‘Yeah, well …’ He shrugged. There was a long awkward silence. Then a twinkle came into Denny’s eye. ‘Still, It makes life interesting,’ he said with a sudden grin.
‘I guess I asked for that,’ she said.
* * *
‘This was not the plan. They were not supposed to get so far.’
‘I told you they were resourceful,’ said Clive.
‘But at this rate, they might actually succeed. I mean, who could have foreseen that they would find a way to get their power back?’
‘I could have,’ said Clive, ‘if anybody had bothered to ask me.’
‘And this plan to pit god against god. It’s … innovative. I confess, we did not see it coming. It could even work.’
‘Don’t we want them to succeed?’ came another voice.
‘It’s not that simple,’ said the first voice. ‘The fact is we don’t need them to succeed. Only they need that. As far as we are concerned, it’s taken care of.’
‘And if they do succeed?’
‘Well, we won’t need to do anything in that case. History will be restored, and there will be nothing to sort out.’
‘And if they fail?’
‘If they fail? Then they will never have existed, and this problem will never have happened in the first place. It was them who caused it.’
‘Then why send them back?’
‘To punish them,’ said Clive bitterly.
‘No,’ said the first voice. ‘That was not the reason. They were sent back because of the historical imperative. They themselves had become a paradox. Had they not done what they did, then they would not have changed their own history to the point where they no longer existed to be able to do what they did. However, they did do it, therefore, they could not have possibly done it, therefore, they didn’t do it, and because they didn’t do it, they did and so on.’ he summarised for the benefit of the second speaker who he knew to be easily confused.
‘A paradox goes round and round on itself forever,’ said Clive. ‘The only way to break it was to send them back to the point where the paradox began. I see.’
‘And whether they succeed or fail in their quest is now immaterial to us.’ said the first voice.
‘But not to them,’ said Clive.
‘No, not to them.’ agreed the first voice. ‘But from our point of view, it would be better if they were to fail. And none of this ever happens in the first place.’
How can you say that?’ said Clive. ‘If they fail then surely everything they have done will be undone and they have not exactly been spectators you will admit. Their actions have affected many lives over the years.’
‘Wrong again,’ said the first voice. ‘Only the actions that caused the paradox will be undone. All the rest … Well you should know this stuff by now. Everything else that has happened will stay happened because of the paradox. Do they not still exist in spite of the fact that they have destroyed their own history? That’s the paradox at work. They exist and yet they do not. Or, I should say, they did exist but from the moment that history changed they no longer existed. I should not have to explain this to you as if you were an infant. This is what happens to a mind when its owner spends too much time in the company of humans, is it?’
‘So, it really is only they who will be destroyed if they fail?’ said Clive.
‘Not destroyed as such,’ said the first speaker, ‘just stuck in the past because they no longer exist. There are worse fates.’
‘Not for them,’ said Clive. ‘Trust me on this one. There’s no way they’ll give up until they’ve succeeded. And I know this much – as long as there’s a chance that they will succeed. The paradox will continue.’
‘You are, unfortunately, correct,’ said the first voice. ‘I had hoped it would all be over by now. But they simply will not give up.’
‘More than that,’ said Clive. ‘I think they’ll do it.’
‘You are not to interfere,’ warned the first voice.
‘I won’t have to,’ said Clive in a smug voice. ‘But, just for the record, I hope they do it and to hell with the lot of you. You’re a bunch of conniving, cold blooded bastards, and I’m sick of the lot of you. And you can make that official if you like, I couldn’t give a toss.’ And he switched off his communicator.
‘Touchy isn’t he?’ said the second voice.
* * *
They found Hephaestus in his forge as expected. This was in a place called Lemnos, which was, unsurprisingly, a volcanic region in those days, although it is not now. He was not inclined to be helpful. One part of the story of Prometheus that Aphrodite had conveniently missed out was that the fire that he had stolen had come from the forge of Hephaestus, and as they had reason to know, Hephaestus was prone to holding a grudge.
He was not very pleased to see Aphrodite either, who had insisted, despite Tamar’s disapproval, on being involved, and all in all it was going pretty badly until Tamar took a hand.
