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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9f57f44 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,13 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text +*.htm text +*.html text +*.png binary +*.jpg binary +*.svg text +*.pdf binary +*.bmp binary +*.zip binary +*.midi binary +*.mp3 binary diff --git a/822-8.txt b/822-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7c760b7 --- /dev/null +++ b/822-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11178 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tarn of Eternity, by Frank Tymon + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +** This is a COPYRIGHTED Project Gutenberg eBook, Details Below ** +** Please follow the copyright guidelines in this file. ** + +Title: The Tarn of Eternity + +Author: Frank Tymon + +Release Date: April 14, 2013 [EBook #822] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TARN OF ETERNITY *** + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Worldwide Book Rights +(C) 1995 Frank Tymon + + + + +THE TARN OF ETERNITY + +(Previous title, "When the Water Lilies Bloom") + +by Frank Tymon + + + + + +The Garden of Persephone + +Dry and sere it lies. Where once beauty bloomed, weeds and +briars grow, as grow untrimmed bushes once flowering plants. + +They flower not. + +Paths meander through the drear landscape. In earlier time +lovingly attended, now lie they under gray dust and blowing +brown leaves. All paths, in good time, led to the garden gate, +its posterns now long whitened by blowing wind and sand. + +Dry ditches, ground cracked, dust and sand stretch from the +broken gate. The gate, the fence - fallen, twisted, even as the +garden. + +By day the sun burns harshly the once green grass. By night the +chill of winter coats each plant with killing frost. Gusting +winds tear and rip where once soft zephyrs blew. + +In bygone days bloomed here red roses, and pink carnations. The +lilacs' fragrance, the soft beauty of the violets, the +brilliant yellow of the sunflower graced long ago this garden. + +The bees hummed contentedly, and butterflies floated from +flower to flower. Gentle rains caressed the brilliant blossoms, +the verdant leaves. Dewdrops glistened on green leaf at +morningtide. + +Of evening, sang the nightingales. By day, birdsong and happy +bird chatter filled the air. In vibrant colors warblers and +finches courted here, and yellow canaries darted from tree to +tree. Flying jewels, the hummingbirds, decorated the flower +gardens. + +Always blue skies above, and soft caress of the warm sun. At +times, white clouds drifted softly, released the gentle rain. +The flowers opened wide, washed their bright faces in the +crystal drops. The falling moisture fed the myriad streams, and +cooled the noontime air. + +Rivulets flowed with delicate tinkling sound amidst the +flowers. In the clear waters darted fish of brilliant hue, red +and gold. Here grew the waterflowers along the bank, and +watercress. + +A pond there was, cool water where swam the ducks and wild +geese. From time to time awkward goslings there swam, and +ofttimes the graceful swan. + +Growing there, also, the pure white beauty of the waterlilies. +Their beauty hid a message of foreboding. A message, by the +Gods' grace, that Persephone could not read. + +Here dwelt peace and tranquillity, rest from toil, relief from +care. + +Here walked, with gentle grace of fawn, Persephone in happier +days. The beauty of the flowers faded in comparison to her +beauty. Bright eyed, smooth skinned, lips the color and softness +of the rose petals she added beauty to the already beautiful. +The happy chatter of the birds was lost in the happy laughter of +this child. Here she tended her flowers with loving care, +dreamed the dreams of youth - and blissfully knew nought of the +trials to come. + +Bird music filled the air, each performer more talented than +the other. Nature painted the garden with hues beyond man's ken. +Persephone danced in joy beneath the warm sun, sang with the +birds. + +Ceres watched with happy smile, her daughter. + +Yet felt the chill of premonition. + +Such was the Garden of Persephone. + +And that, long since. + + + +The Garden of Pluto + +Darkness! + +Not the gentle poetic darkness of a summer evening, softly +hiding the courting rites of youth, bringing peace and rest to +a tired world. Nor the friendly shadow one finds in the depth of +quiet forest, sheltered from the noonday sun. + +The darkness of Hades has nought in common with these. + +Clasp your hands before your eyes, pressing close against your +lids. Open wide your eyes and try to see. Feel the absolute +darkness pressing in upon you! + +This the darkness of Hades. A darkness that presses on your +very eyes. And more! A darkness that envelopes mind and soul! An +unending and solid darkness, not of this world. + +This is the darkness of Hades! This is the darkness of the +damned! + +In Pluto's garden, earth's flowers do not grow. Yet grow there +plants. + +Strange, distorted semblances of earthly growth, they twist and +writhe. They search for a non-existent sun, thirst for never +falling water. The roses thorns have, yet have they not the +blossoms. + +Yet is there beauty. + +The mystic asphodel here grows. With blossoms seen, now unseen, +hues rainbow inspired. Waxlike and translucent they grow in +abundance in this, the abode of the dead. They bloom in the deep +night of Hades, their aroma rousing hopeless hope, and forlorn +memories. The fragrance clashes with the evil ambiance of +eternal misery. Trampled 'neath the hooves of Pluto's chargers, +yet they ever rise again. Their strange beauty carpets the +pastures of Hades. Their gentle perfume permeates the fields and +streams of hell. + +In Persephone's garden do gentle streams trickle. + +Not so in Hades. + +Here flows the Styx, the River of Hate, nine times round the +infernal region, dark waters flooded with ancient mysteries. The +Acheron, the Mother of Sorrows, carrying in its stream the woes +of all mankind, merges with the darker waters of the Cocytus, +land of the doomed wanderer. Here even the waves and ripples cry +out, and none but Charon dare the fearsome tide. + +Phlegethon flows here. Cooling water, water to assuage one's +thirst, to cool one's brow? + +No! + +Fire! Liquid fire! With consistency of molten lava the glowing +red stream burns all within its path. + +And here also Lethe. The one good gift in all of Hades. A +draught from the stream cleanses the mind of all remembrances. +The evil acts, regretted, are no more. The rare acts of +kindness, bright gems in memory, fade. What was, what might have +been, washed away by this one blessed draught. Even, 'tis said, +gentle Lethean dews bring blessed forgetfulness, release from +love lost, sin committed. + +The mighty rivers flow, and in the depth of Hades merge into a +thunderous stream. Dense dark fog rises from that surface, more +black than gray, then fades to rise again. Here, midst meadows +of asphodels, the monstrous stream surges and pounds in a huge +moat, guardian to the great castle. + +A moat deep and broad, home of fabled creatures, forbidding and +dark. From its surface exudes pestilential odors, and a drop of +malignant liquid from its depths, extracted from time to time, +spreads all repugnant ills upon the world. The misery of +cholera, the evil plague, unnamed and unknown diseases are its +behest to mankind. + +That castle, the centerpiece of the Garden of Pluto, rises high +and majestic upon the far shore beyond the turbulent moat. Its +design, a strange and fascinating beauty, both attracts and +repels. Turrets rise - and yet they waver in one's vision, fade, +and rise again. From windows shine light of fire within, +replaced at times by grotesque shadows on the panes. + +The walls of purest white as though purity dwelt therein. A +drawbridge, extending well above the angry waters below. Huge +chains, cold and foreboding, wait patiently to lift its massive +weight. A door, broad and tall, dark, blocks rather than +welcomes the visitor. Above that door gargoyles of weird design +look down. Living, or hewn from stone, they cast a spell of evil +on all who pass this portal. + +Within the guests of Pluto enjoy the viands from the far +reaches of earth. Wines to challenge even the nectar of +Olympus. Their bouquet ethereal and light, they entice and +capture. Food both delicate and strong. Strong meaty tastes, and +gentle taste of dainty herbs. Spices, strange and delicate +fruits. Music and song and dance, with cymbals, and stringed +instruments, and drums. With singers whose beauty rivals the +beauty of their song. And dancers nimble as wild goat, smooth +and gracious as swan. All these and more - for Pluto has on call +the most brilliant of entertainers. + +Poets read their masterpieces, novelists theirs. Artists +display their paintings, statues. Musicians play with infinite +skill. Nothing is lacking, for all are on call in this kingdom. +Every art is represented here. Brilliance is not rare. Nor is +beauty. + +Conversation is gay and never ending. Humor of all sorts is +heard. Skits are performed to thunderous applause. Joy and good +cheer abound. Laughter fills the halls again and again. + +The dances are spirited, with happy couples moving in perfect +timing with the music of world famous bands. + +Pluto looks on the festivities, notes when interest fades, +introduces new diversions, keeps the activity ever moving, ever +exciting. + +Yet with his best efforts, at times, the sound of revelry +fades. From out the walls, from beyond the moat, the moans and +lamentations, screams of never-ending pain, weeping. Misery lies +without. And all the charades within the castle walls cannot +disguise that this is, indeed, the abode of the damned. Always, +like a blanket of gloom, reality envelopes that great castle. + +And finally, in the early morning hours, the guests are +spirited back to their earthly abodes. The musicians put away +their instruments, the entertainers retreat to their dressing +rooms, the great hall is cleaned, and all who have catered the +festivities return once more to their fated punishment. + +Only Pluto remains, seated, dour and melancholy, on the great +throne. + +No bright and lilting music, no gay conversation, no happy +laughter masks the lamentations from without. + +The party is over! + +This is the Garden of Pluto. + + + +The Garden of Persephone, unattended, lies in waste. + +The Garden of Pluto endures, tended by slaves who dream of +emancipation - and labor eternally. + +The Garden of Pluto endures - today, tomorrow, forever! + +1. Beginning + +"Demo, Listen!" Petulant anger was in her voice. + +"He's chasing the chickens again! You really must do something +about that dog. Hurry, now, before he catches one." His mother's +usually calm mien had disappeared. She had raised a fine flock +of chickens and was proud of every one. To her chagrin, Rough +had acquired a taste for chickens. + +"Rough, leave them be! Come here!" + +The dog at first wagged its tail, then let it droop between its +legs as it noted the tone of voice. Slowly it approached, its +head hung low, expectant of punishment. + +"Rough, I am the greatest hunter in the village. No, I am the +greatest hunter in the whole of Greece. None but I can draw this +bow. None but I can hit the mark, time after time. None can +shoot an arrow for such a distance!" + +His mother smiled. Only 17, yet with the assurance of youth, he +boasted of his skill. Well might he do so. For years his bow and +arrows had fed them well. Today he would foray in search of +deer. + +"And you! All you can hunt is chickens! Well, you are growing. +Soon I'll take you with me on the hunt. And we'll hunt deer, and +bear, and . . . Well, anyway, not chickens. You hear me, pup?" +Demo rubbed its head with both hands, patted the animal. + +Rough licked his palm, followed him into the house, tail +wagging. + +"Lucky for you, dog, that you didn't catch that rooster. He'd +of flogged you good with his beak and spurs. Now, Demo, you +watch him. I wont have my chickens killed by the likes of that +mutt." Demo's mother growled in fake anger while surreptitiously +feeding Rough some scraps. + +A beautiful dog, with long light brown fur covering his body, +except for a breast of pure white, his looks belied his name. A +handsome head, intelligent eyes, and an attitude of careful +interest placated his master and mistress. + +Rough lay down quietly, gazing from one to the other. + +"Yes, you are a skilled hunter. I will make ready to cook +venison, for you never return empty-handed. You wont return +empty handed, right?" She smiled. + +She stood, stepped to his side, and hugged him for a moment. +Her face mirrored pride as she felt his strong arms around her. + +He had been a sickly child. But the Gods had been kind. With +the help of a skilled nursemaid, with good food and work and +play, he had recovered. Now a young man, tall and stalwart, +tanned by the sun he displayed none of the weaknesses of yore. +She was pleased. + +His brown eyes, dark hair, and handsome visage were no less +pleasant to her. Soon he would be looking for a mate from the +village maidens. In her mind she had already made a selection. +She glanced at him, smiled. + +Her thoughts pursued for a moment that theme. I must invite +Theresa to dine with us. Yes, they would make a handsome pair. + +His face reddened at her compliment, and he laughed in +pleasure. + +"You shall not be disappointed, Mother." + +"No, nor would I ever be. Ah, were your Father Celeus still +living. How proud he would be!" + +She filled his pouch with provender for the hunt. Cheese, and +fruit, and warm bread she had baked that day. The smell of the +warm bread and the sweet spread that coated it, the oranges, +made all look eagerly to the meal ahead. + +As she tended his meal, frying venison, he took more warm +bread from the table, shared it with Rough, and grinned as his +mother turned to catch them. + +"Demophoon! Shame! Without even asking! Do you like it? Is it +good?" + +"Mother, your bread is better than another's cake. Isn't it +Rough?" + +Rough barked with mention of his name. + + + +Watching him with both amusement and pride as he stalked into +the bordering forest, his mother Metaneira noted the approaching +storm cloud. She frowned. + +With all his strength and courage he was still but a boy. +Hopefully he will find a dry cave to shelter in. The rains will +be heavy, the winds strong. + +Even in the best of weather she felt concern when he went on +his sojourns. Too many hunters had gone out, not to return. The +Gods of the Forest did not take kindly to wanderers. And they +protected their own. + +A chill ran along her back, and she shivered. + +"Rough, I shall be glad when you can go with him. He may well +need your aid one day." + +She did not realize how prophetic were her words. + + + +Leaving their home he strode rapidly through the open forest of +oak trees. Soon the land began to rise. He climbed the high +mountains, their peaks glistening in the sun. The oak trees +gradually thinned, and pines began to take their place. And at +the higher reaches even the pines gave way to scrubbrush and +weeds. Sunlight was beginning to disappear as he climbed, and he +noted the dark thunderclouds, forming in the north. There shall +be weather by nightfall, he thought. + +"The deer will sense it. They will be searching for shelter. +And I know the grove where they will congregate, waiting for the +storm to pass." He voiced the words even as they came to mind. + +It was a habit formed of living a lonely life. Since he had +none to talk to on his frequent excursions, he talked softly to +himself. + +At times he argued with himself - now supporting a position; +now, opposing it. Such mental contests amused him, sharpened his +wits, or so he led himself to believe. + +"They will drift down to the little valley on yonder hillside. +I can be there by set of sun, or perhaps travel under moonlight, +and our larder will be well-stocked tomorrow." + +Today he didn't argue with himself. It was a good plan. He +began the climb to the mountain valley. + +Few paths led into the mountains. Torturous and narrow they +quickly petered out into animal trails or ended abruptly without +cause. Man left the mountains to Gods of the forest. Only the +bravest hunters dared their heights. + +It did not concern him. This was his world, and he climbed +steadily, finding passage where others might turn back. + +The lower reaches of the foothills were rolling and the climb +was gradual. Here grew giant trees, broadleafed under the summer +sun, bare in the cold of winter. Nevertheless, here game was +rare, as man dwelled nigh. + +As he passed the foothills the terrain became increasingly +rougher. From time to time a vertical wall of stone blocked his +way, and he detoured on twisting paths among boulders as tall as +himself. Sometimes, when no path existed for his progress, he +carefully and slowly climbed the rugged precipice. + +"Ah, " he smiled, "would I could fly." He gazed upward, noted +dangerous routes, continued his climb. Panting from his efforts +he progressed ever upward, soon reaching levels where only the +evergreens grew. And as he went upward still, even these grew +more rarely, and more diminutive in form. A few, twisted and +gnarled, hung tenaciously to the near barren earth, their forms +bowed in submission to the power of the wind. + +As he leaped from boulder to boulder one twisted beneath his +foot. The motion of the stone threw him to the side of the +trail, to the outer edge of the pathway. Loose dirt and gravels +rattled downward, bounced from jutting ledges, disappearing into +the fog that hid the rock-strewn surface at the cliff's base. + +With the agility of youth he caught his balance, danced to a +more solid footing. For a moment he sat down, grinned at the +incident as he gazed over the edge of the precipice that might +have welcomed him. He picked up a pebble, tossed it over the +rim, watched and listened as it careened downward from ledge to +ledge. He shook his head. + +"Could have been me." + +He grinned, tossed another pebble. It rattled down the +surfaced, bounced outward. + +"No, no way, not me." + +He leaned back for a moment, relaxed in the warming rays of the +sun, filtered at times by the gathering clouds. + +He rubbed his ankle, winced at the pain. "Well, not broken. I +think I'll cut a staff. Too bad. May slow me." + +Even as he fashioned the staff his thoughts wandered. He +thought the deep, deep thoughts of youth. The concerns for +tomorrow. His search for a goal beyond the hunting and fishing +of his daily life. His companions had gone diverse ways. Some +were now merchants, others farmers, a few followed the sea. Some +very few had disappeared into the wilds, destined to join outlaw +bands. Perhaps he should become, as his Father, a farmer. + +To plow the fields, plant, and watch the harvest grow. Marry +and raise a family. + +"Mother would like that. She would favor Theresa. And I do like +her. " + +He put his weight on the staff, walked back and forth. The +ankle was swollen, ached, but he would manage. + +His thoughts once more returned to the future. Married, a home +of his own? It was not unappealing. Ah, but he could not forsake +the mountains, give up the hunt! Anyway, there was time enough. + +"There is tomorrow, and many tomorrows to come. Time enough." + +High above a flock of wild geese flew, their path southward +toward the sea. Clouds, winddriven, chased them across the +darkening sky. In the distance lightning flashed between dark +cumulus clouds. Quickly the rumble of thunder followed. He felt +the cool breeze ruffling his hair, heard its whisper in his ear. +Another burst of thunder. "Close, very close." he murmured. +"Best I be moving on. Still, the wind is shifting. Perhaps it +will pass by." + + + +Above the whisper of windrustled leaves he heard a different +noise, the soft pad of footsteps approaching. He frowned. By the +sound he knew them to be human, and likely two people. But who +would be traveling here at this time, with the impending storm? + +Rising, Demo slipped silently into the bordering underbrush, +moved to the meager shelter of a gnarled pine. He lay flat at +its base, obscured by its trunk from any curious eyes that might +gaze from the pathway. + +Tales passed by word of mouth of robber bands, brigands who +made their home in the forests. Furtive, deadly, they survived +by waylaying unwary travelers. Perhaps exaggerated tales, but +few honest men dared the high mountains! + +He waited, eyes wide, controlling breathe and movement. + + + +"I tell you, I saw the boy. He was young, scampered up the +slopes like a mountain goat. And he carried a pouch. There could +be gold. At least he should have food, and our larder is nearly +empty." + +The speaker and his comrade came into sight at the mouth of a +dark ravine. + +"Maybe a kid out on a hunt. Or maybe a trick. He could be here +looking for us, with a band ready to follow. They were peaceful +enough in the village when we took only a few coins and needed +food. It's when you killed that tradesman all changed. Now they +are afraid, and they are hunting desperately for us." + +"True. Anyway, it was dispatch him or be taken prisoner. And I +say we do the same with this one. I say we find this lad, open +his gullet, take his pouch and toss him off yonder crag. This is +our territory, and we want no trespassers!" He grinned, pleased +at the thought. + +The speaker was medium height, burly, and his face wore an +angry scowl. His companion was taller. The shorter man was +plainly the leader, and the tall one listened more than talked. + +"He had a bow." + +"We come up behind him, end it quickly. His bow is of no +consequence." + +"Say, look here. Something's happened here. Look at the stones, +and the footprints." + +They knelt where Demo had nearly taken a fall, examined the +disturbed stones, and the surrounding ground. + +"You're right, someone has been here. And it looks like they've +decided to stay - down there." The tall man pointed over the +brink of the escarpment toward the valley floor. + +"The path ends here, and that's a fact. Well, if he went over +at this point he's a goner. Too bad. Wonder what he had in that +pouch?" + +They glanced cautiously out over the edge of the precipice. The +short man suddenly gave the tall one a half shove. + +"You idiot! What if I'd slipped. I'll rap you on that thick +skull if you do a fool thing like that again!" + +The shorter one grinned. "Ah, it was just in fun. I'd not send +you over." + +"No, not unless you were for taking all the coins for yourself. +Just keep your distance. Maybe you saw nothing at all, just +wanted to get me out here where it'd be easy. No, Rooster, I +trust you not at all." + +The burly man pulled a dagger from his belt, still grinning. +"You think too much, friend Peter. Nevertheless, I like it! It +is an excellent idea!" + +The blade darted out! Missed! + +The Peter stepped back quickly, slipped, fell sideward, slid +toward the cliff! + +He grabbed the ankle of his companion. The Rooster kicked his +face! Blood spurted from a broken nose, covered the sandled +foot! Rooster pulled and jerked, trying to free his leg, but +Peter held on doggedly. + +"Damn you." Peter spat at his attacker. He grabbed a rock, rose +to his knees, still grasping Rooster's ankle. His opponent +pulled away, his eyes on the rock. Red blood flowed from Peter's +torn skin and swollen nose. Peter lashed out desperately with +the rock, crashing it against his companion's knee. + +"Damn you, you've broken my leg!" Rooster cursed, slashed at +Peter's rock hand as both slid toward the waiting cliff. + +Dropping the rock Peter, too, drew a knife, slashed at +Rooster's leg. + +A boulder interrupted their slide. They both struggled to their +feet. + +"I'll see you in hell," Rooster thrust once more with his +weapon. + +The blade sliced through flesh, hit bone. Peter, wounded in the +left side, gasped, staggered backward. + +With a grimace his burly assailant suddenly rushed forward, +slashing wildly. + +Peter, leaping sideward, felt the stones rolling beneath his +feet. + +Ground gave way, and he screamed. At the same moment he grabbed +the Rooster's arm, yanked him forward. + +For a moment they staggered on the edge of the precipice. + +It ended quickly! + +Even as they fought the ground quivered beneath their feet! +Then, with a low rumbling, the ledge on which they fought began +to slide. White-faced they dropped their weapons, scrambled to +reach a firm foothold. + +It was to no avail! + +Their frightened screams mingled with the growing roar of the +falling boulders, lasted only seconds. Demo lay still, unable to +rise. The screams had ceased. Now nothing else was heard save +the rattle of falling stones. Dust rose from the cliffs edge, +quickly blew away by a vagrant breeze. + +Demo lay still. It had happened so quickly! + +They had stood on the trail, talking, friends it seemed. And in +moments they had turned on one another, fought! And now - they +were gone. + +Dead! + +He shuddered. + +"Ah, how my heart is beating!" He stood up. "Dead, and in but a +few heartbeats of time!" He leaned on his staff, took a deep +breath. "And that's what they would have done to me!" + +He moved gingerly from his retreat. + +He listened carefully. + +"There are no more of them . . . ?" He glanced fearfully toward +the ravine from which they had emerged. + +There was only silence. + +Slowly Demo edged up to the brink of the precipice, slowly +peered downward. + +Nothing could be seen save a few scattered boulders and a few +dark patches lying ominously quiet. + + + +He turned now downward, turned his back on the lonely +desolation of the higher peaks. His thoughts remained with the +scene that had just occurred. + +Long he had heard of brigands and outlaws in the high +mountains. In appearance these had looked no different than his +neighbors in the valley. Yet they had destroyed each other in +acts of senseless violence. + +"May the Gods keep me! What strange mad creatures we humans +are!" he whispered to himself. He paused, leaned against the +bole of a tree. He felt nauseated, weak. They were not old, +certainly younger than his Mother. And now, snuffed out, gone. +He sat down, his back against the tree. + +It could have just as easily been me. He took a deep breath. It +was me they wanted. And they would have killed me just as +quickly. A shiver ran through his body. + +"Is life so very cheap?" He looked at his hands, held them in +front of his face. "It can end so quickly. " + +He had never thought about it. Never given death even a second +thought. But now it would not leave his mind. A quick slash with +a knife, a blow to the head, a fell from a crag. And it is over. + +The only death he had ever know was that of his Father. And he +had been quite young. It had been lonesome without him, sad. +But he had not understood how very final it was. He had always +thought, in a childish way, that his Father would return. +Perhaps, strangely, even 'til now. + +He hadn't thought of his Father for a long while. He knew not +why, but tears welled from his eyes. For a few moments he sat +beneath the tree, sobbing. Now I begin to understand. How +strange, after all these years. And yet he had always missed his +Father. But he had never cried before. He shook his head. + +His Mother had cried. He remembered, at night, listening to her +sobs. He had walked to her bed, hugged her, and she kissed him. +But he had not really understood. Now he did. How very strange. +How insensitive we are, unknowingly. + +Biting his lip he rose, glanced back toward the escarpment. +With an effort he brought his thoughts once more to the hunt. +Did the deer ever think of death? Was the buck fearful, +constantly watchful for the hunter? How very strange the world! + +He began his descent, wide-eyed and watchful. There could be +others around any tree, any boulder! + +His concern was not warranted, for he met neither brigands nor +wild beast. The mountain slopes were silent. As though the men +had never existed, had never disturbed the peace and calm of the +placid heights. + +The valley he sought lay far below, tree encompassed. The +downward path would be easier. Even now he walked mid patches of +green grass and verdant bushes. Wild flowers bloomed, occasional +berry bushes provided sustenance, and he ate, then stopped. + +Here he was eating, enjoying the mountains bounty! And they! +Lying dead, who had but moments before lived and breathed as did +he. How short the distance between survival and abundance. He +thought again of the scene he had watched. + +The thought continued to shock him. His thoughts were more +often on material things, on stalking the deer, catching the +fish from the streams. He shook his head, driving away dismal +thoughts as he lengthened his stride toward the distant valley. + +"Well, I must be careful. Mother was right. There are brigands +about. My, that ankle does ache. But I promised Mother venison." +He leaned on the staff to lessen the pain. + +The high mountains beckoned with promise of game. Above the +domain of man the deer browsed. At times threatened by wolf or +the mountain lions, they flourished still. To the hunter who +dared these slopes a day without success was rare. + +The storm clouds were nearing rapidly. The air preceding their +arrival was beginning to cool. The odor of rain wafted ahead of +the storm. And the odor of ozone, accompanying the frequent +lightning flashes. Drifting downward from the peaks, dark +thunderclouds forewarned of imminent danger. Long rumbles of +thunder followed the frequent flash of lightning. And the wind +blew continuously, a mournful sound at times steady, but more +frequently gusting in sudden fury. The trees swayed wildly under +the ministrations of Aeolus. + +The deer, driven by the storm, drifted more rapidly toward the +valley for shelter. They were small, at times indistinguishable +because of the distance. Still could he make out, or so +imagined, antlered bucks among them. The best of these would +fall to his arrow. In spite of the weather he would indeed be +there by sundown. It would be a good hunt. In his mind he could +smell the cooking venison. + + + +Ceres watched her world with happy smiles. Soft rains nurtured +the crops, and harvests would be bountiful. Bees from flower to +flower flew, humming as they went their industrious way. Grain +grew tall, and every tree limb bent low, weighted with its +fruit. Grapes were bounteous, green grapes and blue, others +purple and red. + +Ceres watched with jealous heart. Every seed to her was sacred. +If but one failed to put forth its plant she fretted. If several +slept lazily under the fertile soil her lips tightened in +concern. A limb that bore no fruit, a plant that failed to +flower - all drew from her the like concern. + +Yet she was happy, for though man must toil to reap, his +rewards were plentiful. The grapes, swollen purple, ready to +burst with sweetness, soon would go to press. Bacchus would +receive his devotees, frolicking, carousing, and celebrating +joyful times. For the people were thankful for the wealth of +food their land produced, and gave thanks through their +celebrations. + +Ceres watched her daughter playing amidst the flowers of their +garden. Winsome and gay and ever active she darted among the +plants, now chasing a colored butterfly; now dancing with a +flirting breeze. + +Soon her education must begin. The ways of the wind, of the +storm gods, and of Earth herself must she learn. The many +plants, their names and their fruit, were to be learned. When +and where to sow, how deep the seed to plant. Harvesting, and +storing the harvest, were skills she must have. Preparing the +foods to satisfy the taste and body - so many wonderful and +exciting secrets of the world! + +But, for now, let her play. Her curiosity would teach her much. +Observant, Persephone noted each subtle change in plant and in +the land. Inquisitive, she asked of Ceres question after +question, probing to find how and why and what of each event, +each object. + +Ceres watched with pride her lovely child. + +And wondered at the dark sense of foreboding that would not +leave her mind. + + + +Brooding, his eyes half closed, Pluto sat on his sumptuous +throne. Ornate with jewels - diamonds and rubies, sapphires and +amethyst, green jade and blue turquoise - it held the treasures +of the world. Decorated with filigree of silver and gold, it +dominated the room. Or would have, were it not for its occupant. + +Zeus and Poseidon, his brothers, were heroic figures before man +and Gods. Strong, handsome, powerful - they were admired, +worshipped. + +Not so, Pluto. + +Face and form hideous to behold he ruled the nether world. Not +admiration, nor worship were his. Rather, fear! + +His appearance aroused it. He stood huge over the poor +supplicants who pleaded for release from this, the eternal +prison. A skin of leathery hue, plated in metallic scales that +gleamed in light of candle. Misshapen form, twisted, broken. A +face of ghastly white, lined with deep marks that twisted with +his thoughts, pitted with pock marks. He projected fear and +evil. His kingdom reinforced it. The tales and rumors that +spread among men, and even on high Olympus, did little to +dissipate that fear. + +Only his eyes, often hidden by lowered lids, belied his +appearance. For they reflected the pity and compassion in his +soul. + +At his invitation the great castle filled with revelers. Yet, +in their presence or alone, Pluto had no feeling of belonging. +His was a lonely world, a world apart. + +Companionship, friendship, understanding - these were denied +him. + +And, also, love. + +Pluto brooded. + +2. The White Owl + +Demo suddenly heard thrashing, mixed with the distress call of +a bird. Rounding a bend in the mountain trail he quickly +stopped. Before him was a scene of impending tragedy. + +An owl, beautiful, with white feathers, struggled. Enmeshed in +a clever trap it was unable to break free. A cunning net had +extended above the narrow ravine, and the bird had triggered an +ingenious mechanism that released the net. Its wings threshed +uselessly as it tumbled on the rocky ground. + +And creeping ever closer, a fox. Its eyes gleamed in +anticipation. Saliva dripped from its open mouth. The sun's rays +reflected from the glistening fangs. Brown and white matted fur +clung tightly to its body. Gaunt and hungry, its every muscle +tensed, it waited eagerly for the right moment to strike. + +It crouched to spring, inched closer to its prey. + +"No you don't." Demo whispered the words. Laying aside the +staff, smoothly, with hardly a thought, Demo drew an arrow from +its pouch. Notching it to the string he drew the bow. + +Even as he did so the fox sprang, jaws open wide. + +With a whistle the arrow flew through the air! + +The fox, startled, twisted to avoid the danger. + +Too late! + +The arrow struck him at the peak of his leap. It struck high on +his haunch, cut deep into the upper leg. The arrow's force +knocked the animal sideward, and he fell short of his victim. + +Even as the fox fell the world burst asunder in a thunderclap +of sound. The force of a sudden wind drove Demo to his knee, +almost stunned. + +He froze in that position, starred in consternation at the +scene in front of him. + +Where the fox had fallen an imp stands, looking at him in +anger. It's hand pulls dagger from sheath. The long twisted +blade is raised threateningly. Demo takes another arrow from the +quiver. + +A louder blast of thunder feels the air and the imp looks up in +fear. With another glance of hate he dashes away into the bushes. + +But Demo's eyes are focused on another, and the imp is not now +the center of Demo's attention. The cynosure of his gaze is the +beautiful white owl. For the beautiful white owl is now more +beautiful still. + +Standing free from the trap is the princess of the forest +nymphs. She has shed the white feathers of the owl and stands +before him in innocent beauty. She smiles as his face reddens, +then steps behind some obscuring bushes. + +"What, what is it . . . !" he stammered. + +Dazed, Demo backed away. "This is unreal. It can not be +happening. Imps, and Goddesses - these are but stories. Where am +I? This is not the world I know. Who am I that I meet with imps +and Goddesses. Enough that this day I have seen death. " He +mouthed the words, but no sound came. + +He closed his eyes, opened them. + +She did not go away. + +"You have saved me from the minions of Pluto, the God of +Hades. And for that you shall be rewarded. I shall take you as +my husband, and you shall live with me forever. We will dwell +among the Gods, and you shall ever be my protector." + +The lilting beauty of her voice entranced him. It caressed him +as the gentle notes of a favorite song. Bewitched, he ignored +the content of her words, merely listened to tone of her voice.. + +"Come with me. I am Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. We must tell +Zeus. There will be great rejoicing on Olympus. Zeus feared I +should never find a suitable husband! Yet, here you are!" + +She reached out for his hand. They never touched, for then, +twice in this one day, a mysterious force intervened. Looking +upward he saw great dark clouds boiling. From their depth a +streak of lightning sundered the ground between him and Athena. +Dust and rubble filled the air, and the ground shook beneath his +feet. + +A mighty voice, deep and vibrant, rumbled from the heavens. + +"Mortal, dare you even think to consort with the Gods!" + +For a moment he heard no other sound. He looked up in awe at +the darkened sky. The silence enwrapped him as a shroud. Even +the wind whispered not. + +"On your way! Back to your valley!" + +Lightless, the sky seemed only a black blanket drawn over his +head. The winds once more gusted, tearing angrily at trees and +bushes. The thunder rumbled ominously in preparation for another +lightning strike. + +"Marry for yourself a simple galleymaid. Do not anger the +mighty Zeus! Husband to Athena? Bah!" + +He shrank back in dismay, wide-eyed. + +Though he was silent, Athena bravely replied. "He has saved me +from your evil brother, Pluto. He has risked his life for mine. +He shall be rewarded. Oh mighty Zeus, if you love me, grant this +to me." + +Rumblings reverberated from the walls of the mountain canyon. +Finally they give way to silence. Then, with brief lightning +flashes from cloud to cloud, there is a response. + +"Very well, my dear. Perhaps it shall be as you desire. He's a +brave young man. Striking down a minion of Pluto alone does not, +of itself, make him deserving. Nevertheless, he may indeed join +us on Olympus." + +The voice stopped, the clouds darkened even more. The mountain, +in the midst of day, is black as midnight. + +By the sound alone he knows that Athena again reaches her hand +to him. And again a bolt from the sky separates the two. + +"No! First he must prove himself worthy." The voice once more +thunders. "To win the hand of a Goddess is not an easy chore. +But, if you prove yourself, it shall be as you desire. First, +though, . . .," - and now the voice grew soft and warm with an +assumed kindness. + +"Yes, first you must perform some minor chores. A few little +tasks, perhaps. Yes, that's it! A dozen or so little tasks. +Piddling things, actually. Hmmm, let me give some thought to +this." + +The skies were beginning to lighten. The voice of Zeus had +softened indeed, as had his mood. The clouds were rapidly +dissipating. Blue patches of sky emerged. The dark clouds +dissipated, and small white clouds drifted gently above. + +"Go home! Prepare yourself! And when I call be quick to begin +your sojourn. - Eh, yes, I think minor little chores." + +It almost sounds like Zeus is humming happily to himself. + +The wind whipped the leaves along the pathway, the clouds tore +asunder. And, even as he glanced back to earth, Athena, too, had +departed. + +Nothing remained to reflect the tragedy that might have been. +Nothing remained to reflect the beauty and wonder of Athena. Yet +. . . . + +On the ground, fluttering in the now gentle breeze, a single +memento - a pure white feather. He picked it up gently, +reverently. + +What to do? + +What to do? "This is madness. I am dreaming. Death and imps! +Goddesses and Gods. What has happened today? Can it be real!" He +looked around at the forest, at the sky. All was calm, normal. +Except for one thing. + +In his hand he held a white feather. + +Reluctantly he continued his hunt. There must be food for his +mother and himself. In spite of himself, because of the day's +events, his thoughts strayed. + +He blushed again as he thought of the beautiful Goddess. "Can I +return to my hut, live as a simple hunter, having seen her?" + +"No! As Zeus has spoken, I shall return and await his command. +After all, how difficult can be a few little chores?" + +He thought he saw the imp dancing through the bushes, chortling +in glee. + +Suddenly he tossed away the white feather. Even as it floated +down the side of the mountain he took up his weapons, returned +to the hunt. + +"How foolish can I be," he muttered to himself. "Even if it +were real. I to wed a Goddess! It cannot be!" + + + +Shadows were lengthening, soon night would fall. Nights on the +high mountain are cold and forlorn. Already the sun, hidden by +the storm clouds, neared the horizon. The sky, an angry red, +peaked through rents in the dark clouds. Large drops of rain +pelted him, cold with the hint of hail. + +Yet, swiftly, the body of the storm had swept by. The remaining +clouds drifted high above, each in its solitary domain. The wind +still gusted from time to time, momentarily, then faded. + +Tree leaves fluttered as the evening breeze began its soft +caress. In the eastern sky a single star began to shine. One of +the heaven's wanderers, not unlike himself on the earth below. + +He halted. In the copse ahead a creature moved. Sensing his +presence it froze in position. A tawny hide, revealed +momentarily between the leaves, brought a gleam to Demo's eye. + +A buck! + +Demo notched his arrow, waited silently. + +The antlered head extended above the bushes. The moist nostrils +sniffed the air. Then the buck bounded across the trail. + +The arrow flew, and without glancing at the prey he unstrung +his bow. + +As he moved toward the copse a falling leaf drifted down, +dressed in the yellow-brown of the coming season. His eyes +followed it, then he glanced toward the copse. In astonishment, +he noted that the buck was no where to be seen. Quickly he +rushed forward. Nothing! No buck, and no sign of life! + +"Not possible, not possible that I have missed! Now, where is +the deer," Demo wondered aloud. + +The light glinted on an object. He saw, lying on the forest +floor, that object. An object that caused him to freeze in +place. A beautiful white feather. And beneath it on the ground, +his arrow. Athena will not be rejected! + +Uncertainly he stared from side to side, hesitated. Finally he +picked up the feather, pressed it to his heart. + +"It is the will of the Gods!" + +He returned the arrow to its pouch, rushed through the +darkening forest to the mountain hut far below. + +"I must prepare myself. I must be ready to perform the tasks of +Zeus!" + + + +Olympus is a world far removed from this, our earthly abode. +Its laws are not as our laws, its inhabitants not as those of +earth. Here dwelt, from time to time, the twelve major Gods. +Here ruled Zeus, the ThunderGod. + +It is said the Gods, all powerful, do what they will, act as +they wish, and answer to none. + +Not true! + +Moira, to whose edicts even mighty Zeus must acquiesce, had +long before Olympus' birth assigned duties. Assigned those +duties that ever were to weigh upon the celestial house. Duties +that seemed, to those who bore them, merely whims of their own +devising. + +Zeus, forever to nudge the earth, to keep that sphere spinning +in its little space. Poseidon, ever to keep the busy waters +flowing, mixing, changing. Pluto, to warden the whole of Hades, +dealing out evenhandedly to each of the ferryman's charges that +portion of eternal punishment that each had earned. + +And each lesser God, also duties had. + +Of the Gods only Zeus sensed that strange and ever-present +being, realized that responsibilities had been assigned. He knew +not Fate by name, but knew full well the chores ever to be done. +At times he chafed under their weight, yet always returned to +his given work. Where others might have rebelled Zeus pondered, +understood, and acquiesced. And as these duties were laid on +him, he laid also duties on man. Pride, a strange duty indeed. +Yet each must be proud of himself, of his selfworth. And work he +imposed, for pride comes from work well done. The duty to love, +and to seek love were there. The duty to be gentle, and to be +harsh - and the wisdom to choose the time for each. + +Yes, Zeus tempered duties imposed, with wisdom for their +performance. + + + +When Zeus had looked on Demo he had been troubled. This +earthling would, of course, fail in one or all the tasks to be +imposed. + +And still, within, he felt the might of Moira and knew +misgivings. + +What must lie ahead, not given even for Zeus to foresee? The +plans of man and Gods go astray when Fate's dictates are ignored. + + + +"Theresa, I'm so glad you came by. Perhaps you can stay for +evening meal. Demo should return by nightfall. He's out chasing +deer. I'm sure we'll have venison. Ah, your hair! What have you +done to it! It's so different, and yet so nice. Come in. Rough!" + +She shouted at the dog, who growled low at the visitor, then +approached stiff-legged to sniff at her legs. Satisfied he +wagged his tail, deigned to graciously accept the pats the +visitor bestowed. + +"My, look how you have grown! Let me see, you're 15 now. Do you +know, I was married at 15. Such a silly girl. I knew nothing. +But he was so attentive, so kind. I fell madly in love. Are you +in love, Theresa? Every young girl should fall in love! It is a +wonderful, sad, happy experience! Do sit down." + +"I haven't seen Demo in ages. Is he well? What does he do?" +Theresa paused for a moment, adding "Has he a girl friend?" + +Metaneira smiled. + +"I'm glad you came. Here, let me get some sweetmeats and +drinks. I don't have company often. Girl friend? No, I think +not. He's too wild! What girl would want him! He fishes and +hunts and disappears into the forest for days at a time. Ah, the +poor girl who gets him for a husband!" + +Theresa sat demurely on the proffered chair. Rough lay down +beside her, comfortable that she was no threat to him, or to the +family he protected. + +"Oh, I think he is a fine boy. How old is he now? He seems so +big and strong. And he's handsome. He looks much like his +mother." + +Metaneira accepted with pleasure the compliments for her son. +After all, she herself was sure they were true. + +"No, he is his Father's image. His Father was very handsome. +Very handsome." She was silent for a moment, remembering. + +"So long ago! Theresa, do you like Demo? I think it would be +well for him to find a good woman, to settle down." She looked +searchingly into the girl's eyes. + +Theresa blushed, looked down, then looked at her. + +"I've always liked him. Still, at times he is so young and +childish. He seldom glances at me, or even at any of the girls. +The other boys chase us madly. I could have my choice, you +know!" Her voice suggested that she expected doubt. + +"You stay for supper, dear. My, I like the way you are dressed. +Come here, there are a few changes needed. Trust me." + +She examined the girl carefully. "Turn around, my dear, slowly. +Hmmm, can we tighten it ever so slightly here?" She adjusted the +girl's waistband. + +"And it is so warm. Why not leave this just a bit more open to +the air - that much. No, a little more yet." She loosed +Theresa's bodice slightly, then a bit more, suggesting rather +than exposing the smooth rise of her breasts. + +Theresa, red-faced, looked searchingly at her, then giggled. + +"We're terrible, aren't we. It isn't our fault, since a young +man is so insensitive. Sometimes you must be very forward to +wake them up. Besides, I know he likes you. He's just very shy, +and he truly knows nothing about real life. My, my, I shouldn't +be talking like this. After all, I am his mother. Don't you feel +like a conspirator?" + +They laughed together. + + + +Demo entered the yard, face flushed. Rough barked joyously, +jumped up and down in excitement. He rushed to his master, +leaped up, to receive a happy hug. + +"Mother, I must tell you what happened. I . . . ?" He paused as +both his Mother and Theresa came through the door. + +"Oh, hello, Theresa. Eh, Mother, I'll hang the venison." + +He cut and hung up the meat while the women worked and talked +in the kitchen. Once done he washed up, sat at the oaken table. + +"Theresa is staying for supper. She helped me cook. Isn't that +a lovely dress. Turn around for him Theresa. Isn't she pretty +and slender. My, Theresa, some boy will be carrying you off +before we know it!" + +Theresa twirled, blushing but smiling. Demo blinked, swallowed. +She was a very pretty girl. Yet he could not help but think of +the vision he had seen this day, and compare the two. + +The aroma of cooking meat reminded him of how long since he had +eaten. The meal of venison and vegetables, with sweetbread his +mother cooked, all washed down with wine he finished swiftly. +"How hungry I was, and how good it is! Mother, you are such a +good cook!" + +"I don't know where you can put so much food. Poor woman who +catches you. She'll spend all her time in the kitchen. Well, if +she looks like Theresa, she may spend some time in the bedroom." + +Theresa blushed, glanced under lowered eyes at Demo. + +"Demo, walk her home, will you. The moon is bright tonight, but +I've heard there are brigands about. Besides, I'm sure you could +find no lovelier company." + +They walked slowly beneath the moonlight. Theresa stumbled and +he caught her arm. She leaned close against him, took his hand. +"Thank you. I might have fallen." + +"It's all right," he responded gruffly, moving away. +Nevertheless, he left his hand in hers. + +"Demo, the moon is so beautiful tonight. Almost bright as day. +I love the moonlight. My, you are so tall. And such strong +arms!" she placed her hand around his upper arm, squeezed. + +"It's a good moon for hunting. Fortunately, our larder is full, +at least for now." + +"Then you should have more free time. Will you come and see me. +At times it is lonely. I need a true friend, one I can turn to +in time of trouble. A friend like you." + +For a moment Demo was silent. He wanted to put his arm around +her, hold her close, and tell her that she had a friend. He +didn't understand his feelings. He felt the need to hold her in +his arms. She seemed so fragile, so small and weak and helpless. +He thought of a young doe, first learning to stand. He was +confused. His thoughts wandered, today's events were on his +mind, and he hesitated. + +"Theresa, we have always been friends since we were small. When +you needed help, I have been there. It will always be so. I +guess I have always cared for you, little sister." + +They reached the door of her home, and her father stood outside +watching their approach. "Good evening, Demo. I see you have +brought her home. The pathways are safe tonight, it seems. Girl, +you mother would like to talk to you." + +"Goodnight, Demo. Please come tomorrow night." + + + +As she went inside Demo heard her mother's voice. "Girl, you +are out very late. My, your face is so bright and radiant. You +don't have a fever I hope. Oh, my, what have you done to your +dress. Turn around here. Well, you really shouldn't. Well, I +guess I did the same when I was your age. You grow up so fast, +so fast!" + +"Demo, how goes the hunting?" + +"Hunting has gone well. Our larder is full. Now I must prepare +the house for the winter season. The winds are picking up, and +we'll be getting more rain shortly. Our roof needs some repair." + +"Well, I still need more meat, but there is time enough. Walk +with me a moment, boy." + +"You and Theresa have known each other a long time. I've +watched you grow from childhood to manhood. And she'll be taking +a husband before many more seasons pass. What of you, boy? Have +you plans to marry?" + +"Sir, my plans now are mostly to care for my Mother. I . . . , +well, I suppose I shall marry in time." + +"The flowers bloom, and then they fade. Don't delay too long in +living your own life. I believe you mother would be pleased to +see you wed. Like Theresa said, why don't you stop by the house +tomorrow night. The wife is an excellent cook, and you look like +you could use a pound or two. I have some wine we shall enjoy +together. I'd like your opinion of it." + +On the way home Demo thought of the day's events. Somehow, he +thought, I have this strange feeling. As though the beaters were +driving me into a trap. + +"Strange. Yesterday I was child, without concerns." He spoke +aloud, thoughtfully, to himself. "Today I feel so very +different. I have seen death. I have seen Athena. And even Zeus +has revealed himself to me. It is as though, overnight, I have +grown up." + +And yet he felt too much the child. Everything was happening +too quickly. + +"I need time, I need a lot of time." + +Demo shook his head. Rough came running toward him, and he +laughed, skipped along the path, then ran home with the dog +barking, chasing excitedly at his heels. + + + +The rumble of wheels, the pounding of hoofs, filled the night +air. Through the darkness dashed without concern four great +stallions, pulling the dark chariot. + +At the reins was Pluto! + +Thunder rumbled through the sky, blended with the thunder of +chariot and team. The only light was that from occasional +lightning. It revealed the grim visage of the driver. + +On whatever mission Pluto rode this night, plainly it bore +heavy on his mind. + + + +Persephone sat in the garden swing, watched the night sky, the +gentle stars. A storm brewed, but like all storms, skirted her +garden. In the distance she saw the dark clouds, illumined by +the lightning's flash. + +And on the far mountain road, momentarily revealed by that +lightning flash, a chariot pulled with madcap speed by four huge +stallions. + +She frowned, then laughed away her concern. A nighthawk flew +by, identified by its nasal peent. A soft warm breeze rustled +the leaves of the lilac bush. The sweet fragrance of the lilacs +filled the air. + +Persephone swung gently, hummed quietly to herself. Looking up +she saw a shooting star, a brilliant traveler among the stars, +quickly fading. + +She laughed happily at its beauty. Then thought more somberly +of what it might portend. + +3. Waiting + +He waited impatiently. The days were growing shorter, the rains +were more prevalent. Even now, outside the hut, he heard the +drops beating with ever increasing fury. The pelting on the +roof, the whistling of the wind, and the increasing cold all +presaged an early and severe winter. + +His mother was preparing the evening meal. Luckily, on his way +home he had chanced on two bucks, and the first fell to his +ready arrow. And that two weeks afore! + +The aroma of the roasting venison permeated the little hut. His +mother hummed quietly to herself as she stirred vegetables, +skillfully added the exact measure of spices, sprinkled on tangy +herbs. Yet his thoughts wandered. Dwelling on recent activities, +his thoughts were not on food. + +Had Zeus forgotten? + +He gazed into the burning logs, listened to the crackling as he +stirred the ashes. The brilliant sparks rose and disappeared. + +Demo strode from the fire to the doorway, stared at the mist +and rain. The weather kept him from the hunt. The encounter with +the Goddess Athena occupied his mind. He had confused and +uncertain thoughts over all that had happened. Was it but a +dream? + +Now the winds began to moan through the trees. Autumn has +already touched the high mountains. He glanced out at the moist +leaves, all bright in gold and crimson hues, soon to darken. +Then they will fall. The mountains shall be barren. + +He examined the pack his mother had prepared. It contained +several days' food, for he had no idea how long he would be on +his quest. He picked up his pouch, examined each arrow in turn. +Sharpened and re-sharpened! They wait to fly straight and true +to his prey. The smell of the cooking venison again caught his +attention. + +"Eat well, my son. When you are called you will have little +time for food." His mother smiled. Yet her smile is a little +wan, for she fears for his welfare. + +"You know, Theresa is a lovely girl. She was by when you were +on your last hunt. I think she likes you." + +He ignored her comments. He has no thought for Theresa. + +"She's a very pretty girl. A little younger than you, but not +so much. Her parents look with favor on you, too." + +She glanced at him, judging the impact of her words. +Disappointed, she returned to preparing the meal. + +After eating he tested the strength of his great bow. Made of +the finest wood, it drove arrow after arrow deep into the oak at +the edge of the forest. + +Braving the rain he went to the tree to regain his arrows. All +but one were retrieved. Demo frowned, for the tree gripped the +last arrow stubbornly. + +Rough sat on his haunches, a quizzical look on his face as he +watched his master tugging at the arrow. Suddenly Rough growled. +He rushed toward the tree, barking. + +Demo pulled even harder, glancing up into the tree as he did +so. There, seated on the lowest limb, sneered the fox-imp. It +smiled in delight at his efforts to free the arrow. + +"Listen, mortal. My master Pluto sends you greetings. You are a +great hunter." The imp stopped with a frown. + +"I show the proof of it on my hide," he grumbled morosely. + +"Never mind. My master says you shall also be a rich hunter. +Give up your thoughts of the Goddess Athena. You shall have +riches beyond measure." + +The arrow suddenly came free in Demo's hands, and he tumbled +backwards, rolled over and over on the muddy ground. + +Rough quickly bounded to his side, whining. When his master +rose the whine changed to a contented growl, and he turned once +more to contemplating the creature in the tree. Plainly it +looked more appetizing than a chicken. + +The fox-imp's smile now changed to derisive guffaws. "And you +would perform the twelve tasks of Zeus! If you but attempt to +begin that sojourn I shall be with you. I, and my companions, +shall haunt your trail until you fall in misery and failure." +The voice is angry and threatening. + +"But," and now his voice is affable, "if you accept the offer +of Pluto - if you renounce this vain adventure - you shall +receive all the pleasures of this earth. Gold and jewels will be +yours. Wine of the finest vintage! Women of the most delicate +and beautiful nature! All you desire - and an eternity in which +to enjoy it. That my master offers you. As a token that you +accept, only break the arrow in your hand." + +He shook his head. Should he break the arrow. All the riches of +the world! Slowly he grasped the arrows shaft, bent it in his +strong grasp. + +And if he follows the path laid out by Zeus? By the tricky and +devious Zeus! Zeus who has never made easy the lot of the +adventurer! + +And Athena. He recalls her beauty, the sweetness of her voice. +She wanted him as her husband - and as her protector! + +Suddenly Demo drew back his arm, threw the arrow at the fox-imp. + +The latter dodged quickly in surprise, and the arrow barely +scratched his skin. + +"Oh, you are a beauty, you are. Ah, how that stings. Master +Pluto has great things in store for you, young hunter. Great +things! And how I shall enjoy serving them to you!" + +He leaped from the tree, turning to his fox form before +touching the ground. For a moment he sat, scratching at the +wound with his hind leg. Rough rushed forward, growling, teeth +bared. The fox imp glanced quickly over his shoulder at the dog, +then dashed into the forest. + +Demo stood silently in the mist and rain. + +Can this really be happening? I have heard of such things, but +only in stories. I was sure they were only to frighten children. +And yet . . . and yet it is happening to me. Why to me? I don't +understand. I wish . . . . + +"Demo, my goodness! You'll catch a terrible cold. Come inside. +Oh, you look so pale. Here, dry your head. And wrap up warm." +She hugged him to her, tousled his hair. "My, children never +grow up. Quick now." + + + +Zeus was slowly entering comments in his diary, muttering under +his breath. + +"The thoughts he had in his mind when he beheld the Goddess! +Dear, dear - unconscionable!" He stopped, noting Hera standing +by his side. + +"Yes, Dear Husband. I'm sure you would not countenance any +unchaste thoughts on the part of this bumpkin." + +He ignored the sarcasm in her voice. + +"And was he, this youth, perchance handsome?" + +"Handsome," he growled. "No, no! You would find him singularly +unattractive, I assure you." + +'Ummm! Singularly unattractive. Well!" + +"Now, be about your business. I must call Athena, the Goddess +of memory. I vaguely recall some chores of historical note. Some +very interesting little minor chores. Oh, yes!" + +For a moment Hera stood still, frowned. Fortunately for Zeus +she was quickly distracted by her maids, who gathered around to +whisper of the exciting events of the day. They left the room, +chattering and laughing. + +Zeus smiled as he contemplated those interesting little minor +chores. "Athena, in spite of her foolish infatuation, will +provide me with the information I need. Eh, reluctantly, I +suppose. My, the difficulties one meets in governing the +universe!" + +He hummed softly. "What is that called! Catchy little tune. +Hera, dear, I'm hungry. My ambrosia, please." + +Hera, at the door, glanced backed at him in surprise. +"Ambrosia, please? Did I hear 'please'?" She walked across the +room to his side, placed her palm on his forehead, shaking her +head as she did so. "Strange, no fever. Please? My, how +un-Zeus-like!" + + + +In happier times did Persephone with the water nymphs play. By +the seashore they gathered. They brought from the ocean's depth +strange flowers, colorful stones, and jewels seized from sailing +ships by angry sea. + +Persephone carried with her flowers from her garden, a garland +on her head. With her she brought fruits, and all manner of good +and beautiful plants that grew within the garden. + +In their play they fashioned garlands, gave them beauty by +wearing them. The dolphins swam near and laughed and sported to +see the beauty of land and sea at play. + +One other watched them too. From a distance and with brooding +eyes. Often, as they frolicked on that white and sandy shore, he +sat in the gloom of the forest in his golden chariot, his four +black steeds pawing at the leaf-covered ground. + +Their beauty he coveted. + +And above all he desired Persephone! + + + +4. The First Quest + +He lay in bed, awake. It was morning, but morning dark and +gloomy. He could hardly see the doorway. The rain fell steadily, +the wind gusting, falling, then gusting once again. The air was +damp, cold, and clothes and bedclothes were soaked with moisture +from the humidity. He shivered, curled up tightly against the +cold. + +Still, Rough tugged at the blankets as day broke, eager for his +master's company. Reluctantly Demo shooed the dog away, tucked +the covers more closely around himself. + +"Well, mother, I shall sleep in this morning. Even Zeus is +hardly up and about on a day like this." + +It was the wrong thing to say. + +The rain suddenly increased, the wind grew stronger, and the +door flew open. Rough began barking excitedly, moved cautiously +toward the open door. As the rain blew in he retreated nearer +his master. Demo rose quickly to shut the door, but not before +a dark object blew in, fell upon the floor. Quickly Rough seized +it between his teeth, shook it from side to side. + +"Hey, easy there." Demo approached the dog cautiously. In his +mouth Rough held A thin leather sheet. And burned on its surface +were some words. Slowly Demo deciphered them. + +"The race is to the swift. Sometimes. Be at the Temple of Mars +at sundown. The white feather must . . . ." + +He could not make out the rest. The heavy rain had soaked the +material, and the remaining words were smudged beyond +recognition. + +Zeus! It could have come from no other! + +"Mother, I must go quickly. Why the temple of Mars? There is no +way to reach it by sundown. Still, I must try." + +She looked at the falling rain, thought to detain him. Finally +she sighed, quickly put more and fresher food in his pouch. +"Perhaps you should take the white feather. And do be careful. I +had a bad dream last night. I shall not repeat to you, but +beware of that which you cannot see." + +She hugged him. + +In spite of the rain he smiled. The first task was begun. + +The race is to the swift. Sometimes. + +What strange words these. + +And to reach the temple of Mars by sundown! Beyond the ability +of any mortal. + +Still, perhaps, if he could float on the swift waters of the +churning river it might be possible. The falling rain had turned +the gentle stream into thunderous torrents. And even as he +looked a huge tree floated down the stream, twisting and +rolling. + +There seemed no other option. Quickly he located two fallen +logs, pried them slowly to the waters edge. There he knotted +vines around them, forming a single platform. Finally, with a +deep breath, he forced them off the bank into the stream. + +Almost too late he waded out. The cold mud sucked at his feet, +the angry water stormed at his thighs. He leaped atop the +nearest log, slipped, fell across the logs awkwardly. He was on +his way to the temple of Mars! + +What chance of success he had was quickly spoiled. + +When he clambered onto the raft his pouch had opened. A sudden +gust of wind picked up the white feather, wafted it quickly +beyond his reach. In seconds it landed on the raging waters, +quickly disappeared from sight. + +Rough bounded along the shore, barking furiously. He badly +wanted to board the raft, yet feared to dare the sullen waters. +Finally, as the raft moved to the stream's center the dog +stopped, whined, its tail between its legs. The dog shivered as +though in fear, then slowly turned to wend its way home. + +Demo watched with regret as the Rough quickly disappeared in +the midst of the heavy rain shower. "Perhaps I should have taken +you with me. No, you must stay home, protect Mother." + +Demo smiled. With a sigh he braced himself on the logs as the +tumultuous stream tossed the frail craft from side to side. What +a wonderful start he was making to perform the required tasks +of Zeus! + +The white feather, lost to the wind and the rain! And his +chances of reaching the temple before nightfall almost +non-existent! + +The watery trip, miraculously, was almost uneventful. Almost. + +As the raft rounded a bend in the river the water narrowed, +flowed ever faster. And on the shore, obscured by the driving +rain and gathering fog, stood a creature of unearthly mien. It +neither moved nor spoke. + +Demo had faced the bear that claimed the mountain ridges as +their own. The snarling night cats that dominated the forests +had stood before him. Of them all, none had aroused in him such +fear as now he felt. + + For from this creature radiated a menace more fearsome than he +had ever known, an overwhelming evil emanation. + +Demo gasped, eyes wide. "What is it! What manner of beast are +you . . . ?" + +Almost immediately the creature disappeared in the swirling +mist. + +It was gone! Though it disappeared from view he felt a +premonition. A premonition that he would see it again. He knew +not why, but knew it would be with him. A constant, unseen +companion. The chill that enveloped him now was not caused by +the cold, soaking rain. + +Whether sundown was near, or had long past, he could not tell. +The dark, drear day had no sun, only the continuous rain. +Finally, there, on the cliff above, stood the temple, barely +visible. + +He paddled with his hands, attempting to bring his raft to the +far shore. The water swirled, waves built up before the wind, +and currents formed and disappeared throughout the stream. His +paddling was almost to no avail. The makeshift raft swirled, +rocked, meandered randomly at the mercy of the river. By the +time the craft reached the shore he had drifted well beyond the +temple. + +Clawing his way up the muddy bank he found a narrow trail and +began the climb. His ankle, which he had thought healed, began a +slow steady ache. Rock-strewn, and now covered with silt and +muck and murky water, the trail formed a slippery maze up the +mountainside. Rivulets gouged ever-deepening gullies across the +path. At times the entire path was but a stream, with swift +water washing away small plants and stones. + +Midway in his climb he entered a wide clearing. A doe, in +attempting to flee from his approach, had slipped and its leg +hung useless as it stood, shivering in fear. + +A ray of light appeared briefly from a sun very low on the +horizon. Time was running out. With a frown he avoided the doe, +continued his climb. + +He could not help himself. He looked back, and its brown limpid +eyes, full of pain and fear, held him. Finally, with a growl, he +returned. He approached the beast carefully. Though it tried to +evade him, it was to no avail. Finally it stood motionless, +shivering. + +"I have no time, little one. I must be quick. This splint will +hold, hopefully, until you heal." He bound the doe's leg with +wooden splints in place. With a growl he started once more up +the mountain. He noticed the doe following behind, timidly +maintaining its distance. + +"Go away. The sun has certainly set. Ah, if you had only been a +full grown buck. My arrow would have quickly found its mark. And +I would already be at the temple!" + +When he reached the temple it was indeed dark. The building +rose massively before him. Built over the years, at times of +wood, at times of stone, it had grown from a small shrine to its +current size. Cautiously he entered through the huge doorway. +The wooden doors were open, as though he were expected. There +was no sound. The temple was empty! + +Plainly, Zeus had already departed!. + +Demo sat down in the middle of the floor, his head bowed. +Finally he noted a white feather lying in an open space near the +temple's center. He picked it up, stroked it softly with his +hand. How like the one lost in the storm! + +Dropping it, aloud he whispered, "Good-bye, Athena. It was not +to be." + +The clatter of hooves on the floor caught his attention. The +doe stood by the door, pawing the stones. "Well, you have cost +me dearly, little one. Go on your way, there are hunters who +would not reject you." + +A rumbling voice filled the temple. "The race is to the swift. +Sometimes." + +The voice emanated from the doe! + +Quickly he stood up. Zeus! It must be Zeus! + +"Merely a little test, my boy. One must be sensitive to +suffering. Your bleeding heart has caused you to fail this +simple task, bringing the white feather to the temple. +Nevertheless, I'll certainly remember you kindly for the aid you +provided me. Well, boy, go on home now. It was nice knowing you." + +His head bowed he walked across the temple, passed the doe on +his way to the downward path. + +"Wait!" The voice was an angry growl. "What is this! How did it +get here?" + +Zeus stood in the middle of the temple, in his godly form now. +In his hand he held the feather Demo had previously taken from +the floor, only to toss aside. + +"I know not sire. For the feather I carried was stolen away by +the wind. This was here when I entered the temple." + +"Ah, good, good. Then it couldn't be the feather. Good day, my +boy. Give my regards to your mother - and to any other kinfolk +you should meet. Lovely day, lovely." Zeus smiled happily as the +rain dripped upon him from a rent in the temple roof. + +With drooping head Demo once more turned to go. A sudden +disturbance caught his attention. Once more he halted. + +A beautiful owl floated on wide spread white wings through the +temple entrance. + +"Zeus, Aeolus carried here the white feather. Even as you +required, it was delivered. Nought was said that the boy must +himself carry it." + +"Athena, you shall have many children." He paused for a moment. +"And all of them shall be lawyers," Zeus growled. "Very well, +technically the task was done. Come back, my boy. Let us +celebrate your success. Here, have a sip of my most valued +nectar." + +Zeus tipped the flask, burped, wiped his lips with the back of +his hand. "Here you are. Take a deep draught." + +Demo smiled happily, looked at the rosy fluid for a moment, and +raising the flask to his lips, closed his eyes. + +He drank eagerly. Oddly, the liquid had little taste. Not +noticeably different from the taste of water. Almost like +rainwater, really. + + + +"Demo, you must fix that leak. The rain is all over your face. +How can you lie there!" + +He opened his eyes wide. Indeed he was lying on his own bed. +And the only nectar was the drops of rain leaking through the +roof. With a start he sat up. It was only a dream! + +Rough lay at the foot of his bed, eyes closed. + +Lying beside the dog, half hidden by his form, something caught +Demo's eye. Something familiar! + +Two white feathers! + + + + + +5. The Gorgon's Head + +"An object of extreme rarity. Actually, only one exists - all +others, destroyed. A shame, really. Could have sent out a few as +gifts. Love to give one to my dear brother Pluto. Well, well, it +can't be helped. Only one left." Zeus spoke sadly, noting the +effect on Demo. + +"And you want me to fetch this precious object for you?" Demo +queried. + +"Eh, that's the general idea. Now, there are some difficulties. +I mean, after all, if it were too simple I would have dispatched +Hera." + +Suddenly his eyes widened. "Oh, oh, I didn't see you, my dear. +Just joshing with the boy! Kidding around, you know!" + +Hera glared. Fortunately for Zeus she was distracted, seeing +Cupid practicing archery in the flowery garden. "Hmmph! Men!" +she murmured as she went into the garden. + +"The object - well, I must confess, it is not an object. It is +. . ., " He lowered his voice, glancing toward the garden. "It +is a young lady whose beauty would adorn Olympus. I would have +you invite her to the Olympian Spring Ball. Not a bad task, eh." + +Zeus nudged him with his elbow while keeping an eagle eye on +the garden. "Just let her know that the Gods look kindly upon +her, and that she will be the guest of honor. She can't possibly +refuse. Oh, by the way, her name is Medusa. Lovely girl, Medusa." + +Now, what is the hitch? Zeus talks so kindly. Yet he is a wily +one. An invitation to a beautiful girl to attend a spring +festival? Why me? Would not an Olympian messenger, Mercury +perhaps, have served better. After all, I have no credentials. + +So his thoughts rambled as he proceeded northward. + +And I know not where she dwells, nor do I know her appearance. + +A bleak stretch of land lay ahead. Empty, barren, dotted with +boulders it stretched well into the distance. At his pace it +would require a fourth of a day to traverse. He moved across the +open space cautiously, checking behind, to either side. He liked +not being in the open, exposed to eyes he could not see. + +Surrounded by forest, the open area exposed him to the view of +foes who might wait among the trees. And in a strange land any +might be a foe. Wild animals certainly wandered here. And outlaw +bands who prey on lonesome travelers. He looked around more +carefully. Bushes and shrubs formed a narrow border, beyond +which giant evergreens loomed. In unknown territory, he felt the +weight of unfriendly gaze following his progress. + +On reaching the other side of the open meadow he glanced back, +and his own eyes widened. + +He shuddered. + +It had entered the open stretch, crouched near the wooded edge. +Now it dropped to the ground. Huge, misshapen, a travesty of a +man, it lay quietly, motionless on the ground. Though distant, +he knew it well. + +The unseen companion! + +Demo notched an arrow to his bow, felt the cool breeze on his +fevered face. He drew the bow to its limit, shook his head. + +Too far! The arrow would not carry. + +He waited, but the creature lay quiet. + +"What want you?" he shouted. "Why do you follow me?" + +Silence. + +Finally, with a shrug, he turned, started once more on his way. +After a few steps he halted, looked back again. + +It has disappeared! The broad expanse held now only boulders, +small shrubs. Lifeless, bare, no hint of motion, other than from +vagrant breeze. + +Was it but a dream, an aberration in vision? + +No! It was real. The bushes at the edge of the clearing were +moving, disturbed by the passage of . . . He knew not what. He +knew, though it had slipped into the brushes, it would return to +his trail. Whatever it be, their destinies were intertwined. + +But days ago I knew only my Mother, Theresa and her family +well. And a few others but only to a small extent. Suddenly I +walk and talk with Gods, and Goddesses - yes, and with imps. And +I am followed by something, by a being unlike any other. What +does it all portend? The thoughts repeated themselves as he view +the clearing. + +A foreboding crossed his mind. + +One of us shall not survive the tasks of Zeus! + +Ever northward he trekked. He did not know why, only that his +feet were guided by Zeus. His quest was to the far north. + +Game were plentiful, and he ate well. At times he partook of +venison, at times of fish from the streams. Rarely, he ate not. + +After one repast he knelt by a quiet brook, washing his face +and hands. + +In the water he saw a visage not his own! + +He turned quickly, rose to his feet. + +The unseen companion had faded into the undergrowth. + +"Come out and face me, coward! Do not skulk and hide, recreant!" + +Perhaps a tree branch moved, perhaps a footfall was heard. + +Then, nothing. + +His eyes widened, as he thought to himself, I must be on my +guard. Whatever it is, it becomes bolder with each passing day. + +He followed a stream, a path along its edge. The path widened +as he climbed upward, and at times footprints could be +discerned. A dwelling must lie not far ahead. + +At evening he arrived in a small village at the foot of tall, +snowpeaked mountains. He found an inn. Walls made from logs, +with cracks filled with dried mud, and a rock fireplace as one +wall, it formed one huge room. Animal furs, fur of deer, of +bear, hung across from one wall to the other, sectioned off +little bays where the traveler could rest in limited privacy. +Through signs and much nodding and handwaving Demo bartered +trinkets for such a room. The nights were growing cold, and this +brief respite was welcome. + +Suddenly a man standing by the door turned toward him, growled +in mixed language at him. Strangely, Demo understood. + +"Is he with you? What is he, and why does he loiter in the +shadows?" + +They crowded through the open doorway, gazing southward to the +ravine he had so recently traversed. They stared fearfully +toward the shadows at the mountain's base. + +A creature, perhaps a man, stood huge in the shadows. It +neither approached nor yet retreated. Even so, from it a +threatening aura seemed to radiate. + +The watchers moved nervously, whispered low one to another. + +"No, not with me," he responded + +"Begone! We want not you, nor his kind. Return him his +treasures. " + +The inn keeper reluctantly parted with the baubles he had +received. Two were missing. Demo started to argue, realized it +would be to no avail. Reluctantly he left the shelter. + +"I know that creature! He has visited our village before. He +brings pestilence, death. Begone, the two of you, quickly!" + +They gathered outside the structure. One reached down to pick +up a stone, then several others. Demo loosed his bow and they +quickly shuffled inside, cursing and threatening. + +Demo continued north. He didn't look back. He knew well that he +was not alone. + + + +His queries about Medusa led him now to one domain, now to +another. Time after time, each lead ended without location of +the fabled damsel. Until, at last, in a village on the slope of +the mountains, he received guidance that seemed to hold worth. + +The sun had set, and evening stars were beginning to make +appearance. To the north the little bear could be seen. The air +had the feel of coming frost. The great hunter moved across the +cold winter sky, followed by his faithful hounds. + +"Feel the air, young man! Is there not a storm brewing? A +blizzard? Medusa has been deserted by her lover. Her countenance +is hard. The chill winds will blow, the lakes freeze over, and +living things shall freeze and die. For her heart has grown +cold." + +The old crone rubbed her hands together for warmth, continued. + +"Until she takes again a suitor, the world will suffer from her +rejection. Even now, there, beneath the little bear, she waits +in her icy cave." + +The night wind began to blow and the chill crept through his +clothing. "Beneath the little bear, then, will I find her?" + +"She is there. And she is dangerous. If you value your life, +end this quest. She strikes out in her anger, uncaring for any. +If you go on, beware the great white bear. He guards her by day, +and by night." The old woman turned away, hobbled awkwardly to +her frigid mountain hut. + +She stood in the doorway, looked at him intently. "Your +companion, why does he lurk in the shadows? He has nothing to +fear from me." + +He did not reply. He knew not himself the reason for the evil +presence. + + + +Game became increasingly scarce. + +He was lucky when a rabbit crossed his path. And even these +were few in number, lean in build. Scrub brush served to cook +those few he killed. + +The winds wailed, the snow peppered down, then settled in huge +white flakes. At times the storm stilled and he traveled on in a +world where day was night, night day. Across the skies strange +colored images danced, twisting and turning. Here seemed a world +deserted by Zeus, left to the ministrations of lesser Gods. + +The world was enveloped in a blanket of white. At times he sank +into