The High Court

by Chris Ledbetter

  A tall woman wearing a long, flowing, sky blue chiton appeared around a corner, approaching us. “Rhea,” she said, opening her arms. “You are looking well. You always do.”

  “Greetings, High Sister Themis,” Rhea said. “The Earth agrees with you.”

  “And the Heavens, you,” Themis responded. “But oh my, have you an injured party with you?”

  Rhea nodded, and then introduced us all. She ended with me. “Zeus is not so much injured, as he had a peculiarly difficult surgical procedure performed in order to stem the spread of a neurotoxin, a gift from Campe that continues to give.”

  “I am sorry to hear this.” Themis pursed her lips. “Though as much as I am aware, Campe only attacks those who are attempting to escape duly earned sentences in Tartarus, yes?”

  “I wasn’t sent—” I began, before Rhea clamped her hand over my mouth.

  Rhea spoke to me mentally, Careful not to play your strategic advantage too early. Rhea continued to stare blankly at Themis before speaking again. “I was simply offering the details and factors by which Zeus ended up in his current state. I meant to play no angle of judgment. This is what we have a trial for, as the circumstances surrounding the aforementioned details and factors are material to the proceeding itself.”

  “Duly noted.” Themis gave us all a once over. “Why exactly are you here so early? The trials aren’t until tomorrow. And why is your appearance so … disheveled … in borrowed tunics no less?”

  “Because we were att—” I began again, before Hera this time covered my mouth.

  “We were actually simply coming to get a sense of the area first,” Rhea said. “We, or rather I, wanted my students to see Delphi and The High Court before tomorrow so that they weren’t intimidated by it when lives were on the line.” She completely dismissed the comment about our threadbare Limnos Academy tunics.

  A slow smile crept across Themis’ face. “Indeed.” She paused for longer than I was able to determine who should actually speak next. Then she continued. “There is no need to be daunted. We created this compound and the court itself … to impress upon those who enter that we are about getting at the truth. Those who know themselves and those who speak their truth have no problems here.” She drew in a deep breath. “Now then, will you be staying the evening here? Or will you be returning to Mount Olympus?”

  Hera shot me a glare that would’ve taken off my nose at fourteen paces.

  “Yes. We’ll need lodging for the night,” Rhea said.

  “And, no doubt, some running water to cleanse the day’s remains from you? And perhaps some suitable clothing. You may not enter The High Court looking as if you’ve dredged the Styx.”

  Rhea nodded.

  Themis pointed. “Just down the hill, there is the gymnasium and bath houses. Enjoy a nice, hot soak. The waters are said to hold magical properties. Guess that’s why I spend so much time down there. There are clean tunics to put on at the baths. When you return to the compound …” She thumbed over her shoulder. “Come to my home, just over there, the one with the blue door. I have chitons for the girls to wear to the proceedings tomorrow.”

  Simultaneously, Hera and Demeter both said, “Do you have any hair product?”

  Themis laughed. “You’ll find everything you need down there. Wait …” She pointed a long finger at Demeter. “You … you’re the same Demeter who creates the line Kosmetikos?”

  Meter nodded excitedly.

  “We actually have some of your product down at the baths. I used to stock up. That is, before Gaia closed down the Agora. You have a real talent, young lady.”

  Meter could hardly contain her grin. Her cheeks glowed golden. She tilted her head to the side, and then pressed her palms together, tapping her fingertips. “I’m so glad you like it.” Tia massaged Meter’s shoulders and patted her on the back. “Someday, I think I want to create Kosmetikos full time. Maybe even set up shop in the Agora, if they ever open it again. Have there been any reports of about things happening in the Agora since Gaia closed it to us?”

  “None that I’ve heard of,” Themis said. “I assume the entire Agora didn’t shutter. It serves more than just us.”

  “That’s why I think it would be good to open a shop front down there. And not just sell my wares in The Golden Himation,” Meter said eagerly. “And I could have my lab in the back for creating the blends and use that as the base to ship to other pantheons.”

  “Great ideas, Demeter,” Rhea said. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First the trial, then finish out the semester, then build a cosmetics empire. In that order, young lady.”