She shooed Aphrodite and Denny outside and turned on the charm.
‘Why should I?’ he asked. ‘I’ve got no reason to help that thieving Titan. And you can stop batting your eyes at me. Look at me? Do you think I’m likely to fall for that, with a face like mine? No woman as beautiful as you is going to want me.’
‘You don’t remember me, do you?’ she asked. ‘We only met briefly, but …’
‘Oh, I remember you all right,’ he said. ‘And I’m not saying that you weren’t quite nice as far as it goes, but you never pretended that I was handsome, now did you?’
‘You aren’t as ugly as you think you are,’ she told him.
‘Hmm, that was quite convincing,’ he said with a short laugh. ‘Suppose you tell me what’s really going on. And what that wife of mine has got to do with it? I warn you, she’s treacherous. I wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her. She’s got her eye on that man of yours too.’ he added. ‘Not that that’s a big surprise.’
‘I know,’ said Tamar. ‘But it won’t do her any good.’
‘Aha!’ said Hephaestus. ‘So he is with you. I thought as much. What are you flirting with me for then, eh? Or is that a stupid question?’
Tamar shook her head as if to clear it. ‘You know what,’ she said, ‘we only came to ask for your help against Zeus. Tell us where Prometheus is and …’
‘It won’t do you any good,’ he interrupted her. ‘You can’t break my chains. No one can. Not the gods nor mortals nor even you, little Djinn.’
‘That’s our problem,’ she said. ‘You needn’t be involved if you don’t like. But I warn you, I’ve tried to be nice about this, but if you aren’t with us, then we will come after you when we go after the rest of the gods.’
‘So you’re the one,’ he said, his eyes round with wonder. ‘It didn’t take long for Aphrodite to join your side I see. But I wonder … what do you want with Prometheus? And if you are here to destroy the gods, as was foretold, why should I believe you will spare me in the end?’
‘How do you know, what was foretold?’ she said. ‘Not all the gods have to die,’ she said truthfully enough.
‘But Zeus definitely does?’ he said.
‘Oh, yes,’ she said. ‘Definitely.’
‘You aren’t telling me everything,’ he said, ‘not by a long way, but … very well. I shall accompany you to the underworld and take you to Prometheus. And then we shall see … whatever we shall see.’
‘Thank you,’ said Tamar.
‘Just keep that wife of mine out of my sight will you. Or else I won’t be responsible.’
* * *
‘Back in the underworld again,’ said Denny with a sigh and to Aphrodite’s profound astonishment. ‘Who are you?’ she asked again.
‘They haven’t added Hell yet,’ said Tamar. ‘But Charon’s still here with his little ferryboat. What fun.’
‘You speak for yourself,’ said Denny. ‘He always gives me a hard time about not paying and the fact that I’m still breathing and so on.’
&n
bsp; At this Hephaestus roared with laughter. It quite transformed his pitted, scarred and, above all, sour face.
‘You leave Charon to me,’ he said. ‘I’ll brand his ugly head if he gives us any trouble.’
‘Sounds painful,’ agreed Denny. ‘It’d convince me.’
‘Ah, I doubt that,’ said Hephaestus. ‘But Charon’s an old coward.’
‘I told you he was a nice bloke,’ said Tamar. ‘Once you get past his grumpy exterior anyway.’
Whatever he said to Charon apparently worked. Denny had never seen him so cooperative. He practically bustled in his efforts to get them comfortably seated, and he punted them across the Styx in record time.
They were greeted in Tartarus, not by Hades, but by a disconcertingly familiar face.
‘Hecaté!’ This was Denny. He was staring at her in an uncouth manner, mainly because he had never seen her dressed in so little. The costume was – well to call it revealing was to assume that there was at least slightly more clothing than person on display, and this simply was not the case. For Denny it was like finding out that your favourite aunt used to be a pole dancer
‘Hecate,’ Tamar told him. ‘Heh – Kate.’ she pronounced slowly as she reached over and gently closed his mouth for him.
