The Sky Throne

by Chris Ledbetter

  After I asked several people if they’d seen Telesto, and received either blank stares or sneers, Tos pulled me aside.

  “You look as desperate as a fish flopping around, struggling for air.” He clapped me on the back. “I told you we shouldn’t have come. It’s just like school, only darker outside. It’s not like we were winning any popularity contests.”

  “Confidence is everything. Act like you belong, and you will.”

  “Sure, because that’s worked for the last two years at Eastern?” He sighed “I only came along to keep you from getting in more trouble. I have accepted my lot in life. Goat security is my future. That, and boat building. I’m a Kourete, and that’s all we’ve ever done. I’m never getting called up to the big school. You at least had a chance. Until you blew it.”

  “Goat security and protection, huh? You calling me a goat, now?”

  “If the hoof fits, brother … ”

  I rolled my head and neck several times, finally realizing the near pointlessness of searching for Telesto, a drop of water in the sea of Oceanids and Potamoi. I took my sandals off and walked toward the water’s edge. The drum and hiss of the waves on the shore soothed already frayed nerves.

  I turned to Tos. “See? Isn’t this nice?”

  He looked at me as if I were talking a foreign language. “So you mean to tell me I woke up from a deep sleep, snuck out of our home, stole a chariot and a goat, and traveled many stadia in the dark … just to stick my toes in surf?”

  I had to admit, he had a point.

  A soft voice sailed up behind me like the sweetest musical note. “Zeus, I thought you were going to leave me hanging tonight.”

  I turned to see Telesto, an absolute vision of loveliness. Warmth flushed through me.

  “I heard about your expulsion and figured the stars just weren’t aligned for us,” Telesto continued.

  “I must admit … ” I began. “I was soundly wrapped in the comfort of sleep. It took every ounce of strength I had just to open my eyes. Tos here had to remind me about the party. Otherwise … ”

  Telesto narrowed her eyes. “You’re such a bad liar. I bet you dragged your friend here kicking and screaming.”

  “Yes and yes,” Tos responded.

  Telesto laughed, and then turned to slide her arm around another girl she’d brought. “Tos, I brought a friend of mine. Her name is Eos.”

  Anytos and Eos shook hands. The gleam in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. He was as struck as a harpooned whale. They walked off down the beach. My job there was done.

  I returned my attention to Telesto. But, I tried to play it cool. Or at least cooler. Tos had been right. My skin had itched with the sense of helplessness when I couldn’t find her. But all was right in the world after all.

  “Something’s different about you,” I said waving my forefinger in front of her.

  “It’s the hair,” she said without missing a beat. Her mass of aquamarine hair was pinned atop her head in a wild nest. Seashell earrings dangled from her ears. “Bonfire night isn’t about being cute; it’s about living life to the fullest.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. That’s exactly what I told Tos.”

  Telesto held my gaze. Her voice softened. “Thanks for coming out. And thank you for approaching me at school. I wondered if you would ever step up and talk to me. I don’t bite. At least not at first.” A wicked grin creased her cheeks.

  I took a bold chance and slid my hand over hers. She didn’t move away. That was the moment I knew we’d get on fabulously. I relaxed on the beach beside pearl-skinned Telesto. We talked for what seemed like forever. Until what was once a sky full of stars, now featured a sole defiant sparkle. After a full night of getting to know each other, she rose from lying on her back to resting on her elbows.

  “What’s next for you, Zeus? What will become of you?”

  That was difficult, given my current status at school. So I deflected. “You first.”

  She laughed and sat all the way up with her legs crossed. “I’m expected to graduate from upper academy. I’ll probably end up at Othrys Hall like most of my older siblings. I heard it’s near impossible to get into Mount Olympus Prep anymore.” She took a deep breath. “And then I want to come back and teach. Or maybe teach at the schools on Limnos or Samos out in the Aegean. Now stop fooling around. Where’s your life headed?”