  Everyone took turns carrying me on our way down the uneven, rocky trail to the gymnasium. The blue sky, interrupted periodically by clouds of varying densities, eventually gave way to the grayish beige of the interior roof of the covered xystos walkway that led to the bathhouses. Columns whooshed past my peripheral vision until we turned back into the sunlight, briefly. Then Tia and Meter set me down.

  “Hestia, Demeter, and Hera go ahead to the women’s side and I’ll be along shortly,” Rhea said.

  The three of them left, and then Rhea turned to Metis and me. “Metis, I need you to bathe Zeus and clothe him. And before either of you get happy, I want zero multiplied by zero inappropriateness. Do you hear me?” She paused to look back and forth between our eyes. “Your relationship reminds me of when Kronos and I were young. We were full of magic, fire, and stardust.” She sighed. “I honor your young union by gifting you the opportunity to prove your maturity. Zeus needs a bath. He obviously can’t do it himself. I’d rather not … being your headmistress and all. So … bathe only. Head to toe. Period. Nothing else. Not even kissing. I can hear your thoughts. And so can Hera. Do you really want Hera and me to endure your lascivious lusting?” She delivered a death stare. “Now then, I will help get him in there. Then just call if you need me, all right?”

  With Rhea’s help, we crossed through the men’s undressing area and entered the humid bathing room. Rhea pointed to her eyes and then at ours before leaving us alone.

  After a few moments Metis said, “Phew. I thought she’d never leave us alone like this. You, me, and a hot plunge bath. Mmm …” She flashed a wicked grin. Her hazel eyes sparkled.

  Metis smoothed olive oil over my arms, legs, and back and then scraped me clean with a strigil. I deeply wished I could have felt her nimble fingers … or the gentle scrape of the strigil’s blade against my skin. Alas, a few random tingles in my fingers and toes were all I experienced.

  She eased me into the bathwater and fully removed my tunic. “I must say … this aegis that covers your chest is simultaneously impressive artisanship and incredibly hindering.” She ran her fingers over the musculature of the breastplate. “So far, this contraption seems to be working. The toxin hasn’t driven you insufferable since the procedure. The face on front is black as Erebus ink, as it should be, channeling the toxin away from your spine and brain. I do wish I could run my hands underneath, though. Damn.” Her smile was higher on one side. “This point on our timeline was destined when you offered to help me disrobe because I was out of dress code. Do you remember that?”

  “Wait … you were the one who said ‘should I take it off, then?’”

  “Oh yeah … that was me.” She chuckled.

  Rhea popped her head back into the bath and cleared her throat.

  “I was just testing you, Headmistress.”

  “Mmhmm. And, one more thing …” Rhea continued, “you, dear Metis, are to remain fully clothed during Zeus’ bathing. You will bathe yourself separately. Understand?”

  “Didn’t you say something about trust, Headmistress?”

  “I did but—”

  “What are we going to do? He’s paralyzed?”

  “Too true, indeed.” Rhea chewed the inside of her lip. “And that is the only aspect under which this scenario makes sense.” She shook her head as she exited that time.

  I turn
ed back to Metis. Her eyes reflected the light cast by the torches in the caldarium. “Thank you for—”

  “Shhh …” She dragged her thumb across my lips. “You don’t need to say anything. I’m already inside your head.”

  “You read minds now, too?”

  “No. But I don’t have to read minds to inhabit yours. Now, relax. I want you to focus all your mental energy on what you’re going to say tomorrow. I am going to spend all mine on healing you. I can already feel my body absorbing the magical properties … or something … from these waters. Soaking it up like a sponge so that I can feed it to you.”

  She slid me farther down until the water rose up to my neck. She wiped my cheek and brows where steamy perspiration had collected. I finally felt the full warmth of the water against the skin on my neck. Another shiver ran half-way down my spine and stopped. I was about to close my eyes when something sparkled beneath the surface of the water. Metis’ eyes were closed. My gaze dragged slowly down. If the water were the night sky, it would’ve appeared as if stars had encircled Metis’ hands like revolving galaxies. Then the sparkles absorbed into her hands.