its depths. At other times, frozen, it supported him as +well as solid ground. And still the snow fell, wind-driven. + +With cessation of the wind he could hear, though from a far +distance, the crunch of footsteps on the frozen snow. Hidden in +the fog or by the falling flakes, the unseen companion was ever +with him, ever following. + +Even when the snow ceased the air held a strange opaque +whiteness, as though the world were immersed in milk. At such +times even his hand before his face was not visible. He dared +not travel on, knowing he would circle helplessly in the +blinding whiteness. + +Slowly the white out lifted. The barren snow covered wasteland +stretched endlessly. + +He pressed on. There was little choice. + +At times the storm died, the skies cleared. Crystalline bright +the stars shone down. Still the hunter, now directly overhead +and to his south, marched across the wintry sky. The pole star +gleamed softly, a constant beacon. + +But the storm quickly returned. + + + +And then they met! + +Invisible in the snow bank it lurked, marked his presence, +waited to attack! + +The great white bear moved quietly, without a warning growl. It +charged down upon him, its huge jaws wide. Its clawed paws +reached out to seize him. + +Quickly he strung his bow, notched an arrow! + + As he drew the cord, the snow settled beneath his foot. He +felt himself slipping. + +He fell, rolled downhill! + +Demo slid halfway across a frozen pond. Thick, fat flakes of +white touched his face. They melted in cold trickles as he lay +half conscious. + +Suddenly the ice gave way beneath him! + +Even as he sank he saw, blurred upon the shore, two monsters in +mortal combat. + +The great white bear! + +And another. One he knew too well. + +The bitter cold of the icy waters enveloped him. Through he +forced his arms and legs to move, to try once more to rise to +the surface, it was to no avail. The freezing cold quickly +changed to numbness, then oblivion. + + + +Warmth! He felt warmth! + +Not since he had left home had he felt such wonderful, gentle, +soothing warmth. + +He slowly opened his eyes, then closed them in disbelief. The +girl ministering to him outshone even Athena in beauty. Slender, +yet with the smooth curves of a mature woman, she held his gaze. +Her face, though pale, mirrored beauty found only in one's +dreams. Her lips, soft and pouting, were warm and red. Her face +expressed concern, and her eyes expressed compassion. + +Her hands lightly massaged his body, and wherever they touched +a glow of warmth spread through him. He recalled the icy cold of +the lake, and his eyes widened. + +"How am I here? Who are you? How did I escape the icy depths?" + +Placing a finger to her lips, she smiled, exposing the whitest +of teeth. "Shhh. Rest. I will explain it all, in good time." + +Even as she spoke he closed his eyes, fell into fitful sleep in +which he dreamed he was in her arms; then, dreamed he was +carried in the arms of another, more hideous being. + +He awoke with a start as the ravaged lips of the loathsome +monster touched his own. Sitting up he saw no one. Finally, in +the far corner of the room, he saw her. She rose slowly, from +the fireplace dipped warm soup from an iron kettle. + +Bringing the bowl with her she sat on the edge of his cot, +slowly fed him the warm broth. + +"He brought you here. Your friend. He brought you in from the +blizzard, frozen and cold, and left you with me. In spite of +cold and storm, he would not stay. He retreated into the +blinding storm as though escaping an enemy camp." She shook her +head in puzzlement. + +"First, though, these words he said I should say to you." She +thought for a moment. + +"The time is not now. You have your destiny to fulfill. By the +tarn shall all be resolved. Strange words, these. Do you +understand his meaning?" + +"No, I understand only that a great white beast attacked me. I +fell, rolled into the frigid waters of the lake. I saw them, +doing battle on the lake shore. After that I remember the cold, +then nothing." + +"He killed the great white bear. No mortal could achieve that +victory. You have a mighty friend and protector." + +"No friend of mine. He has followed me, always near, ever +fearsome. I know not his purpose, but in some strange way our +fates are intertwined. Would I understood it better." + +"Why sojourn you in these far reaches. Did none warn you of the +dangers?" + +"I journey at the behest of Zeus. I seek Medusa, to invite her +to the great Olympian Ball, where she will reign as queen. Do +you know of her, know where I might find her?" + +"Zeus! The Great Olympian Ball! I am Medusa. It is strange that +you have you not heard my story. Do you not know the danger you +face, merely being here with me?" + +"I know nought of danger. I see but a damsel of excellent +beauty, and need fear only for my heart." + +She smiled at his words, then her face took on a look of +sadness. + +"I am condemned. I pass from wild happiness and joy to deepest +misery and sorrow. And those who look on me in my happy times +love me, and those who look on me in time of my distress grow +cold and fearful, and are no more. No one warned you! Ah, Zeus, +how can you be so unkind!" She sobbed. + +"Look upon my face, for I am in a gentler mood. Beware, if you +hear me lament, or see an angry trickle from my eye, look not +upon me, but go your way swiftly." She placed the empty bowl on +the table. + +"Do you see these glistening white walls? They were formed at a +time when I felt the miseries of the world upon me. The +glaciers, the icebergs, the frozen wastes - all these I formed. +At times, when I bask in the warmth of love, they fade, they +melt. Again alone, once deserted, I form them anew." She smiled +at him, touched his hand. + +"I thought, perhaps, Zeus had sent you to me. Yet while you lay +abed in your sleep, in your dreams, I find you love another. It +is well, for my warmth shall not last. Come, let me show you my +chamber of horrors. A chamber of horrors of my own doing." + +She conducted him out into the cold. All around statues stood +in various guises. All men. Warriors. Hunters. So detailed, so +well sculpted, they seemed to lack only breath to move and walk. + +"These I have loved, and in my anger destroyed. They stand +there, a constant reminder of my uncontrollable nature. Even +now, as I look at them, my heart moans. Begone, Demo, quickly, +for a bottomless sorrow engulfs my heart. Quickly! And do not +look upon my face, if you value your life!" + +He started to turn toward her, but she grabbed his shoulder and +turned him away. Even as she did the touch of her hands sent a +chill through his body. + +The warmth was gone! + +"Tell Zeus Medusa shall attend the ball. Fare the well, young +man. Now, flee for your life." + +The calm air was stirring, and pellets of frozen snow that had +been peppering the icy landscape were now blown wildly about. +The wind mounted in howling fury, and soon the blizzard was upon +him. He rushed southward, not daring to look back. + +It was no longer the unseen companion alone he feared. + + + +"You're back!", Zeus roared in evident surprise. "Well, yes, +you're back. Been expecting you. Eh, nothing unusual about +Medusa, I take it. I mean, nothing strange and, eh, stultifying?" + +"A beautiful lady, sire. She welcomes your invitation, and +shall attend the ball." + +"The ball, yes. She will attend the ball! Zounds! What to do? +Well, it may serve my purpose. I shall invite some special +friends. Oh yes, very special friends! My charming brother +Pluto. Serve him right. And a few other who have done me dirt. +The ball is in the third month. And Medusa is in such a mood +that month! Yes, I must invite some very special friends." + +Zeus rubbed his hands together and smiled cherubically. + +"Oh, Demo, of course you are invited." + + + +What dreams do children dream? + +Persephone sat quietly on a wooden bridge. Her legs dangled +down, her tiny white feet broke the surface of the stream. The +crystalline waters of the rivulet bathed them softly. A +hummingbird darted near the water's surface, a brilliant winged +jewel. At times it whirred motionless above the water. Then +angry at the reflected beauty below, dived heedlessly, only to +rise again as the rapid beat of its wings distorted the liquid +mirror. + +Persephone smiled, watched with amused attention. + +Another hummingbird approached, and soon the two flew away, the +first in angry pursuit. A tiny warrior protecting his domain. + +Persephone closed her eyes, leaned back to bask in the warmth +of the sun. The music of the stream, the softness of the breeze, +the quiet solitude of her garden lulled her into a light slumber. + +And as she slept, she dreamed. + +Games of tag, of skipping ropes, of dolls ran through her mind. +Friends she had known, kitty cats, and puppy dogs. Climbing the +tall oak tree and seeing the big, wide world from its great +height. Swinging on the swing beneath the tree. The taste of +blackberries, of cherries, of fresh peaches. + +The dreams of childhood. + +Her mother, holding her, hugging her. Her mother's smile. + +Colored stones, and crystals, and flowers. Beautiful dresses, +and grown-up parties yet to come. + +A far-off day and the arrival of a handsome prince, a marriage, +living and playing together as children. + +Children of her own, and she would mother them as her mother +had done for her. Cookies, and pies, and cream covered berries. + +Dolls for her girls, and swords for her brave boys. She would +sew for them, and of a night tuck them into bed. She would tell +them strange stories of magic worlds, and real. + +Ah, the happy world, the beautiful world. + +What dreams do children dream? + + + +"Grim!" + +"Inexorable!" + +"Pitiless!" + +"Passionless!" + +"Without feeling!" + +"Devil!" + +"These have I been called!" + +Pluto sat in his chariot on the mountainside, the mounting +storm surrounding him. Gusting wind screamed, and pelting rain +drove from the skies. The fury of the storm matched the fury in +his voice. + +"Without feeling! Then why burns this loneliness within me! Why +thirst I for the companionship denied me! Was it by choice this +form is mine!" + +A sob was in his voice. + +Gloomily he bowed his head, shook it. Reluctantly he took the +reins, returned once more to the nether regions where he held +sway. + +Yes, even the devil weeps. + +6. Escape from Tartarus + +"Young man, I'm becoming increasingly dependent on you. You +have carried yourself well indeed. Athena may well have chosen a +worthy mate." Zeus' smile was effusive, his manner friendly and +brisk. + +"I've just gotten word from the CIA (Clever Information +Activities) that something is astir in Tartarus. I do hope you +recall your history." + +"Tartarus? Well, sire, I recall vaguely that the Titans dwell +therein. And that it lies far beneath even the depths of Hades." + +"Astounding? The boy has genius! Ah, you must have cheated in +school. I'll bet you studied! Sneaky way to pass a course. +Regardless, right you are. But there is more." Zeus paced back +and forth silently, looking down, a slight frown on his face. + +"The CIA tells me that Megalith, a veritable giant among +giants, has assumed power. . . . However, first, let me mention +a bit more geography." + +Zeus sat at his desk, punched a few keys on his computer, and +displayed a map labeled Tartarus. "Computer, display the +boundaries." + +The computer hummed and whirred for a moment, then displayed +the same map, but with boundaries highlighted. + +Zeus smiled in delight. "Pac-man it isn't, but it's still a +great toy." He frowned momentarily. "Beats me at chess. I have +plans for that programmer. Long vacation with my brother Pluto." + +"Computer, give us an image of Megalith, hear?" + +The computer once more hummed and whirred. A few words appeared +on the screen. Zeus read them, grunted. "All right, all right! +I'll do it your way! Computer, display Megalith." + +The computer did some more of the h & w routine, displayed a +muscular warrior, standing quietly, a bemused expression on his +face. + +"Looks peaceful enough, doesn't he. Ah, beware! That quiet face +belies the turmoil within. He, young man, is plotting the escape +from Tartarus! The escape that must be thwarted!" + +Zeus stared for a moment at the computer screen. He sighed. + +"You know, of course, that these - the Titans - are our +forebears. I would we could live in peace with them, but it is +to no avail. Out of the goodness of my heart I granted them +asylum in Tartarus. Yet they are not appreciative. They want to +escape. What a strange term! Who would escape from Paradise!" + +The computer displayed a pair of arms, waving desperately. + +"Yes, yes, what is it. Oh, I mean, Computer, Speak." + +"Oh Great and Mighty One, Master of the Universe, Benefactor of +all mankind, . . . ," the computer began in a subservient voice. + +"Computer, cease. I know all that. Get to the point. Computer, +Speak." + +"News of Tartarus, Master. Megalith has secretly had installed +an express elevator from the basement right up to the earth's +surface. He is even now contracting with the SkyHigh Elevator +company to extend it to the top of Olympus. Fortunately SkyHigh +is asking an exorbitant price. They have a monopoly on the +elevator trade, so they are likely to eventually obtain the +asking price. For now, however, Megalith is examining other +alternatives. He was visiting the local Ultralight assembly +plant. And it is said his agents have contacted the Rocketeers +Club. No additional data at this time, Sire." + +"And now, back to our commercial. Oh Great and Mighty one, +Master of the Universe . . . " Zeus turned off the computer. + +"He has already made his first move! An elevator indeed! And an +extension to the peaks of Olympus! Zounds!" + +"My boy, my plans have changed. This may require more than the +skills of an earthling. I shall don human form, and I shall +accompany you. The might of Megalith must be met! Ah, I like the +sound of that! Permit me to repeat, The might of Megalith must +be met!" He let the words roll sonorously from his lips, a +slight smile on his face. + +"Once considered the theater, you know. Actually, this God +thing is much more fun - sometimes." + + + +Two figures moved cautiously to the bank of the river Styx. +Dark and smoothflowing the river arose from pale mists in the +distance, and faded once more into mists as pale. + +The sojourners moved slowly along the river's edge. One, a +white-bearded elder, shuffled along supported by wooden rod. The +other, younger and vigorous, darted ahead, returned, then darted +ahead again. + +"I think I shall tie a string to your leg, as though you were a +June bug. Just calm down. There is no danger." + +"For you, perhaps not. Still, I know he is here. I can feel his +presence. In every sojourn he has been with me." + +"Ah, the unseen companion! Yes, I too note an irksome presence. +Nevertheless, nothing shall come of it this day. Trust me." + +Demo glanced at the old man, Zeus. For it was indeed these two, +long removed from the heights of Olympus. "Trust you . . . ? I +knew this used chariot salesman once . . . Well, never mind." +He noted the look of concentration on Zeus' visage. "No real +correspondence. I was just thinking out loud." + +Zeus regarded the river Styx with distaste. + +"Most foul stream, this. I was in a vile mood when I loosed it +from the bowels of the earth. Unpleasant odor, too. Fetid, in +fact. Perhaps Pluto is right, a little landscaping and +environmental cleanup are needed. I'll make a note . . ." + +"Beware, my lad, that you drink not of these waters. Though you +be of the most placid nature, but a sip from this stream and you +shall rant against the world. Here has the essence of hate been +distilled, and it flows forever at the edge of Hades. + +They were interrupted by the yapping of a dog, or perhaps a +pack of dogs. The yapping quickly changed to deep-throated +growls. "Ah hah! Cerberus! My puppy! Must have grown a bit by +now. How glad he will be to see me once more" Zeus was exuberant. + +His face was that of an eager child. Plainly a wave of +nostalgia flooded his mind, and a wistful smile flitted across +his face. "To return to the innocence of childhood. How +wonderful it would be . . . . Here, boy! Come here!" + +Demo shrank back! + +The dog bounded toward them from a hidden cave. It rushed to +Zeus, licked his hand with one of its heads, while a second head +growled ominously at Demo. The third head maintained a +continuous vigil. + +"Pet him, he's quite gentle." Zeus smiled. "Good doggy, good +doggy." + +"Remember when I gave him to you, Zeus." + +Startled, Demo and Zeus looked up. Their gaze encompassed the +towering height of Megalith. + +"Yes, I remember." Zeus smiled delightedly. "He was just a +little bundle of fur. barely a handful, yet so warm, so loving. +He came to me, climbed upon my lap and quickly fell asleep. A +most wonderful present he was." + +"Well," Zeus voice changed, and he ceased petting Cerberus. "So +it is true. You have left Tartarus. You know, of course, that I +can't permit it. I've already contacted the SkyHigh Elevator +Company, and they'll be removing the elevator by the end of the +month." + +Megalith ignored the comment. "Your Mother Rhea sends you +greeting, as does your Father Cronus. They want you to know they +grow weary of the depths of Tartarus. They would breathe the air +of earth, drink the nectar of Olympus. Lift your decree of +banishment, Zeus. What manner of child are you, to so treat your +aged parents! Remember you not, your happy childhood?" + +For a moment Zeus stood silent, head bowed. + +"You weave your words with delicate care, Megalith. I know it +is not for my parents you seek these things. You, who were born +in Tartarus, would have these worlds as your own. You would have +the Gods of Olympus give obeisance, the children of man serve +you." + +Megalith reached down, patted the third head of Cerberus. The +dog snapped at his hand, and he withdrew it quickly, scowled. + +"You recall, Zeus, when you allowed me to visit Olympus, when I +gave you the pup Cerberus?" + +"I recall well. I was yet a child in many ways. Now, I have +matured, Megalith. Gifts do not buy my favor." + +"And do you recall I left with you, also, the jug of the best +wine of Tantalus?" + +"Good wine it was! A most amazing brew! To what purpose is your +question?" + +"You drank of the jug, and it brought you dreams of Hera, and +of others. And even now those dreams return to tease your mind. +The wines of Tantalus will return, time after time. Nor can you +avoid them. Sleep now, Zeus, in a drunken stupor as the wine +works its magic." + +Megalith smiled. + +Indeed Zeus stretched out on the greensward, Cerberus whining +as he lay down beside him. A smile touched Zeus' lips. + +"I have long planned my return. The wine of Tantalus was but +the first step. Now, while he sleeps, I shall roam once more +this earth, partake of its pleasures, prepare it for our coming. +And you, earthling, shall be my emissary. We are well met!" + +"I serve Zeus, no other." + +"Well said. See this pebble. Watch carefully, then mind your +tongue." + +Megalith lifted a huge boulder in his right hand, looked at +Demo with a smile, lifted it high above the head of the sleeping +Zeus. + +Quickly Demo notched an arrow. + +Megalith laughed. "Dream on, Zeus, for the dream shall soon +end. As for you, blunt your arrows if you will. In a moment I +shall feed you to Cerberus." + +The dog growled at mention of his name. + + + +From the River Styx a form arose. + +"Hold, Megalith!" + +With a start Megalith gazed at the dark and menacing figure. + +"You seduced my brother with your gifts, Megalith. I laughed, +for your wiles were of no value against me. You find the fields +of Tartarus confining. Lay down the stone then, and come with +me. For I have prepared a place for you in Hades." + +A chill encompassed Demo. + +He dared not look at the speaker. This one projected all the +aura of another he knew. Another who traveled with him, unseen, +on sojourn after sojourn. + +The unseen companion! + +Though shaken Megalith was not deterred from h is intent. + +"You have no power over me. And you have no reason to love +Zeus, who banned you also to an inferior kingdom. Join me. We +shall rule the earth, and even Olympus." Megalith smiled. + +"True, I cannot harm you. I have no love for Zeus, as you say. +Yet you have erred. For there is one who loves Zeus beyond all +measure, and before that stone shall fall he shall tear your +heart from that giant body." + +Megalith's eyes widened. + +Indeed such a one even now waited, ever alert, ever faithful. + +Beside Zeus, awake and watchful, Cerberus stood. Baleful eyes, +from each of his heads, glared at this creature who dared +threaten his sleeping master. + +With a deep growl he crouched. + +Megalith stepped backward, in desperation launched the great +stone downward. + +It did not strike the helpless target. It's path was deflected. + +The stone stuck not the hapless head of Zeus. For another +bravely placed himself in harm's way. + +The stone struck the third head of Cerberus, crushing and +tearing. The dog moaned low, stood still over its helpless +master, then lunged forward. + +The battle was long. The deep growls of Cerberus mixed with the +angry snarls of Megalith. The ground rocked under their fury, +and blood and sweat mingled in an ugly stream. + +They rolled on the ground, tearing and ripping each his enemy. +The hills reverberated with the sound of their blows. + +Megalith broke loose, rushed to the mountainside, seized a +boulder even huger than before. + +He turned to meet the onslaught of the dying beast, brought the +stone down. Another head was crushed, and Cerberus staggered +back. + +Megalith once more picked up a massive rock. Quickly now he +stepped around the dying dog, stood again over Zeus. + +Demo launched his arrow. It fell, blunted, from the rough hide +of the Titan. Megalith looked at the boy, smiled a scornful +smile. He raised the stone high above his head. + +Before the stone could fall Cerberus struck. Wounded and +bleeding, still he launched his body at the Titan, knocked him +from his feet. His fangs closed on the throat of Megalith. + +Megalith seized the dog's neck in both hands, his powerful +fingers cutting off the breath of life. The dog shuddered, yet +released not its death grip on the Titan's throat. + +In moments it was over. + +The Titan lay dead! + +And Cerberus. + +No. Yet he moved. + +Slowly, painfully he inched his tortured body to the side of +the sleeping Zeus. He licked his master's hand, his tail wagging. + +Closing his eyes he slept, to wake no more. + +The silence was broken only by the call of a raven, flying high +above. Even Styx flowed quietly, as though in dread. The stream +reddened where the blood of giant, and of beast, mixed with its +dark waters. + +Demo knelt by the sleeping Zeus, touched him hesitantly with +extended hand. "Sire, wake. The task is done." + +Even as he spoke Zeus pulled himself erect, stroked the long +white beard he favored for his earthly form. He blinked, looked +at the motionless Megalith. With a sudden sob he held Cerberus +to him. + +"'Tis well I sent you not out alone. I fear he would have done +you in neatly. That wine! I should have known! A devilish +concoction, well brewed to twist the mind of even the Gods. And +say you another interfered on my behalf, your unseen companion? +Strange indeed." He shook his head. "If that one be whom I think +there is little love lost between us." + +"Have you ever owned a puppy, my boy. Wonderful! There is no +creature so loving, so caring of his master. Cerberus, Cerberus, +that you should die saving me." A tear trickled from his eye. + +"Yes, child, for such loyalty even the Gods may weep." + +For a moment Zeus sat quietly, Cerberus in his arms. A tear +trickled from Demo's eye as he thought of Rough, and the many +times the dog had protected him. + +"I shall bury him at the base of yonder mountain. It shall +serve as his headstone. Let all who look upon its majesty +remember who sleeps at its foot." Zeus sighed. + +"Well, well, it is over. And you, my boy. Well done. Well done. +This sojourn I shall long remember. And though you are, shall we +say, jumpy and at times overly eager I did indeed enjoy your +company. So I may . . . + +"Ah, listen, even now your Mother calls you. Is it fresh-cooked +venison I smell? Yes, yes indeed. Excellent cook, your Mother. +The berry pie that disappeared while cooling in the window . . . +slightly tart, but oh so tasty, very tasty!" + + + +Ceres walked sad of mien upon the earth. + +Time past, the mighty Pluto had rode roughshod across the land. +Had seized her daughter Persephone, carried her away to his +damned kingdom. + +Long since had she accepted her daughter's fate. Yet she +remained forever disconsolate. At times she wept. No smile +touched her lips. And in her mind a plan developed. + +The wiles of women have oft changed the course of man's world. +Even the Olympians would feel that power. + +Carefully she gave thought to devices that would serve, to +those who might champion her cause. Finally, in desperation, she +turned to that power of powers. + +White-faced, in dread, she prayed to Moira to unravel the evil +that had been done. + +Her humble cottage was quiet, still. The silence was such as +she had never known. Even her breath was unheard. + +In the silence she received her answer. Not in words, nor in +thoughts, but in a strange vision. + +She stood on a high peak, surrounded by rolling fog. In that +fog she heard her daughter calling, but she could not tell from +whence came the call. + +She answered, yet knew her voice to be unheard. + +Faintly, another voice sounded through the fog. The voice of a +young man. "My lady, you are in pain. Can I help you?" + +The vision faded, and she was once more in her little hut. She +sat by her kitchen table, laid down her head, and cried. + +There would be an end to the cursed imprisonment of her child! +There was yet a champion who would stand against the fiend from +Hades. In time the one who had wrought this grievous crime would +suffer! + +In her mind she saw darkly a deep cold tarn, its face hidden by +fog and mist. She knew. + +There, by the tarn, the tragedy would end. + +7. The Curse of Cronus + +"My dear, it is but reasonable. It is the curse of Cronus, that +even the Gods shall age." He sighed. + +"I have, in my infinite wisdom, ameliorated that curse to a +degree. The aging process is slowed, and eons are only days. +Still, aging continues. No, basically, it is not practical to +completely counter the process. I've certainly given it careful +thought. Do you think I enjoy it. Just look at me!" + +Zeus frowned, paused in deep thought. Using his cane he limped +slowly to his throne. + +"You really shouldn't be so upset. Look at what it's doing to +me? Zeus - with a cane? Ridiculous!" + +"But, sire, would you but look at me! How can I stand the +humiliation. Just look at me!" Venus stamped her foot in +exasperation. + +"Yes, my dear, I am looking. Oh, yes! Eh, to be honest, I can't +even see a single wrinkle. Just a moment, let me put on my +eyeballs." He adjusted his bifocals carefully on his nose. + +"My dear, you look delectable. Wrinkles! Bah!" + +"You jest. I saw it only this morning. Right here, on my +forehead. Do examine me more closely." + +Zeus pursued his examination with great gusto, until the +entrance of Hera distracted him. Gruffly he growled, "Well, if a +wrinkle is there, it is a beautiful one. Let me see? Ah, I have +it. I shall send for expert advise. Rest assured, I'll solve the +problem." + +Hera watched suspiciously, finally spoke as Venus departed. + +"What's that young snip want. You were certainly giving her a +thorough perusal. Which, I might add, you were relishing +mightily." + +"The duties I must perform. They weigh on me heavily indeed, my +dear. Venus has detected a wrinkle. Sad, but the curse of +Cronus, you know." + + + +With a suddenness that Demo had come to abhor he found himself +once more before the might of Zeus. + +Arrow notched, bow drawn, he had the game on the dinner plate - +and then, whoosh, the forest, the buck, everything - +disappeared. And now he stood before Zeus, his arrow still ready +for its flight. + +Zeus ducked precipitously behind his throne. + +"Now, boy, now, now! Didn't mean to startle you. Eh, just +release the arrow - No! I mean, just return your arrow to its +quiver. There will be other bucks, I assure you." + +Demo turned red, quickly returned the arrow to its pouch. + +"My apologies, Sire. You called me at an awkward moment. No +offense was intended." + +"Delighted, really delighted, to have you here once more. I +look back upon our last little adventure together with fond +remembrance. Fond remembrance? I like that combination. I'll +have to use it again sometime." + +Demo waited quietly. Zeus rarely spent time in empty +conversation. Though it might seem like prattle, somewhere +hidden was meaning - and danger. + +"Have I talked with you of Cronus? No, I think not. Well, +Cronus bore a grudge against us - myself, the other Gods. Some, +they say, get mad, others get even. Not Cronus - oh, no! Cronus +get mad? Never! Cronus get even? Perish the thought!" + +Zeus stalked back and forth before the throne. His face was +turning red in exasperation, and sweat trickled from his brow. + +Already the dark clouds were beginning to form above Olympus. + +"Now you stop that!" Hera exclaimed. "And quit rambling! Do +tell the poor boy of Cronus' monstrous gift to the Gods! And do +get on with it!" + +"Hmmm, yes, my dear. Where was I?" He wiped his brow. + +"Cronus was furious. F . U . R . I . O . U . S!" + +"The boy knows how to spell. Be a bit more concise, Zeus. You +know, we have this garden party shortly. Quickly now!" Hera was +petulant. + +"Of course the boy knows how to spell. Eh, don't you, my lad?" + +"Oh, yes, Sire! My mother taught me well. She says . . . " + +"Another time, boy. Another time." Zeus brushed off his +comments. + +"He was furious. He had no intent to get even. No way! Even +would never do. It was his wish to lay upon us troubles ten +times greater than those he received. Even? Ha!" + +"And so he did. The Curse of Cronus! Has a nice ring to it, +don't you think. I remember well the ceremony. In deep sonorous +tones he enunciated those very words - The Curse of Cronus - and +then repeated it three times. Melodramatic type, he was. I could +almost hear the deep swelling boom of a gong as he ended each +pronouncement." He paused, seemed to be thinking. + +"I've tried awfully hard, you know, to emulate that voice. Very +impressive, really. Can't quiet hack it, though. Had something +to do with his bearing, too." He stopped, looked at Hera and +Demo, and blushed. + +"Lift the curse, that's what I want from you. Now, be off and +take care of it. I have a garden party to officiate, you know." +He glanced placatingly at Hera. "Do be quick about it, for Venus +is terribly peeved. Although I didn't see a single wrinkle. +Lovely skin, lovely, . . . " He paused, noted Hera's angry +glare. "Reminds me - to a lesser degree, of course - of Hera's +beautifully smooth neck and shoulders." + +Hera deigned to be placated. She smiled gracefully as she +accepted his compliment. Yet, she had a knowing look in her +eyes, and the boy noted how she shook her head. + + + +Demo started to ask more questions, when he found himself, +drawn bow in hand, once more in his hunting pose. He sighed, +released the arrow. + +Fresh venison, a new mission, and Cronus! + +He cleaned the game carefully, working from habit without +thinking. His mind was far away. The Curse of Cronus - I must +lift the Curse of Cronus! + +"Oh, yes, of course I know of Cronus," his mother appeared +peeved. "I may be a country girl, but I want you to know, I am +well read. Cronus was, of course, Zeus' old man. My, how they +quarreled! Some thought Zeus would be banned. And well he might +have been, if he hadn't moved first." + +She sighed, added a touch of herbs to the soup. "Mmmmm," she +commented. "It is tasty indeed. Not the ambrosia I'm sure Zeus +serves, but quite tasty. Here, give me your bowl." + +"There was a curse, mother?" + +"Yes, that there was. Zeus drove them out - his father, Cronus; +his mother, Rhea; all of the Titans. He stood by the wayside, +lightning bolt ever ready." She paused, her eyes seeing a prior +time, a time when the Gods were seen by man. + +She filled the bowl with the warm soup, placed it before him. +"Now try some of that. Cronus indeed. This will take the years +off. And a slice of my bread." + +She smiled as he began to eat, watched in pleasure as he +attacked the food with the zeal of hungry youth. + +"Cronus stumbled, and Zeus raised his arm to cast the +thunderbolt. And then Cronus stood straight and tall and +majestic. He repeated, three times I think, with his arms +extended upward, 'The Curse of Cronus'. Doesn't it have such a +melodramatic sound to it? Especially if you pause between the +words." She once more intoned, "The Curse of Cronus", pausing +dramatically between the individual words. + +"And the curse, mother, what was it?" + +"That the Gods, for whom 'til now time did not exist, would now +- like other beings - age. Zeus laughed. Still, there are +rumors, and I understand he laughs no more." She lowered her +voice. "I'm told that, even now, he walks with a cane. Have you +seen it? Can this be true?" + +Demo ignored the questions. "Mother, how would I find Cronus?" + +"My child, you do not find Cronus. He finds you. It is +inevitable. It is from his touch that we pass from child to man +or woman, from youth to middle age, from middle age to an elder +estate. It is a process you would not desire to compress. No, +search not for Cronus. He is not well met!" + +Demo pondered her words, the story she had told. Fable, or +fact? At one time he would have thought the former. Now he was +completely unsure. His simple world had turned strange. + +Demo began his trip, knowing not the way, knowing not the guise +of him whom he sought. The fates were kind, and he found aid +along the way. + +"Earthling, attend me!" + +The voice was soft, yet commanding. + +He breathed deeply as he gazed upon her. The beauty of Athena, +of Medusa, he had thought, could not be surpassed. He was wrong. + +The diaphanous gown accentuated, rather than hid, the exquisite +form of the maiden who addressed him. The face was beautiful not +only in its own right, but in its every response to her +thoughts. Now with a slight blush, now calm and serene, now +smiling and happy - always with an innocence that beguiled and +attracted. + +"I am Venus. It is for my sake that Zeus has dispatched you on +this dreadful sojourn. And dreadful must it be for you, for when +Cronus looks upon you the bonds of time will lock you in their +embrace. Yet there is no other way." She sobbed. + +"Take this. When you tend Cronus, tell him from whence it came. +Then ask him, must the beautiful blond hair of Venus turn gray. +Once he loved me, a grandchild who was his pride. Perhaps he +still remembers. Give to him this mirror, for in it he shall see +my visage. And as I age, so shall indeed the image on which he +gazes. It is his curse. Let him reap its reward." + +She expected no reply, and was gone so swiftly none was +possible. + +He glanced at the mirror from the side of his eye. He blinked. +Truly, it was not his own image, but hers. He carefully placed +the mirror in his pouch. Perhaps, after all, Cronus would relent. + + + +One might think that, to reach Tartarus, the path would be +first through Hades. And having passed through that monstrous +domain Tartarus would lie ahead. + +Indeed, Tartarus lies far below even the inferior regions of +Hades. Solitary, neighborless - there is no common border, no +entry or exit. Tartarus stands alone. None may enter. None may +leave. To those who live therein its bounds are endless. To +those who dwell without it is but a speck, lacking depth, +lacking width, lacking height. + +Demo searched. He found not Tartarus. He found not Cronus. And +so he slept. And as he slept, Cronus found him! + +Each night he lay down to rest, tired from his travels. Each +morning he awoke, unrested, the weight of passing years pressing +down upon him. Yet, the sun had made its own journey, and it was +but the start of a new day. He felt in his bones aches he had +never known. The muscles that served well afore now weakened, +gave way under exertion. + +The dreams began. A white bearded patriarch, severe of mien, +stood nightly at the foot of his bed, gestured over his prone +body. + +And with that gesture he felt his very bones grow tired. The +smooth skin of youth wrinkled, and his sharp eyes dimmed and +lost their luster. + +"Return to Zeus. Tell him that the Curse of Cronus shall never +be lifted. Give up this quest, for on it you shall age each day +as though it were a year. Only the kindness of Cronus prevents +you from withering and dying before the dawn." The deep sonorous +voice ceased, the vision faded. + +He touched his cheek, his forehead. Indeed wrinkles formed and +furrows! Beneath his chin a dewlap hung. His eyes grew tired, +and his voice weak. Nightmare, or visitation from Cronus? + +By day his travels became ever more onerous. The pain of +arthritis attacked his joints, his breath was short, and at +times he wandered over his earlier trail unknowingly. + +Demo noted, looking in the mirror of a calm pond, his thinning +hair, now turning gray. Dark pockets formed under each eye, and +his eyes were themselves bloodshot. + +Perhaps, he thought, it is time to return home, there to rest. +Perhaps, there to lie down to an eternal rest. + +Each night Cronus came. Each day Demo was left with a body +weakened and tired from the visit of Cronus. + +His appearance had become so wretched that he avoided the quiet +ponds, that he see not his image. In desperation he called on +Zeus, then sighed. Even Zeus, mightiest of the Gods, labored +under the Curse of Cronus. + + + +On a certain day, in a certain glade he walked, knowing not +where to turn. His thirst grew, and he noted water trickling +down the hillside ahead. At the base of the hill a small spring +formed a placid pool, and he leaned forward to drink of its +water. + +"Not me! Let it not be me!" + +The gaunt, ancient creature reflected in the still waters +screamed out the words. + +He would turn away, and yet he could not. Fascinated he noted +the wrinkled face, the gnarled hands, the tired eyes. + +My youth, to have fled so quickly! The Curse of Cronus indeed! + +Night shadows were fast enveloping the land. He cut soft limbs +and foliage to make his bed. It mattered not. All beds to him +were hard. Emptying his pouch he nearly dropped the mirror of +Venus. + +He caught it before it struck the ground. I need no more bad +luck, the thought crossed his mind. + +The image of Venus brought tears to his eyes. The beauty +reflected in the mirror but days before had disappeared. Now was +seen but an old crone, straggly hair, wrinkled face, bent back. +Still the eyes tore at his soul. + +The sad eyes that held remembrance of beauty beyond that of all +beings. They seemed to say, "If I could but forget what once I +was. Then I could more readily bear this plight." + +He shuddered, held the mirror in his hand as he stretched out +on his forest bower. Sleep would come soon. And with sleep, +Cronus! + +And so it was. Cronus stood silent at the foot of his sylvan +bed. He held an object in his hand, gazed at it in deep thought. + +The mirror of Venus! + +He had taken it from the bed where Demo lay. Slowly Cronus +lowered the mirrored, glanced at the boy. Demo stirred, looked +with tired eyes at his visitor. + +"I know this one from long ago. I see, yet I know not the face, +nor the name. Is this your mother, boy?" + +"No, sire, this is the face of another, the face of one you +once loved. The face of one you have condemned to misery. This +is the face of your granddaughter, Venus, disfigured by the +Curse of Cronus." + +Cronus' eyes widened, and he glanced once more at the mirror. +"I shall take this with me. Sleep, boy, this night I give you +rest." + +Head bowed, he turned and walked away, fading into the night. + +Demo slept. + + + +He woke late, the sun high in the sky. Even then might he have +slept, except for the sound of the sparrows. + +They hopped excitedly around an object gleaming on the forest +floor. He rose, walked to it, and they took wing in fright. + +The mirror of Venus. Cronus had dropped it there before he +left. Strange. He had been so moved by the aged image therein. +Demo shook his head, picked up the mirror. + +In shock, he almost let it fall. + +The beauty of Venus, radiant and young, once more graced its +surface. + +Eyes wide he glanced at the hand holding the mirror. The +gnarled fingers, wrinkled and old, were no more. The strong +hands of youth now held the mirror. + +Quickly he rushed to the spring, examined his countenance. + +Cronus had relented. + +He heard a distant rumble of thunder, glanced anxiously to the +sky. + +A voice, strong and yet soft, reached his ears. + +"Well done, my son." He knew the sojourn had ended. + +And then he heard the words again. "Well done, my son." and +felt a hand shaking him. + +"Yes, well done. The firewood you were to gather, where is it? +Do you know the sun is near its zenith, and you still lie abed." + +"Yes, mother, I shall fetch it quickly." + +He shook his head. Only a dream? He looked at his hand, the +hand of youth. As he sat on the edge of his bed his foot brushed +an object. + +Absentmindedly he reached down, picked it up. + +He found himself gazing on the beauty of Venus, a smile on her +face. The lips seemed to move, and expressed in a voice all +softness the gratitude shining in her eyes. + +He smiled. No! + +No! Not a dream. + + + +As a child I nourished him. His body I made strong, agile; his +mind, quick. Strength I gave him, and the will to bear pain +without flinching. Almost, eternal life. But that was not to be. + +Ceres was thinking to herself. + +The voice I heard while praying - It is, I am sure, his voice. +The time is coming when this tragedy shall end. In some manner, +unknown to me, Fate will bring the paths together. + +Ah, yet how powerful is the enemy! Zeus himself alone is more +powerful. + + + +No, not true. Moira has mapped the path of each, be they God or +man. And Fate has given me a vision. + +I knew not then to what purpose the boy's skills would be +needed. How quickly time has passed, and the wrong done my +daughter is yet to be avenged! + +His shall be the duty. + +I grow old, my limbs puny. + +He is young, strong. My enemy shall be his enemy. + +And for that enemy his name shall be Nemesis! + +8. The Minotaur + +"Being a well-educated earthling," Zeus began, a slight touch +of sarcasm in his voice, "You are undoubtedly familiar with the +legends of the Minotaur?" + +"I have been told the legend by my mother, sire." + +"Ah, a wise woman. And proud, I am sure, to have such a +stalwart, handsome offspring." + +"At times she has expressed doubts. However, it is but a +motherly quirk, or so I believe." + +"Fine, fine." Zeus seemed weary of the conversation, and yawned +loudly. + +"Pardon me, my son. It isn't that you aren't a brilliant +conversationalist. I could listen to your childish prattle - eh +- to your exploits for hours on end. Shameful, I have so little +time for such pleasures. I must attend to my chores, you know. +Have to give the globe another kick before long, keep it +spinning." He paused long enough to sip at his nectar. + +"Poor year, this. Lousy flavor. Must force myself to drink it, +I suppose." He took a large draught from the flask, smacked his +lips. + +"Well, the annual circus is scheduled for later this spring. +I've decided that we shall have some unusual creatures to +entertain the Gods. They grow listless and tired with dull +repetitive acts. Dragons, unicorns - you know, all old hat. So I +thought I'd surprise them this time. A jolly old minotaur may +well jolt them a little. Yes it should." He mused aloud. + +"Bring one back. Oh, don't hurt it, please. Want it in good +shape. And find out what it eats, will you? Hate to have it +starve on us. I suppose we could feed it nectar and mead. Might +not drink the nectar. This year's nectar is really poor. Not fit +for a minotaur." He took another draught, licked his lips, then +took an additional one. + + + +"Where . . . ?" Demo started to ask, only to find himself +sitting on the ground in his front yard, addressing the air. + +"Yes, dear?" his mother queried. + +"Nothing. Mother, do you recall telling me of the minotaur?" + +"Why, isn't that strange. They had a special on TV just last +night on the very subject. The nasty creature has wandered away +from the maze. No one knows to where. Frightful creature. I +certainly hope it doesn't come near here. I'd give it such a +whack." + +She brandished her broom in the air, brought it down within +inches of Demo's foot. + +He scrambled backward. + +"No one knows where it is?" + +"No, sonny. But you stay away from the woods for a while. It +may well be wandering out there. It could be very hungry. And no +one knows what it eats. It really has a nasty temper, or so they +say. I wonder why it has a nasty temper?" + + + +Drat! Wandered off from the maze. Poor security, I'd say. Where +would I wander if I were a minotaur? He sat in quiet thought. + +Food, of course, it must find food. No keepers to feed it now. +And water, certainly. The body of a bull, the upper torso of a +man. Boy, I bet it has a strange diet! + +I could go over and look at the maze. Might be a clue or two +there. And I better talk to the keepers. They should have a +handle on its feeding habits. + +And if I find it? What then? How does one capture a minotaur? +Or keep oneself from being devoured by it? Ahh, and I was so +happy as a simple hunter! + +"Mother, I'm off again tomorrow." + +"Oh, I wish Zeus would quit sending you on these silly errands. +And you should forget about that Athena. I hear she has a +vicious temper. Now Theresa, she is such a lovely girl. And so +docile. You'd make such a handsome couple," she finished +wistfully. + +"Yes, mother. Do tell dear Theresa hello for me." + + + +Morning came early. He rose grumpily, washed his face in the +wash basin, and carried it out the door to throw away the water. + +He paused to look up at the stars, still brilliant in a dark +sky. Orion was low in the sky, and seemed to be pointing toward +the ocean's shore. + +Perhaps it is an omen, he thought. I shall trek to the ocean. +After all, the minotaur may have plans to leave our land for one +more to his - it's - liking. + +Demo tossed the water out into the darkness, heard it splash, +then a sudden sputtering and words not fit for ears of a young +man. + +"Watch what you are about. If Pluto weren't so concerned I'd +just quit this foolishness." The fox imp was leaping up and +down, shaking itself to shed the water. "This is the second bath +I've had this year. Enough is enough! Going to catch a minotaur, +eh? At this rate I'm going to catch a cold!" He sneezed loudly. + +"You'll be lucky to catch a mouse!" + +Suddenly the imp was silent. He frowned, turned cautiously. + +With a deep growl Rough pounced. + +The imp squealed, rolled sideways, and dashed madly to the +closest tree. Clambering up the oak, the imp glared down at +Rough in anger. "I shall certainly sic Cerberus on you! What a +thrashing you will get! Call off your dog, boy. Quickly, now, or +I will send him where he would not go." + +The threat seemed real. "Come here, Rough. You'd not care for +the taste of carrion." + +"Carrion? Carrion, is it! The seasons pass, my boy. And you +near your destiny. I merely hope to be there when you meet that +destined fate. Yes, indeed! Then there'll be no talk of carrion!" + +He looked carefully at Rough, who stood tense and ready at +Demo's side. When the imp thought the time propitious he leaped +from the tree limb, danced a jig beneath the branches. All the +while watching Rough carefully. Demo held the dog tightly. +Finally the imp rushed angrily into the orchard, growling in a +high-pitched voice while glancing anxiously over its shoulder +for the approach of Rough. "Minotaur, indeed! Wait 'til I get on +the phone to Pluto!" + + + +"Mother, I'm off to Minos. I want to see where the minotaur +lived." + +"Well, for goodness sake, don't go inside. People just keep +popping in, and Theseus is the only one to pop out again. Must +be awfully crowded in there. If you pass by your Aunt Matilda's +place, tell her I'll see her next week." + + + +He picked up his bike, kicked the tires, and started pedaling. +The phrase 'Minos or bust' came to mind, he didn't know why. +Probably some historical significance, he thought. + +Naturally he had a flat before reaching midway on his trip. +"And no gas station within miles," he muttered aloud. + +Never trusted these contraptions anyway. I guess I shouldn't +complain. It did save me a few hours. I'll drop it off at Aunt +Matilda's, and pick it up later. + + + +"Oh, Demo, how tall you have grown. My, my! And so handsome. I +must introduce you to my neighbor's daughter. You'd make such a +perfect couple!" Aunt Matilda was plainly glad to see him. + +"I really can't eat another bite. You are such a good cook, +Aunt Matilda. Oh, mother said she'll be over next week. I think +she wants to borrow a pattern from you. She's always sewing. +Wished she'd learn to darn. Look at the holes in these socks!" + +It took some time to extricate himself from the enthusiastic +welcome of his Aunt. Eventually he left the bike in the garage +next to the chariot, bade her a fond farewell, and hurried on +his way. He'd be lucky to reach the maze by nightfall. + +But he did. He crossed over the bridge, followed the winding +path over the ridge. And there it was. + +The maze, from the outside at least, was rather impressive. +Huge massive walls of at least a man and a half in height. And +they seemed to extend indefinitely, eventually disappearing into +a wooded ravine. The keepers sat at the gate, talking together, +and glancing nervously around. + +"I hear the minotaur has escaped?" Demo questioned. + +"That it has. We were distracted. This lady was going by and +she . . . " He seemed to think better of his comment. "Anyway, +we were distracted. It snuck out, quiet like. Amazing, for a +bull. More like a tiger, stealthy quiet. It's sad, really. Never +trust a minotaur. They'll turn on you. And to think how many +years I've watched and guarded the creature. And my father +before me, and his before him. Minotaurs lack dependability. +I'll take a cat every time, myself. Don't eat nearly as much. +Nice pets. Catch mice, too. Of course, for all I know, so do +minotaurs. Nah, they couldn't be that spry!" + +"How many stand guard here?" + +"There are twelve of us. But what's to guard! He's gone, all +right. Didn't touch his food last night. Of course, I really +don't blame him. The ladies of the Minotaur Monitor Group +required that we feed him half hay, half fish or poultry. I +think he stuck at the hay. So he is half bull. Of course, that's +not the eating half. Anyway, the ladies had their way - and now +look how it's all turned out. Of course, I slipped him a glass +of wine at times, and he was appreciative of that, I want you to +know." + +"I'd like to go inside, glance around if I may." + +"Oh, no! Zeus forbid! The going in is easy - it's the coming +out that comes hard. None who went in have come out in my time. +Nor in my father's time. Before that, there are those who claim +Theseus went in, killed the minotaur, and came out. Well, I'll +have you know, if he went in it wasn't far in - and he snuck out +in a hurry. Cause the minotaur is alive and well, and wandering +around I don't know where on this damp night. I surely hope he +doesn't catch a cold. No, no, sir! You don't want to go in +there." + +"Well, I thought about the coming out again. If you'll kindly +hold the end of this rope I'll take the other end in with me. +And when I'm ready to come out I'll just follow the rope right +back to here. No way I can get lost if you'll just hold on to +the trusty rope." + +After some discussion the guards admitted Demo to the +entranceway. The chief guard held the rope end in his own hands, +and Demo proceeded to follow the maze. Every so often he pulled +on the rope. The tension in the line gave him a feeling of +confidence. + +But circumstances outside the maze did not bode well for his +escapade. + + + +"Ah, good evening again, ladies. Oh, you dropped your +handkerchief, miss. Let me get it for you." The chief guard +politely stepped forward to help the damsel in distress, in the +process laying down the rope. + +Unfortunately, at that moment Demo tugged at the rope, to +insure his path to safety continued in place. + +Tensionless, the rope lay loose on the smooth floor! + +He frowned. Perhaps, he thought, I've left too much slack in +it. This time he pulled harder. The rope moved easily, coiled at +his feet. Demo's face whitened. + +The chief guard turned in time to see the end of the rope +snaking into the maze. He rushed forward to grab it, reached the +entranceway in time to see it disappear down one of the many +openings that seemed to appear and then vanish before his +startled eyes. + +He placed his hand on the entranceway, took a tentative step +inside, then quickly withdrew his foot. + +"Ah, what a nice young lad he was! I wonder where he can be. I +do hope he starts back quickly, before the rope's end has +completely slipped within. Oh, well, time for supper. Do hope +the wife included a sip of wine. Relaxes one." + +Demo looked dazedly at the rope coiled at his feet. The entire +length was there, even the grappling hook that the chief guard +had held so firmly in hand. + +He sat down, stared at the walls that now seemed to press upon +him ever closer. Finally he stood up, used the rope to measure +their separation. After a while he measured it again. No, just +imagination. They hadn't moved. The narrow corridors maintained +a constant width, half a man's height. + +All the same the appearance that the corridor became more and +more narrow stayed with him. Is there truly no escape from the +maze? How many had gone before, never to return. Did they die +here? Or does it lead to another land, another world? Well, I +shall not remain here. And I will escape this maze. But how? How? + +He bowed his head, eventually fell into a disturbed sleep. He +dreamed of searching for Athena, hidden in the middle of an +impossible maze. + +At times he dreamt he had found her, held her in his arms, as +she whispered in his ear. Love words? Or something else. What +was she saying? + +Demo woke, glanced around. + +Day was breaking and the sky above was brightening. +Nevertheless, something was wrong. This wasn't his home! This +was - ah, the maze. Slowly he stood up. + +Athena. She had been trying to tell him something. Something +very important. She had whispered so low the words were unclear. +He shook his head, started to wander off in search of the +entranceway. + +Then he stopped. + +It was something about the rope. She whispered something about +the rope. I better take it with me. + + + +The guards huddled around the fire, talking dispiritedly. + +I suppose they'll transfer us back to headquarters. Can't stand +that place! Too many brass. Too much spick and polish." + +"You may not be so lucky. Remember, the minotaur escaped. They +just might cut off our heads!" + +"It wasn't our fault! How could we know it was coming out? Cut +off our heads? Do you really think so?" + +"Hello. Would you share me a bite of bread?" + +Startled, they quickly looked around. + +The chief guard stood up in amazement as Demo leaped to his +side. "Are you real, sir. This is an experience. I've known none +who successfully navigated that maze. Tell me sir, how were you +able to do what none has done before you?" + +Demo took the proffered loaf, tore off a section, and began to +eat. + +The guards eagerly awaited his response. + +"Athena. She whispered it to me in my sleep. I almost missed +it. Mother always told me, wash your ears. She's right, you +know. I nearly didn't hear it." + +"Ah, sir, and what were the words you nearly didn't hear?" + +"Take the rope," is what she said. "An excellent +recommendation, excellent." + +They sat back in disappointment, glanced at one another and at +him. + +"Now why does she want me to take the rope. That's what I asked +myself. And It came to mind that, with the rope and grapple I +could cross the walls, rather than following each corridor. That +way, if one corridor seemed to be getting me nowhere, I could +quickly climb over to the next one." He paused to twist off +another piece of bread. + +The chief guard picked up the paltry remains and slowly ate the +crumbs. + +"Nevertheless, after swapping corridors for a while I found +little evidence that I was making progress. And then another +thought hit me. Brilliant thought, really. And not Athena's, but +my own. I think." He paused, ruminating. + +"Yes, I do believe it was my own." + +The guards looked at each other in exasperation. Demo munched +their bread, then picked up the chief guard's wine bottle. The +latter half-heartedly attempted to retain it, but finally gave +it to Demo. + +"Save me a draught, if you'd be so kind," he growled rather +sarcastically. + +"Anyway, I started to climb to the next corridor. Just when I +got to the top of the wall it struck me. Why fool with those +twisting corridors. I'll merely jump from wall to wall and go in +a straight line until I reach the outer wall. So I noted my +shadow's direction from the rising sun, and headed south to the +wall whereat I entered last night. It didn't take long at all, +and here I am, and this wine is quite tasty. I fear I haven't +saved you a full draught." + +"From wall to wall he went. He didn't solve the maze at all, he +jumped over it. I don't think that's really fair. Oh, well, +certainly effective," the chief guard grumbled. "Yes, you are +right, you saved me less than a draught." + +He shook the empty bottle above his upturned lips, to no avail. + +"I don't suppose you have any idea where he might have gone?" + +"The minotaur? Well, the old boy has put on a little weight +over the past century. I'd wager he moved mostly downhill, +toward the sea. Much easier path to stroll, I'm thinking." + +Demo nodded. As reasonable an assumption as any other. Off to +the sea, then. + + + + Demo heard the pounding waves long before reaching the shore. +As he broke out of the undergrowth onto the rock-strewn beach +his eyes widened. + +The huge waves seemed almost upon him, then broke, ending in a +gentle flow lapping at his feet. The sea was not the gentle blue +of calmer days, but a deep and angry green. The skies were dark +on the far horizon where a powerful storm built and drove the +pounding waves. White froth leaped high into the sky where water +met solid boulders. And on one such boulder a creature sat. A +creature that blended well with the nature's fury. + +The unseen companion, barely discernible through mist and froth. + +He closed his eyes, breathed deeply. + +When he looked again the massive boulder was bare. + +Still, something moved. Beyond, on the beach, something stood. + +He rubbed his eyes, lurched forward, the unstable stones +twisting under his steps. + +It had not moved, waited silently. + +The minotaur! + +"You don't have a bale of hay on you, by any chance? Or even a +steak? I've been eating this sea weed for days now. Not that +it's bad. Learned to enjoy it while in the Orient, years ago. +Great taste, yet enough is enough, really. By the way, I suppose +I do look rather strange. They tell me I'm a minotaur, whatever +that is. It does have some advantages, with four legs and all." +He reached down and picked up a handful of brown kelp, gnawed at +it judiciously. + +"Has a flavor all its own. Quiet different from dried seaweed I +use to enjoy in Japan. Actually, I learned to enjoy it with +sesame seed and soy sauce. You wouldn't have either of those in +your pouch, I suppose. No, well, I didn't expect it. Should +never travel without them, though. Local supermarkets seem to +run out so quickly. Would you care to join me in a swim?" + +Demo glanced out to the raging sea. The waves, which he had +thought to be huge before, now had doubled in height. Even the +boulders seemed to rock under the force of the surge of water. + +"No, I think I'll stay here and play in the sand. I'm just not +in the mood for a swim today. The water does look lovely, +though. Why don't you indulge yourself?" + +"No, no! Never swim alone! And old safety rule I picked up +somewhere. By the way, are you here vacationing?" + +"Actually, I was looking for you." + +The minotaur suddenly tensed, became alert. + +"You aren't planning to take me back to that silly maze now, +are you? I'd walk around that place once each day, and its +windings back and forth made me seasick. I should never have +bought that place. + +"Ahh, a real salesman! The Realtor was so very enthusiastic. A +month after I bought it he came to the door to ask how I liked +the property. I invited him inside, and haven't seen him since. +I guess the place did have a few good points at that. +Personally, though, I prefer view property. And I'll certainly +not go back! No indeed! Of course, they did feed me. But hay? Do +I look like I would enjoy the taste of hay?" He stared defiantly +at the boy. + +"Oh, no! I definitely have no intent of taking you back there." + +"I'm glad to hear that. You see, I've been a captive behind +those walls so long! I want to see the world. I'm looking to +join a carnival and travel from place to place. After all, I'd +be major attraction, don't you think?" + +Demo listened in disbelief, and in sudden glee. "A carnival! +Not a carnival. What you want to do is join a circus. Now that +is the life. A three ring circus. The big top! Definitely, a +circus!" + +"I have no delusions of grandeur. Don't you think that might be +presumptuous on my part. A little carnival would be sufficient." + +"I have a . . . an acquaintance. I do believe we can have you +as the chief attraction in the center ring. In fact, I'm sure of +it. You would perform before the crown heads of Europe . . . I +mean, before Zeus and all the Gods on Olympus. Believe me, this +. . . acquaintance would be more than pleased to have you." + +"Wonderful, wonderful! When can we start?" + +"Right now. And if you'll let me ride on your back I think we +can make it in record time." + + + +The gatekeeper was notably reluctant to allow their entrance. +Fortunately Hera was near and heard the argument. "Of course he +can come in. It isn't every day we have such handsome company. +And Zeus is looking forward to your return. He always is." She +said the last in a sardonic tone. + +It puzzled Demo at times, how the words said one thing, but the +tone implied something quite different. + +Hera announced them. "Zeus, your ringmaster and his chief +attraction have arrived." + +Zeus, who was staring at his cups, looked up. + +"Poor year for nectar. And now you're back. What else can go +wrong!" + + + +The division had seemed fair and equitable. Zeus to receive the +Heavens, Poseidon the oceans, and himself the nether world. Oh, +they differed a bit in the dimensions, but when the dimensions +were so large what mattered it? + +Pluto sat on his throne, reminiscing. + +We were all young bucks in those days, before Cronus and Rhea +were driven out. Actually, as parents go, they hadn't been too +bad. Old fashioned, believed in discipline - they just wouldn't +give in to the whims of their children. It finally reached the +point that something had to be done. + +Zeus got the word first. + +The three of them were to be turned over as wards to the court! + +Incorrigible!, Yes, that was the word they used! + +Themis had been looking forward eagerly to the day. I should +never have dipped her pigtails in the ink. She resents that to +this very day. And how was I to know she would be the Goddess of +Justice and Law! + +Yes, she was more than willing to take control of their lives! + +Zeus laid out their counterplan, suggested the details of the +partition. He and Poseidon merely acquiesced. Zeus had always +been the smooth one. + +They woke Cronus and Rhea in the dark of night, Zeus with that +mighty thunderbolt, the one Vulcan had fashioned at Cronus' +direction. A thunderbolt so powerful even the Titans such as +Cronus and Rhea could not stand against it. + +Reluctantly Cronus and Rhea agreed to leave. Of course, they +pleaded with the children. He and Poseidon had felt remorse, had +almost backed down, allowed them to remain. + +Zeus was adamant. He would provide the Titans a world of their +own, but to that world they must depart. And so depart they did, +off to Tartarus. + +The exodus went smoothly, except for that little incident of +the Curse of Cronus. At first he thought it was merely a bad +joke. Ah, a few gray hairs and aching joints had long since +convinced him. It was no joke! + + + +Well, well, time had passed. And now here he sat on the throne +of his realm. With a queen yet! + +So he had stolen her away! It hadn't really been done with evil +intent. And he had made an honest woman of her, proper marriage +ceremony and all. + +He'd never forget her mother. Angry? Whew, was she ever angry! +Nothing she could do, however. Zeus himself conducted the +ceremony. Couldn't be more official than that. + +Food was delicious. Persephone hadn't eaten much. Of course, +every young girl is excited by her marriage, wouldn't expect her +to eat very heartily. + +Joyful occasion, over all. + +Except for two incidents. + +Zeus had promised Persephone as a wedding present to give her +one wish. How would anyone guess that she would wish for six +months each year with her mother! Dreadful mistake, that wedding +present. Zeus was a bit muddled, plainly, when he let himself be +cajoled into such a promise. + +The other incident hadn't been quite that bad. + +Ceres came forward to give him her blessing. + +She wiped the tears from her eyes, looked straight at him, and +intoned slowly - "One born of man shall aid her, and when you +follow him it will be to a foreordained destiny." + +That was all. She smiled, turned away, and left the wedding +party. + +He had brooded long over her words. + +Zeus knew not of their content, or refused to divulge his +knowledge. + +She was his bride, this his kingdom, and the only earthlings +were those poor souls whose lifely habits had condemned them to +his control. + +Pluto, Ruler of Hades, to fear nothing. + +Death could not claim him! + +Even Zeus entered not into Pluto's domain! + +So why this premonition, this uncertainty! + +9. The Dragon's Breath + +"My Boy, My Boy! Ah, I am indeed so proud of you! Such daring! +Such courage! And such wisdom! Well, I am all but shamed to send +you on the ridiculous chore I now have in mind." + +Zeus rubbed his hands together, clapped them, and otherwise +exhibited an excess of glee. + +"Yes, after surviving such adventures as that of the Minotaur, +the next task will be rather childish. Ah, well, even routine +chores must be done. I have the same problem, you know." + +"Indeed, every day, day in and day out, I must spin the earth +around. I actually missed a day! Gave everyone quite a scare. +Ho! I made up for it. Spun it twice as fast the next day. I say, +that was jolly." + +"Of course, the wife gave me whatfor. Oh, I deserved it. You +know, if you don't give it that spin each day, it starts to +wobble. I wonder if I didn't spin it for . . .?" + +He looked around for his wife. "Of course, I would never +consider doing that. Eh, well, the next chore . . ." + +"Dentistry! I hate the thought of it! My dentist tells me I +need to have some teeth replaced. Ridiculous! Five teeth, to be +exact." + +"Of course, I couldn't possibly use ordinary repairs. Gold +teeth, now. I do like the sheen of gold. But, no, that wont do. +Very picky, these dentists. At times I've thought of driving +them out of Olympus, right down to another kingdom! Let 'em +visit Pluto for a while. My brother's very sociable." + +"And that, in a nutshell, is the chore." + +"To drive out the dentists?", Demo asked in confusion. + +"Sorry, sorry. To continue, then." Zeus frowned. "You know, +you've really shown a great deal of brilliance. I'm surprised I +have to explain things in such detail. Never mind. Now listen +carefully." + +He paused, sipped slowly from his flask the divine nectar of +the Gods. He frowned, and a large black cloud formed above him. +In a moment rain drops began to pellet them. + +Hastily he looked up. "Ah, go away! Go away! Go bother Pluto!" + +The cloud drifted rapidly away, darting from side to side in +uncertainty. Zeus reached up, produced a towel, and wiped his +visage. + +"They've changed the flavor again. Can't leave well enough +alone. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's what I always +say. It's not like the good old days. They knew how to prepare +nectar then. I mean real nectar, with a kick." + +He took another sip. "Well, well, one must make do." + +"Cadmus. He killed this serpent, see. Knocked out its teeth, +sowed them like seed, and raised an . . . Oh, it doesn't matter!" + +"The important thing is, five teeth remain. For all his +prowess, he didn't knock them out. My dentist says I must have +those. No substitutes. No plastic. The real McCoy. Dentists!" + +"Anyway, they're right in your own back yard. T'other side of +the mountain from your home, actually. Easy day's trip. Just get +a gunny sack, go over and pick 'em up, and bring 'em back. Your +task, then - should you choose to accept it - is - get those +teeth." + +Demo frowned. Somehow it seemed he had heard those words before. + +Zeus smiled kindly, reached out and patted Demo's head. + +"I do apologize. It's such a silly task! But necessary. So be +on your way." + +Demo stood up, knowing he had been dismissed. The sudden +landing when dismissed from Olympus back to earthly surroundings +is best met standing and with flexed muscles. + +As he departed he heard Zeus murmur, "Actually, this nectar +does have a certain bouquet, a body, an essence of its own." + +He couldn't quite make out the last few words. " Hmmm, did I +tell the boy that the serpent isn't dead after all? Minor +detail." + + + +"Mother, do you know aught of Cadmus?" + +"Cadmus. Oh, yes, he lived down the valley a ways. Strange +fellow. Went around killing dragons and such. In fact, that was +his downfall. Poor soul. Why do you ask." + +"Was he a dentist?" + +"Oh, heavens no! Sorry, Zeus, no disrespect intended. Ah, +you're thinking of the dragon's teeth. Did I ever tell you about +that. It goes to show the ridiculous way some of the neighbors +behave. Let me see." She paused, a slight frown on her face. + +"If you cross the mountain at lowpass and descend to where the +river forks, you'll see it." + +Demo waited, but plainly she wanted him to ask. + +"Yes, mother, what is it I will see?" + +"The field, the very field where Cadmus sowed the dragon's +teeth. It grew him a dreadful crop, it did." + +"Warriors! They sprang up from the ground! Fully armed, ready +for battle. Big, burly, rascals all. And he didn't even have to +water or fertilize. I wonder how big they might have been if he +had used fertilizer?" + +"Vicious tempers, though. Hardly spoke a civil word to him or +each other before they were hard at it, fighting like children. +He just stood and watched openmouthed. Couldn't believe adults +would behave so abominably. Did I pronounce that right?" + +"Yes, mother, I think you did." + +"Thank you. I really need to review my English - eh, Greek. One +does forget, you know." + +"Cadmus, mother, and the dragon's teeth?" + +"They went bonkers, killed each other off, except for half a +dozen. They looked around, and one said 'Hey, you could get hurt +out here.' and they walked off the field over to Cadmus. He put +them to work building some kind of city, Planned to live there, +I think. Anyway, he got one of the God's peeved. Wasn't too +smart, Cadmus." + +"Really, mother. What happened?" + +"Turned him and his wife into serpents. Kind of poetic justice +I suppose. He comes slithering around this way every so often. I +don't mind, cause he kills the mice. It is a little +disconcerting when he starts talking about the good old days, +though. And I have to be extra careful I don't step on him. He +always was the one to be underfoot." + + + +Demo bartered with the village smithy for some metal tongs and +a hammer, stowed them in his pouch, and headed for lowpass. A +beautiful day, with bright sun and cooling breeze. + +"Five teeth. Zeus is right, this is a silly task." + +At lowpass he gazed out over the wide valley. The river flowed +roughly through its center, and the fork in the river was less +than half a day's travel away. With a satisfied grunt he began +the descent. + +At first the trail ran steeply down. He half walked, half slid. +But eventually the incline became less intense, and he made good +progress. The path widened as it reached the green meadow. From +there it led with little deviation directly to the dragon's +woods. + +In due time he reached the field. It was immediately +recognizable. + +Rusted armor and scattered bones brought tears to his eyes. So +many brave men had died, and for nothing! + +Here and there a small helmet rose only partway above the +ground. "Ah, bad seed, I suppose. Never ripened." + +Then he heard it. + +The sound came from the forest adjoining the field. A moan, +almost ghostly in quality. + +"Do the spirits of these dead warriors dwell in yonder copses?" +he whispered to himself. Slowly he approached the forest edge. + +It rushed from among the trees, fire breathing from its mouth. +Its huge body threshed from side to side, knocking giant trees +to the ground. + +As it saw him it stopped, moaned again. "I see you have some +tongs there. Are you perchance a dentist. I've got this terrible +toothache." It had hardly finished speaking when it moaned once +more. + +"No, I'm not a dentist. But, see here, maybe there is something +I can do. Do you know where I'll find a dead dragon. Killed by +Cadmus, if I rightly recall?" + +"I am he, eh, it. Didn't kill me. Terrible dentist. Never, +never go to Cadmus for treatment. No anesthetic at all! just +yanked 'em out." The creature shuddered. + +"The worst part is, he left five. He left the five I really had +wanted him to work on. Never, never, trust a dentist. Oh, boy, +do they ache." + +Five, well that must be the five. Demo thought carefully. + +"Well, hang in there. I think we can get you some help. Come +along now." + + + +When they arrived at Olympus Zeus was out back. + +"Just go through the gate right there," Hera smiled. "I'm sure +he'll be glad to see you. Shouldn't your pet be on a leash, +though? Keep him out of the flowers. And don't let him chase my +cat. She'll claw him good if he does." + +She reached down and scratched her pet behind the ears. The +saber-toothed tiger purred softly, arched its back. With a +supercilious look it examined the dragon as though it were an +oversize mouse. Eventually it followed Hera out the door, merely +stopping once to glance disdainfully back. + +Zeus was busy, feeding fuel to a small still. He opened a valve +at the base, filled his flask with the sparkling liquid. + +"This is it. Just the right flavor. Just the right consistency. +Just the right strength." He slowly sipped, threw his head back +and took a larger swallow. + +At that moment Demo and his companion entered the garden, and +the dragon groaned. + +Zeus took the cup from his lips, stared wide-eyed at the +dragon, then looked at his drink. He closed his eyes, shook his +head, then looked at the dragon once more. + +"Boy, do you notice something unusual behind you. I do believe +this nectar has muddled my senses." + +"Oh, no sir. Nothing unusual. I've completed my task." + +"Nothing unusual." He said the words sadly, emptied his flask +on the ground. "I was afraid you were going to say that." He +shook his head. + +He looked once more at the dragon and frowned. "I'll drink no +more of that stuff." + +"The teeth, boy, the gunny sack full of teeth. Where are they?" + +"Right here, sir." Demo pointed to the dragon. + +Zeus blinked, then smiled. + +"Aaah! Yes! I understand. Well, now, that's all right. I had +some doubts there for a moment. Thank you, my boy." He refilled +his flagon. + +"Yes, I see. Well, take them, then. The teeth, that is. Fight +him. Hit him a nasty blow and take the teeth. Get on with it." + +"Oh, no sir. He's more than willing to part with them. They +hurt dreadfully, he tells me. I told him your dentist would +willingly remove them." + +"Yes, of course." Somehow Zeus sounded disappointed. + +Odd, he sounded disappointed at the completion of each task. + +"Well," Zeus growled at the dragon. "Don't just stand there. +The phone's over yonder. Make an appointment and get them +pulled. I do hope the dentist isn't all booked up." + + + +The palace had all the jewels, all the objects of art, all the +trappings a person could desire. But for a country girl raised +in a small hut it lacked a prime requisite. + +It flat wasn't homey. + +Such was Persephone's evaluation. + +Even that could have, over time, been corrected. + +A second problem concerned her even more. + +Her husband. + +He wasn't presentable. + +His looks were atrocious, his bearing boorish, and he could +only be described as uncouth. + +He had one slight redeeming grace. + +In his own strange way, he loved her. + +That fact, more than anything else, made her unhappy. + +If he were but toying with her she could willingly have +despised, yes, even hated him! + +His love was real. + +He showed it in his every attempt to be kind, in his watchful +manner. If she seemed to only hunger, he sent for food. If she +were only tired, he prepared her bed. If she showed sorrow he +tried to bring joy. + +How miserable to be married to a monster with a kind heart! + +Her feelings vacillated. + +At times she hated him for having abducted her, for keeping her +from her mother and the flowery garden where she had played. + +At times she pitied him for the suffering he bore +uncomplainingly. + +Only she knew the sadness in his soul as each new sinner moved +into his kingdom. Their pain he suffered too. Yet he was chained +forever to his duty, to be the Master of the Nether Regions. + +In spite of her feelings she thought of different ploys, +plotted, to escape from this dark world. + +In time that escape would occur. + +As would regrets. + +10. Heaven's Essence + +On Olympus, in spite of all the stories and legends, idyllic +conditions do prevail. Zeus and Hera live in peaceful bonds of +matrimony. Mercury zooms off here and yon, now here, now yon. +Zephyrs blow gently. Paradise indeed. + +But, occasionally, matters go astray. The essence of heaven is +flavored with a drop from misery's vial. And, oh, what +despondency, what black moods, and what strange and tragic +escapades a drop may launch! + +Demo found himself at the center of one such escapade. He +quickly wished himself elsewhere. To no avail. + +"We're going on a very short vacation, Hera and I. It's been +eons, literally, eons! So I just want you to take care of the +place while were gone. Keep an eye on things. Check the house +plants, make sure they are watered. Feed Cerberus's pup. That's +really about it. I suppose I ought not do it, but I'll give you +credit for a full - eh, for half a task." Zeus smiled happily. + +"You told me . . . .," Hera paused, and angry look in her eye. + +"You are right dear, you are absolutely right. A full task, my +boy. Out of the goodness of my heart." Zeus glanced petulantly +toward Hera. Fortunately she was examining her garb in the +mirror. + +"Oh, one minor detail. You'll be baby-sitting Cupid during our +absence. Venus left him here to keep us company. He's a +wonderful little chap. I'm sure you'll get along splendidly." + +Was there a smirk on Zeus' face, a touch of facetiousness in +his voice? + + + +"Boy, why are you sitting on the throne of Zeus?" + +Demo turned, startled. + +"Eh, you see, I'm in charge. Zeus is on vacation, and I'm +filling in for him." + +"Indeed! A likely story. Let's see your credentials!" + +For a moment Demo hesitated. Then he stood erect, shoulders +back, as kingly as he knew how to stand. + +"Who are you to question the credentials of an appointee of the +mighty Zeus. See, here in my hands he has left his thunderbolt, +symbol of his power. And in a moment I shall become angry and +cast it at you. Begone! And when you are allowed to return, do +so with a better grace, or I shall send you trapping, off to +visit . . . well, off to visit his brother Pluto. Now, off with +you, and quickly!" + +Demo took the thunderbolt in his right hand, raised it high, +and made as furious a face as a 17 year old might make. + +Apparently it was sufficient. The lackey backed quickly out of +immediate range, bowing low and rushing madly from the room as +he reached the entranceway. + +Demo smiled. + +Well, he thought, I could have done worse. A little more +practice is all I need. This Zeus surrogate role could be quite +pleasant. + +It wouldn't be. + +The clouds were difficult. In fact, he couldn't master them at +all. + +With Zeus, merely to think an angry thought generated them. +They clustered, dark and ominous, above his head. Streaks of +lightning jumped from cloud to cloud. + + + +Demo tried, but he could not really develop a seriously angry +thought. At one time he did almost generate a mild fog, thinking +about the fox-imp. With it's antic in mind, his better nature +overcame him, and he broke into laughter. Poor fox-imp. It had +been so concerned when Rough growled. + +For two days were Zeus and Hera to vacation, and two trials +were imposed on Demo, one on each of those long days. + + + +The first day Demo sat in the garden, relaxing, watching the +green grass grow. It was chore that pleased him, requiring +little physical or mental exertion. There are those who prefer +to sit and watch green grass wither. Not Demo. He really had no +mean bone in his body. At least, if he so had he to date hadn't +located it. Actually, he hadn't searched very thoroughly. + +Nevertheless and regardless, here he sat, watching the green +grass grow. Occasionally he broke