Kaia flashed her certificates to the enforcer, who gave her a nod to proceed.
“Who would like to hear a story?”
Kaia placed her hand on her chest, and sang out a few notes in her native tongue. Droplets of water rose up out of the fountain, spinning and floating in the air, changing colors and glowing brilliantly.
The children oohed and aahed at the display.
The water droplets formed into the shape of a great trireme.
“How about the tale of Proteus, the great sailor who sailed off the edge of the world?”
The kids all shook their heads. “Naaaaaww.”
At Kaia’s command, the water droplets reformed themselves into a great armored soldier, carrying a spear and shield. “Ah, well then it should be Urion, demi-god of the southern wastes who struck the heavens so hard that the stars slowly spin to this day.”
“You don’t remember, you did that one last time,” a little boy complained. “You’re bad at this.”
Kaia laughed through her teeth. “He he, cute little bugger, aren’t ya?”
When she noticed the disapproving looks of the parents gathering around, she gave a quick swallow.
“All right, as a special treat today, this time I’ll let you choose the tale.”
All the kids pointed behind her. “We want him.”
Kaia turned around. There, atop the fountain, was a beautifully carved statue of Storgen. The chin was a little wide, and the shoulders were a little broader, but it was unmistakably him.
Kaia frowned. “Oh, I see.”
Forcing herself to smile, she turned around and waved her hands, singing out the song of the hero. The water glimmered like starlight and swirled around the cooing children.
“I see that the people of this town have exceptionally good taste. Today, I will treat you to the story of the greatest hero of all. The story of Storgen, the Brave.”
She sang the song of the hero and the water droplets became Storgen, fighting amid a vast army. Every time he swung his fists, vast swaths of the army were thrown back.
“Storgen carried no bow, he wielded no spear. Instead, he fought with his heart, and a mighty weapon it was. With the strength of his heart, he slew the mighty minotaur of Nisi, holding him aloft and breaking his back across his knee.”
The children oohed as they watched the champion break the minotaur as if it were a twig.
“None could stand before him. Justicar Nyfitsa used dark magic, creating a magic spell that would take the fear in Storgen’s heart and use it to transform him into an animal. But when the spell was cast, no fear could be found there, and the spell rebounded, transforming Nyfitsa himself into a furry little weasel.”
The children laughed as they watched the man scurry away in terror.
“While the pure in heart loved him, the wicked grew jealous. Lord Demos attempted to steal away the great champion’s destiny, trapping him in a bubble through which only the most wise could pass. Fortunately, Storgen had a faithful ally named Pops, who was a bit of a creeper, but knew all things concerning legendary heroines…”
“You’re telling it wrong!” a ginger boy called out.
Kaia sighed and changed the images being formed. “…but Lord Demos had underestimated Storgen, for he possessed the greatest wisdom of all, and exited the trap unharmed, sending Lord Demos away in ruin.”
Kaia waved her hand, and the water droplets spun around the children like stars. “And do you children know what that greatest wisdom was?”
Several hands went up.
“He taught humans that we, too, could achieve great things,” a pigtailed girl recited from memory.
“That is correct. For every human is blessed at birth not with magic like we sirens, but with a mighty heart. The human heart builds families, it builds cities. It covers the world.”
The ginger boy stood up. “Humans cannot leap over great gorges, but with our hearts we can weave long bridges to pass.”
“Very good,” Kaia praised.
A timid, lanky boy raised his hand. “Humans cannot swim through deep waters, but with our hearts we can construct great ships that can carry us across the sea, and even through the depths themselves.”
“Excellent.”
A short girl with glasses and a crutch stood up. “Humans cannot fly, but with our hearts we have built airships that carry us through the clouds above.”
Kaia was impressed. They knew the words of the story better than she did. “All of what you said is true Humans are not connected to the world like we sirens are, but that is not a bad thing. You are unbound, free to chart your own course and forge your own destiny. You are the masters of your own fate.”
Kaia began to sing again, and the water droplets formed into a lovely woman.
“Storgen loved all people, great and small. But no other held his love more than Agaprei Sonata. The most beautiful woman in all of Agadis. Next to her sister, of course.”
“He loved a siren?” one of the younger kids asked.
“And she loved him back. Jealous of their love, two horrible monsters stole her away, and locked her in a great tower in the middle of the sea.”
“The Tower of Alchemy.”
“That’s right. Brothers named Skotádi and Kynigó. They lusted after the power of the human heart, and were determined to unlock its secrets. They thought themselves save in their vast fortress, forever protected by the darkest of magics, for none could find the tower unless they knew where it was.”
“No one could find it?”
“Yes, it could move from place to place, disappearing and reappearing at will. You could journey for hundreds of years and never even come close to it.”
A dark-eyed boy stared at the terrifying image of the black tower. “What did Storgen do?”
Kaia leaned in close for dramatic effect, keeping her voice just above a whisper. “He found it.”
“But how?”
“Skotádi and Kynigó could indeed move the tower, but Agaprei was always within it, and that was their mistake. For Agaprei was Storgen’s true love. They were destined to be together, and Storgen knew where she was at all times.”
