Medusa shrugged. “I know little about them.”
Stheno dropped a large bag on the table, smiling. “There were only a few villagers left and they were most generous.”
“Of course they were,” Euryale laughed. “You told them we would leave. They could not give us enough food.”
“It is more than enough to make the journey to Delphi,” Medusa said softly.
Stheno nodded. “We shall eat well.”
“Tis troubling to see so many women and children alone in the country, though.” Euryale pulled the veils from her head. “Most of the men must have sailed off on the triremes. Or found peace at the end of a Persian sword.” She draped the veils over the single aged stool that sat beside a teetering table.
Medusa did not stare, though her serpents did. They were fascinated by her sisters, bobbing and weaving about when they first removed their veils.
“Your beasties think we are men,” Euryale snapped. “Come now, monsters, we are not so ugly as that.”
Stheno laughed, her eyes casting the slightest glance upon the serpents before turning back to their food.
Medusa laughed too, a little, for Euryale had startled her. Every serpent head turned towards her, every red eye widened and gaped. They swarmed about her, rubbing and caressing her cheeks and neck, her shoulders and forehead, with heightened hissing.
Stheno and Euryale gaped, startled by the sight.
Medusa closed her eyes, shivering in disgust at the affection they bestowed upon her.
“It’s as if…” Euryale gasped.
“They love you,” Stheno finished, her words strangled.
###
“She would not yield to him, not willingly, my lord. This you must know.” Elpis told Ariston, swaying in time with the waves. “Even Athena turned from her pleas... When she knew your life was in danger…only then did she seek out Poseidon. She had no choice in the matter.”
“I cherish her, Elpis,” his words rasped out. “Nothing could change that.”
“I fear you may find her changed.”
He nodded. How could she not be after such an ordeal?
“I will take you to Xenia, then. She is below deck, away from the rest. Her outbursts are troublesome to the others. She’s always been a fragile woman. The burden of losing Galenus, Medusa, and her home were too much for her.”
Ariston followed her down the ladder. “I’ve no intention of alarming her.”
“Then you must not press her for answers she does not have,” Elpis cautioned him. “She is not capable of sense, Ariston. Be mindful of that when she tells you things.”
He nodded before brushing past her to the lady Xenia.
Xenia sat, regarding him with steady blue eyes. She looked tired certainly, and distraught. But not mad. “You are Ariston? You are husband to my…Medusa?” Her voice possessed the dignity of a councilman’s wife. “I remember you.”
He bowed. “I am.”
“Elpis says you have questions for me? About my husband?” Her voice sharpened slightly, but her eyes held his.
Her pulse, he noted, beat steadily in her throat. She did not seem greatly agitated. As yet. “Was he taken by the Persians?”
“He was not taken. Go, see for yourself. You will find him there.”
Ariston paused, careful with his words. “Is he living?”
“Is he living?” She stared at him. “By the Gods, I know not.”
He knelt before her, speaking in soft tones. “Can you tell me what happened, lady?”
She glanced about, her eyes scouring the darkness. “I can. But you will think I am mad, as the others do. But I am not, I assure you.” She met his gaze. “The Gods have cursed us, Ariston. They cursed my home and my family.”
Ariston swallowed, uncertain which was greater – his irritation or his apprehension. “What curse do you speak of?”
She shook her head, her words coming out in a rapid flow. “I know only what I saw. Whether at Medusa’s hands or those of her Gorgon sisters, the Gods have unleashed something terrible upon those sisters.” She swallowed. “Medusa, so lost in her grief, went to Athena against all counsel. You know this?” She waited until he nodded. “Her sisters were readying to leave, to take her to their father, or I’m certain they would have prevented her. But then the alarm was issued and the house fell into chaos….” Her eyes traveled over Ariston’s face. Tears filled her eyes and she reached out to him.
He felt her sadness and took her hand in his.