out his micrometer, measured a +blade or two. "I believe they are shirking. Hasn't changed a +single millimeter!" + +Would that it could have lasted. + +"Sire," Janus bowed. "There are two who would have your +counsel." + +Demo nodded. "Oh, very well. Send them in. Oh, and bring me my +nectar." + +The two who entered were unknown to him. One, the smaller, +limped. The taller, however, walked as unsteadily as did the +small one, and his red nose and blinking eyes suggested a state +of inebriation. + +Demo frowned. + +"Well, what would you have of me. Get on with it!" + +"Sire, this picture, this picture so well crafted, is claimed +by Bacchus. By Bacchus, who can not draw a straight line, nor +walk one. He claims to have painted it, with all its intricacies +and beauty. He lies. I, and I alone, painted this picture. I +would take it with me to my island of Lemnos." + +"Poppycock! Preposterous! This limping lout knows that Zeus is +absent. He wishes to take advantage of your innocence. He is a +worker in metal, merely an artisan. His soul is burned by the +smithy's fire. Art! He knows nothing of art! This picture is of +my own design, and it contains my very soul. An artist, you +know, puts himself into his every product. Look! Here is beauty, +wonder, brilliance - would a smithy even aspire to such +qualities as reflected here!" + +"Ho, yon wimpy wine sop would not know one end of the brush +from the other. More like he would paint the picture in wines of +many colors, not with the pigments you see on this my parchment. + +The picture, limned on parchment stretched on a wooden frame, +depicted a forest scene. Near at hand the trunks of large trees, +and seen between them, in the distance, an open meadow. There +danced woodnymphs. + +Demo examined the picture carefully, then turned it face away +from the purported owners. + +"Tell me," he looked at Bacchus, "what is portrayed, and how so +portrayed?" + +He listened quietly to the exposition of the sylvan scene, the +merry dance of the nymphs, the greens and browns and tone colors +that formed the hues. + +"And you," turning to Vulcan, "describe to me this picture." + +Vulcan closed his eyes and was silent. Then he spoke slowly, +almost as in a trance. "This is the picture of a maiden, her +golden hair lighted by a single beam filtered through the forest +foliage. All else is only background, merely there that she +might display her beauty. It is but a vision, unreal, of what +might be. Yes, it is only the picture of a maiden." + +"Could each of you supply me with a picture similar in nature +that I might compare?" + +Neither could respond to his request. + +"Well, without more evidence I find that I cannot judge for one +or the other. Let me give further thought to the matter. Eh, +come back in 2 days. Zeus will be here, he'll resolve the +problem quickly." + +"My Lord, we are both to leave this edifice this very day. Zeus +has so decreed. He was unhappy with our problem, and requested +that we bring it to your attention." + +Demo frowned. To my attention! + +"It's time for my ambrosia. Return when the sun begins its +descent. I'll give you and answer then. + +He mused. He thought. He worried. He ate. + +Delicious, this ambrosia. Not equivalent to his Mother's +cooking. But certainly good enough for Zeus. + +He carved the food carefully, munching on each savory bite. And +as he carved a thought came to mind. + + + +Okay, I've a solution. With my knife I shall rend the picture +from top to bottom and each may keep his half." + +He took picture, laid it on the table before him, face up, +pulled out his hunting knife. + +Bacchus rose, looked at the picture, then shrugged. "Very well, +Sire. It will serve me just as well. It is but an ornament to +decorate my wall." + +Vulcan looked at Bacchus, at the picture, and then at Demo. + +"No, I would have my picture. Still, let it remain whole. +Though Bacchus may own it, it shall ever be mine. Better it +decorate his wall in its entirety than suffer the sacrilege of +dissection." + +"Upon further thought, Master Vulcan, I consider the picture to +be yours. You speak true, it is the picture of a maiden. All +else is there only for her. And you would lose your masterpiece +rather than see it destroyed. Take it." + +"As for you, Master Bacchus, I find you to be deceitful in this +matter. I would have you accompany Master Vulcan. For six months +you will serve him. And he, in that six months, shall teach you +the rudiments of his art. Now, begone, for Cerberus' pup grows +hungry." + +Was I right? Demo questioned himself. Perhaps, after all, +Bacchus did paint the scene. What would Zeus have done? + +Ah, Zeus would have done much the same. And, being Zeus, he'd +be right by definition. So, of course, as Zeus' surrogate I too +am right by definition. + +Demo smiled. This God stuff wasn't too bad at that. + +So he thought! + + + +Children are lovable. As babies they, sweet and cuddly, invite +one's kind adoration. As toddlers, though underfoot, they laugh +and chatter, bring brightness into our dull lives. Older, they +play, are now defiant, now dependent, as they seek to find their +place in the world. + +Then, there was Cupid. Not quite the child. Yet not an adult. +Ever with the prankish nature of youth. Armed, nevertheless, +with a bow. Armed with arrows of the most pernicious kind. Sly, +at times. Open and outgoing at others, he shared the faults - +and the virtues - of his mother, Venus. + + + +The second day started off nicely. Demo gave the world a little +extra twirl, and it hummed along smoothly. He did note a slight +wobble, and gave it a slight extra spin to compensate. + +He checked the progress of the sun, the positions of the stars, +and kept a weather eye on earth and underworld. + +No problems surfaced. + +He was being lulled into an unwary mood. + +The attack began! + + + +It was ruthless! They came at him in droves, never giving him +time to think. His face whitened, reddened, turned blue. + +Demo tried to think of the terms Zeus might use under such +circumstances. They didn't come. + +Zeus' old flames - angry, petulant, pleading, demanding! + +Demo was caught off guard. + +They informed him that they had an audience. Zeus plainly had +forgotten to pass on the information to him. They waited +impatiently for the promised audience. + +Zeus had promised faithfully, to each and every one, a place by +his side on the throne. Had promised the decision on this very +day. At these words Demo hair stood on end. + +What kind of fit would Hera throw at even such a suggestion. +The heavens would split asunder from her anger! This problem had +to be resolved, and quickly, before the return of Zeus and Hera! + +Nereids and naiads, they came. Sea nymphs and mountain nymphs. +Beauties from far off forgotten corners of the world, and others +from nearby. All with one thought in mind - to claim that +promised gift from Zeus! + +"Ah, Ladies, charming Ladies - I must retire to my chambers and +give this matter careful thought. Return when the sun has +reached its zenith." Demo smiled, bowed, and escaped quickly +before their anger could be vented on him. + + + +It would certainly be simpler if - well, dalliance on such a +scale! It had never entered his mind. Zeus? + +Anyway, whether real or imagined, these angry young ladies were +convinced. What could be done? + + + +Enter Cupid. Helpful child, he considered the dilemma faced by +Demo. In his childish way he quickly arrived at a solution. A +solution of great moment to Demo. + +Cupid's arrows flew! + +Unfailingly they struck the heart of each victim! Unfailingly +they elicited a well-known result! + +Love and ardor possessed each target. Love and ardor, no longer +for Zeus. Rather, for Demo! + +Cupid's arrows flew! And flew! + + + +The approach of noon weighed heavy on Demo. How best to +extricate Zeus from an untenable situation came not to mind. +What to do? A really deplorable situation, with very little room +for maneuvering. My, what would Hera say! + +Aha! An idea came to mind. A contest, to chose one from the +mob! Cut the problem down to size. What kind of contest? + +Of course! + +These, the most beautiful of women - what else? A beauty +contest! + +A problem still remained. Who dare judge such a contest? +Certainly not Demo! He shivered at the thought. The anger of the +losers might well be vented on him. No, someone better qualified +must decide. It had to be someone impartial, and unassailable. +Someone not subject to feminine wiles. + +But who? + +Oddly enough, Cupid entered the throne room at that very +instant. + +Demo smiled. + +A child! Why, of course, a child! Who could be angry at the +decision of a child? And certainly a child would hardly be +swayed as might an adult. + +"Cupid, my lad, I have a chore for you." + +Cupid listened carefully, nodded in understanding, and agreed +to participate in this new game. He would indeed judge the +beauty contest. + +"Janus, bring on the ladies, if you please." + +The meeting did not go as planned. + +The ladies entered. They sat around the room, stood, fidgeted. +Each was unique, beautiful in an individual way. In look and +action they differed. Yet they all did one thing in common. + +They stared at Demo with undisguised desire, boldly caressing +him with ardent gazes. + +Demo felt the hair on his neck rise, and a shiver raced down +his spine. With an effort he announced, "There is insufficient +space in the throne room for all you fair ladies. So we propose +to have a beauty contest, the winner to set beside Zeus and +guide him in matters of the heart. Cupid has volunteered to be +the judge." + +They seemed little interested. Rather, they watched Demo's +every move with strangely glistening eyes. At his direction they +paraded across the throne room. + +Cupid made notes, assigned points for various and sundry +qualities, and finally arrived at a conclusion. He brought his +notepad to Demo, stood quietly beside the throne, cherubic in +appearance. That alone should have forewarned Demo. + +It was a tie! All the contestants had attained identical scores! + +Demo's eyes opened wide, and he quivered. This was unexpected! +He hesitatingly announced the result, readied himself for the +angry outburst he expected. + +There were a few yawns. Some of the ladies engaged in quiet +gossip. All continued to regard him with interest. + +There was no outburst. + +"Who cares." A comment came from the back of the room. + +"Sit beside Zeus! I'd much rather keep company with a charming +boy." The lady stared meaningfully at Demo. + +"Hardly!" Another beauty stood up. "He is certainly mine!" + +In moments the room was filled with rancorous voices, angry and +loud. Turmoil followed, and the crowd quickly moved to the outer +court, accompanied by pummeling and hair pulling. + +Demo sat wide-eyed, glaring at Cupid. + +The boy smiled. "Well, I must practice my archery." + +He strolled away, humming softly. + +Was that a smirk I noted, Demo thought. I'm sure not. After +all, he is only a child. + +I think I'll cut his bow string. + + + +A maiden clothed in white gazed with tear-dimmed eye across an +endless plane. Sulfurous fumes rose from boiling liquid ponds +dotting that dread surface. Manlike creatures, yet men no more, +staggered blindly from place to place. In their ceaseless walk +they fell hapless into the open pits and screaming in agony +clambered out, only to resume their endless wandering. + +With a sob the maiden turned to her companion. Hideous though +the manlike creatures were, the visage of her comrade was more +hideous still. A body twisted, scaly, not of this world, +well-suited to this dark and gloomy clime, supported the +grotesque head. + +"Have you no pity? Is there nothing to be done for these, the +suffering?" + +A voice between whine and growl responded. "They chose, while +on the earth, their own brand of eternity. I am but the keeper. +Yet, for the kindness of your soul, shall their pain be eased +for a brief moment. I shall give them sleep. I can do no more." + +"And for me? I who would choose another world, I who have not +yet passed through death's portal - what have you to offer me?" + +"I offered you a goblet from the River Lethe. That would have +soothed your tears, and washed away all memory of yesterday, and +of all yesterdays. Sadly, you would not drink. Perhaps it is +better." He spoke musingly, as though unsure. + +"You know full well that you are to abide with me until once +more the sun pass through one half his journey. Then may you +return to your mother's lodging, to green grass and gardens, for +a time. Were it within my power the confines of Hades would be +such a garden, that here you might too find beauty. It cannot +be!" + +The creatures of the nether region lay quiet now, a short +respite from their eternal pain. Tears welled from the eyes of +Persephone. Where they fell bloomed sweet violets, even bloomed +in Hades. + +But too quickly they wilted and died. + +11. The Sound of Regulus + + + +"My dear boy, how are you? This weather! I must apologize. I've +been despondent, down in the dumps. I'll try to cheer up, really +I will. Tomorrow you shall have sunshine." And in fact Zeus did +indeed sound cheerful. + +"Your poor dear Mother! I know she washed today, and then to +have that awful deluge! Well, well, I shall have to make amends. +Ah, she does cook such delicious berry pie! Ummm! Ah, I have it! +You will soon notice, on the hillside to the south - I'll +arrange to have the most scrumptious berries grow. Tell her to +pick from that patch. Ah, those pies!" He paused, leaned back on +the throne, eyes closed. The smile reflected that even the +memory of the pies was appealing. + +"But I mustn't waste your time. My snake charmer, poor soul, +has lost his snake. Not literally. It has just grown old +(Cronus, you know) and can't hear his flute to well. So he needs +a snake. And he won't settle for just any type of snake. No, he +tells me the regulus is the only one that will do. Would you be +so kind as to dash off to the Cush and pick up one for him. The +northwest corner, I believe. No, sorry, that's the northeast +corner. I think. Oh, never mind, you'll find it all right. It's +called the Nubian Desert. And do hurry back. He'll be so very +pleased. Yes, he will. And so will I." Zeus smiled benevolently, +and Demo knew it was time to go. + +It was. + +With a final word, "What you don't hear can't hurt you," Zeus +waved good-bye and Demo found himself partially immersed in a +sand dune. Slowly, cautiously Demo worked his way out of the +dune, slid down the side. Overhead the bright sun beamed down as +the heat became ever more oppressive. + +In the distance he heard a steady beating sound, drumlike yet +metallic. It disturbed him. The dull monotonous beat, +reminiscent of the clang of shields, spear butt struck, +announcing doom and death song. + +Demo shivered. It did not bode well. Where had Zeus placed him, +and where would he find the regulus? And the last words from +Zeus, what did they portend. "What you don't hear cannot harm +you." Strange words indeed. + +But he heard well, and what he heard was that steady beat, and +suddenly the sound of footstep in the sand. He turned to greet +in friendly manner the native of this strange land. + +Striding toward him, tall and imperious, spear in hand, a dark +yet ghostly white sinister figure! + +"Are you of Cush, or are you from the Northland?" The voice +was emotionless, but the spear point bore upon his chest, a +handsbreath away. + +"Neither. At least, I think neither. I am Demo, and I am here +on a mission for Zeus. I know nothing of Cush, nor of the +Northland. I am here to find the regulus, to take with me to +Zeus. I mean you no harm, and implore your aid." + +The stranger listened stoically to his plea. He silently +marched in a wide circle around Demo, always at spear length. +Seeing no weapons he sat down at the edge of the sand dune. + +"Zeus? Is that the name of the pharaoh? Are you an emissary of +this pharaoh, Zeus?" + +"Of Zeus, yes. But he is no pharaoh. He is, well, he is Zeus. +And I'm here to perform this little chore for him." + +"Strange, you don't resemble us. Neither the Nuba nor the +Mirikan. Nor the people of the Northland. Very well, I'll take +you to Jebel Bakhal. There your fate will be decided." He rose +slowly. + +"Come, perhaps your blood shall stain the sands of Cush. Others +shall decide. That way!" The tall stranger pointed with the +spear, waited for Demo to move out. As Demo hesitated the spear +point was thrust forward, stopped a finger's width from his +skin. + +Demo nodded, moved quickly in the indicated direction. + +So this is Cush, he thought. And somewhere in Cush I'll find +the Regulus. Or will it find me? Ah, the sun is blazing. Would I +were swimming in the streams of home! + + + +Heat, dreadful heat! + +Heat, humidity, and air that pressed upon the chest - how shall +I escape? + +Here, prisoner of love though she were, she knew only +suffering. She glanced at the creature by her side. Pluto gazed +out upon his kingdom deep in thought. + +The moans of unremitting misery rose from countless throats, at +times drowned by the screams of horror, the imprecations against +Pluto and all his minions. Persephone cowered at the sounds, +pressed palms to her ears, to no avail. + +Pluto sighed, rose slowly. Sad-eyed he gazed upon the woman +child by his side. Why had he brought her here? Though his, she +would never be his. Though loved, she would never love. What a +fool, to have stolen her from Ceres! And yet, he would not exist +without her. + +God, ruler of the nether world. Then why the sadness, why the +remorse? + +Pluto sighed. + +Dunes gave way to wasteland, sand strewn with stones. And this +in time to regions where grew sparse vegetation, small trees. +Soon copses of thorn trees rose. And beyond, shimmering as an +illusion, dark hills faintly seen. + +Though his companion strode seemingly without effort through +sand and stone Demo grew ever more weary. And even as the sun +neared the horizon and a light breeze tokened cooler air he +paused, exhausted. + +His companion eyed him suspiciously, once more walked in a wide +circle around him. "Uhmm, sit. The river is beyond. We shall +sleep here this night. And tomorrow we shall know your fate. +Here." + +He was offered dried food, a mixture of fruit and nut and meat. +There was little taste, but at least sustenance. "I need water," +he breathed. + +"No. Tomorrow there shall be water. Here there is none. Sleep +now. When the moon rises we shall move on. Over there." He +motioned toward a slight rise between dark boulders and above +one of the scattered termite hills. + +Demo lay down, shivering in the air, rapidly cooling with the +setting sun. The sandy earth, still warm from the sun's rays, +was welcome. And he fell rapidly into a strange sleep broken by +even stranger dreams. + +A dream in which a giant with a spear stood over him, spear +raised. And a bright glow enveloped the giant's head, gleaming +white. + +Suddenly he sat up. + +It was no dream. + +The point of the spear touched his stomach and he slid hastily +away. His companion stood at his feet, and the full moon gleamed +brightly behind his head. "Quickly, we will be in Jebel Barkal +by daylight. Quickly." + + + +"Ah, Regulus!" They looked, one to the other. "The Master of +the Cobras! The Guardian of the Desert!" + +These were the priests, the wise men. Each wore the mystic +crown, the sun disk with the protecting uraei, the twin cobras, +sacred to Amun. All of gold, even the band of the crown. Clothed +in gowns of white, trimmed with gold. The chief priest held a +golden rod, nearly equal in height to himself. + +The pillars supporting the roof were gold, and at the peak of +each pillar the ram's head, above which was the sun disk, and a +single cobra seeming to view with disdain those before him. + +"Tell us of this Zeus. What has he to do with Regulus? Why +would Regulus deign to visit this one in his far off kingdom? +What manner of Pharaoh is this Zeus?" + +"Zeus? Zeus is the Father of the Universe. All that is, is, +because Zeus so wills. You and I and Regulus and . . . and +everything. We are but the product of Zeus' power." + +Ezah raise his spear, a look of shock on his face. + +"Wait, wait! Do you speak of Amun? Is this Zeus but a different +face of Amun? There is no Zeus here. And all that you say, that +is the work of Amun. We know not this Zeus." + +"Yes, it may be. In my land the supreme being is called Zeus. +In your land the name may well be Amun. And he has sent me." + +They whispered, looked at him askance, whispered again. + +"You are but a stripling. Ezah could dispose of you with one +blow. He could pierce you with his spear, and you would be no +more. What kind of emissary is this for a God to send our +temple, this temple dedicated to Amun?" + +"I, well, I have chores to perform. And this was laid on me as +one of those chores. I have no special magic, no special skills +- I am merely the chosen one." + +"The Chosen One!" + +They all stood, and the high priest, wide-eyed, bowed. + +"Amun has sent you, then. And the will of Amun must be obeyed! +Tomorrow you shall be led to the Nubian Desert, to the abode of +Regulus. And there we will leave you. For none returns who +enters the lair of Regulus." + + + +Sleep was fitful, with dreams that began and ended with a +strange serpent eyeing him malevolently. And a hiss that made +his blood run cold. He woke often, fell once more to sleep. The +moon shone, cold and bright. A slight breeze blew, at times +gusting to drive grains of sand across his face, into his +nostrils. At times he sensed a musty smell, strange and +frightening. The odor of Regulus. He was sure of it, though he +knew not why. + +Morning came cold with the desert night. But quickly the sun +warmed the land an air, and day creatures awoke. Ezah stood +silently by his side. They ate, drank a tea sweet with the taste +of a strange honey, and Ezah rose. "I brought you here, and I +have been chosen to lead you to your destruction. North and East +toward the sea. But long before we reach that sea you shall +enter the Nubian Desert. There I turn back. And you, Amun +willing, you shall meet Regulus. And may Amun protect you, for +none other can!" + +The earth changed from hard surface coated with sand to sand +alone. With each step Demo sank ever deeper into the entrapping +grains. As he struggled to keep up with Ezah the sweat dripped +in a steady stream from his brow, into his eyes, at times +blinding him. He could taste the salt, mingled with the desert +dust. Each breath drew in dry dust, clogging his nostrils, +coating his throat. + +Suddenly Ezah raised his spear high, stopped short of a ridge. + +"I have gone far beyond the borders, far beyond my realm. But I +can go no farther. Yonder ridge marks the bounds of his lair. I +know not how he looks, nor how he attacks his prey. I am told on +the far side of the ridge lies but a graveyard, dotted with the +remains of those who dared approach Regulus. I have but one +weapon, this spear. Take it, and may it render you good service. +Before you go pray to Amun, or to your Zeus. Now I must leave +you." + +Demo accepted the long spear and watched in dismal mood as Ezah +turned and quickly disappeared in the direction from which they +had come. Reluctantly Demo move toward the ridge, using the +spear as a cane to aid his passage. + +As he reached the peak his foot slipped. He fell forward in +the sand. He rolled headlong over the ridge, and downward. +Rolled into the lair of Regulus. Stopped finally. Buried in a +dune of sand. Sand clogged his nostrils, forced its way between +his lips, packed even his ears. + +He tried to stand, to break out from the smothering blanket. He +moved his arms and legs as though swimming. He was blind, knew +neither up nor down. His heart pounded as he held his breath, +for fear of breathing in only the deadly grains. + +He felt the spear's shaft, held it tight, moved it from side to +side. And suddenly through slitted eyes he noted light. + +For a moment he lay still, then gradually worked his way +upward, upward to the light. + +Hours passed. Or days. He had no sense of time, only of +desperation. And finally he emerged from the imprisoning grains. + +He forced the grit from his mouth, his nostrils. Rubbing +carefully he cleared his eyelids, blinked slowly to regain once +more his sight. His heard a continuous roar and he looked around +to find the source. Then he realized it came from within him. He +could hear no external sound! Both ears were plugged with grit, +with desert silt and sand! + +He found that, ears plugged, his sense of balance was lacking. +With each step he wobbled from side to side, both from lack of +balance and from the loose particles beneath his feet. + +He could see now, though dimly. His eyes burned and teared. If +he only had water to wash his eyes. + +And his mouth! Dry, filled with the taste of earth and silt and +minute particles of rock. And the rising wind was driving even +more grit into his face, into his lungs. He turned his back to +the wind, gazed at the bleak landscape of Regulus' Lair. + +For the most part there was nought to see but bare desert +waste. And yet, dotted here and yon, remains of those who had +gone before. A skull, whitened by the windblown grit. The rib +cage, each bone in place, lying half buried at the base of a +dune. And the horizon darkening as the wind's intensity mounted. + +Though he could hear nothing the felt the driven grains +striking even through his clothes. And dust devils rose from the +desert floor, danced their dance, and faded in the distance. The +sun was blotted out as the gusting wind lifted silt and sand and +dust into the sky. + +He lay down, desolate and knowing not which way to turn. But +even as he lay on the desert floor the sand began to blanket +him. With an effort he stood erect. + +How could he find Regulus? Indeed, with the blowing wind, the +shifting dunes, and the desert heat how could he do anything. +Zeus, he though, I have failed you. I'll see home no more. + + + +Amun the powerful ruled those desert wastes. Amun the merciless +drove the sand across its surface. But Amun could relent. +Perhaps the pleas of Mut, Goddess Mother, perhaps but a whim, +yet the winds died and dark clouds gathered, poured briefly +their life giving waters on the scene below. + +The huge drops fell, pelting the desert floor, drenching Demo +in the deluge of a rare thundershower. And bringing a new and +different danger. + +For the rain fell in torrents, and water rushed down gullies, +down ravines, flushing sand and rocks before it. A wall of water +loomed above Demo's head, coming ever closer. He clambered up +the side of a dune, fell. He rolled down, but managed again and +again to regain his footing. Finally he reached the top. + +Standing there he gazed at the raging waters in disbelief. They +ate at the dune as though a wild beast. Waves rose an bit away +the sand beneath his feet. The dune shrank, began to merge with +the surrounding water. The rain had ended, but the stream +continued unabated. + +And then, as suddenly as it had risen, the stream sank into the +desert leaving but moist pools behind. Demo looked in disbelief +at the sudden calm. Hurriedly he drank muddy water from a pool +at the base of the dune. Even as he drank the thirsty soil +soaked up the water. Small pools disappeared under his gaze, and +larger ones shrank rapidly. + +He knew the winds must have hummed, the torrents roared - and +yet he had heard nothing, the silt and grit pounded into his +ears. And he was sure that now there was silence - how much he +wanted but to listen to that silence. He smiled at the idea, +then frowned. How dare I smile at a time like this, he thought +to himself. + +Distracted by his thoughts he did not note the ripples on the +largest pool. Ripples which emanated from movement beneath the +surface. Movement that ever became more violent. Nor did he hear +the hiss that bubbled up from the depths. Aroused by the +torrential rains, the rushing waters, the blast of thunder, +Regulus awakened. + + + +"He's seldom gone this long. Demo is such an able hunter. I do +believe if there were but one deer in the forest Demo would find +it. We're never without venison, you know." She was proud of her +son, of his prowess as a hunter. + +"But this time the hunt has been long. And I dreamed of Moira +last night." She shuddered. "May I never again have such a +dream!" + +"Moira? I don't know Moira." + +"No, and be glad you don't! But enough of that. Come, you shall +help me cook the last of our venison. I do hope Demo returns +soon with his kill. He's always so proud, you know. Rough, leave +those chickens alone!" + + + +Hissing and writhing Regulus rose from the pool, slithered out +on the sand. He gazed at Demo balefully. Demo neither saw nor +heard. For him the world was silent. + +But then he noticed something. A faint musty odor, and odor +which he remembered from his dreams. + +Demo quickly stood up, looked toward the pool of water. And saw +Regulus rising, the brown drops shedding from his slick skin. +Wide-eyed Demo held the spear level, pointed toward the strange +apparition. + +Regulus regarded the spear point with concern, hissed mightily. +With consternation he observed Demo, hissed once more. + +"Most unusual," he commented, "I must be losing my touch." + +He slithered over the sand, undulating from side to side in his +progress. He approached Demo, but kept a distance beyond the +spearlength. With slow sinuous motion he glided around the boy. + +"Hisss! Hissssss!" he breathed, watched nonplused at the lack +of response. "You seem not to understand, my boy. Have I failed +in some manner to properly enunciate the sound? Perhaps my lungs +are waterlogged! Know you not that none survive who hear the +hiss of Regulus? How dare you continue to stand there, +impervious. Bad mannered, to say the least." + +He grumbled, still continued his slow and torturous +encirclement of his intended prey. + +"You must be Regulus," Demo commented, in part to himself. "I +would hope, though my ears are so confoundedly stopped up I +can't hear you, that you can hear me. I'm sent by Zeus to +invite you to come live on Mount Olympus. No nasty sand storms - +and absolutely no floods! Look at you, dripping and with wet +sand sticking to your every scale! You could slither comfortably +through the smooth green grass, dance to the flute, and sip +nectar in sun." + +Though Demo was hardly a salesman he was suddenly aided by the +elements. A dark cloud was forming above, accompanied by +thunder, lightning, wind - and sudden rainfall. + +Regulus wriggled from side to side, glissaded down one dune, up +another. But there was no place to hide. Grumpily he returned to +a spot before Demo, nodded his head in agreement. Whatever +Olympus had to offer, it would be an improvement. + + + +Hardly had the contract been made than Demo found himself once +more in Zeus' presence, accompanied by the sinuous serpent. + +"Well, well, I'm pleased. So this is the Nubian Demon. I beg +your pardon, but it is the reputation you have earned. Regulus, +isn't it? Of course. Ah, you shall like it here. Yes, indeed. +But please stop that infernal hissing. You see, it really +doesn't work up here. Just crawl into that basket over there. +And please, pull the top over you. My, what a surprise you shall +be to my charmer. + +"As for you, Demo, once more well done. I'm amazed at your +resourcefulness. But do keep in mind that my little black cloud +was helpful. Good day, my boy." + +With a sudden thump Demo found himself once more in his own +front yard. The fall had ended so abruptly the sand-and-silt +plugged ears were cleared, and he could hear once more. + +"Demo, I told you to stay out of that tree. My, I hope you +haven't broken anything. Well get up from there and come to eat. +We have such wonderful company. Theresa is staying for supper." + +Rough licked his cheek and grinned a dog grin. + + + +Evening came early. + +They ate their supper in a strangely quiet mode. + +Afterward his mother looked at him for a moment, turned away, +wiped a tear from her eye. + +"Mother, are you ill? What is wrong!" Demo rose quickly, +stepped to her side. + +"Demo, I have a story to tell you. Sit down, don't interrupt +me." + +She sighed, paused as though uncertain how to continue. + +"Today an old woman visited our home. A very old woman. Her +name is Ceres. Perhaps you have heard the name." + +He shook his head. + +"An old woman, but a very good woman. One known to me since +youth. At one time she served as your nursemaid. A good +nursemaid! Would that I had known how good!" + +She stood up, paced back and forth in a disturbed manner. + +"You were a weak baby, with very little chance for life. I +feared that you would not survive. I prayed to the Gods. And +then she came to me, brought to us by your Father. He had met +her in the forest, where she wept for her lost daughter. She +nurtured you, raised you for me, put strength in your bones and +muscles. Nearly, she gave you gifts no human dare dream of." + +This time she sobbed, head bowed. + +"But I, foolish woman, feared her ministrations, feared for +you. I ask her to leave my house and I took you away, and action +I shall ever regret." + +"Nevertheless, I had promised, that should you survive, she +might one day ask of you a service. + +"This day she came, and so asked. I queried of her, what might +that service be, yet she answered not. She said only this, that +should you accomplish the chores of Zeus, one task more must you +perform, and then the debt would be paid." + +Demo smiled. + +"Mother, if I complete the tasks laid on by Zeus, what matter a +simple task laid on by an old woman. The promise has been made, +the service shall be rendered. In due time she will, I'm sure, +inform me of that which must be done. Do not be concerned." + +His mother hugged him close. + +During the night he heard her sobs. + +He felt for the first time a gloom, a foreboding, that one +insurmountable task lay ahead. He fell to sleep with difficulty, +woke often. And he dreamed. + +In the night he dreamed of rushing through the dark forest, +pursued by he knew not what. Knowing that, before the long +night's end, he must turn and face that dread pursuer. + + + + + + + + + + + + + +12. Poseidon's Wrath + +"A family reunion would be nice. I really don't get around as +much as I used to. The job, you know. Duties. Responsibilities. +You humans! You just don't understand how vexing it can be, +being a God. Why, every day, day in and day out, I've got to +have the sun rise. No big chore, but it's only one of many." +Zeus shook his head. + +"The moon, if I don't watch her, goes wandering off. Messes up +the tides terribly. Disconcerting to young lovers, too!" + +He looked, head cocked to the side, at Demo. + +"So, what may I ask, do you want here at Olympus?" + +For a moment Demo was nonplused. + +"Sire, I gathered you had sent for me. I came not of my own +volition. Perhaps some other has need of my services . . . ?" + +"Somebody is playing games, and they are surely going to get +themselves into a mess of trouble. Yes! A mess . . . of . . . +trouble!" Zeus glanced around, a thoughtful expression on his +face. + +A titter sounded from the inner hallway. + +Zeus glanced at Demo to see whether he had noted the sound. + +Demo was silent. Best to leave all surmises alone. After all, +he thought, who am I to criticize the dalliances of Zeus. + +Zeus smiled. + +"Anyway, you are here, so let's get you started on another +exciting excursion. By the way, you've really done remarkably +well, and I am proud of you. Here, let me give you a slight +token." + +He thought a moment, smiled once more, and waved his hands +nonchalantly in the air. The medal was large and shiny as Zeus +slipped the supporting chain over Demo's head. Demo took the +medal in his hands, read the legend thereon. Although the words +were difficult to read in an inverted position he managed to +decipher them. + +"For Ungodly Support to the Gods." + +Zeus kissed him on one cheek, then the other. "I'm never sure +the order in which I'm supposed to do that. Never mind. If I got +it wrong, we'll merely change the ritual." + +He glanced rather anxiously toward the hallway. + +"Young man, rather quickly now. I want you to drop in on +Poseidon. Lovely fellow, you'll like him. Eh, don't ever discuss +fishing with him. He has a dread of the subject. I was fishing +one day and he nibbled at the bait, and . . . Anyway, a subject +not to be discussed. Where was I . . . ?" Zeus glared at Demo as +though the boy had stolen his train of thought. + +"Take this bag with you, and give it into his hands, and his +only. He'll know what to do. By the way, do you own a bathing +suit?" + +Zeus, Olympus, and all else seemed to be fading away. Demo +seemed to hear, faintly, Zeus scolding. "Now, you know you +aren't supposed to play with my powers. You just leave that +young man alone, my dear. I'm such an ogre when I'm jealous." + + + +He landed with a splash. + +Zeus' aim was plainly off. + +Almost always he had landed in his home, the forest. But this? + +The middle of a stream, of course. He slipped under the water, +propelled himself upward, glancing quickly around at the height +of his watery leap. A shudder went through him. + +No river, this! + +Neither shores, nor the green forest, nor the high mountains of +home! + +Water, only water! Deep blue water, extending as far as eye +could see. Blue . . . and salty. Surely he had landed in the +ocean! + +"Zeus, Oh, Zeus! I do think you may have erred . . . only +slightly, of course. Zeus . . . ?" + +"Who dares call on Zeus, when he swims in my domain? How come +you here, earthling? Where is your ship? Do you not fear my +watchdogs, the great sharks that guard my kingdom. And why call +you on Zeus. Poseidon rules these waves! + +"I . . . My name is Demo. I was merely doing an errand for +Zeus. And, through some mischance, I landed in these waters. +Perhaps you can direct me to the nearest shore?" + +"Mischance, eh? Well, Zeus is putting on the years . . . Odd, +but he may be losing his grip. Oughta spend more time at the +seashore. Relaxing. Yes indeed." The voice seemed to emanate +from a puff-fish, which floated rather nonchalantly at arms +length away. + +"The nearest shore. Of course. You earthlings. I would invite +you down for a meal, but you lack the necessary organs to join +me. Toward the setting sun. A small island. I'll race you!" + +Demo looked to the west. Water, only water. + +"Is it, well, very far?" + +"No, no! Just a good swim away. Ah, forgive me. It could be a +bit strenuous for you. I'll take care of it, though." The +puff-fish whistled loudly, popped up above the water to peruse +its surface. + +"Here he comes." + +Demo followed the puff-fish's gaze. He wished he hadn't! + +The shark was approaching at alarming speed. Its fin split the +water's smooth surface, drawing ever closer. Demo's eyes widened. + +"Hey, that's a shark!" + +"Yes, yes indeed! Actually, merely a minnow as sharks grow. +Actually, he was the only one in the area, so I flagged him +down. Oh, taxi, right this way." + +The shark circled slowly, at times rising to the surface, its +cold eyes regarding Demo with hungry interest. + +"None of that, now! Just come over here and let him ride upon +your back. Over to the island, and be quick about it. I don't +care to wait. And I do so enjoy shark steaks." + +The shark stopped dead, then slowly swam alongside Demo, who +clambered aboard. + +The trip was indeed swiftly completed. Though it ended swiftly, +not swiftly enough. Not before the shark, perhaps to show its +displeasure, several times dived deep. + +Coughing and spewing saltwater, Demo suffered the torments +with little grace. As they reached the shallows off the island +he quickly dismounted, swam toward the waiting beach. + +The shark swam with him, circling ahead and behind, and +occasionally taking a playful nip at Demo's heels. Amazing how +playful nips at one's heels improves one's swimming skills! + +As he waded toward the shore a sudden wave roared in. Massive +torrents of water tore over him, knocked him to his knees. When +he groggily arose he saw before him, in all his oceanic +splendor, a figure of majestic proportions. + +"You are on an errand for Zeus, are you shipmate? And may I +inquire to what port ye are bound? I may well give thee +favorable winds and gentle seas, if it so please me." + +"Sire, I seek the master of the deeps, Poseidon himself. I have +this missive to convey to him." + +"Well, now, you've laid your course well, and have made already +landfall. Lower your sails, matey, for I be Poseidon, he whom +you seek. Let me look upon this important missive. My, my, from +Zeus himself!" + +Demo proffered the missive, astonished at his good luck in so +quickly completing his task. + +Poseidon opened the package, pulled out a long roll of papyrus. +"Well, a letter from Zeus! I didn't know he could write!" + +He read the Zeus' letter, looked contemplatively out to sea, +then read it once more. "Have you read this missive, my good +lad?" + +"Oh, no, Sire. It would not do, you know!" + +The calm look on Poseidon's face had disappeared. Anger seemed +to be mounting, and his face grew first red, then purple as an +angry sea. + +"Then let me tell you what this is. This is a bill. And not an +ordinary bill. Our good Zeus says, says he: 'Your past bills for +the water I have supplied you have not been paid. Your rates are +therefore doubled, and the present bill also includes a penalty +for late payment and excess water usage. Return payment in full +with the boy, or suffer the consequences." + +"How dare he! To send such a bill to Poseidon! I rule the waves +and all the water under them! Penalties! I am somewhat annoyed +by your missive, shipmate. Have you heard the term, keelhaul? +It's an old custom to keelhaul those who arouse the ire of +Poseidon. And, in the absence of Zeus, mayhap we shall keelhaul +his emissary." + +Demo looked around. He saw no sign of emissary, none to serve +for the aforementioned keelhauling. + +Demo shivered. + +"Eh, Sire, he seems not to have an emissary handy. Should I +see such an emissary, I shall most certainly direct him to you, +so that he may participate in the keelhauling. Anyway, now my +mission is complete, and I must report back to Zeus." + +"Oh, no! I wouldn't think of such a thing. Come aboard, come +aboard! Ho the dinghy, we'll be going directly to the ship. Look +lively, now!" + +Demo followed Poseidon's gaze. Where the sea had been empty now +floated a three master, its sails furled. And on the beach a +dinghy, manned by a scurvy looking crew of ill-clothed sailors. + +"Yes, indeed. I can see you are impressed by her lines. Only +wait 'til you are on board. We shall have a sumptuous feast in +your honor. Ah, you haven't eaten until you've partaken of the +food from my galley. Come along!" + +Demo examined, surreptitiously, the oarsmen. Though they rowed +with vigor, their faces remained expressionless, their eyes +empty. He felt as though he were looking on the spirits of +drowned sailors, condemned to these chores for eternity. + +"Quickly, now, laddie! Up the ladder. Hold her steady, boys. I +wouldn't have the youngster get wet, not yet." + +Somehow the last two words disturbed Demo. He wasn't exactly +sure why. + +"Keelhauling, I didn't explain it to you, did I. Well, it's a +sport we indulge in at times. Gives the lads a chance to get in +their exercise. The way it works is, we take a . . . eh, a +volunteer. We tie his hands behind him, wrap a hawser around +him, and toss off the bow. The boys pull the hawser from stem to +stern, from starboard to larboard, all around the good ship back +to the bow once more. Jolly good fun!" + +Demo listened wide-eyed and speechless. + +"I see you are impressed! And so you should be. I've a very +good mind to let you volunteer. Give you a chance to show off +your mettle. Yes, I just may give you the chance." Poseidon's +voice held a tone of anger to match his angry face. + +"And the sea is of like mind. Have you ever seen such waves! +Keelhauling today would indeed be great sport!" + +"Sire, I fear I would provide poor sport indeed. With hands +free I swim like a rock. With them tied I fear I would never +surface at all." + +"Well, don't fret. That happens all the time. Ruins the fun, of +course. Keep in mind, though, that we always give the volunteer +a solemn burial at sea. A very impressive ceremony. You would +truly appreciate it." + +The prospect of participating in a keelhauling - in fact, of +being the keelhaulee - grew less and less desirable as Poseidon +explained the term. + +"But, first, a good meal. We'll start with some bacon and eggs. +Delicious bacon, and the eggs are cooked in the bacon grease. A +delightful meal. And you probably thought we'd be dining on +cockles and mussels and nought from the dry land. No, no! We +feed our guests well. Yes, indeed!" + +The rolling of the ship as the waves struck, the thought of the +greasy bacon and greasy eggs - the very idea of eating - +nauseated Demo. + + + +With a sigh he stared out at the watery scene. + +The sea, which had been so blue and calm early in the day, now +frowned with graygreen surface and waves that reached, at times, +the foot of the crowsnest. The wind blew with a sonorous tone, +reminiscent of the dirges played at village funerals. And above +all the sky looked down with a gray visage, pockmarked with +black clouds. + +From these, more and more frequently, lightning flashed to +better display the scene. + +Flying fish swam deep, and dolphins sported not. Gulls and +terns were not to be seen. + +And yet . . . . + +And yet a bird flew. Battered by the wind, drenched by falling +rain, its powerful wings brought it ever closer to the ship. A +huge white bird . . . . + +Demo eyes brightened. Could it be her? Here, in this dreadful +storm! + +Indeed it was. + +She landed beside them, assumed the form of a goddess. + +"Well, uncle, you sail rough seas this day. I've come to ask of +you a favor, for I am in love and what Cupid cannot grant, the +mighty Poseidon may well provide." + +"Ah, little niece, delightful to have you on board. The boy and +I were discussing some manly sport for later in the day. Perhaps +you can stay. It should be amusing." + +"Come, Uncle, let us go forward to where the bow leaps from the +depths. I want to feel the force of the waves, the blast of the +windy gusts. No fair weather sailor I. Boy, stay! We shall +return." + +With anxious mien Demo awaited their return. He was sure his +own fate was being discussed. Could she control even the power +of Poseidon? A shiver went through him, whether from the cold +rain and wind or from his own fears, he knew not. + + + +"My boy, forgive me. I knew not your qualities. Athena, my +dearest niece, has told me of your exploits. My, you are much +too shy and retiring. If I had done the deeds she attributes to +you, I would blare them out for the world to hear. Come, join +Athena and myself at a table set to honor you." + +The attitude of Poseidon had changed indeed. And the smile of +Athena erased all fear and doubt from Demo's mind. Even the sea +now grew calm, and the winds died to mere gentle breezes. Demo +thought, 'The wonder of a woman!' + +"Before you return to Zeus - with a message I wish to dispatch +- I would have you assist me with a problem. I'm sure it will +take but a little of your time, and you shall certainly be +rewarded well." + +"Sire, I would willingly serve, but . . . " + +"Good, good! Then it's settled. Have you, perchance, heard of +Oceanus, and of my henchman Proteus!" + +"Vaguely, I recall the names." + +"Eh, you shall get to know them well. Perhaps you will know +them better than you would care to. I think so. Well, enough for +now. Let us enjoy the feast." Poseidon smiled. + +They dined well. The wealth of the sea contributed to +Poseidon's table. Yet were missing the flesh of the sea calves, +a delicacy for which his table was famed. Amphitrite, Poseidon's +wife, commented on the lapse. + +"Proteus, long our herdsman for the sea calves, has left us to +follow Oceanus. For Oceanus has returned, and attempts to +reclaim these watery regions from the rightful authority of my +beloved Poseidon. It is sad, for only strife can result, and the +death of heroes." + +Poseidon glanced at her, then addressed Demo. + +"I had intended to delay this conversation until after our +repast. However, since the subject is broached, let me appeal to +you." He sat silently for a moment, a slight frown on his face. + +"These domains were passed to me from Oceanus, in the early +times when the Old Gods lost their powers. Even as Zeus was +given the heavens, and Pluto the netherworld, so received I the +raging waters, the ocean depths, and all creatures who take to +the sea. And the Titans, who had long held power, were exiled to +Tartarus." + +His face grew grim. + +"I have ruled well this maritime kingdom. The fisherman takes +his catch, the traveler sojourns on peaceful seas, the water +nymphs sing along the quiet streams. Yet Proteus, when still he +served me, prognosticated of evil times. In words strange and +cryptic he warned of a usurper who would wrest from me my very +throne." + +Amphitrite patted his hand, and for a moment he smiled. + +"Athena has told me of your services to Zeus, of your courage +and your deeds. I now am in dire stress, and would send you on a +task. A task to thwart the avarice of Oceanus, and end this +madness." + +"My dolphin, my sea chariot, and my horses are at your +disposal. I have little guidance to provide, little help to +offer. You should know this. When Oceanus ruled these waves the +seas were wild and no ship dared sail. Under my rule calm seas +have greeted the sailor, and steady winds have filled his sail. +I would keep it so." + +"Tomorrow, at break of day, my chariot and steeds shall be at +your disposal. My dolphin shall act as a guardian, to warn you +in times of danger, and protect as best he can. As for the rest, +it is left with you." + + + +After the meal they went on deck. The seas were calm, sparkling +with strange luminescent lights where played the flying fish. +The moon rose, its light reflected from the water's surface. +Demo and Athena stood quietly at the bow of the ship, enthralled +even as we by the beauty and majesty of the sea. + +Poseidon and Amphitrite watched the couple for a moment, then +looked at each other with a smile. "I think she chooses well," +Amphitrite voiced quietly. + +Poseidon nodded. + +Demo walked with his hand in that of Athena, bathed in her +smile. Strange that Zeus did not interfere! + +Premonitions occupied his mind, and even as he pressed the +warmth of her against him he shivered. Waiting for him, he knew, +was the unseen companion. And a destiny he could not fathom. + +She sensed his mood, touched his cheek lightly with her hand. +"Would I could remove this curse from you. Understand that it is +not given even to me to see the final scene. Yet my love will be +with you. Ah, 'tis time. The moon is sinking into the sea, and I +must be a-wing ere it fade from sight. Fare the well, my +wanderer. Return safely to me." + +He looked at the moon, now half hidden by the horizon. Turning +he found her gone. The beat of wings above the ship, and the +silhouette of an owl against the moon, marked her going. + +Demo stood, disconsolate, listening to the quiet lap of the +waves against the bow, the groan of taut hawsers, the gentle +flap of furled sails in a light breeze. Tomorrow a different +adventure - one from which he might not return. Well, morning +comes swiftly. He sought his bunk, slept well, rocked by the +gentle swells of the vast ocean. + + + +The chariot rode smoothly and swiftly over the surface of the +sea, pulled by a brace of stallions even a warrior might ride +eagerly. Led by the dolphin they raced he knew not where. To +search for Oceanus, whom he had never seen; to look for Proteus, +who changed form at will - what strange adventure this. Perhaps, +what hopeless adventure. + +Yet they pressed on. The sun rose and lightened a glistening +sea, deep blue mirroring the blue of the sky. And as far as +sight could see, nothing. Only the endless surface, stretching +from horizon to horizon. + +Still on the dolphin sped, close followed by the steeds. Never +had he ridden with such speed, never had he seen an ocean +without end. Sun overhead, he felt the warmth of its rays, even +though the cool ocean breeze gentled its beams and he felt only +comfort. + +They came upon the shore so quickly that he was surprised. The +mighty stream rushed into the sea, a current that stretched even +beyond the sight of land. They had approached from the side. +Suddenly the dolphin leaped into the air, twisting sideward, and +swam slowly in a circle. The team slowed, halted the chariot at +land's edge. + +What was he to find here? He recognized nothing. Beyond the +mouth of the river the trees grew profusely, hiding the upper +reaches from his view. The near shore was rock strewn, but +marked with wide sandy stretches. Inland the land rose slowly, +then reached a escarpment, a huge vertical stone wall. + +He waded to the shore, looked for edible plants near the +river's brink. Strange plants grew in scattered clumps, but +nothing that he recognized. He sat down, gazed out to sea. On +the far horizon white cumulus clouds were forming. Finally he +picked some of the native plants, examined them carefully. +Perhaps they had some food value. They might serve for greens, +or even a salad. Reluctantly he munched on a leaf. + +The taste was bland. Still, there seemed to be little else with +which to satisfy his appetite. At least, it would fill his +stomach. + +He had eaten a handful, leaned back to rest, when he noted a +shadow on the sand. Quickly he looked up. + +He had felt no alarm. Surely this monstrous creature was not +the unseen companion! + +"I came swiftly, yet plainly not swiftly enough. I am sorry. +You have eaten the herb, and the curse of Glaucus is even now +working in your body. + +"I pity you, young man. You have eaten of the herbs that +brought me to the state you see. Soon you will feel a mild +desire to enter the water. And if you resist it will grow ever +stronger. At last you will respond, and when you do, your body +will change as did mind. You too suffer the curse of Glaucus! + +Demo stared at him in distaste. Yet, fearfully, he knew it was +true. Even now he felt the urge to enter the beckoning sea. His +mind saw visions of deep lagoons populated with swarms of fish, +great manta rays, swimming amidst brilliantly colored coral +reefs. His skin felt dry and sere. He must swim in the warm +ocean, or he would surely die. + +Quickly he rose to his feet. Glaucus looked down, did not move. +Demo walked slowly to the beach, looked back at this, his weird +visitor. Finally, closing his eyes, he stepped into the water. + +He felt the change begin even as the soft waves touched his +ankle. He rushed forward, threw himself headlong into the soft +waves lapping the shore. He heard a roaring in his ears, his +muscles ached, and for a moment his eyes were sightless. + +It was done! + +He did not ask. He looked at the scaly hands, the strangely +webbed fingers and toes. The curse of Glaucus. The adventure was +over. Athena was lost to him forever. Now he was but another +denizen of the deep, a strange monster in the ocean's depths. + +The dolphin swam near. + +"You are one of us, now. I know not whether the process can be +reversed. In any event, in this form I can take you to Proteus, +if it is your will?" + +"Proteus? What matters it now. He would set upon me, for I +resemble nothing but a monster of the deep." Yet, reluctantly, +Demo swam with the dolphin through boundless seas 'til night +darkened the eastern sky. + +"Down. We must go down. Here Proteus waits, prepares for the +coming of Oceanus. He works busily, his eight great arms ever +assembling the throne on which Oceanus would sit. Come with me +to the depths." + +With each moment they swam ever deeper. The blue-green waters +of the surface darkened, took on a purplish tinge, grew ever +more impenetrable by the eye. Yet, far below, a light gleamed +dimly, or lights. And it was toward those lights they made their +way. + +At first the fish had swam and played, delighted with their +company. Butterfly fish flitted by, seahorses danced in a +vertical ballet, and in the distance the sharks circled, ever +accompanied by the pilot fish. + +With each fathom they penetrated the fish grew ever fewer, even +as did the light. The warm surface waters were no more, replaced +by chill drafts from far below. And colder still the waters as +their passage continued. + +The source of light became more evident as they drew nigh. Red +and glowing lava, flowing in an endless stream, lit the massive +peak from which it flowed. The stream near the volcano's mouth +glowed brightly, and lava flow around the peak retained the glow +until the heat was quenched by the frigid waters. + +Water and steam and bubbles swirled ever upward above the +melted stone, a seething cylinder of white illuminated by the +light beneath. And there, on the edge of the molten magma, +Proteus worked his work. + +His giant squid-shaped body was limned by the magma's red +light. He coiled his tentacles around huge boulders, tore them +from their rest. These he sat in place, building a massive +throne, the throne of Oceanus. + +The task progressed. Nevertheless, even as he worked the Gods +of fire struck out against the defilement of their melted +artistry. A belch of white-hot lava erupted, brushed aside the +mighty throne. In hasty retreat Proteus swam quickly, tentacles +drawn in to escape the edge of the crimson river. He drove +across the watery waste, propelled by the force of inky jet +fluids. + +His passage brought him to the very spot whereat they waited. +His eyes looked upon them in neither curiosity nor fear. So long +as Demo and his dolphin guide did not interfere with Proteus' +movement they were ignored. + +Demo watched the undersea volcano, the fiery eruption with its +steaming seawater, molten stones. Still, it was not the grandeur +of the scene that held his attention. + +In the midst of the burning mass a dark object stood, arms +folded, eyes focused in deadly hatred on Demo. + +The unseen companion! + +With a shudder Demo closed his eyes, opened them once more. The +vision was gone. Only the angry red lava remained. He shook his +head, turned once more to the job at hand. + +"Proteus, I am sent by Poseidon to reason with you." + +The tentacles suddenly coiled spasmodically. The creature moved +cautiously away, halted, then approached once more. + +"Poseidon knows full well why I have left his service. I served +him well as herdsman, and in reward the Golden Isles were to be +mine. They have gone to another, Glaucus, who is only a +trespasser in these watery depths." + +"Glaucus, he who was transformed from human form to one such as +I?" + +"Indeed! He whom I would drive from these waters with all good +will." + +Demo was silent. Suddenly a spume of molten lava shot from the +peek of the volcano. The explosive eruption drove them back, +even as the red liquid followed a steamy path, lighting the +depths around them. Only Proteus observed nature's fury with +equanimity. + +With a shudder Demo ignored the roiled waters. "Proteus, let me +deal with Glaucus. Should I convince him to return to the land +from whence he came, can you in your wisdom return him once more +to human form?" + +"Willingly, willingly. I tell you, though, I know his kind. +He'll never give up the Golden Isles." + +Turning to the dolphin Demo ignored the last remark. "Take me +to the isle where I first assumed this form. There I knew +Glaucus. Perhaps there he still remains." + + + +Lying in the waves Demo gazed anxiously at the shore. There +grew the horrid plants, the occasion of his unhappy condition. +But nowhere was Glaucus to be seen. The waves gently washed upon +the deserted beach, and terns and gulls flew low above them in +search of food. High above white cumulus clouds floated in an +azure sky. Even as he gazed one began to obscure the brilliant +sun, casting a dark and cooling shadow on earth and sea. + +The dolphin grew restless, swimming back and forth to release +its pent-up energy. "Go, search these seas for one such as I. +Tell him that a friend waits here. A friend who may well have a +remedy for this curse from which we suffer." + +The dolphin willingly began his search. No lover of indolence +was he. + +Diligent though he was, he searched to no avail. Glaucus was +not to be found. Eventually, nigh day's end, the dolphin swam +once more to Demo, confided to him his failure. + +"Know you of Scylla? The six headed monster who takes her toll +on those following their trade on the sea? Go where she waits +her prey, and look there for Glaucus. For there was a time, +before Circe in anger molded this hideous creature, that Scylla +was a maiden fair. Yes, a maiden loved of Glaucus. Search for +him near that abode, for he will not wander far from his true +love." + +Through the night Demo slept in the gentle tide, washed by warm +waves. The phosphorescent sea stretched as far as eye might +follow, dropping below a distant horizon. Flying fish played +above its surface, and seahorses danced beneath. All was silent, +save for the soft waves caressing the shore. + +He dreamed. + +Of Athena, of home, of what he had now become. + +The roar of incoming waves awoke him. A seafog covered the +shoreline, and heavy waves were forming with the incoming tide. +He dove into the oncoming wave, swam deep to calmer waters. + +There played bigeyed butterfly fish, colored with a palette of +white and black and orange. Silversides swam, and among the +floating weeds wanderer crabs creep. Seahorses cavort, and at +times the young were exploded in droves from the fathers pouch. +Shoreward, where rocky outcrops lay, seasnails moved slowly, +devouring the algae on their way. + +He sensed, rather than saw, their approach. + +They came swiftly. The Dolphin swimming in happy glee, Glaucus +following at a more subdued pace. After explanations Glaucus +willingly accompanied him to Proteus lair. + +The pact was sealed. Glaucus would be returned to his prior +form. Proteus was to return once more to Poseidon's service. +"And myself?" Demo queried. + +"It shall be as with Glaucus." + +Proteus smiled, if one can say a squid smiles. At least, he +grimaced. + +"How, then, do we deal with Oceanus? You know of his rekindled +ambition. What can be done to placate one such as he?" + +They talked long, examining the problem each from his own +perspective. "It is a problem without solution!" exclaimed +Proteus. "He seems invincible. Yet even he must have some +weakness, some hidden defect that might be his downfall." Demo +spoke with little assurance. + +"None. No, there is not niche in his armor. Any weakness in +another is lacking in him. I should know. Weekly, before the +Golden Isles fell to Glaucus, Oceanus and I played round after +round of golf on those shores. I observed him, talked to him, +learned of his history. He opened up to me. I tell you, no, +Oceanus has no weaknesses." + +"What, of all things, does Oceanus most enjoy?" + +Proteus sat quietly, only the tips of his tentacles wriggling. +"He enjoys thoroughly power. He likes, of course, a round of +golf. And to talk. Little else." + +"Ah, let us wend our way to Poseidon. There is much to be done." + + + +Indeed there was. Day after day they worked with Poseidon, +taught him skills foreign to his domain. With Proteus he visited +the Golden Isles, the throne intended for Oceanus, and learned +much along the way. + +"Proteus, when comes Oceanus?" + +"That I know not. But this I know, the waves shall not be +still, nor the ocean calm, with his coming." + +Demo woke with the leaping and bounding of the three-master. +The ship moaned in the throes of an angry sea. The planks bent +and gave, and sea water sloshed in the hold. Above, the wind +tore at the furled sails. The hawsers, stretched taut, groaned +under the torment. Seabirds landed on the deck, sought shelter +from the storm. + +"Is it now? Has he come?" + +Proteus, now in human form, nodded. "It is surely Oceanus. I +will address him. He will listen to me." Proteus spoke with +little assurance, his eyes watching the ever wilder sea. + +"Oceanus, 'tis I, your old friend, Proteus. We would meet with +you, on the Golden Isles. Poseidon is amenable to concessions. +He would negotiate with you. This day we sail for the Golden +Isles." + +The words seemed to have little effect. Then, gradually, the +winds died, and the waves grew ever smaller. A light breeze +rose, steady, blowing toward the Golden Isles. + +Quickly the sails were unfurled. The ship rode smoothly and +swiftly toward the distant shore. In the bilge sea water +continued to slop, gradually was dumped over the side. + + + +"A gift, Zeus, from Poseidon." Demo handed Zeus a golf club, +handle of gold. + +Zeus frowned. "And what of my missive?" + +"Given to him, Sire. He acknowledges that his payment has, +indeed, been delayed. But, another matter might interest you. A +terrible battle ensued between Poseidon and Oceanus. The waters +of the oceansea thundered upon ship and shore. Islands +disappeared haplessly into the depths. Still they fought in ever +more desperate anger. + +They labored for a day, and only with nightfall did Poseidon +finally dominate. 'Twas on the golf course of the Golden Isles, +and as result of his win Poseidon retains mastery of the seas. +Oceanus had the lead, then developed a nasty slice as they +neared the 15th hole." + +"Oh, yes, it really was a nasty slice. Ball flew right off the +course." + +"Golf, Poseidon, Oceanus? Who rules the watery domains as they +while away their time at such diversions?" + +"I, your majesty. Great fun. Some minor problems. Washed away +the rock of Gibraltar, which Poseidon kindly replaced. And, +Sire, Poseidon invites you a golf match at your earliest +convenience, where he would negotiate with you over the bill you +submitted. I'd be more than pleased to run Olympus in your +absence." + +"Yes, I understand." Zeus weighed the club in his hands, took a +hefty swing. "I'll surely join him. I doubt he knows that +Proteus gave me lessons years ago. 'Twill be a most enjoyable +game!" + +He paused for a moment, eyes wide, as though watching a major +catastrophe. "You . . . in my absence!" With a frown he walked +toward the throne. "Where is my flagon of nectar. Good day, my +lad!" + + + +The river Lethe flows dark and deep in the nether kingdom. +Strange stories of the power of those waters spread among +mankind. + +One story was true. + +Who drinks of those waters remembers no more. + +Lost loves, friends, family - their vision fades away. + +Hate, enemies, wars, catastrophes - all are gone. + +Happiness, joy, taste of rare wines, flavor of good foods - all +fade. + +Victories, defeats. Catastrophes, triumphs. Gone, all gone. + +A blessing or a curse? + +To each new dweller in Hades offers Pluto a goblet. In that +goblet the limpid water of Lethe. The only kindness offered in +the kingdom of the damned. + +One bathed in those limpid waters, drank deep, and found no +peace. + +Pluto. + +Master of the evil domain. Keeper of the Portals of Hell. +Cursed to minister to the punishment of the damned, forever. + +And cursed yet more with a heart that bled for the poor fools +whose actions had brought them to such sorry end. + +The most damned of all souls in purgatory. + +Pluto, master of that dread domain. + +He had hoped with Persephone to escape in her arms the +ever-present misery. + +Her sorrow brought misery the more. + +"I can give to others the waters of Lethe. Only to others. As +for me, I must know all past evil deeds - and even more, must +know the evil yet to come." + +The waters of Lethe failed him. + +13. The Anger of Zeus + +"I will not have it! Dare he taunt the master of the universe! +I will swat him like a fly! No! Too easy! He shall change places +with Prometheus! No, no! Even that is too easy. Boy, where are +you, come here! Now, right now! I have a chore for you. Yes, +such a chore!" + +The sudden call to Olympus was unexpected. Not that Zeus ever +sent out invitations. Normally - if one could consider a summons +from Zeus to be normal - he had few cues and hints before Zeus +summoned him. This unceremonious summons came as a complete, and +not overly appreciated, surprise. + +He noted immediately Zeus' red face, and the tumultuous tower +of black clouds above Olympus. This was going to be a real task! + +"Atlas! A vulgar name! Do you know it? I'll tell you of Atlas! +Condemned! Condemned to hold the world forever upon his +shoulders! And he dares claim that I chose him for that task +because I had not the strength and stamina to perform it! How +dare he!" + +Zeus paced back and forth, sputtering. + +"He is to be punished. Right now, I have yet to decide the what +that punishment shall be. You, my lad, shall decide. I want you +to travel widely, to examine all the vilest, cruelest, most +atrocious forms of torture. Select from these the very worst. +That torture shall be imposed on the impudent lout." + +"But, Sire, I . . . " + +"Enough! Begone. And do not linger, or you may join him." + +Never had he seen Zeus so angry. Once more he started to speak, +but with a wave of his hand Zeus dismissed him. + +He landed in the midst of a patch of briars, extricated himself +slowly and carefully. "My, but he is peeved!" + + + +Two mighty brothers served Zeus faithfully and well. Yet there +came a falling out, and the anger of Zeus could not be appeased. +One brother he chained to a mountain crag, and daily sent a +great eagle to tear and rend his flesh. + +One he placed in eternal servitude, to carry upon his shoulders +the earth and heavens. And that was Atlas. + +Torture, torment? More like Hades than Heaven! What a strange +and obscene task was this! + +"Mother, the Gods at times have been cruel to man. What manner +of cruelty have they applied, what devices or creatures that +give pain?" + +"A strange question. But, yes, the Gods work in strange ways." + +A sparkle lit her eye. + +"There is a legend that once, in long ago times, there lived on +earth only men. They grew proud and warlike, offended each the +other and offended all the Gods. Zeus became very angry, and +called unto him all the Gods. Long they parlayed, and angrily. +And at long last they decided on a torture so inhuman, so +merciless, so enduring that they hesitated to loose it upon even +these undeserving earthlings. At last Zeus authorized the +punishment." + +She paused, stirred the pot in which vegetables were beginning +to boil. + +"And that was?" + +A smile crossed her face. + +"A present was delivered to man. One that he looked on with +delight, and took to his heart. A present that has punished him +ever since. It was an object of unending torture; still, a +torture that poor weak man courted." + +"A present, Mother?" + +"Yes, he sent to man Pandora. Pandora, the first woman. And +since that day man has found himself unable to live without her. +She torments him, tantalizes him, arouses in him all emotions. +Yet he turns again and again to her." She laughed. + +"Just as Athena torments you, yet you turn to her again and +again!" + +"You tease me, Mother?" + +"No, the legends say it's true. Woman was man's first +punishment. Disguised as a gift! Well, well, perhaps your Athena +will be more the gift, less the punishment!" She tousled his +hair, hummed to herself, glanced in amusement over her shoulder +at him, and laughed. + +Demo smiled. Such pleasant punishment. + +Yet, truly, how much pain. The wanting, the loneliness, the +feeling of emptiness when she was not near - before he met her +they did not exist. Now they were his constant companions. + +A coin has two sides. + +Gift and punishment indeed! + +The more he thought, the more reasonable it seemed. The +punishment for Atlas, the ultimate punishment, would be to find +him a mate. + +Of course, it was difficult. For one such as Atlas, who might +qualify? + +There were children's' stories, tales, even legends, of women +such as these. But reality knew none such. + +I have a task of great difficulty, he thought to himself. I'll +get busy on it after lunch. "Mother, haven't we anything to eat?" + + + +"Mother, tell me of women." + +"Women! Why . . . , eh, what in the world do you want to know? +She blushed slightly, frowned. + +"Well, you spoke of Pandora. I am sure there are other women in +history. Tell me of them." + +She blinked, then smiled. "Oh, of course. History is replete +with stories of great women. Let me think." + +"What is greatness? Hera, wife of Zeus, of course. Venus, +Goddess of Love, certainly. The Amazons, who dominated men, +perhaps. There are so many, and they vary in their greatness." + +"Let me tell you true, Mother. I have a task laid on by Zeus, +to punish the mighty Atlas. I would find for him a wife, a gift +of happiness, of misery. Thus there would be punishment, but +lightened by womanly touch. Where would I look for such a one?" + +"Zeus! At times I am angry, even at the Gods. Atlas did +faithfully support his master. Yet Zeus has rewarded him with an +unending toil! A fit mate for Atlas? I can think of only one, +and that one who would resist such wedded bliss." + + + +"You know of one! Her name, Mother, and I will find her!" + +"You are eager, but beware. She has been courted by many, won +by none. Her name is Atalanta. Huntress, runner, wrestler - +skilled in arts of man and of woman. Yes, you might well search +for Atalanta." + +He was committed. Find Atalanta, woo her for Atlas, arrange the +nuptials - and convince Zeus that he had fulfilled his task. + + + +Little details must be worked out. A plan of action developed. +A purported weakness of Atalanta - a love for golden apples - +might well be exploited. Vulcan agreed to fashion these in his +shop, and with his usual skill fashioned them in exquisite form. + +Demo looked at them and was so enticed that he had a mind to +keep them. Wisdom prevailed, and merely placed them in his +pouch. + +He inquired widely of those who might know, searched widely for +the land wherein she dwelt. In due time he was rewarded. And +finally he reached the very village she called home. + +The dwellings were scattered, separated by green meadows and +forest. Each small domicile resembled in its own way the home +where he lived with his Mother. + +But he did not find her in one of these. + +They met in the square of the little village. He was +astonished. With her reputation for physical superiority he +expected - well, it doesn't matter. + +What he found was a beautiful woman, tall and slender. Not +muscle-bound, she. Not the heavy wrestler. Nor the huge-biceped +brute he had visualized. + +They talked. + +"Ah, young sojourner. What brings you to our land? Do you seek +adventure, riches? You'll not find them here, I assure you. But, +while you tary, join with me in a race." She challenged him, as +she did all newcomers to the village. Race with her, and if he +but win she would acquiesce to his every demand. + +Demo blinked. It was going to be so easy. Amazing! He had +expected to cajole, beg, lie - even, terrible thought, to carry +her off against her will. + +The race began unpropitiously. + +She darted ahead, turned with a smile - a sarcastic, mocking +one. + +"My, shall I help you? Perhaps your brogans are too heavy. Or +is it those huge feet?" + +Quickly he tossed one of the golden apples before her, slightly +off to the side. The legends proved true. + +She quickly deviated from the path, picked up the apple, +continued on her way. + +Happily, in those moments he gained. She was now only steps +ahead! + +Once more Demo tossed an apple. This time it went even more off +the path. Nevertheless she ran after it, returned to the race. + +She laughed. + +"You think to distract me? I have but begun to run. But don't +worry, I'll wait for you at the finish line." + +And now they were abreast! + +He tossed once more, the last of the apples. + +His eyes widened. The fox imp rose from the roadside bushes, +seized the apple, and disappeared again, chortling. + +Atalanta would now be concerned only with the race! How could +he possibly beat her! Ah, if only he had one more of the golden +apples. Sadly he staggered on. There was no way he could beat +her! + +He had failed! + +He reckoned not with Vulcan's skill! + +Atalanta lost all thought of the race, ran madly after the fox +imp. The imp, looking back, saw her quick approach and dropped +the apple. It skipped sideways, dashed into the forest without a +glance behind. + +Atalanta seized the last apple, returned to the race to find +herself bested. With good grace she bowed to the winner. + + + +The nuptials were performed by a local priest. He wanted no +pay, merely the reputation of having married the mighty Atlas to +Atalanta. + +As Atlas shifted the world on his shoulder Atalanta squeezed +his brawny arm. The adoration on her face brought happiness to +his eyes. + +A perfect match, thought Demo. + + + +"Give him a wife! I sent you to find the most horrible of +tortures. How dare you suggest we reward his impiety by +providing him with a wife! I've a mind to have you replace him +for just a few hours, with the burden of the world on your +shoulders!" + +Zeus was, to put it kindly, miffed. + +"But, Sire, think! If Atlas had such a wife as Hera . . . ?" + +"Give him Hera? Well, you begin to interest me." Zeus looked +around quickly. "Just jesting, my boy, of course. Now what have +you in mind?" + +"That he be wed to Atalanta." + +"The huntress! Yes, yes indeed. Glad I thought of it. A +delightful young lady. Enticing! Irresistible!" He paused, +glanced around, spoke with lowered voice. "She will tire of him! +At first, they will be attracted, of course. Of course, he will +be so busy balancing the world, he'll have little time for her. +Soon they'll quarrel and he'll feel miserable." Zeus smiled +benevolently. + +"Wonderful! My boy, you wisdom exceeds your years. In fact, the +more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to permit your +marriage to Athena. You, too, deserve such married bliss." + +There seemed to be a slight snicker in his voice. + +Demo ignored it. Finally, Zeus was beginning to mellow, to +consider rewarding him for his services. What a kind and +considerate God indeed! + + + +Though she knew not where fate might lead, Ceres labored still +to undo the evil marriage of Pluto to Persephone. In the heart +of Pirithous she planted the seed of love, love for Persephone. +There it grew and prospered. + +The day came when Pirithous would tarry no longer. Whatever his +fate might be, he would free his loved one from the grasp of the +barbarous Pluto! + +Theseus reasoned with his friend, but to no avail. Then, +reluctantly, knowing full well the dangers, he joined him on +that fated mission. + +The entrance to the dark kingdom lies on the far shore of +Oceanus. Nevertheless, there are secret ways, known to only the +few. This knowledge Ceres had. + +Dark caverns and dread marked their way. Creatures not of this +world guarded narrow defiles, yet let them pass unharmed. +Sulfurous fumes that might have brought them to a deadly sleep +dissipated with their approach. Olden bridges, rotten and +decayed, crossed deep caverns, yet none gave way with their +weight. With each such success Theseus grew ever more alarmed. + +"Friend, it is not as it should be! We are not opposed! Do you +remember the ambush of the Sileni? I fear we are being led on." + +Pirithous listened, nodded. + +"Such is my thought. Turn back, old friend. I shall press on +alone. For good or evil, my fate lies ahead, in the bowels of +this infernal region. Fare thee well, now go your way. And say a +prayer to Zeus for the success of my mission." + +Theseus placed his hand on Pirithous' shoulder. "We have fought +many a battle, you and I. The times you have saved my life, and +I yours, are innumerable. If fate calls you yonder, then you +shall not go alone." + +Would that loyalty and friendship were portents of success. + +It was not to be. + + + +Even the drawbridge was in place, and the great wooden door to +Pluto's castle, open. They entered warily. + +Pluto grimaced in a friendly smile, if such it could be called. + +"Welcome, for I have few such visitors. Come, join me. Sit on +yonder bench, and let us discuss the purpose of your visit." + +Woe unto those who sit upon the Chair of Forgetfulness! + +Named rightly, even as the waters of Lethe, it cleanses the +mind of all that went before! + +And that the bench to which Pluto motioned them. + +Pluto poured red wine into waiting glasses, rose to carry it to +them. He nodded to the bench as he approached, reached the wine +toward them. + +Pirithousaccepted the glass, moved to the bench. Theseus +frowned. Something was wrong. But what? + +Finally he too moved to the bench, joined his friend. + +"We came to . . . ." Pirithous was silent, glanced at Theseus. +Shaking his head, he repeated, "We came to . . . ." He could not +continue. + +Theseus sat quietly, empty-eyed. + +Without a sound Pluto took the wine glasses from lax hands, +called his minion to carry away the glasses and wine. + +He sat, looked at his visitors, then turned away. + +They waited now for the coming of Hercules. + +And Ceres waited, too. + +She waited for a champion. + +A champion to challenge Pluto's power. + +14. Lover's Quarrels + +Cupid launched his arrows with careful aim at times, at times +with casual disregard. + +Today he launched no arrows. + +His quiver was empty. + +"Zeus, you've got to straighten out the postoffice. I ordered a +gross nearly an eon ago. And still they haven't arrived! Look at +me! What good am I without my arrows? What is Olympus coming to?" + +"Now, now, have patience, Little One. Let me see. Ah, I have +it. Just stand by. Oh, Demo. I need you. I have such a nice +chore for you. Demo, get yourself up here!" + +Demo grimaced. Just before supper, and what a meal his mother +had prepared. Surely there'll be nothing but leftovers when I +get back. Ah, unfortunately, Zeus was not one to wait. + +"My lad, we have a major problem. A work stoppage! Our mail +system is old, archaic, obsolete - besides which, I don't like +it. Fix it!" + +Peremptorily Zeus turned, walked through the