  I stared at the lonesome star in the sky as if it held the answers I sought. It didn’t. I sighed hard. “I hope to get off this island, truthfully. Maybe hunt dragons on the mainland. I could make good money, you know?”

  “You sound just like some of my brothers, those crazy flapadoodles! They think there’s some mysterious beast at the bottom of the Aegean that they can kill and become instantly wealthy. Boys and their dreams.”

  “Mom wants me to take over the goat empire she’s built. But the goat herding thing just isn’t my bag.”

  “What about school?”

  I drew out the next word into a two-syllable construction. “Yeah … That’s the thing. I first need to make it through lower school.”

  In front of us, a gradually dying fire gave way to the pre-dawn glow in the sky as Anytos and Eos returned.

  “You kids have fun?” I asked Tos.

  He gave Eos a quick hug as the surf washed up around their ankles and then ambled over to stand next to me. A smile dimpled his cheeks, which he quickly stowed away. He kicked my feet. “Zeus, look at the sky. We need to go.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  I had to admit that he was right. We’d been out way longer than other times I’d dragged him out. In my defense, no matter how long we’d stayed out before, we always made it back on time. Except this time, we were both already on punishment.

  “Wait … ” I held my finger in the air, and then turned back to Telesto.

  She rifled her fingers through my hair. “Tonight was fun. We should do it again sometime.”

  I flashed a grin. “See you tomorrow?”

  She purred, “Maybe—”

  Tos jogged to the top of a dune. “Seriously, we don’t have much time. Remember Amalthea’s mantra: The Sun sees what the Moon disregards.”

  I pulled Telesto to her feet and stared into her iridescent eyes. We threaded fingers as our lips met. She tasted like the sea, salty and untamed. She turned and walked down the beach into the surf. She waded out and dove into a cresting wave. Her legs morphed into a fishtail as soon as the seawater reached her hips. As I turned, I knew the surf was already washing her footprints away.

  I sighed, trudging back up the darkened beach, digging my toes in the sand with each step. We definitely needed to get back to the cave before Mom and the Kouretes woke up.

  “Don’t you ever get tired of goat herding?” I asked Tos once we reached the chariot.

  “That’s what we do, Zeus.”

  “It’s as dreary as watching the moon crawl across the sky; death by boredom.” I said. “They do nothing but graze and sleep.” I’d always felt like I could do more. Be more than a goat herder. Something inside of me clawed for the extraordinary. I couldn’t be a teacher without schooling. Teacher, farmer, or livestock herder … those were the only options on Crete. Telesto clearly wanted me to be more than I was. She was quite unimpressed with my dragon hunter idea. I had to face that I’d likely never leave Crete.

  Tos turned to me and huffed. “The Kouretes are going to be volcanic if we don’t get back before they wake. Not to mention Amalthea,” he said. “I never should’ve let you talk me into going to that bonfire.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, ‘cause you had such a terrible time.”

  “That’s beside the point.” Tos straightened his tunic. “Are you ready?”

  I waved my arm in front of my chest. “After you—”

  I stepped onto the chariot after Tos. With a whip of the reins, we shot off, heading south down the trail back to Mount Ida, which sat almost perfectly in the middle of the isla
nd. I knew the mountain’s position because Amalthea made me map the entire thing before heading to Eastern lower school. Our chariot raced so fast, we took curves on one wheel.

  “Faster, you blasted goat!” I yelled. “Yah!”

  Ahead, Ida’s elevation beckoned. My mother’s dark silhouette emerged from the cave’s shadow. Damn! We hadn’t made it back in time. Amalthea waved her staff in the air.

  I glanced over my shoulder as we pulled into place. The sun’s orb rose faster than usual, pushing through beautiful crimson and gold cloud bands. Darkness to light in a split-second.

  Tos turned and almost pulled my arm almost from its socket. “That’s not normal. Hurry!”

  We sprinted the final stretch around several of the Kouretes, now awake. Aristeaus blew a horn to summon the remainder of them.