‘I know why you have come,’ said Hecate. ‘The time of our destruction is at hand. I shall not fight it.’
‘Er …’ began Denny awkwardly.
‘You know about that do you?’ asked Tamar.
‘From here I see all that passes in the upper world,’ she said. ‘I knew you were coming, and I know why.’
‘I’m not so sure about that,’ muttered Denny.
‘We aren’t going to kill you,’ said Tamar bluntly.
‘Why not?’ asked Hecate with equal bluntness.
‘It’s not your time yet,’ said Denny. ‘We’re absolutely certain.’
‘Positive in fact,’ added Tamar.
Hecate frowned. ‘It is not that I would wish to dissuade you,’ she said. ‘But, I am wondering, how is it that you can be so certain.’
Tamar and Denny looked at each other and grinned. ‘You’ll understand one day,’ said Denny. ‘I know you will.’
‘Then you are here to fulfil a destiny?’ she asked. ‘And not, as it is rumoured among the gods, to manifest vengeance.’
‘Are we?’ said Denny blankly. ‘Well, if you say so.’
Hecate nodded. ‘I see,’ she said. ‘You would bid me mind my own business and let you mind yours. I shall ask no more. But beware Hades. If you have come for him, he will not go easily.’
‘Then he’ll go the hard way,’ said Tamar. ‘But you don’t seem too bothered about it either way. You don’t like him?’
‘If Hades dies and she lives then she’ll rule in the underworld,’ put in Hephaestus.
‘Ah, Hephaestus,’ said Hecate. ‘I did not see you hiding there in the shadows.’ She addressed Tamar. ‘I have no wish to rule here, I only wish to escape. I am the prisoner of Hades. A fact that is little known and even less likely to be believed, I am aware. But the truth nevertheless.’
‘I believe you,’ said Denny. ‘Why don’t you come with us? We won’t hurt you, I promise.’
‘I believe you,’ she said. ‘Although I have no reason to, since I know nothing of you except that you are the god slayers whose coming was foreseen. Because of this, I should fear you, and yet I do not. In some extraordinary way, you engender trust.’
‘Good,’ said Tamar, ‘because it’s not easy being the “god slayers”. Right now we could use all the friends we can get. As you can imagine we have most of the gods baying for our blood and, foreseen or not, this thing could still go either way.’
‘You want my help?’ asked Hecate in considerable surprise.
‘If you don’t have anything better to do,’ said Denny.
‘I … am uncertain,’ she said. ‘To betray one’s kind and kin simply to save oneself.’ And here she gave Aphrodite and Hephaestus a scornful look. ‘It seems like treachery to me.’
‘Suit yourself,’ said Tamar. ‘But you know we aren’t going to hurt you, no matter what you decide. I tell you what, why don’t we give you a few minutes to think about it?’
What’s the matter with her?’ hissed Denny. ‘I thought she’d remember us. I mean – sort of. Doesn’t her memory work both ways or something?’
‘This isn’t the Hecaté that we know,’ said Tamar. ‘She’s only a very minor deity at the moment. Nothing like the power she will eventually become when the witches start to venerate her. But even so, she does seem as if she vaguely knows us, don’t you think? It’s like she knows we are her friends, even if she doesn’t remember us. It’s like intuition. I reckon she’ll say yes.’
‘Are we sure that’s a good idea?’ said Denny. ‘We don’t want her to get hurt.’
‘Better keep her where we can keep an eye on her then,’ said Tamar.
‘Can we persuade her to put a coat on or something do you think?’ asked Denny.
Apparently persuading Hecate to join them was as far as Tamar was prepared to go. Denny was just going to have to get used to seeing far more of her than he had ever expected to.
Now that she was with them, Hecate was surprised to be told that they were actually here not for Hades (although they would happily deal with him if they happened to run across him) but to free Prometheus.
Like Hephaestus, she wondered how they were planning on freeing him. ‘No one can break those chains,’ she told them, much as he had.