nearest wall and +disappeared from view. + +Demo blinked. Such abruptness would be unpardonable in a lesser +entity. At times one must bear with Zeus. He had his - eh, +eccentricities. + + + +"It's the rain! No, it's the snow! No, it's the dark of +night!" The postmaster explained the reasons for such poor +service. His subservients listened quietly, nodded in ready +agreement with each of his explanations. Then they all sat back, +put their feet on their respective desks, and talked incessantly +about ways of solving the problem. + +"Eh, shouldn't they be out delivering the mail, " Demo inquired? + +"Well, yes, but we need to think about this big problem. The +mail can wait." + +Demo looked at the postmaster, shook his head, and started for +home. He stopped. "Is there any mail for myself or my Mother? +I'll take it with me." + +"Oh, you couldn't do that! Only we are authorized to deliver +the mail. It'll be along in . . . , oh, in a week or so." + + + +Cupid's arrow are very effective. In fact, they never fail. +Unfortunately, they do have a minor weakness. Their effect is +not permanent. Thus Cupid must wander from place to place, +zapping the same targets from time to time. + +That isn't to bad, as Cupid is fast, his aim is accurate, and +in an odd sort of way the victim enjoys the wound. + +However, since he has previously inoculated his subjects, he +must use the same concoction as previously. Otherwise the spell +may work, but for an entirely different object of desire. + +The problem with the mail was introducing another complication. +Cupid's spell was beginning to wear off for many a couple. + +One such couple was Athena and Demo. + + + +Not that they quarreled. Rather, as Athena phrased it, they +discussed. + +The discussion became loud, grew heated, and Athena paced +angrily back and forth. "And I could have a God. But no! I +choose a country bumpkin! An insensitive, heartless, country +bumpkin." + +Fire burned fiercely in her eyes as she glared at Demo. + +"So he saved my life. Anyone could have done as well! Certainly +that is no reason to condemn myself to live with him for an +eternity. Look at him! Merely a mortal! And an immature, +childish one at that!" + +Demo blinked, swallowed. + +He had never seen anyone so angry. Not even Theresa the time he +spilled cold wine down her back. Well, maybe that time. +Nevertheless, no other. + +This was indeed a crisis! Plainly, the mail system must be +rescued, and Cupid's arrows quickly delivered! + + + +Demo began his task by doing extended research. His first step +was to read. History of the Post Office. Operation of a Post +Office. Management books in general. Operations Research, +Management Analysis, Industrial Engineering, Sex Life of the Sea +Turtle - Oops! That book was misfiled, on the wrong shelf. +Anyway, it was really dull reading. + +He interviewed the customers of the Post Office. He interviewed +those who delivered the mail. He interviewed the managers. The +more they talked, the less he knew. + +He attempted to examine the day-to-day operations. In spite of +his credentials as Zeus' emissary, he found little cooperation. + +Organization charts were missing. Long term plans were +non-existent. Budgets were cursory documents. Balance sheets and +Profit and Loss statements were fiction. + +The warehouses bulged! + +The mail was accumulating at a phenomenal rate. The mail was +being delivered at a minuscule rate. + +Fingerpointing was rampant! + +Managers blamed workers. Workers blamed management. Zeus blamed +Demo. The people blamed everyone. + +And Cupid waited impatiently for his arrows! + +What to do! + + + +He discussed the situation with his Mother. + +"Why, dear, there really seem to be two problems. Delivering +the mail that has accumulated, and insuring that it doesn't +accumulate in the future. Perhaps you could burn the backlog, +and throw away all incoming mail for a while." + +"Burn! Throw away! Mother, Zeus would be furious! Besides, what +if I burned Cupid's arrows? Athena and I might never be united!" + +Nevertheless, he thought about his Mother's words. And thought +of a brilliant solution to the first problem. + +"Sire, we need to implement a two step process. First, we +deliver all the outstanding mail. Second, we streamline the +existing system to insure we don't again arrive at our present +situation again." + +"Fine, I like that. Do it!" Zeus seemed very agreeable. + +"Well, yes, Sire. By the way, I'll need the services of +Mercury." + +"Of Mercury! He's my private messenger! How dare you! How long +will you need his services? Ridiculous! When can I have him +back? And how do you propose to use him?" + +"We'll loan him to the Post Office Department. He'll distribute +the backlog quickly and easily, and then we have only the second +problem to solve." + +Zeus frowned, then finally agreed. + + + +Mercury's transfer to the Postal Department was delayed. Not +because he objected; rather, because of the normal bureaucratic +delays. Eventually the paperwork was completed and the transfer +made. + +The results were astounding. Within a day half of the backlog +was distributed. It seemed that the initial problem was well on +its way to being solved. + +Appearances are deceiving! + +On the second day the mail distribution once more failed. And +Cupid had not yet received his arrows! + + + +Demo hurried to talk to the Postmaster. + +"What has happened? Where is Mercury? The mail is once more +piling up!" + +"No problem. It'll all be delivered in time. As for Mercury, he +was ruining the morale of our normal deliverers. I really +couldn't tolerate that, so I placed him in another department. +He is currently acting as our censor. Keeps his eye open for +anything that might be controversial. Why, he just found a +package of arrows! Never should have let them get into the +system. Directed to a Mr. Cupid, on Zeus' staff. Might well have +been an attempted assassination planned!" + +"Arrow? Cupid?" Demo's eyes brightened. "Ah, where are they? +What did you do with them?" + +"Turned them over to security. Right now they are rounding up +this Cupid character. It'll go hard with him, I assure you!" + + The arrest of Cupid created a furor on Olympus. Zeus was +nonplused. Hera, horrified! Venus, however, was the practical +mother. "Zeus, you must go his bail. I know it is high. Still, I +am sure there are some celestial bailbondsmen who'll cover it +for a fraction of the total amount." + +Reluctantly Zeus provided the gold. + + + +The problem still remained. Find the arrows! + +Demo rushed to Hades, where The Great Detective, better known +as TGD, a detective of somewhat dubious character had +established office. "Sir, you are famous for the divorce cases +you have supported, for the furtive tracing of vanished +criminals - indeed, for tracking down lost people and lost +items. Your skills are badly needed in support of Zeus!" + +TGD smiled. "I am pleased that Zeus has need of me. I would be +better pleased if he were to allow me to relocate my office to +Olympus. However, for a reasonable fee, I shall be glad to +locate the arrows." + +"The arrows? How did you know? Well, yes, the arrows must be +found. The world is approaching a level of desperation never +seen before." + +"Great! Then my price shall be adjusted accordingly. Now, where +were they last seen? In whose hands? What was the intended +disposition by that person?" + +"Come, boy, just the facts. Don't waste my time. + +Though taken aback, Demo quickly supplied the information. + +"We must act quickly! The game, to plagiarize, is afoot. Hand +me my cape, my cap, and yonder cane. Been at this too many +years, you know. Eh, my pipe, also, if you please." + +"But . . . , eh, where are we going?" + +"Don't be dense, lad. Where else - we're going to collect those +arrows. I don't charge by the hour, I charge by the case. So I +don't care to waste time. Come along, now, Wat . . . - Beg your +pardon, come along now, Demo." + +Demo came along. + +TGD had dealings with the postal system before. His +interrogation of the Postmaster was cruel. Without hesitation he +attacked when any sign of deviousness, confusion, or simple lack +of clarity surfaced. + +"My dear sir, you're talking pure balderdash! Come, come, to +the point, man. Who was the last man known unequivocally to +have had possession of those arrows? None of this 'It seems +like,' or 'I think it was,' or any of that tomfoolishness. Who +do you recall with certainty last had the arrows!" + +TGD augured in on the key contact, step by step. With each new +suspect he reiterated the above questions. His eyes were +brightening. He plainly had a clue! + +Demo listened and watched. He was impressed by TGD's +step-by-step, inexorable closing in on the culprit. + + + +Mercury recalled finding the package of arrows. In his job as +censor he had decided to notify the Postmaster. The latter had +called in the security department, and the arrows were +transferred to them. + +"To whom did you specifically deliver the arrows?" TGD queried. + +"Why, to Janus, of course. As doorkeeper Janus is in full +charge of security. Would I have delivered them to anyone else!" + +TGD smiled. "Thank you, of course you delivered them to Janus. +Eh, did you ask for a receipt?" + +"Ask for a receipt! From Zeus' own doorkeeper! Never!" + +"Ummm. Yes, I understand. Thank you, you have been most +helpful." + + + +"How long have you worked as doorkeeper, Mr. Janus?" + +"Oh, for eons. Yes, for eons and eons! I've always been Zeus' +doorkeeper, you know. He'd never have another. Very pleased with +me, he is. + +"Except that time I closed the door on his foot. Terrible +episode, really. Never cared for those sandals, myself. Don't +really offer much protection. Lost th' toenail on his big toe, +he did! It grew back, of course! My, but he was in a dither. +Said some dreadfully rude things to me. Even, would you believe +it, threatened to replace me!" Janus feelings had been hurt, +perhaps even more so than Zeus' big toe. + +"Yes, I'm sure. Now about the arrows, Mercury gave them to you, +did he not?" + +"Of course he did. Dreadful conspiracy going on. Arrows are +dangerous things indeed. I gave them to Ate for delivery to +Zeus. Blessed if I know what she did with them. Be very +careless, letting them lie around. Particularly after the +release of that dreadful Cupid. Was he plotting an insurrection, +do you think?" + +TGD smile, turned to Demo. "We are closing in. Ate! Yes, I +might have known. The very essence of mischief. Let us first +discuss the matter with Zeus. We'll get no straight answers from +Ate, of that I am sure!" + + + +Zeus received them with poor grace. + +The love that Hera held for him was growing ever thinner. He +glared at Cupid with undisguised anger. "You should have had a +backup supply. Ridiculous to run out of arrows. They really +aren't that costly!" + + + +TGD grilled Zeus with the same methodical approach he used for +all. And even Zeus was impressed, and finally cooperated. + +"Demo, I am sure you will succeed. Indeed, he is TGD. Must get +him to find my wife's earrings. We'll work on that later." + +"Yes, Ate did mention the arrows to me. Told her to get them to +Cupid, right away. But he claims never to have received them!" + +Of course, Ate, true to the reputation for mischievousness, had +never delivered the arrows to Cupid. The noose was tightening. +The culprit was now identified! + + + +"Ate, did Mercury give you the arrows?" + +"Oh, no. Janus gave them to me. Perfect arrows, well designed +for their purpose. Plainly they belonged to Cupid. Talked to +Zeus about it, and I delivered them to Cupid the very next day." + +TGD was taken aback. In spite of Ate's reputation he recognized +some semblance of truth in the words. + + + +Cupid denied all. "Never received them from Ate. Never even saw +Ate. Dastardly lie, that's all. Finger pointing! Would ruin my +reputation! Ridiculous!" + +Sitting quietly TGD listened, nodded. "Lovely place you have +here. Would you show me the house?" + +"Delighted," Cupid smiled. "I decorated it myself." + +Demo found himself blushing at the many statues and pictures. +They had plainly been developed with Cupid's tastes in mind. + +TGD, however, had other things in mind. + +"You've no mail slot in your front door." + + + +"No, I'm a bit old fashioned. Mailbox is down by the road. +Retains something of the old rural atmosphere, you know." + +They wandered through the house, from one erotic treasure to +another. Then they walked outside. + +TGD admired the lawn, the trees, the white picket fence. He +opened the gate, reached in the mailbox, and extracted a +package. "Here, my boy. Your arrows." + +Demo's eyes widened. + +"Astounding, my dear TGD! But, how did you know? The mailbox? +No mail is being delivered!" + +"Elementary, friend Demo. Of course you knew no mail was being +delivered. I know that. Cupid knows that. So Cupid doesn't +bother to check his mail." TGD smiled. + +"And Ate certainly knew that! And I know Ate!" + + + +"Thank you, lad. Never has my kingdom been so peaceful!" Zeus +was well pleased. + +"Ah, sire, it is truly wonderful. Athena smiled at me! Oh, by +the way, the earrings. TGD says not to worry. Hera is wearing +them." + +"Wearing them! No wonder she couldn't find them in her jewelry +box! I really must pay more attention to my wife. + +"Oh, as for the postal department! I abolished it. Mercury is +now running the Celestial Parcel Service. Deliveries guaranteed +to reach destination before being dispatched! How's that for a +gimmick!" + +15. Giver of Fire + +Man weeps. + +The beast of the fields ate of his flesh, and no where could he +hide. By day the pterodactyls swooped from the skies to take +their toll. By night the wolves, in vicious packs, invaded even +man's caves and carried off their prey. + +Man weeps. + +The sound was low, smothered by the wind. + +But one heard. + +Prometheus. + +He took a brand from the fires of Olympus, laid it at the mouth +of the cave where man shivered in cold and fear. And the wolves +grew wary, approached not. And man maintained as sacred the fire +given to them by Prometheus. Priests and priestesses watched +without cessation that the fire should be fed. Let the flames +but flicker, and they stirred the ashes. Should the burning +brands be too few they replenished them. And should the flames +die they brought forth the bellows, blew life giving air on the +coals below, and the fire burned bright. They never failed in +their chores. + +Except, + +Once. + +Then, the fire died! + + + +"Lad, you must never tell a soul of this task. As Zeus, master +of the universe, I make no mistakes. But, at an earlier time, I +took an action that I have since regretted. Prometheus, the +giver of fire, as you earthlings know him. I punished him +severely. Even to this day he suffers." + +Zeus seemed to be downcast. "Anyway, the fire he gave to man +has burned out, flickered out, been blown out - whatever. Yet, +after careful thought, I have decided that man should have fire. +Prometheus must be freed to once again pass a lighted brand to +mankind. I can't free him, as that would cast doubt on my +infallibility. So, you do it. Off with you, now!" + + + +There is a mountain, far removed from human haunts. There, time +after time, a tragedy repeats itself. Prometheus, the giant +benefactor to mankind, waits. Chains bind him to the mountain. +He waits and watches, watches the sky. + +High in the sky, barely visible, a black dot can be seen. +Suddenly it falls, faster and faster, and as suddenly slows, +wings widespread. An eagle. A giant bird, with fierce talons, +merciless curved beak, strikes at the helpless captor. + +Its talons rip, its beak slashes, and Prometheus gasps in pain. +The eagle tears at skin and muscle, at bone, and finally tears +from living flesh an organ. It flies away, the liver of its +victim in its beak. + +Day ends, night passes, an lo the body of Prometheus has +healed. And now he waits again the coming of the eagle. + + + +Demo began his hike to the Edge of the World, that region where +juts the great mountain upward to the sky. + +He carried with him dried venison. No bread had he. Mankind's +fires were no more. Raw fruit and vegetables. Sun dried meat and +fish. + +At home his Mother sat before the stove, her frustration plain +on her red face. Without fire she could not cook. Without fire +the night became ever dark, and days were too short. + +Prometheus must be freed! + + + +"These boltcutters will handle any chains you'll run into, +young man. Well tempered metal, endorsed by Vulcan when he +started this franchise. His personal guarantee on every one +sold. Money back, no questions asked, if you aren't satisfied. +Now, what more could you ask?" The salesman was solicitous and +persistent. + +Finally Demo nodded, paid the asking price, and added the +boltcutter to his pouch of goodies. + +He had chanced on the Vulcan Franchised Technology hardware +store while passing through the village. Fortunately it carried +the type of equipment he required. + +"And keep in mind, with the extinguished fires, there'll be no +more of these produced. It'll become a collector's item, worth +much more than the original cost. You are getting a bargain!" + + + +The sight of the giant, some scars still open and bleeding, +brought tears to Demo's eyes. Quickly he climbed upward, reached +the cliff to which Prometheus was pinned. + +Demo looked at the chains, at his boltcutter. + +It was too small! + +He examined the pitons that maintained the chains in place. +Hammered deep in the rock, they seemed mounted to last forever. +Demo shook his head. What could be done? + +At that moment he heard a strange sound, growing ever louder. +Looking upward he saw an object. It fell from the sky, swifter +and swifter still. + +And then, wings spread, in eagle form it lashed at its assigned +prey! + +The mountains trembled at the thunderous scream of the tortured +giant. He quivered, threw himself against the bonds that held +him! + +Agony on his face, he screamed once more! + +Demo put hands over ears to escape the misery and pain that +voice held. It did not suffice! + +He looked, grief-stricken, at the bleeding, gaping wound. He +gazed in wonder at the pain-filled face, the reddened eyes! + +Prometheus eyes closed. Sweat poured from his brow. Slowly he +slipped down, unconscious from the pain. Only the chains +supported him. + +"Zeus, that you could impose such horror! I cannot understand! +But he shall be freed! I must act quickly!" Demo talked to +himself as he worked. + +Though his boltcutter was useless Demo was not ready to give +up. He took hammer and metal chisels from his pack, began to +work on the most worn of the links of chain. + +Even as he worked he noted the change in Prometheus. The wound +healed! By nightfall no sign remained, except the fearful scars, + to show that the vicious attack had ever occurred! + +Tomorrow, the eagle would return! + +The boy worked throughout the night on the link. In early +morning it gave, opened! + +Prometheus pulled against the links, and one arm was free. With +both hands he wrestled with the remaining chain on his left arm. +In moments the piton was freed from the mountain wall! Quickly +he wrestled with the leg irons, wrenched them from their place +against the cliff. + +Prometheus, his bonds broken, glanced wildly around. His eyes +reflected fear, madness. He watched the skies, searching for +something fearful and inescapable. + +But no eagle flew. + +Demo motioned downward, toward the path leading to the valley +below. Quickly he led the way! "Follow me! Follow me! Quickly!" + +Prometheus, walking awkwardly, using skills long lost to +captivity. + +They reached the valley, began the long journey to the sea. + +Suddenly they felt a shadow encompass them. Demo frowned. + +Prometheus had thrown himself on the ground, curled up like a +child. He was sobbing. + +Glancing toward the sky Demo realized why! + +Now the eagle flew! + +Closer and closer, its wings spread wide, it zoomed downward. +Its prey lay still, paralyzed by fear, waiting its strike. + +Demo notched his arrow, loosed it against the huge bird. + +The arrow struck home! + +With an angry squawk the bird turned from its prey to its +attacker. Demo fell as it swooped near, rolled over! + +Too late! + +It had his leg, was pulling him aloft! + +Prometheus, an expression of fear on his face, yet reached out, +seized the wing of his enemy. He pulled the eagle to the ground. + +Demo was released, quickly rolled over. He watched, wide-eyed, +as Prometheus unleashed his pent-up anger on his tormentor. + +They fought long and hard, and feathers and blood mingled on +the valley's floor! At long last the eagle stood atop the giant, +its talons at his stomach! + +Yet, even as it tore at the flesh of the giant, Prometheus +seized its throat in powerful hands, cut off the breath of life. + +In moments the eagle lay dead! + +Demo looked at the face of the conqueror. He shuddered! + +The eyes of Prometheus still held unreasoning fear. No +semblance of reason was displayed in those haunted eyes! The +long, ever-enduring torment had not destroyed his body. + +It had destroyed his mind! + +The hope that man might once more have fire was dashed! + + + +Prometheus, for all his size and strength, was helpless. + +"Come, there is nothing left to do here. I'll help you. To +yonder stream." + +Demo led him from the site, down to a green meadow where flowed +a quiet brook. There he washed the giant's wounds, gave him wine +to drink, watched him as he slept. + +Like a child Prometheus followed Demo. At first ever watchful, +his frightened eyes on the sky. With time he relaxed, only +sporadically tensed, glanced anxiously upward. + +He did not speak. + +He did chores as directed. He searched for berries, edible +plants, honey. He fetched water from a nearby spring. + +Within the immediate area he worked diligently. He would not go +beyond sight of Demo. When he reached a distance that seemed to +great he would halt, bow his head, and return. + + Broken, frightened, the hero was dead! Only the shell lived. + + + +The wild beast became ever braver. Fire, that strange creature +that turned night into day, no longer existed. Mankind huddled +by night in their abodes, listening, frightened, at the night +sounds. + +The wolves became bolder. They hunted in larger and larger +packs, killed sheep at will. Soon village dogs became their +prey. And children who wandered alone into the night. Even men, +traveling alone, were subject to the deadly raid of the wolf +pack. + +Prometheus and Demo came under attack. They slept in the open, +under the stars. Demo woke to hear the call of the wolves as +they assembled for the hunt. He grimaced, felt for his bow and +arrows. + +Prometheus slept. Childlike, he trusted to Demo for his +protection. + +The howls soon ceased. That silence, more than the wild calls, +frightened Demo. He notched an arrow to his bow, sat with back +against a huge oak. He watched the edges of the clearing, +looking for sign of motion. + +He wasn't to be disappointed. + +They came in the false dawn, quietly creeping to the edge of +the open space. Demo saw in the dim light their movement. He let +fly an arrow, prepared another. The yelp of the injured wolf +signaled the attack. + +One more arrow flew and a wolf fell. The pack was upon him! He +had not time to draw his bow again. + +With an angry roar Prometheus awoke. His huge form towering +high, he seized a fallen tree trunk, raised it above his head. + +He met the oncoming horde with battering blows, growls more +fierce than that of beast. Quickly, leaving fallen comrades +behind, the wolves scattered. + +Prometheus sat down, shivered as though cold. + +"Why is there no fire? They would fear the fire." + +Demo stared! + +Under the fierce attack Prometheus had regained his will to +live, to fight! + +"The fire you gave man is extinguished. He failed to keep its +flame burning, failed to protect it. He took it for granted, and +none would be its keeper. + +"There is no fire!" + +Prometheus lay down the great log, breathed deeply. + +"I took from Vulcan's furnace, from the hottest flames, the +heart of fire. I gave it to man for his care and nurture, to +protect him from the creatures of the wild. I gave it to him to +protect him from the night, and those things that creep in the +darkness. And now he has let it die? What fools are these +mortals, to disdain a such a gift?" + + "Man grows lazy and irresponsible. He thinks all things come +to him with no effort on his part. He values little those gifts +that he receives. At last he knows, now, what he has lost." + +"In my own hand I carried the fiery coals. Look!" + +He thrust out the palms of both hands, and Demo stared in the +dawning light of morning at the charred and blackened skin. + +"Vulcan will not so easily be fooled again! Yet," Prometheus +mused, looking at Demo, "Perhaps it can be done." + +Demo frowned. No more was Prometheus leaning on him to take the +lead. + +"You have access to Olympus. Zeus has given you the key, for +you seem to be a favorite of his. And once on Olympus, you have +access to Vulcan. You could prepare the way for me, distract +Vulcan, and I could once more draw fire from that deadly +furnace. Let us plan together." + +They sat, discussed, argued, compromised. + +It was decided. Demo would return to Olympus, persuade Zeus to +call an audience with Vulcan. And in Vulcan's absence, once more +would Prometheus carry fire to mankind. + +The best laid schemes of man and firegiver go oft astray. + + + +Zeus would have none of it! "I want no involvement on my part. +Otherwise, do what you will." + +They sat, discussed, argued, compromised. + +Demo was amazed! That Zeus would condone such activity on +Demo's part seemed unbelievable. Perhaps, as Prometheus implied, +he was a favorite! + +Regardless, Vulcan would be called to an audience. He would be +detained long enough for Prometheus to wend his way to that +great furnace wherein lie the eternal fires. And once more would +Prometheus give to man the gift of fire. + + + +Vulcan looked morosely at the raging fires in his furnace. +Flames huge and red leaped, frolicked, and disappeared to be +followed by others of blue and white. They cast gigantic +shadows, grotesque and ever changing. + +Usually he admired the display, relaxed as might others to the +sound of music. + +Tonight he did not relax. + +Zeus desired his company. + +Rarely did Zeus call upon him. Even more rarely was he invited +into the presence of that most august God. It did not please +him. Here, at his furnace shaping objects from hardest metal, he +felt at home. Let others court the company and favors of Zeus. + +Nevertheless, he would go. Perhaps there was a chore to be +done, a mighty sword to fashion, a shield to form from molten +metal. Or, more likely, some damaged tool to repair, welding +broken parts to make a whole. + +He stoked the fire, breathing the hot flames as though perfume. +Wiping sweat from his moist brow he hurried to ready himself for +his audience with Zeus. + + + +Prometheus waited. + +With Vulcan's departure he slipped into the celestial foundry, +inched ever closer to the heart of that huge factory. The +furnace glowed from the fire within. + +Prometheus entrance was noted. + +He knew not of the guard. + +Vulcan had led a life of abuse, mistrust, and rejection. He +himself trusted no one. Though crippled he remained agile and +able, and used his skill with fire and metal to fabricate an +object of strange shape and size. + +The object was formed of the strongest metals. Its joints were +cunningly hinged to allow motion. Its appearance was that of man +- rather, that of giant. For it was huge. Huge and massive. + +Silently it stood guard in the empty foundry. A dead, useless +metal statue, a scarecrow for the vagrant birds that might pass +by. + +It had one more characteristic. + +It lived! + +Vulcan had withdrawn from the huge furnace a heart of fire, +ensconced it in the body of his creation. That burning, beating +heart gave it an existence of its own. + +Prometheus' entrance was noted. + +Noted by Vulcan's metal monster! + +Prometheus stalked quickly to the fiery confines of Vulcan's +furnace. Opening the door to its sizzling interior, he flinched +back from the blast of flames and heat. + +Quickly he picked up the long shovel, thrust it into the midst +of the flames. Slowly he withdrew it, the very heart of +scorching mass centered in the scoop. + +Vulcan's creation struck! + + + +The metal monster, moving silently, steadily, had positioned +itself behind Prometheus. Even as he captured the heart of the +furnace its arms enfolded him. + +Prometheus dropped the shovel! + +The white-hot mass of fire rolled onto the floor, began to melt +the stones that supported it. + +Prometheus threw himself backward, tipping over his attacker! + +They rolled on the floor. The creature dug its iron talons into +Prometheus stomach. + +Prometheus screamed! + +The memory of the eagle engulfed him! + +Once again he was chained to the crag, the eagle coming ever +closer. + +Now it struck! + +Its talons, tearing, ripping . . . ! + +He seized the metal arm, bending and ripping at the fingers! +One by one they gave way to his strength. + +Even as the last finger gave way, the other arm now enwrapped +his throat! His breathing grew ever more difficult. And Vulcan's +monster wrestled him closer and closer to the deadly ball of +scorching fire. + +He felt the heat on his skin, burning and charring! Now his +chest was barely inches from the fire! It touched his skin! + +Abruptly he reached out, seized the burning mass in his huge +hands! + +He lifted the deadly cargo above his head! + +Burning through skin and flesh, charring bone, it lit the +hellish scene! + +With an effort he loosed the deadly mass behind his back! + +If fell on the head of Vulcan's creation. + +The struggle was over! + +A molten mass, the metal monster lay inanimate upon the floor! + +With crippled hands Prometheus once more shoveled the burning +heart of the furnace. Without a backward glance he rushed from +the site of battle. + +Arriving on earth he deposited his burden in the bowels of Mt. +Vesuvius. There would it ever burn. And from that burning mass +man once more distributed fire to hearth and kiln. + + + +"My boy, you handled that quite well. Certainly left Vulcan's +foundry in a mess, though. By the way, I sent Aesculapius over +to care for Prometheus' hands. It will take time, but +Aesculapius works wonders. Gad, his rates are high! Do you know +how much he charges for house calls! Never mind, it's enough, I +assure you!" Zeus grumbled to even think of the cost. + +"Stay healthy." He growled morosely. + +16. Wading in the River Styx + +Odor of dying algae, of rotting plants, of stagnant waters - +all drift above the long, dark stretches of the river Styx. No +beauty here. + +And in these waters lived creatures not of this world, but of +Hades, round which the river flowed, and flows forever. Doomed +through eternity to these putrid stream, they had yet one +recompense. + +Who dared wade the River Styx, he was their prey. + + + +"My boy, take this package over to the guardshack just across +the Styx. They are expecting it; by the way, be sure to get a +receipt. They hate to sign receipts. Still, it messes up our +accounts if we don't have them. The boat is anchored right by +the pier, and the oars are stowed beneath the seat." + +Zeus started to turn away, then hesitated. "Oh, well! Boy, +don't drag your hands in the water. And don't even think about +taking a dip. You'd be dreadfully sorry!" + + + +An extremely simple chore, this. Why all the fuss? + +Each river has its peculiarities. The Nile, known for its +annual flooding. The Lethe, notorious for the effect on those +who drink its waters. + +And then there is the river Styx. + +It has a well-deserved reputation. The environmentalists have +been picketing since time immemorial. They complain, +legitimately, about the odor, the sludge, the inhabitants - all +the little things that help make the Styx unique. + +They picket Pluto. + +Pluto suggests they picket Zeus, instead. To emphasize his +point he releases Cerberus. + +Hurriedly they scatter, not taking time to even look back. + +They picket Zeus. + +Zeus takes it all with gentle and tolerant attitude. His is a +measured reaction. He assigns to each picket a little black +cloud, from which rain continuously falls. Umbrellas are +discouraged by random gusts of wind. + +The pickets persist. + +Zeus smiles. + +The clouds grow larger, the winds gust more strongly. + +The temperature begins to fall. The continuous rain ends, is +replaced by snow showers. The winds now blow steadily from the +cold north. + +The pickets persist. + +Zeus' smile broadens. + +The clouds merge. The winds now reach blizzard force, and the +snow changes from soft flakes to frozen pellets. The temperature +drops, then drops again. + +The pickets assemble, discuss, and rapidly disperse. + +Zeus smirks, makes a snowball, which he then playfully tosses +into the air. He then builds a snowman. He gives it a picket +sign to carry. + +Humming, Zeus returns to his throne. + + + +There is no snow by the river Styx. Nor rain. Nor cooling +breeze. + +The air is stagnant, hot, thick with the odor of rotted plants, +the breath of Hades' denizens. + +Demo, with the back of his hand, wipes the sweat from his brow. +Ah, how delightful it would be to splash even this putrid water +on his forehead. Or even to swim in its cooling depths! What was +it Zeus had said? Something about being dreadfully sorry? + +He rows slowly, moving the oar against water with the +consistency of mud. To lift the oar for the next stroke is +nearly as difficult as to row. + +Then he cannot lift it at all! + +Frowning Demo yanked at the oar. It gave slightly, then slipped +back into the dank water. With an effort he used the side of the +boat as a point of leverage, once more brought up the oar. + +Covered with slime, strange plant growth, it broke the surface +of the water. But there is something else, a red long and sinewy +coil wrapped tightly around the oar. Grimacing, Demo tried to +scrape the enwrapping red plant from its hold. + +The red plant suddenly uncoiled, extended upward, and quickly +enwrapped his forearm. Wide-eyed Demo attempted to pull free. + +The hold on his arm tightened! + +He was being pulled to the side of the boat! + +Slowly the boat began to tip. He lost his footing, fell against +the gunwale. The boat began to rock, and with each rock the +putrid water of the river Styx splashed in. + +As Demo pulled hard more and more of the red plant became +exposed. + +With a start Demo stared into enormous green eyes! + +This was no plant! + +Rather, a denizen of the weird waters! A denizen with an +appetite for Demo! + +A grin appeared on its face. Rather, a smirk. It licked its +lips in anticipation. + +With one arm held captive by the creature, Demo was unable to +use his bow and arrows. Nevertheless, he was not completely +helpless. + +With his free hand he pulled an arrow from its pouch, stabbed +at the entwining red tentacle. Surprised and in pain, the +creature uncoiled its hold, slid back into the dark stream. + +Demo sat down in the boat, sweat appearing on his forehead. For +a moment he sat still. Then he noticed that the boat was +drifting away from the shore. + +With a start he once more manned his oars! + + It was useless. The slow flowing waters of the Styx had now +branched off. This was a different river entirely! + +He recognized it! Fearfully his eyes opened wide! + +The Meander! A river that went on forever. Purposeless, +endless, going on forever! + + + +He looked back. + +No trace of the Styx was to be seen! + +From the far shore he heard unearthly laughter! + +An object he knew too well blended with the shadows there. The +unseen companion! + + + +Night fell, the air cooled. Birds flew low in pursuit of +mosquito swarms. From the swampy shores growls and moans, +strange shrieks and lonesome howls disturbed the darkness. The +water lapped intermittently against the boat's side. Fish, or +creatures adapted to the Meander, leaped above the water, +splashed back to the surface. Nightbirds winged closed to the +boat, dived toward Demo, then veered away. + +Finally, lulled by the boat's rocking, he fell asleep. + +The frigid night air woke him. The vast waste of the river was +coated by a low-lying white fog. Above, a cold and desolate moon +shone full on the quiet scene below. At times white fluffy +clouds blocked its rays, then drifted on. + +As morning approached a light breeze began to blow. The surface +fog, like disturbed ghosts, scattered, drifted, faded away. +False morning lit the sky, only to fade. + +A red and angry sun rose on the horizon. Twisted, bent, huge +trees brooded along the river bank. The sun's rays hardly +penetrated into the depth of the forest. Birds flew high, +dashing wildly away as a hawk fell into their midst. A large +fish leaped from the waters' surface, splashed back and +disappeared. + +His empty stomach growled in anger over lack of breakfast. The +thought of meat and eggs cooking on his mother's fire would not +leave his mind. + +He searched his pouch, found only day old remnants of bread, +which he quickly devoured. Still, visions of venison roasting, +of warm loaves of bread from the oven - enough! He must quit +this foolish dreaming, must find a way to return! + +Listlessly the young man let his hand dip into the water. Only +were he able to catch a fish, anything to provide sustenance. + +With a start he felt an object brush against his fingers. +Quickly he grasped it, pulled it to the surface. Perhaps a fish, +careless of predators. + +"No!" + +He thrust it from him! The headless body of a man! Shuddering +he watched it slip away. In his mind he recalled the story of +one so killed, doomed to the endless wandering of the Meander. + + + +The broad river seemed to wind endlessly, going nowhere. Along +its low banks huge trees dipped their limbs in the muddy water. +A turtle swam by near the shore, then dived below. In the tree +limbs above birds sang their mating calls. Serenely the placid +river flowed. A lifeless stretch of jungle bordered it. + +But was it lifeless! + +Something moved among the brush and tree trunks. At first he +thought of the unseen companion. No, this was different. + +He watched carefully. + +Farther along, more movement! Something, or someone, was +following his boat! + +They stayed well back from the shore. Still, from time to time +he saw again the movement, glimpsed once more a stern visage. + +He tensed as the current moved him closer still to that shore +and its unknown inhabitants. + +The boat ground to a stop, its lower hull lodged on the +shallow bottom. + +Demo took a deep breath, using the oar tried to pry the boat +from its anchorage. + +A small stream flowed into the river within feet of his +position. + +The bushes along the stream were moving! The motion came ever +closer! + +He climbed into the water, attempted to free the boat again. + +It was to no avail! + +He turned to the shore. They stood silently, stoic, watching. + +Waiting! + +The Sileni! + +A distant cousin of the centaurs, with much the same +appearance. Their lower haunches were horselike, while torso and +head were that of man. Their history was dim, their homeland +unknown. + +There was no escape! The boat was lodged tightly. He stood, +waded slowly to the shore. + +"We rarely see visitors from the outside." This Sileni stood +tall above his companions. "And on the river Meander some come +and go, never to be seen again. What seek you on this river?" + +"Ill fate sent me to this stream. I merely wished to cross the +river Styx, carrying a missive sent by Zeus. Strange forces +diverted my passage, and I floated unwillingly here." + +"Tarry with us a bit. To follow the Meander is useless. It +never ends, never repeats a passage. An eternity is too short to +follow all its windings. Perhaps we can aid you, help you return +to the river Styx. Though it, too, is a river of ill repute." + +The hospitality of the Sileni pleased him. They fed him well, +gave him cot on which to sleep. During his sleep they dragged +the boat to shore. + +"Your coming has been foretold. One waits now to talk with you, +for there is much you do not know. Egeria, the last of the +Caminae, would speak with you. There is the matter of the Tarn." + +With a start Demo regarded the speaker. "Egeria! I do not +understand. The Caminae are long gone, long departed!" + +The conversation with Egeria confused him. She told him of +things to come, but in words that were mystic and full of +cryptic allusions. Yet she spoke of the tarn, where he must +inevitably meet a foreordained fate. + +"The tasks shall lie behind you, yet will there be another +task. By your kindness to a stranger shall you be led to danger +never faced by man. Though you be brave, follow the dictates of +your heart. Heed my words. For this were you brought to me. It +was foretold before your birth." The ancient woman stared at him +through blinkless eyes. + +Although he had listened he knew well that he did not +understand. "Heed the dictates of your heart." What dictates of +his heart? And if all had been foretold why should he not be +informed of those inevitable results? He gazed at her, started +to ask questions, then reconsidered. + +"The Sileni shall return you to your craft. Lie down, in the +bottom. Do not take oar in hand. When darkness descends you +shall once more be on the river Styx. Your mission shall be +quickly done. Tell Zeus that Egeria has opened your eyes." + + + +It transpired as she explained. Zeus, when he delivered her +message, bowed his head. "The Moira draws maps on sandy beaches, +and man and Gods dare not deviate. My boy, believe that I wish +you well. You understand, I cannot intervene in what will be." + +Perhaps for the first time Demo felt real fear! + +17. Lost in Time + +Cronus hiccuped. + +It doesn't happen often, and it rarely has much significance. + +Only this time, it had significance. This time, Cronus was +busy. + +He was adding a slight touch of gray to Demo's hair. + +Cronus, to those not knowing, has time as his domain. Even the +gods respond to his wiles, and age even as you and I. + +And Cronus was gently aging Demo. + +Cronus hiccuped. + +He had taken a liking to the boy since they had met on an +earlier task imposed by Zeus on Demo. So Cronus had not acted in +spite. It was only that Cronus is the master of time, and when +he hiccuped he inadvertently sent Demo flying into a time far +removed. Even this would hardly have been a problem, for Cronus +could easily have returned him. But, as only one way exists for +a project to go right, and many ways for it to go wrong, this +project went wrong. + +Cronus was distracted by his wife. He quickly followed her to +adjust a timepiece that kept erratic time. "My dear, it really +isn't the sundial that's at fault. It's the sun. It refuses to +travel at a constant rate. I've talked to Zeus. Unfortunately, +It's low on his priority list." + +Then Cronus went off to his study, and his hobby of clock +collecting. Demo was, for the moment, forgotten. In his study +Cronus maintained clocks of every size, every design, every +motif. Electronic clocks, grandfather clocks, wall clocks, floor +clocks, round clocks, square clocks - even clocks that kept +time. But no two displayed exactly the same time. For, you see, +time isn't at all the same. Here it has one value, there +another, and elsewhere still a third. But, most assuredly, one +of the numerous clocks ticked the right time. Only Cronus knew +which one. + + + +"Which studio you with? They shooting here today?" + +Demo looked quizzically at his interrogator. Since becoming +Zeus' prot‚g‚ he found that languages were no problem. All the +same, always there were references, words, and phrases of which +he had no ken. + +"I know not of studios, and the next shooting is at the great +fair, a full moon away. There I shall surely prove champion of +all of Greece, perhaps of all the civilized world." + +"Ah-ha! Your advertising a coming film, right. The Great Fair. +Well, I'll try to take it in. Your doing good, pal. I'll tell +you, though, that costume really needs some work." + +The stranger smiled and walked away. + +Demo frowned. + +No city of Greece was this. Grass grew not, and chariots dashed +madly, teamless, down streets of solid rock, The people wore +clothing of strange design, talked in a weird dialect, and gazed +at him in benign amusement. The buildings were as none he had +ever seen. They, too, were made of stone or even metal, and +their height gave challenge to proud Olympus. + +Suddenly he noted, passing high overhead, a dragon of strange +construction, growling deeply as it passed. Passersby gave it no +heed. Plainly the monster had already fed, was returning to its +lair for rest. + +A chariot smashed into the side of another, and high-pitched +screams as of the wild geese filled the air. The chariots lined +up, one behind the other, all emitting similar shrills. + +Something here is akilter, he thought. + +He noted men being disgorged by the shrilling chariots, +shouting each to the other and making aggressive motions with +closed fists. + +Then arrived chariots with fires of red and blue flashing upon +their heads, screaming like night creatures in tales he had been +told. + +These in turn disgorged men adorned in blue cloth, with shining +metal decorations on their chests. These men in turned carried +sticks, and screamed and shouted at those who had gone before. + +In due time the horseless chariots moved away, the mass chasing +in single file the leader. And endless sequence followed madly +after the leading chariot. Was this a race, or a new form of war? + +Along the pathway a bench attracted his attention, and he sat +down, took dried venison from his poke. A young man, perhaps his +own age, approached. + +"Hey, got a dollar? I'd like to borrow a dollar for a while." + +"What, pray, is a dollar?" + +The youth stared at him for a moment. "All right, forget it! +Whatcha eatin'? What's in th' poke?" He gestured toward Demo's +pouch. + +"Food, good food. Would you care for some tasty viands?" + +"Vines? Did you say vines? That ain't vines you're eatin'. +Looks like meat to me. You got any more?" + +"Yes, try it. You'll find it quite tasty. My mother dried it +under the sun, salted it herself." + +The suppliant tasted the dried venison, looked at Demo in +disbelief. "Hell, I'm going to the Salvation Army. You really +eat this stuff!" + + + +A large horseless chariot pulled up alongside him. A woman +starred at him through some strange, clear material. She smiled, +then laughed. He looked around to see what caused her laughter. + +Nothing untoward met his sight. Ill-dressed heathens strolled +aimlessly, it seemed, along the wide pathway. No, there was +nothing amusing to be seen. + +Frowning, he continued to eat his dried venison. Two men +dismounted from the chariot, and it drove away, moaning in a +disquieting manner. + +Inside the passengers were looking at him through the viewing +space in the rear. + +Perhaps it is my garb. Here they dress strangely. + +"Hare Krishna?" + +One of the passengers who had descended addressed him. + +"No, Demo." + +"That's a new one. Is it Indian?" + +"I don't think so. Greek." + +"Greek? Well, new ones are popping up all over. Here, just to +show you I'm open-minded, I'll donate a couple of bucks. Good +luck." + +The man walked off, murmuring, "Demo, and Greek! L A is the +place, I'll tell you!" + + + +He approached a large building. It had openings through which +he could see, but could not enter. However, watching the strange +people he noted an entrance that resembled a whirligig. My, he +thought, how many years since I played with a whirligig. Anyway, +as people went in and out, the door rotated. + +Finally, he entered the building. + +A boy stood in front of a silver recess, leaned down, and a +gush of water rose, striking him on the mouth. Only then did +Demo realize he was thirsty. When the boy moved Demo approached +the recess, leaned down. + +Demo frowned. Nothing had happened. + +He leaned forward again. A man looked at him, "Hey, it ain't +broke again, is it?" The man pressed the button and a stream of +water struck Demo's face. He sputtered, then drank thirstily. + +What part of Olympus is this, he thought. It resembles nothing +I've seen before. + +Nevertheless, it was becoming gradually familiar. He entered a +little room that had the picture of a man on the door. After +watching a few moments he found himself well versed on the +facilities. + +Fortunately, item after item followed a similar pattern. The +important thing was to watch. The paper given to him earlier +served as money. You used money to buy from machines and from +individuals. Of course, how to get money was unclear. + +Then he thought of the boy who had asked him for a dollar. Of +course, just ask. + +He tried it. At first he felt a little strange, for time after +time the individuals he asked seemed a little embarrassed, +finally provided either coins or paper. "Damn cults everywhere. +All right, here, just leave me alone." + +The young supplicant soon found his purse bursting with paper. +It was a strange phenomenon. Ask for money, it is given to you. +Give it to machines, to individuals, and they give you products. +Not too unlike home, except for the first step. + + + +Cronus frowned. + +There is something I've overlooked, he thought to himself. +Something important. Well, tomorrow I'll get around to it. + +The thought struck him. + +Demo! He had been aging Demo! Then, he had helped his wife with +the sundial. Then . . . . Oh, ho! The boy! What of the boy? + +"Ah, I've lost him!" He spoke aloud. "I've let him slip off, +and I didn't really note to where - rather, to when. Drat, it's +inconvenient. I suppose he'll show up by and by, sometime. Yes. +I wonder, what time?" + +At that moment he heard his wife calling. Evening meal was +ready. Thank goodness, I am famished, thought he. + +It was a delicious meal. + +Demo left the building, watched the chariots stopped in the +broad streets, growls issuing from inside. At times other sounds +issued from the vehicles. Loud and raucous, the sounds +repeated and repeated, as though some musical instruments were +being played out of tune. Accompanying these sounds were screams +and yells of tortured innocents. + +He could only assume that, in some manner, the chariots had +malfunctioned. + + + +Duane Golchick and Ralph Fulcere waited nervously outside the +bank door. The customers were thinning out as three o'clock +closing time neared. Finally the last of the stragglers left. + +Duane and Ralph entered quickly. + +"Say, I'm sorry, we were just closing." The guard smiled, +motioned them toward the door. + +"Just walk over to the counter with us. Put your hands behind +your neck and hold 'em there." Duane spoke in a half snarl, held +a revolver in his hand. + +The guard noticed the nervous motion of the gunbarrel. "Okay, +okay, don't be nervous. Whatever you say! Just take it easy! No +one's causing any trouble." + +"All right, listen up!" Ralph shouted. "This is a holdup! Any +screams, any alarms, and we'll take you out. And we don't care +who we shoot first, so you heroes just give it a try. Open it +up, babe." + +He indicated the gate leading behind the counters. The clerk +nervously fumbled with the catch, finally opened the gate. + +Duane and Ralph cleaned out the drawers, stuffing bills into a +garbage bag. "On the floor, all of you. Hands straight out, legs +spread, face down. Lift a head, move a muscle, and you're +history!" + +The left the building quietly. No one had moved. No one was +moving now. They ran for the car, parked in a nearby alley. + + + +A man in blue stopped Demo. + +"Those arrows real?" + +"Oh, yes, very real. Deadly, too. I've killed many a buck with +them. Won a few tournaments, too." + +"I thought so. You got a license to carry a deadly weapon? You +ain't some kind of kook, here to kill off as many as you can, +are you? Here, you better give me the bow." + +"Oh, no, I couldn't do that! It's been in the family for +generations. My Father used it to kill the sea serpent. And his +Father before him to kill fire dragons. I just couldn't part +with it." + +The policeman, for such he was, looked at Demo in astonishment. +"Oh, boy! One of those!" + +He took out his communicator, called for reinforcements. "Were +standing in front of the alley next to Martin's Bank. Seems like +a loony. Anyway, so far he's not violent. Get some +reinforcements over here, before he does go off his rocker. And +tell Sue warm up my pizza. I'll be in about two hours from now. +You let her know." + +He had hardly signed off when he felt an object pressing +against his neck. "Your in our way, Mr. Man. Now just pull out +that gun and let it fall, real easy. Now, put your hands behind +your head. Up against the wall. Spread 'em!" Ralph was relishing +the situation. + +"Get the gun and let's get out of here. You, get out of the +way." Duane motioned to Demo, who stepped politely aside. + +The two men entered the car, rev'd up the engine, pulled out +into traffic. + +"Stop them! Stop! Police!" The officer shouted. + +Demo notched an arrow to his bow, drove it through the right +rear tire of the vehicle. He then repeated the process with the +left tire. + +The car abruptly swerved, ran against the curb, jumped it. + +Crashing into a store front, the engine died. + +Almost at that instant the reinforcements arrived and hurried +to the car. + +"My God, it must be the kook with the bow. Look sticking out of +those tire! See if anyone is hurt. I've got him in sight." + +"Drop it, drop it now! I'll shoot!" + +Demo glanced at the approaching form. This also was a blue +clothed one. He turned to his companion. "Is he talking to you?" + +"Hey, it's all right. He's okay. Get them gorillas in the car. +Hurry, they're getting out!" + +Everyone rushed madly toward the chariot. For a moment Demo +watched, then turned with a shrug. An interesting, but kind of +strange, sport. + + + +"Hey, Guru, tell me what life signifies. You still chomping +that dried junk?" The boy who had asked for a dollar was +grinning at him. + +"My name is Demo, not Guru. Yes, I rather enjoy dried venison." + +"Look, Guru, no offense, eh? You got cover for the night? The Y +has some pads open. They get taken in a hurry, so you better +scat over there if you want one. Gonna rain before morning. Say, +I'm Randy. Look, I can't pronounce that Demo bit, so you're +Guru. Don't let it throw you." + +"Cover? The Y? Ah, shelter from the rain? Yes, that would be +well. You are kind. Where is this Y?" + +"Hell, I'll baby sit you a while. Just follow along, sport." + +They located an available pad, and Demo found himself in a +dormitory filled with numerous unique individuals. The glances +he received indicated that he won honors for uniqueness. + + + +It is a law of nature that, for things to go right, there is +only one viable path. For things to go wrong, the paths are +infinite. Demo continued down one of the infinite paths. + +Cronus had indeed attempted to make contact, return Demo to his +own time and place. Cronus selected the right time without +difficulty. Place, however? Well, place threw him a curve. + +Demo had gone wandering off. + +Cronus had rather limited power so far as space is concerned. +Given sufficient time - of which he was the sole master - he +could examine the reaches of space. And examining the reaches of +space was his immediate goal. + +He began the task methodically. + +First, he returned himself to the time and space when he was +occupied with aging Demo. Then he moved forward (time-wise) to +that point in time when he was distracted. With care he then +gave careful thought to the next incident. + +Unfortunately, he found himself in the predicament many of us +face from time to time. + +He had a sudden mental lapse. + +As the saying goes, the right words were on the tip of his +tongue. Stubbornly, unfortunately, they clung there tenaciously. +Grumbling, he vectored forward in time once more. I'll sleep on +it, he decided. Tomorrow is soon enough. + +Demo, if he were asked, would not have agreed. + + + +Randy woke him early. He knew it was early because it was dark. +Also, because he was sleepy. He was not by any stretch of the +imagination an early bird. Au contraire! + +They left the building hurriedly. + +"Nice place and all," Randy noted. "Just keep in mind, some +strange people stay here. I'd rather not meet them outside. +'Nough said?" + +They walked along the pathway, which Randy called a sidewalk. +Demo noted that he himself was rapidly developing an extended +vocabulary of words, mainly from listening to Randy. + +"Look, we got to scrounge some eatables, you know, food. Now +there's a place over on 5th . . . ." He paused as Demo smiled, +motioned toward his pouch. + +"We can buy food. My pouch is full of paper, eh, money. Gifts! +Dollars!" + +Randy stared at him for a moment, put his hand in the pouch and +pulled out a few bills. "All right, man! You are with it! Okay, +let's hit this place across the way. I could use a good meal for +a change." + +The waitress smiled at them, looked at Demo's garb with +curiosity. "Look, no offense, but you Joe's got cash? The boss +is real mean about that!" + +"Of course we got cash! Hey, show her, Guru!" + +Demo pulled a handful of bills from his pouch, stuck them back +in. + +The waitress stuck out her lower lip, nodded. "Okay, here's the +menu. What'll you have? The western omelette's not bad. Makes a +good meal." + +Randy ordered the omelette and coffee. + +"I'll have the omelette and milk," Demo decided. + +"Hey, Guru, where'd you get that rig? What's your thing, +anyway? You're awful close mouthed." + +"Randy, you ever hear of people traveling through time?" + +"Oh, great! All right, forget it. Sorry I asked." + +"No, really, I'm serious. I'm from Greece . . . from long time +ago Greece. Don't ask me how I got here. I really don't know. +And I don't know how to get back." Demo's disconsolate look +almost convinced Randy. + +"You are one good actor. I'm ready to break out a hanky. Look, +I was out of line. You don't have to tell me anything. Hell, +I've told you practically nothing about me, now have I?" + +They finished their omelettes, and Randy was sipping his coffee +when Demo glanced out the window. + +"It's him! It's Cronus! I'm going back! Randy, thank you for +your help. Here, take this money." + +Demo pulled out handsful of bills, laid them on the table in +front of Randy. + +"Cronus! Come off it!" Randy glanced out the window. + +A tall figure, dressed as was Demo, stood on the sidewalk. His +face was grim, and he was making some weird, ritualistic +motions. Randy looked toward Demo. + +Demo was fading. At the moment he seemed at some point between +clear jello and fog, with fog gaining the upper hand. + +Randy reached out to grab Demo. His hand passed through the +image in front of him, touched nothing. + +He stood up, threw his arms around his new found friend. + +A chill ran through him. + +The room was darkening. His vision blurred. + +"Not me! Leave me here! I belong here! I . . . ." + +The words faded. + +He was now part of the fog. He could see nothing, hear nothing. + +But he knew things were happening. + +Strange things. + + + +The waitress stood beside the table, eyes wide. "Boss, I don't +feel too good today. I think I better take the rest of the day +off." + +"You can't do that! Cecilia is ill, Grace is on vacation! +Anyway, what's the problem?" + +"Two boys! They were sitting here. I brought them omelets. Now +look! They're gone. They didn't pay me, I didn't see them leave, +they left all this money. Something is really weird. I think it +may be me." + +"Nah! Here, let me check the washroom. Anyway, what if they +slipped out. That'll pay for the meal and leave you one real +fine tip." + +In a moment he returned. "Ain't no one back there. Two of 'em, +eh? Look, don't let it bug you. They probably are just having +fun, playing a joke on you." + +"Well, I don't like this kind of joke. All right, I'll stay. +Say, I sure feel odd." + + + +Randy looked around wildly. + +The city was gone, the restaurant, the building even. + +Around him were trees, a nearby brook, some birds singing. Demo +was sitting on a log nearby. + +"Man, what have you done to me? What is going on here. I don't +like this. No sir, I don't like this at all!" + +"Randy! Randy, what in the world are you doing here? Cronus +must have brought you too. Oh, boy! What a mess." + +"This . . . ." Randy hesitated. + +"This th' place you were talking about. Look, I'm sorry. I +thought you were putting me on! I wonder why'd he bring me here? +How'm I gonna get back. Who is this Cronus? You tell him, I want +to see him, and right now. He can't push me around this way!" + +"Just calm down, and for goodness sake, don't talk like that! +It's just an accident, just some kind of accident. I'm sure +he'll send you back. Well, I'm kind of sure . . . ." + +He wasn't. + +Randy languished. Rural atmosphere and bucolic settings were +great TV fare. Who wants to actually live such a life! No way! + +Demo attempted to teach him hunting. + +Randy proved that, with considerable effort and practice, he +would never be a hunter. The trees chosen as targets survived +unmarked. Arrows vanished into unlikely places. + +Chariots in lieu of cars did not sell to well. First, Randy was +scared of horses. Second, he couldn't tell his gee from his haw. +Third, he wasn't interested. + +However, one aspect of Demo's world did indeed interest Randy. + +At the evening meal Theresa chanced by, was introduced, and +Randy's eyes lit up. Rural atmosphere, bucolic settings - in the +right company they could be tolerable. + +He started by telling Theresa of all the wonders of the 20th +century. She suggested he drink less wine. + +He explained to her the pleasures of flying. She gently +suggested he learn to drive a chariot. + +He told her of the convenience of food dispensing machines. She +explained to him how gardens could be grown. + +They fascinated each other. + + + +Cronus made known to Demo that he could now handle sending +Randy back to his own time and place. + +Demo explained this to Randy. + +Randy looked at Theresa, who looked wide-eyed at Randy. + +"No way! I'm here, and here I'll stay!" + +Demo looked at them both, nonplused. + +He reported the state of events to Cronus. Cronus consulted +with Zeus. + +"Ridiculous," Zeus growled. "Ship him out!" + +"Absolutely not!" Hera cried. "It's very romantic. Let him +stay." + +Being a wise husband, Zeus recanted. + +Should you have read of the mysterious disappearance of Randy +Bocksteil, and wondered what happened, you now have the details. + +Randy became a mediocre farmer. He learned the rudiments of +hunting, of skinning and quartering deer. + +He learned, alas, how to make the potent wine of the region. + +When newcomers visit the village, and Randy has sampled his own +wine, he explains to them the wonders of the 20th century. + +They suggest he drink less wine. + + + +It was said of Dionysius that, if he did not steal it, he would +do without it. + +It was said of Dionysius that, if he did not kill, he would +call the day a waste. + +And so it was. + +Dionysius came with a band of pirates from a peninsula lying +far to the west. He came at night, landing on the shores of +Greece in the early dawn of day. He killed a soldier guarding +that shore. + +Dionysius killed without hatred, killed quickly. Some joyed in +toying with their victims, inflicting pain. They wished to +stretch out the victory. They reveled in the growing fear felt +by their opponent. Watching in glee as their opponent realized +his impending fate and became increasingly desperate, they +delayed the inevitable. Then, when the game began to wear, they +cruelly and slowly mutilated their prey. Eventually, tiring of +the game, they dispatched the helpless victim. + +Dionysius' pirate companions were of such nature. He despised +them, traveled with them only for his own ends. + +Once they had made shore, dispatched the guard, he left them to +their own devices. He began a sojourn to the mountains. To the +mountains where lived Demo. + + + +Demo pursued the deer in the foothills. They had migrated down +from the mountains during the night. He found their spoor beside +a clear branch whose cold waters they had come to drink. + +Demo followed the trail from the branch deeper into the green +copses. The deer were cautious, kept moving. He pursued them as +they drifted toward the distant seaside. At times the wind +shifted, and they caught his scent. They scurried quickly into +the deeper forest. + +He moved carefully from tree trunk to tree trunk, keeping the +obscuring bushes between himself and the herd. Finally the +distance was right, and he drew his bow. + +Even as the arrow flew the deer began to bolt. + +Too late for the buck he had chosen! It fell to the ground with +a shudder as the arrow entered its heart. He moved forward +quickly to bleed the carcass. + +Only then did he see the cause for the deers' alarm! + +Dionysius stepped from the shadow of a tree trunk, sword in +hand. + +"Good shooting. Don't reach for another arrow. I believe I +shall take that buck. Be so kind as to carve it for me. And I +would not try to use knife against sword. At least, not until +the buck has been carved. Then you may try what you like. Lay +down the bow!" + +Reluctantly Demo unstrung his bow, placed it on the ground. + +I deserve to lose that buck. To have failed to watch, listen +carefully! He stalked angrily to the deer, began cleaning the +meat. + +While cutting he watched the robber with careful eyes. If the +fellow dropped his guard! Forlorn hope. It did not happen. Then +he noticed something new. + +The birds on the shoreward side became suddenly noisy, then +broke into flight. Their flight was followed only by silence. + +Something, or someone, was approaching! + +He went on with his task, while his eyes searched feverishly to +see who approached. + +She stepped into view at the edge of the small clearing. +Smiling she approached. + +"Demo, I was told you hunted here. Ah, what a fine buck! You +never miss, do you?" + +"Theresa, go home! Quickly!" + +He stood erect, stepped between her and the swordsman. + +The latter smiled, swished his sword through the air in +melodramatic gesture. "Not so quickly, my lady. We haven't yet +been properly introduced. Boy, where are your manners?" + +Theresa shrank back, took a deep breath, turned toward the +forest. + +"You run, the boy dies!" Dionysius' voice was gruff, angry. + +Slowly she turned back, eyes wide with fear as she glanced at +Demo. + +"Theresa, run! Now!" + +She obeyed! + +"Boy, you call for your own death!" Dionysius growled angrily. + +Dashing into the forest, she ran with all possible speed toward +the village. In the fields at the village's edge she saw her +father with other farmers. + +"Demo! He's in danger. A swordsman has him prisoner." + +They gathered their tools, and her father his longbow. "Show +us!" her father commanded, grim-faced. + +They arrived in time to see Demo toss the buck's haunch at +Dionysius. He fell back to ward it off, even as his sword was +impaled by the meat. + +Demo lunged forward, wrestled with Dionysius before the latter +could free his sword. His own knife fell to ground. + +Suddenly Dionysius released the sword, dove to the ground and +seized the fallen knife. + +He smiled as he stepped toward Demo. + +Only then did he note the ring of farmers at the forest's edge. +And most of all he noted the longbow, drawn, in the hands of +Theresa's father. + +Dionysius, stopped, bowed. "Here, boy, you'll need this to +finish cutting the meat." + +He extended the knife, hilt first. + +Demo took it, cautiously, backed off. + +The farmers quickly tied their captive, led him back to the +village. A messenger was dispatched, and soldiers came quickly. +Dionysius sojourn had ended + +18. The Fates + +"Now, my boy," Zeus began with a friendly smile and a pat on +the shoulder. "Now, you see, I have this problem. Nothing to +tumble Olympus, of course. Still, a problem. And you are going +to have the privilege of resolving it. It may well be your claim +to fame. No, just joking! It's really minor." He glanced around, +lowered his voice. + +"My boy, it involves women. Now, I'm not a misogynist - eh, the +dictionary is on that stand over there. In spite of being . . +." He halted, glanced carefully around once more. "In spite of +being married to Hera, I do love and respect beautiful women." + +"However, I am Zeus! I am master of the heavens, of earth - and +if Pluto would fight fair, of even the nether world! And in +spite of that these three - Women! - are flaunting their power +as though I were impotent. Powerless!" + +The clouds were forming one on top of another over Olympus. +Suddenly Hera entered, and angry look on her face. "Not over my +flower bed. You've already washed away two of them. Stop it! +Right now!" + +Zeus blinked. "Yes, of course, my dear. Merely explaining a few +things to the boy here." He took a deep breath, let it out +slowly while watching the clouds with anxious eye. They slowly +began to dissipate. Zeus smiled a wan smile. + +"Lovely woman. A little impetuous at times. Loves that garden." + +"Let me see. We were talking about this little task. Well, what +I'd really like for you to do is to bring me some items. It's +kind of a game, really. Yes, a game. A scavenger hunt!" + +"And you, my boy, you will undoubtedly be successful. Three +items. Simple little items. Nothing controversial. No indeed. +Wouldn't think of it." + +"Have you ever been on a scavenger hunt?" + +"No. No, sir. Never." + +"Really great fun. I recall when I and this bevy of Naiads . . +. Well, no need to trouble your mind over that . . ." Zeus was +silent for a moment, a slight smile on his lips as he reminisced. + +"On a scavenger hunt you go out and locate the items you have +been told to bring back. And you bring them back, and you win. +That simple. So be on your way, now. Don't slam the door." + +"Yes, sir. I mean, no sir. The items, sir?" + +"Oh, of course. A pair of scissors. I told you, nothing rare or +controversial. Thread. Yes, plain, ordinary old thread. And a +spinning wheel. A little large and awkward. But, I assure you, +not too much so for a youth of strength and stamina. Three +items. I think you'll enjoy this scavenger hunt. I really do." + +"There are those - you'll find this unbelievable, but have +faith - There are those who believe they have the power of life +and death. Well, I'll have you know it lies in my hands. Do you +doubt? Shall I demonstrate?" Zeus face was reddening, and clouds +were once more forming above Olympus. + +In fact, he noted them. "Ah, well, yes, have to watch that. +Let's not become perturbed. Oh, Heavens no. My boy, enjoy your +scavenger hunt." He waved grandly. + +"Oh, let me help you a little. Three sisters, and I'll not tell +you their names, have the very objects for which you search. +Lovely ladies, and I'm sure they'll do all they can to bring +your search to a quick end. Very quick." + + + +He found himself in the midst of a glade. And well it was, for +rain was beginning to fall, and the trees protected him from the +cold drops. Scissors, thread, and a spinning wheel. Why, he +thought, I can get those from Mother. + +Suddenly a shudder ran through him. He did not move. He knew. +The unseen companion was there. Waiting, waiting - waiting for +what? What event would trigger the inhuman hatred radiated by +this strange creature. Always there. Never fully seen. + +He rose slowly, glanced fearfully around the glade. "Come out, +if you dare. I await your pleasure." + +He thought he heard the rustle of leaves. Quickly he glanced +upward. The leaves were indeed moving. This time they were +stirred by a vagrant breeze. He shook his head. + +He knew - though he knew not how - that the scissors, thread, +and spinning wheel of his mother would not serve. These must +come from the three sisters. The lovely ladies mentioned by +Zeus. In the back of his mind he thought of stories he had +heard. Perhaps, at some early age, he had heard of the three +sisters. Sadly, he could not remember. Who are they, and where +do they dwell? + +Startled, he looked up. The leaves were again moving. This +time, no breeze caused this disturbance. + +A large bird, perhaps a white owl, flew rapidly through the +forest and in its wake soft white down marked a trail. A trail +he knew he must follow. + +The skies darkened as he stalked deeper and deeper into the +forest. In time the wooded vales grew even darker, and the sky +no longer came to view. A thought formed in his mind, he knew +not how. He knew for whom he searched. + +The thought brought sweat to his brow. The Sisters of Night! +How often had he heard the legends, the strange tales. How often +had they spun the thread, how often cut it! It must be they. The +Sisters of Night! + +He was lost. The trail was no longer marked ahead, and behind +was only darkness. Slowly he inched forward, hoping for a clue. +A simple indication of which way to proceed. + +He heard the sound and joy almost made him sing out. She has +returned, he thought, glancing to his right. And then he froze. +Indeed he had heard sound. And indeed was something there. +Something huge and monstrous, too near to be imagination; too +far to be clearly seen. The unseen companion! With him still! + +He notched his arrow. It was too late. Even as he moved the +rain fell heavy and he could make out, not even the trees before +him. He waited. Only silence. No further sounds were heard. With +a sigh he returned the arrow to its pouch. + +A flash of lightning lit a rocky rise before him, and he noted +the mouth of a huge cave. Slowly he inched up to the opening, +slowing stared into its depth. + +Though nothing met his eyes, yet there seemed a light, a small +flickering light, somewhere in its deep within. Cautiously he +moved forward. + +"Welcome, Welcome, Young man! We've been waiting. What kept you +so long? Hurry along now, The thread is growing short. Come +along." + +He blinked. She wasn't there a moment ago! Waiting for me? I +don't understand! + +"Madame, there is a mistake. You couldn't have been waiting for +me. I don't know you. I had no intention of stopping here. I . . +." + +She smiled. And though she were old and wrinkled, her eyes +brightened like a happy child's. "Come along. You'll understand +by and by. Come along." + +She led him ever deeper into the cavern. The flickering light +grew ever brighter, and seemed to flicker no more. Finally his +companion motioned for him to stop. "Mustn't frighten them. +'Twould be terrible if they made a mistake. Terrible!" + +"Clotho, he has arrived. Lachesis, welcome him. Come, my dear." +She led him forward, and he bowed to the ladies who looked up +from their labor, glanced at him without emotion or even +interest. + +"Girls, girls, are we that old! Look at him. Isn't he a +handsome one. Ah, how sad. To die so young!" + +"Atropos, your were always one to talk too much. Here are your +scissors. Now get on with it!" + +Clotho was busy spinning a thread. Her spindle moved slowly at +times, then rapidly. Lachesis, bent forward, examining the +thread, comparing its length to an unseen measuring stick. +"Right about there, sister dear. Oh, give him another inch. No +harm done. He is a handsome young man." + +Atropos looked at the scissors handed her, sighed. "I would it +were otherwise, young man. But we are duty bound. Nothing can +stay us from our labor." + +Wide-eyed he stood as the scissors opened, approached the +thread. "Wait! Zeus, Zeus, He wants you. You must cease +immediately. He eagerly awaits your company." + +"Zeus! Olympus! Parties! Dancing! He wants us. Child, you can't +mean it. 