  We drew closer to the cave. My mother stood and pivoted toward the sun. The sky brightened from blue to intense yellow in several heartbeats. Beginning as a golden disc, the sun grew in size and intensity until the entire sky filled with orange fire. I shielded my eyes against the searing heat, but dark spots swam in my vision like tadpoles.

  “What’s going on? I realize I was late coming home, but this is ridiculous.”

  “Hyperion is descending! Get in the cave. Now!”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Amalthea yelled something else just as we ran through the cave’s entrance, but I couldn’t tell what. My breath caught in my throat. I headed back into the brightness and scorching heat. My face stung like being inches away from bonfire flames.

  Tos’ fingertips dug into my arms to pull me back. “Don’t—”

  “I’m not leaving my mother out there!” I jerked my arm from his grasp, and then grabbed my battle helmet from inside the cave, the one I owned but never used. I rushed into the clearing, gripping my spear and shield as well. Tos’ footsteps—as I knew they would—followed closely behind me.

  I searched the horizon for my mother, finally finding her scampering down the hill around trees that shriveled under the intense heat. Goats scattered in front of her, some falling motionless to the ground. I wondered why the temperature didn’t affect me the same way. The Kouretes had already taken up battle stances in the wilting high grasses, shields folded across their chests, spears ready to throw. My mother tossed her walking stick aside and scurried back behind them.

  “Get back in the cave!” she said. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of me, with Tos not too far behind. Her wrinkled and severe face resembled a fig left in the sun too long. She gazed over my shoulder. “Anytos, I thought I told yo—”

  The ground quaked beneath our feet as a roaring explosion throbbed through my ears. A mountain of a man emerged from the gargantuan fireball. His soot black chariot pulled by four enormous stallions the color of sunset descended slowly to the ground. His onyx hued helmet, breastplate, greaves, and battle skirt swallowed light, not reflecting it.

  Hyperion.

  I stood slack-jawed, never having witnessed Elder Deity magic before. In fact, I wasn’t sure it even existed until that moment. Teachers never exhibited it. Okeanos either. I thought it simply whispers that hissed around campfires. Stories told to maintain order.

  My chest heaved like I was hyperventilating. Fighting for every breath, I gripped my shield and spear tighter. Perspiration trickled down my forehead and into my eyes.

  Hyperion bellowed, “Where’s the boy you’re harboring?” Flames leapt off his muscular, dark brown arms and legs. The air around him refracted and shimmied like a mirage.

  “What boy?” my mother answered, shielding her eyes.

  “The Oracles foretold of a boy who is not of Potamoi blood on this island who shall meet an untimely death, unless he surrenders himself to me.” Hyperion stared at Amalthea and straightened his breastplate. “Where is he right now? Patience is not my strongest quality.”

  Before I could form words, Tos pushed his way around the Kouretes. “I’m the only boy here who meets that description,” he said. “What business have you with me?”

  “Surrender or be taken,” Hyperion roared.

  “I’ve wronged no Elder Deities.” He drove his spear into the ground. “I am not the boy you’re looking for.”

  “The Oracles do not lie.” Hyperion nodded his head forward. “Take him.” Two young men with shoulder length blond hair jumped off the back of the chariot. Muscles rippled beneath their shiny, black armor.

  My mother inhaled sharply through her teeth. Her head twitched sideways like she wanted to check over her shoulder at me, but she stopped.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Tos grabbed his spear and stood his ground.

  “He must be the one!” Hyperion pointed at Tos. “If he won’t come willingly, then just kill him so I can return this chariot to the sky.”

  My eyes bulged beneath my helmet. I gasped, wanting to call to Tos. Had we done something to anger the Elder Deities? All I did was a silly prank. Oh, and kiss Okeanos’ daughter. I edged closer to the Kouretes and blended in with them, ready for anything.

  The Kouretes charged past Tos toward the chariot. Hyperion’s horses reared up and breathed fire on them, halting their progress. With shields raised, the tribe could draw no closer than twenty paces to the towering chargers or the young men.

  Tos and I retreated to protect Amalthea. The Kouretes launched their javelins. Hyperion swept his hand in the air dismissively. All twelve spears flew off course. I gaped at the display of power.

