“Good men of Thessaly,” the tallest of the Athenians said, “we are very grateful for your services. We would like to invite you to join us for the evening meal and camp with us tonight before returning to your King.”
“If you choose instead to begin your journey back to Larissa instead, we will take no offense,” another added. “I’m certain you wish to get back to your families as quickly as possible.”
“You are too kind to offer,” Hades answered. “You honor us with your invitation, but I think I speak for all of us when I say that we wish to start our journey while Helios is still providing us with his radiance.”
The Athenians nodded and retreated back across the border. Hades watched them for a moment before joining the guardsmen who had already mounted their horses by the time he reached his horse. He pulled himself into the saddle and followed the guardsmen back towards Larissa. At dusk they made camp at the base of a hill. They stayed quiet over the evening rations as Hades watched the men eye him. When the meal concluded, Hades volunteered to take the first watch.
The guardsmen did nothing that evening or any evening they stayed at the homes of peasants. All the same, Hades did not sleep at night but he managed to catch some sleep in the saddle during the day. He could have spent the entire journey back to Ixion’s city without any sleep if he had to. A week into their journey, they found themselves making camp under the stars. Again Hades volunteered to take first watch; the guardsmen did not argue as Hades walked to a rock several paces from where they had eaten.
Late in the evening, the guardsman Cleon approached him to take his place on the rock. Hades returned to his bags and wrapped himself in his bedroll and listened to the sounds around him. Near dawn he heard the guardsmen whisper and unsheathe their swords. They practically tiptoed in his direction. They moment they reached the edge of his bedroll, Hades pushed the cloth away and came to his feet, grabbing Cleon’s arm as the mortal swung his weapon towards his target. Hades quickly twisted the mortal’s hand until his sword fell.
With the weapon gone, Hades pivoted on his heel to elbow the mortal in the nose before turning again to snap the man’s sword arm. The mortal screamed out as the sound of breaking bone echoed. Hades released his grip on the guardsman before turning his attention to Nemos. This one took steps back every time Hades took a step forward. The mortal raised his weapon; Hades grinned and moving faster than the mortal was capable, he grabbed the blade and pulled it out of the mortal’s hand. The guardsmen staggered forward, receiving a punch to the face. The force knocked Nemos to the ground.
Hades dropped the sword and knelt next to the guardsman. The punch had not killed him but he did have a broken jaw. Hades looked up to see the other guardsman cradling his broken arm. The god came to his feet and found two long sticks among the debris around the campsite, and a few strips of cloth among his possessions. He approached the injured guardsman.
“I know a thing or two about healing,” Hades told the mortal. “I think I’ll be able to save your arm.”
The guardsman released his hold on his arm, letting Hades put the splint on his arm. The mortal watched him closely. He had something to say and questions to ask but he seemed too afraid to speak a word.
“I knew you were up to something,” the god said. The mortal opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. “Do you think I’m deaf? I heard you whispering at the border. It was just a matter of when.”
“Arcadius threatened us,” the guardsman whispered. “He told us you stole his position as bodyguard and escort to the Athenians.”
Hades continued to wrap up Cleon’s arm without saying another word. When he was done he told the guardsman to rest while he saddle the horses. He checked on Nemos who still lay passed out on the rocky ground between each horse. Once the horses were saddled and their bags tied onto their saddles, Hades quickly tied Nemos onto his horse and helped Cleon into the saddle. As soon as he mounted his own animal, he grabbed the reins of Nemos’ horse.
“Do you know where the nearest guard outpost is?” Hades demanded of Cleon. The guardsman nodded. “Lead the way.”
It took another two days of riding to get there. Luckily Nemos came awake by the time they made camp near a stream the first night. Cleon complained they should have found shelter with a family as they had been doing when they could.
“And what lie do you plan on telling our hosts?” Hades demanded, taking out the rations for their evening meal. “Or perhaps you didn’t think it through? Or did Arcadius not tell you what story to give afterwards?”
Cleon said nothing, as Hades handed over the guardsman’s rations. Hades helped Nemos get down a few bits of food by breaking them into the smallest pieces he could; the guardsman could hardly get his mouth open enough to take any food. And despite their injuries, the two mortals took their turn at guarding the camp at night. While they rested, Hades considered what they would tell the commander of the outpost.
“We should get there by dusk,” Cleon promised the next morning after they had started their journey.
“Good,” Hades snapped. “Now listen to what I have to tell you. You’d be fools to admit the truth to the commander of this outpost. We were attacked by bandits while I was collecting firewood. I returned in time to save your necks from these bandits who were better prepared than yourselves.” He paused long enough to breathe. “And when we finally return to Larissa, you will report the truth to your captain. Do you hear me?”
Cleon mumbled yes while Nemos did his best to nod. At dusk they reached the guardhouse. The commander of the post heard their story and then had the healer brought in to check on the injuries of the two mortals had sustained. Cleon and Nemos were then taken to the healer’s house as the commander promised to send a messenger to Larissa at first light.