“She loved you dearly…poor child.” She broke off. “Her sisters found her under the olive trees. She was so broken. Blood flowed freely from the ragged gash in her head… She was pale and shivered so violently…” Xenia’s eyes narrowed and she grew thoughtful, shaking her head. “There was more to it. Her head…”
“Her wound?” His voice was pinched as he forced the words around the lump in his throat.
Xenia nodded. “Euryale carried her past me. I saw the extent of her wound. She could not survive, Ariston.” She squeezed his hand.
“And Galenus?”
“Was bellowing for Nikolaos, as was his way. I sent him to tend Medusa and went to find the old man. I found him, the old fool, under the trees. As I drew closer…I saw what was left.” She leaned closer to him and whispered, “It was as if Zeus had struck him from Olympus, catching him up and casting him in slate. He was rock… But it was old Nikolaos. And there was fear on his grey face.” Her voice hitched. “I ran to Galenus, but I was…I was too late. He stood as frozen and grey as the old man, just inside Medusa’s chamber.” Her hands covered her face and she drew in great gasps of air. She spoke through her hands. “Then I saw it, I saw it. An asp… It stared at me with red eyes… It stared at me from Medusa’s shoulder.” She shivered and began to rock back and forth.
Ariston had no response for this.
“I cried out – how could I not? I did not listen as I was greatly distracted… Euryale said something about a curse from the Gods. They would go, taking the curse with them, far from Athens. Stheno said they would take Medusa’s body home to her parents for the funeral rites.” Xenia continued to rock.
“Where did they take her, Xenia? Where would I find Phorcys?”
Xenia shook her head, “You cannot follow. You cannot. Ariston, she would not want you to follow her. Your lady is gone… What you know to be your lady…she is gone from this world.”
Ariston said nothing more, but remained at Xenia’s side.
As they drew close to the docks of Athens, he helped her climb onto the deck and gave her into Elpis’ care.
“I will take her to her father’s house in Athens,” Elpis murmured. “I fear what fits visiting Galenus’ home might cause.”
Ariston nodded. “I will go to his home. If I find any of her things, I will send them to her.”
Elpis nodded. “Thank you. And…and you? What will you do?”
Ariston looked at her. “I will find my Medusa.”
Elpis met his gaze, then answered, “I bid you safe travels, my lord. And pray you find peace along the way.”
Ariston nodded. “I will, Elpis.”
Chapter Twelve
As soon as the ship touched the dock, Ariston found a mount and headed towards the Acropolis. The path was crowded, for soldiers and citizens alike worked to clear the way. He rode around them, refusing to be distracted from his purpose.
Toppled columns, fractured marble and pools of melted wax marked the site of the once regal Temple of Athena Polias. It saddened him, to see such ruination. He’d served Athena since he was a youth, her temple on Rhodes the finest on the island. And while he no longer felt devotion to the Goddess, the destruction of such a holy place still galled him.
Likely Athena would rebuild her temple, with more grandeur. She would be quick to send a message: She – and Olympus – could not be defeated. Those who challenged them or gave anything less than complete obedience would pay dearly. Ariston bit back a bitter laugh. He knew this lesson.
<
br /> The Persians should be fearful indeed.
His eyes searched the site, grieved by what he found. Not for Athena, but for Athenians – they looked here, high on Acropolis, when they felt fear, or need, or joy. Seeing the temple appeased them and lifted their burdens, for the Goddess was close and – surely – she would hear them.
“This wall next.” Ariston heard Ektor’s voice and followed it.
Ektor stood, his arms and chest blackened with soot, giving orders with confidence. He had changed, to Ariston’s eyes. In place of the eager youth he’d left stood a man.
“Ektor?” Ariston slid from the horse to clasp his forearm.
Ektor’s eyes grew round, though he took his arm eagerly. “Ariston,” he answered. “It’s good to know some stories are true. I’m glad you’re well and returned to Athens. You deserve a hero’s welcome.”
“I did what any man would do, in my place. We landed this morning, bringing Athens’ people home from Aegina.”
Ektor smiled. “It will be good to see familiar faces.”
“You have things well in order here.”