  One of Hyperion’s attendants stepped forward and threw a long, black spear toward us. It sailed over the heads of the Kouretes before they could block it. I barely had enough time to reach my mother. Scrambling to fold my shield in front of her, I knocked the spear off course. The spearhead groaned against the shield, diverted course, and then lodged into Tos’ chest with an immortal thud.

  “Anytos! No!” All the air in my lungs expelled.

  My best friend flew backward several feet from the force of the impact. A sharp pain sliced through me like I’d also been hit. I ran to him.

  He wheezed, “I’m sorry I failed you, Zeus. Protect Amalthea—”

  I stood just in time to see the second of Hyperion’s attendants release his spear. I pushed my mother aside but the weapon veered toward her. I watched helplessly as the javelin’s tip sank into her shoulder. The force spun her halfway around.

  My mother belted out a skin-crawling yell before crumpling to the ground. Anger heated the blood surging through me. I grabbed the obsidian spear shaft that stood erect from Tos’ chest. It reflected no light, oddly. In fact, the shaft absorbed any available light. I yanked with all my strength to dislodge it.

  I whipped around to return fire, cocking my arm back like the Kouretes had taught me. I set to deliver the most crippling blow I could. But the spear was forcefully torn away from my grip. Hyperion held out his hand and the spear flew straight to his palm.

  Hyperion laughed from deep in his belly. “He clearly wasn’t the boy we’re looking for. He died far too easily.” The deity turned his attention back to me and the other Kouretes. “I will return to this island to continue my search. Or Kronos will. And you don’t want him to come down here.”

  I narrowed my eyes and glared through the slits. My arms shook with fury as the young men mounted the chariot. With several whips of the fiery reins, Hyperion returned his chariot to the sky.

  I rushed to back Tos’ side. “Come on man. Get up. Wake up. Say something. Anything.” I removed his helmet. He offered no response. Blood gushed from his horrific chest wound. I grabbed him and looked around frantically. “Somebody help me!”

  I grasped his hand and pulled him close. A dull ache pulsed in my chest at the same location of his wound. His spirit embraced me as confirmation of what I feared. The Kouretes scrambled to help but it was too late. I pounded my fist on the ground, breathing in short bursts. My teeth hurt from clenching them so tightly.

  One of the Kouretes pulled me
off Anytos. “Let him go. He was gone as soon as the spear hit him,” he said. “Go tend to Amalthea.”

  More Kouretes carried Anytos to the cave. I turned to my mother, who lay on her side, curled into a ball, but still breathing. Her tears dampened the soil, and blood pooled at her wound. But, at least I had hope for her.

  “Please, Gaia, Earth Mother of all beings, please make my mother whole again.” I crouched close to the ground. Her back arched when I worked to remove the weapon. I set the spear on the ground, and then the strangest thing happened. The spear became a shaft of dark smoke, which drifted away on the wind, leaving a sulphuric odor behind.

  I shook my head. “What the—?”

  Aristaeus, leader of the Kouretes, brought me a towel and some water. He stood tall over me like a tree. His sinewy, muscular frame shaded me from the remains of the burning sun.

  “Did you just see that?” I asked him. “The spear vanished into the air. What kind of weapon does that?”

  “Deity magic is unparalleled.” His lips drew to a tight line. His gaze intensified. “But more importantly, look what you have done!”

  I stared upward at his expressionless face. His skin was tight and stiff like goat’s leather.

  “Why did you return home so late this time?” Aristaeus yelled. “You got kicked out of school. You dragged Anytos to who knows where. And now your carelessness got him killed!”

  My voice cracked. “It was an accident. I swear. We just wanted to go to this bonfire with my school mates.”

  I didn’t need his lecture. Shame wrapped around my shoulders like an iron cloak.

  My mother groaned as I rolled her toward me. “Easy … ” I whispered, pressing the towel against her wound and pouring water over her cracked lips. She opened her eyes slowly and coughed.