'Twas he who banished us to this cold, dank cave. And +now he wishes our return? Well, he's plainly drunk too much of +that nectar. I knew it would eventually get to him. Clotho, have +you a thread for Zeus?" + +"Oh, never. Well, I admit, I tried. After all, it wasn't at all +nice of him to send us here. Anyway, it kept unraveling." + +"Lachesis, give the boy another foot or two. Oh, give him an +extra yard. Boy, we'll get dressed as soon as we've put away our +tools. Zeus wants to see us!" + +"Eh, please, don't put away your tools. He is extremely +interested in your skills. You must bring them along." + +"Learned to appreciate us, has he? My, how many eons has it +taken! Oh, very well." + + + +He led the way and in due time they arrived at Olympus. "Wait +at the gate, I'll announce your coming." He smiled at their +activities. + +Clotho was practicing her curtsies, Lachesis her bows. Atropos +smiled a broad smile, then a more reserved one, then tried a +calm yet quiet visage. + +"Zeus, sir, I have them. I have them." + +"Well done. Amazing. No! Not really. I always knew you had the +right stuff. Of course, to scavenge the items I fear you had to +terminate the owners. It is sad. Still, what can one do? Bring +them in, bring them in. Scissors, thread, and spinning wheel! +Wonderful, wonderful!" + +"Oh, no sir. I didn't have to terminate them. In fact, they're +here. Come in ladies, and receive your welcome." + +Zeus opened his mouth, closed it. He looked at the three +Sisters of Night. He looked at Demo. + +"Yes, brought them with you. Yes, very thoughtful of you. Thank +you, my boy, thank you. Don't call me, I'll call you." + +With that Demo found himself in his own home, in his own room, +rolling off his own bed with a thud. + +Rough barked joyously, leaped upon him in frantic welcome. + +"Ah, that Zeus! I really wish he'd not do it that way," he said +aloud. "Mother, I'm hungry!" + + + + + +19. The Stables + +"I'm delighted, my boy, that your chores are almost completed. +Delighted!" Zeus didn't look delighted. Rather, he seemed put +out. Jolly voice and all, but that scowl! + +"Now, this next task. Represents a logistic problem, really. +Time consuming, rather than difficult. Your qualifications are +such that you'll have little trouble, I'm sure." Zeus smiled, as +though at some secret humorous thought. + +"I'm into some real estate deals. Brought a few places down on +earth. Boy, was I taken on this one. Oh, was I taken. Shysters +and developers! I must visit Pluto one day and see if he has +room for any more. They are overrunning his place, I'm afraid." +For a moment Zeus fell silent. His thoughts were evidently on +his brother's domain, and the shysters and developers dwelling +therein. A bright smile lit his face. + +"To the matter at hand. I brought this ranch. Excellent +property, very reasonable price. Closed escrow and all that. +Then I thought to look inside the stables. Gad!" + +"Poor suffering creatures. Horses, excellent horses. +Unfortunately, locked in those stables for eons. Eons and eons. +Maybe longer. To summarize, the place was not entirely sanitary. +Now be off with you and get it cleaned up." He guffawed rather +loudly. + +"Oh, here. This may help." Zeus handed Demo a broom, a mop, and +a clothespin. "For the nose, you understand." + +Demo arrived unceremoniously at the stable doors. He was +greeted by the local population, consisting of many and varied +forms of flies. Black flies, white flies, colorless flies - all +eager to make his acquaintance. + +Shooing them away he slowly opened the stable doors, quickly +closed them. + +Impossible! No mortal could possibly clean up this mess. Still +hadn't a hero, long ago, faced a similar problem? + +Yes, yes indeed. And he had solved it. Solved it by merely +changing the course of a stream. Simple enough. Now where might +he find a stream. + +There was one, and at not too great a distance. + +Well, it is only a creek. Nevertheless, it's all I have. So +let's give it a try. + +He worked diligently, opening a channel to the very door of the +huge barn. As night drew near he began to dam the creek, forcing +its waters to divert to his newly dug channel. + +The youthful civil engineer smiled. + +The water was beginning to flow. Quickly he hurried to the +stable, dared the flies, and threw wide the doors at both ends +of the edifice. Fortunately he wore the clothespin. + +The water was moving ever closer. The chore was indeed a simple +one. + +He looked up, and frowned. + +The sky had darkened, and even now huge raindrops began to +fall. The mild creek was rising higher and higher. The dam, +built to withstand that creek, was faced with an ever deepening, +ever angrier river. + +The water reached the top of the dam, flowed now heavily +through the channel, washed at the very entrance to the stables. + +Suddenly the dam began to move, at first slowly. A crack +appeared in the middle. It widened. + +Water began to seep through the crack. + +Water began to pour through the crack. + +The crack was gone! + +The dam was gone! + +Demo sat down, stared in disbelief. + +In moments his hours of work destroyed! The rock, the mud, the +good green sod - all gone. + +And the stable, fly infested, standing as before. + +Even as he looked a swarm of flies rose, moved in his +direction. + +Quickly he retreated. + +This required rethinking! Not so simple a chore as he had +thought! + +Back to Olympus! I must talk to Zeus! No way! + + + +He arrived at Olympus. Zeus was absent. "He is on a . . .," his +gardener smiled, ". . . on a hunting trip." He winked. + +Suddenly a loud screech disturbed their ears. + +"Oh, dear!" The gardener wrung his hands. "That's Hera! The +flowers are growing so poorly. I've spent hours tending them. +But they will not grow in this kind of soil. I've told Zeus a +thousand times. Olympus is just too pure!" + +Hera entered. + +"I will not have my flowers drooping, my bushes wilting! I may +well have my gardener in that condition if he tends not to my +garden!" + +The gardener cringed. + +"What are you doing here. Did not Zeus send you out on another +of his ridiculous chores. Begone, then, for I am not fit company +today!" She stomped back to her patio, giving one last angry +look at the gardener. + +Demo frowned. "Well, I wish I could help. Anyway, I'm not much +of a gardener. I know we use fertilizer on our plants. Mostly we +use . . . ." He paused. A thought had entered his mind. + +"Sir, perhaps this is your lucky day!" + + + +"This boy, eh, the one who sold you the fertilizer for the +vinyard and for Hera's garden," Zeus paused, a slight frown on +his face. The clouds above Olympus darkened, and a low rumble of +thunder sounded in the distance. "This boy wasn't too smart, you +say?" + +"Oh, no! Smart? Ha!" + +"At first he wanted ambrosia, wine, women - for fertilizer! +Ridiculous! He talked! And talked. The more he talked the less +he decided to charge. We waited quietly." The gardener smiled. + +"His charges dropped?" + +"His charges dropped!" + +"Still we waited! Aha! Finally he agreed that it was all ours, +if we would give him just one bottle of wine and agree to move +everything within 3 days! Oh, he was a cute rascal! We just +outwitted him. Yes, eventually, he came our way. Merely a matter +of waiting." The gardener's smile broadened. + +"Yes," Zeus mused. "A cute rascal, indeed!" + +"So, this callow youth, this dunce from the barnyards, +practically gave away his, eh, merchandise?" + +"And did you, eh, move all this fertilizer? Within 3 days?" + +"Oh, yes, sire. Indeed we did. We didn't want to give him the +chance of changing his mind. I had to call on all the Gods - +save yourself, Sire - to get the job done. Such dedication. Even +Hera carried her share. Lovely wife, Sire, lovely!" + +The gardener smiled. Zeus nodded somewhat glumly. + +"And we gave him 5 bottles of wine to insure he gave no further +thought to the fertilizer or the stables." + +"What! What is this! Stables! Did you say Stables!" Zeus brow +was dark, and the clouds above Olympus now roiled and flashes of +lighting lit the dour sky. + +"Why, yes, sire. It seems that, through negligence, the stables +had not been cleaned in - well, in a long time. One might say +they were a bit ripe." + +"And the horses! Poor things! They were indeed in need of +washing and curry-combing." + +"But, to the matter at hand. Yes, stables they were. And full +to the brim with excellent fertilizer. Oh, such gardens as we +shall have this spring! I'm sure you will be well pleased." + +Zeus sniffed the air. Zeus seemed to be not well pleased. He +was muttering to himself. + +"Callow youth? Stables? Fertilizer? I will have his head . . .! +Buying it from him with my own goods! Inconceivable!" + +"Had all the Gods and Goddesses hard at work. That's something +I've never accomplished. Ah, perhaps he might fit in well at +Olympus!" + + + +Dionysius sat quietly in the prow of the boat. The ferryman was +silent, merely guided the craft on its way. The craft moved of +its own volition. + +"How come I here? Who are you? And what is this body of water +on which we float?" + +The ferryman stared at him in steely silence. + +Dionysius glanced around, studied the ferryman, the boat, the +dark liquid on which they floated. + +"I was condemned, and the execution was for tomorrow. I had +venison for supper - stupid cook burned it badly, gravy was +tasteless. Then I slept. Someone roused me and we went to the +execution chamber. They readied me for the blade. I remember +cursing them soundly, one and all. I was bound and the +executioner made ready. Did I faint? Did you rescue me, or was +it another? What pay do you expect for this service? I am a poor +man, so don't expect too much!" + +Although the air was dark and gloomy Dionysius was beginning to +feel cheerful. + +"However it was done, I am thankful. And you shall all be +rewarded. Before I stabbed the old priest I learned from him the +location of the temple's treasure. I saw it with my own eyes. +Jewels, money, golden goblets and silver. Yes, indeed, you shall +be rewarded." + +He smiled. + +He sniffed the air. + +"The sewers must lead into this stream, the smell of burning +sulfur irritates my eyes. How much farther until we reach shore? +There is a strangely unpleasant odor about this place. I like it +not. Will you speak, or shall I toss you into this filthy +stream!" + +He rose, stepped toward the silent figure. + +Suddenly he stopped. + +The ferryman neither shrank from his approach, nor responded. +His face was hidden by the hood he wore. Yet his eyes shone from +beneath that hood. + +The look from those eyes froze Dionysius in midstep. + +"No! No! It is a bedtime story to frighten children. What are +you telling me . . . ." + +His gaze shifted from stream to boat, from boat to ferryman, +from ferryman to stream. + +"It is a fairy tale, nothing else. Take me to the shore!" His +voice was once more threatening. + +Suddenly he sat down, held his head between his two hands, +sobbed quietly. + +"It's true, isn't it? This river - Styx is its name. You are +the ferryman. This gloom is not the dark of night. It's all +true!" + +Suddenly a thought came to mind. + +"Then you are . . . You are Charon. And I must have - yes, here +it is. Your toll. Take me then to the Elysian Fields. Quickly, +take me away from this dreadful place." + +He extended Charon's toll. + +The figure made no move to accept. + +Rather, a deep and melancholy voice responded. "Your stop is +not the Elysian shore." + +Dionysius gazed at the dark figure, at the coin. Reluctantly he +let the coin fall, watched it disappear into the depths of the +murky water. + +He was silent. + +What more was there to say! + +20. The Demon's Lair + +There are dark grottoes in the high mountains. And tarns, deep +and cold, bottomless pits of murky water. And in some few +favored spots, dark grottoes and murky tarns together. + +Such was the site at which Demo stood. + +Here dwelt one whom even Olympians fear. This was the Demon's +Lair. + +The village folk had long remembered legends. Hoary legends, +whispered around campfires during winter storm. Used to frighten +children to mind their manners. But only legends. Or so Demo had +long believed. + +Something - no one spoke a name - there was. Or something there +had been. Something that preceded even the Titans, that ancient +race from whom the Olympians were descended. + +The Titans, so the tales went, had not conquered it. Rather, +they had duped it, deceived it, and encaged it in bars not of +this world. Bars that, until now, had held. Bars that, +perchance, were weakening with the passage of eons. + +Whispered conversations on earth, whispered conversations on +the pristine streets of Olympus, told of an ominous presence. +Not seen, nor heard - still dread of this unknown creature +stalked the night as might stalk even the creature itself. + +Idle chatter of fearful children? Old wives tales from the back +woods? Or something else, something evil. Something so powerful +that even the gates of Olympus stood not against it. + +No one knew. + +And that was why Demo stood at the gate to the demon's lair. +Zeus would know what manner of creature was there imprisoned. +Zeus would know what manner of prison held such a creature in +throe. + +Who better to send than Demo? If he succeeded, another task +marked off. If he failed, one less concern as Athena chose +another. + + + +Demo gazed into the still water of the tarn, touched its +surface with his hand. He gasped at the chilling cold that +seized his entire arm. + +Was this then the tarn of which he had been forewarned? Would +here the strange tie between himself and the unseen companion be +severed - or brought to its inevitable conclusion? + +It seemed fitting! + +No drearier spot had he seen. No gloomier grotto existed in +these mountains. If doom hung over his head, it could not choose +a place more suitable than this! + +He resigned himself to the inevitable! + +The sun slipped swiftly behind the western peaks, and cool +night breezes stirred the leaves. Swallows swooped in the +darkening sky, and night creatures called one to another as day +ended. + +Come morning and he would search further. For now, a fire, +food, and a night's rest. + +The flames reflected from the precipice's base, their warmth +welcomed as cool night crept in. Beyond the fire light +nightsounds rose and fell, now near, now far. + +He added wood to the fire, wrapped himself in his Eddie Bauer +mummy bag. Ah, how pleasant to sleep after a long day's journey. + +It was a sleep beleaguered by dreams. Dreams of he who dwelled +in the deep tarn. In the dreams the creature came forth, looked +down on the sleeping youth. It's eyes were cold, held deadly +enmity. + +Yet, it did not strike. Motionless it observed him, turned, and +descended once more into the frigid waters. + +Morning came early. Demo sat up, wide-eyed. From the tarn's +brink to his resting place he saw footprints. A great weight had +pressed them, even into the dryer ground. They turned back, led +once more to the tarn. + +Demo closed his eyes, breathed deeply. What manner of creature, +and why had it turned away, doing him no harm? The footprints, +though huge, seemed hardly those of some monstrous being capable +of frightening even the Lords of Olympus. + +Demo stirred the ashes to reveal hot colds beneath, fed twigs +and breathed gently on them to kindle a fire. As he placed +larger branches on the flames he heard behind him the sound of +measured footsteps. + +With a start he turned. + +The man looking down at him loomed tall and ominous. He showed +no emotion. Rather, his face was calm, nor did his demeanor +suggest threat. Slowly Demo rose, glanced toward his bow and +quiver. + +The man smiled. + +"It would avail thee not. Rest easy. I mean you no harm. You, +in turn, may be of aid to me. Why am I here, summoned from an +age yet to be, a world far removed? Did you summon me? I think +not. You are only a child! What can you tell me of this place, +and of that one who stole from the cold waters in the dark of +night?" + +"Who are you? You were summoned? How so? From an age yet to be, +a world far removed? I understand not your words. Still, if you +were summoned I can think only that it was the work of Zeus. No, +perhaps not. Athena may have brought you here to provide succor +for me on this strange sojourn." + +The tall man squatted before the fire, warmed his outstretched +hands. "Strange names, these. Zeus? Athena? I know them not. And +how might I, Beowulf, provide succor to one such as you, when I +seem unable to even help myself. I sit here, lost, knowing +neither north nor south, east nor west." + +He spoke quietly, calmly. For all the strangeness of these +proceedings, his face showed no fear, his eyes reflected only +constant vigil. + +"I can tell you why I am here. Zeus sent me to find what +creature is imprisoned beneath these waters, and what manner of +prison it be. It is plain, from your words; and from the prints +upon the shore, it is imprisoned no more." + +Beowulf responded musingly. "I walked 'neath moonlight across +the moors, alone. The sound of wings, and huge white owl flew +by. And then the moors were gone, moonlight faded, and I stand +upon this forsaken shore of some strange pond. I feel overcoming +me a dread that once before I felt, only once before. And that +when I fought 'neath murky waters with the mother of Grendl. Is +there no end? Have I come here once more to meet a fiend in +mortal combat? And each more powerful than that which went +before?" + +Demo eyes lit up. "It was Athena. She knew of you, though you +had never been. And if she has brought you here, it is with good +cause. Grendl, and the mother of Grendl. Who, or what, are these +of which you speak?" + +"Fiends, creatures of night and corruption, that prey on good +folk, weak and helpless. Alone I have met them, and that in +their own lair, and brought upon them such destruction as they +had sown. Monstrous though they were, yet did I feel not dread +as I feel in this dark cove. What manner of creature dwells in +yonder tarn. In my mind my thoughts are dark, and Wyrd himself +peoples them." + +"Wyrd? I know of Zeus, of Pluto, and of others of like ilk. I +know not Wyrd." + +For a moment Beowulf sat silent, eyes on the ground before him. +"Wyrd is he who awaits us. Before all, he was. When all has +faded and passed on, he will be. Though I fear him, I shall not +bow to his power. Strangely, I believe he dwells here. I know +not why." + +Demo spoke now, glancing at the tarn in apprehension. "Legends +have it that, before the Titans ruled, another walked this +world, held it in a grasp of iron. Then the Titans beguiled him +in some strange manner, and with fetters formed of dreams +entangled him. After that, that he might never again escape they +locked him away in caverns far beneath Tartarus' depths." + +He gazed at Beowulf, back at the tarn. + +"It is said he once more walks the earth, and he is not a +stranger even to the streets of Olympus. Nameless among us, +perhaps Wyrd is the name he bears." + +Beowulf took from its sheath his sword. Light reflected from +its surface in strange patterns, and the sword's edge seemed +alive and moving in the sun's rays. + +"I grow old. Yet, it seems, there is one more toil, one battle +more. Well, so be it. Every man dies. But it is given to some to +live and die for a cause. For a cause that makes their having +lived worthwhile. Boy, I will stand beside thee. Against this +one none has ever prevailed. How will fare a boy, and an old +man?" + +He laughed. "Well, well, until I came none had prevailed +against Grendl. Nor against Grendl's mother. Be of good cheer. +We shall do what flesh and blood can do. And if that be not +enough, then surely we shall die as men, sword in hand!" + + + +The day passed swiftly, and shadows were lengthening. Demo +built a fire, warmed the food his mother had hastily packed. +Beowulf ate of dried meat he carried. + +"Your friend, I think, will return once more this night. Sleep +by your fire. I shall rest against the trunk of that oak, and +when he comes I will greet him. If your Zeus be powerful, pray +unto him, for this night one walks the earth as evil incarnate. +And of us three, I fear none shall view a rising sun." + +Beowulf rose, walked to the tall oak, sat at its base. He lay +the naked sword across his lap, closed his eyes. Whatever dread +he felt, it showed not in his demeanor or action. Though he +slept Demo knew no sound or motion would escape his attention. +It was the sleep of one ever alert, ready for the life and death +struggle that might lie ahead. + +A fog rose from the cold surface of the tarn, and driven by a +light breeze, drifted onto the shore. Demo huddled close to the +fire, eyes watching anxiously that fog-shrouded tarn, the +mist-shrouded trees. His hand clutched his bow, and an arrow lay +beside him, ready to be notched. + +With sunset the grotto lost all semblance of light. Vague winds +rustled tree limbs, calls of night birds sounded, and other +sounds. Sounds that brought quick apprehension to his mind. And +then they faded - then returned once more. + +Suddenly Demo sat up! + +He had fallen asleep. A noise, a movement? Something had surely +wakened him. + +The crescent moon had risen, and in its light the trees and +bushes cast soft shadows. + + Quickly he glanced toward the huge oak. + +Beowulf was gone! + +Slowly he turned his eyes toward the tarn. + +It was there! + +Moving toward him with deliberate stride, dark except where the +moonlight reflected from its eyes. + +Quickly he notched his arrow, drew the bow. + +Nearer it came, and nearer. It seemed nearly upon him when he +loosed his arrow. It struck the creature full in the chest, +dropped harmlessly to the ground. + +"Athena, farewell!" + +The creature's claws touched his arm, cutting effortlessly +through cloth and through flesh. + + + +"Face me, worm of death. I've traveled through space and time +to challenge you, and you return to your lair only through me." + +The creature rose, loosed the boy. It turned to face Beowulf. + +Throughout the forest the scream of anger sounded! + +It charged the waiting swordsman. + +Claws extended, fangs bared, it leaped with fury on its foe. + +Quickly they were joined by sound of blows, the whistle of +Beowulf's blade in air. With every motion the sword gleamed with +a strange and changing light. Now a deep and glowing red. Then a +green that seemed to flow its length, changing to sunlight +yellow. And all besmeared with the blood of Wyrd! + +Blood flowed, both red and green! + +Beowulf fell before the onslaught, rose again. + +Demo watched, transfixed. Even in the horror of nightmare was +not seen such fearsome battle! + + Wounded both and bleeding, and still the battle continued! + +The moon dropped from view, and the gentle stars looked down on +the frenzied struggle. + +In despair Demo saw Beowulf fall, his sword dropping from his +hand. + +Demo lunged forward quickly, was struck down as quickly. He +felt a bump rising on his head where the blow had landed. He +crawled forward, fell, lay still. The creature turned once more +to Beowulf, its blood-drenched claws extended. + +From the tree tops the white object plummeted, opened wide its +wings and flew into the face of the fiend. Startled, the monster +fell, rolled over and quickly slipped into the frigid waters of +the tarn. + +Athena stood beside Demo. Their eyes looked in sorrow at the +prostrate body of Beowulf. + +Even as they moved forward to help him he sat up, his hand +searching for and seizing the hilt of his sword. Without a word +he stood, shook his head, staggered to the brink of the tarn. + +Sword clutched in hand, a look of resignation on his face, he +dove into the Demon's Lair! + +For a brief moment the water was still, not even a breeze +disturbing its surface. + +Without warning it erupted! + +A huge shape rended its surface, fell back with a scream of +anger! The green blood blended with the dark water of the tarn. + +For hours the battle continued. The once calm tarn was now an +ocean of waves and froth, and thunder sound above it. From +beneath those waters rumbles of anger rose. Sulfurous fumes +lifted from its surface, killed the trees bordering the dark +waters. + + + +Then nought but silence! + +Athena's voice was sad. "He will drive Wyrd once more into +those bonds that have so long endured. For all his heroism, for +all his strength, Beowulf cannot survive the conflict, and even +I cannot save him." She gazed, sad-eyed, at the fateful tarn. + + "Yet, he shall return at last in another time, another place. +Indeed he will one day slay the Grendl, the Grendl's mother - +archfiends of another era." + +Her eyes were turned to the heavens, seemed to look beyond the +visible. + +"Beyond that, the day will come when the fire dragon itself +shall fall to his sword. Only then shall Wyrd have him, as Wyrd +must have us all." + +"Come, Zeus waits." + + + +"Wyrd. Yes, yes, the Worm of Death. But, even the Titans knew +it only as a legend. Well, never mind. It is once more returned +to its lair, once more imprisoned." + +Zeus seemed to have other thoughts on his mind. + +"How did you manage, my boy. No, no, I don't have time! Golf +tournament this afternoon. Poseidon has won the last two. Still, +the score is getting closer. Oh, would you care to caddy. No, I +suppose you are a little tired. Good night, my son." + +"Good night, my son." + +Demo looked up at his mother, rolled over and pulled the +blankets close. Such strange dreams. + +His fingers gingerly rubbed the lump on his head. + + + +Theresa entered the room timidly, eyes downcast. + +"Is Demo home. I need to talk to him." + +Metaneira's eyes held a question? "He's out back with Rough. Is +something wrong?" + +"I . . . I like Demo. I really wouldn't hurt him for the world. +I am sorry, I . . . . Please, I can't marry him. Metaneira, I am +sorry. There is another. Oh, what can I say, what shall I do!" + +"Theresa, don't cry. Perhaps all will work out for the best. +But, yes, you should tell him. He is a brave lad. I'm sure he +will take it like a man. Why don't you wipe your eyes, then go +out back and talk to him. Be brave, girl!" + +As Theresa went out the back door Metaneira looked up, shook +her fist. "Athena, you are a conniver. Who have you sent to poor +Theresa? I should have known. Oh, well, you may make a +delightful daughter-in-law." + +She shook her head, looked out the back door. + + + +Theresa and Demo were standing quietly, his arms around her. + +"It's all right, little sister. You see, I think it's always +been this way. I've always felt toward you like a big brother. I +don't think I could really have been anything else." Demo spoke +quietly. + +He liked Theresa, always had. Not as a lover. No, more as the +little girl next door than as an attractive and mature young +lady. Even now he could not see her other than as the little +girl. + +"Who is he, Theresa? Are you sure?" + +"You know him. Randy. He is so strange and wonderful and I knew +when we first met." + +He smiled, placing his hand under her chin he lifted it up. "If +he ever mistreats you, you let me know. And tell him big brother +will beat him to a pulp if he isn't nice to you. Understand?" + +She half sobbed, half laughed. + +"Yes, big brother." + +She hugged him, her arms around his neck, then kissed him on +the lips, pressing against him. For a moment they stood thus. + +"You know, big brother, I think I could have made you love me - +another way. I'm very glad I didn't. I'll always need a big +brother." + +"I'll be here." + + + +21. Dream Shadows + +In sleep reality is dreams, dreams reality. And Demo knew not +whether he slept, and all was but a dream. Or, whether, waking, +his mind did dream of dreams. + +It had started - as had all his recent adventures - with a +summons from Zeus. And when Zeus spoke Demo felt that, perhaps, +he had indulged in too much of Olympic nectar. + +"Boy, the world is not what it seems. Look around you. What do +you see?" + +The question, of course, was purely rhetorical. Zeus went on +with no hesitation. + +"You see Olympus, of course. And, if you had my powers, you +might look down and see earth. Or even let your gaze penetrate +to the nether kingdom of my brother, Pluto. With a little more +effort Tartarus comes in view. And that, think you, is the +universe. Ah, and that is where you err." + +Zeus was plainly morose. He had a problem that bothered him. +And rather than attacking the problem head-on, he was talking +his way around it. + +"Ah, indeed, Sire! Just the other day I was telling my mother . +. . ." + +"Yes, yes, but what I mean is, there is also the unseen. The +world in transition. It was, and now is not. Yet, in a strange +sort of way, it is. Understand? (More rhetorical questions.) It +will be, eventually; it hasn't become, yet. It's a world in . . +. well, it's a world in transition. And during the transition, +it isn't. Hmmm, very simple, actually. Must make a note of that, +- A world in transition - should go over well at the club." + +He reached above his head, unrolled a long papyrus, and jotted +a few notes on the bottom. As he let go the papyrus rewound, +disappearing when the last page was snugly wrapped. Zeus smiled, +took a slight bow, and tossed his pen into the air. It, too, +disappeared. But, not, unfortunately, before several drops of +ink splattered the divine face. With a growl Zeus reached up and +a white towel appeared. He started to wipe away the ink. + +"Drop that! Not with my clean towel!" + +Hera rushed into the room, seized the towel, handing Zeus +instead a well-used one. With a sigh he wiped away the ink, +dropped the towel into the waste disposer. The waste disposer +growled, wagged its tail, and devoured the towel with a single +gulp. + +"Anyway, that's where you need to go. It's the one region +outside of my domain. I just don't have any power there, because +it really doesn't exist, you understand. Well, it exists, kind +of, to be scientifically precise." + +Zeus prided himself on his scientific knowledge. + +"And, Sire, what is the purpose of my visit." + +"That, my boy, is a good question. Let us see if we can +fabricate a good answer." He paused, walked back and forth +twice, did a hop and a skip and a slight curtsy. + +"I don't know! You will have to define your mission yourself. +You see, this transition world, this shadow land - that's it, +that's what I wanted to say. Shadow land! It is that. That is +where you are to go. And what are you to do? Improvise! +Improvise, my lad!" + +"Yes sir, but to what end?" + +"That tomorrow may come." + +"That tomorrow may come?" + +"Great! You've got it! Farewell, and a safe journey!" + +Transitions? Shadow land? So that tomorrow will come? Has Zeus +reached his dotage! Demo would ask more, except that he found +himself suddenly alone. Alone, but where? Surely this was not +his own world. + + + +The gray fog swirled, settled, then swirled again. Dimly +objects could be seen. And movement. They were there, or so it +seemed. Yet, what objects? And what moved? + +Silence accompanied the fog. Or, perhaps, preceded it. +Regardless, the only sound was his own breathing. + +A light was approaching. Small, at first almost non-existent, +it loomed larger, though no brighter. A silhouette, vague and +distorted, carried the lantern. At times both disappeared as the +fog thickened. + +The approach stopped. Plainly they sensed his presence. The +lantern was held higher, and he could catch glimpses of a +woman's face. There was anxiety in her eyes, even fear, as she +gazed at him. + +"Sir, whence cometh thou? Thee be not of our world. Flee to thy +home, for he walks the moors this night!" + +"I . . . I am sent by Zeus. You say one walks this night? Who +walks the moors this night? And why should I fear?" + +"None is safe alone in the dark. If you have not where to go +then come with me. Quickly, quickly!" + +He followed her down dark alleys, twisting streets. The earth +was wet, and muddy water flowed in rivulets crisscrossing their +way. Varied smells, of vegetables, of cooked meats, and of +decay, tinted the air. At times lights were visible through +small barred windows along their way. + +The fog became ever more intense. She held his hand that he not +go astray. Her hand was small and cold. He enwrapped it in his +own to give it warmth. She smiled at his concern. + +They passed a pond where floated debris, bodies of dogs and +cats, and perhaps objects of more unsavory character. As they +reached the far edge of the pond she turned to the right, +slipped and shuffled down a mucky side street. + +She slid the door open and motioned him to remove his footwear. +When they stepped inside she took a soiled towel from its rack, +wiped his feet and her own. + +The room was small. A straw mat covered the floor, and cheap +cotton tapestry decorated the walls. A small barred window +looked out from the back wall. A mat unrolled on the floor +beneath the window served for sleeping. + +She closed the door, dropped a strong wooden bar in place to +block it from opening. "He will not enter. Still may the Powers +help whomever he meets on these dark streets. You are fortunate +I took you in. Others might have taken you for a changeling, and +left you to your own devices. Many a young maid has lost her +life by mating with handsome changelings!" + +"You are most kind. No, no changeling I. My name is Demo, and I +am here on a mission. When it is done I must once more depart." + +She seemed little interested in his mission, regarded his face +and figure with marked curiosity. + +"Thy clothes are not as ours. Thy skin is dark from rays of +sun, and here there is no sun. And thee speaketh strangely, with +words and accent unknown in this land." She stopped, a bemused +look on her face. + +"What call you this land and its people? What is your name?" + +She smiled at his questions. + +"This is the world of Brume, and we are named Brumians. As for +me, you may call me Mist. It is only a title, not my name. Our +names we hold sacred, and to give them to others invites dire +consequences. Yes, to Mist I shall answer." + +"Well, I suppose I should likewise be as reticent. Anyway, my +name is . . ." + +Quickly she put her hand to his lips. "Speak it not again! You +are a stranger, a sojourner in a strange land, and its customs +are not of your world. You need not believe in our customs, but +do not needlessly court danger. I shall name you." + +She walked around him, a smile touching her lips. "Thou art +tall, youthful, strong. Thou traveleth from far lands to our +world. I name thee Wanderer." + +She opened the back window and the white vapors of fog crept +in. Sliding a small door to the side she removed a pot and some +utensils. Toward the center of the room she removed a block of +floormat, revealing a pit in which firewood lay. + +Soon the room was warmed, and the aroma of a thick soup +tantalized his nostrils. Gladly did he eat, little noticing that +only spoonsful remained for her. "Ah, you cook like my own +mother! What meat is this?" + +"Do not concern yourself. It is nourishing, and harmless to +you. It is the night season, and you may share my pad. Though +you may think me forward, ask nought of me, for I am pledged. +Only my company can I grant thee." + +He slept. The fire died, the fog shrouded the room. + +Of early morning he woke to find her fast asleep beside him. He +reached out to tuck the blanket around her shoulders. + +His eyes widened. Taking a deep breath he drew back his hand in +consternation and sudden dread. + +The shoulder was without substance. His hand felt cold and +clammy air, nought else, passed through to touch the mat beneath. + +She woke, looked at him with sad and pensive eyes. "Doth thee +understand. Thou are not as we. We are but shadows, and thou art +real. Waking, we can have semblance of reality. Sleeping, it +fades. But touch me once more, for now I am." + +Reluctantly he reached out for the hand she extended. Though +cold, it was solid now as his own. + +The sadness on her face disturbed him. Quietly he squeezed her +hand, smiled. "There is much I don't understand. You have been +kind to me. Still, I have a mission, and it must be done. I . . +. " + +The rattling of the door interrupted him. It started suddenly, +grew in intensity. Mist moved to the far corner, dread on her +face. + +Demo frowned, took up his bow and notched an arrow. Slowly he +drew the bow, waited. + +The door held. In moments the rattling ceased. From without +they heard a growl, followed then only by silence. + +"Stay. Don't go out. He walks the street this night." Mist held +his arm, eyes wide. + +"Who is he? Why should I fear?" + +"He is like you. He also comes from elsewhere. Yet, he is not +like you. For you are kind. He destroys all he meets. And he is +real, not shadow. When he came our world stopped. No longer do +we move from the unreal to the real. We linger here in this +shadow world, with no yesterday and no tomorrow." + +He looked at her, startled. "No tomorrow? Strange! He said +something very much like that - that tomorrow may come. Strange!" + +"I cannot stay here, for I have my job to do. When I leave, +close and bolt the door quickly. I pray we shall meet again. +Time passes, and now I must do that for which I came. Peace!" + +Then he opened the door, swiftly stepped out into the fog. He +glanced up and down the alley, as far as he could see. Only fog. + +A sound behind him caught his attention. + +Turning swiftly, he found Mist closing the door, stepping to +his side. "You shall not go alone!" + +Arguments came to his mind. He was silent, for he realized she +would not listen. "Stay close behind me. I search for him, the +one from elsewhere. I know not why, but I feel that my mission +is with him." + +"You need not search. He will surely find us." + +Demo moved down the street, ever watchful. Silence held sway, +and the fog clung to them like wet cloth. At times lights could +be seen, rapidly disappearing as the drear dawn came. Dawn +brought little change. The fog still enmeshed a silent world, a +world seemingly populated by Mist and himself. + +The chill he felt came not from the fog. A coldness along his +spine, a prickling on the back of his neck, forewarned him. +Something there was, something evil and fearsome, close at hand! + +"No!" Mist cried as she ran forward toward an object barely +visible. Demo reached out to stop her. His hand touched only +cold fog, and she was gone. + +He followed her quickly, then stopped. The scream of utter +terror rose, ceased quickly. All was silent. For a moment he +closed his eyes. He knew full well he would see her no more. + +Mist. A strange name. And yet a kind and gentle person. Now +gone. To fight the unseen companion to protect himself had been +his goal. No longer. Anger enveloped him. Mist was dead. The +Demon must die! + +Demo gazed from side to side, trying to penetrate the white +barrier before his eyes. To no avail. Then, glancing down, he +noted footprints. Footprints not made by man! + +Slowly, his eyes on the ground ahead of him, he followed the +trail. Where Mist had trodden he could not tell. She left no +trace of her passage. + +Looming huge in the fog and early morning gloom, ahead an +object stood in his path. This was the creature she feared. The +one that surely had destroyed her! + +It was coming slowly closer. Plainly it recognized his +presence. Smoothly he strung his bow, notched an arrow. + +Demo waited quietly. + +A shudder enveloped his body, and his eyes widened. + +He knew this one. An aura emitted from it, one that was not new +to him. + +Surely, this was the unseen companion! + +Without hesitation he released his arrow. + +The laughter that came from out the fog held little humor. +"Your puny weapons are merely playthings. I would end you now, +if it were not that the fates have written, and it is by the +tarn you shall meet your destiny. If you survive this world, or +non-world! I leave you now, earthling. Find your way back to +Olympus and Zeus. If you can!" + +The unearthly laughter sounded once more, then faded, as did +the figure half displayed in the swirling fog. + +In his ears was but silence, and his eyes saw only the swirling +fog. + +'That tomorrow may come.' The words repeated themselves in his +brain. What had Zeus intended? Was the unseen companion the evil +influence dominating this strange world? Or were there other, +still hidden, culprits. "Zeus, you have indeed given me a +strange chore. I know not where to turn! If only I could lift +this fog!" + +He wandered through the streets. Glancing at a pond in passing +he recognized it. He knew that he had merely retraced his +steps, neared Mist's dwelling. With a sigh he found the door, +entered. + +He sat quietly on the mat, fell asleep. + + + +Dreams, interrupted by moments of awareness, disturbed his +rest. Dreams of Mist, of the unseen companion, finally of +Athena. She spoke strange words to him, words couched in +riddles. "Prometheus knew the answer. As did your unseen +companion. Quickly, before the fire die." + +He woke, sweat streaming from his body. From the center of the +room a wisp of smoke rose from the dying fire. 'Before the fire +die?' Strange words. 'Prometheus knew, the unseen companion +knew?' What did they know? + +Wide-eyed, he looked at the fading fire. Suddenly he reached +down, pulled a fiery brand from center, and tossed it at the +wall. In moments the building was burning. + +He rushed out of the building. The conflagration spread +rapidly, and the once empty, fog-shrouded streets were filled +with dim forms rushing helter-skelter to and fro. + +Even as the flames spread the fog began to dissipate. An early +morning sun could be seen shining on the horizon. Where strange +shadows had moved along the streets now people were to be seen. +Smiles replaced looks of dreary misery. Indeed Prometheus had +known! + +Still, there remained much to do. 'That tomorrow may come?' +What action must be taken 'that tomorrow may come'? The fog was +indeed gone. Only a burned out city remained. No tomorrow, this! + +What else had Athena whispered to him while he slept. Something +very important. Nothing came to mind. He moved westward, drawn +by an unknown force. The answer was to be found beyond the +western horizon. If there were an answer. + +The mountains loomed large to the west. He began that westward +trek, barely reached the foothills before the sun began to sink +behind the jagged peaks. Looking for a place to sleep safely, he +noted an opening, the mouth of a cave. + +He entered cautiously. + +"There is no cause for fear. Welcome. I've awaited your coming." + +An old man spoke the words softly, calmly. His countenance +belied the words. + +Clad in the armor of a warrior, with face stern, marked by +steel and fire, the old man projected a sense of authority. + +Demo stepped forward slowly. + +"Sire, I know you not. Yet you have awaited me?" + +"One who has traveled far with you forecast your arrival. In +due time you shall know him. Much will be revealed - by the +tarn. But that another day, another world." + +The unseen companion! He had been here, spoken to this one. +What strange fate forever brought their paths together? And what +was the secret of the tarn? + +Demo shook his head. + +"I rule this domain, ignored by the Gods, unknownst to mankind. +This is the field of atonement. All pass through here. Some +quickly. Some remain long. For a moment you have lifted the +mists. Nevertheless, they shall return. I have halted all +transitions until your coming. The souls who depart your world +and pass through here would press on. And so shall they, in due +time." + +"What would you have of me, Sire?" + +The warrior stood, pulled from its sheath a sword. "Vulcan did +temper this sword with blood. And each who leaves your world +must first feel this edge. It has proven strong and sharp. +Still, time and usage take their toil, and it is now it is only +a blunt instrument, useless for its purpose." + +"Sire, I am no swordsmith." + +The warrior held the blade in hand, extended the handle toward +Demo. "Take it. Return it to Zeus. Tell him one whose name +remains forever unspoken would have the broken sword of Cadmus. +Let Vulcan fashion it and put thereon an edge that will not +fail. 'Til you return, Clothos shall spin no more, nor Lachesis +measure, nor Atropos wield her shears. And none shall pass +through these portals to tomorrow." + +The warrior held the blade high, brought it down flat against +his knee, and the metal snapped. He handed the broken weapon to +Demo. "The gate is there." + +He pointed to the darker recesses of the cave. "Quickly, now, +to Olympus. I wait impatiently." + + + +Zeus listened in quiet amazement, the broken sword in his hand. +In anger he tossed it down and it faded into oblivion. "You +shall meet with it by the tarn, in good time. It is not given to +me to know of this shadow land. Of its existence only am I +informed. The Ancient Ones - they knew! Strangely, they told me +nothing! Must even the Gods pass through those portals? I know +not. Here, take it. The sword of Cadmus. It, too, was broken. +Well, Vulcan has applied his skills. This edge shall never dull." + + + +The warrior examined the sword with critical eye. "The +craftsmanship of Vulcan leaves little to be desired. I see the +break in the blade. It matters not. There is no weakness now. +You have done well." + +His visage reflected an expression that might be construed as a +smile. "My broken sword lies by the tarn. It may well be of +service, at the appointed time. Now, on your way. For I must +return to my dreadful chore." + + + +Zeus was morose. "It is a drear vision you bring to me. Still, +let us live for today. If it were hidden from the Gods, then it +concerns them not. Return to your own, my boy. The flowers +bloom, soft winds blow, and spring creeps upon the land. And, I +assure you, there will be no fog!" + + + + + +22. The Escape + +It is said that none enter, that none leave, the confines of +Hades except they be conveyed by the ferryman. Yet, in time +past, ancient time, one entered unattended that eternal prison. +He entered in search of his own true love, and pleaded with his +songs. So sweetly sung were they that Pluto, that stern master +of the nether regions, granted safe passage to him, and to the +one he loved. For Pluto, most hideous of living beings, yet +within his monstrous form knew the pangs of love. + +Yet did another depart those infernal regions with no aid from +that dark ferryman. + +This is the tale of that departure, of what transpired before. +And here lie the tangled threads, and the first strange steps on +the dark path to the Tarn of Eternity. + + + +Legends relate the sad story of the kidnapping of Persephone, +the story of the evil Pluto. And the legends tell true. But they +ignore the role of Venus, and of Cupid. And they are not +guiltless. + +Persephone did dwell in the Vale of Enna, gathered there the +wildwood flowers. + +Pluto, master of Hades, dwelt alone in his nether kingdom. + +Powerful, emotionless, dedicated only to his duty, this ruler +of the dead traveled from time to time, his coach pulled by +giant black steeds. And one such a trip Venus espied him. Angry +because she had no power to move him she turned to Cupid. + +"This one knows not of love, lives in serenity. I would he +suffer the pangs of unrequited love. Loose your sharpest arrow. +Let him suffer as suffer those mortals ferried through the +portals of his empire." + +Cupid grinned impudently. Ever pleased to show his skill he +notched arrow to cord. True and straight it flew. + +Pluto felt a yearning he did not understand. Disturbed, he +flogged his steeds, flew tempestuously he knew not where, +seeking he knew not what. + +Wild, the horses flew. And in their flight they entered the +Vale of Enna, paused to drink from the pond therein. + +Carrying wildflowers in her arms, with laughter and song did +Persephone approach the chariot, tossed in childlike simplicity +flowers to the occupant. "Come, play with me. I have no +playmate. I need a friend." + +She looked on his loathsome form with neither fear nor +disfavor. To her he was merely a welcome playmate, though not of +human form. She asked nothing of him, only that he share this +little while. + +He gazed upon her, and in his heart Cupid's poisoned arrow +worked its magic. + +The innocent beauty of that face, the warm and happy spirit +shining through those clear eyes, brought to him feelings he had +never known. He thought to hold her close, to stroke that soft +hair, to caress with gentle touch her smooth skin. + +And within him, too, aroused the desires of a man. For though +her face was that of youth, her body was of sculptured beauty +that Venus might envy. + +When Pluto beheld her all thoughts save one departed his mind. +This was to be his bride! + + + +He tarried there, danced in parody of handsome prince, sang in +voice marred and croaking. She mocked him not; rather, smiled. + +Of flowers garlands she made, given to him in innocent pride. +She sang sweet songs of light and sunshine, of crystal stars and +mellow moon, of flowers that did not die, with blossoms that +forever bloom. + +He told her sad tales of a dark and lonesome realm, of those +for whom hope was no more, and of a keeper who sat in solitude +in mastery of that realm. A keeper who, more than all dwellers +therein, was prisoner of that realm. + +From her eye, soft flowed a tear. From her hand, a gentle +touch. He thought not to ask for more. + +They parted, though never long. Always his mighty steeds drove +through time and space, returning once more to that quiet +retreat. The love he felt for the innocent child grew ever +stronger. Still, he approached her, not in courtship, but as a +friend. + +"Your arrow has flown true. It lacked the needed potency. He +loves her as does a brother. Once more loose your bow, and into +his heart drive desire, passion. And I shall open wide her eyes, +that she may see him as the monstrous form he is. He joys in her +presence, feels not the pain of unrequited love. As he has +ignored me, she shall reject him!" + +Venus caused once more Cupid's arrow to fly. An arrow not +tinged with sweet love, rather poisoned with selfish lust. And +even as the arrow flew she closed the eyes of Persephone, let +her dream of handsome prince. Handsome prince, of looks far +removed from those of this dread companion. + + + +Pluto lurched back in alarm as desire mixed with tender +thoughts, new and uncontrollable needs surfaced. + +Persephone opened wide her eyes, saw him now in a new light. No +handsome prince he, no proper comrade. With a scream she rose +from beside him, rushed blindly toward the garden gate. + +He seized her, dragged her to that golden chariot. Madly he lay +whip on flesh, driving the mighty steeds as never had they been +driven. Thus he carried her to his own domain. + +She resisted not, for his was the greater strength. As his +chariot reached the gates of the garden she sighed. In arms she +held her kitten, a white small ball of fur. As they passed +through the gate she set it free. "May the Gods grant you +freedom and happiness, for mine is no more." + +Pluto heard her words with deep remorse. Nevertheless, the +spell cast of Venus overpowered the germ of kindness in his +heart. And yet, though he desired her, his love was more +powerful. "Only when the Gods have granted you to me in marriage +shall you be mine." + +In due time it came about. Still, Persephone was granted one +wedding wish. Quickly, before it could be withdrawn, she prayed +to be returned to her mother for half of each year. And so it +was. + + + +In time she accepted her exile with good grace. Yet, because +Cupid had never used his arrows on her heart, she felt no love +for her captor. At times, perhaps, pity. + +Time as earthlings know it does not exist for denizens of the +nether world. Those suffering suffer not by day or night, but by +eternity. The Curse of Cronus, lifted from the Gods, still left +its mark upon these sufferers, and age beyond age they carried. + +And even Persephone, though shielded by the Gods, felt the +power of Cronus, saw wrinkles gently forming. Invisible to +Pluto, who saw only through the eyes of love, this aging process. + + + +One innocent pleasure Persephone had. + +The dread ferryman in his duties came ever to the kingdom's +portals. And there he heard the happenings on earth, and fables +of happenings in Heaven. + +These tales he passed on to Persephone, for she longed to know +of the world she had left behind. + +And one day he brought to her a tale that left her heart cold. + +Ceres, her mother, was nearing the end of her days. She prayed +daily to the Gods that she might see, before her departure, her +beloved daughter. + +The bargain had been made. Six long months must Persephone +dwell within the nether realm. The Gods would not relent. + +Still, Persephone would see her mother. She pleaded with the +ferryman. To no avail. He listened not to her pleas. He carried +only passengers from the portal to deep within. None carried he +to the portal. + +She wandered though Hades with sad mien, searching for a path +to the other side. She found none. + +While in her search, she met the shades of the departed. On one +such meeting she heard the name, Orpheus. + +Suddenly her eyes widened. Orpheus! The only living man to +enter Hades without the attendant ferryman! + +Slowly, from tormented souls, from the ferryman, even from +Pluto himself, she gathered details of that entry. How he came, +singing his songs, and melted even the heart of Pluto. + +Ah, how did he enter? What secret way, unknown to any other, +had led him into this Stygian realm? + +The heights of Taenarus! Earthly legends told of a path, a path +of unknown origin. Through terrain unlike any known to man it +twisted its uncertain way. Boulders coughed from deep within the +earth's core blocked its passage. Edged stones marred its +surface. And the path winds into a cave, whose very mouth is +enshrouded in darkness. + +From its mouth sulfurous fumes rise, and dark clouds of noxious +gases besmirch the sky. Bones of man and beast lie scattered +midst pools of murky water. + +It is thought that this fissure penetrates the very bowels of +earth. Even into the domain of Pluto, the fearsome kingdom of +Hades. + +Through this portal creatures of the afterworld are unleashed +on earth's dwellers. Ghosts of those long gone, strange beings +never dreamed of by human kind, spirits weird, and other +creatures lacking even a name. + +Orpheus must have entered through this portal. Through the cave +of Orpheus may I escape to my world! + +Thus thought Persephone. And she planned her escape. Each day +she wandered through the dark domain, mapping its drear +geography in her mind. + +She waited. + +In due time Pluto was called to an accounting at Olympus. In +his absence she began the ascent, up through the dark and evil +passages. Ever upward with uncertain step and only hope to +guide. + +Guardians did cross her path, challenged her passage. But when +informed that she was queen, and in Pluto's absence master of +that dread domain, none dared stay her way. + +She reached the portal, followed the rough and strenuous path +leading downward from the heights of Taenarus. Always she gazed +fearfully behind. + +He would come! + + + +23. The Extra Task + +"Well done!," Zeus roared. "Every task completed!" + +He paused. "Hmmm! I've lost count. Every task . . . . Well, +I'm sure you won't mind just one more to, eh, help me out." + +"Yes, yes, every task, that is, except one, a minor one I +overlooked." + +Chagrined he listened as Zeus stated the Final task. + +"Perhaps you have noticed, in your sojourns, that you have had +a companion. An unseen watcher. A sneaky follower. A sly, +disreputable creature! Destroy it! That is your final task. Now, +begone!" + +Imperiously he waved his hand, and as it fell he faded slowly +into oblivion. Why was he smiling so happily? + + + +It happened so quickly that Demo had not time to complain, not +even time to think. He stood on the mountain path once more, +alone. + +Or, perhaps, not alone. The wind gusted, leaves rustling along +the pathway. Above the tree tops bowed in obeisance to the +intermittent breeze. The smell of rain was in the air. And a +sulfurous smell. One he had noted to often before. + +He sensed, rather than saw, the unseen companion. In anger he +raised his bow, but could not decide where to dispatch the +arrow. With a shrug he lowered it, returned the arrow to its +pouch. + +"In due time I will succeed. I must!" he breathed. + +He felt tired. He had labored mightily through the twelve +tasks. Rest was delayed for their completion. And now a further +task lay on him. + +For a moment he leaned against the trunk of a tall pine, his +eyes closed. His arms ached, his back and neck, and his felt the +need to lie down, to rest. + +But he dare not! Somewhere, waiting, his nemesis. And when and +how he might strike he knew not. + +He trudged disconsolately along the mountain path. In the +distance the howl of a wolf broke the silence. The quivering +wail was answered quickly from neighboring hills. The pack was +assembling for some nightly raid. A dust devil traveled a +crooked path on the trail ahead, ended with leaves falling on +the floor. A deer stopped at the edge of the trail, sniffed at +the air, then retreated. + +Demo moved cautiously forward, each step a chore. Strong though +he was his energy seemed to be waning. Startled, he remained +motionless. This is not right, he thought. I have gone days +without rest, and still felt stronger than today. Am I ill, have +I eaten something that has weakened me. + +He felt a vertigo, nearly stumbled. He shuffled forward, each +foot scuffing along the pathway. + +As Demo proceeded he noted a shadow on his path. The sitting +sun limned the figure of a young girl sitting on a log by the +path, rubbing her ankle. Plainly she was suffering, and with the +approaching night, in dire circumstances. Exhausted though he +was, he could not ignore her plight. + +"My lady, you are in pain. Can I help you?" he inquired. + +"No! No. Begone, handsome youth! I carry with me dangers you +cannot understand. Even to talk to me invites disaster. Go +quickly on your way!" + +Her voice was taut with emotion, with fear. Her breath came in +quick pants, and her face was distraught. She bowed her head in +hopeless resignation. + +He started to turn, noted the tears in her eyes, and so +remained. + +"Here, I have medication for your ankle. It will ease the pain." + +He rubbed the ointment on the red swollen skin, and her eyes +widened as the pain began to recede. + +"Oh, sir, I am fleeing from a most horrifying creature. There +are no words that can describe it. Should it finds you with me, +it will destroy you. Please, go on your way. You have been very +kind, now leave quickly. Let me climb down the mountain alone." + +For a moment he hesitated, took a step away from her and down +the mountain. If I stay to help her it will endanger my chances +of completing the final task. I must go on now! + +His thoughts said leave. His heart said stay. The sad face of +the hapless maiden held his eyes. He could not walk away. + +"I too have known fear and loneliness. I cannot leave you thus. +I will help you, no matter what pursues. And should it overtake +us, I shall leave my mark on it." He touches his arrows for +reassurance. + +They slowly descend the mountain, and she leans heavily on him +as she hobbles along the rock-strewn path. At times winding +steeply, narrow. Then leveling and wide. When they reached a +precipice overlooking the site of a beautiful, dark pond they +paused. + +A gnarled pine grew on the crag, leaning outward. In time the +wind and rain would loosen its roots and would plunge off the +overhang. For now a swallow nested safely within its branches. + +Demo looked down at the tarn so far below. For a moment he +closed his eyes, drew a deep breath. This is the place. The +wait is over. He sighed. + + + +There are ponds where birds sing in happy summer frolic. Where +nests are built in bordering bushes, and eggs laid. Ponds where +the fish leap, and frogs sing their merry songs of night. Here +lightning bugs brighten the surface, court the light of +reflected stars. Here the waters are clear and cool. The farmer +stores milk here to keep it cold. Children play along its banks +with happy laughter. By summer day they swim in its depths. Here +by night lovers sit 'neath honey moon and whisper soft words of +adoration. + +And there are ponds of rougher nature where the fisherman plies +his trade. Ponds where flowering plants hide snakes that glide +upon the waters and feed on the creatures swimming below. Where +turtles wait for unsuspecting geese or ducks and drag them to +their death in waters deep. Here young men come to gig frogs, to +seine for bait for tomorrow's fishing, to joke and carouse and +wrestle man to man. + +There, too, are tarns hidden in dark recesses and grottoes. +Tarns deep and still where legends grow and strange stories are +whispered. Here in the eventide one sees the will of the wisp. +At times the call of the loon breaks the evening air. Stories +better left untold are found here. Of strange sights in the dark +of night. Of spirits of those gone. Of evil incarnate, and hate +incessant. + +Such a one was the tarn that lay below. Tales were told of +blood mingling with the murky waters. Tales of bands of evil +note frequenting its shores. Tales of bodies weighted with +stone, resting forever on the bottom. + +The escarpment extended outward from the mountain, formed a +lookout overlooking the dark waters. The escarpment, of solid +rock, attracted those despondent, invited them to end their woes +with a plunge into the waiting waters. Too many responded to +that fatal invitation. + + + +"Here is the land of my mother, Ceres. I am Persephone, her +only daughter. And I have been away so long." She sobbed. + +Ceres. He knew the name. Where had he heard it? Ah, his Mother. +A nursemaid, long ago, and a weak and sickly child. Was this +then the needed task, to protect her daughter from a ruthless +enemy? How strange the fates! Every move seemed programmed, +every action preplanned long ago. And the results? Were they too +preprogrammed? Our lives it seems are in the stars, and we +neither control nor understand our fate. There was now no +question in his mind. This is the Tarn of Eternity! It is here +all shall be resolved! + +"Finally, now I am getting closer to home. I shall see her once +more before she dies. The trip has been long. Soon it is over." + +He felt the sadness in her words. And felt something else, +something more foreboding. + +A hint of a strange odor, a scent that he knew too well. The +unseen companion was close, very close! + +Even as she spoke a dark form emerged from the heavy bushes +beside the path. + +Unthinkingly he knew. This was the unseen companion! + + + +Demo's mother slept fitfully throughout the night. Dreams, +rather, nightmares, repeatedly aroused her. She saw, again and +again, her son. And something else. + +Something huge and grotesque, evil and deadly. Something with +an unreasoning hatred for her son. + +She arose before sunrise, sat on the edge of her bed in deep +thought, spoke aloud to herself. "I could try to go to him. +Sadly, I am old, weak. I would be but a further burden. + +Rough sat at her feet, licked her hand. She reached down +absently, patted his head. Her eyes widened. + +"Rough, go to him. What I cannot do, you can. Protect him with +your life. Quickly now! Find your master! Go!" + +The dog whined as she opened the door, looked up at her. Then +turning, with a low growl, Rough loped quickly toward the high +mountains. + +Whatever danger threatened Demo, he would share. Whatever enemy +imperiled his master, he too would face. + +She sighed, whispered, "Perhaps, perhaps . . . " + + + +Misshapen head, twisted body, covered with hide plated with +metallic scales, it stood tall above them. + +But he is not the only one to recognize the creature. + +Beside him Persephone starts, cries out. "No, let me be free of +you!" + +A gasping chortle issued from the swollen lips of the creature. +"Ah, princess, it is fit we meet here by the Tarn of Eternity. +Only its waters can still the fires of Hell. And even they +cannot still my love for you." + +The words, meant to express deep feelings, were grotesque when +voiced in a broken, harsh whine by the monstrosity. And yet Demo +noted, the eyes held a devotion that was real. + +"Pluto, go back to your world. Leave me to live in peace with +my mother. I will never return to Hades. Better a short life on +earth than eternity in Hades." + +"Persephone, I will never release you. My love for you is +without an end. You will be mine forever." + +This travesty on words of love, voiced by a creature totally +devoid of humanity, brought tears to the eyes of the young +maiden. + +The final task! Destroy the unseen companion! Pluto! Brother of +Zeus! More powerful than any save Zeus himself! + +A tear came to Demo's eye. No mortal could accomplish this +task! Yet, though he die in the struggle, he was committed. +Athena, remember me, for I have loved you! + +He was no longer tired. He drew strength from the imminent +danger. + +He took a deep breath, drew an arrow from its pouch, notched it +to the string. + +"You jest! What power is in your weapons?" once more Pluto +speaks. + +"I have followed you far, and your arrows have not found their +mark. Do you not know, that nothing you can do will destroy me. +I am immortal. I dwell in Hades, Master of that infernal region. +Only the waters of the Tarn of Eternity can quench those flames." + +He laughed, loud and harshly, without humor. + +"Now stand up, tall and brave." he sneered, "I tire of this +childish game, and you are about to die." + +As Pluto lifted his huge fist Demo drew the bowstring. A +threshing from the side of the pathway, distracted him. + +He paused. + +Before either he or Pluto could move another interfered. + +From the brush a deep growl was heard, and in a moment Rough +stood in the path of the threatening fiend. He crouched, eyes +blazing. + +And sprang! + +Caught in mid air by a blow from the monstrous figure, Rough +fell, rolled over, lay quiet. Demo released his arrow! + +It struck, then fell blunted from Pluto's thick hide. + +"I struck the animal only a light blow. I too had Cerberus, and +of all creatures only he loved me. The dog shall live. But not +you, earthling." + +Pluto once more turned toward Demo, his deadly intention +evident. + +"No, Pluto, no more! I can stand no more of you, no more of +your evil ways." + +Persephone rushes by Demo, dodges by Pluto. + +Frozen, Demo stands motionless. Still, there is one who acts. +With a desperate lunge Pluto tries to stop the maiden. + +Too late! + +She flings herself from the edge of the cliff! + +Down she falls, down, finally to plummet into the cold depths +of the Tarn of Eternity. + +Pluto turns, dives into those murky waters. Plummets downward +to rescue her from their frigid embrace! + +As the waves touch him he screams. + +The waters roil and tear at him as though the tarn were a +living creature, a beast of prey. Blood stains the roiled +surface. + +Demo rushes down the tortured pathway, his lungs and throat +burning. A stone turns and he falls, slipping over the edge of +the escarpment. The roiling waters of the Tarn of Eternity licks +hungrily at the boulders below. They crash against the shore, +waiting for their next prey. + +Slowly, painfully, he regains the path, continues his +precipitous journey. Finally arriving at the rock strewn shore, +he throws himself down as the air rushes through his burning +throat. + +There is no sign of life on the Tarn. The water, never still, +moves in chaotic pattern. Swirls and streams, whirlpools and +rapids, never still. + +Then it rises from the deepest, coldest depths. Pluto! + +Pluto swims slowly, uncertainly, moving toward the shore where +Demo now sits. Demo rises, defiant. A broken sword from some +ancient war, lay on the ground, and he seizes it in desperation. + +And then he remembers. The broken sword of the warrior! +Unsullied by its mishap, the broken blade still shines. Holding +the weapon in his hand he waits on the shore, watches the +tumultuous waters of the tarn. + +Even in his torture, Pluto swims in desperate search for +Persephone. But the dark green waters hide their prey. + +And then he sees her! + +Quickly, thrashing his way to the drowning girl, Pluto dives +beneath the murky depths. He lifts her from the water's deadly +embrace. Cradled in Pluto's arms, her face white above the dark +surface, she seems more dead than living. Thrashing the deadly +waves Pluto brings her to the shore. + +Demo raises the broken sword high, waiting! + +Pluto stalks onto the shore carrying her like a doll, gently, +in his huge arms. Turning to Demo, Pluto growls in the angry +voice he could not renounce, "Save her." He lays her softly on +the ground, lays her gently on the sandy beach. + +Throwing aside the sword Demo falls to his knees beside the +child. + +Demo turns her on her stomach , ministers to her. And finally +he is rewarded by the slightest movement, a sign of life. Soon +she begins to cough, to breathe. + +Pluto stands quietly, watching. What on another creature might +have been a smile touches his lips. On his cheek a trickle of +liquid. Water from the Tarn of Eternity? + +"She lives." He utters, half question, half statement. + +"Yes, she lives." + +There was no question now. The tears were real. + +For a moment Pluto turns away, then turns once more to look at +her. "I grant you your life, earthling. Care for her. Help her, +human. For this I spare your life. Quickly, now, for as I +forecast, the Tarn of Eternity is quenching the fires of hell, +and quenching the very life from me. Yet I pass on willingly, +that she may live." + +He pauses, looks out toward the center of the Tarn. + +"These waters, as foretold, have destroyed me." + +Though Demo had paid attention only to Persephone, he had still +noted the horrible oozing of Pluto's blood from a thousand +wounds. + +"It is over. I go to my fate. Tell her this. With her +departure, what hope in Hades dwelt no longer lingers. And tell +her, that in my own way, I loved and love her still." + +He turns. + +With a dignity born of valor he wades into the dark waters, +marches stolidly into the ravenous waters that swirl and froth +and tear at his body. Their waves lap ever higher until, +silently, he disappears beneath the surface, into their clouded +depths. + +And, though he were a denizen of Hell, one could but think, +'True love deserves better.' + +Quickly Demo turned to the maiden. In those few moment her +breathing once more has ceased. Loosing her bodice he turns her +over, lets the dank water seep from her lips. + +Almost he gives up hope. And then she once more stirs, moans. + +She moves, half sat, wide-eyed. Gently he holds her hand. + +She looks wildly around. + +"Where is he? Is he gone?" + + + +He told her of Pluto's last words, of how Pluto died - evil, +misshapen, cast out from the heavens. Of how he knowingly cast +himself into the deadly waters of the Tarn of Eternity for her +sake. + +Hated by all. Destroyed, though, not by any of these, not by +the power of his enemies. Destroyed by the one small touch of +goodness left in him, the ability to love. + +Bemused she looked at the now placid surface of the tarn. + +Pensively she gazed at the quiet, dark waters. And though she +is silent he noted the quiet tears upon her cheeks. Then she +rose slowly, walked to the water's edge, and reached out to a +green weed growing there. + +"Mother, grant me beauty." She whispered the words. + +And as she touched the plant a white flower bloomed, fell into +her outstretched hand. + +"As you have died for love, oh Pluto, I pity you. And though +you will be remembered for the evil of your ways, and as master +of the infernal regions, one consolation you shall have." + +She tossed the flower with its large white petals out on the +now still waters. + +"When the water lilies bloom, you shall be remembered, not for +your vices, but for your one saving grace. + +"You will be remembered for this, that you gave up eternity to +save the one you loved." She paused, a sob in her voice. + +"Rest well, Oh Prince of Darkness." + + A tear trickled down her cheek, and her voice was tremulous. + +Even as she spoke the face of the pond rippled, and the white +beauty of the water lilies spread. Quickly they carpeted the +waters along the shore. Gently rocking with the ebb and flow of +the ripples they spread their beauty ever farther. + +She sat by the quiet waters, stared vacant-eyed toward its +farther shore. Turning, she glanced at Demo. + +"I remember, when I was a little girl, a poem. It was of a +brave warrior, and the woman he loved." + +She spoke the stanzas, not to him; softly to herself. Her +voice, partially choked by emotion, blended with the soft wind +and the rippling waves of the tarn. + + + +"For love of maiden fair, + +"He walks untrodden ways, + +"And fights with dragons in the air, + +"And evil ogres he slays. + + + +"For love of maiden fair, + +"He sailed on unknown seas, + +"And dared the demon in his lair. + +" 'Mongst haunted, ghostly trees. + + + +"For love of maiden fair, + +"He lay him down to die, + +"And asked a token only there, + +"A teardrop from her eye. + + + +"For love of gallant youth, + +"More than a tear she gave, + +"She would not live with constant ruth - + +"Slept by him in his grave." + + + +"There will be no poem for him!" + +As she spoke a break occurred in her voice, and a sadness. +Perhaps she had not loved Pluto, but surely she had pitied him. + +"He was ugly, hated, feared. I, who knew him best, held him in +awe. And yet, for all his faults, he was gentle. Though master +of that dark domain, he wept for those within. Though he had +power, he had not the power to set them free. + +"He loved me. A strange love, perhaps. When I returned for that +brief moment to my mother, he wept. And when I returned to him +once more, his face was radiant. + +"Did I love him?" + +She was silent. Yet, tears flowed from her eyes. + +"Love? What is Love?" + +She walked restlessly by the tarn, breathed deeply. + + "Mother, I would rest. Take me home." She sobbed. + +Demo listened silently, head bowed. Though a tragedy had now +ended, still there was tragedy. How strange indeed this life, +where evil destroyed did not bring happiness. Where maiden +rescued did not bring joy. Where task performed did not bring +triumph. + +He picked up the broken sword, gazed at it musingly. With a +half smile he shook his head, tossed it aside. + +Finally he turned to comfort her, but she was gone. Where she +had stood a rose bush grew. Its single blossom, one deep red +rose, hung low in sorrow. A vagrant wave gently kissed its soft +petals. + +With a sigh Demo turned to climb again the mountain. Above its +peaks a lone white cloud drifted. Sun's rays lit the tree tops. + +The final task was done. + + + +"Rough, you've come back . . . , alone! Oh, and you're hurt." +She dropped to her knees beside the dog, felt of his legs, ribs. +"At least there aren't any bones broken." + +She stood up, thinking. + +"You wouldn't have deserted him if he were in danger. I'm sure +of that. So he sent you home. I only wish I knew that he is +safe. Well, come, boy, I have some food for you." + +She patted the dog, took him inside. After feeding him she +stood in the open door. + +A tear formed in her eye, and she wiped it away. + +"Athena, if you truly love him, protect him." + + + +24. Finale + +The flutter of wings broke the silence, and she was there +beside him. Athena! She reached out her hand, and he held it. +This time neither Zeus nor Pluto intervened. In moments they +were flying upward, ever upward, to far off Olympus. + +He glanced back to the tarn below. The water lilies had covered +its surface. The waves lapped gently at the sandy shore, washed +tenderly the wild rose. + +A few red petals fell softly into the quiet waters, mingled +with the white waterlilies floating there. + + + + +Worldwide Book Rights +(C) 1995 Frank Tymon + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tarn of Eternity, by Frank Tymon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TARN OF ETERNITY *** + +***** This file should be named 822-8.txt or 822-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/2/822/ + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +** This is a COPYRIGHTED Project Gutenberg eBook, Details Below ** +** Please follow the copyright guidelines in this file. ** + +Title: The Tarn of Eternity + +Author: Frank Tymon + +Posting Date: April 14, 2013 [EBook #822] +Release Date: February, 1997 +First Posted: February 28, 1997 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TARN OF ETERNITY *** + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Worldwide Book Rights +(C) 1995 Frank Tymon + + + + +THE TARN OF ETERNITY + +(Previous title, "When the Water Lilies Bloom") + +by Frank Tymon + + + + + +The Garden of Persephone + +Dry and sere it lies. Where once beauty bloomed, weeds and +briars grow, as grow untrimmed bushes once flowering plants. + +They flower not. + +Paths meander through the drear landscape. In earlier time +lovingly attended, now lie they under gray dust and blowing +brown leaves. All paths, in good time, led to the garden gate, +its posterns now long whitened by blowing wind and sand. + +Dry ditches, ground cracked, dust and sand stretch from the +broken gate. The gate, the fence - fallen, twisted, even as the +garden. + +By day the sun burns harshly the once green grass. By night the +chill of winter coats each plant with killing frost. Gusting +winds tear and rip where once soft zephyrs blew. + +In bygone days bloomed here red roses, and pink carnations. The +lilacs' fragrance, the soft beauty of the violets, the +brilliant yellow of the sunflower graced long ago this garden. + +The bees hummed contentedly, and butterflies floated from +flower to flower. Gentle rains caressed the brilliant blossoms, +the verdant leaves. Dewdrops glistened on green leaf at +morningtide. + +Of evening, sang the nightingales. By day, birdsong and happy +bird chatter filled the air. In vibrant colors warblers and +finches courted here, and yellow canaries darted from tree to +tree. Flying jewels, the hummingbirds, decorated the flower +gardens. + +Always blue skies above, and soft caress of the warm sun. At +times, white clouds drifted softly, released the gentle rain. +The flowers opened wide, washed their bright faces in the +crystal drops. The falling moisture fed the myriad streams, and +cooled the noontime air. + +Rivulets flowed with delicate tinkling sound amidst the +flowers. In the clear waters darted fish of brilliant hue, red +and gold. Here grew the waterflowers along the bank, and +watercress. + +A pond there was, cool water where swam the ducks and wild +geese. From time to time awkward goslings there swam, and +ofttimes the graceful swan. + +Growing there, also, the pure white beauty of the waterlilies. +Their beauty hid a message of foreboding. A message, by the +Gods' grace, that Persephone could not read. + +Here dwelt peace and tranquillity, rest from toil, relief from +care. + +Here walked, with gentle grace of fawn, Persephone in happier +days. The beauty of the flowers faded in comparison to her +beauty. Bright eyed, smooth skinned, lips the color and softness +of the rose petals she added beauty to the already beautiful. +The happy chatter of the birds was lost in the happy laughter of +this child. Here she tended her flowers with loving care, +dreamed the dreams of youth - and blissfully knew nought of the +trials to come. + +Bird music filled the air, each performer more talented than +the other. Nature painted the garden with hues beyond man's ken. +Persephone danced in joy beneath the warm sun, sang with the +birds. + +Ceres watched with happy smile, her daughter. + +Yet felt the chill of premonition. + +Such was the Garden of Persephone. + +And that, long since. + + + +The Garden of Pluto + +Darkness! + +Not the gentle poetic darkness of a summer evening, softly +hiding the courting rites of youth, bringing peace and rest to +a tired world. Nor the friendly shadow one finds in the depth of +quiet forest, sheltered from the noonday sun. + +The darkness of Hades has nought in common with these. + +Clasp your hands before your eyes, pressing close against your +lids. Open wide your eyes and try to see. Feel the absolute +darkness pressing in upon you! + +This the darkness of Hades. A darkness that presses on your +very eyes. And more! A darkness that envelopes mind and soul! An +unending and solid darkness, not of this world. + +This is the darkness of Hades! This is the darkness of the +damned! + +In Pluto's garden, earth's flowers do not grow. Yet grow there +plants. + +Strange, distorted semblances of earthly growth, they twist and +writhe. They search for a non-existent sun, thirst for never +falling water. The roses thorns have, yet have they not the +blossoms. + +Yet is there beauty. + +The mystic asphodel here grows. With blossoms seen, now unseen, +hues rainbow inspired. Waxlike and translucent they grow in +abundance in this, the abode of the dead. They bloom in the deep +night of Hades, their aroma rousing hopeless hope, and forlorn +memories. The fragrance clashes with the evil ambiance of +eternal misery. Trampled 'neath the hooves of Pluto's chargers, +yet they ever rise again. Their strange beauty carpets the +pastures of Hades. Their gentle perfume permeates the fields and +streams of hell. + +In Persephone's garden do gentle streams trickle. + +Not so in Hades. + +Here flows the Styx, the River of Hate, nine times round the +infernal region, dark waters flooded with ancient mysteries. The +Acheron, the Mother of Sorrows, carrying in its stream the woes +of all mankind, merges with the darker waters of the Cocytus, +land of the doomed wanderer. Here even the waves and ripples cry +out, and none but Charon dare the fearsome tide. + +Phlegethon flows here. Cooling water, water to assuage one's +thirst, to cool one's brow? + +No! + +Fire! Liquid fire! With consistency of molten lava the glowing +red stream burns all within its path. + +And here also Lethe. The one good gift in all of Hades. A +draught from the stream cleanses the mind of all remembrances. +The evil acts, regretted, are no more. The rare acts of +kindness, bright gems in memory, fade. What was, what might have +been, washed away by this one blessed draught. Even, 'tis said, +gentle Lethean dews bring blessed forgetfulness, release from +love lost, sin committed. + +The mighty rivers flow, and in the depth of Hades merge into a +thunderous stream. Dense dark fog rises from that surface, more +black than gray, then fades to rise again. Here, midst meadows +of asphodels, the monstrous stream surges and pounds in a huge +moat, guardian to the great castle. + +A moat deep and broad, home of fabled creatures, forbidding and +dark. From its surface exudes pestilential odors, and a drop of +malignant liquid from its depths, extracted from time to time, +spreads all repugnant ills upon the world. The misery of +cholera, the evil plague, unnamed and unknown diseases are its +behest to mankind. + +That castle, the centerpiece of the Garden of Pluto, rises high +and majestic upon the far shore beyond the turbulent moat. Its +design, a strange and fascinating beauty, both attracts and +repels. Turrets rise - and yet they waver in one's vision, fade, +and rise again. From windows shine light of fire within, +replaced at times by grotesque shadows on the panes. + +The walls of purest white as though purity dwelt therein. A +drawbridge, extending well above the angry waters below. Huge +chains, cold and foreboding, wait patiently to lift its massive +weight. A door, broad and tall, dark, blocks rather than +welcomes the visitor. Above that door gargoyles of weird design +look down. Living, or hewn from stone, they cast a spell of evil +on all who pass this portal. + +Within the guests of Pluto enjoy the viands from the far +reaches of earth. Wines to challenge even the nectar of +Olympus. Their bouquet ethereal and light, they entice and +capture. Food both delicate and strong. Strong meaty tastes, and +gentle taste of dainty herbs. Spices, strange and delicate +fruits. Music and song and dance, with cymbals, and stringed +instruments, and drums. With singers whose beauty rivals the +beauty of their song. And dancers nimble as wild goat, smooth +and gracious as swan. All these and more - for Pluto has on call +the most brilliant of entertainers. + +Poets read their masterpieces, novelists theirs. Artists +display their paintings, statues. Musicians play with infinite +skill. Nothing is lacking, for all are on call in this kingdom. +Every art is represented here. Brilliance is not rare. Nor is +beauty. + +Conversation is gay and never ending. Humor of all sorts is +heard. Skits are performed to thunderous applause. Joy and good +cheer abound. Laughter fills the halls again and again. + +The dances are spirited, with happy couples moving in perfect +timing with the music of world famous bands. + +Pluto looks on the festivities, notes when interest fades, +introduces new diversions, keeps the activity ever moving, ever +exciting. + +Yet with his best efforts, at times, the sound of revelry +fades. From out the walls, from beyond the moat, the moans and +lamentations, screams of never-ending pain, weeping. Misery lies +without. And all the charades within the castle walls cannot +disguise that this is, indeed, the abode of the damned. Always, +like a blanket of gloom, reality envelopes that great castle. + +And finally, in the early morning hours, the guests are +spirited back to their earthly abodes. The musicians put away +their instruments, the entertainers retreat to their dressing +rooms, the great hall is cleaned, and all who have catered the +festivities return once more to their fated punishment. + +Only Pluto remains, seated, dour and melancholy, on the great +throne. + +No bright and lilting music, no gay conversation, no happy +laughter masks the lamentations from without. + +The party is over! + +This is the Garden of Pluto. + + + +The Garden of Persephone, unattended, lies in waste. + +The Garden of Pluto endures, tended by slaves who dream of +emancipation - and labor eternally. + +The Garden of Pluto endures - today, tomorrow, forever! + +1. Beginning + +"Demo, Listen!" Petulant anger was in her voice. + +"He's chasing the chickens again! You really must do something +about that dog. Hurry, now, before he catches one." His mother's +usually calm mien had disappeared. She had raised a fine flock +of chickens and was proud of every one. To her chagrin, Rough +had acquired a taste for chickens. + +"Rough, leave them be! Come here!" + +The dog at first wagged its tail, then let it droop between its +legs as it noted the tone of voice. Slowly it approached, its +head hung low, expectant of punishment. + +"Rough, I am the greatest hunter in the village. No, I am the +greatest hunter in the whole of Greece. None but I can draw this +bow. None but I can hit the mark, time after time. None can +shoot an arrow for such a distance!" + +His mother smiled. Only 17, yet with the assurance of youth, he +boasted of his skill. Well might he do so. For years his bow and +arrows had fed them well. Today he would foray in search of +deer. + +"And you! All you can hunt is chickens! Well, you are growing. +Soon I'll take you with me on the hunt. And we'll hunt deer, and +bear, and . . . Well, anyway, not chickens. You hear me, pup?" +Demo rubbed its head with both hands, patted the animal. + +Rough licked his palm, followed him into the house, tail +wagging. + +"Lucky for you, dog, that you didn't catch that rooster. He'd +of flogged you good with his beak and spurs. Now, Demo, you +watch him. I wont have my chickens killed by the likes of that +mutt." Demo's mother growled in fake anger while surreptitiously +feeding Rough some scraps. + +A beautiful dog, with long light brown fur covering his body, +except for a breast of pure white, his looks belied his name. A +handsome head, intelligent eyes, and an attitude of careful +interest placated his master and mistress. + +Rough lay down quietly, gazing from one to the other. + +"Yes, you are a skilled hunter. I will make ready to cook +venison, for you never return empty-handed. You wont return +empty handed, right?" She smiled. + +She stood, stepped to his side, and hugged him for a moment. +Her face mirrored pride as she felt his strong arms around her. + +He had been a sickly child. But the Gods had been kind. With +the help of a skilled nursemaid, with good food and work and +play, he had recovered. Now a young man, tall and stalwart, +tanned by the sun he displayed none of the weaknesses of yore. +She was