“But how?”
“They shared the same heart, he could feel her because she was a part of him.”
Some of the women in the audience cooed at that one.
Kaia continued her song, water droplets forming into a great battle. “Storgen assaulted the tower with his allies, braving its challenges, solving its riddles, and besting its champions.”
The ginger boy spoke up again. “No, that’s wrong, he went in by himself.”
“There’s more than one version of the tale, okay?” Kaia snapped.
The ginger boy sat back down again.
“At that time, it was thought that nothing could ever kill a demi-god. Even the greatest scholars deemed it impossible. But with the strength of the heart, nothing is impossible. Storgen slew both Skotádi and Kynigó, casting them down into the depths and toppling their tower to utter ruin.
“Storgen and his love were reunited, but he was from Erotan, and she was from Agadis.”
“Ooh, a forbidden love,” one of the girls gushed.
“Indeed. They defied the gods when they gave their love to one another. And when Reinala and Sirend discovered that they had been reunited, they amassed great armies to combat them.”
“They needed great armies?”
“Indeed they did. Fleets of warships, flocks of dragons, catapults and cannon, bows and ballistae. The two largest armies ever assembled. For the gods feared the power of their love.”
“Is love that strong?”
“Yes, it is. And on the fortress of Froúrio, the two great armies made war against Storgen the Brave and his true love, Lady Agaprei. The gods thought they had won, but nothing can defeat the power of love. Their warships were sunk into the depths, their dragons were thrown from the sky, and their catapults and cannon were smote to the earth.”
“Smitten,”
a bookish girl corrected
“Shush,” her mother quieted.
The children were riveted on every word, watching as the two armies clashed around them until only Storgen and Agaprei remained standing.
“With their armies defeated, Storgen and Agaprei gave the gods a choice. Swear off war forever, or they would use the power of love to banish the gods to the void for all time.”
The kids gasped as a dark god rose up from the depths of the fountain.
“But there was one god who would not bow. Fovos, Lord of the underworld. Like a great dragon, he rose up from the darkness, and surrounded by fire and tempests, Storgen fought with death itself for his love.”
“And what happened?”
“Storgen broke off a piece of his own heart.”
“A piece of his own heart?”
“And he shoved it inside of Fovos. And do you know what happened then?”
The children shook their heads breathlessly.
“It was too much. Even for an elder god, the strength of the human heart was too much to handle, and Fovos’ body was torn apart from within. With a crack like thunder, Storgen cleaved the earth in twain, casting down Fovos and smiting his ruin down into the darkness from which it came. But Fovos was made from bitter hate, and with his final breath, he lashed out with his claws, and swiped at Agaprei, mortally wounding her.”
The children gasped.
“Storgen took her in his arms, and wept over his fallen love.”
The kids were devastated. Many of them began to whimper.
“What happened then?”
Kaia struggled within herself. She could see the expressions of anticipation in the adults and kids who had heard the story before.
“…and when his tears touched her face, a miracle happened, and she was brought back to life.”
The crowd cheered and hollered, the kids jumping up and down as they watched Storgen and Agaprei kiss.
“And that is why the gods returned to the heavens,” Kaia concluded, even though no one ever listened to the end. “They declared that the heart of humans was too strong to dominate, and instead set their goals on rebuilding the shattered skies where they used to live. Now, humans and beastmen are free to chart their own course down here on earth, to succeed and to fail, to live and to die, thanks to the example of Storgen the Brave.”
The adults clapped and the crowd began to disperse. Kaia took off her hat and gathered up donations and shook hands from grateful audience members. That was her favorite part.
She then counted up the total and gave half to the constable for her taxes. That was her least favorite part.
Taking her receipt begrudgingly, she took a moment to look up at the skies, where the ruins of the past were slowly being rebuilt by the gods. “At least that part is true.”
The back of the colorful cart flew open and a pair of siren twins came bounding out. “Mommy, Mommy,” they hollered. “I listened to your story.”
“Oh, did you?” she asked, hugging both of them.
“You told it so well.”
“Oh, well, thank you. Next time I’ll let you tell it with me.”
“Really?!”
Her husband came out as well, holding their youngest in his arms. “You did great, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Orrin,” she said, giving him a kiss.
She took the baby in her arms. She had her father’s lips. They were the most beautiful lips she had ever seen.
Orrin glanced up the hillside, where a single shack rested at the top. “Do you want to go visit Storgen while we’re here? It’s not often we come to the Nótos Peninsula.”
Kaia looked up at the statue sadly. “Maybe later, not right now. I have something else I need to do.”
“Of course.”
After buying lunch for her family, Kaia made her way over to the town cemetery. There, amid the headstones and ornamental benches, she found one that didn’t belong. It was a miniature fountain, carved from blue crystal and filled with water. She shooed away a couple of birds that had decided to bathe in it. It was a siren grave marker.
Kaia stood there quietly by herself. The cicada bugs were whirring and buzzing in the distance, the summer magpies occasionally squawking to one another.