“Indeed.” Ektor paused, his face growing taut. “I… I have something of yours, I think?” He led Ariston through the rubble, to the remnants of the temple robes room. Inside all was chaos as well. The ceremonial candles were broken, a bronze incense bowl lay dented on the floor, and several wooden trays were singed black.
“What is it?” Ariston peered into the gloom, but saw nothing.
A coo sounded, deep from within.
“Thea?” he breathed.
A questioning squawk reached him.
“She will not let anyone near her,” Ektor explained. “But she is caught in a cage.”
Ariston ventured into the robes room, searching for his lady’s pet with narrowed eyes. He found her, the remnants of her cage twined about her talons. She was too delicate an owl to fly with such weight attached to her.
“Ektor, fetch me some meat,” Ariston called out before speaking to the owl. “Brave Thea, let me help you.”
The owl had wasted severely, though she cooed sweetly at his tone. His hands were quick, freeing her and lifting her against him. She cackled and cooed, leaning against him with no restraint.
“You’re well now, little one.”
She stared up at him, listening attentively.
“Here you are, Ariston.” Ektor handed Ariston a chicken wing, pulling his hand back when Thea lunged at him.
“That’s no way to thank Ektor, Thea.” But he laughed, holding the bone as the owl devoured the meat. “Has she been here the whole time?”
Ektor shrugged. “I know not. From the sight of her, it’s likely.”
Thea continued to eat, undisturbed by the men.
“What’s she holding?” Ektor asked, pointing towards Thea’s talon.
Thea lunged again, slicing Ektor’s finger with the tip of her beak.
“By the Gods, you are a wicked creature,” Ektor swore, shaking his hand as a thin line of blood welled.
Ariston held the owl up, regarding her with steady eyes. “She is the truest friend and ally.”
Thea ruffled her chest feathers and shook her wings, with none of her normal sturdiness. Ariston stifled the urge to steady her. Thea was a hunter. She would not appreciate being coddled. She was weak from being so long without food, water or light, but she was strong and would recover… Like her mistress.
His heart tightened.
“She likes you well enough.” Ektor wrapped his finger as he spoke. “You see what treasure she’s protecting so vigorously.”
“What have you there, Thea?” Ariston asked softly, his hand moving closer to the owl’s right talon. It was small, he could not see it clearly between the bird’s talons. A leather cord looped about one of Thea’s legs, its ends dangling. His fingers stroked her foot and Thea opened her claw, giving it to Ariston without hesitation.
The small carved owl looked up at him from his palm. He remembered the smile on her face as she’d lifted her hair for him to tie the cord.
Pain found him, cutting more deeply than the sword that sent him to Hades. His hand fisted about it as he sucked in a sharp breath. The cord had been broken. The knot was still tight, but the leather had been stretched or yanked firmly to remove it.
“What is it?” Ektor peered around Ariston’s shoulder.
“A gift I gave to my lady wife before I left.” Ariston’s voice was low and controlled. He swallowed, meeting Thea’s large yellow eyes to find his sorrow reflected there. His next words were a broken whisper, too soft for Ektor to hear. “You kept it for her, didn’t you, Thea?”
Thea blinked at him.
She knew what had happened to Medusa. This mighty and loyal creature had been caged, locked away from her lady. But Thea would have fought to be free. She would have fought anyone to stay with Medusa…
Unless Medusa ordered her to stay?
Even as the thought occurred to him, he dismissed it. If that was the way of it, Thea would not have been caged.
Medusa loved Thea. She would have ensured her pet had the best care, if she’d been able.
How had they been parted then?
Whatever had happened, he knew it was not Athena’s will. While he had no doubt of Poseidon’s treachery, Athena would not turn away from one who’d loved and served the Goddess so completely.
He would not believe it.
“How fares those homes beyond Athens’ defenses?” Ariston’s eyes strayed in the direction of Galenus’ house.
Ektor’s eyes followed. “The Persians left a path of death and plague, Ariston. Galenus’ house was not spared.” His voice lowered. “Hesiodos has been instructed to burn it.”