pleased. + +His brown eyes, dark hair, and handsome visage were no less +pleasant to her. Soon he would be looking for a mate from the +village maidens. In her mind she had already made a selection. +She glanced at him, smiled. + +Her thoughts pursued for a moment that theme. I must invite +Theresa to dine with us. Yes, they would make a handsome pair. + +His face reddened at her compliment, and he laughed in +pleasure. + +"You shall not be disappointed, Mother." + +"No, nor would I ever be. Ah, were your Father Celeus still +living. How proud he would be!" + +She filled his pouch with provender for the hunt. Cheese, and +fruit, and warm bread she had baked that day. The smell of the +warm bread and the sweet spread that coated it, the oranges, +made all look eagerly to the meal ahead. + +As she tended his meal, frying venison, he took more warm +bread from the table, shared it with Rough, and grinned as his +mother turned to catch them. + +"Demophoon! Shame! Without even asking! Do you like it? Is it +good?" + +"Mother, your bread is better than another's cake. Isn't it +Rough?" + +Rough barked with mention of his name. + + + +Watching him with both amusement and pride as he stalked into +the bordering forest, his mother Metaneira noted the approaching +storm cloud. She frowned. + +With all his strength and courage he was still but a boy. +Hopefully he will find a dry cave to shelter in. The rains will +be heavy, the winds strong. + +Even in the best of weather she felt concern when he went on +his sojourns. Too many hunters had gone out, not to return. The +Gods of the Forest did not take kindly to wanderers. And they +protected their own. + +A chill ran along her back, and she shivered. + +"Rough, I shall be glad when you can go with him. He may well +need your aid one day." + +She did not realize how prophetic were her words. + + + +Leaving their home he strode rapidly through the open forest of +oak trees. Soon the land began to rise. He climbed the high +mountains, their peaks glistening in the sun. The oak trees +gradually thinned, and pines began to take their place. And at +the higher reaches even the pines gave way to scrubbrush and +weeds. Sunlight was beginning to disappear as he climbed, and he +noted the dark thunderclouds, forming in the north. There shall +be weather by nightfall, he thought. + +"The deer will sense it. They will be searching for shelter. +And I know the grove where they will congregate, waiting for the +storm to pass." He voiced the words even as they came to mind. + +It was a habit formed of living a lonely life. Since he had +none to talk to on his frequent excursions, he talked softly to +himself. + +At times he argued with himself - now supporting a position; +now, opposing it. Such mental contests amused him, sharpened his +wits, or so he led himself to believe. + +"They will drift down to the little valley on yonder hillside. +I can be there by set of sun, or perhaps travel under moonlight, +and our larder will be well-stocked tomorrow." + +Today he didn't argue with himself. It was a good plan. He +began the climb to the mountain valley. + +Few paths led into the mountains. Torturous and narrow they +quickly petered out into animal trails or ended abruptly without +cause. Man left the mountains to Gods of the forest. Only the +bravest hunters dared their heights. + +It did not concern him. This was his world, and he climbed +steadily, finding passage where others might turn back. + +The lower reaches of the foothills were rolling and the climb +was gradual. Here grew giant trees, broadleafed under the summer +sun, bare in the cold of winter. Nevertheless, here game was +rare, as man dwelled nigh. + +As he passed the foothills the terrain became increasingly +rougher. From time to time a vertical wall of stone blocked his +way, and he detoured on twisting paths among boulders as tall as +himself. Sometimes, when no path existed for his progress, he +carefully and slowly climbed the rugged precipice. + +"Ah, " he smiled, "would I could fly." He gazed upward, noted +dangerous routes, continued his climb. Panting from his efforts +he progressed ever upward, soon reaching levels where only the +evergreens grew. And as he went upward still, even these grew +more rarely, and more diminutive in form. A few, twisted and +gnarled, hung tenaciously to the near barren earth, their forms +bowed in submission to the power of the wind. + +As he leaped from boulder to boulder one twisted beneath his +foot. The motion of the stone threw him to the side of the +trail, to the outer edge of the pathway. Loose dirt and gravels +rattled downward, bounced from jutting ledges, disappearing into +the fog that hid the rock-strewn surface at the cliff's base. + +With the agility of youth he caught his balance, danced to a +more solid footing. For a moment he sat down, grinned at the +incident as he gazed over the edge of the precipice that might +have welcomed him. He picked up a pebble, tossed it over the +rim, watched and listened as it careened downward from ledge to +ledge. He shook his head. + +"Could have been me." + +He grinned, tossed another pebble. It rattled down the +surfaced, bounced outward. + +"No, no way, not me." + +He leaned back for a moment, relaxed in the warming rays of the +sun, filtered at times by the gathering clouds. + +He rubbed his ankle, winced at the pain. "Well, not broken. I +think I'll cut a staff. Too bad. May slow me." + +Even as he fashioned the staff his thoughts wandered. He +thought the deep, deep thoughts of youth. The concerns for +tomorrow. His search for a goal beyond the hunting and fishing +of his daily life. His companions had gone diverse ways. Some +were now merchants, others farmers, a few followed the sea. Some +very few had disappeared into the wilds, destined to join outlaw +bands. Perhaps he should become, as his Father, a farmer. + +To plow the fields, plant, and watch the harvest grow. Marry +and raise a family. + +"Mother would like that. She would favor Theresa. And I do like +her. " + +He put his weight on the staff, walked back and forth. The +ankle was swollen, ached, but he would manage. + +His thoughts once more returned to the future. Married, a home +of his own? It was not unappealing. Ah, but he could not forsake +the mountains, give up the hunt! Anyway, there was time enough. + +"There is tomorrow, and many tomorrows to come. Time enough." + +High above a flock of wild geese flew, their path southward +toward the sea. Clouds, winddriven, chased them across the +darkening sky. In the distance lightning flashed between dark +cumulus clouds. Quickly the rumble of thunder followed. He felt +the cool breeze ruffling his hair, heard its whisper in his ear. +Another burst of thunder. "Close, very close." he murmured. +"Best I be moving on. Still, the wind is shifting. Perhaps it +will pass by." + + + +Above the whisper of windrustled leaves he heard a different +noise, the soft pad of footsteps approaching. He frowned. By the +sound he knew them to be human, and likely two people. But who +would be traveling here at this time, with the impending storm? + +Rising, Demo slipped silently into the bordering underbrush, +moved to the meager shelter of a gnarled pine. He lay flat at +its base, obscured by its trunk from any curious eyes that might +gaze from the pathway. + +Tales passed by word of mouth of robber bands, brigands who +made their home in the forests. Furtive, deadly, they survived +by waylaying unwary travelers. Perhaps exaggerated tales, but +few honest men dared the high mountains! + +He waited, eyes wide, controlling breathe and movement. + + + +"I tell you, I saw the boy. He was young, scampered up the +slopes like a mountain goat. And he carried a pouch. There could +be gold. At least he should have food, and our larder is nearly +empty." + +The speaker and his comrade came into sight at the mouth of a +dark ravine. + +"Maybe a kid out on a hunt. Or maybe a trick. He could be here +looking for us, with a band ready to follow. They were peaceful +enough in the village when we took only a few coins and needed +food. It's when you killed that tradesman all changed. Now they +are afraid, and they are hunting desperately for us." + +"True. Anyway, it was dispatch him or be taken prisoner. And I +say we do the same with this one. I say we find this lad, open +his gullet, take his pouch and toss him off yonder crag. This is +our territory, and we want no trespassers!" He grinned, pleased +at the thought. + +The speaker was medium height, burly, and his face wore an +angry scowl. His companion was taller. The shorter man was +plainly the leader, and the tall one listened more than talked. + +"He had a bow." + +"We come up behind him, end it quickly. His bow is of no +consequence." + +"Say, look here. Something's happened here. Look at the stones, +and the footprints." + +They knelt where Demo had nearly taken a fall, examined the +disturbed stones, and the surrounding ground. + +"You're right, someone has been here. And it looks like they've +decided to stay - down there." The tall man pointed over the +brink of the escarpment toward the valley floor. + +"The path ends here, and that's a fact. Well, if he went over +at this point he's a goner. Too bad. Wonder what he had in that +pouch?" + +They glanced cautiously out over the edge of the precipice. The +short man suddenly gave the tall one a half shove. + +"You idiot! What if I'd slipped. I'll rap you on that thick +skull if you do a fool thing like that again!" + +The shorter one grinned. "Ah, it was just in fun. I'd not send +you over." + +"No, not unless you were for taking all the coins for yourself. +Just keep your distance. Maybe you saw nothing at all, just +wanted to get me out here where it'd be easy. No, Rooster, I +trust you not at all." + +The burly man pulled a dagger from his belt, still grinning. +"You think too much, friend Peter. Nevertheless, I like it! It +is an excellent idea!" + +The blade darted out! Missed! + +The Peter stepped back quickly, slipped, fell sideward, slid +toward the cliff! + +He grabbed the ankle of his companion. The Rooster kicked his +face! Blood spurted from a broken nose, covered the sandled +foot! Rooster pulled and jerked, trying to free his leg, but +Peter held on doggedly. + +"Damn you." Peter spat at his attacker. He grabbed a rock, rose +to his knees, still grasping Rooster's ankle. His opponent +pulled away, his eyes on the rock. Red blood flowed from Peter's +torn skin and swollen nose. Peter lashed out desperately with +the rock, crashing it against his companion's knee. + +"Damn you, you've broken my leg!" Rooster cursed, slashed at +Peter's rock hand as both slid toward the waiting cliff. + +Dropping the rock Peter, too, drew a knife, slashed at +Rooster's leg. + +A boulder interrupted their slide. They both struggled to their +feet. + +"I'll see you in hell," Rooster thrust once more with his +weapon. + +The blade sliced through flesh, hit bone. Peter, wounded in the +left side, gasped, staggered backward. + +With a grimace his burly assailant suddenly rushed forward, +slashing wildly. + +Peter, leaping sideward, felt the stones rolling beneath his +feet. + +Ground gave way, and he screamed. At the same moment he grabbed +the Rooster's arm, yanked him forward. + +For a moment they staggered on the edge of the precipice. + +It ended quickly! + +Even as they fought the ground quivered beneath their feet! +Then, with a low rumbling, the ledge on which they fought began +to slide. White-faced they dropped their weapons, scrambled to +reach a firm foothold. + +It was to no avail! + +Their frightened screams mingled with the growing roar of the +falling boulders, lasted only seconds. Demo lay still, unable to +rise. The screams had ceased. Now nothing else was heard save +the rattle of falling stones. Dust rose from the cliffs edge, +quickly blew away by a vagrant breeze. + +Demo lay still. It had happened so quickly! + +They had stood on the trail, talking, friends it seemed. And in +moments they had turned on one another, fought! And now - they +were gone. + +Dead! + +He shuddered. + +"Ah, how my heart is beating!" He stood up. "Dead, and in but a +few heartbeats of time!" He leaned on his staff, took a deep +breath. "And that's what they would have done to me!" + +He moved gingerly from his retreat. + +He listened carefully. + +"There are no more of them . . . ?" He glanced fearfully toward +the ravine from which they had emerged. + +There was only silence. + +Slowly Demo edged up to the brink of the precipice, slowly +peered downward. + +Nothing could be seen save a few scattered boulders and a few +dark patches lying ominously quiet. + + + +He turned now downward, turned his back on the lonely +desolation of the higher peaks. His thoughts remained with the +scene that had just occurred. + +Long he had heard of brigands and outlaws in the high +mountains. In appearance these had looked no different than his +neighbors in the valley. Yet they had destroyed each other in +acts of senseless violence. + +"May the Gods keep me! What strange mad creatures we humans +are!" he whispered to himself. He paused, leaned against the +bole of a tree. He felt nauseated, weak. They were not old, +certainly younger than his Mother. And now, snuffed out, gone. +He sat down, his back against the tree. + +It could have just as easily been me. He took a deep breath. It +was me they wanted. And they would have killed me just as +quickly. A shiver ran through his body. + +"Is life so very cheap?" He looked at his hands, held them in +front of his face. "It can end so quickly. " + +He had never thought about it. Never given death even a second +thought. But now it would not leave his mind. A quick slash with +a knife, a blow to the head, a fell from a crag. And it is over. + +The only death he had ever know was that of his Father. And he +had been quite young. It had been lonesome without him, sad. +But he had not understood how very final it was. He had always +thought, in a childish way, that his Father would return. +Perhaps, strangely, even 'til now. + +He hadn't thought of his Father for a long while. He knew not +why, but tears welled from his eyes. For a few moments he sat +beneath the tree, sobbing. Now I begin to understand. How +strange, after all these years. And yet he had always missed his +Father. But he had never cried before. He shook his head. + +His Mother had cried. He remembered, at night, listening to her +sobs. He had walked to her bed, hugged her, and she kissed him. +But he had not really understood. Now he did. How very strange. +How insensitive we are, unknowingly. + +Biting his lip he rose, glanced back toward the escarpment. +With an effort he brought his thoughts once more to the hunt. +Did the deer ever think of death? Was the buck fearful, +constantly watchful for the hunter? How very strange the world! + +He began his descent, wide-eyed and watchful. There could be +others around any tree, any boulder! + +His concern was not warranted, for he met neither brigands nor +wild beast. The mountain slopes were silent. As though the men +had never existed, had never disturbed the peace and calm of the +placid heights. + +The valley he sought lay far below, tree encompassed. The +downward path would be easier. Even now he walked mid patches of +green grass and verdant bushes. Wild flowers bloomed, occasional +berry bushes provided sustenance, and he ate, then stopped. + +Here he was eating, enjoying the mountains bounty! And they! +Lying dead, who had but moments before lived and breathed as did +he. How short the distance between survival and abundance. He +thought again of the scene he had watched. + +The thought continued to shock him. His thoughts were more +often on material things, on stalking the deer, catching the +fish from the streams. He shook his head, driving away dismal +thoughts as he lengthened his stride toward the distant valley. + +"Well, I must be careful. Mother was right. There are brigands +about. My, that ankle does ache. But I promised Mother venison." +He leaned on the staff to lessen the pain. + +The high mountains beckoned with promise of game. Above the +domain of man the deer browsed. At times threatened by wolf or +the mountain lions, they flourished still. To the hunter who +dared these slopes a day without success was rare. + +The storm clouds were nearing rapidly. The air preceding their +arrival was beginning to cool. The odor of rain wafted ahead of +the storm. And the odor of ozone, accompanying the frequent +lightning flashes. Drifting downward from the peaks, dark +thunderclouds forewarned of imminent danger. Long rumbles of +thunder followed the frequent flash of lightning. And the wind +blew continuously, a mournful sound at times steady, but more +frequently gusting in sudden fury. The trees swayed wildly under +the ministrations of Aeolus. + +The deer, driven by the storm, drifted more rapidly toward the +valley for shelter. They were small, at times indistinguishable +because of the distance. Still could he make out, or so +imagined, antlered bucks among them. The best of these would +fall to his arrow. In spite of the weather he would indeed be +there by sundown. It would be a good hunt. In his mind he could +smell the cooking venison. + + + +Ceres watched her world with happy smiles. Soft rains nurtured +the crops, and harvests would be bountiful. Bees from flower to +flower flew, humming as they went their industrious way. Grain +grew tall, and every tree limb bent low, weighted with its +fruit. Grapes were bounteous, green grapes and blue, others +purple and red. + +Ceres watched with jealous heart. Every seed to her was sacred. +If but one failed to put forth its plant she fretted. If several +slept lazily under the fertile soil her lips tightened in +concern. A limb that bore no fruit, a plant that failed to +flower - all drew from her the like concern. + +Yet she was happy, for though man must toil to reap, his +rewards were plentiful. The grapes, swollen purple, ready to +burst with sweetness, soon would go to press. Bacchus would +receive his devotees, frolicking, carousing, and celebrating +joyful times. For the people were thankful for the wealth of +food their land produced, and gave thanks through their +celebrations. + +Ceres watched her daughter playing amidst the flowers of their +garden. Winsome and gay and ever active she darted among the +plants, now chasing a colored butterfly; now dancing with a +flirting breeze. + +Soon her education must begin. The ways of the wind, of the +storm gods, and of Earth herself must she learn. The many +plants, their names and their fruit, were to be learned. When +and where to sow, how deep the seed to plant. Harvesting, and +storing the harvest, were skills she must have. Preparing the +foods to satisfy the taste and body - so many wonderful and +exciting secrets of the world! + +But, for now, let her play. Her curiosity would teach her much. +Observant, Persephone noted each subtle change in plant and in +the land. Inquisitive, she asked of Ceres question after +question, probing to find how and why and what of each event, +each object. + +Ceres watched with pride her lovely child. + +And wondered at the dark sense of foreboding that would not +leave her mind. + + + +Brooding, his eyes half closed, Pluto sat on his sumptuous +throne. Ornate with jewels - diamonds and rubies, sapphires and +amethyst, green jade and blue turquoise - it held the treasures +of the world. Decorated with filigree of silver and gold, it +dominated the room. Or would have, were it not for its occupant. + +Zeus and Poseidon, his brothers, were heroic figures before man +and Gods. Strong, handsome, powerful - they were admired, +worshipped. + +Not so, Pluto. + +Face and form hideous to behold he ruled the nether world. Not +admiration, nor worship were his. Rather, fear! + +His appearance aroused it. He stood huge over the poor +supplicants who pleaded for release from this, the eternal +prison. A skin of leathery hue, plated in metallic scales that +gleamed in light of candle. Misshapen form, twisted, broken. A +face of ghastly white, lined with deep marks that twisted with +his thoughts, pitted with pock marks. He projected fear and +evil. His kingdom reinforced it. The tales and rumors that +spread among men, and even on high Olympus, did little to +dissipate that fear. + +Only his eyes, often hidden by lowered lids, belied his +appearance. For they reflected the pity and compassion in his +soul. + +At his invitation the great castle filled with revelers. Yet, +in their presence or alone, Pluto had no feeling of belonging. +His was a lonely world, a world apart. + +Companionship, friendship, understanding - these were denied +him. + +And, also, love. + +Pluto brooded. + +2. The White Owl + +Demo suddenly heard thrashing, mixed with the distress call of +a bird. Rounding a bend in the mountain trail he quickly +stopped. Before him was a scene of impending tragedy. + +An owl, beautiful, with white feathers, struggled. Enmeshed in +a clever trap it was unable to break free. A cunning net had +extended above the narrow ravine, and the bird had triggered an +ingenious mechanism that released the net. Its wings threshed +uselessly as it tumbled on the rocky ground. + +And creeping ever closer, a fox. Its eyes gleamed in +anticipation. Saliva dripped from its open mouth. The sun's rays +reflected from the glistening fangs. Brown and white matted fur +clung tightly to its body. Gaunt and hungry, its every muscle +tensed, it waited eagerly for the right moment to strike. + +It crouched to spring, inched closer to its prey. + +"No you don't." Demo whispered the words. Laying aside the +staff, smoothly, with hardly a thought, Demo drew an arrow from +its pouch. Notching it to the string he drew the bow. + +Even as he did so the fox sprang, jaws open wide. + +With a whistle the arrow flew through the air! + +The fox, startled, twisted to avoid the danger. + +Too late! + +The arrow struck him at the peak of his leap. It struck high on +his haunch, cut deep into the upper leg. The arrow's force +knocked the animal sideward, and he fell short of his victim. + +Even as the fox fell the world burst asunder in a thunderclap +of sound. The force of a sudden wind drove Demo to his knee, +almost stunned. + +He froze in that position, starred in consternation at the +scene in front of him. + +Where the fox had fallen an imp stands, looking at him in +anger. It's hand pulls dagger from sheath. The long twisted +blade is raised threateningly. Demo takes another arrow from the +quiver. + +A louder blast of thunder feels the air and the imp looks up in +fear. With another glance of hate he dashes away into the bushes. + +But Demo's eyes are focused on another, and the imp is not now +the center of Demo's attention. The cynosure of his gaze is the +beautiful white owl. For the beautiful white owl is now more +beautiful still. + +Standing free from the trap is the princess of the forest +nymphs. She has shed the white feathers of the owl and stands +before him in innocent beauty. She smiles as his face reddens, +then steps behind some obscuring bushes. + +"What, what is it . . . !" he stammered. + +Dazed, Demo backed away. "This is unreal. It can not be +happening. Imps, and Goddesses - these are but stories. Where am +I? This is not the world I know. Who am I that I meet with imps +and Goddesses. Enough that this day I have seen death. " He +mouthed the words, but no sound came. + +He closed his eyes, opened them. + +She did not go away. + +"You have saved me from the minions of Pluto, the God of +Hades. And for that you shall be rewarded. I shall take you as +my husband, and you shall live with me forever. We will dwell +among the Gods, and you shall ever be my protector." + +The lilting beauty of her voice entranced him. It caressed him +as the gentle notes of a favorite song. Bewitched, he ignored +the content of her words, merely listened to tone of her voice.. + +"Come with me. I am Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. We must tell +Zeus. There will be great rejoicing on Olympus. Zeus feared I +should never find a suitable husband! Yet, here you are!" + +She reached out for his hand. They never touched, for then, +twice in this one day, a mysterious force intervened. Looking +upward he saw great dark clouds boiling. From their depth a +streak of lightning sundered the ground between him and Athena. +Dust and rubble filled the air, and the ground shook beneath his +feet. + +A mighty voice, deep and vibrant, rumbled from the heavens. + +"Mortal, dare you even think to consort with the Gods!" + +For a moment he heard no other sound. He looked up in awe at +the darkened sky. The silence enwrapped him as a shroud. Even +the wind whispered not. + +"On your way! Back to your valley!" + +Lightless, the sky seemed only a black blanket drawn over his +head. The winds once more gusted, tearing angrily at trees and +bushes. The thunder rumbled ominously in preparation for another +lightning strike. + +"Marry for yourself a simple galleymaid. Do not anger the +mighty Zeus! Husband to Athena? Bah!" + +He shrank back in dismay, wide-eyed. + +Though he was silent, Athena bravely replied. "He has saved me +from your evil brother, Pluto. He has risked his life for mine. +He shall be rewarded. Oh mighty Zeus, if you love me, grant this +to me." + +Rumblings reverberated from the walls of the mountain canyon. +Finally they give way to silence. Then, with brief lightning +flashes from cloud to cloud, there is a response. + +"Very well, my dear. Perhaps it shall be as you desire. He's a +brave young man. Striking down a minion of Pluto alone does not, +of itself, make him deserving. Nevertheless, he may indeed join +us on Olympus." + +The voice stopped, the clouds darkened even more. The mountain, +in the midst of day, is black as midnight. + +By the sound alone he knows that Athena again reaches her hand +to him. And again a bolt from the sky separates the two. + +"No! First he must prove himself worthy." The voice once more +thunders. "To win the hand of a Goddess is not an easy chore. +But, if you prove yourself, it shall be as you desire. First, +though, . . .," - and now the voice grew soft and warm with an +assumed kindness. + +"Yes, first you must perform some minor chores. A few little +tasks, perhaps. Yes, that's it! A dozen or so little tasks. +Piddling things, actually. Hmmm, let me give some thought to +this." + +The skies were beginning to lighten. The voice of Zeus had +softened indeed, as had his mood. The clouds were rapidly +dissipating. Blue patches of sky emerged. The dark clouds +dissipated, and small white clouds drifted gently above. + +"Go home! Prepare yourself! And when I call be quick to begin +your sojourn. - Eh, yes, I think minor little chores." + +It almost sounds like Zeus is humming happily to himself. + +The wind whipped the leaves along the pathway, the clouds tore +asunder. And, even as he glanced back to earth, Athena, too, had +departed. + +Nothing remained to reflect the tragedy that might have been. +Nothing remained to reflect the beauty and wonder of Athena. Yet +. . . . + +On the ground, fluttering in the now gentle breeze, a single +memento - a pure white feather. He picked it up gently, +reverently. + +What to do? + +What to do? "This is madness. I am dreaming. Death and imps! +Goddesses and Gods. What has happened today? Can it be real!" He +looked around at the forest, at the sky. All was calm, normal. +Except for one thing. + +In his hand he held a white feather. + +Reluctantly he continued his hunt. There must be food for his +mother and himself. In spite of himself, because of the day's +events, his thoughts strayed. + +He blushed again as he thought of the beautiful Goddess. "Can I +return to my hut, live as a simple hunter, having seen her?" + +"No! As Zeus has spoken, I shall return and await his command. +After all, how difficult can be a few little chores?" + +He thought he saw the imp dancing through the bushes, chortling +in glee. + +Suddenly he tossed away the white feather. Even as it floated +down the side of the mountain he took up his weapons, returned +to the hunt. + +"How foolish can I be," he muttered to himself. "Even if it +were real. I to wed a Goddess! It cannot be!" + + + +Shadows were lengthening, soon night would fall. Nights on the +high mountain are cold and forlorn. Already the sun, hidden by +the storm clouds, neared the horizon. The sky, an angry red, +peaked through rents in the dark clouds. Large drops of rain +pelted him, cold with the hint of hail. + +Yet, swiftly, the body of the storm had swept by. The remaining +clouds drifted high above, each in its solitary domain. The wind +still gusted from time to time, momentarily, then faded. + +Tree leaves fluttered as the evening breeze began its soft +caress. In the eastern sky a single star began to shine. One of +the heaven's wanderers, not unlike himself on the earth below. + +He halted. In the copse ahead a creature moved. Sensing his +presence it froze in position. A tawny hide, revealed +momentarily between the leaves, brought a gleam to Demo's eye. + +A buck! + +Demo notched his arrow, waited silently. + +The antlered head extended above the bushes. The moist nostrils +sniffed the air. Then the buck bounded across the trail. + +The arrow flew, and without glancing at the prey he unstrung +his bow. + +As he moved toward the copse a falling leaf drifted down, +dressed in the yellow-brown of the coming season. His eyes +followed it, then he glanced toward the copse. In astonishment, +he noted that the buck was no where to be seen. Quickly he +rushed forward. Nothing! No buck, and no sign of life! + +"Not possible, not possible that I have missed! Now, where is +the deer," Demo wondered aloud. + +The light glinted on an object. He saw, lying on the forest +floor, that object. An object that caused him to freeze in +place. A beautiful white feather. And beneath it on the ground, +his arrow. Athena will not be rejected! + +Uncertainly he stared from side to side, hesitated. Finally he +picked up the feather, pressed it to his heart. + +"It is the will of the Gods!" + +He returned the arrow to its pouch, rushed through the +darkening forest to the mountain hut far below. + +"I must prepare myself. I must be ready to perform the tasks of +Zeus!" + + + +Olympus is a world far removed from this, our earthly abode. +Its laws are not as our laws, its inhabitants not as those of +earth. Here dwelt, from time to time, the twelve major Gods. +Here ruled Zeus, the ThunderGod. + +It is said the Gods, all powerful, do what they will, act as +they wish, and answer to none. + +Not true! + +Moira, to whose edicts even mighty Zeus must acquiesce, had +long before Olympus' birth assigned duties. Assigned those +duties that ever were to weigh upon the celestial house. Duties +that seemed, to those who bore them, merely whims of their own +devising. + +Zeus, forever to nudge the earth, to keep that sphere spinning +in its little space. Poseidon, ever to keep the busy waters +flowing, mixing, changing. Pluto, to warden the whole of Hades, +dealing out evenhandedly to each of the ferryman's charges that +portion of eternal punishment that each had earned. + +And each lesser God, also duties had. + +Of the Gods only Zeus sensed that strange and ever-present +being, realized that responsibilities had been assigned. He knew +not Fate by name, but knew full well the chores ever to be done. +At times he chafed under their weight, yet always returned to +his given work. Where others might have rebelled Zeus pondered, +understood, and acquiesced. And as these duties were laid on +him, he laid also duties on man. Pride, a strange duty indeed. +Yet each must be proud of himself, of his selfworth. And work he +imposed, for pride comes from work well done. The duty to love, +and to seek love were there. The duty to be gentle, and to be +harsh - and the wisdom to choose the time for each. + +Yes, Zeus tempered duties imposed, with wisdom for their +performance. + + + +When Zeus had looked on Demo he had been troubled. This +earthling would, of course, fail in one or all the tasks to be +imposed. + +And still, within, he felt the might of Moira and knew +misgivings. + +What must lie ahead, not given even for Zeus to foresee? The +plans of man and Gods go astray when Fate's dictates are ignored. + + + +"Theresa, I'm so glad you came by. Perhaps you can stay for +evening meal. Demo should return by nightfall. He's out chasing +deer. I'm sure we'll have venison. Ah, your hair! What have you +done to it! It's so different, and yet so nice. Come in. Rough!" + +She shouted at the dog, who growled low at the visitor, then +approached stiff-legged to sniff at her legs. Satisfied he +wagged his tail, deigned to graciously accept the pats the +visitor bestowed. + +"My, look how you have grown! Let me see, you're 15 now. Do you +know, I was married at 15. Such a silly girl. I knew nothing. +But he was so attentive, so kind. I fell madly in love. Are you +in love, Theresa? Every young girl should fall in love! It is a +wonderful, sad, happy experience! Do sit down." + +"I haven't seen Demo in ages. Is he well? What does he do?" +Theresa paused for a moment, adding "Has he a girl friend?" + +Metaneira smiled. + +"I'm glad you came. Here, let me get some sweetmeats and +drinks. I don't have company often. Girl friend? No, I think +not. He's too wild! What girl would want him! He fishes and +hunts and disappears into the forest for days at a time. Ah, the +poor girl who gets him for a husband!" + +Theresa sat demurely on the proffered chair. Rough lay down +beside her, comfortable that she was no threat to him, or to the +family he protected. + +"Oh, I think he is a fine boy. How old is he now? He seems so +big and strong. And he's handsome. He looks much like his +mother." + +Metaneira accepted with pleasure the compliments for her son. +After all, she herself was sure they were true. + +"No, he is his Father's image. His Father was very handsome. +Very handsome." She was silent for a moment, remembering. + +"So long ago! Theresa, do you like Demo? I think it would be +well for him to find a good woman, to settle down." She looked +searchingly into the girl's eyes. + +Theresa blushed, looked down, then looked at her. + +"I've always liked him. Still, at times he is so young and +childish. He seldom glances at me, or even at any of the girls. +The other boys chase us madly. I could have my choice, you +know!" Her voice suggested that she expected doubt. + +"You stay for supper, dear. My, I like the way you are dressed. +Come here, there are a few changes needed. Trust me." + +She examined the girl carefully. "Turn around, my dear, slowly. +Hmmm, can we tighten it ever so slightly here?" She adjusted the +girl's waistband. + +"And it is so warm. Why not leave this just a bit more open to +the air - that much. No, a little more yet." She loosed +Theresa's bodice slightly, then a bit more, suggesting rather +than exposing the smooth rise of her breasts. + +Theresa, red-faced, looked searchingly at her, then giggled. + +"We're terrible, aren't we. It isn't our fault, since a young +man is so insensitive. Sometimes you must be very forward to +wake them up. Besides, I know he likes you. He's just very shy, +and he truly knows nothing about real life. My, my, I shouldn't +be talking like this. After all, I am his mother. Don't you feel +like a conspirator?" + +They laughed together. + + + +Demo entered the yard, face flushed. Rough barked joyously, +jumped up and down in excitement. He rushed to his master, +leaped up, to receive a happy hug. + +"Mother, I must tell you what happened. I . . . ?" He paused as +both his Mother and Theresa came through the door. + +"Oh, hello, Theresa. Eh, Mother, I'll hang the venison." + +He cut and hung up the meat while the women worked and talked +in the kitchen. Once done he washed up, sat at the oaken table. + +"Theresa is staying for supper. She helped me cook. Isn't that +a lovely dress. Turn around for him Theresa. Isn't she pretty +and slender. My, Theresa, some boy will be carrying you off +before we know it!" + +Theresa twirled, blushing but smiling. Demo blinked, swallowed. +She was a very pretty girl. Yet he could not help but think of +the vision he had seen this day, and compare the two. + +The aroma of cooking meat reminded him of how long since he had +eaten. The meal of venison and vegetables, with sweetbread his +mother cooked, all washed down with wine he finished swiftly. +"How hungry I was, and how good it is! Mother, you are such a +good cook!" + +"I don't know where you can put so much food. Poor woman who +catches you. She'll spend all her time in the kitchen. Well, if +she looks like Theresa, she may spend some time in the bedroom." + +Theresa blushed, glanced under lowered eyes at Demo. + +"Demo, walk her home, will you. The moon is bright tonight, but +I've heard there are brigands about. Besides, I'm sure you could +find no lovelier company." + +They walked slowly beneath the moonlight. Theresa stumbled and +he caught her arm. She leaned close against him, took his hand. +"Thank you. I might have fallen." + +"It's all right," he responded gruffly, moving away. +Nevertheless, he left his hand in hers. + +"Demo, the moon is so beautiful tonight. Almost bright as day. +I love the moonlight. My, you are so tall. And such strong +arms!" she placed her hand around his upper arm, squeezed. + +"It's a good moon for hunting. Fortunately, our larder is full, +at least for now." + +"Then you should have more free time. Will you come and see me. +At times it is lonely. I need a true friend, one I can turn to +in time of trouble. A friend like you." + +For a moment Demo was silent. He wanted to put his arm around +her, hold her close, and tell her that she had a friend. He +didn't understand his feelings. He felt the need to hold her in +his arms. She seemed so fragile, so small and weak and helpless. +He thought of a young doe, first learning to stand. He was +confused. His thoughts wandered, today's events were on his +mind, and he hesitated. + +"Theresa, we have always been friends since we were small. When +you needed help, I have been there. It will always be so. I +guess I have always cared for you, little sister." + +They reached the door of her home, and her father stood outside +watching their approach. "Good evening, Demo. I see you have +brought her home. The pathways are safe tonight, it seems. Girl, +you mother would like to talk to you." + +"Goodnight, Demo. Please come tomorrow night." + + + +As she went inside Demo heard her mother's voice. "Girl, you +are out very late. My, your face is so bright and radiant. You +don't have a fever I hope. Oh, my, what have you done to your +dress. Turn around here. Well, you really shouldn't. Well, I +guess I did the same when I was your age. You grow up so fast, +so fast!" + +"Demo, how goes the hunting?" + +"Hunting has gone well. Our larder is full. Now I must prepare +the house for the winter season. The winds are picking up, and +we'll be getting more rain shortly. Our roof needs some repair." + +"Well, I still need more meat, but there is time enough. Walk +with me a moment, boy." + +"You and Theresa have known each other a long time. I've +watched you grow from childhood to manhood. And she'll be taking +a husband before many more seasons pass. What of you, boy? Have +you plans to marry?" + +"Sir, my plans now are mostly to care for my Mother. I . . . , +well, I suppose I shall marry in time." + +"The flowers bloom, and then they fade. Don't delay too long in +living your own life. I believe you mother would be pleased to +see you wed. Like Theresa said, why don't you stop by the house +tomorrow night. The wife is an excellent cook, and you look like +you could use a pound or two. I have some wine we shall enjoy +together. I'd like your opinion of it." + +On the way home Demo thought of the day's events. Somehow, he +thought, I have this strange feeling. As though the beaters were +driving me into a trap. + +"Strange. Yesterday I was child, without concerns." He spoke +aloud, thoughtfully, to himself. "Today I feel so very +different. I have seen death. I have seen Athena. And even Zeus +has revealed himself to me. It is as though, overnight, I have +grown up." + +And yet he felt too much the child. Everything was happening +too quickly. + +"I need time, I need a lot of time." + +Demo shook his head. Rough came running toward him, and he +laughed, skipped along the path, then ran home with the dog +barking, chasing excitedly at his heels. + + + +The rumble of wheels, the pounding of hoofs, filled the night +air. Through the darkness dashed without concern four great +stallions, pulling the dark chariot. + +At the reins was Pluto! + +Thunder rumbled through the sky, blended with the thunder of +chariot and team. The only light was that from occasional +lightning. It revealed the grim visage of the driver. + +On whatever mission Pluto rode this night, plainly it bore +heavy on his mind. + + + +Persephone sat in the garden swing, watched the night sky, the +gentle stars. A storm brewed, but like all storms, skirted her +garden. In the distance she saw the dark clouds, illumined by +the lightning's flash. + +And on the far mountain road, momentarily revealed by that +lightning flash, a chariot pulled with madcap speed by four huge +stallions. + +She frowned, then laughed away her concern. A nighthawk flew +by, identified by its nasal peent. A soft warm breeze rustled +the leaves of the lilac bush. The sweet fragrance of the lilacs +filled the air. + +Persephone swung gently, hummed quietly to herself. Looking up +she saw a shooting star, a brilliant traveler among the stars, +quickly fading. + +She laughed happily at its beauty. Then thought more somberly +of what it might portend. + +3. Waiting + +He waited impatiently. The days were growing shorter, the rains +were more prevalent. Even now, outside the hut, he heard the +drops beating with ever increasing fury. The pelting on the +roof, the whistling of the wind, and the increasing cold all +presaged an early and severe winter. + +His mother was preparing the evening meal. Luckily, on his way +home he had chanced on two bucks, and the first fell to his +ready arrow. And that two weeks afore! + +The aroma of the roasting venison permeated the little hut. His +mother hummed quietly to herself as she stirred vegetables, +skillfully added the exact measure of spices, sprinkled on tangy +herbs. Yet his thoughts wandered. Dwelling on recent activities, +his thoughts were not on food. + +Had Zeus forgotten? + +He gazed into the burning logs, listened to the crackling as he +stirred the ashes. The brilliant sparks rose and disappeared. + +Demo strode from the fire to the doorway, stared at the mist +and rain. The weather kept him from the hunt. The encounter with +the Goddess Athena occupied his mind. He had confused and +uncertain thoughts over all that had happened. Was it but a +dream? + +Now the winds began to moan through the trees. Autumn has +already touched the high mountains. He glanced out at the moist +leaves, all bright in gold and crimson hues, soon to darken. +Then they will fall. The mountains shall be barren. + +He examined the pack his mother had prepared. It contained +several days' food, for he had no idea how long he would be on +his quest. He picked up his pouch, examined each arrow in turn. +Sharpened and re-sharpened! They wait to fly straight and true +to his prey. The smell of the cooking venison again caught his +attention. + +"Eat well, my son. When you are called you will have little +time for food." His mother smiled. Yet her smile is a little +wan, for she fears for his welfare. + +"You know, Theresa is a lovely girl. She was by when you were +on your last hunt. I think she likes you." + +He ignored her comments. He has no thought for Theresa. + +"She's a very pretty girl. A little younger than you, but not +so much. Her parents look with favor on you, too." + +She glanced at him, judging the impact of her words. +Disappointed, she returned to preparing the meal. + +After eating he tested the strength of his great bow. Made of +the finest wood, it drove arrow after arrow deep into the oak at +the edge of the forest. + +Braving the rain he went to the tree to regain his arrows. All +but one were retrieved. Demo frowned, for the tree gripped the +last arrow stubbornly. + +Rough sat on his haunches, a quizzical look on his face as he +watched his master tugging at the arrow. Suddenly Rough growled. +He rushed toward the tree, barking. + +Demo pulled even harder, glancing up into the tree as he did +so. There, seated on the lowest limb, sneered the fox-imp. It +smiled in delight at his efforts to free the arrow. + +"Listen, mortal. My master Pluto sends you greetings. You are a +great hunter." The imp stopped with a frown. + +"I show the proof of it on my hide," he grumbled morosely. + +"Never mind. My master says you shall also be a rich hunter. +Give up your thoughts of the Goddess Athena. You shall have +riches beyond measure." + +The arrow suddenly came free in Demo's hands, and he tumbled +backwards, rolled over and over on the muddy ground. + +Rough quickly bounded to his side, whining. When his master +rose the whine changed to a contented growl, and he turned once +more to contemplating the creature in the tree. Plainly it +looked more appetizing than a chicken. + +The fox-imp's smile now changed to derisive guffaws. "And you +would perform the twelve tasks of Zeus! If you but attempt to +begin that sojourn I shall be with you. I, and my companions, +shall haunt your trail until you fall in misery and failure." +The voice is angry and threatening. + +"But," and now his voice is affable, "if you accept the offer +of Pluto - if you renounce this vain adventure - you shall +receive all the pleasures of this earth. Gold and jewels will be +yours. Wine of the finest vintage! Women of the most delicate +and beautiful nature! All you desire - and an eternity in which +to enjoy it. That my master offers you. As a token that you +accept, only break the arrow in your hand." + +He shook his head. Should he break the arrow. All the riches of +the world! Slowly he grasped the arrows shaft, bent it in his +strong grasp. + +And if he follows the path laid out by Zeus? By the tricky and +devious Zeus! Zeus who has never made easy the lot of the +adventurer! + +And Athena. He recalls her beauty, the sweetness of her voice. +She wanted him as her husband - and as her protector! + +Suddenly Demo drew back his arm, threw the arrow at the fox-imp. + +The latter dodged quickly in surprise, and the arrow barely +scratched his skin. + +"Oh, you are a beauty, you are. Ah, how that stings. Master +Pluto has great things in store for you, young hunter. Great +things! And how I shall enjoy serving them to you!" + +He leaped from the tree, turning to his fox form before +touching the ground. For a moment he sat, scratching at the +wound with his hind leg. Rough rushed forward, growling, teeth +bared. The fox imp glanced quickly over his shoulder at the dog, +then dashed into the forest. + +Demo stood silently in the mist and rain. + +Can this really be happening? I have heard of such things, but +only in stories. I was sure they were only to frighten children. +And yet . . . and yet it is happening to me. Why to me? I don't +understand. I wish . . . . + +"Demo, my goodness! You'll catch a terrible cold. Come inside. +Oh, you look so pale. Here, dry your head. And wrap up warm." +She hugged him to her, tousled his hair. "My, children never +grow up. Quick now." + + + +Zeus was slowly entering comments in his diary, muttering under +his breath. + +"The thoughts he had in his mind when he beheld the Goddess! +Dear, dear - unconscionable!" He stopped, noting Hera standing +by his side. + +"Yes, Dear Husband. I'm sure you would not countenance any +unchaste thoughts on the part of this bumpkin." + +He ignored the sarcasm in her voice. + +"And was he, this youth, perchance handsome?" + +"Handsome," he growled. "No, no! You would find him singularly +unattractive, I assure you." + +'Ummm! Singularly unattractive. Well!" + +"Now, be about your business. I must call Athena, the Goddess +of memory. I vaguely recall some chores of historical note. Some +very interesting little minor chores. Oh, yes!" + +For a moment Hera stood still, frowned. Fortunately for Zeus +she was quickly distracted by her maids, who gathered around to +whisper of the exciting events of the day. They left the room, +chattering and laughing. + +Zeus smiled as he contemplated those interesting little minor +chores. "Athena, in spite of her foolish infatuation, will +provide me with the information I need. Eh, reluctantly, I +suppose. My, the difficulties one meets in governing the +universe!" + +He hummed softly. "What is that called! Catchy little tune. +Hera, dear, I'm hungry. My ambrosia, please." + +Hera, at the door, glanced backed at him in surprise. +"Ambrosia, please? Did I hear 'please'?" She walked across the +room to his side, placed her palm on his forehead, shaking her +head as she did so. "Strange, no fever. Please? My, how +un-Zeus-like!" + + + +In happier times did Persephone with the water nymphs play. By +the seashore they gathered. They brought from the ocean's depth +strange flowers, colorful stones, and jewels seized from sailing +ships by angry sea. + +Persephone carried with her flowers from her garden, a garland +on her head. With her she brought fruits, and all manner of good +and beautiful plants that grew within the garden. + +In their play they fashioned garlands, gave them beauty by +wearing them. The dolphins swam near and laughed and sported to +see the beauty of land and sea at play. + +One other watched them too. From a distance and with brooding +eyes. Often, as they frolicked on that white and sandy shore, he +sat in the gloom of the forest in his golden chariot, his four +black steeds pawing at the leaf-covered ground. + +Their beauty he coveted. + +And above all he desired Persephone! + + + +4. The First Quest + +He lay in bed, awake. It was morning, but morning dark and +gloomy. He could hardly see the doorway. The rain fell steadily, +the wind gusting, falling, then gusting once again. The air was +damp, cold, and clothes and bedclothes were soaked with moisture +from the humidity. He shivered, curled up tightly against the +cold. + +Still, Rough tugged at the blankets as day broke, eager for his +master's company. Reluctantly Demo shooed the dog away, tucked +the covers more closely around himself. + +"Well, mother, I shall sleep in this morning. Even Zeus is +hardly up and about on a day like this." + +It was the wrong thing to say. + +The rain suddenly increased, the wind grew stronger, and the +door flew open. Rough began barking excitedly, moved cautiously +toward the open door. As the rain blew in he retreated nearer +his master. Demo rose quickly to shut the door, but not before +a dark object blew in, fell upon the floor. Quickly Rough seized +it between his teeth, shook it from side to side. + +"Hey, easy there." Demo approached the dog cautiously. In his +mouth Rough held A thin leather sheet. And burned on its surface +were some words. Slowly Demo deciphered them. + +"The race is to the swift. Sometimes. Be at the Temple of Mars +at sundown. The white feather must . . . ." + +He could not make out the rest. The heavy rain had soaked the +material, and the remaining words were smudged beyond +recognition. + +Zeus! It could have come from no other! + +"Mother, I must go quickly. Why the temple of Mars? There is no +way to reach it by sundown. Still, I must try." + +She looked at the falling rain, thought to detain him. Finally +she sighed, quickly put more and fresher food in his pouch. +"Perhaps you should take the white feather. And do be careful. I +had a bad dream last night. I shall not repeat to you, but +beware of that which you cannot see." + +She hugged him. + +In spite of the rain he smiled. The first task was begun. + +The race is to the swift. Sometimes. + +What strange words these. + +And to reach the temple of Mars by sundown! Beyond the ability +of any mortal. + +Still, perhaps, if he could float on the swift waters of the +churning river it might be possible. The falling rain had turned +the gentle stream into thunderous torrents. And even as he +looked a huge tree floated down the stream, twisting and +rolling. + +There seemed no other option. Quickly he located two fallen +logs, pried them slowly to the waters edge. There he knotted +vines around them, forming a single platform. Finally, with a +deep breath, he forced them off the bank into the stream. + +Almost too late he waded out. The cold mud sucked at his feet, +the angry water stormed at his thighs. He leaped atop the +nearest log, slipped, fell across the logs awkwardly. He was on +his way to the temple of Mars! + +What chance of success he had was quickly spoiled. + +When he clambered onto the raft his pouch had opened. A sudden +gust of wind picked up the white feather, wafted it quickly +beyond his reach. In seconds it landed on the raging waters, +quickly disappeared from sight. + +Rough bounded along the shore, barking furiously. He badly +wanted to board the raft, yet feared to dare the sullen waters. +Finally, as the raft moved to the stream's center the dog +stopped, whined, its tail between its legs. The dog shivered as +though in fear, then slowly turned to wend its way home. + +Demo watched with regret as the Rough quickly disappeared in +the midst of the heavy rain shower. "Perhaps I should have taken +you with me. No, you must stay home, protect Mother." + +Demo smiled. With a sigh he braced himself on the logs as the +tumultuous stream tossed the frail craft from side to side. What +a wonderful start he was making to perform the required tasks +of Zeus! + +The white feather, lost to the wind and the rain! And his +chances of reaching the temple before nightfall almost +non-existent! + +The watery trip, miraculously, was almost uneventful. Almost. + +As the raft rounded a bend in the river the water narrowed, +flowed ever faster. And on the shore, obscured by the driving +rain and gathering fog, stood a creature of unearthly mien. It +neither moved nor spoke. + +Demo had faced the bear that claimed the mountain ridges as +their own. The snarling night cats that dominated the forests +had stood before him. Of them all, none had aroused in him such +fear as now he felt. + + For from this creature radiated a menace more fearsome than he +had ever known, an overwhelming evil emanation. + +Demo gasped, eyes wide. "What is it! What manner of beast are +you . . . ?" + +Almost immediately the creature disappeared in the swirling +mist. + +It was gone! Though it disappeared from view he felt a +premonition. A premonition that he would see it again. He knew +not why, but knew it would be with him. A constant, unseen +companion. The chill that enveloped him now was not caused by +the cold, soaking rain. + +Whether sundown was near, or had long past, he could not tell. +The dark, drear day had no sun, only the continuous rain. +Finally, there, on the cliff above, stood the temple, barely +visible. + +He paddled with his hands, attempting to bring his raft to the +far shore. The water swirled, waves built up before the wind, +and currents formed and disappeared throughout the stream. His +paddling was almost to no avail. The makeshift raft swirled, +rocked, meandered randomly at the mercy of the river. By the +time the craft reached the shore he had drifted well beyond the +temple. + +Clawing his way up the muddy bank he found a narrow trail and +began the climb. His ankle, which he had thought healed, began a +slow steady ache. Rock-strewn, and now covered with silt and +muck and murky water, the trail formed a slippery maze up the +mountainside. Rivulets gouged ever-deepening gullies across the +path. At times the entire path was but a stream, with swift +water washing away small plants and stones. + +Midway in his climb he entered a wide clearing. A doe, in +attempting to flee from his approach, had slipped and its leg +hung useless as it stood, shivering in fear. + +A ray of light appeared briefly from a sun very low on the +horizon. Time was running out. With a frown he avoided the doe, +continued his climb. + +He could not help himself. He looked back, and its brown limpid +eyes, full of pain and fear, held him. Finally, with a growl, he +returned. He approached the beast carefully. Though it tried to +evade him, it was to no avail. Finally it stood motionless, +shivering. + +"I have no time, little one. I must be quick. This splint will +hold, hopefully, until you heal." He bound the doe's leg with +wooden splints in place. With a growl he started once more up +the mountain. He noticed the doe following behind, timidly +maintaining its distance. + +"Go away. The sun has certainly set. Ah, if you had only been a +full grown buck. My arrow would have quickly found its mark. And +I would already be at the temple!" + +When he reached the temple it was indeed dark. The building +rose massively before him. Built over the years, at times of +wood, at times of stone, it had grown from a small shrine to its +current size. Cautiously he entered through the huge doorway. +The wooden doors were open, as though he were expected. There +was no sound. The temple was empty! + +Plainly, Zeus had already departed!. + +Demo sat down in the middle of the floor, his head bowed. +Finally he noted a white feather lying in an open space near the +temple's center. He picked it up, stroked it softly with his +hand. How like the one lost in the storm! + +Dropping it, aloud he whispered, "Good-bye, Athena. It was not +to be." + +The clatter of hooves on the floor caught his attention. The +doe stood by the door, pawing the stones. "Well, you have cost +me dearly, little one. Go on your way, there are hunters who +would not reject you." + +A rumbling voice filled the temple. "The race is to the swift. +Sometimes." + +The voice emanated from the doe! + +Quickly he stood up. Zeus! It must be Zeus! + +"Merely a little test, my boy. One must be sensitive to +suffering. Your bleeding heart has caused you to fail this +simple task, bringing the white feather to the temple. +Nevertheless, I'll certainly remember you kindly for the aid you +provided me. Well, boy, go on home now. It was nice knowing you." + +His head bowed he walked across the temple, passed the doe on +his way to the downward path. + +"Wait!" The voice was an angry growl. "What is this! How did it +get here?" + +Zeus stood in the middle of the temple, in his godly form now. +In his hand he held the feather Demo had previously taken from +the floor, only to toss aside. + +"I know not sire. For the feather I carried was stolen away by +the wind. This was here when I entered the temple." + +"Ah, good, good. Then it couldn't be the feather. Good day, my +boy. Give my regards to your mother - and to any other kinfolk +you should meet. Lovely day, lovely." Zeus smiled happily as the +rain dripped upon him from a rent in the temple roof. + +With drooping head Demo once more turned to go. A sudden +disturbance caught his attention. Once more he halted. + +A beautiful owl floated on wide spread white wings through the +temple entrance. + +"Zeus, Aeolus carried here the white feather. Even as you +required, it was delivered. Nought was said that the boy must +himself carry it." + +"Athena, you shall have many children." He paused for a moment. +"And all of them shall be lawyers," Zeus growled. "Very well, +technically the task was done. Come back, my boy. Let us +celebrate your success. Here, have a sip of my most valued +nectar." + +Zeus tipped the flask, burped, wiped his lips with the back of +his hand. "Here you are. Take a deep draught." + +Demo smiled happily, looked at the rosy fluid for a moment, and +raising the flask to his lips, closed his eyes. + +He drank eagerly. Oddly, the liquid had little taste. Not +noticeably different from the taste of water. Almost like +rainwater, really. + + + +"Demo, you must fix that leak. The rain is all over your face. +How can you lie there!" + +He opened his eyes wide. Indeed he was lying on his own bed. +And the only nectar was the drops of rain leaking through the +roof. With a start he sat up. It was only a dream! + +Rough lay at the foot of his bed, eyes closed. + +Lying beside the dog, half hidden by his form, something caught +Demo's eye. Something familiar! + +Two white feathers! + + + + + +5. The Gorgon's Head + +"An object of extreme rarity. Actually, only one exists - all +others, destroyed. A shame, really. Could have sent out a few as +gifts. Love to give one to my dear brother Pluto. Well, well, it +can't be helped. Only one left." Zeus spoke sadly, noting the +effect on Demo. + +"And you want me to fetch this precious object for you?" Demo +queried. + +"Eh, that's the general idea. Now, there are some difficulties. +I mean, after all, if it were too simple I would have dispatched +Hera." + +Suddenly his eyes widened. "Oh, oh, I didn't see you, my dear. +Just joshing with the boy! Kidding around, you know!" + +Hera glared. Fortunately for Zeus she was distracted, seeing +Cupid practicing archery in the flowery garden. "Hmmph! Men!" +she murmured as she went into the garden. + +"The object - well, I must confess, it is not an object. It is +. . ., " He lowered his voice, glancing toward the garden. "It +is a young lady whose beauty would adorn Olympus. I would have +you invite her to the Olympian Spring Ball. Not a bad task, eh." + +Zeus nudged him with his elbow while keeping an eagle eye on +the garden. "Just let her know that the Gods look kindly upon +her, and that she will be the guest of honor. She can't possibly +refuse. Oh, by the way, her name is Medusa. Lovely girl, Medusa." + +Now, what is the hitch? Zeus talks so kindly. Yet he is a wily +one. An invitation to a beautiful girl to attend a spring +festival? Why me? Would not an Olympian messenger, Mercury +perhaps, have served better. After all, I have no credentials. + +So his thoughts rambled as he proceeded northward. + +And I know not where she dwells, nor do I know her appearance. + +A bleak stretch of land lay ahead. Empty, barren, dotted with +boulders it stretched well into the distance. At his pace it +would require a fourth of a day to traverse. He moved across the +open space cautiously, checking behind, to either side. He liked +not being in the open, exposed to eyes he could not see. + +Surrounded by forest, the open area exposed him to the view of +foes who might wait among the trees. And in a strange land any +might be a foe. Wild animals certainly wandered here. And outlaw +bands who prey on lonesome travelers. He looked around more +carefully. Bushes and shrubs formed a narrow border, beyond +which giant evergreens loomed. In unknown territory, he felt the +weight of unfriendly gaze following his progress. + +On reaching the other side of the open meadow he glanced back, +and his own eyes widened. + +He shuddered. + +It had entered the open stretch, crouched near the wooded edge. +Now it dropped to the ground. Huge, misshapen, a travesty of a +man, it lay quietly, motionless on the ground. Though distant, +he knew it well. + +The unseen companion! + +Demo notched an arrow to his bow, felt the cool breeze on his +fevered face. He drew the bow to its limit, shook his head. + +Too far! The arrow would not carry. + +He waited, but the creature lay quiet. + +"What want you?" he shouted. "Why do you follow me?" + +Silence. + +Finally, with a shrug, he turned, started once more on his way. +After a few steps he halted, looked back again. + +It has disappeared! The broad expanse held now only boulders, +small shrubs. Lifeless, bare, no hint of motion, other than from +vagrant breeze. + +Was it but a dream, an aberration in vision? + +No! It was real. The bushes at the edge of the clearing were +moving, disturbed by the passage of . . . He knew not what. He +knew, though it had slipped into the brushes, it would return to +his trail. Whatever it be, their destinies were intertwined. + +But days ago I knew only my Mother, Theresa and her family +well. And a few others but only to a small extent. Suddenly I +walk and talk with Gods, and Goddesses - yes, and with imps. And +I am followed by something, by a being unlike any other. What +does it all portend? The thoughts repeated themselves as he view +the clearing. + +A foreboding crossed his mind. + +One of us shall not survive the tasks of Zeus! + +Ever northward he trekked. He did not know why, only that his +feet were guided by Zeus. His quest was to the far north. + +Game were plentiful, and he ate well. At times he partook of +venison, at times of fish from the streams. Rarely, he ate not. + +After one repast he knelt by a quiet brook, washing his face +and hands. + +In the water he saw a visage not his own! + +He turned quickly, rose to his feet. + +The unseen companion had faded into the undergrowth. + +"Come out and face me, coward! Do not skulk and hide, recreant!" + +Perhaps a tree branch moved, perhaps a footfall was heard. + +Then, nothing. + +His eyes widened, as he thought to himself, I must be on my +guard. Whatever it is, it becomes bolder with each passing day. + +He followed a stream, a path along its edge. The path widened +as he climbed upward, and at times footprints could be +discerned. A dwelling must lie not far ahead. + +At evening he arrived in a small village at the foot of tall, +snowpeaked mountains. He found an inn. Walls made from logs, +with cracks filled with dried mud, and a rock fireplace as one +wall, it formed one huge room. Animal furs, fur of deer, of +bear, hung across from one wall to the other, sectioned off +little bays where the traveler could rest in limited privacy. +Through signs and much nodding and handwaving Demo bartered +trinkets for such a room. The nights were growing cold, and this +brief respite was welcome. + +Suddenly a man standing by the door turned toward him, growled +in mixed language at him. Strangely, Demo understood. + +"Is he with you? What is he, and why does he loiter in the +shadows?" + +They crowded through the open doorway, gazing southward to the +ravine he had so recently traversed. They stared fearfully +toward the shadows at the mountain's base. + +A creature, perhaps a man, stood huge in the shadows. It +neither approached nor yet retreated. Even so, from it a +threatening aura seemed to radiate. + +The watchers moved nervously, whispered low one to another. + +"No, not with me," he responded + +"Begone! We want not you, nor his kind. Return him his +treasures. " + +The inn keeper reluctantly parted with the baubles he had +received. Two were missing. Demo started to argue, realized it +would be to no avail. Reluctantly he left the shelter. + +"I know that creature! He has visited our village before. He +brings pestilence, death. Begone, the two of you, quickly!" + +They gathered outside the structure. One reached down to pick +up a stone, then several others. Demo loosed his bow and they +quickly shuffled inside, cursing and threatening. + +Demo continued north. He didn't look back. He knew well that he +was not alone. + + + +His queries about Medusa led him now to one domain, now to +another. Time after time, each lead ended without location of +the fabled damsel. Until, at last, in a village on the slope of +the mountains, he received guidance that seemed to hold worth. + +The sun had set, and evening stars were beginning to make +appearance. To the north the little bear could be seen. The air +had the feel of coming frost. The great hunter moved across the +cold winter sky, followed by his faithful hounds. + +"Feel the air, young man! Is there not a storm brewing? A +blizzard? Medusa has been deserted by her lover. Her countenance +is hard. The chill winds will blow, the lakes freeze over, and +living things shall freeze and die. For her heart has grown +cold." + +The old crone rubbed her hands together for warmth, continued. + +"Until she takes again a suitor, the world will suffer from her +rejection. Even now, there, beneath the little bear, she waits +in her icy cave." + +The night wind began to blow and the chill crept through his +clothing. "Beneath the little bear, then, will I find her?" + +"She is there. And she is dangerous. If you value your life, +end this quest. She strikes out in her anger, uncaring for any. +If you go on, beware the great white bear. He guards her by day, +and by night." The old woman turned away, hobbled awkwardly to +her frigid mountain hut. + +She stood in the doorway, looked at him intently. "Your +companion, why does he lurk in the shadows? He has nothing to +fear from me." + +He did not reply. He knew not himself the reason for the evil +presence. + + + +Game became increasingly scarce. + +He was lucky when a rabbit crossed his path. And even these +were few in number, lean in build. Scrub brush served to cook +those few he killed. + +The winds wailed, the snow peppered down, then settled in huge +white flakes. At times the storm stilled and he traveled on in a +world where day was night, night day. Across the skies strange +colored images danced, twisting and turning. Here seemed a world +deserted by Zeus, left to the ministrations of lesser Gods. + +The world was enveloped in a blanket of white. At times he sank +into its depths. At other times, frozen, it supported him as +well as solid ground. And still the snow fell, wind-driven. + +With cessation of the wind he could hear, though from a far +distance, the crunch of footsteps on the frozen snow. Hidden in +the fog or by the falling flakes, the unseen companion was ever +with him, ever following. + +Even when the snow ceased the air held a strange opaque +whiteness, as though the world were immersed in milk. At such +times even his hand before his face was not visible. He dared +not travel on, knowing he would circle helplessly in the +blinding whiteness. + +Slowly the white out lifted. The barren snow covered wasteland +stretched endlessly. + +He pressed on. There was little choice. + +At times the storm died, the skies cleared. Crystalline bright +the stars shone down. Still the hunter, now directly overhead +and to his south, marched across the wintry sky. The pole star +gleamed softly, a constant beacon. + +But the storm quickly returned. + + + +And then they met! + +Invisible in the snow bank it lurked, marked his presence, +waited to attack! + +The great white bear moved quietly, without a warning growl. It +charged down upon him, its huge jaws wide. Its clawed paws +reached out to seize him. + +Quickly he strung his bow, notched an arrow! + + As he drew the cord, the snow settled beneath his foot. He +felt himself slipping. + +He fell, rolled downhill! + +Demo slid halfway across a frozen pond. Thick, fat flakes of +white touched his face. They melted in cold trickles as he lay +half conscious. + +Suddenly the ice gave way beneath him! + +Even as he sank he saw, blurred upon the shore, two monsters in +mortal combat. + +The great white bear! + +And another. One he knew too well. + +The bitter cold of the icy waters enveloped him. Through he +forced his arms and legs to move, to try once more to rise to +the surface, it was to no avail. The freezing cold quickly +changed to numbness, then oblivion. + + + +Warmth! He felt warmth! + +Not since he had left home had he felt such wonderful, gentle, +soothing warmth. + +He slowly opened his eyes, then closed them in disbelief. The +girl ministering to him outshone even Athena in beauty. Slender, +yet with the smooth curves of a mature woman, she held his gaze. +Her face, though pale, mirrored beauty found only in one's +dreams. Her lips, soft and pouting, were warm and red. Her face +expressed concern, and her eyes expressed compassion. + +Her hands lightly massaged his body, and wherever they touched +a glow of warmth spread through him. He recalled the icy cold of +the lake, and his eyes widened. + +"How am I here? Who are you? How did I escape the icy depths?" + +Placing a finger to her lips, she smiled, exposing the whitest +of teeth. "Shhh. Rest. I will explain it all, in good time." + +Even as she spoke he closed his eyes, fell into fitful sleep in +which he dreamed he was in her arms; then, dreamed he was +carried in the arms of another, more hideous being. + +He awoke with a start as the ravaged lips of the loathsome +monster touched his own. Sitting up he saw no one. Finally, in +the far corner of the room, he saw her. She rose slowly, from +the fireplace dipped warm soup from an iron kettle. + +Bringing the bowl with her she sat on the edge of his cot, +slowly fed him the warm broth. + +"He brought you here. Your friend. He brought you in from the +blizzard, frozen and cold, and left you with me. In spite of +cold and storm, he would not stay. He retreated into the +blinding storm as though escaping an enemy camp." She shook her +head in puzzlement. + +"First, though, these words he said I should say to you." She +thought for a moment. + +"The time is not now. You have your destiny to fulfill. By the +tarn shall all be resolved. Strange words, these. Do you +understand his meaning?" + +"No, I understand only that a great white beast attacked me. I +fell, rolled into the frigid waters of the lake. I saw them, +doing battle on the lake shore. After that I remember the cold, +then nothing." + +"He killed the great white bear. No mortal could achieve that +victory. You have a mighty friend and protector." + +"No friend of mine. He has followed me, always near, ever +fearsome. I know not his purpose, but in some strange way our +fates are intertwined. Would I understood it better." + +"Why sojourn you in these far reaches. Did none warn you of the +dangers?" + +"I journey at the behest of Zeus. I seek Medusa, to invite her +to the great Olympian Ball, where she will reign as queen. Do +you know of her, know where I might find her?" + +"Zeus! The Great Olympian Ball! I am Medusa. It is strange that +you have you not heard my story. Do you not know the danger you +face, merely being here with me?" + +"I know nought of danger. I see but a damsel of excellent +beauty, and need fear only for my heart." + +She smiled at his words, then her face took on a look of +sadness. + +"I am condemned. I pass from wild happiness and joy to deepest +misery and sorrow. And those who look on me in my happy times +love me, and those who look on me in time of my distress grow +cold and fearful, and are no more. No one warned you! Ah, Zeus, +how can you be so unkind!" She sobbed. + +"Look upon my face, for I am in a gentler mood. Beware, if you +hear me lament, or see an angry trickle from my eye, look not +upon me, but go your way swiftly." She placed the empty bowl on +the table. + +"Do you see these glistening white walls? They were formed at a +time when I felt the miseries of the world upon me. The +glaciers, the icebergs, the frozen wastes - all these I formed. +At times, when I bask in the warmth of love, they fade, they +melt. Again alone, once deserted, I form them anew." She smiled +at him, touched his hand. + +"I thought, perhaps, Zeus had sent you to me. Yet while you lay +abed in your sleep, in your dreams, I find you love another. It +is well, for my warmth shall not last. Come, let me show you my +chamber of horrors. A chamber of horrors of my own doing." + +She conducted him out into the cold. All around statues stood +in various guises. All men. Warriors. Hunters. So detailed, so +well sculpted, they seemed to lack only breath to move and walk. + +"These I have loved, and in my anger destroyed. They stand +there, a constant reminder of my uncontrollable nature. Even +now, as I look at them, my heart moans. Begone, Demo, quickly, +for a bottomless sorrow engulfs my heart. Quickly! And do not +look upon my face, if you value your life!" + +He started to turn toward her, but she grabbed his shoulder and +turned him away. Even as she did the touch of her hands sent a +chill through his body. + +The warmth was gone! + +"Tell Zeus Medusa shall attend the ball. Fare the well, young +man. Now, flee for your life." + +The calm air was stirring, and pellets of frozen snow that had +been peppering the icy landscape were now blown wildly about. +The wind mounted in howling fury, and soon the blizzard was upon +him. He rushed southward, not daring to look back. + +It was no longer the unseen companion alone he feared. + + + +"You're back!", Zeus roared in evident surprise. "Well, yes, +you're back. Been expecting you. Eh, nothing unusual about +Medusa, I take it. I mean, nothing strange and, eh, stultifying?" + +"A beautiful lady, sire. She welcomes your invitation, and +shall attend the ball." + +"The ball, yes. She will attend the ball! Zounds! What to do? +Well, it may serve my purpose. I shall invite some special +friends. Oh yes, very special friends! My charming brother +Pluto. Serve him right. And a few other who have done me dirt. +The ball is in the third month. And Medusa is in such a mood +that month! Yes, I must invite some very special friends." + +Zeus rubbed his hands together and smiled cherubically. + +"Oh, Demo, of course you are invited." + + + +What dreams do children dream? + +Persephone sat quietly on a wooden bridge. Her legs dangled +down, her tiny white feet broke the surface of the stream. The +crystalline waters of the rivulet bathed them softly. A +hummingbird darted near the water's surface, a brilliant winged +jewel. At times it whirred motionless above the water. Then +angry at the reflected beauty below, dived heedlessly, only to +rise again as the rapid beat of its wings distorted the liquid +mirror. + +Persephone smiled, watched with amused attention. + +Another hummingbird approached, and soon the two flew away, the +first in angry pursuit. A tiny warrior protecting his domain. + +Persephone closed her eyes, leaned back to bask in the warmth +of the sun. The music of the stream, the softness of the breeze, +the quiet solitude of her garden lulled her into a light slumber. + +And as she slept, she dreamed. + +Games of tag, of skipping ropes, of dolls ran through her mind. +Friends she had known, kitty cats, and puppy dogs. Climbing the +tall oak tree and seeing the big, wide world from its great +height. Swinging on the swing beneath the tree. The taste of +blackberries, of cherries, of fresh peaches. + +The dreams of childhood. + +Her mother, holding her, hugging her. Her mother's smile. + +Colored stones, and crystals, and flowers. Beautiful dresses, +and grown-up parties yet to come. + +A far-off day and the arrival of a handsome prince, a marriage, +living and playing together as children. + +Children of her own, and she would mother them as her mother +had done for her. Cookies, and pies, and cream covered berries. + +Dolls for her girls, and swords for her brave boys. She would +sew for them, and of a night tuck them into bed. She would tell +them strange stories of magic worlds, and real. + +Ah, the happy world, the beautiful world. + +What dreams do children dream? + + + +"Grim!" + +"Inexorable!" + +"Pitiless!" + +"Passionless!" + +"Without feeling!" + +"Devil!" + +"These have I been called!" + +Pluto sat in his chariot on the mountainside, the mounting +storm surrounding him. Gusting wind screamed, and pelting rain +drove from the skies. The fury of the storm matched the fury in +his voice. + +"Without feeling! Then why burns this loneliness within me! Why +thirst I for the companionship denied me! Was it by choice this +form is mine!" + +A sob was in his voice. + +Gloomily he bowed his head, shook it. Reluctantly he took the +reins, returned once more to the nether regions where he held +sway. + +Yes, even the devil weeps. + +6. Escape from Tartarus + +"Young man, I'm becoming increasingly dependent on you. You +have carried yourself well indeed. Athena may well have chosen a +worthy mate." Zeus' smile was effusive, his manner friendly and +brisk. + +"I've just gotten word from the CIA (Clever Information +Activities) that something is astir in Tartarus. I do hope you +recall your history." + +"Tartarus? Well, sire, I recall vaguely that the Titans dwell +therein. And that it lies far beneath even the depths of Hades." + +"Astounding? The boy has genius! Ah, you must have cheated in +school. I'll bet you studied! Sneaky way to pass a course. +Regardless, right you are. But there is more." Zeus paced back +and forth silently, looking down, a slight frown on his face. + +"The CIA tells me that Megalith, a veritable giant among +giants, has assumed power. . . . However, first, let me mention +a bit more geography." + +Zeus sat at his desk, punched a few keys on his computer, and +displayed a map labeled Tartarus. "Computer, display the +boundaries." + +The computer hummed and whirred for a moment, then displayed +the same map, but with boundaries highlighted. + +Zeus smiled in delight. "Pac-man it isn't, but it's still a +great toy." He frowned momentarily. "Beats me at chess. I have +plans for that programmer. Long vacation with my brother Pluto." + +"Computer, give us an image of Megalith, hear?" + +The computer once more hummed and whirred. A few words appeared +on the screen. Zeus read them, grunted. "All right, all right! +I'll do it your way! Computer, display Megalith." + +The computer did some more of the h & w routine, displayed a +muscular warrior, standing quietly, a bemused expression on his +face. + +"Looks peaceful enough, doesn't he. Ah, beware! That quiet face +belies the turmoil within. He, young man, is plotting the escape +from Tartarus! The escape that must be thwarted!" + +Zeus stared for a moment at the computer screen. He sighed. + +"You know, of course, that these - the Titans - are our +forebears. I would we could live in peace with them, but it is +to no avail. Out of the goodness of my heart I granted them +asylum in Tartarus. Yet they are not appreciative. They want to +escape. What a strange term! Who would escape from Paradise!" + +The computer displayed a pair of arms, waving desperately. + +"Yes, yes, what is it. Oh, I mean, Computer, Speak." + +"Oh Great and Mighty One, Master of the Universe, Benefactor of +all mankind, . . . ," the computer began in a subservient voice. + +"Computer, cease. I know all that. Get to the point. Computer, +Speak." + +"News of Tartarus, Master. Megalith has secretly had installed +an express elevator from the basement right up