilities when she got pregnant. She spit out a few choice curses and started rummaging in his backpack for anything she could use to stop the bleeding.
She pulled out his jacket and used her dagger to cut the sleeves into strips. She wrapped the wound as best as she could. Only then did she look up to see where they were.
The boat drifted quietly on the water, but it was picking up speed again.
She held Dan's head in her lap and looked into his eyes. He was out cold. She gently arranged him on the boat and stepped to the back, picked up the pole and tried to guide them down the center of the river.
After an hour, the boat's speed picked up dramatically. She saw a light ahead. The area grew brighter as they sped to the opening. She dropped the pole and crouched down in the boat, covering Dan.
Light burst all around her. She felt the boat rock and tip, then she was weightless as the boat dropped down a small waterfall. It impacted the water, dipping the bow dangerously low, then it righted itself and slowed as it moved away from the waterfall.
She looked up and saw trees, a clear sky with the sun overhead. She stood and guided the boat towards a bare area between trees. The water was shallow and clear, the river bed rocky. She jumped out and pulled the boat up onto the shore.
Megaera climbed back into the boat and gingerly lifted Dan and carried him to the dry ground. After she made sure he was alright, she retrieved her weapons and his backpack.
For an hour she cradled Dan's head in her lap, holding back tears. At least they had passed through the portal ok. But he had been in the Lethe. Would he even wake up?
As night approached, Dan started to stir. He whimpered in pain as he moved his shoulder, then his eyes blinked open. He looked at Megaera face in the setting sunlight.
"Dan? Sweetie?" Megaera said softly.
"Huh? Whoever you are, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," Dan said, smiling.
Part 3
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The Black Palace
Naalnish padded into the large throne room. He paused and smelled the air. Sorath sat on his throne and was looking out among the assembled spies. With Naalnish, that left two spies unaccounted for. Another coyote demon, Ma'Ai was missing, and a dragon and pilot. Naalnish made his way to the front of the crowd and listened as Genda summarized the reports.
"They were last seen on the Lethe. A dragon and pilot were in pursuit. My scouts found a coyote in the river, deceased. Both the copper dragon and her pilot were located above the Lethe, their memories wiped. They must have landed in the water," Genda told Sorath.
Sorath's eyes found Naalnish. "Do you have anything to report?"
Naalnish stepped forward and tried to speak. He morphed into a human-shaped demon and shook. "They tasked me with watching the Acheron. Many of us were watching the various exits once they knew the pair were fleeing via a river. I saw a boat appear, watched it as it fell down the falling water, and it drifted to a dry spot. The woman and the man were on it."
Sorath muttered. "Did you happen to notice where they went?"
"Yes. A white horse appeared, and the woman lifted the man onto it, then they rode away."
"This changes my plans," Sorath said. "Fetch Rommel, we must prepare to attack the surface. After I have destroyed it, souls will arrive, we shall put them to work as our new army to attack Hades and Elysian."
Bune bowed, then looked Sorath in the eye. "Perhaps we should concentrate on defeating Hades first. Many of us can't accompany you on a surface battle."
Sorath stood and towered over Bune. "I'll punch a new portal near one of the earth's military bases. It's mostly desert in that area. It'll be wide enough to empower you and all the dragons to act as air cover. We'll attack that base, then launch its weapons. Then the humans will destroy themselves."
Bune just nodded his head and left the room.
Themis cleared his throat. "What shall we do with the dragon and the pilot? They are being held pending your decision."
"Will they regenerate after death?"
"The dragon will. Not the pilot. His essence will dissipate and he'll be no more."
"Yet, they have no memory of their failure?"
"Yes."
"Then train the dragon with a new pilot. Then feed the old pilot to the young dragons," Sorath ordered, sitting back on the throne.
<<<>>>
Furies House
Sally, bearing Megaera and Dan, materialized in mid-stride, trotting quickly. She rounded the house and stopped outside the backdoor. Megaera leapt from Sally's back and rushed into the house. Sally turned her head to observe the mortal. He was looking around, his face confused. He shook his head and tried to climb down. He slipped and fell to the driveway. Sally snorted her disapproval.
Megaera exited the kitchen, with Hermes following. She rushed to Dan's side and helped him to his feet.
"His whole head was dunked in the Lethe," she said.
"For how long?" Hermes asked as he helped her steady Dan.
Dan just stood, his head turning to take it all in. He was blinking and then turned to Hermes. "Hi there!"
"He was in the water for about a minute, no more," Megaera said as they helped Dan into the house.
They entered the kitchen and walked Dan into the living room. Delfina stopped what she was doing at the table and followed them into the living room.
"Where are my sisters?" Megaera demanded.
"Upstairs, sleeping," Delfina replied as they helped Dan onto the couch. She sat next to him and looked at him, peering into his eyes. "What happened to the cop?"
"The Lethe. It was a short exposure, but enough it seems," Hermes answered.
"All of him?" she asked. "Did he drink any of the water?"
"Just his head and shoulders," Megaera said. "He was knocked into the water when a dragon hit him. He might have gotten river water in his mouth."
Delfina wiggled Dan's head back and forth, peering into his eyes. "Well, he's in there somewhere. Lay him down and I'll try to go get him back. Then I'll tend to his wounds. Just a dragon?"
"Yes, a big Dragon," Megaera answered as she gently laid Dan down on the couch, with Hermes lifting his legs. "Where did he go?"
"Where does anyone go when they get amnesia," Delfina said, dragging an overstuffed arm chair to the couch. "Go and check on your sisters and let Gaia know you're back. Meanwhile, I'll see what I can do about your young man."
Delfina sat and reached out, touching Dan over his eyes. She clos
ed her eyes and fell back into the chair.
Megaera and Hermes stood, watching. There was no movement from either the medicine woman or from Dan.
Hermes backed up a few steps and sighed. "I'm glad Sally was able to find you. She was kicking to get out of the stables and I simply let her go. I had no idea what she was wanting."
"It's good that you did." Megaera turned and walked slowly to the stairs. "How bad are they?"
Hermes turned and followed. "They're bad. The wounds are magical, so they will not heal on their own. It's all we can do to keep them alive. They need healing and you're unable to heal. I'm not sure what we can do."
They walked slowly down the hallway and Megaera stopped outside of Tisiphone's room. She paused and looked in.
Tisiphone lay on her bed, bandages covered her body. She was sleeping, and her breath was labored. She was struggling to get air.
"Delfina told me her lungs were filled with black poison, she might not make it another day," Hermes told Megaera.
Megaera turned away and went across the hallway to Alecto's door. It was open, and she was able to see Alecto in her bed, also covered in bandages.
"She looks a bit better," Megaera observed.
"Not by a lot. Her wounds are just as severe. At least she's waking up on occasion," Hermes pointed out.
Megaera slowly left the door and went across to Gaia's bedroom. There, she found Gaia sitting up in bed, talking to Brianna.
Brianna let out a yelp and jumped up when she spotted Megaera. "You're back! Oh my god! He did it! He got you back!"
She ran and grasped Megaera, pulling her tight. Megaera's reaction was awkward, and she simply patted Brianna on the back, then held her at arm's length. "He did make it back with you? Right?"
"Yes, but he's... He's not himself right now. Delfina is with him." Megaera said, then she turned to Gaia. "I heard you were dead, mother!"
She sat next to Gaia on the bed and held one of her hands. She looked at the small, frail hand, the skin papery and dry, cold to the touch.
Descent into Tartarus Page 21