Urgency rose within him, pushing against his fragile control. “When?” He shifted the owl, bracing her against him and wrapping his cloak about her.
“This eve, if he can manage it. They set out to find any injured or displaced citizen, to bring them inside the walls that have been repaired. But they’ve been charged with burning out those homes touched by Persian hands, with their pestilence. It was thought best to do so before Athens’ citizens returned to their country homes, but it was too great a task.” Ektor regarded him, his voice pleading as he said, “Ariston, Galenus’ home was infected… There is talk of some strange…”
“Have you been, Ektor?” Ariston asked with authority. “Have you ventured outside of Athens or from the temple since the Persians left?”
Ektor sighed but shook his head. “No, sir, but I fear your journey will lead you to nothing but more death.”
“Well then, worry not over me. I’ve bested death once. I’m sure it will go easier the second time.” Ariston clasped arms with the youth and swung up onto his horse. He turned the animal towards Galenus’ house but glanced back at Ektor. “I would ask a favor, once more?”
Ektor’s brow furrowed, but he nodded. “Ask.”
Ariston pulled a sack of coin from his cloak, tossing it to Ektor. “My lady’s companion, Elpis, and the lady Xenia have returned this day. They will stay in Athens but they have no man to care for them…”
“I will look after them. I am most relieved to know Elpis is well…the Lady Xenia as well. Will be a pleasure to serve them, though I’ve no need of this.” He held up the sack.
“Appease me, keep it. Times will be hard for some time yet.” Ariston smiled. “That it pleases you to look after Elpis pleases me more than you know. And my lady as well, I’m sure. May the Goddess bestow blessings on you.”
“Blessings to you, sir.”
Ariston nodded before turning the horse towards the country.
He made the trek quickly, appreciating the speed of the horse beneath him. If he’d been forced to travel on foot, his heart and lungs would have struggled under the pace he’d have set. Instead he nudged his mount onward, surveying the countryside with mounting sadness.
The road was littered with destruction. Livestock lay dead, shacks burned and smoking, not a
herder or herd animal in sight. It was a far cry from the peaceful country he’d left only months before. Even the sky seemed grey. No doubt the fires still burning lent their soot to the hovering gloom. But no birdsong or blooms greeted him. It was silent, cold and barren.
Galenus’ gate was open. The donkey and goats ambled about, apparently unharmed and content to roam freely.
Thea cackled, seeking escape from his robes.
“You know where we are then?” he asked.
She cooed at him, balancing unsteadily on his forearm while she assessed the grounds of her once regal home.
The house was dark. And silent, Ariston noted. Great gaping chunks of wall had been knocked away, blackened by fires no doubt set by his enemy. Boxes and clothes spilled out of the door of the great house. Such items had obviously been intended for the cart that waited, unharnessed and empty, in the courtyard.
“Galenus?” he yelled out.
There was no answer. He had not expected one. But he had hoped.
Thea cooed and cackled, shifting from foot to foot.
“Can you fly, little one?” he asked, for the small owl seemed determined to try. “Show me the way.”
She stared at him, absorbing his words before fluffing up her chest. After a moment’s hesitation she climbed up his arm and settled on his shoulder with a muffled screech.
He moved towards the door.
###
Poseidon leaned against the column, listening to Hera and Aphrodite with increasing interest.
“I thought today was a reprieve from the council. We sit in the gardens, not the Council Chamber,” Ares sighed. “No more prattling on about these affairs, I beg of you.”
“Then stop interrupting us.” Aphrodite smiled at him, the kind of smile a lover bestows. Aphrodite could smile at a man no other way, it was her nature. But the Goddess of Love would be wise not to flaunt her charms in front of Hera.
“Speak plainly so the feasting can begin in earnest,” Ares returned Aphrodite’s smile with narrowed eyes.
“While Aphrodite and I have little in common, we are both wise to the ways of the world.” Hera shot a dark glance at Ares as she said, “We are women, in every sense. It is easier for us to discern this Medusa’s nature.”
Medusa, A Love Story (The Loves of Olympus) Page 22