“I’m sorry, sis,” Kaia admitted. “I lied again today. I’ve tried telling the true version, but no one wants to hear that one. They like the made up one better, even if it’s a lie.”
Kaia wiped her cheek. “I miss you, Agaprei. We all do. Storgen misses you most of all. He talks about you every time I visit. I must have told him every story about growing up with you a hundred times by now. He loves listening to them. I think it helps him keep you in in his heart. He doesn’t want you to fade. I think he fears that the most. He…he loves you as much today as he did the day he lost you. I think you know that. And…I…”
The sound of approaching footsteps made her compose herself.
“Excuse me, are you the muse from the square earlier?” a voice asked.
Kaia turned around and found a young woman standing there before her. Bounding with youthful energy, she looked like it was difficult for her to stand still long enough to hold a conversation. She couldn’t have been older than nineteen, with kind, innocent eyes and the dark skin of the people of the southern isles. A big straw hat kept the sun off her face, and wrapped palm leaves kept it off her arms and legs. On her back she wore a thick portable bedroll, across her shoulder she wore a strap with several water horns. Cooking pots clanged at her back, and a good sturdy compass swung from her belt. The map she held in her hand was stamped with the visitor seals from at least two dozen provinces.
“Uh, yes,” Kaia answered, putting out her hand. “Are you looking to book an event, Miss…?”
“Athenna of Psári,” she answered, shaking the hand energetically. “And no, I don’t like heroic legends, it’s not really my thing.”
“Well then, what can I do for you?”
Athenna reached inside her chiton and pulled out a worn piece of canvas. She unfolded it with all the reverence and care one would with a sacred relic, and it made Kaia pay all the more attention to it.
“I’m looking for the artist who drew this painting,” Athenna explained.
It was so faded from sun and rain it was a little hard to make out. A beautiful harbor with a white marble mesa rising up out of the clear waters of the bay. Sitting on top of it, partially carved from the stone and partially built up with large marble blocks was a breathtaking temple, its blue banners waving high in the evening breeze. Standing on the balcony, a young woman with lavender hair looked out into the bay.
“Where did you get this?” Kaia asked.
“I found it at an art auction back on Ápinso. They were selling off some old junk they found buried beneath in the remains of Ambera’s temple. Do you know the man who painted it? Please, I can’t tell you how important this is to me.”
“May I ask why you want to know?”
“Promise not to laugh.”
“Why would I laugh?”
“Promise me.”
“All right, I promise.”
Athenna took out a worn leather book and carefully opened it. Inside was a piece of parchment, nearly falling apart. On its rough surface was a crude drawing made with child’s chalk. When she held it up alongside the painting, they were almost an exact match.
“I’ve been drawing this picture for as long as I can remember. Please, I’ve been searching for years, do you know him?”
Kaia smiled tenderly. “Yes, I know him.”
Athenna’s eyes went wide with joy. “You do?”
“His name is Storgen. He lives at the top of the hills. Just follow that road there until it ends.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Athenna was off like a shot, bounding and skipping for joy as she ran up the road, her pots and pans clanging as she went.
She found the house in record time. Little more than a shack, it nestled atop the hil
l, giving a beautiful view of the harbor far below.
Athenna was so excited she could barely breathe or hold a thought in her head. She stood at the entryway, wondering what she might say or what she might do.
An old cat came out from around the corner and let off a lazy mew.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming Gáta,” came a man’s voice from inside.
Suddenly, the door opened, and a man stepped out. From the look of him, he was on his way to market, a bundle of fresh paintings ready for sale. He had but one arm, but it was tanned and strong. A crutch snugged up underneath his armpit helped him keep his balance. His legs ended just below the knee, a pair of pegs strapped to the stumps allowing him to stand with the help of the crutch. He had some streaks of grey in his hair, but it was his eyes that caught her attention.
Deep blue, like the ocean.
She lost herself in those eyes, memories flooding back into her.
“It’s you…” she whispered.
Athenna took off her straw hat, revealing her short lavender hair. Her eyes began to fill with tears
“I found you,” she said, barely able to form the words.
Her tears broke free, running down her young face. His eyes swam with emotion mirroring hers.
“I finally found you!" she cheered.
She wrapped her arms around him and lifted him up in a powerful embrace, her voice calling out joyously. “I knew I’d find you! I knew it! I just knew it!”
Storgen hugged her back, and the two of them began to weep for joy. They squeezed as hard as they could, fearful that the spell might break if they were to let go.
“I missed you so much,” Storgen wept. ‘Every morning. Every night. You were all I thought about.”
She snuggled her face into his strong neck, relishing the sensation. “Do you remember what I told you? Way back then in the foundation?”
Storgen nodded. “You told me to stay put, and I did. You said you would search every town, every village, every house, until you found me.”
Athenna sniffed, tears running down her cheeks. “And I did. As soon as I was old enough to walk, I was looking for you. I’m sorry it took me so long. I’m sorry you had to wait.”
Ambrosia Page 106