‘Be glad that’s not exactly true,’ muttered Denny. In the future, it was actually Jack Stiles who had managed (no one knew how) to break the chains around Hecaté in what was clearly a manifestation of destiny. They were counting on this concept in the present case. They did not have anything else and, after all, Hecate herself had said that they were here to fulfil a destiny. It was a vain hope, and they knew it.
It was a bloody high cliff and, unfortunately, they would have to climb it. There was no astral plane in the underworld and, therefore, no teleporting. It was, as Denny put it, a damned nuisance.
Aphrodite was pouting. She had not wanted to make the climb and declared that it was pointless for her to do so in any case. “What could she do up there anyway?” she said. “She could not free him.”
But Denny put his foot down. ‘We all go,’ he said. And he meant it too, as she could plainly see.
Hecate had made no such protests, neither had Hephaestus. In fact, he had been quite helpful. There were caves, he told them. Passages inside the cliff that wound upwards and would take them almost to the top with relative ease. Hades had had them made in order to make it easier for himself to check on Prometheus’s progress, as ordered by Zeus, who liked to hear of his prisoner’s sufferings occasionally.
‘I should have thought of that,’ said Tamar. ‘I’m only surprised he never got around to having a lift put in.’
But Hephaestus did not know what she meant by this.
Hecate had not known about the caves. In fact, she had never seen Prometheus personally, and she was quite curious about him. Having heard nothing but bad things about him from the other gods, she was sure she was going to like him. It was her immovable contempt for the gods, Zeus most of all, that had been a strong contributing factor in her decision to join Tamar and Denny.
In the final cave there was a shaft leading up to the top. It looked pretty straightforward to Tamar and Denny; they had certainly done harder things. But Aphrodite baulked at it, and even Denny could not make her agree to try it. Neither threats (Tamar) nor gentle persuasion (Denny) nor contemptuous needling (Hecate) would change her mind; she simply refused.
There was no way that Hecate was staying behind with her so it was up to Hephaestus, a tactless choice at best, but there was no one else and they could not leave her on her own. When it was suggested, she almost wailed like a baby about it and, for once, they could hardly blame her. There was something horrible inside these cliffs. They
had heard the distant feral cries of some sort of creature as they had made their way up. No doubt Hades had the place guarded by some hideous creation, and no one particularly wanted to speculate on what it might be.
Climbing the shaft was pretty easy; there were a number of useful handholds and the three of them went up quickly. Denny first, followed by Tamar, and then Hecate last.
The fresh air was invigorating after so long in the stuffy caves below. But of course, they were not interested in that for long.
Prometheus was forty feet long – and I say long instead of high, because he was lying down, stretched out, in fact, in a most uncomfortable fashion on an extremely large rock and, of course, chained down. Despite the chains, he did manage to heave himself up a little way, into a half sitting position from where he fixed Tamar with a glaring eye. ‘You took your bloody time, didn’t you?’ he said.
* * *
‘Come on, he said. ‘Get on with it then, my little feathered nemesis is due any minute,’ Denny was sure he put a slight emphasis on the word “nemesis”.
It was hardly a surprise that Prometheus had been expecting them so Tamar did not bother to pretend that it was. ‘Get on with what?’ she said with deliberate obtuseness.
‘Ah,’ said Prometheus knowingly. ‘It’s like that is it? You’re going to bargain with me. All right, so what do you want then?’
‘A big heap of dead gods?’ said Denny shrugging his shoulders.
‘Is that right?’ said Prometheus addressing himself sarcastically to Tamar. ‘Well,’ he added with heavy scorn. ‘I knew that!’
He looked from one to the other to the other, his eyes ranging across the three of them from Tamar to Denny to Hecate and back until his gaze fell upon Tamar again. ‘By Zeus,’ he said. ‘You don’t know what to do, do you? You can’t break the chains?’
‘We were sort of hoping that something would come to us?’ admitted Denny, and Tamar glared at him.
‘What?’ he said. ‘He deserves to know.’
Tamar rolled her eyes, ‘The gods save us from heroes,’ she said.
‘He’s a hero?’ said Prometheus in a voice somewhere between disbelief and disdain. ‘He looks like a …’
Pantheon (The Tamar Black Saga) Page 9