Chapter 5
A fortnight later, Hades returned to Larissa without the two guardsmen but under the escort of the King’s private guard. The healer had pronounced that Cleon and Nemos still too injured to make the journey but the King refused to wait until the guardsmen could travel to hear a report about the events that had transpired since the Athenian emissary had departed his capital. Hades gave Ixion a detailed outline in front of the council; his every decision was questioned and debated at length until a majority of the mortals found his actions acceptable or not.
While the King would not give Hades the leave he had been promised until after he heard from the two guardsmen, his movements were not restricted either. He was ordered to report to the Captain of the palace guard immediately, and the mortal set him to the most mundane tasks that he could find including cleaning the weapons under the eye of the weapons master and helping to train the clumsier trainees. It kept him busy but not enough so that he could not spend his nights in Minthe’s bed. Upon his return, the nymph returned to her original residence. And again, he found Arcadius shadowing his movements to the nymph’s side and back to the palace. But other seeing him at night, Hades had no other encounters with Arcadius.
Another three moons passed before Cleon and Nemos were permitted to travel back to Larissa, and true to their promises, they admitted the truth, claiming they did not wish to endure Hades’ wrath one more time. Shortly after this meeting, Arcadius was brought in front of his superiors to answer the accusations against him. Hades was ordered to attend this meeting. Listening to the mortal, Hades found it quite impressive how easily the lies fell off his tongue. And no matter how often the guardsman was confronted with the truths that proved his words false, Arcadius stuck to his answers.
“You’ve been seen following the guardsman Aidoneus to and from the palace,” the Captain of the city guard pointed out. “How do you explain this?”
“I have evidence that the Spartan is consorting with a known criminal,” Arcadius snapped. “On the first day I had the displeasure of his company patrolling the square, we came across a woman trespassing in the fountain. He has been seen in her company regularly since.”
“A woman trespa
ssing in the fountain once can hardly be called a known criminal,” another of Arcadius’ superiors returned. “We are tired of your lies and your excuses, guardsman. I recommend a whipping for your punishment. Ten lashes this time should be sufficient. That is my ruling.”
As each of the superiors nodded in agreement, the paler Arcadius became. His punishment was carried out that afternoon in front of the guards. The mortals did not require Hades to watch the mortal receive his whipping; instead they kept him busy at the palace acting at the King’s bodyguard while Ixion toured the palace grounds with his demigod son. He continued to act as Ixion’s bodyguard for another moon; only then did they grant him the leave they had promised him when he had escorted the Athenians back to Attica.
He toyed with the idea of returning to the Underworld, but time seemed to pass differently underneath the earth without Helios’ daily rise and descent. He feared he may not return within the proper time period. So instead, he spent his time in Minthe’s company. Even though she had still heard nothing about the new nymph for the city fountain, taking her away from Larissa for a few days would not hurt. They journeyed to the next city over from Ixion’s court. Hades did not recall the name of this city, but the people were very hospitable, providing him and Minthe food and shelter for the three days they spent there. And over the protests of their hosts, Hades left coin on the table for their troubles in feeding two guests.
Upon their return to Larissa, Hades was summoned to the King’s side. Another emissary had arrived at Ixion’s court, this time from Eleusis. As before he was promised more leave once the mission was complete. He did not hesitate in accepting the assignment; only this time, he had no time to visit Minthe in the evenings while the emissary remained in the city. He accompanied the three men acting at the emissary everywhere they went, even as the men praised the citizens of Larissa acted too friendly to do anything ill towards them.
And indeed, the people were very welcoming. Even Minthe came out of her hovel to greet the mortals. During the initial walk around the square, Hades spotted Arcadius for the first time since his punishment. Hades kept an eye on him as he followed the mortals. The guardsman seemed paler than the last time Hades had seen him but he still held both his head and his shoulders high. His lips curled up on one side as he stared straight at Hades.
The night before he was set to escort the emissary back to the border, he was giving the evening to rest. As before, he decided to spend the evening in Minthe’s company. He slipped out of the palace using a rear door and traversed the perimeter to the front of the palace to find Arcadius waiting near a statue of Zeus. Not wanting the mortal to follow him, Hades took an alternate route to the nymph’s side. She greeted him with a smile and pulled him inside and towards the bed. Hades returned her smile but before she let her help him out of his armor, he wanted one last report about the nymph coming to replace her.
“Have you received word about the new fountain nymph?” he asked.
“Why does that concern you so much, my lord?” she answered. “It would mean I would have to leave you.”
“Minthe, you’re not safe here. I fear that guardsman may do something to you in my absence. If I knew a replacement was on her way, I would feel a lot better about leaving you alone in this city.”
“There’s no need to worry. I hid myself well the last time you were away.”
“It will be at least a moon that I will be away, my lady.”
Minthe came closer to him and began helping him out of his armor. “I will move often, my lord. There are some kind people on the opposite side of the city who would be willing to host me for a few days.”
Hades sighed; it would have to do. Had he had the time, he would see her to the next city over to stay with the people who had hosted them for those few days they had been there. Unfortunately, even with his incredible speed, he could not get her there and be back in Larissa by dawn, and Minthe promised to be back at this residence two days before his return. He would have to top she would remain safe in his absence. When he crawled out of her bed at dawn, he escorted her to her hideout down the street.