  I tried to lift my head from the cradle on which it rested, but I felt intoxicated. Other than the Cyclopes’ libation, the last time I had some wine, Amalthea had given me a taste and it was so diluted that I barely recognized that I wasn’t drinking water. The concoction Arges had given me was unreal. Needless to say, intoxicated was not a familiar feeling for me. But it’s exactly what I felt at the moment. The heaviness of my thoughts about the trial and prayers for my friends and family lulled me to sleep.

  All of a sudden, a million tiny needle pricks invaded my feet … my eyes snapped open to the sight of Metis below the water line. A cool sensation surged from my feet into my legs. I wiggled my toes.

  “Great Gaia!” I whisper yelled.

  Over the next collection of moments, the vibrations spread. My toes and legs moved. Then, my fingers and arms. I sat with my mouth agape. This was damn near miraculous. Confidence surged anew, coursing hot and thick through my arteries. I wanted to stand and yell, but didn’t want to bring undue attention to Metis’ and my particular situation at the moment. I’m certain Hera and Rhea both heard everything mentally anyway.

  A column of water rose in front of me. Tentatively, I reached my hand toward it, shocked and surprised that I could even move at all, that the message my brain sent to my limbs resulted in action. What manner of dark magic was this? The pillar of water shifted into a female form, then filled out into Metis, fully fleshed.

  She smiled. “Welcome back, lord of lightning.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  I woke up the following morning with a start, perspiration painting my face. I wiped my eyes clear of crust and shot up to a sitting position. Damn! I hadn’t imagined it after all. All movement and feeling had returned. Whatever magic Metis had conjured … I’d been reborn.

  I swung my legs over the side of the bed, still marveling in my ability to move them. I jogged out of my lodging into the crisp Delphian air. My lungs filled to bursting with the sweet, earthy smell of the mountains. Helios had driven his father’s sun chariot above the eastern horizon. I clapped my hands because I could. Thunder rolled across the heavens. The trial would begin soon. The most important day of my life had finally arrived. I’d waited for this day since the moment Hyperion had descended … since Anytos had died in my arms.

  Rhea stepped outside of her lodging house, which was next door to the one I’d stayed in. She closed her eyes and inhaled, same as I had. I watched her in silence. I admired her ability to remain calm and focused through all of the upheaval.

  A flurry of activity caught my attention outside the compound. People upon more people arrived by Hurler from various faraway lands. Among the group, Iapetus stood tall. Several steps in front of him walked a woman of flawless beauty. Dressed in a white chiton and himation, both trimmed in gleaming gold, her straight-forward, no-nonsense stride commanded all eyes to gravitate her way.

  An aura suddenly emanated around her, nearly as bright as the sun. I dragged my gaze away from her. Yellow sparkles and dark dots swam in my vision. “Who is th—”

  Metis interrupted me, “Theia, Mother of Helios, Eos, and Selene. Wife of Hyperion. She’s one of the guidance counselors at Othrys Hall. By the way, you’re right to stare at her. I can’t hate on you for that. She’s gorgeous. And she happens to be my spiritual guidance goddess.”

  “Is she always so—”

  “Bright? Suffused in sparkly effervescence? Yes.” Metis smiled dreamily while watching Theia pass through Phanes’ security checkpoint.

  “It just doesn’t seem like she’d be with an ogre like Hyperion.”

  “Perhaps there’s more to them than we know,” Metis responded. “Or perhaps it’s none of our business. One of those statements is true. Likely both.” Metis returned to the house in which she’d stayed the previous night, presumably to continue dressing.

  I considered what she’d said as the next group passed by. Standing quite a bit taller than his sons, Iapetus strutted in with Atlas, Menoetius, Prometheus, and Epimethius like a pack of wolves. Perses and Pallas followed. All wore permanent scowls as accessories to pomegranate red tunics with the white omicron emblazoned on the chests. Iapetus also wore a gold trimmed himation over his tunic. Atlas and Menoetius both shot me sidelong glances, but then quickly straightened their postures. Iapetus turned toward me and tipped his head slightly downward.