to the earth's +surface. He is even now contracting with the SkyHigh Elevator +company to extend it to the top of Olympus. Fortunately SkyHigh +is asking an exorbitant price. They have a monopoly on the +elevator trade, so they are likely to eventually obtain the +asking price. For now, however, Megalith is examining other +alternatives. He was visiting the local Ultralight assembly +plant. And it is said his agents have contacted the Rocketeers +Club. No additional data at this time, Sire." + +"And now, back to our commercial. Oh Great and Mighty one, +Master of the Universe . . . " Zeus turned off the computer. + +"He has already made his first move! An elevator indeed! And an +extension to the peaks of Olympus! Zounds!" + +"My boy, my plans have changed. This may require more than the +skills of an earthling. I shall don human form, and I shall +accompany you. The might of Megalith must be met! Ah, I like the +sound of that! Permit me to repeat, The might of Megalith must +be met!" He let the words roll sonorously from his lips, a +slight smile on his face. + +"Once considered the theater, you know. Actually, this God +thing is much more fun - sometimes." + + + +Two figures moved cautiously to the bank of the river Styx. +Dark and smoothflowing the river arose from pale mists in the +distance, and faded once more into mists as pale. + +The sojourners moved slowly along the river's edge. One, a +white-bearded elder, shuffled along supported by wooden rod. The +other, younger and vigorous, darted ahead, returned, then darted +ahead again. + +"I think I shall tie a string to your leg, as though you were a +June bug. Just calm down. There is no danger." + +"For you, perhaps not. Still, I know he is here. I can feel his +presence. In every sojourn he has been with me." + +"Ah, the unseen companion! Yes, I too note an irksome presence. +Nevertheless, nothing shall come of it this day. Trust me." + +Demo glanced at the old man, Zeus. For it was indeed these two, +long removed from the heights of Olympus. "Trust you . . . ? I +knew this used chariot salesman once . . . Well, never mind." +He noted the look of concentration on Zeus' visage. "No real +correspondence. I was just thinking out loud." + +Zeus regarded the river Styx with distaste. + +"Most foul stream, this. I was in a vile mood when I loosed it +from the bowels of the earth. Unpleasant odor, too. Fetid, in +fact. Perhaps Pluto is right, a little landscaping and +environmental cleanup are needed. I'll make a note . . ." + +"Beware, my lad, that you drink not of these waters. Though you +be of the most placid nature, but a sip from this stream and you +shall rant against the world. Here has the essence of hate been +distilled, and it flows forever at the edge of Hades. + +They were interrupted by the yapping of a dog, or perhaps a +pack of dogs. The yapping quickly changed to deep-throated +growls. "Ah hah! Cerberus! My puppy! Must have grown a bit by +now. How glad he will be to see me once more" Zeus was exuberant. + +His face was that of an eager child. Plainly a wave of +nostalgia flooded his mind, and a wistful smile flitted across +his face. "To return to the innocence of childhood. How +wonderful it would be . . . . Here, boy! Come here!" + +Demo shrank back! + +The dog bounded toward them from a hidden cave. It rushed to +Zeus, licked his hand with one of its heads, while a second head +growled ominously at Demo. The third head maintained a +continuous vigil. + +"Pet him, he's quite gentle." Zeus smiled. "Good doggy, good +doggy." + +"Remember when I gave him to you, Zeus." + +Startled, Demo and Zeus looked up. Their gaze encompassed the +towering height of Megalith. + +"Yes, I remember." Zeus smiled delightedly. "He was just a +little bundle of fur. barely a handful, yet so warm, so loving. +He came to me, climbed upon my lap and quickly fell asleep. A +most wonderful present he was." + +"Well," Zeus voice changed, and he ceased petting Cerberus. "So +it is true. You have left Tartarus. You know, of course, that I +can't permit it. I've already contacted the SkyHigh Elevator +Company, and they'll be removing the elevator by the end of the +month." + +Megalith ignored the comment. "Your Mother Rhea sends you +greeting, as does your Father Cronus. They want you to know they +grow weary of the depths of Tartarus. They would breathe the air +of earth, drink the nectar of Olympus. Lift your decree of +banishment, Zeus. What manner of child are you, to so treat your +aged parents! Remember you not, your happy childhood?" + +For a moment Zeus stood silent, head bowed. + +"You weave your words with delicate care, Megalith. I know it +is not for my parents you seek these things. You, who were born +in Tartarus, would have these worlds as your own. You would have +the Gods of Olympus give obeisance, the children of man serve +you." + +Megalith reached down, patted the third head of Cerberus. The +dog snapped at his hand, and he withdrew it quickly, scowled. + +"You recall, Zeus, when you allowed me to visit Olympus, when I +gave you the pup Cerberus?" + +"I recall well. I was yet a child in many ways. Now, I have +matured, Megalith. Gifts do not buy my favor." + +"And do you recall I left with you, also, the jug of the best +wine of Tantalus?" + +"Good wine it was! A most amazing brew! To what purpose is your +question?" + +"You drank of the jug, and it brought you dreams of Hera, and +of others. And even now those dreams return to tease your mind. +The wines of Tantalus will return, time after time. Nor can you +avoid them. Sleep now, Zeus, in a drunken stupor as the wine +works its magic." + +Megalith smiled. + +Indeed Zeus stretched out on the greensward, Cerberus whining +as he lay down beside him. A smile touched Zeus' lips. + +"I have long planned my return. The wine of Tantalus was but +the first step. Now, while he sleeps, I shall roam once more +this earth, partake of its pleasures, prepare it for our coming. +And you, earthling, shall be my emissary. We are well met!" + +"I serve Zeus, no other." + +"Well said. See this pebble. Watch carefully, then mind your +tongue." + +Megalith lifted a huge boulder in his right hand, looked at +Demo with a smile, lifted it high above the head of the sleeping +Zeus. + +Quickly Demo notched an arrow. + +Megalith laughed. "Dream on, Zeus, for the dream shall soon +end. As for you, blunt your arrows if you will. In a moment I +shall feed you to Cerberus." + +The dog growled at mention of his name. + + + +From the River Styx a form arose. + +"Hold, Megalith!" + +With a start Megalith gazed at the dark and menacing figure. + +"You seduced my brother with your gifts, Megalith. I laughed, +for your wiles were of no value against me. You find the fields +of Tartarus confining. Lay down the stone then, and come with +me. For I have prepared a place for you in Hades." + +A chill encompassed Demo. + +He dared not look at the speaker. This one projected all the +aura of another he knew. Another who traveled with him, unseen, +on sojourn after sojourn. + +The unseen companion! + +Though shaken Megalith was not deterred from h is intent. + +"You have no power over me. And you have no reason to love +Zeus, who banned you also to an inferior kingdom. Join me. We +shall rule the earth, and even Olympus." Megalith smiled. + +"True, I cannot harm you. I have no love for Zeus, as you say. +Yet you have erred. For there is one who loves Zeus beyond all +measure, and before that stone shall fall he shall tear your +heart from that giant body." + +Megalith's eyes widened. + +Indeed such a one even now waited, ever alert, ever faithful. + +Beside Zeus, awake and watchful, Cerberus stood. Baleful eyes, +from each of his heads, glared at this creature who dared +threaten his sleeping master. + +With a deep growl he crouched. + +Megalith stepped backward, in desperation launched the great +stone downward. + +It did not strike the helpless target. It's path was deflected. + +The stone stuck not the hapless head of Zeus. For another +bravely placed himself in harm's way. + +The stone struck the third head of Cerberus, crushing and +tearing. The dog moaned low, stood still over its helpless +master, then lunged forward. + +The battle was long. The deep growls of Cerberus mixed with the +angry snarls of Megalith. The ground rocked under their fury, +and blood and sweat mingled in an ugly stream. + +They rolled on the ground, tearing and ripping each his enemy. +The hills reverberated with the sound of their blows. + +Megalith broke loose, rushed to the mountainside, seized a +boulder even huger than before. + +He turned to meet the onslaught of the dying beast, brought the +stone down. Another head was crushed, and Cerberus staggered +back. + +Megalith once more picked up a massive rock. Quickly now he +stepped around the dying dog, stood again over Zeus. + +Demo launched his arrow. It fell, blunted, from the rough hide +of the Titan. Megalith looked at the boy, smiled a scornful +smile. He raised the stone high above his head. + +Before the stone could fall Cerberus struck. Wounded and +bleeding, still he launched his body at the Titan, knocked him +from his feet. His fangs closed on the throat of Megalith. + +Megalith seized the dog's neck in both hands, his powerful +fingers cutting off the breath of life. The dog shuddered, yet +released not its death grip on the Titan's throat. + +In moments it was over. + +The Titan lay dead! + +And Cerberus. + +No. Yet he moved. + +Slowly, painfully he inched his tortured body to the side of +the sleeping Zeus. He licked his master's hand, his tail wagging. + +Closing his eyes he slept, to wake no more. + +The silence was broken only by the call of a raven, flying high +above. Even Styx flowed quietly, as though in dread. The stream +reddened where the blood of giant, and of beast, mixed with its +dark waters. + +Demo knelt by the sleeping Zeus, touched him hesitantly with +extended hand. "Sire, wake. The task is done." + +Even as he spoke Zeus pulled himself erect, stroked the long +white beard he favored for his earthly form. He blinked, looked +at the motionless Megalith. With a sudden sob he held Cerberus +to him. + +"'Tis well I sent you not out alone. I fear he would have done +you in neatly. That wine! I should have known! A devilish +concoction, well brewed to twist the mind of even the Gods. And +say you another interfered on my behalf, your unseen companion? +Strange indeed." He shook his head. "If that one be whom I think +there is little love lost between us." + +"Have you ever owned a puppy, my boy. Wonderful! There is no +creature so loving, so caring of his master. Cerberus, Cerberus, +that you should die saving me." A tear trickled from his eye. + +"Yes, child, for such loyalty even the Gods may weep." + +For a moment Zeus sat quietly, Cerberus in his arms. A tear +trickled from Demo's eye as he thought of Rough, and the many +times the dog had protected him. + +"I shall bury him at the base of yonder mountain. It shall +serve as his headstone. Let all who look upon its majesty +remember who sleeps at its foot." Zeus sighed. + +"Well, well, it is over. And you, my boy. Well done. Well done. +This sojourn I shall long remember. And though you are, shall we +say, jumpy and at times overly eager I did indeed enjoy your +company. So I may . . . + +"Ah, listen, even now your Mother calls you. Is it fresh-cooked +venison I smell? Yes, yes indeed. Excellent cook, your Mother. +The berry pie that disappeared while cooling in the window . . . +slightly tart, but oh so tasty, very tasty!" + + + +Ceres walked sad of mien upon the earth. + +Time past, the mighty Pluto had rode roughshod across the land. +Had seized her daughter Persephone, carried her away to his +damned kingdom. + +Long since had she accepted her daughter's fate. Yet she +remained forever disconsolate. At times she wept. No smile +touched her lips. And in her mind a plan developed. + +The wiles of women have oft changed the course of man's world. +Even the Olympians would feel that power. + +Carefully she gave thought to devices that would serve, to +those who might champion her cause. Finally, in desperation, she +turned to that power of powers. + +White-faced, in dread, she prayed to Moira to unravel the evil +that had been done. + +Her humble cottage was quiet, still. The silence was such as +she had never known. Even her breath was unheard. + +In the silence she received her answer. Not in words, nor in +thoughts, but in a strange vision. + +She stood on a high peak, surrounded by rolling fog. In that +fog she heard her daughter calling, but she could not tell from +whence came the call. + +She answered, yet knew her voice to be unheard. + +Faintly, another voice sounded through the fog. The voice of a +young man. "My lady, you are in pain. Can I help you?" + +The vision faded, and she was once more in her little hut. She +sat by her kitchen table, laid down her head, and cried. + +There would be an end to the cursed imprisonment of her child! +There was yet a champion who would stand against the fiend from +Hades. In time the one who had wrought this grievous crime would +suffer! + +In her mind she saw darkly a deep cold tarn, its face hidden by +fog and mist. She knew. + +There, by the tarn, the tragedy would end. + +7. The Curse of Cronus + +"My dear, it is but reasonable. It is the curse of Cronus, that +even the Gods shall age." He sighed. + +"I have, in my infinite wisdom, ameliorated that curse to a +degree. The aging process is slowed, and eons are only days. +Still, aging continues. No, basically, it is not practical to +completely counter the process. I've certainly given it careful +thought. Do you think I enjoy it. Just look at me!" + +Zeus frowned, paused in deep thought. Using his cane he limped +slowly to his throne. + +"You really shouldn't be so upset. Look at what it's doing to +me? Zeus - with a cane? Ridiculous!" + +"But, sire, would you but look at me! How can I stand the +humiliation. Just look at me!" Venus stamped her foot in +exasperation. + +"Yes, my dear, I am looking. Oh, yes! Eh, to be honest, I can't +even see a single wrinkle. Just a moment, let me put on my +eyeballs." He adjusted his bifocals carefully on his nose. + +"My dear, you look delectable. Wrinkles! Bah!" + +"You jest. I saw it only this morning. Right here, on my +forehead. Do examine me more closely." + +Zeus pursued his examination with great gusto, until the +entrance of Hera distracted him. Gruffly he growled, "Well, if a +wrinkle is there, it is a beautiful one. Let me see? Ah, I have +it. I shall send for expert advise. Rest assured, I'll solve the +problem." + +Hera watched suspiciously, finally spoke as Venus departed. + +"What's that young snip want. You were certainly giving her a +thorough perusal. Which, I might add, you were relishing +mightily." + +"The duties I must perform. They weigh on me heavily indeed, my +dear. Venus has detected a wrinkle. Sad, but the curse of +Cronus, you know." + + + +With a suddenness that Demo had come to abhor he found himself +once more before the might of Zeus. + +Arrow notched, bow drawn, he had the game on the dinner plate - +and then, whoosh, the forest, the buck, everything - +disappeared. And now he stood before Zeus, his arrow still ready +for its flight. + +Zeus ducked precipitously behind his throne. + +"Now, boy, now, now! Didn't mean to startle you. Eh, just +release the arrow - No! I mean, just return your arrow to its +quiver. There will be other bucks, I assure you." + +Demo turned red, quickly returned the arrow to its pouch. + +"My apologies, Sire. You called me at an awkward moment. No +offense was intended." + +"Delighted, really delighted, to have you here once more. I +look back upon our last little adventure together with fond +remembrance. Fond remembrance? I like that combination. I'll +have to use it again sometime." + +Demo waited quietly. Zeus rarely spent time in empty +conversation. Though it might seem like prattle, somewhere +hidden was meaning - and danger. + +"Have I talked with you of Cronus? No, I think not. Well, +Cronus bore a grudge against us - myself, the other Gods. Some, +they say, get mad, others get even. Not Cronus - oh, no! Cronus +get mad? Never! Cronus get even? Perish the thought!" + +Zeus stalked back and forth before the throne. His face was +turning red in exasperation, and sweat trickled from his brow. + +Already the dark clouds were beginning to form above Olympus. + +"Now you stop that!" Hera exclaimed. "And quit rambling! Do +tell the poor boy of Cronus' monstrous gift to the Gods! And do +get on with it!" + +"Hmmm, yes, my dear. Where was I?" He wiped his brow. + +"Cronus was furious. F . U . R . I . O . U . S!" + +"The boy knows how to spell. Be a bit more concise, Zeus. You +know, we have this garden party shortly. Quickly now!" Hera was +petulant. + +"Of course the boy knows how to spell. Eh, don't you, my lad?" + +"Oh, yes, Sire! My mother taught me well. She says . . . " + +"Another time, boy. Another time." Zeus brushed off his +comments. + +"He was furious. He had no intent to get even. No way! Even +would never do. It was his wish to lay upon us troubles ten +times greater than those he received. Even? Ha!" + +"And so he did. The Curse of Cronus! Has a nice ring to it, +don't you think. I remember well the ceremony. In deep sonorous +tones he enunciated those very words - The Curse of Cronus - and +then repeated it three times. Melodramatic type, he was. I could +almost hear the deep swelling boom of a gong as he ended each +pronouncement." He paused, seemed to be thinking. + +"I've tried awfully hard, you know, to emulate that voice. Very +impressive, really. Can't quiet hack it, though. Had something +to do with his bearing, too." He stopped, looked at Hera and +Demo, and blushed. + +"Lift the curse, that's what I want from you. Now, be off and +take care of it. I have a garden party to officiate, you know." +He glanced placatingly at Hera. "Do be quick about it, for Venus +is terribly peeved. Although I didn't see a single wrinkle. +Lovely skin, lovely, . . . " He paused, noted Hera's angry +glare. "Reminds me - to a lesser degree, of course - of Hera's +beautifully smooth neck and shoulders." + +Hera deigned to be placated. She smiled gracefully as she +accepted his compliment. Yet, she had a knowing look in her +eyes, and the boy noted how she shook her head. + + + +Demo started to ask more questions, when he found himself, +drawn bow in hand, once more in his hunting pose. He sighed, +released the arrow. + +Fresh venison, a new mission, and Cronus! + +He cleaned the game carefully, working from habit without +thinking. His mind was far away. The Curse of Cronus - I must +lift the Curse of Cronus! + +"Oh, yes, of course I know of Cronus," his mother appeared +peeved. "I may be a country girl, but I want you to know, I am +well read. Cronus was, of course, Zeus' old man. My, how they +quarreled! Some thought Zeus would be banned. And well he might +have been, if he hadn't moved first." + +She sighed, added a touch of herbs to the soup. "Mmmmm," she +commented. "It is tasty indeed. Not the ambrosia I'm sure Zeus +serves, but quite tasty. Here, give me your bowl." + +"There was a curse, mother?" + +"Yes, that there was. Zeus drove them out - his father, Cronus; +his mother, Rhea; all of the Titans. He stood by the wayside, +lightning bolt ever ready." She paused, her eyes seeing a prior +time, a time when the Gods were seen by man. + +She filled the bowl with the warm soup, placed it before him. +"Now try some of that. Cronus indeed. This will take the years +off. And a slice of my bread." + +She smiled as he began to eat, watched in pleasure as he +attacked the food with the zeal of hungry youth. + +"Cronus stumbled, and Zeus raised his arm to cast the +thunderbolt. And then Cronus stood straight and tall and +majestic. He repeated, three times I think, with his arms +extended upward, 'The Curse of Cronus'. Doesn't it have such a +melodramatic sound to it? Especially if you pause between the +words." She once more intoned, "The Curse of Cronus", pausing +dramatically between the individual words. + +"And the curse, mother, what was it?" + +"That the Gods, for whom 'til now time did not exist, would now +- like other beings - age. Zeus laughed. Still, there are +rumors, and I understand he laughs no more." She lowered her +voice. "I'm told that, even now, he walks with a cane. Have you +seen it? Can this be true?" + +Demo ignored the questions. "Mother, how would I find Cronus?" + +"My child, you do not find Cronus. He finds you. It is +inevitable. It is from his touch that we pass from child to man +or woman, from youth to middle age, from middle age to an elder +estate. It is a process you would not desire to compress. No, +search not for Cronus. He is not well met!" + +Demo pondered her words, the story she had told. Fable, or +fact? At one time he would have thought the former. Now he was +completely unsure. His simple world had turned strange. + +Demo began his trip, knowing not the way, knowing not the guise +of him whom he sought. The fates were kind, and he found aid +along the way. + +"Earthling, attend me!" + +The voice was soft, yet commanding. + +He breathed deeply as he gazed upon her. The beauty of Athena, +of Medusa, he had thought, could not be surpassed. He was wrong. + +The diaphanous gown accentuated, rather than hid, the exquisite +form of the maiden who addressed him. The face was beautiful not +only in its own right, but in its every response to her +thoughts. Now with a slight blush, now calm and serene, now +smiling and happy - always with an innocence that beguiled and +attracted. + +"I am Venus. It is for my sake that Zeus has dispatched you on +this dreadful sojourn. And dreadful must it be for you, for when +Cronus looks upon you the bonds of time will lock you in their +embrace. Yet there is no other way." She sobbed. + +"Take this. When you tend Cronus, tell him from whence it came. +Then ask him, must the beautiful blond hair of Venus turn gray. +Once he loved me, a grandchild who was his pride. Perhaps he +still remembers. Give to him this mirror, for in it he shall see +my visage. And as I age, so shall indeed the image on which he +gazes. It is his curse. Let him reap its reward." + +She expected no reply, and was gone so swiftly none was +possible. + +He glanced at the mirror from the side of his eye. He blinked. +Truly, it was not his own image, but hers. He carefully placed +the mirror in his pouch. Perhaps, after all, Cronus would relent. + + + +One might think that, to reach Tartarus, the path would be +first through Hades. And having passed through that monstrous +domain Tartarus would lie ahead. + +Indeed, Tartarus lies far below even the inferior regions of +Hades. Solitary, neighborless - there is no common border, no +entry or exit. Tartarus stands alone. None may enter. None may +leave. To those who live therein its bounds are endless. To +those who dwell without it is but a speck, lacking depth, +lacking width, lacking height. + +Demo searched. He found not Tartarus. He found not Cronus. And +so he slept. And as he slept, Cronus found him! + +Each night he lay down to rest, tired from his travels. Each +morning he awoke, unrested, the weight of passing years pressing +down upon him. Yet, the sun had made its own journey, and it was +but the start of a new day. He felt in his bones aches he had +never known. The muscles that served well afore now weakened, +gave way under exertion. + +The dreams began. A white bearded patriarch, severe of mien, +stood nightly at the foot of his bed, gestured over his prone +body. + +And with that gesture he felt his very bones grow tired. The +smooth skin of youth wrinkled, and his sharp eyes dimmed and +lost their luster. + +"Return to Zeus. Tell him that the Curse of Cronus shall never +be lifted. Give up this quest, for on it you shall age each day +as though it were a year. Only the kindness of Cronus prevents +you from withering and dying before the dawn." The deep sonorous +voice ceased, the vision faded. + +He touched his cheek, his forehead. Indeed wrinkles formed and +furrows! Beneath his chin a dewlap hung. His eyes grew tired, +and his voice weak. Nightmare, or visitation from Cronus? + +By day his travels became ever more onerous. The pain of +arthritis attacked his joints, his breath was short, and at +times he wandered over his earlier trail unknowingly. + +Demo noted, looking in the mirror of a calm pond, his thinning +hair, now turning gray. Dark pockets formed under each eye, and +his eyes were themselves bloodshot. + +Perhaps, he thought, it is time to return home, there to rest. +Perhaps, there to lie down to an eternal rest. + +Each night Cronus came. Each day Demo was left with a body +weakened and tired from the visit of Cronus. + +His appearance had become so wretched that he avoided the quiet +ponds, that he see not his image. In desperation he called on +Zeus, then sighed. Even Zeus, mightiest of the Gods, labored +under the Curse of Cronus. + + + +On a certain day, in a certain glade he walked, knowing not +where to turn. His thirst grew, and he noted water trickling +down the hillside ahead. At the base of the hill a small spring +formed a placid pool, and he leaned forward to drink of its +water. + +"Not me! Let it not be me!" + +The gaunt, ancient creature reflected in the still waters +screamed out the words. + +He would turn away, and yet he could not. Fascinated he noted +the wrinkled face, the gnarled hands, the tired eyes. + +My youth, to have fled so quickly! The Curse of Cronus indeed! + +Night shadows were fast enveloping the land. He cut soft limbs +and foliage to make his bed. It mattered not. All beds to him +were hard. Emptying his pouch he nearly dropped the mirror of +Venus. + +He caught it before it struck the ground. I need no more bad +luck, the thought crossed his mind. + +The image of Venus brought tears to his eyes. The beauty +reflected in the mirror but days before had disappeared. Now was +seen but an old crone, straggly hair, wrinkled face, bent back. +Still the eyes tore at his soul. + +The sad eyes that held remembrance of beauty beyond that of all +beings. They seemed to say, "If I could but forget what once I +was. Then I could more readily bear this plight." + +He shuddered, held the mirror in his hand as he stretched out +on his forest bower. Sleep would come soon. And with sleep, +Cronus! + +And so it was. Cronus stood silent at the foot of his sylvan +bed. He held an object in his hand, gazed at it in deep thought. + +The mirror of Venus! + +He had taken it from the bed where Demo lay. Slowly Cronus +lowered the mirrored, glanced at the boy. Demo stirred, looked +with tired eyes at his visitor. + +"I know this one from long ago. I see, yet I know not the face, +nor the name. Is this your mother, boy?" + +"No, sire, this is the face of another, the face of one you +once loved. The face of one you have condemned to misery. This +is the face of your granddaughter, Venus, disfigured by the +Curse of Cronus." + +Cronus' eyes widened, and he glanced once more at the mirror. +"I shall take this with me. Sleep, boy, this night I give you +rest." + +Head bowed, he turned and walked away, fading into the night. + +Demo slept. + + + +He woke late, the sun high in the sky. Even then might he have +slept, except for the sound of the sparrows. + +They hopped excitedly around an object gleaming on the forest +floor. He rose, walked to it, and they took wing in fright. + +The mirror of Venus. Cronus had dropped it there before he +left. Strange. He had been so moved by the aged image therein. +Demo shook his head, picked up the mirror. + +In shock, he almost let it fall. + +The beauty of Venus, radiant and young, once more graced its +surface. + +Eyes wide he glanced at the hand holding the mirror. The +gnarled fingers, wrinkled and old, were no more. The strong +hands of youth now held the mirror. + +Quickly he rushed to the spring, examined his countenance. + +Cronus had relented. + +He heard a distant rumble of thunder, glanced anxiously to the +sky. + +A voice, strong and yet soft, reached his ears. + +"Well done, my son." He knew the sojourn had ended. + +And then he heard the words again. "Well done, my son." and +felt a hand shaking him. + +"Yes, well done. The firewood you were to gather, where is it? +Do you know the sun is near its zenith, and you still lie abed." + +"Yes, mother, I shall fetch it quickly." + +He shook his head. Only a dream? He looked at his hand, the +hand of youth. As he sat on the edge of his bed his foot brushed +an object. + +Absentmindedly he reached down, picked it up. + +He found himself gazing on the beauty of Venus, a smile on her +face. The lips seemed to move, and expressed in a voice all +softness the gratitude shining in her eyes. + +He smiled. No! + +No! Not a dream. + + + +As a child I nourished him. His body I made strong, agile; his +mind, quick. Strength I gave him, and the will to bear pain +without flinching. Almost, eternal life. But that was not to be. + +Ceres was thinking to herself. + +The voice I heard while praying - It is, I am sure, his voice. +The time is coming when this tragedy shall end. In some manner, +unknown to me, Fate will bring the paths together. + +Ah, yet how powerful is the enemy! Zeus himself alone is more +powerful. + + + +No, not true. Moira has mapped the path of each, be they God or +man. And Fate has given me a vision. + +I knew not then to what purpose the boy's skills would be +needed. How quickly time has passed, and the wrong done my +daughter is yet to be avenged! + +His shall be the duty. + +I grow old, my limbs puny. + +He is young, strong. My enemy shall be his enemy. + +And for that enemy his name shall be Nemesis! + +8. The Minotaur + +"Being a well-educated earthling," Zeus began, a slight touch +of sarcasm in his voice, "You are undoubtedly familiar with the +legends of the Minotaur?" + +"I have been told the legend by my mother, sire." + +"Ah, a wise woman. And proud, I am sure, to have such a +stalwart, handsome offspring." + +"At times she has expressed doubts. However, it is but a +motherly quirk, or so I believe." + +"Fine, fine." Zeus seemed weary of the conversation, and yawned +loudly. + +"Pardon me, my son. It isn't that you aren't a brilliant +conversationalist. I could listen to your childish prattle - eh +- to your exploits for hours on end. Shameful, I have so little +time for such pleasures. I must attend to my chores, you know. +Have to give the globe another kick before long, keep it +spinning." He paused long enough to sip at his nectar. + +"Poor year, this. Lousy flavor. Must force myself to drink it, +I suppose." He took a large draught from the flask, smacked his +lips. + +"Well, the annual circus is scheduled for later this spring. +I've decided that we shall have some unusual creatures to +entertain the Gods. They grow listless and tired with dull +repetitive acts. Dragons, unicorns - you know, all old hat. So I +thought I'd surprise them this time. A jolly old minotaur may +well jolt them a little. Yes it should." He mused aloud. + +"Bring one back. Oh, don't hurt it, please. Want it in good +shape. And find out what it eats, will you? Hate to have it +starve on us. I suppose we could feed it nectar and mead. Might +not drink the nectar. This year's nectar is really poor. Not fit +for a minotaur." He took another draught, licked his lips, then +took an additional one. + + + +"Where . . . ?" Demo started to ask, only to find himself +sitting on the ground in his front yard, addressing the air. + +"Yes, dear?" his mother queried. + +"Nothing. Mother, do you recall telling me of the minotaur?" + +"Why, isn't that strange. They had a special on TV just last +night on the very subject. The nasty creature has wandered away +from the maze. No one knows to where. Frightful creature. I +certainly hope it doesn't come near here. I'd give it such a +whack." + +She brandished her broom in the air, brought it down within +inches of Demo's foot. + +He scrambled backward. + +"No one knows where it is?" + +"No, sonny. But you stay away from the woods for a while. It +may well be wandering out there. It could be very hungry. And no +one knows what it eats. It really has a nasty temper, or so they +say. I wonder why it has a nasty temper?" + + + +Drat! Wandered off from the maze. Poor security, I'd say. Where +would I wander if I were a minotaur? He sat in quiet thought. + +Food, of course, it must find food. No keepers to feed it now. +And water, certainly. The body of a bull, the upper torso of a +man. Boy, I bet it has a strange diet! + +I could go over and look at the maze. Might be a clue or two +there. And I better talk to the keepers. They should have a +handle on its feeding habits. + +And if I find it? What then? How does one capture a minotaur? +Or keep oneself from being devoured by it? Ahh, and I was so +happy as a simple hunter! + +"Mother, I'm off again tomorrow." + +"Oh, I wish Zeus would quit sending you on these silly errands. +And you should forget about that Athena. I hear she has a +vicious temper. Now Theresa, she is such a lovely girl. And so +docile. You'd make such a handsome couple," she finished +wistfully. + +"Yes, mother. Do tell dear Theresa hello for me." + + + +Morning came early. He rose grumpily, washed his face in the +wash basin, and carried it out the door to throw away the water. + +He paused to look up at the stars, still brilliant in a dark +sky. Orion was low in the sky, and seemed to be pointing toward +the ocean's shore. + +Perhaps it is an omen, he thought. I shall trek to the ocean. +After all, the minotaur may have plans to leave our land for one +more to his - it's - liking. + +Demo tossed the water out into the darkness, heard it splash, +then a sudden sputtering and words not fit for ears of a young +man. + +"Watch what you are about. If Pluto weren't so concerned I'd +just quit this foolishness." The fox imp was leaping up and +down, shaking itself to shed the water. "This is the second bath +I've had this year. Enough is enough! Going to catch a minotaur, +eh? At this rate I'm going to catch a cold!" He sneezed loudly. + +"You'll be lucky to catch a mouse!" + +Suddenly the imp was silent. He frowned, turned cautiously. + +With a deep growl Rough pounced. + +The imp squealed, rolled sideways, and dashed madly to the +closest tree. Clambering up the oak, the imp glared down at +Rough in anger. "I shall certainly sic Cerberus on you! What a +thrashing you will get! Call off your dog, boy. Quickly, now, or +I will send him where he would not go." + +The threat seemed real. "Come here, Rough. You'd not care for +the taste of carrion." + +"Carrion? Carrion, is it! The seasons pass, my boy. And you +near your destiny. I merely hope to be there when you meet that +destined fate. Yes, indeed! Then there'll be no talk of carrion!" + +He looked carefully at Rough, who stood tense and ready at +Demo's side. When the imp thought the time propitious he leaped +from the tree limb, danced a jig beneath the branches. All the +while watching Rough carefully. Demo held the dog tightly. +Finally the imp rushed angrily into the orchard, growling in a +high-pitched voice while glancing anxiously over its shoulder +for the approach of Rough. "Minotaur, indeed! Wait 'til I get on +the phone to Pluto!" + + + +"Mother, I'm off to Minos. I want to see where the minotaur +lived." + +"Well, for goodness sake, don't go inside. People just keep +popping in, and Theseus is the only one to pop out again. Must +be awfully crowded in there. If you pass by your Aunt Matilda's +place, tell her I'll see her next week." + + + +He picked up his bike, kicked the tires, and started pedaling. +The phrase 'Minos or bust' came to mind, he didn't know why. +Probably some historical significance, he thought. + +Naturally he had a flat before reaching midway on his trip. +"And no gas station within miles," he muttered aloud. + +Never trusted these contraptions anyway. I guess I shouldn't +complain. It did save me a few hours. I'll drop it off at Aunt +Matilda's, and pick it up later. + + + +"Oh, Demo, how tall you have grown. My, my! And so handsome. I +must introduce you to my neighbor's daughter. You'd make such a +perfect couple!" Aunt Matilda was plainly glad to see him. + +"I really can't eat another bite. You are such a good cook, +Aunt Matilda. Oh, mother said she'll be over next week. I think +she wants to borrow a pattern from you. She's always sewing. +Wished she'd learn to darn. Look at the holes in these socks!" + +It took some time to extricate himself from the enthusiastic +welcome of his Aunt. Eventually he left the bike in the garage +next to the chariot, bade her a fond farewell, and hurried on +his way. He'd be lucky to reach the maze by nightfall. + +But he did. He crossed over the bridge, followed the winding +path over the ridge. And there it was. + +The maze, from the outside at least, was rather impressive. +Huge massive walls of at least a man and a half in height. And +they seemed to extend indefinitely, eventually disappearing into +a wooded ravine. The keepers sat at the gate, talking together, +and glancing nervously around. + +"I hear the minotaur has escaped?" Demo questioned. + +"That it has. We were distracted. This lady was going by and +she . . . " He seemed to think better of his comment. "Anyway, +we were distracted. It snuck out, quiet like. Amazing, for a +bull. More like a tiger, stealthy quiet. It's sad, really. Never +trust a minotaur. They'll turn on you. And to think how many +years I've watched and guarded the creature. And my father +before me, and his before him. Minotaurs lack dependability. +I'll take a cat every time, myself. Don't eat nearly as much. +Nice pets. Catch mice, too. Of course, for all I know, so do +minotaurs. Nah, they couldn't be that spry!" + +"How many stand guard here?" + +"There are twelve of us. But what's to guard! He's gone, all +right. Didn't touch his food last night. Of course, I really +don't blame him. The ladies of the Minotaur Monitor Group +required that we feed him half hay, half fish or poultry. I +think he stuck at the hay. So he is half bull. Of course, that's +not the eating half. Anyway, the ladies had their way - and now +look how it's all turned out. Of course, I slipped him a glass +of wine at times, and he was appreciative of that, I want you to +know." + +"I'd like to go inside, glance around if I may." + +"Oh, no! Zeus forbid! The going in is easy - it's the coming +out that comes hard. None who went in have come out in my time. +Nor in my father's time. Before that, there are those who claim +Theseus went in, killed the minotaur, and came out. Well, I'll +have you know, if he went in it wasn't far in - and he snuck out +in a hurry. Cause the minotaur is alive and well, and wandering +around I don't know where on this damp night. I surely hope he +doesn't catch a cold. No, no, sir! You don't want to go in +there." + +"Well, I thought about the coming out again. If you'll kindly +hold the end of this rope I'll take the other end in with me. +And when I'm ready to come out I'll just follow the rope right +back to here. No way I can get lost if you'll just hold on to +the trusty rope." + +After some discussion the guards admitted Demo to the +entranceway. The chief guard held the rope end in his own hands, +and Demo proceeded to follow the maze. Every so often he pulled +on the rope. The tension in the line gave him a feeling of +confidence. + +But circumstances outside the maze did not bode well for his +escapade. + + + +"Ah, good evening again, ladies. Oh, you dropped your +handkerchief, miss. Let me get it for you." The chief guard +politely stepped forward to help the damsel in distress, in the +process laying down the rope. + +Unfortunately, at that moment Demo tugged at the rope, to +insure his path to safety continued in place. + +Tensionless, the rope lay loose on the smooth floor! + +He frowned. Perhaps, he thought, I've left too much slack in +it. This time he pulled harder. The rope moved easily, coiled at +his feet. Demo's face whitened. + +The chief guard turned in time to see the end of the rope +snaking into the maze. He rushed forward to grab it, reached the +entranceway in time to see it disappear down one of the many +openings that seemed to appear and then vanish before his +startled eyes. + +He placed his hand on the entranceway, took a tentative step +inside, then quickly withdrew his foot. + +"Ah, what a nice young lad he was! I wonder where he can be. I +do hope he starts back quickly, before the rope's end has +completely slipped within. Oh, well, time for supper. Do hope +the wife included a sip of wine. Relaxes one." + +Demo looked dazedly at the rope coiled at his feet. The entire +length was there, even the grappling hook that the chief guard +had held so firmly in hand. + +He sat down, stared at the walls that now seemed to press upon +him ever closer. Finally he stood up, used the rope to measure +their separation. After a while he measured it again. No, just +imagination. They hadn't moved. The narrow corridors maintained +a constant width, half a man's height. + +All the same the appearance that the corridor became more and +more narrow stayed with him. Is there truly no escape from the +maze? How many had gone before, never to return. Did they die +here? Or does it lead to another land, another world? Well, I +shall not remain here. And I will escape this maze. But how? How? + +He bowed his head, eventually fell into a disturbed sleep. He +dreamed of searching for Athena, hidden in the middle of an +impossible maze. + +At times he dreamt he had found her, held her in his arms, as +she whispered in his ear. Love words? Or something else. What +was she saying? + +Demo woke, glanced around. + +Day was breaking and the sky above was brightening. +Nevertheless, something was wrong. This wasn't his home! This +was - ah, the maze. Slowly he stood up. + +Athena. She had been trying to tell him something. Something +very important. She had whispered so low the words were unclear. +He shook his head, started to wander off in search of the +entranceway. + +Then he stopped. + +It was something about the rope. She whispered something about +the rope. I better take it with me. + + + +The guards huddled around the fire, talking dispiritedly. + +I suppose they'll transfer us back to headquarters. Can't stand +that place! Too many brass. Too much spick and polish." + +"You may not be so lucky. Remember, the minotaur escaped. They +just might cut off our heads!" + +"It wasn't our fault! How could we know it was coming out? Cut +off our heads? Do you really think so?" + +"Hello. Would you share me a bite of bread?" + +Startled, they quickly looked around. + +The chief guard stood up in amazement as Demo leaped to his +side. "Are you real, sir. This is an experience. I've known none +who successfully navigated that maze. Tell me sir, how were you +able to do what none has done before you?" + +Demo took the proffered loaf, tore off a section, and began to +eat. + +The guards eagerly awaited his response. + +"Athena. She whispered it to me in my sleep. I almost missed +it. Mother always told me, wash your ears. She's right, you +know. I nearly didn't hear it." + +"Ah, sir, and what were the words you nearly didn't hear?" + +"Take the rope," is what she said. "An excellent +recommendation, excellent." + +They sat back in disappointment, glanced at one another and at +him. + +"Now why does she want me to take the rope. That's what I asked +myself. And It came to mind that, with the rope and grapple I +could cross the walls, rather than following each corridor. That +way, if one corridor seemed to be getting me nowhere, I could +quickly climb over to the next one." He paused to twist off +another piece of bread. + +The chief guard picked up the paltry remains and slowly ate the +crumbs. + +"Nevertheless, after swapping corridors for a while I found +little evidence that I was making progress. And then another +thought hit me. Brilliant thought, really. And not Athena's, but +my own. I think." He paused, ruminating. + +"Yes, I do believe it was my own." + +The guards looked at each other in exasperation. Demo munched +their bread, then picked up the chief guard's wine bottle. The +latter half-heartedly attempted to retain it, but finally gave +it to Demo. + +"Save me a draught, if you'd be so kind," he growled rather +sarcastically. + +"Anyway, I started to climb to the next corridor. Just when I +got to the top of the wall it struck me. Why fool with those +twisting corridors. I'll merely jump from wall to wall and go in +a straight line until I reach the outer wall. So I noted my +shadow's direction from the rising sun, and headed south to the +wall whereat I entered last night. It didn't take long at all, +and here I am, and this wine is quite tasty. I fear I haven't +saved you a full draught." + +"From wall to wall he went. He didn't solve the maze at all, he +jumped over it. I don't think that's really fair. Oh, well, +certainly effective," the chief guard grumbled. "Yes, you are +right, you saved me less than a draught." + +He shook the empty bottle above his upturned lips, to no avail. + +"I don't suppose you have any idea where he might have gone?" + +"The minotaur? Well, the old boy has put on a little weight +over the past century. I'd wager he moved mostly downhill, +toward the sea. Much easier path to stroll, I'm thinking." + +Demo nodded. As reasonable an assumption as any other. Off to +the sea, then. + + + + Demo heard the pounding waves long before reaching the shore. +As he broke out of the undergrowth onto the rock-strewn beach +his eyes widened. + +The huge waves seemed almost upon him, then broke, ending in a +gentle flow lapping at his feet. The sea was not the gentle blue +of calmer days, but a deep and angry green. The skies were dark +on the far horizon where a powerful storm built and drove the +pounding waves. White froth leaped high into the sky where water +met solid boulders. And on one such boulder a creature sat. A +creature that blended well with the nature's fury. + +The unseen companion, barely discernible through mist and froth. + +He closed his eyes, breathed deeply. + +When he looked again the massive boulder was bare. + +Still, something moved. Beyond, on the beach, something stood. + +He rubbed his eyes, lurched forward, the unstable stones +twisting under his steps. + +It had not moved, waited silently. + +The minotaur! + +"You don't have a bale of hay on you, by any chance? Or even a +steak? I've been eating this sea weed for days now. Not that +it's bad. Learned to enjoy it while in the Orient, years ago. +Great taste, yet enough is enough, really. By the way, I suppose +I do look rather strange. They tell me I'm a minotaur, whatever +that is. It does have some advantages, with four legs and all." +He reached down and picked up a handful of brown kelp, gnawed at +it judiciously. + +"Has a flavor all its own. Quiet different from dried seaweed I +use to enjoy in Japan. Actually, I learned to enjoy it with +sesame seed and soy sauce. You wouldn't have either of those in +your pouch, I suppose. No, well, I didn't expect it. Should +never travel without them, though. Local supermarkets seem to +run out so quickly. Would you care to join me in a swim?" + +Demo glanced out to the raging sea. The waves, which he had +thought to be huge before, now had doubled in height. Even the +boulders seemed to rock under the force of the surge of water. + +"No, I think I'll stay here and play in the sand. I'm just not +in the mood for a swim today. The water does look lovely, +though. Why don't you indulge yourself?" + +"No, no! Never swim alone! And old safety rule I picked up +somewhere. By the way, are you here vacationing?" + +"Actually, I was looking for you." + +The minotaur suddenly tensed, became alert. + +"You aren't planning to take me back to that silly maze now, +are you? I'd walk around that place once each day, and its +windings back and forth made me seasick. I should never have +bought that place. + +"Ahh, a real salesman! The Realtor was so very enthusiastic. A +month after I bought it he came to the door to ask how I liked +the property. I invited him inside, and haven't seen him since. +I guess the place did have a few good points at that. +Personally, though, I prefer view property. And I'll certainly +not go back! No indeed! Of course, they did feed me. But hay? Do +I look like I would enjoy the taste of hay?" He stared defiantly +at the boy. + +"Oh, no! I definitely have no intent of taking you back there." + +"I'm glad to hear that. You see, I've been a captive behind +those walls so long! I want to see the world. I'm looking to +join a carnival and travel from place to place. After all, I'd +be major attraction, don't you think?" + +Demo listened in disbelief, and in sudden glee. "A carnival! +Not a carnival. What you want to do is join a circus. Now that +is the life. A three ring circus. The big top! Definitely, a +circus!" + +"I have no delusions of grandeur. Don't you think that might be +presumptuous on my part. A little carnival would be sufficient." + +"I have a . . . an acquaintance. I do believe we can have you +as the chief attraction in the center ring. In fact, I'm sure of +it. You would perform before the crown heads of Europe . . . I +mean, before Zeus and all the Gods on Olympus. Believe me, this +. . . acquaintance would be more than pleased to have you." + +"Wonderful, wonderful! When can we start?" + +"Right now. And if you'll let me ride on your back I think we +can make it in record time." + + + +The gatekeeper was notably reluctant to allow their entrance. +Fortunately Hera was near and heard the argument. "Of course he +can come in. It isn't every day we have such handsome company. +And Zeus is looking forward to your return. He always is." She +said the last in a sardonic tone. + +It puzzled Demo at times, how the words said one thing, but the +tone implied something quite different. + +Hera announced them. "Zeus, your ringmaster and his chief +attraction have arrived." + +Zeus, who was staring at his cups, looked up. + +"Poor year for nectar. And now you're back. What else can go +wrong!" + + + +The division had seemed fair and equitable. Zeus to receive the +Heavens, Poseidon the oceans, and himself the nether world. Oh, +they differed a bit in the dimensions, but when the dimensions +were so large what mattered it? + +Pluto sat on his throne, reminiscing. + +We were all young bucks in those days, before Cronus and Rhea +were driven out. Actually, as parents go, they hadn't been too +bad. Old fashioned, believed in discipline - they just wouldn't +give in to the whims of their children. It finally reached the +point that something had to be done. + +Zeus got the word first. + +The three of them were to be turned over as wards to the court! + +Incorrigible!, Yes, that was the word they used! + +Themis had been looking forward eagerly to the day. I should +never have dipped her pigtails in the ink. She resents that to +this very day. And how was I to know she would be the Goddess of +Justice and Law! + +Yes, she was more than willing to take control of their lives! + +Zeus laid out their counterplan, suggested the details of the +partition. He and Poseidon merely acquiesced. Zeus had always +been the smooth one. + +They woke Cronus and Rhea in the dark of night, Zeus with that +mighty thunderbolt, the one Vulcan had fashioned at Cronus' +direction. A thunderbolt so powerful even the Titans such as +Cronus and Rhea could not stand against it. + +Reluctantly Cronus and Rhea agreed to leave. Of course, they +pleaded with the children. He and Poseidon had felt remorse, had +almost backed down, allowed them to remain. + +Zeus was adamant. He would provide the Titans a world of their +own, but to that world they must depart. And so depart they did, +off to Tartarus. + +The exodus went smoothly, except for that little incident of +the Curse of Cronus. At first he thought it was merely a bad +joke. Ah, a few gray hairs and aching joints had long since +convinced him. It was no joke! + + + +Well, well, time had passed. And now here he sat on the throne +of his realm. With a queen yet! + +So he had stolen her away! It hadn't really been done with evil +intent. And he had made an honest woman of her, proper marriage +ceremony and all. + +He'd never forget her mother. Angry? Whew, was she ever angry! +Nothing she could do, however. Zeus himself conducted the +ceremony. Couldn't be more official than that. + +Food was delicious. Persephone hadn't eaten much. Of course, +every young girl is excited by her marriage, wouldn't expect her +to eat very heartily. + +Joyful occasion, over all. + +Except for two incidents. + +Zeus had promised Persephone as a wedding present to give her +one wish. How would anyone guess that she would wish for six +months each year with her mother! Dreadful mistake, that wedding +present. Zeus was a bit muddled, plainly, when he let himself be +cajoled into such a promise. + +The other incident hadn't been quite that bad. + +Ceres came forward to give him her blessing. + +She wiped the tears from her eyes, looked straight at him, and +intoned slowly - "One born of man shall aid her, and when you +follow him it will be to a foreordained destiny." + +That was all. She smiled, turned away, and left the wedding +party. + +He had brooded long over her words. + +Zeus knew not of their content, or refused to divulge his +knowledge. + +She was his bride, this his kingdom, and the only earthlings +were those poor souls whose lifely habits had condemned them to +his control. + +Pluto, Ruler of Hades, to fear nothing. + +Death could not claim him! + +Even Zeus entered not into Pluto's domain! + +So why this premonition, this uncertainty! + +9. The Dragon's Breath + +"My Boy, My Boy! Ah, I am indeed so proud of you! Such daring! +Such courage! And such wisdom! Well, I am all but shamed to send +you on the ridiculous chore I now have in mind." + +Zeus rubbed his hands together, clapped them, and otherwise +exhibited an excess of glee. + +"Yes, after surviving such adventures as that of the Minotaur, +the next task will be rather childish. Ah, well, even routine +chores must be done. I have the same problem, you know." + +"Indeed, every day, day in and day out, I must spin the earth +around. I actually missed a day! Gave everyone quite a scare. +Ho! I made up for it. Spun it twice as fast the next day. I say, +that was jolly." + +"Of course, the wife gave me whatfor. Oh, I deserved it. You +know, if you don't give it that spin each day, it starts to +wobble. I wonder if I didn't spin it for . . .?" + +He looked around for his wife. "Of course, I would never +consider doing that. Eh, well, the next chore . . ." + +"Dentistry! I hate the thought of it! My dentist tells me I +need to have some teeth replaced. Ridiculous! Five teeth, to be +exact." + +"Of course, I couldn't possibly use ordinary repairs. Gold +teeth, now. I do like the sheen of gold. But, no, that wont do. +Very picky, these dentists. At times I've thought of driving +them out of Olympus, right down to another kingdom! Let 'em +visit Pluto for a while. My brother's very sociable." + +"And that, in a nutshell, is the chore." + +"To drive out the dentists?", Demo asked in confusion. + +"Sorry, sorry. To continue, then." Zeus frowned. "You know, +you've really shown a great deal of brilliance. I'm surprised I +have to explain things in such detail. Never mind. Now listen +carefully." + +He paused, sipped slowly from his flask the divine nectar of +the Gods. He frowned, and a large black cloud formed above him. +In a moment rain drops began to pellet them. + +Hastily he looked up. "Ah, go away! Go away! Go bother Pluto!" + +The cloud drifted rapidly away, darting from side to side in +uncertainty. Zeus reached up, produced a towel, and wiped his +visage. + +"They've changed the flavor again. Can't leave well enough +alone. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's what I always +say. It's not like the good old days. They knew how to prepare +nectar then. I mean real nectar, with a kick." + +He took another sip. "Well, well, one must make do." + +"Cadmus. He killed this serpent, see. Knocked out its teeth, +sowed them like seed, and raised an . . . Oh, it doesn't matter!" + +"The important thing is, five teeth remain. For all his +prowess, he didn't knock them out. My dentist says I must have +those. No substitutes. No plastic. The real McCoy. Dentists!" + +"Anyway, they're right in your own back yard. T'other side of +the mountain from your home, actually. Easy day's trip. Just get +a gunny sack, go over and pick 'em up, and bring 'em back. Your +task, then - should you choose to accept it - is - get those +teeth." + +Demo frowned. Somehow it seemed he had heard those words before. + +Zeus smiled kindly, reached out and patted Demo's head. + +"I do apologize. It's such a silly task! But necessary. So be +on your way." + +Demo stood up, knowing he had been dismissed. The sudden +landing when dismissed from Olympus back to earthly surroundings +is best met standing and with flexed muscles. + +As he departed he heard Zeus murmur, "Actually, this nectar +does have a certain bouquet, a body, an essence of its own." + +He couldn't quite make out the last few words. " Hmmm, did I +tell the boy that the serpent isn't dead after all? Minor +detail." + + + +"Mother, do you know aught of Cadmus?" + +"Cadmus. Oh, yes, he lived down the valley a ways. Strange +fellow. Went around killing dragons and such. In fact, that was +his downfall. Poor soul. Why do you ask." + +"Was he a dentist?" + +"Oh, heavens no! Sorry, Zeus, no disrespect intended. Ah, +you're thinking of the dragon's teeth. Did I ever tell you about +that. It goes to show the ridiculous way some of the neighbors +behave. Let me see." She paused, a slight frown on her face. + +"If you cross the mountain at lowpass and descend to where the +river forks, you'll see it." + +Demo waited, but plainly she wanted him to ask. + +"Yes, mother, what is it I will see?" + +"The field, the very field where Cadmus sowed the dragon's +teeth. It grew him a dreadful crop, it did." + +"Warriors! They sprang up from the ground! Fully armed, ready +for battle. Big, burly, rascals all. And he didn't even have to +water or fertilize. I wonder how big they might have been if he +had used fertilizer?" + +"Vicious tempers, though. Hardly spoke a civil word to him or +each other before they were hard at it, fighting like children. +He just stood and watched openmouthed. Couldn't believe adults +would behave so abominably. Did I pronounce that right?" + +"Yes, mother, I think you did." + +"Thank you. I really need to review my English - eh, Greek. One +does forget, you know." + +"Cadmus, mother, and the dragon's teeth?" + +"They went bonkers, killed each other off, except for half a +dozen. They looked around, and one said 'Hey, you could get hurt +out here.' and they walked off the field over to Cadmus. He put +them to work building some kind of city, Planned to live there, +I think. Anyway, he got one of the God's peeved. Wasn't too +smart, Cadmus." + +"Really, mother. What happened?" + +"Turned him and his wife into serpents. Kind of poetic justice +I suppose. He comes slithering around this way every so often. I +don't mind, cause he kills the mice. It is a little +disconcerting when he starts talking about the good old days, +though. And I have to be extra careful I don't step on him. He +always was the one to be underfoot." + + + +Demo bartered with the village smithy for some metal tongs and +a hammer, stowed them in his pouch, and headed for lowpass. A +beautiful day, with bright sun and cooling breeze. + +"Five teeth. Zeus is right, this is a silly task." + +At lowpass he gazed out over the wide valley. The river flowed +roughly through its center, and the fork in the river was less +than half a day's travel away. With a satisfied grunt he began +the descent. + +At first the trail ran steeply down. He half walked, half slid. +But eventually the incline became less intense, and he made good +progress. The path widened as it reached the green meadow. From +there it led with little deviation directly to the dragon's +woods. + +In due time he reached the field. It was immediately +recognizable. + +Rusted armor and scattered bones brought tears to his eyes. So +many brave men had died, and for nothing! + +Here and there a small helmet rose only partway above the +ground. "Ah, bad seed, I suppose. Never ripened." + +Then he heard it. + +The sound came from the forest adjoining the field. A moan, +almost ghostly in quality. + +"Do the spirits of these dead warriors dwell in yonder copses?" +he whispered to himself. Slowly he approached the forest edge. + +It rushed from among the trees, fire breathing from its mouth. +Its huge body threshed from side to side, knocking giant trees +to the ground. + +As it saw him it stopped, moaned again. "I see you have some +tongs there. Are you perchance a dentist. I've got this terrible +toothache." It had hardly finished speaking when it moaned once +more. + +"No, I'm not a dentist. But, see here, maybe there is something +I can do. Do you know where I'll find a dead dragon. Killed by +Cadmus, if I rightly recall?" + +"I am he, eh, it. Didn't kill me. Terrible dentist. Never, +never go to Cadmus for treatment. No anesthetic at all! just +yanked 'em out." The creature shuddered. + +"The worst part is, he left five. He left the five I really had +wanted him to work on. Never, never, trust a dentist. Oh, boy, +do they ache." + +Five, well that must be the five. Demo thought carefully. + +"Well, hang in there. I think we can get you some help. Come +along now." + + + +When they arrived at Olympus Zeus was out back. + +"Just go through the gate right there," Hera smiled. "I'm sure +he'll be glad to see you. Shouldn't your pet be on a leash, +though? Keep him out of the flowers. And don't let him chase my +cat. She'll claw him good if he does." + +She reached down and scratched her pet behind the ears. The +saber-toothed tiger purred softly, arched its back. With a +supercilious look it examined the dragon as though it were an +oversize mouse. Eventually it followed Hera out the door, merely +stopping once to glance disdainfully back. + +Zeus was busy, feeding fuel to a small still. He opened a valve +at the base, filled his flask with the sparkling liquid. + +"This is it. Just the right flavor. Just the right consistency. +Just the right strength." He slowly sipped, threw his head back +and took a larger swallow. + +At that moment Demo and his companion entered the garden, and +the dragon groaned. + +Zeus took the cup from his lips, stared wide-eyed at the +dragon, then looked at his drink. He closed his eyes, shook his +head, then looked at the dragon once more. + +"Boy, do you notice something unusual behind you. I do believe +this nectar has muddled my senses." + +"Oh, no sir. Nothing unusual. I've completed my task." + +"Nothing unusual." He said the words sadly, emptied his flask +on the ground. "I was afraid you were going to say that." He +shook his head. + +He looked once more at the dragon and frowned. "I'll drink no +more of that stuff." + +"The teeth, boy, the gunny sack full of teeth. Where are they?" + +"Right here, sir." Demo pointed to the dragon. + +Zeus blinked, then smiled. + +"Aaah! Yes! I understand. Well, now, that's all right. I had +some doubts there for a moment. Thank you, my boy." He refilled +his flagon. + +"Yes, I see. Well, take them, then. The teeth, that is. Fight +him. Hit him a nasty blow and take the teeth. Get on with it." + +"Oh, no sir. He's more than willing to part with them. They +hurt dreadfully, he tells me. I told him your dentist would +willingly remove them." + +"Yes, of course." Somehow Zeus sounded disappointed. + +Odd, he sounded disappointed at the completion of each task. + +"Well," Zeus growled at the dragon. "Don't just stand there. +The phone's over yonder. Make an appointment and get them +pulled. I do hope the dentist isn't all booked up." + + + +The palace had all the jewels, all the objects of art, all the +trappings a person could desire. But for a country girl raised +in a small hut it lacked a prime requisite. + +It flat wasn't homey. + +Such was Persephone's evaluation. + +Even that could have, over time, been corrected. + +A second problem concerned her even more. + +Her husband. + +He wasn't presentable. + +His looks were atrocious, his bearing boorish, and he could +only be described as uncouth. + +He had one slight redeeming grace. + +In his own strange way, he loved her. + +That fact, more than anything else, made her unhappy. + +If he were but toying with her she could willingly have +despised, yes, even hated him! + +His love was real. + +He showed it in his every attempt to be kind, in his watchful +manner. If she seemed to only hunger, he sent for food. If she +were only tired, he prepared her bed. If she showed sorrow he +tried to bring joy. + +How miserable to be married to a monster with a kind heart! + +Her feelings vacillated. + +At times she hated him for having abducted her, for keeping her +from her mother and the flowery garden where she had played. + +At times she pitied him for the suffering he bore +uncomplainingly. + +Only she knew the sadness in his soul as each new sinner moved +into his kingdom. Their pain he suffered too. Yet he was chained +forever to his duty, to be the Master of the Nether Regions. + +In spite of her feelings she thought of different ploys, +plotted, to escape from this dark world. + +In time that escape would occur. + +As would regrets. + +10. Heaven's Essence + +On Olympus, in spite of all the stories and legends, idyllic +conditions do prevail. Zeus and Hera live in peaceful bonds of +matrimony. Mercury zooms off here and yon, now here, now yon. +Zephyrs blow gently. Paradise indeed. + +But, occasionally, matters go astray. The essence of heaven is +flavored with a drop from misery's vial. And, oh, what +despondency, what black moods, and what strange and tragic +escapades a drop may launch! + +Demo found himself at the center of one such escapade. He +quickly wished himself elsewhere. To no avail. + +"We're going on a very short vacation, Hera and I. It's been +eons, literally, eons! So I just want you to take care of the +place while were gone. Keep an eye on things. Check the house +plants, make sure they are watered. Feed Cerberus's pup. That's +really about it. I suppose I ought not do it, but I'll give you +credit for a full - eh, for half a task." Zeus smiled happily. + +"You told me . . . .," Hera paused, and angry look in her eye. + +"You are right dear, you are absolutely right. A full task, my +boy. Out of the goodness of my heart." Zeus glanced petulantly +toward Hera. Fortunately she was examining her garb in the +mirror. + +"Oh, one minor detail. You'll be baby-sitting Cupid during our +absence. Venus left him here to keep us company. He's a +wonderful little chap. I'm sure you'll get along splendidly." + +Was there a smirk on Zeus' face, a touch of facetiousness in +his voice? + + + +"Boy, why are you sitting on the throne of Zeus?" + +Demo turned, startled. + +"Eh, you see, I'm in charge. Zeus is on vacation, and I'm +filling in for him." + +"Indeed! A likely story. Let's see your credentials!" + +For a moment Demo hesitated. Then he stood erect, shoulders +back, as kingly as he knew how to stand. + +"Who are you to question the credentials of an appointee of the +mighty Zeus. See, here in my hands he has left his thunderbolt, +symbol of his power. And in a moment I shall become angry and +cast it at you. Begone! And when you are allowed to return, do +so with a better grace, or I shall send you trapping, off to +visit . . . well, off to visit his brother Pluto. Now, off with +you, and quickly!" + +Demo took the thunderbolt in his right hand, raised it high, +and made as furious a face as a 17 year old might make. + +Apparently it was sufficient. The lackey backed quickly out of +immediate range, bowing low and rushing madly from the room as +he reached the entranceway. + +Demo smiled. + +Well, he thought, I could have done worse. A little more +practice is all I need. This Zeus surrogate role could be quite +pleasant. + +It wouldn't be. + +The clouds were difficult. In fact, he couldn't master them at +all. + +With Zeus, merely to think an angry thought generated them. +They clustered, dark and ominous, above his head. Streaks of +lightning jumped from cloud to cloud. + + + +Demo tried, but he could not really develop a seriously angry +thought. At one time he did almost generate a mild fog, thinking +about the fox-imp. With it's antic in mind, his better nature +overcame him, and he broke into laughter. Poor fox-imp. It had +been so concerned when Rough growled. + +For two days were Zeus and Hera to vacation, and two trials +were imposed on Demo, one on each of those long days. + + + +The first day Demo sat in the garden, relaxing, watching the +green grass grow. It was chore that pleased him, requiring +little physical or mental exertion. There are those who prefer +to sit and watch green grass wither. Not Demo. He really had no +mean bone in his body. At least, if he so had he to date hadn't +located it. Actually, he hadn't searched very thoroughly. + +Nevertheless and regardless, here he sat, watching the green +grass grow. Occasionally he broke out his micrometer, measured a +blade or two. "I believe they are shirking. Hasn't changed a +single millimeter!" + +Would that it could have lasted. + +"Sire," Janus bowed. "There are two who would have your +counsel." + +Demo nodded. "Oh, very well. Send them in. Oh, and bring me my +nectar." + +The two who entered were unknown to him. One, the smaller, +limped. The taller, however, walked as unsteadily as did the +small one, and his red nose and blinking eyes suggested a state +of inebriation. + +Demo frowned. + +"Well, what would you have of me. Get on with it!" + +"Sire, this picture, this picture so well crafted, is claimed +by Bacchus. By Bacchus, who can not draw a straight line, nor +walk one. He claims to have painted it, with all its intricacies +and beauty. He lies. I, and I alone, painted this picture. I +would take it with me to my island of Lemnos." + +"Poppycock! Preposterous! This limping lout knows that Zeus is +absent. He wishes to take advantage of your innocence. He is a +worker in metal, merely an artisan. His soul is burned by the +smithy's fire. Art! He knows nothing of art! This picture is of +my own design, and it contains my very soul. An artist, you +know, puts himself into his every product. Look! Here is beauty, +wonder, brilliance - would a smithy even aspire to such +qualities as reflected here!" + +"Ho, yon wimpy wine sop would not know one end of the brush +from the other. More like he would paint the picture in wines of +many colors, not with the pigments you see on this my parchment. + +The picture, limned on parchment stretched on a wooden frame, +depicted a forest scene. Near at hand the trunks of large trees, +and seen between them, in the distance, an open meadow. There +danced woodnymphs. + +Demo examined the picture carefully, then turned it face away +from the purported owners. + +"Tell me," he looked at Bacchus, "what is portrayed, and how so +portrayed?" + +He listened quietly to the exposition of the sylvan scene, the +merry dance of the nymphs, the greens and browns and tone colors +that formed the hues. + +"And you," turning to Vulcan, "describe to me this picture." + +Vulcan closed his eyes and was silent. Then he spoke slowly, +almost as in a trance. "This is the picture of a maiden, her +golden hair lighted by a single beam filtered through the forest +foliage. All else is only background, merely there that she +might display her beauty. It is but a vision, unreal, of what +might be. Yes, it is only the picture of a maiden." + +"Could each of you supply me with a picture similar in nature +that I might compare?" + +Neither could respond to his request. + +"Well, without more evidence I find that I cannot judge for one +or the other. Let me give further thought to the matter. Eh, +come back in 2 days. Zeus will be here, he'll resolve the +problem quickly." + +"My Lord, we are both to leave this edifice this very day. Zeus +has so decreed. He was unhappy with our problem, and requested +that we bring it to your attention." + +Demo frowned. To my attention! + +"It's time for my ambrosia. Return when the sun begins its +descent. I'll give you and answer then. + +He mused. He thought. He worried. He ate. + +Delicious, this ambrosia. Not equivalent to his Mother's +cooking. But certainly good enough for Zeus. + +He carved the food carefully, munching on each savory bite. And +as he carved a thought came to mind. + + + +Okay, I've a solution. With my knife I shall rend the picture +from top to bottom and each may keep his half." + +He took picture, laid it on the table before him, face up, +pulled out his hunting knife. + +Bacchus rose, looked at the picture, then shrugged. "Very well, +Sire. It will serve me just as well. It is but an ornament to +decorate my wall." + +Vulcan looked at Bacchus, at the picture, and then at Demo. + +"No, I would have my picture. Still, let it remain whole. +Though Bacchus may own it, it shall ever be mine. Better it +decorate his wall in its entirety than suffer the sacrilege of +dissection." + +"Upon further thought, Master Vulcan, I consider the picture to +be yours. You speak true, it is the picture of a maiden. All +else is there only for her. And you would lose your masterpiece +rather than see it destroyed. Take it." + +"As for you, Master Bacchus, I find you to be deceitful in this +matter. I would have you accompany Master Vulcan. For six months +you will serve him. And he, in that six months, shall teach you +the rudiments of his art. Now, begone, for Cerberus' pup grows +hungry." + +Was I right? Demo questioned himself. Perhaps, after all, +Bacchus did paint the scene. What would Zeus have done? + +Ah, Zeus would have done much the same. And, being Zeus, he'd +be right by definition. So, of course, as Zeus' surrogate I too +am right by definition. + +Demo smiled. This God stuff wasn't too bad at that. + +So he thought! + + + +Children are lovable. As babies they, sweet and cuddly, invite +one's kind adoration. As toddlers, though underfoot, they laugh +and chatter, bring brightness into our dull lives. Older, they +play, are now defiant, now dependent, as they seek to find their +place in the world. + +Then, there was Cupid. Not quite the child. Yet not an adult. +Ever with the prankish nature of youth. Armed, nevertheless, +with a bow. Armed with arrows of the most pernicious kind. Sly, +at times. Open and outgoing at others, he shared the faults - +and the virtues - of his mother, Venus. + + + +The second day started off nicely. Demo gave the world a little +extra twirl, and it hummed along smoothly. He did note a slight +wobble, and gave it a slight extra spin to compensate. + +He checked the progress of the sun, the positions of the stars, +and kept a weather eye on earth and underworld. + +No problems surfaced. + +He was being lulled into an unwary mood. + +The attack began! + + + +It was ruthless! They came at him in droves, never giving him +time to think. His face whitened, reddened, turned blue. + +Demo tried to think of the terms Zeus might use under such +circumstances. They didn't come. + +Zeus' old flames - angry, petulant, pleading, demanding! + +Demo was caught off guard. + +They informed him that they had an audience. Zeus plainly had +forgotten to pass on the information to him. They waited +impatiently for the promised audience. + +Zeus had promised faithfully, to each and every one, a place by +his side on the throne. Had promised the decision on this very +day. At these words Demo hair stood on end. + +What kind of fit would Hera throw at even such a suggestion. +The heavens would split asunder from her anger! This problem had +to be resolved, and quickly, before the return of Zeus and Hera! + +Nereids and naiads, they came. Sea nymphs and mountain nymphs. +Beauties from far off forgotten corners of the world, and others +from nearby. All with one thought in mind - to claim that +promised gift from Zeus! + +"Ah, Ladies, charming Ladies - I must retire to my chambers and +give this matter careful thought. Return when the sun has +reached its zenith." Demo smiled, bowed, and escaped quickly +before their anger could be vented on him. + + + +It would certainly be simpler if - well, dalliance on such a +scale! It had never entered his mind. Zeus? + +Anyway, whether real or imagined, these angry young ladies were +convinced. What could be done? + + + +Enter Cupid. Helpful child, he considered the dilemma faced by +Demo. In his childish way he quickly arrived at a solution. A +solution of great moment to Demo. + +Cupid's arrows flew! + +Unfailingly they struck the heart of each victim! Unfailingly +they elicited a well-known result! + +Love and ardor possessed each target. Love and ardor, no longer +for Zeus. Rather, for Demo! + +Cupid's arrows flew! And flew! + + + +The approach of noon weighed heavy on Demo. How best to +extricate Zeus from an untenable situation came not to mind. +What to do? A really deplorable situation, with very little room +for maneuvering. My, what would Hera say! + +Aha! An idea came to mind. A contest, to chose one from the +mob! Cut the problem down to size. What kind of contest? + +Of course! + +These, the most beautiful of women - what else? A beauty +contest! + +A problem still remained. Who dare judge such a contest? +Certainly not Demo! He shivered at the thought. The anger of the +losers might well be vented on him. No, someone better qualified +must decide. It had to be someone impartial, and unassailable. +Someone not subject to feminine wiles. + +But who? + +Oddly enough, Cupid entered the throne room at that very +instant. + +Demo smiled. + +A child! Why, of course, a child! Who could be angry at the +decision of a child? And certainly a child would hardly be +swayed as might an adult. + +"Cupid, my lad, I have a chore for you." + +Cupid listened carefully, nodded in understanding, and agreed +to participate in this new game. He would indeed judge the +beauty contest. + +"Janus, bring on the ladies, if you please." + +The meeting did not go as planned. + +The ladies entered. They sat around the room, stood, fidgeted. +Each was unique, beautiful in an individual way. In look and +action they differed. Yet they all did one thing in common. + +They stared at Demo with undisguised desire, boldly caressing +him with ardent gazes. + +Demo felt the hair on his neck rise, and a shiver raced down +his spine. With an effort he announced, "There is insufficient +space in the throne room for all you fair ladies. So we propose +to have a beauty contest, the winner to set beside Zeus and +guide him in matters of the heart. Cupid has volunteered to be +the judge." + +They seemed little interested. Rather, they watched Demo's +every move with strangely glistening eyes. At his direction they +paraded across the throne room. + +Cupid made notes, assigned points for various and sundry +qualities, and finally arrived at a conclusion. He brought his +notepad to Demo, stood quietly beside the throne, cherubic in +appearance. That alone should have forewarned Demo. + +It was a tie! All the contestants had attained identical scores! + +Demo's eyes opened wide, and he quivered. This was unexpected! +He hesitatingly announced the result, readied himself for the +angry outburst he expected. + +There were a few yawns. Some of the ladies engaged in quiet +gossip. All continued to regard him with interest. + +There was no outburst. + +"Who cares." A comment came from the back of the room. + +"Sit beside Zeus! I'd much rather keep company with a charming +boy." The lady stared meaningfully at Demo. + +"Hardly!" Another beauty stood up. "He is certainly mine!" + +In moments the room was filled with rancorous voices, angry and +loud. Turmoil followed, and the crowd quickly moved to the outer +court, accompanied by pummeling and hair pulling. + +Demo sat wide-eyed, glaring at Cupid. + +The boy smiled. "Well, I must practice my archery." + +He strolled away, humming softly. + +Was that a smirk I noted, Demo thought. I'm sure not. After +all, he is only a child. + +I think I'll cut his bow string. + + + +A maiden clothed in white gazed with tear-dimmed eye across an +endless plane. Sulfurous fumes rose from boiling liquid ponds +dotting that dread surface. Manlike creatures, yet men no more, +staggered blindly from place to place. In their ceaseless walk +they fell hapless into the open pits and screaming in agony +clambered out, only to resume their endless wandering. + +With a sob the maiden turned to her companion. Hideous though +the manlike creatures were, the visage of her comrade was more +hideous still. A body twisted, scaly, not of this world, +well-suited to this dark and gloomy clime, supported the +grotesque head. + +"Have you no pity? Is there nothing to be done for these, the +suffering?" + +A voice between whine and growl responded. "They chose, while +on the earth, their own brand of eternity. I am but the keeper. +Yet, for the kindness of your soul, shall their pain be eased +for a brief moment. I shall give them sleep. I can do no more." + +"And for me? I who would choose another world, I who have not +yet passed through death's portal - what have you to offer me?" + +"I offered you a goblet from the River Lethe. That would have +soothed your tears, and washed away all memory of yesterday, and +of all yesterdays. Sadly, you would not drink. Perhaps it is +better." He spoke musingly, as though unsure. + +"You know full well that you are to abide with me until once +more the sun pass through one half his journey. Then may you +return to your mother's lodging, to green grass and gardens, for +a time. Were it within my power the confines of Hades would be +such a garden, that here you might too find beauty. It cannot +be!" + +The creatures of the nether region lay quiet now, a short +respite from their eternal pain. Tears welled from the eyes of +Persephone. Where they fell bloomed sweet violets, even bloomed +in Hades. + +But too quickly they wilted and died. + +11. The Sound of Regulus + + + +"My dear boy, how are you? This weather! I must apologize. I've +been despondent, down in the