A different set of guardsmen accompanied him on this journey with the emissary. They gave him little trouble and did not bother to give him their names. They were efficient and obeyed his every order. On the return trip to Larissa, they made good time, returning to Ixion’s court near dusk two days ahead of their anticipated return. Hades reported to the Captain of the palace guard detailing how well the guardsman had performed during the journey.
“You’ve done well, guardsman,” the Captain smiled, rising from his desk. “The King does not expect you back for another three days. I give you leave until then. Don’t show your face around here before then. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir,” Hades said and pivoted on his heel.
He followed the path he had taken to the Captain’s office to the exterior of the palace, following the perimeter of the building to the square to see if Arcadius had been informed of his return, and when he could not spot the guardsman anywhere, Hades made his way to the building where Minthe said she would be. He knocked on the door but she did not answer. The god frowned; the nymph never failed to answer his knock. He pounded on the door a second time before grabbing the doorknob and pushing the thick wooden door open. The door stopped midway on its hinges, hitting something hard. Slowly, Hades stepped inside, and even in the darkness, he could see that the bed and the table had been turned on their sides; the table blocked the door from opening completely. Footsteps outside forced Hades to turn. He saw the outline of a woman standing just outside the door.
“Minthe is not here, guardsman,” the woman said. “A city guardsman arrested her this morning.”
“Where did he take her?” Hades demanded.
“I don’t know. When I asked what she had done to deserve it, he told me to mind my own business.”
Hades nodded. “Thank you, madam. Do you need an escort back to your door?”
“You are too kind to offer, but there is no need,” the woman replied and turned.
He watched her vanish until her could no longer see her shadow or hear her footsteps fading in the distance. He stood in the room for a moment longer to weigh the information the woman had given him. He had no doubt that Arcadius had found Minthe and was holding her somewhere. He needed to find that place quickly, but he also needed to assume that the mortal had actually arrested her and taken her to the stockade. With nowhere else to start, Hades made his way to the barracks of the city guard and spoke with the Captain.
“Aidoneus,” the mortal said, “it is good to see you amongst us again. How may I help you this evening?”
“I am looking for a woman I suspect Arcadius may have arrested this morning,” Hades told him.
“Arcadius?” the Captain asked. “He hasn’t been seen in days. I have my men looking for him. And no woman has been arrested in weeks. Why do you ask?”
Hades told him about Minthe, of how every time he went to visit the nymph, he often saw Arcadius in the streets, and of what the mortal woman had told him. “It may be a figment of my imagination, but I suspect Arcadius has taken her somewhere and means her harm.”
“I’ll have my men start looking at all abandoned building in the city immediately,” the Captain promised.
“I can find her quickly.”
“How?”
“She’s a nymph, Captain,” he answered. “Beyond that, I’d rather not say, but if you can give me a couple of your men to get Arcadius away from me before I kill him, that would be quite helpful.”
The mortal’s face turned almost completely white, and for an instant, he remained completely still and silent. When he found his voice again, he called for three guardsmen to join them. “I will fill you in along the way, but for now, gather your weapons and follow Aidoneus.”
The guardsman obeyed and once Hades had the men behind him, he started out into the city. From the barracks, Hades ran through the city, keeping his pace
slow enough for the guardsmen to be able to keep up. He sniffed the air, taking in Minthe’s scent to a part of Larissa where the criminals were known to gather. At the end of an alley, he could hear screaming. It sound like Minthe. Hades kicked the door open and found Arcadius on top of the nymph with a dagger in his hand. The captain and the guardsmen rushed in ahead of him, pulling Arcadius from Minthe.
Hades rushed to the nymph’s side. The blade had struck Minthe more times than Hades cared to count. She would not survive the journey to Olympus for Apollo to tend to her or to the house of Apollo’s mortal son Asclepius. The nymph stared up at him, mouthing words Hades could not make out. The god touched her shoulder, transforming her into the first thing that came to mind: a plant.
Epilogue
More guards had been summoned to the abandoned building by the time Hades emerged with the plant in his hands. He returned to the barracks with the mortals and allowed the Captain to lock him up in the stockade in the cell next to Arcadius. Hades leaned against the wall and slid down, his eyes focused on what he had done to Minthe. She would not survive long without water and sunlight; the Underworld had plenty of water but not enough sunlight for the nymph to survive.
Time passed; it could have been hours, days or even minutes that had gone unnoticed before the Captain entered the cell. Hades barely looked up at the mortal as he crossed the small room to the bed. The man sat down and stayed silent for a moment.
“You have a visitor,” the Captain announced. “He claims to have a message for you. I imagine you won’t be staying long after that.”
Hades nodded. “Very unlikely,” he whispered.
The King will be sorry to see you go, Aidoneus.”
Hades looked up at the Captain and said, “It was never my plan to stay in Larissa for long. If you don’t mind, I would like to see the messenger now. I can promise you that leaving him idle is often a bad idea.”
Twisted Mythology: Three Tales of Greek Mythology Page 9