  Just as they trekked into the court, Okeanos and Tethys appeared, both dressed in dark blue tunics covered by aquamarine himations with silver trim. My eyes gaped at who walked with them.

  Telesto turned her head in every direction, possibly drinking in the landscape. Her wavy aquamarine hair cascaded over her shoulder and swung as she changed her perspective. A purple tunic sheathed her body. I stared longer than I should’ve. I wanted to at least ask her how she was doing. But then I wondered why she was even here? Was she to offer testimony for or against me, for or against Hyperion, for or against Kronos? She knew nothing of any of those incidents … or did she?

  My ichor rose to a temperature hot enough to cause my skin to run splotchy red. I turned to Rhea. “Good morning, Headmistress. Is it possible for any of us to hurl back to Limnos to assess how things are going?”

  She turned slowly toward me. “I see your healing has held. That’s a good sign.” Her smile was as warm as the sun’s gaze. “It’s a good thought … to go check on things … but you’re not seeing the full mosaic. Everyone is here because they have something important to add to the trials. If anyone returns to Limnos, any manner of ills might befall them. The Hurler could be compromised. The person might not make it back in time to testify.” She crossed her arms. “I’ve thought long about this. It’s a calculated risk I’m willing to take. Gaia help me if I’m wrong.”

  “Fair enough.”

  A man I’d never seen before, dressed in official green robes with gold trim approached. “Trial one, Hellas versus Hyperion will begin shortly. Eat well. Dress appropriately. Come prepared.”

  Tia, Meter, and Hera emerged from their lodging building behind Rhea.

  “Good morning, all!” Tia’s voice sang. “My skin tingles with the palpable energy in the air.”

  “Let’s just get this over with,” Hera said. “We have some family back on Limnos that could use our help.”

  Rhea clapped her hands quickly. “We must all hurry now. The show’s about to begin.”

  I returned to my lodging to dress in the tunic I’d been given. The Delphian icon on the chest was a triangular pediment supported by three columns and surrounded by a circular geometric border. I rifled my fingers through my hair before exiting my lodging to wait for the women in my company. Tia and Meter came out first. They took turns braiding one another’s hair. Meter picked a nearby, white, five-petaled bloom and placed it behind Tia’s ear. I had to smile.

  Metis emerged ne
xt. Her wavy golden hair, parted down the middle, displayed aquamarine roots. It was the first visual connection to her Oceanid heritage that I’d seen. Meter massaged something into her hair and then braided it into a fishtail braid.

  When Meter finished, I ambled over to them. “Can I borrow Metis for a moment?”

  Demeter’s grayish-green eyes twinkled with a smile that lifted her cheekbones. “Be my guest, seeing as she is the heroine amongst us.”

  I held Metis’ face in my hands, and then wrapped my arms around her back. She returned my strong embrace. Emotion welled up from my core with full understanding that even this embrace wouldn’t have been possible without her magical hands. “Thank you,” I whispered into her hair. It smelled like honey and berries. “I love you.”

  She pulled out of our embrace and playfully pushed my shoulder. “Pssht, don’t be getting all soft on me now. You need to stay focused. After the trial … if you’re a good boy, maybe I’ll let you love me.”

  Rhea emerged from the lodging building with her arm around Hera, whose hair had been braided around her head like a crown.

  “We have a bit to eat in here if you want, including nectar,” Rhea said.

  I walked into her lodging and grabbed some bread ends, dipped them in olive oil, and devoured them. I then bit into a fig, before chugging the first nectar I’d had in almost five hemeras. I loved its honeyed fruitiness and the spicy kick that followed. After eating, we all strode up the hill to the entryway to the court complex.

  Metis clasped my hand as we walked beneath a two-story, bougainvillea-clad stone arch. The front façade of The High Court rose imposingly from the courtyard. My eyes blinked rapidly. I rubbed the back of my neck. The six columns across the front of the structure briefly shape-shifted into molten mountains of the same height. I gripped Metis’ hand tighter.

  She turned to me. “You all right?”

  I gazed from her to the giants, shook my head, and closed my eyes for a moment. When I opened them again, the fluted columns had returned. “I think I’m seriously losing my mind.”