dumps. I'll try to cheer up, really +I will. Tomorrow you shall have sunshine." And in fact Zeus did +indeed sound cheerful. + +"Your poor dear Mother! I know she washed today, and then to +have that awful deluge! Well, well, I shall have to make amends. +Ah, she does cook such delicious berry pie! Ummm! Ah, I have it! +You will soon notice, on the hillside to the south - I'll +arrange to have the most scrumptious berries grow. Tell her to +pick from that patch. Ah, those pies!" He paused, leaned back on +the throne, eyes closed. The smile reflected that even the +memory of the pies was appealing. + +"But I mustn't waste your time. My snake charmer, poor soul, +has lost his snake. Not literally. It has just grown old +(Cronus, you know) and can't hear his flute to well. So he needs +a snake. And he won't settle for just any type of snake. No, he +tells me the regulus is the only one that will do. Would you be +so kind as to dash off to the Cush and pick up one for him. The +northwest corner, I believe. No, sorry, that's the northeast +corner. I think. Oh, never mind, you'll find it all right. It's +called the Nubian Desert. And do hurry back. He'll be so very +pleased. Yes, he will. And so will I." Zeus smiled benevolently, +and Demo knew it was time to go. + +It was. + +With a final word, "What you don't hear can't hurt you," Zeus +waved good-bye and Demo found himself partially immersed in a +sand dune. Slowly, cautiously Demo worked his way out of the +dune, slid down the side. Overhead the bright sun beamed down as +the heat became ever more oppressive. + +In the distance he heard a steady beating sound, drumlike yet +metallic. It disturbed him. The dull monotonous beat, +reminiscent of the clang of shields, spear butt struck, +announcing doom and death song. + +Demo shivered. It did not bode well. Where had Zeus placed him, +and where would he find the regulus? And the last words from +Zeus, what did they portend. "What you don't hear cannot harm +you." Strange words indeed. + +But he heard well, and what he heard was that steady beat, and +suddenly the sound of footstep in the sand. He turned to greet +in friendly manner the native of this strange land. + +Striding toward him, tall and imperious, spear in hand, a dark +yet ghostly white sinister figure! + +"Are you of Cush, or are you from the Northland?" The voice +was emotionless, but the spear point bore upon his chest, a +handsbreath away. + +"Neither. At least, I think neither. I am Demo, and I am here +on a mission for Zeus. I know nothing of Cush, nor of the +Northland. I am here to find the regulus, to take with me to +Zeus. I mean you no harm, and implore your aid." + +The stranger listened stoically to his plea. He silently +marched in a wide circle around Demo, always at spear length. +Seeing no weapons he sat down at the edge of the sand dune. + +"Zeus? Is that the name of the pharaoh? Are you an emissary of +this pharaoh, Zeus?" + +"Of Zeus, yes. But he is no pharaoh. He is, well, he is Zeus. +And I'm here to perform this little chore for him." + +"Strange, you don't resemble us. Neither the Nuba nor the +Mirikan. Nor the people of the Northland. Very well, I'll take +you to Jebel Bakhal. There your fate will be decided." He rose +slowly. + +"Come, perhaps your blood shall stain the sands of Cush. Others +shall decide. That way!" The tall stranger pointed with the +spear, waited for Demo to move out. As Demo hesitated the spear +point was thrust forward, stopped a finger's width from his +skin. + +Demo nodded, moved quickly in the indicated direction. + +So this is Cush, he thought. And somewhere in Cush I'll find +the Regulus. Or will it find me? Ah, the sun is blazing. Would I +were swimming in the streams of home! + + + +Heat, dreadful heat! + +Heat, humidity, and air that pressed upon the chest - how shall +I escape? + +Here, prisoner of love though she were, she knew only +suffering. She glanced at the creature by her side. Pluto gazed +out upon his kingdom deep in thought. + +The moans of unremitting misery rose from countless throats, at +times drowned by the screams of horror, the imprecations against +Pluto and all his minions. Persephone cowered at the sounds, +pressed palms to her ears, to no avail. + +Pluto sighed, rose slowly. Sad-eyed he gazed upon the woman +child by his side. Why had he brought her here? Though his, she +would never be his. Though loved, she would never love. What a +fool, to have stolen her from Ceres! And yet, he would not exist +without her. + +God, ruler of the nether world. Then why the sadness, why the +remorse? + +Pluto sighed. + +Dunes gave way to wasteland, sand strewn with stones. And this +in time to regions where grew sparse vegetation, small trees. +Soon copses of thorn trees rose. And beyond, shimmering as an +illusion, dark hills faintly seen. + +Though his companion strode seemingly without effort through +sand and stone Demo grew ever more weary. And even as the sun +neared the horizon and a light breeze tokened cooler air he +paused, exhausted. + +His companion eyed him suspiciously, once more walked in a wide +circle around him. "Uhmm, sit. The river is beyond. We shall +sleep here this night. And tomorrow we shall know your fate. +Here." + +He was offered dried food, a mixture of fruit and nut and meat. +There was little taste, but at least sustenance. "I need water," +he breathed. + +"No. Tomorrow there shall be water. Here there is none. Sleep +now. When the moon rises we shall move on. Over there." He +motioned toward a slight rise between dark boulders and above +one of the scattered termite hills. + +Demo lay down, shivering in the air, rapidly cooling with the +setting sun. The sandy earth, still warm from the sun's rays, +was welcome. And he fell rapidly into a strange sleep broken by +even stranger dreams. + +A dream in which a giant with a spear stood over him, spear +raised. And a bright glow enveloped the giant's head, gleaming +white. + +Suddenly he sat up. + +It was no dream. + +The point of the spear touched his stomach and he slid hastily +away. His companion stood at his feet, and the full moon gleamed +brightly behind his head. "Quickly, we will be in Jebel Barkal +by daylight. Quickly." + + + +"Ah, Regulus!" They looked, one to the other. "The Master of +the Cobras! The Guardian of the Desert!" + +These were the priests, the wise men. Each wore the mystic +crown, the sun disk with the protecting uraei, the twin cobras, +sacred to Amun. All of gold, even the band of the crown. Clothed +in gowns of white, trimmed with gold. The chief priest held a +golden rod, nearly equal in height to himself. + +The pillars supporting the roof were gold, and at the peak of +each pillar the ram's head, above which was the sun disk, and a +single cobra seeming to view with disdain those before him. + +"Tell us of this Zeus. What has he to do with Regulus? Why +would Regulus deign to visit this one in his far off kingdom? +What manner of Pharaoh is this Zeus?" + +"Zeus? Zeus is the Father of the Universe. All that is, is, +because Zeus so wills. You and I and Regulus and . . . and +everything. We are but the product of Zeus' power." + +Ezah raise his spear, a look of shock on his face. + +"Wait, wait! Do you speak of Amun? Is this Zeus but a different +face of Amun? There is no Zeus here. And all that you say, that +is the work of Amun. We know not this Zeus." + +"Yes, it may be. In my land the supreme being is called Zeus. +In your land the name may well be Amun. And he has sent me." + +They whispered, looked at him askance, whispered again. + +"You are but a stripling. Ezah could dispose of you with one +blow. He could pierce you with his spear, and you would be no +more. What kind of emissary is this for a God to send our +temple, this temple dedicated to Amun?" + +"I, well, I have chores to perform. And this was laid on me as +one of those chores. I have no special magic, no special skills +- I am merely the chosen one." + +"The Chosen One!" + +They all stood, and the high priest, wide-eyed, bowed. + +"Amun has sent you, then. And the will of Amun must be obeyed! +Tomorrow you shall be led to the Nubian Desert, to the abode of +Regulus. And there we will leave you. For none returns who +enters the lair of Regulus." + + + +Sleep was fitful, with dreams that began and ended with a +strange serpent eyeing him malevolently. And a hiss that made +his blood run cold. He woke often, fell once more to sleep. The +moon shone, cold and bright. A slight breeze blew, at times +gusting to drive grains of sand across his face, into his +nostrils. At times he sensed a musty smell, strange and +frightening. The odor of Regulus. He was sure of it, though he +knew not why. + +Morning came cold with the desert night. But quickly the sun +warmed the land an air, and day creatures awoke. Ezah stood +silently by his side. They ate, drank a tea sweet with the taste +of a strange honey, and Ezah rose. "I brought you here, and I +have been chosen to lead you to your destruction. North and East +toward the sea. But long before we reach that sea you shall +enter the Nubian Desert. There I turn back. And you, Amun +willing, you shall meet Regulus. And may Amun protect you, for +none other can!" + +The earth changed from hard surface coated with sand to sand +alone. With each step Demo sank ever deeper into the entrapping +grains. As he struggled to keep up with Ezah the sweat dripped +in a steady stream from his brow, into his eyes, at times +blinding him. He could taste the salt, mingled with the desert +dust. Each breath drew in dry dust, clogging his nostrils, +coating his throat. + +Suddenly Ezah raised his spear high, stopped short of a ridge. + +"I have gone far beyond the borders, far beyond my realm. But I +can go no farther. Yonder ridge marks the bounds of his lair. I +know not how he looks, nor how he attacks his prey. I am told on +the far side of the ridge lies but a graveyard, dotted with the +remains of those who dared approach Regulus. I have but one +weapon, this spear. Take it, and may it render you good service. +Before you go pray to Amun, or to your Zeus. Now I must leave +you." + +Demo accepted the long spear and watched in dismal mood as Ezah +turned and quickly disappeared in the direction from which they +had come. Reluctantly Demo move toward the ridge, using the +spear as a cane to aid his passage. + +As he reached the peak his foot slipped. He fell forward in +the sand. He rolled headlong over the ridge, and downward. +Rolled into the lair of Regulus. Stopped finally. Buried in a +dune of sand. Sand clogged his nostrils, forced its way between +his lips, packed even his ears. + +He tried to stand, to break out from the smothering blanket. He +moved his arms and legs as though swimming. He was blind, knew +neither up nor down. His heart pounded as he held his breath, +for fear of breathing in only the deadly grains. + +He felt the spear's shaft, held it tight, moved it from side to +side. And suddenly through slitted eyes he noted light. + +For a moment he lay still, then gradually worked his way +upward, upward to the light. + +Hours passed. Or days. He had no sense of time, only of +desperation. And finally he emerged from the imprisoning grains. + +He forced the grit from his mouth, his nostrils. Rubbing +carefully he cleared his eyelids, blinked slowly to regain once +more his sight. His heard a continuous roar and he looked around +to find the source. Then he realized it came from within him. He +could hear no external sound! Both ears were plugged with grit, +with desert silt and sand! + +He found that, ears plugged, his sense of balance was lacking. +With each step he wobbled from side to side, both from lack of +balance and from the loose particles beneath his feet. + +He could see now, though dimly. His eyes burned and teared. If +he only had water to wash his eyes. + +And his mouth! Dry, filled with the taste of earth and silt and +minute particles of rock. And the rising wind was driving even +more grit into his face, into his lungs. He turned his back to +the wind, gazed at the bleak landscape of Regulus' Lair. + +For the most part there was nought to see but bare desert +waste. And yet, dotted here and yon, remains of those who had +gone before. A skull, whitened by the windblown grit. The rib +cage, each bone in place, lying half buried at the base of a +dune. And the horizon darkening as the wind's intensity mounted. + +Though he could hear nothing the felt the driven grains +striking even through his clothes. And dust devils rose from the +desert floor, danced their dance, and faded in the distance. The +sun was blotted out as the gusting wind lifted silt and sand and +dust into the sky. + +He lay down, desolate and knowing not which way to turn. But +even as he lay on the desert floor the sand began to blanket +him. With an effort he stood erect. + +How could he find Regulus? Indeed, with the blowing wind, the +shifting dunes, and the desert heat how could he do anything. +Zeus, he though, I have failed you. I'll see home no more. + + + +Amun the powerful ruled those desert wastes. Amun the merciless +drove the sand across its surface. But Amun could relent. +Perhaps the pleas of Mut, Goddess Mother, perhaps but a whim, +yet the winds died and dark clouds gathered, poured briefly +their life giving waters on the scene below. + +The huge drops fell, pelting the desert floor, drenching Demo +in the deluge of a rare thundershower. And bringing a new and +different danger. + +For the rain fell in torrents, and water rushed down gullies, +down ravines, flushing sand and rocks before it. A wall of water +loomed above Demo's head, coming ever closer. He clambered up +the side of a dune, fell. He rolled down, but managed again and +again to regain his footing. Finally he reached the top. + +Standing there he gazed at the raging waters in disbelief. They +ate at the dune as though a wild beast. Waves rose an bit away +the sand beneath his feet. The dune shrank, began to merge with +the surrounding water. The rain had ended, but the stream +continued unabated. + +And then, as suddenly as it had risen, the stream sank into the +desert leaving but moist pools behind. Demo looked in disbelief +at the sudden calm. Hurriedly he drank muddy water from a pool +at the base of the dune. Even as he drank the thirsty soil +soaked up the water. Small pools disappeared under his gaze, and +larger ones shrank rapidly. + +He knew the winds must have hummed, the torrents roared - and +yet he had heard nothing, the silt and grit pounded into his +ears. And he was sure that now there was silence - how much he +wanted but to listen to that silence. He smiled at the idea, +then frowned. How dare I smile at a time like this, he thought +to himself. + +Distracted by his thoughts he did not note the ripples on the +largest pool. Ripples which emanated from movement beneath the +surface. Movement that ever became more violent. Nor did he hear +the hiss that bubbled up from the depths. Aroused by the +torrential rains, the rushing waters, the blast of thunder, +Regulus awakened. + + + +"He's seldom gone this long. Demo is such an able hunter. I do +believe if there were but one deer in the forest Demo would find +it. We're never without venison, you know." She was proud of her +son, of his prowess as a hunter. + +"But this time the hunt has been long. And I dreamed of Moira +last night." She shuddered. "May I never again have such a +dream!" + +"Moira? I don't know Moira." + +"No, and be glad you don't! But enough of that. Come, you shall +help me cook the last of our venison. I do hope Demo returns +soon with his kill. He's always so proud, you know. Rough, leave +those chickens alone!" + + + +Hissing and writhing Regulus rose from the pool, slithered out +on the sand. He gazed at Demo balefully. Demo neither saw nor +heard. For him the world was silent. + +But then he noticed something. A faint musty odor, and odor +which he remembered from his dreams. + +Demo quickly stood up, looked toward the pool of water. And saw +Regulus rising, the brown drops shedding from his slick skin. +Wide-eyed Demo held the spear level, pointed toward the strange +apparition. + +Regulus regarded the spear point with concern, hissed mightily. +With consternation he observed Demo, hissed once more. + +"Most unusual," he commented, "I must be losing my touch." + +He slithered over the sand, undulating from side to side in his +progress. He approached Demo, but kept a distance beyond the +spearlength. With slow sinuous motion he glided around the boy. + +"Hisss! Hissssss!" he breathed, watched nonplused at the lack +of response. "You seem not to understand, my boy. Have I failed +in some manner to properly enunciate the sound? Perhaps my lungs +are waterlogged! Know you not that none survive who hear the +hiss of Regulus? How dare you continue to stand there, +impervious. Bad mannered, to say the least." + +He grumbled, still continued his slow and torturous +encirclement of his intended prey. + +"You must be Regulus," Demo commented, in part to himself. "I +would hope, though my ears are so confoundedly stopped up I +can't hear you, that you can hear me. I'm sent by Zeus to +invite you to come live on Mount Olympus. No nasty sand storms - +and absolutely no floods! Look at you, dripping and with wet +sand sticking to your every scale! You could slither comfortably +through the smooth green grass, dance to the flute, and sip +nectar in sun." + +Though Demo was hardly a salesman he was suddenly aided by the +elements. A dark cloud was forming above, accompanied by +thunder, lightning, wind - and sudden rainfall. + +Regulus wriggled from side to side, glissaded down one dune, up +another. But there was no place to hide. Grumpily he returned to +a spot before Demo, nodded his head in agreement. Whatever +Olympus had to offer, it would be an improvement. + + + +Hardly had the contract been made than Demo found himself once +more in Zeus' presence, accompanied by the sinuous serpent. + +"Well, well, I'm pleased. So this is the Nubian Demon. I beg +your pardon, but it is the reputation you have earned. Regulus, +isn't it? Of course. Ah, you shall like it here. Yes, indeed. +But please stop that infernal hissing. You see, it really +doesn't work up here. Just crawl into that basket over there. +And please, pull the top over you. My, what a surprise you shall +be to my charmer. + +"As for you, Demo, once more well done. I'm amazed at your +resourcefulness. But do keep in mind that my little black cloud +was helpful. Good day, my boy." + +With a sudden thump Demo found himself once more in his own +front yard. The fall had ended so abruptly the sand-and-silt +plugged ears were cleared, and he could hear once more. + +"Demo, I told you to stay out of that tree. My, I hope you +haven't broken anything. Well get up from there and come to eat. +We have such wonderful company. Theresa is staying for supper." + +Rough licked his cheek and grinned a dog grin. + + + +Evening came early. + +They ate their supper in a strangely quiet mode. + +Afterward his mother looked at him for a moment, turned away, +wiped a tear from her eye. + +"Mother, are you ill? What is wrong!" Demo rose quickly, +stepped to her side. + +"Demo, I have a story to tell you. Sit down, don't interrupt +me." + +She sighed, paused as though uncertain how to continue. + +"Today an old woman visited our home. A very old woman. Her +name is Ceres. Perhaps you have heard the name." + +He shook his head. + +"An old woman, but a very good woman. One known to me since +youth. At one time she served as your nursemaid. A good +nursemaid! Would that I had known how good!" + +She stood up, paced back and forth in a disturbed manner. + +"You were a weak baby, with very little chance for life. I +feared that you would not survive. I prayed to the Gods. And +then she came to me, brought to us by your Father. He had met +her in the forest, where she wept for her lost daughter. She +nurtured you, raised you for me, put strength in your bones and +muscles. Nearly, she gave you gifts no human dare dream of." + +This time she sobbed, head bowed. + +"But I, foolish woman, feared her ministrations, feared for +you. I ask her to leave my house and I took you away, and action +I shall ever regret." + +"Nevertheless, I had promised, that should you survive, she +might one day ask of you a service. + +"This day she came, and so asked. I queried of her, what might +that service be, yet she answered not. She said only this, that +should you accomplish the chores of Zeus, one task more must you +perform, and then the debt would be paid." + +Demo smiled. + +"Mother, if I complete the tasks laid on by Zeus, what matter a +simple task laid on by an old woman. The promise has been made, +the service shall be rendered. In due time she will, I'm sure, +inform me of that which must be done. Do not be concerned." + +His mother hugged him close. + +During the night he heard her sobs. + +He felt for the first time a gloom, a foreboding, that one +insurmountable task lay ahead. He fell to sleep with difficulty, +woke often. And he dreamed. + +In the night he dreamed of rushing through the dark forest, +pursued by he knew not what. Knowing that, before the long +night's end, he must turn and face that dread pursuer. + + + + + + + + + + + + + +12. Poseidon's Wrath + +"A family reunion would be nice. I really don't get around as +much as I used to. The job, you know. Duties. Responsibilities. +You humans! You just don't understand how vexing it can be, +being a God. Why, every day, day in and day out, I've got to +have the sun rise. No big chore, but it's only one of many." +Zeus shook his head. + +"The moon, if I don't watch her, goes wandering off. Messes up +the tides terribly. Disconcerting to young lovers, too!" + +He looked, head cocked to the side, at Demo. + +"So, what may I ask, do you want here at Olympus?" + +For a moment Demo was nonplused. + +"Sire, I gathered you had sent for me. I came not of my own +volition. Perhaps some other has need of my services . . . ?" + +"Somebody is playing games, and they are surely going to get +themselves into a mess of trouble. Yes! A mess . . . of . . . +trouble!" Zeus glanced around, a thoughtful expression on his +face. + +A titter sounded from the inner hallway. + +Zeus glanced at Demo to see whether he had noted the sound. + +Demo was silent. Best to leave all surmises alone. After all, +he thought, who am I to criticize the dalliances of Zeus. + +Zeus smiled. + +"Anyway, you are here, so let's get you started on another +exciting excursion. By the way, you've really done remarkably +well, and I am proud of you. Here, let me give you a slight +token." + +He thought a moment, smiled once more, and waved his hands +nonchalantly in the air. The medal was large and shiny as Zeus +slipped the supporting chain over Demo's head. Demo took the +medal in his hands, read the legend thereon. Although the words +were difficult to read in an inverted position he managed to +decipher them. + +"For Ungodly Support to the Gods." + +Zeus kissed him on one cheek, then the other. "I'm never sure +the order in which I'm supposed to do that. Never mind. If I got +it wrong, we'll merely change the ritual." + +He glanced rather anxiously toward the hallway. + +"Young man, rather quickly now. I want you to drop in on +Poseidon. Lovely fellow, you'll like him. Eh, don't ever discuss +fishing with him. He has a dread of the subject. I was fishing +one day and he nibbled at the bait, and . . . Anyway, a subject +not to be discussed. Where was I . . . ?" Zeus glared at Demo as +though the boy had stolen his train of thought. + +"Take this bag with you, and give it into his hands, and his +only. He'll know what to do. By the way, do you own a bathing +suit?" + +Zeus, Olympus, and all else seemed to be fading away. Demo +seemed to hear, faintly, Zeus scolding. "Now, you know you +aren't supposed to play with my powers. You just leave that +young man alone, my dear. I'm such an ogre when I'm jealous." + + + +He landed with a splash. + +Zeus' aim was plainly off. + +Almost always he had landed in his home, the forest. But this? + +The middle of a stream, of course. He slipped under the water, +propelled himself upward, glancing quickly around at the height +of his watery leap. A shudder went through him. + +No river, this! + +Neither shores, nor the green forest, nor the high mountains of +home! + +Water, only water! Deep blue water, extending as far as eye +could see. Blue . . . and salty. Surely he had landed in the +ocean! + +"Zeus, Oh, Zeus! I do think you may have erred . . . only +slightly, of course. Zeus . . . ?" + +"Who dares call on Zeus, when he swims in my domain? How come +you here, earthling? Where is your ship? Do you not fear my +watchdogs, the great sharks that guard my kingdom. And why call +you on Zeus. Poseidon rules these waves! + +"I . . . My name is Demo. I was merely doing an errand for +Zeus. And, through some mischance, I landed in these waters. +Perhaps you can direct me to the nearest shore?" + +"Mischance, eh? Well, Zeus is putting on the years . . . Odd, +but he may be losing his grip. Oughta spend more time at the +seashore. Relaxing. Yes indeed." The voice seemed to emanate +from a puff-fish, which floated rather nonchalantly at arms +length away. + +"The nearest shore. Of course. You earthlings. I would invite +you down for a meal, but you lack the necessary organs to join +me. Toward the setting sun. A small island. I'll race you!" + +Demo looked to the west. Water, only water. + +"Is it, well, very far?" + +"No, no! Just a good swim away. Ah, forgive me. It could be a +bit strenuous for you. I'll take care of it, though." The +puff-fish whistled loudly, popped up above the water to peruse +its surface. + +"Here he comes." + +Demo followed the puff-fish's gaze. He wished he hadn't! + +The shark was approaching at alarming speed. Its fin split the +water's smooth surface, drawing ever closer. Demo's eyes widened. + +"Hey, that's a shark!" + +"Yes, yes indeed! Actually, merely a minnow as sharks grow. +Actually, he was the only one in the area, so I flagged him +down. Oh, taxi, right this way." + +The shark circled slowly, at times rising to the surface, its +cold eyes regarding Demo with hungry interest. + +"None of that, now! Just come over here and let him ride upon +your back. Over to the island, and be quick about it. I don't +care to wait. And I do so enjoy shark steaks." + +The shark stopped dead, then slowly swam alongside Demo, who +clambered aboard. + +The trip was indeed swiftly completed. Though it ended swiftly, +not swiftly enough. Not before the shark, perhaps to show its +displeasure, several times dived deep. + +Coughing and spewing saltwater, Demo suffered the torments +with little grace. As they reached the shallows off the island +he quickly dismounted, swam toward the waiting beach. + +The shark swam with him, circling ahead and behind, and +occasionally taking a playful nip at Demo's heels. Amazing how +playful nips at one's heels improves one's swimming skills! + +As he waded toward the shore a sudden wave roared in. Massive +torrents of water tore over him, knocked him to his knees. When +he groggily arose he saw before him, in all his oceanic +splendor, a figure of majestic proportions. + +"You are on an errand for Zeus, are you shipmate? And may I +inquire to what port ye are bound? I may well give thee +favorable winds and gentle seas, if it so please me." + +"Sire, I seek the master of the deeps, Poseidon himself. I have +this missive to convey to him." + +"Well, now, you've laid your course well, and have made already +landfall. Lower your sails, matey, for I be Poseidon, he whom +you seek. Let me look upon this important missive. My, my, from +Zeus himself!" + +Demo proffered the missive, astonished at his good luck in so +quickly completing his task. + +Poseidon opened the package, pulled out a long roll of papyrus. +"Well, a letter from Zeus! I didn't know he could write!" + +He read the Zeus' letter, looked contemplatively out to sea, +then read it once more. "Have you read this missive, my good +lad?" + +"Oh, no, Sire. It would not do, you know!" + +The calm look on Poseidon's face had disappeared. Anger seemed +to be mounting, and his face grew first red, then purple as an +angry sea. + +"Then let me tell you what this is. This is a bill. And not an +ordinary bill. Our good Zeus says, says he: 'Your past bills for +the water I have supplied you have not been paid. Your rates are +therefore doubled, and the present bill also includes a penalty +for late payment and excess water usage. Return payment in full +with the boy, or suffer the consequences." + +"How dare he! To send such a bill to Poseidon! I rule the waves +and all the water under them! Penalties! I am somewhat annoyed +by your missive, shipmate. Have you heard the term, keelhaul? +It's an old custom to keelhaul those who arouse the ire of +Poseidon. And, in the absence of Zeus, mayhap we shall keelhaul +his emissary." + +Demo looked around. He saw no sign of emissary, none to serve +for the aforementioned keelhauling. + +Demo shivered. + +"Eh, Sire, he seems not to have an emissary handy. Should I +see such an emissary, I shall most certainly direct him to you, +so that he may participate in the keelhauling. Anyway, now my +mission is complete, and I must report back to Zeus." + +"Oh, no! I wouldn't think of such a thing. Come aboard, come +aboard! Ho the dinghy, we'll be going directly to the ship. Look +lively, now!" + +Demo followed Poseidon's gaze. Where the sea had been empty now +floated a three master, its sails furled. And on the beach a +dinghy, manned by a scurvy looking crew of ill-clothed sailors. + +"Yes, indeed. I can see you are impressed by her lines. Only +wait 'til you are on board. We shall have a sumptuous feast in +your honor. Ah, you haven't eaten until you've partaken of the +food from my galley. Come along!" + +Demo examined, surreptitiously, the oarsmen. Though they rowed +with vigor, their faces remained expressionless, their eyes +empty. He felt as though he were looking on the spirits of +drowned sailors, condemned to these chores for eternity. + +"Quickly, now, laddie! Up the ladder. Hold her steady, boys. I +wouldn't have the youngster get wet, not yet." + +Somehow the last two words disturbed Demo. He wasn't exactly +sure why. + +"Keelhauling, I didn't explain it to you, did I. Well, it's a +sport we indulge in at times. Gives the lads a chance to get in +their exercise. The way it works is, we take a . . . eh, a +volunteer. We tie his hands behind him, wrap a hawser around +him, and toss off the bow. The boys pull the hawser from stem to +stern, from starboard to larboard, all around the good ship back +to the bow once more. Jolly good fun!" + +Demo listened wide-eyed and speechless. + +"I see you are impressed! And so you should be. I've a very +good mind to let you volunteer. Give you a chance to show off +your mettle. Yes, I just may give you the chance." Poseidon's +voice held a tone of anger to match his angry face. + +"And the sea is of like mind. Have you ever seen such waves! +Keelhauling today would indeed be great sport!" + +"Sire, I fear I would provide poor sport indeed. With hands +free I swim like a rock. With them tied I fear I would never +surface at all." + +"Well, don't fret. That happens all the time. Ruins the fun, of +course. Keep in mind, though, that we always give the volunteer +a solemn burial at sea. A very impressive ceremony. You would +truly appreciate it." + +The prospect of participating in a keelhauling - in fact, of +being the keelhaulee - grew less and less desirable as Poseidon +explained the term. + +"But, first, a good meal. We'll start with some bacon and eggs. +Delicious bacon, and the eggs are cooked in the bacon grease. A +delightful meal. And you probably thought we'd be dining on +cockles and mussels and nought from the dry land. No, no! We +feed our guests well. Yes, indeed!" + +The rolling of the ship as the waves struck, the thought of the +greasy bacon and greasy eggs - the very idea of eating - +nauseated Demo. + + + +With a sigh he stared out at the watery scene. + +The sea, which had been so blue and calm early in the day, now +frowned with graygreen surface and waves that reached, at times, +the foot of the crowsnest. The wind blew with a sonorous tone, +reminiscent of the dirges played at village funerals. And above +all the sky looked down with a gray visage, pockmarked with +black clouds. + +From these, more and more frequently, lightning flashed to +better display the scene. + +Flying fish swam deep, and dolphins sported not. Gulls and +terns were not to be seen. + +And yet . . . . + +And yet a bird flew. Battered by the wind, drenched by falling +rain, its powerful wings brought it ever closer to the ship. A +huge white bird . . . . + +Demo eyes brightened. Could it be her? Here, in this dreadful +storm! + +Indeed it was. + +She landed beside them, assumed the form of a goddess. + +"Well, uncle, you sail rough seas this day. I've come to ask of +you a favor, for I am in love and what Cupid cannot grant, the +mighty Poseidon may well provide." + +"Ah, little niece, delightful to have you on board. The boy and +I were discussing some manly sport for later in the day. Perhaps +you can stay. It should be amusing." + +"Come, Uncle, let us go forward to where the bow leaps from the +depths. I want to feel the force of the waves, the blast of the +windy gusts. No fair weather sailor I. Boy, stay! We shall +return." + +With anxious mien Demo awaited their return. He was sure his +own fate was being discussed. Could she control even the power +of Poseidon? A shiver went through him, whether from the cold +rain and wind or from his own fears, he knew not. + + + +"My boy, forgive me. I knew not your qualities. Athena, my +dearest niece, has told me of your exploits. My, you are much +too shy and retiring. If I had done the deeds she attributes to +you, I would blare them out for the world to hear. Come, join +Athena and myself at a table set to honor you." + +The attitude of Poseidon had changed indeed. And the smile of +Athena erased all fear and doubt from Demo's mind. Even the sea +now grew calm, and the winds died to mere gentle breezes. Demo +thought, 'The wonder of a woman!' + +"Before you return to Zeus - with a message I wish to dispatch +- I would have you assist me with a problem. I'm sure it will +take but a little of your time, and you shall certainly be +rewarded well." + +"Sire, I would willingly serve, but . . . " + +"Good, good! Then it's settled. Have you, perchance, heard of +Oceanus, and of my henchman Proteus!" + +"Vaguely, I recall the names." + +"Eh, you shall get to know them well. Perhaps you will know +them better than you would care to. I think so. Well, enough for +now. Let us enjoy the feast." Poseidon smiled. + +They dined well. The wealth of the sea contributed to +Poseidon's table. Yet were missing the flesh of the sea calves, +a delicacy for which his table was famed. Amphitrite, Poseidon's +wife, commented on the lapse. + +"Proteus, long our herdsman for the sea calves, has left us to +follow Oceanus. For Oceanus has returned, and attempts to +reclaim these watery regions from the rightful authority of my +beloved Poseidon. It is sad, for only strife can result, and the +death of heroes." + +Poseidon glanced at her, then addressed Demo. + +"I had intended to delay this conversation until after our +repast. However, since the subject is broached, let me appeal to +you." He sat silently for a moment, a slight frown on his face. + +"These domains were passed to me from Oceanus, in the early +times when the Old Gods lost their powers. Even as Zeus was +given the heavens, and Pluto the netherworld, so received I the +raging waters, the ocean depths, and all creatures who take to +the sea. And the Titans, who had long held power, were exiled to +Tartarus." + +His face grew grim. + +"I have ruled well this maritime kingdom. The fisherman takes +his catch, the traveler sojourns on peaceful seas, the water +nymphs sing along the quiet streams. Yet Proteus, when still he +served me, prognosticated of evil times. In words strange and +cryptic he warned of a usurper who would wrest from me my very +throne." + +Amphitrite patted his hand, and for a moment he smiled. + +"Athena has told me of your services to Zeus, of your courage +and your deeds. I now am in dire stress, and would send you on a +task. A task to thwart the avarice of Oceanus, and end this +madness." + +"My dolphin, my sea chariot, and my horses are at your +disposal. I have little guidance to provide, little help to +offer. You should know this. When Oceanus ruled these waves the +seas were wild and no ship dared sail. Under my rule calm seas +have greeted the sailor, and steady winds have filled his sail. +I would keep it so." + +"Tomorrow, at break of day, my chariot and steeds shall be at +your disposal. My dolphin shall act as a guardian, to warn you +in times of danger, and protect as best he can. As for the rest, +it is left with you." + + + +After the meal they went on deck. The seas were calm, sparkling +with strange luminescent lights where played the flying fish. +The moon rose, its light reflected from the water's surface. +Demo and Athena stood quietly at the bow of the ship, enthralled +even as we by the beauty and majesty of the sea. + +Poseidon and Amphitrite watched the couple for a moment, then +looked at each other with a smile. "I think she chooses well," +Amphitrite voiced quietly. + +Poseidon nodded. + +Demo walked with his hand in that of Athena, bathed in her +smile. Strange that Zeus did not interfere! + +Premonitions occupied his mind, and even as he pressed the +warmth of her against him he shivered. Waiting for him, he knew, +was the unseen companion. And a destiny he could not fathom. + +She sensed his mood, touched his cheek lightly with her hand. +"Would I could remove this curse from you. Understand that it is +not given even to me to see the final scene. Yet my love will be +with you. Ah, 'tis time. The moon is sinking into the sea, and I +must be a-wing ere it fade from sight. Fare the well, my +wanderer. Return safely to me." + +He looked at the moon, now half hidden by the horizon. Turning +he found her gone. The beat of wings above the ship, and the +silhouette of an owl against the moon, marked her going. + +Demo stood, disconsolate, listening to the quiet lap of the +waves against the bow, the groan of taut hawsers, the gentle +flap of furled sails in a light breeze. Tomorrow a different +adventure - one from which he might not return. Well, morning +comes swiftly. He sought his bunk, slept well, rocked by the +gentle swells of the vast ocean. + + + +The chariot rode smoothly and swiftly over the surface of the +sea, pulled by a brace of stallions even a warrior might ride +eagerly. Led by the dolphin they raced he knew not where. To +search for Oceanus, whom he had never seen; to look for Proteus, +who changed form at will - what strange adventure this. Perhaps, +what hopeless adventure. + +Yet they pressed on. The sun rose and lightened a glistening +sea, deep blue mirroring the blue of the sky. And as far as +sight could see, nothing. Only the endless surface, stretching +from horizon to horizon. + +Still on the dolphin sped, close followed by the steeds. Never +had he ridden with such speed, never had he seen an ocean +without end. Sun overhead, he felt the warmth of its rays, even +though the cool ocean breeze gentled its beams and he felt only +comfort. + +They came upon the shore so quickly that he was surprised. The +mighty stream rushed into the sea, a current that stretched even +beyond the sight of land. They had approached from the side. +Suddenly the dolphin leaped into the air, twisting sideward, and +swam slowly in a circle. The team slowed, halted the chariot at +land's edge. + +What was he to find here? He recognized nothing. Beyond the +mouth of the river the trees grew profusely, hiding the upper +reaches from his view. The near shore was rock strewn, but +marked with wide sandy stretches. Inland the land rose slowly, +then reached a escarpment, a huge vertical stone wall. + +He waded to the shore, looked for edible plants near the +river's brink. Strange plants grew in scattered clumps, but +nothing that he recognized. He sat down, gazed out to sea. On +the far horizon white cumulus clouds were forming. Finally he +picked some of the native plants, examined them carefully. +Perhaps they had some food value. They might serve for greens, +or even a salad. Reluctantly he munched on a leaf. + +The taste was bland. Still, there seemed to be little else with +which to satisfy his appetite. At least, it would fill his +stomach. + +He had eaten a handful, leaned back to rest, when he noted a +shadow on the sand. Quickly he looked up. + +He had felt no alarm. Surely this monstrous creature was not +the unseen companion! + +"I came swiftly, yet plainly not swiftly enough. I am sorry. +You have eaten the herb, and the curse of Glaucus is even now +working in your body. + +"I pity you, young man. You have eaten of the herbs that +brought me to the state you see. Soon you will feel a mild +desire to enter the water. And if you resist it will grow ever +stronger. At last you will respond, and when you do, your body +will change as did mind. You too suffer the curse of Glaucus! + +Demo stared at him in distaste. Yet, fearfully, he knew it was +true. Even now he felt the urge to enter the beckoning sea. His +mind saw visions of deep lagoons populated with swarms of fish, +great manta rays, swimming amidst brilliantly colored coral +reefs. His skin felt dry and sere. He must swim in the warm +ocean, or he would surely die. + +Quickly he rose to his feet. Glaucus looked down, did not move. +Demo walked slowly to the beach, looked back at this, his weird +visitor. Finally, closing his eyes, he stepped into the water. + +He felt the change begin even as the soft waves touched his +ankle. He rushed forward, threw himself headlong into the soft +waves lapping the shore. He heard a roaring in his ears, his +muscles ached, and for a moment his eyes were sightless. + +It was done! + +He did not ask. He looked at the scaly hands, the strangely +webbed fingers and toes. The curse of Glaucus. The adventure was +over. Athena was lost to him forever. Now he was but another +denizen of the deep, a strange monster in the ocean's depths. + +The dolphin swam near. + +"You are one of us, now. I know not whether the process can be +reversed. In any event, in this form I can take you to Proteus, +if it is your will?" + +"Proteus? What matters it now. He would set upon me, for I +resemble nothing but a monster of the deep." Yet, reluctantly, +Demo swam with the dolphin through boundless seas 'til night +darkened the eastern sky. + +"Down. We must go down. Here Proteus waits, prepares for the +coming of Oceanus. He works busily, his eight great arms ever +assembling the throne on which Oceanus would sit. Come with me +to the depths." + +With each moment they swam ever deeper. The blue-green waters +of the surface darkened, took on a purplish tinge, grew ever +more impenetrable by the eye. Yet, far below, a light gleamed +dimly, or lights. And it was toward those lights they made their +way. + +At first the fish had swam and played, delighted with their +company. Butterfly fish flitted by, seahorses danced in a +vertical ballet, and in the distance the sharks circled, ever +accompanied by the pilot fish. + +With each fathom they penetrated the fish grew ever fewer, even +as did the light. The warm surface waters were no more, replaced +by chill drafts from far below. And colder still the waters as +their passage continued. + +The source of light became more evident as they drew nigh. Red +and glowing lava, flowing in an endless stream, lit the massive +peak from which it flowed. The stream near the volcano's mouth +glowed brightly, and lava flow around the peak retained the glow +until the heat was quenched by the frigid waters. + +Water and steam and bubbles swirled ever upward above the +melted stone, a seething cylinder of white illuminated by the +light beneath. And there, on the edge of the molten magma, +Proteus worked his work. + +His giant squid-shaped body was limned by the magma's red +light. He coiled his tentacles around huge boulders, tore them +from their rest. These he sat in place, building a massive +throne, the throne of Oceanus. + +The task progressed. Nevertheless, even as he worked the Gods +of fire struck out against the defilement of their melted +artistry. A belch of white-hot lava erupted, brushed aside the +mighty throne. In hasty retreat Proteus swam quickly, tentacles +drawn in to escape the edge of the crimson river. He drove +across the watery waste, propelled by the force of inky jet +fluids. + +His passage brought him to the very spot whereat they waited. +His eyes looked upon them in neither curiosity nor fear. So long +as Demo and his dolphin guide did not interfere with Proteus' +movement they were ignored. + +Demo watched the undersea volcano, the fiery eruption with its +steaming seawater, molten stones. Still, it was not the grandeur +of the scene that held his attention. + +In the midst of the burning mass a dark object stood, arms +folded, eyes focused in deadly hatred on Demo. + +The unseen companion! + +With a shudder Demo closed his eyes, opened them once more. The +vision was gone. Only the angry red lava remained. He shook his +head, turned once more to the job at hand. + +"Proteus, I am sent by Poseidon to reason with you." + +The tentacles suddenly coiled spasmodically. The creature moved +cautiously away, halted, then approached once more. + +"Poseidon knows full well why I have left his service. I served +him well as herdsman, and in reward the Golden Isles were to be +mine. They have gone to another, Glaucus, who is only a +trespasser in these watery depths." + +"Glaucus, he who was transformed from human form to one such as +I?" + +"Indeed! He whom I would drive from these waters with all good +will." + +Demo was silent. Suddenly a spume of molten lava shot from the +peek of the volcano. The explosive eruption drove them back, +even as the red liquid followed a steamy path, lighting the +depths around them. Only Proteus observed nature's fury with +equanimity. + +With a shudder Demo ignored the roiled waters. "Proteus, let me +deal with Glaucus. Should I convince him to return to the land +from whence he came, can you in your wisdom return him once more +to human form?" + +"Willingly, willingly. I tell you, though, I know his kind. +He'll never give up the Golden Isles." + +Turning to the dolphin Demo ignored the last remark. "Take me +to the isle where I first assumed this form. There I knew +Glaucus. Perhaps there he still remains." + + + +Lying in the waves Demo gazed anxiously at the shore. There +grew the horrid plants, the occasion of his unhappy condition. +But nowhere was Glaucus to be seen. The waves gently washed upon +the deserted beach, and terns and gulls flew low above them in +search of food. High above white cumulus clouds floated in an +azure sky. Even as he gazed one began to obscure the brilliant +sun, casting a dark and cooling shadow on earth and sea. + +The dolphin grew restless, swimming back and forth to release +its pent-up energy. "Go, search these seas for one such as I. +Tell him that a friend waits here. A friend who may well have a +remedy for this curse from which we suffer." + +The dolphin willingly began his search. No lover of indolence +was he. + +Diligent though he was, he searched to no avail. Glaucus was +not to be found. Eventually, nigh day's end, the dolphin swam +once more to Demo, confided to him his failure. + +"Know you of Scylla? The six headed monster who takes her toll +on those following their trade on the sea? Go where she waits +her prey, and look there for Glaucus. For there was a time, +before Circe in anger molded this hideous creature, that Scylla +was a maiden fair. Yes, a maiden loved of Glaucus. Search for +him near that abode, for he will not wander far from his true +love." + +Through the night Demo slept in the gentle tide, washed by warm +waves. The phosphorescent sea stretched as far as eye might +follow, dropping below a distant horizon. Flying fish played +above its surface, and seahorses danced beneath. All was silent, +save for the soft waves caressing the shore. + +He dreamed. + +Of Athena, of home, of what he had now become. + +The roar of incoming waves awoke him. A seafog covered the +shoreline, and heavy waves were forming with the incoming tide. +He dove into the oncoming wave, swam deep to calmer waters. + +There played bigeyed butterfly fish, colored with a palette of +white and black and orange. Silversides swam, and among the +floating weeds wanderer crabs creep. Seahorses cavort, and at +times the young were exploded in droves from the fathers pouch. +Shoreward, where rocky outcrops lay, seasnails moved slowly, +devouring the algae on their way. + +He sensed, rather than saw, their approach. + +They came swiftly. The Dolphin swimming in happy glee, Glaucus +following at a more subdued pace. After explanations Glaucus +willingly accompanied him to Proteus lair. + +The pact was sealed. Glaucus would be returned to his prior +form. Proteus was to return once more to Poseidon's service. +"And myself?" Demo queried. + +"It shall be as with Glaucus." + +Proteus smiled, if one can say a squid smiles. At least, he +grimaced. + +"How, then, do we deal with Oceanus? You know of his rekindled +ambition. What can be done to placate one such as he?" + +They talked long, examining the problem each from his own +perspective. "It is a problem without solution!" exclaimed +Proteus. "He seems invincible. Yet even he must have some +weakness, some hidden defect that might be his downfall." Demo +spoke with little assurance. + +"None. No, there is not niche in his armor. Any weakness in +another is lacking in him. I should know. Weekly, before the +Golden Isles fell to Glaucus, Oceanus and I played round after +round of golf on those shores. I observed him, talked to him, +learned of his history. He opened up to me. I tell you, no, +Oceanus has no weaknesses." + +"What, of all things, does Oceanus most enjoy?" + +Proteus sat quietly, only the tips of his tentacles wriggling. +"He enjoys thoroughly power. He likes, of course, a round of +golf. And to talk. Little else." + +"Ah, let us wend our way to Poseidon. There is much to be done." + + + +Indeed there was. Day after day they worked with Poseidon, +taught him skills foreign to his domain. With Proteus he visited +the Golden Isles, the throne intended for Oceanus, and learned +much along the way. + +"Proteus, when comes Oceanus?" + +"That I know not. But this I know, the waves shall not be +still, nor the ocean calm, with his coming." + +Demo woke with the leaping and bounding of the three-master. +The ship moaned in the throes of an angry sea. The planks bent +and gave, and sea water sloshed in the hold. Above, the wind +tore at the furled sails. The hawsers, stretched taut, groaned +under the torment. Seabirds landed on the deck, sought shelter +from the storm. + +"Is it now? Has he come?" + +Proteus, now in human form, nodded. "It is surely Oceanus. I +will address him. He will listen to me." Proteus spoke with +little assurance, his eyes watching the ever wilder sea. + +"Oceanus, 'tis I, your old friend, Proteus. We would meet with +you, on the Golden Isles. Poseidon is amenable to concessions. +He would negotiate with you. This day we sail for the Golden +Isles." + +The words seemed to have little effect. Then, gradually, the +winds died, and the waves grew ever smaller. A light breeze +rose, steady, blowing toward the Golden Isles. + +Quickly the sails were unfurled. The ship rode smoothly and +swiftly toward the distant shore. In the bilge sea water +continued to slop, gradually was dumped over the side. + + + +"A gift, Zeus, from Poseidon." Demo handed Zeus a golf club, +handle of gold. + +Zeus frowned. "And what of my missive?" + +"Given to him, Sire. He acknowledges that his payment has, +indeed, been delayed. But, another matter might interest you. A +terrible battle ensued between Poseidon and Oceanus. The waters +of the oceansea thundered upon ship and shore. Islands +disappeared haplessly into the depths. Still they fought in ever +more desperate anger. + +They labored for a day, and only with nightfall did Poseidon +finally dominate. 'Twas on the golf course of the Golden Isles, +and as result of his win Poseidon retains mastery of the seas. +Oceanus had the lead, then developed a nasty slice as they +neared the 15th hole." + +"Oh, yes, it really was a nasty slice. Ball flew right off the +course." + +"Golf, Poseidon, Oceanus? Who rules the watery domains as they +while away their time at such diversions?" + +"I, your majesty. Great fun. Some minor problems. Washed away +the rock of Gibraltar, which Poseidon kindly replaced. And, +Sire, Poseidon invites you a golf match at your earliest +convenience, where he would negotiate with you over the bill you +submitted. I'd be more than pleased to run Olympus in your +absence." + +"Yes, I understand." Zeus weighed the club in his hands, took a +hefty swing. "I'll surely join him. I doubt he knows that +Proteus gave me lessons years ago. 'Twill be a most enjoyable +game!" + +He paused for a moment, eyes wide, as though watching a major +catastrophe. "You . . . in my absence!" With a frown he walked +toward the throne. "Where is my flagon of nectar. Good day, my +lad!" + + + +The river Lethe flows dark and deep in the nether kingdom. +Strange stories of the power of those waters spread among +mankind. + +One story was true. + +Who drinks of those waters remembers no more. + +Lost loves, friends, family - their vision fades away. + +Hate, enemies, wars, catastrophes - all are gone. + +Happiness, joy, taste of rare wines, flavor of good foods - all +fade. + +Victories, defeats. Catastrophes, triumphs. Gone, all gone. + +A blessing or a curse? + +To each new dweller in Hades offers Pluto a goblet. In that +goblet the limpid water of Lethe. The only kindness offered in +the kingdom of the damned. + +One bathed in those limpid waters, drank deep, and found no +peace. + +Pluto. + +Master of the evil domain. Keeper of the Portals of Hell. +Cursed to minister to the punishment of the damned, forever. + +And cursed yet more with a heart that bled for the poor fools +whose actions had brought them to such sorry end. + +The most damned of all souls in purgatory. + +Pluto, master of that dread domain. + +He had hoped with Persephone to escape in her arms the +ever-present misery. + +Her sorrow brought misery the more. + +"I can give to others the waters of Lethe. Only to others. As +for me, I must know all past evil deeds - and even more, must +know the evil yet to come." + +The waters of Lethe failed him. + +13. The Anger of Zeus + +"I will not have it! Dare he taunt the master of the universe! +I will swat him like a fly! No! Too easy! He shall change places +with Prometheus! No, no! Even that is too easy. Boy, where are +you, come here! Now, right now! I have a chore for you. Yes, +such a chore!" + +The sudden call to Olympus was unexpected. Not that Zeus ever +sent out invitations. Normally - if one could consider a summons +from Zeus to be normal - he had few cues and hints before Zeus +summoned him. This unceremonious summons came as a complete, and +not overly appreciated, surprise. + +He noted immediately Zeus' red face, and the tumultuous tower +of black clouds above Olympus. This was going to be a real task! + +"Atlas! A vulgar name! Do you know it? I'll tell you of Atlas! +Condemned! Condemned to hold the world forever upon his +shoulders! And he dares claim that I chose him for that task +because I had not the strength and stamina to perform it! How +dare he!" + +Zeus paced back and forth, sputtering. + +"He is to be punished. Right now, I have yet to decide the what +that punishment shall be. You, my lad, shall decide. I want you +to travel widely, to examine all the vilest, cruelest, most +atrocious forms of torture. Select from these the very worst. +That torture shall be imposed on the impudent lout." + +"But, Sire, I . . . " + +"Enough! Begone. And do not linger, or you may join him." + +Never had he seen Zeus so angry. Once more he started to speak, +but with a wave of his hand Zeus dismissed him. + +He landed in the midst of a patch of briars, extricated himself +slowly and carefully. "My, but he is peeved!" + + + +Two mighty brothers served Zeus faithfully and well. Yet there +came a falling out, and the anger of Zeus could not be appeased. +One brother he chained to a mountain crag, and daily sent a +great eagle to tear and rend his flesh. + +One he placed in eternal servitude, to carry upon his shoulders +the earth and heavens. And that was Atlas. + +Torture, torment? More like Hades than Heaven! What a strange +and obscene task was this! + +"Mother, the Gods at times have been cruel to man. What manner +of cruelty have they applied, what devices or creatures that +give pain?" + +"A strange question. But, yes, the Gods work in strange ways." + +A sparkle lit her eye. + +"There is a legend that once, in long ago times, there lived on +earth only men. They grew proud and warlike, offended each the +other and offended all the Gods. Zeus became very angry, and +called unto him all the Gods. Long they parlayed, and angrily. +And at long last they decided on a torture so inhuman, so +merciless, so enduring that they hesitated to loose it upon even +these undeserving earthlings. At last Zeus authorized the +punishment." + +She paused, stirred the pot in which vegetables were beginning +to boil. + +"And that was?" + +A smile crossed her face. + +"A present was delivered to man. One that he looked on with +delight, and took to his heart. A present that has punished him +ever since. It was an object of unending torture; still, a +torture that poor weak man courted." + +"A present, Mother?" + +"Yes, he sent to man Pandora. Pandora, the first woman. And +since that day man has found himself unable to live without her. +She torments him, tantalizes him, arouses in him all emotions. +Yet he turns again and again to her." She laughed. + +"Just as Athena torments you, yet you turn to her again and +again!" + +"You tease me, Mother?" + +"No, the legends say it's true. Woman was man's first +punishment. Disguised as a gift! Well, well, perhaps your Athena +will be more the gift, less the punishment!" She tousled his +hair, hummed to herself, glanced in amusement over her shoulder +at him, and laughed. + +Demo smiled. Such pleasant punishment. + +Yet, truly, how much pain. The wanting, the loneliness, the +feeling of emptiness when she was not near - before he met her +they did not exist. Now they were his constant companions. + +A coin has two sides. + +Gift and punishment indeed! + +The more he thought, the more reasonable it seemed. The +punishment for Atlas, the ultimate punishment, would be to find +him a mate. + +Of course, it was difficult. For one such as Atlas, who might +qualify? + +There were children's' stories, tales, even legends, of women +such as these. But reality knew none such. + +I have a task of great difficulty, he thought to himself. I'll +get busy on it after lunch. "Mother, haven't we anything to eat?" + + + +"Mother, tell me of women." + +"Women! Why . . . , eh, what in the world do you want to know? +She blushed slightly, frowned. + +"Well, you spoke of Pandora. I am sure there are other women in +history. Tell me of them." + +She blinked, then smiled. "Oh, of course. History is replete +with stories of great women. Let me think." + +"What is greatness? Hera, wife of Zeus, of course. Venus, +Goddess of Love, certainly. The Amazons, who dominated men, +perhaps. There are so many, and they vary in their greatness." + +"Let me tell you true, Mother. I have a task laid on by Zeus, +to punish the mighty Atlas. I would find for him a wife, a gift +of happiness, of misery. Thus there would be punishment, but +lightened by womanly touch. Where would I look for such a one?" + +"Zeus! At times I am angry, even at the Gods. Atlas did +faithfully support his master. Yet Zeus has rewarded him with an +unending toil! A fit mate for Atlas? I can think of only one, +and that one who would resist such wedded bliss." + + + +"You know of one! Her name, Mother, and I will find her!" + +"You are eager, but beware. She has been courted by many, won +by none. Her name is Atalanta. Huntress, runner, wrestler - +skilled in arts of man and of woman. Yes, you might well search +for Atalanta." + +He was committed. Find Atalanta, woo her for Atlas, arrange the +nuptials - and convince Zeus that he had fulfilled his task. + + + +Little details must be worked out. A plan of action developed. +A purported weakness of Atalanta - a love for golden apples - +might well be exploited. Vulcan agreed to fashion these in his +shop, and with his usual skill fashioned them in exquisite form. + +Demo looked at them and was so enticed that he had a mind to +keep them. Wisdom prevailed, and merely placed them in his +pouch. + +He inquired widely of those who might know, searched widely for +the land wherein she dwelt. In due time he was rewarded. And +finally he reached the very village she called home. + +The dwellings were scattered, separated by green meadows and +forest. Each small domicile resembled in its own way the home +where he lived with his Mother. + +But he did not find her in one of these. + +They met in the square of the little village. He was +astonished. With her reputation for physical superiority he +expected - well, it doesn't matter. + +What he found was a beautiful woman, tall and slender. Not +muscle-bound, she. Not the heavy wrestler. Nor the huge-biceped +brute he had visualized. + +They talked. + +"Ah, young sojourner. What brings you to our land? Do you seek +adventure, riches? You'll not find them here, I assure you. But, +while you tary, join with me in a race." She challenged him, as +she did all newcomers to the village. Race with her, and if he +but win she would acquiesce to his every demand. + +Demo blinked. It was going to be so easy. Amazing! He had +expected to cajole, beg, lie - even, terrible thought, to carry +her off against her will. + +The race began unpropitiously. + +She darted ahead, turned with a smile - a sarcastic, mocking +one. + +"My, shall I help you? Perhaps your brogans are too heavy. Or +is it those huge feet?" + +Quickly he tossed one of the golden apples before her, slightly +off to the side. The legends proved true. + +She quickly deviated from the path, picked up the apple, +continued on her way. + +Happily, in those moments he gained. She was now only steps +ahead! + +Once more Demo tossed an apple. This time it went even more off +the path. Nevertheless she ran after it, returned to the race. + +She laughed. + +"You think to distract me? I have but begun to run. But don't +worry, I'll wait for you at the finish line." + +And now they were abreast! + +He tossed once more, the last of the apples. + +His eyes widened. The fox imp rose from the roadside bushes, +seized the apple, and disappeared again, chortling. + +Atalanta would now be concerned only with the race! How could +he possibly beat her! Ah, if only he had one more of the golden +apples. Sadly he staggered on. There was no way he could beat +her! + +He had failed! + +He reckoned not with Vulcan's skill! + +Atalanta lost all thought of the race, ran madly after the fox +imp. The imp, looking back, saw her quick approach and dropped +the apple. It skipped sideways, dashed into the forest without a +glance behind. + +Atalanta seized the last apple, returned to the race to find +herself bested. With good grace she bowed to the winner. + + + +The nuptials were performed by a local priest. He wanted no +pay, merely the reputation of having married the mighty Atlas to +Atalanta. + +As Atlas shifted the world on his shoulder Atalanta squeezed +his brawny arm. The adoration on her face brought happiness to +his eyes. + +A perfect match, thought Demo. + + + +"Give him a wife! I sent you to find the most horrible of +tortures. How dare you suggest we reward his impiety by +providing him with a wife! I've a mind to have you replace him +for just a few hours, with the burden of the world on your +shoulders!" + +Zeus was, to put it kindly, miffed. + +"But, Sire, think! If Atlas had such a wife as Hera . . . ?" + +"Give him Hera? Well, you begin to interest me." Zeus looked +around quickly. "Just jesting, my boy, of course. Now what have +you in mind?" + +"That he be wed to Atalanta." + +"The huntress! Yes, yes indeed. Glad I thought of it. A +delightful young lady. Enticing! Irresistible!" He paused, +glanced around, spoke with lowered voice. "She will tire of him! +At first, they will be attracted, of course. Of course, he will +be so busy balancing the world, he'll have little time for her. +Soon they'll quarrel and he'll feel miserable." Zeus smiled +benevolently. + +"Wonderful! My boy, you wisdom exceeds your years. In fact, the +more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to permit your +marriage to Athena. You, too, deserve such married bliss." + +There seemed to be a slight snicker in his voice. + +Demo ignored it. Finally, Zeus was beginning to mellow, to +consider rewarding him for his services. What a kind and +considerate God indeed! + + + +Though she knew not where fate might lead, Ceres labored still +to undo the evil marriage of Pluto to Persephone. In the heart +of Pirithous she planted the seed of love, love for Persephone. +There it grew and prospered. + +The day came when Pirithous would tarry no longer. Whatever his +fate might be, he would free his loved one from the grasp of the +barbarous Pluto! + +Theseus reasoned with his friend, but to no avail. Then, +reluctantly, knowing full well the dangers, he joined him on +that fated mission. + +The entrance to the dark kingdom lies on the far shore of +Oceanus. Nevertheless, there are secret ways, known to only the +few. This knowledge Ceres had. + +Dark caverns and dread marked their way. Creatures not of this +world guarded narrow defiles, yet let them pass unharmed. +Sulfurous fumes that might have brought them to a deadly sleep +dissipated with their approach. Olden bridges, rotten and +decayed, crossed deep caverns, yet none gave way with their +weight. With each such success Theseus grew ever more alarmed. + +"Friend, it is not as it should be! We are not opposed! Do you +remember the ambush of the Sileni? I fear we are being led on." + +Pirithous listened, nodded. + +"Such is my thought. Turn back, old friend. I shall press on +alone. For good or evil, my fate lies ahead, in the bowels of +this infernal region. Fare thee well, now go your way. And say a +prayer to Zeus for the success of my mission." + +Theseus placed his hand on Pirithous' shoulder. "We have fought +many a battle, you and I. The times you have saved my life, and +I yours, are innumerable. If fate calls you yonder, then you +shall not go alone." + +Would that loyalty and friendship were portents of success. + +It was not to be. + + + +Even the drawbridge was in place, and the great wooden door to +Pluto's castle, open. They entered warily. + +Pluto grimaced in a friendly smile, if such it could be called. + +"Welcome, for I have few such visitors. Come, join me. Sit on +yonder bench, and let us discuss the purpose of your visit." + +Woe unto those who sit upon the Chair of Forgetfulness! + +Named rightly, even as the waters of Lethe, it cleanses the +mind of all that went before! + +And that the bench to which Pluto motioned them. + +Pluto poured red wine into waiting glasses, rose to carry it to +them. He nodded to the bench as he approached, reached the wine +toward them. + +Pirithousaccepted the glass, moved to the bench. Theseus +frowned. Something was wrong. But what? + +Finally he too moved to the bench, joined his friend. + +"We came to . . . ." Pirithous was silent, glanced at Theseus. +Shaking his head, he repeated, "We came to . . . ." He could not +continue. + +Theseus sat quietly, empty-eyed. + +Without a sound Pluto took the wine glasses from lax hands, +called his minion to carry away the glasses and wine. + +He sat, looked at his visitors, then turned away. + +They waited now for the coming of Hercules. + +And Ceres waited, too. + +She waited for a champion. + +A champion to challenge Pluto's power. + +14. Lover's Quarrels + +Cupid launched his arrows with careful aim at times, at times +with casual disregard. + +Today he launched no arrows. + +His quiver was empty. + +"Zeus, you've got to straighten out the postoffice. I ordered a +gross nearly an eon ago. And still they haven't arrived! Look at +me! What good am I without my arrows? What is Olympus coming to?" + +"Now, now, have patience, Little One. Let me see. Ah, I have +it. Just stand by. Oh, Demo. I need you. I have such a nice +chore for you. Demo, get yourself up here!" + +Demo grimaced. Just before supper, and what a meal his mother +had prepared. Surely there'll be nothing but leftovers when I +get back. Ah, unfortunately, Zeus was not one to wait. + +"My lad, we have a major problem. A work stoppage! Our mail +system is old, archaic, obsolete - besides which, I don't like +it. Fix it!" + +Peremptorily Zeus turned, walked through the nearest wall and +disappeared from view. + +Demo blinked. Such abruptness would be unpardonable in a lesser +entity. At times one must bear with Zeus. He had his - eh, +eccentricities. + + + +"It's the rain! No, it's the snow! No, it's the dark of +night!" The postmaster explained the reasons for such poor +service. His subservients listened quietly, nodded in ready +agreement with each of his explanations. Then they all sat back, +put their feet on their respective desks, and talked incessantly +about ways of solving the problem. + +"Eh, shouldn't they be out delivering the mail, " Demo inquired? + +"Well, yes, but we need to think about this big problem. The +mail can wait." + +Demo looked at the postmaster, shook his head, and started for +home. He stopped. "Is there any mail for myself or my Mother? +I'll take it with me." + +"Oh, you couldn't do that! Only we are authorized to deliver +the mail. It'll be along in . . . , oh, in a week or so." + + + +Cupid's arrow are very effective. In fact, they never fail. +Unfortunately, they do have a minor weakness. Their effect is +not permanent. Thus Cupid must wander from place to place, +zapping the same targets from time to time. + +That isn't to bad, as Cupid is fast, his aim is accurate, and +in an odd sort of way the victim enjoys the wound. + +However, since he has previously inoculated his subjects, he +must use the same concoction as previously. Otherwise the spell +may work, but for an entirely different object of desire. + +The problem with the mail was introducing another complication. +Cupid's spell was beginning to wear off for many a couple. + +One such couple was Athena and Demo. + + + +Not that they quarreled. Rather, as Athena phrased it, they +discussed. + +The discussion became loud, grew heated, and Athena paced +angrily back and forth. "And I could have a God. But no! I +choose a country bumpkin! An insensitive, heartless, country +bumpkin." + +Fire burned fiercely in her eyes as she glared at Demo. + +"So he saved my life. Anyone could have done as well! Certainly +that is no reason to condemn myself to live with him for an +eternity. Look at him! Merely a mortal! And an immature, +childish one at that!" + +Demo blinked, swallowed. + +He had never seen anyone so angry. Not even Theresa the time he +spilled cold wine down her back. Well, maybe that time. +Nevertheless, no other. + +This was indeed a crisis! Plainly, the mail system must be +rescued, and Cupid's arrows quickly delivered! + + + +Demo began his task by doing extended research. His first step +was to read. History of the Post Office. Operation of a Post +Office. Management books in general. Operations Research, +Management Analysis, Industrial Engineering, Sex Life of the Sea +Turtle - Oops! That book was misfiled, on the wrong shelf. +Anyway, it was really dull reading. + +He interviewed the customers of the Post Office. He interviewed +those who delivered the mail. He interviewed the managers. The +more they talked, the less he knew. + +He attempted to examine the day-to-day operations. In spite of +his credentials as Zeus' emissary, he found little cooperation. + +Organization charts were missing. Long term plans were +non-existent. Budgets were cursory documents. Balance sheets and +Profit and Loss statements were fiction. + +The warehouses bulged! + +The mail was accumulating at a phenomenal rate. The mail was +being delivered at a minuscule rate. + +Fingerpointing was rampant! + +Managers blamed workers. Workers blamed management. Zeus blamed +Demo. The people blamed everyone. + +And Cupid waited impatiently for his arrows! + +What to do! + + + +He discussed the situation with his Mother. + +"Why, dear, there really seem to be two problems. Delivering +the mail that has accumulated, and insuring that it doesn't +accumulate in the future. Perhaps you could burn the backlog, +and throw away all incoming mail for a while." + +"Burn! Throw away! Mother, Zeus would be furious! Besides, what +if I burned Cupid's arrows? Athena and I might never be united!" + +Nevertheless, he thought about his Mother's words. And thought +of a brilliant solution to the first problem. + +"Sire, we need to implement a two step process. First, we +deliver all the outstanding mail. Second, we streamline the +existing system to insure we don't again arrive at our present +situation again." + +"Fine, I like that. Do it!" Zeus seemed very agreeable. + +"Well, yes, Sire. By the way, I'll need the services of +Mercury." + +"Of Mercury! He's my private messenger! How dare you! How long +will you need his services? Ridiculous! When can I have him +back? And how do you propose to use him?" + +"We'll loan him to the Post Office Department. He'll distribute +the backlog quickly and easily, and then we have only the second +problem to solve." + +Zeus frowned, then finally agreed. + + + +Mercury's transfer to the Postal Department was delayed. Not +because he objected; rather, because of the normal bureaucratic +delays. Eventually the paperwork was completed and the transfer +made. + +The results were astounding. Within a day half of the backlog +was distributed. It seemed that the initial problem was well on +its way to being solved. + +Appearances are deceiving! + +On the second day the mail distribution once more failed. And +Cupid had not yet received his arrows! + + + +Demo hurried to talk to the Postmaster. + +"What has happened? Where is Mercury? The mail is once more +piling up!" + +"No problem. It'll all be delivered in time. As for Mercury, he +was ruining the morale of our normal deliverers. I really +couldn't tolerate that, so I placed him in another department. +He is currently acting as our censor. Keeps his eye open for +anything that might be controversial. Why, he just found a +package of arrows! Never should have let them get into the +system. Directed to a Mr. Cupid, on Zeus' staff. Might well have +been an attempted assassination planned!" + +"Arrow? Cupid?" Demo's eyes brightened. "Ah, where are they? +What did you do with them?" + +"Turned them over to security. Right now they are rounding up +this Cupid character. It'll go hard with him, I assure you!" + + The arrest of Cupid created a furor on Olympus. Zeus was +nonplused. Hera, horrified! Venus, however, was the practical +mother. "Zeus, you must go his bail. I know it is high. Still, I +am sure there are some celestial bailbondsmen who'll cover it +for a fraction of the total amount." + +Reluctantly Zeus provided the gold. + + + +The problem still remained. Find the arrows! + +Demo rushed to Hades, where The Great Detective, better known +as TGD, a detective of somewhat dubious character had +established office. "Sir, you are famous for the divorce cases +you have supported, for the furtive tracing of vanished +criminals - indeed, for tracking down lost people and lost +items. Your skills are badly needed in support of Zeus!" + +TGD smiled. "I am pleased that Zeus has need of me. I would be +better pleased if he were to allow me to relocate my office to +Olympus. However, for a reasonable fee, I shall be glad to +locate the arrows." + +"The arrows? How did you know? Well, yes, the arrows must be +found. The world is approaching a level of desperation never +seen before." + +"Great! Then my price shall be adjusted accordingly. Now, where +were they last seen? In whose hands? What was the intended +disposition by that person?" + +"Come, boy, just the facts. Don't waste my time. + +Though taken aback, Demo quickly supplied the information. + +"We must act quickly! The game, to plagiarize, is afoot. Hand +me my cape, my cap, and yonder cane. Been at this too many +years, you know. Eh, my pipe, also, if you please." + +"But . . . , eh, where are we going?" + +"Don't be dense, lad. Where else - we're going to collect those +arrows. I don't charge by the hour, I charge by the case. So I +don't care to waste time. Come along, now, Wat . . . - Beg your +pardon, come along now, Demo." + +Demo came along. + +TGD had dealings with the postal system before. His +interrogation of the Postmaster was cruel. Without hesitation he +attacked when any sign of deviousness, confusion, or simple lack +of clarity surfaced. + +"My dear sir, you're talking pure balderdash! Come, come, to +the point, man. Who was the last man known unequivocally to +have had possession of those arrows? None of this 'It seems +like,' or 'I think it was,' or any of that tomfoolishness. Who +do you recall with certainty last had the arrows!" + +TGD augured in on the key contact, step by step. With each new +suspect he reiterated the above questions. His eyes were +brightening. He plainly had a clue! + +Demo listened and watched. He was impressed by TGD's +step-by-step, inexorable closing in on the culprit. + + + +Mercury recalled finding the package of arrows. In his job as +censor he had decided to notify the Postmaster. The latter had +called in the security department, and the arrows were +transferred to them. + +"To whom did you specifically deliver the arrows?" TGD queried. + +"Why, to Janus, of course. As doorkeeper Janus is in full +charge of security. Would I have delivered them to anyone else!" + +TGD smiled. "Thank you, of course you delivered them to Janus. +Eh, did you ask for a receipt?" + +"Ask for a receipt! From Zeus' own doorkeeper! Never!" + +"Ummm. Yes, I understand. Thank you, you have been most +helpful." + + + +"How long have you worked as doorkeeper, Mr. Janus?" + +"Oh, for eons. Yes, for eons and eons! I've always been Zeus' +doorkeeper, you know. He'd never have another. Very pleased with +me, he is. + +"Except that time I closed the door on his foot. Terrible +episode, really. Never cared for those sandals, myself. Don't +really offer much protection. Lost th' toenail on his big toe, +he did! It grew back, of course! My, but he was in a dither. +Said some dreadfully rude things to me. Even, would you believe +it, threatened to replace me!" Janus feelings had been hurt, +perhaps even more so than Zeus' big toe. + +"Yes, I'm sure. Now about the arrows, Mercury gave them to you, +did he not?" + +"Of course he did. Dreadful conspiracy going on. Arrows are +dangerous things indeed. I gave them to Ate for delivery to +Zeus. Blessed if I know what she did with them. Be very +careless, letting them lie around. Particularly after the +release of that dreadful Cupid. Was he plotting an insurrection, +do you think?" + +TGD smile, turned to Demo. "We are closing in. Ate! Yes, I +might have known. The very essence of mischief. Let us first +discuss the matter with Zeus. We'll get no straight answers from +Ate, of that I am sure!" + + + +Zeus received them with poor grace. + +The love that Hera held for him was growing ever thinner. He +glared at Cupid with undisguised anger. "You should have had a +backup supply. Ridiculous to run out of arrows. They really +aren't that costly!" + + + +TGD grilled Zeus with the same methodical approach he used for +all. And even Zeus was impressed, and finally cooperated. + +"Demo, I am sure you will succeed. Indeed, he is TGD. Must get +him to find my wife's earrings. We'll work on that later." + +"Yes, Ate did mention the arrows to me. Told her to get them to +Cupid, right away. But he claims never to have received them!" + +Of course, Ate, true to the reputation for mischievousness, had +never delivered the arrows to Cupid. The noose was tightening. +The culprit was now identified! + + + +"Ate, did Mercury give you the arrows?" + +"Oh, no. Janus gave them to me. Perfect arrows, well designed +for their purpose. Plainly they belonged to Cupid. Talked to +Zeus about it, and I delivered them to Cupid the very next day." + +TGD was taken aback. In spite of Ate's reputation he recognized +some semblance of truth in the words. + + + +Cupid denied all. "Never received them from Ate. Never even saw +Ate. Dastardly lie, that's all. Finger pointing! Would ruin my +reputation! Ridiculous!" + +Sitting quietly TGD listened, nodded. "Lovely place you have +here. Would you show me the house?" + +"Delighted," Cupid smiled. "I decorated it myself." + +Demo found himself blushing at the many statues and pictures. +They had plainly been developed with Cupid's tastes in mind. + +TGD, however, had other things in mind. + +"You've no mail slot in your front door." + + + +"No, I'm a bit old fashioned. Mailbox is down by the road. +Retains something of the old rural atmosphere, you know." + +They wandered through the house, from one erotic treasure to +another. Then they walked outside. + +TGD admired the lawn, the trees, the white picket fence. He +opened the gate, reached in the mailbox, and extracted a +package. "Here, my boy. Your arrows." + +Demo's eyes widened. + +"Astounding, my dear TGD! But, how did you know? The mailbox? +No mail is being delivered!" + +"Elementary, friend Demo. Of course you knew no mail was being +delivered. I know that. Cupid knows that. So Cupid doesn't +bother to check his mail." TGD smiled. + +"And Ate certainly knew that! And I know Ate!" + + + +"Thank you, lad. Never has my kingdom been so peaceful!" Zeus +was well pleased. + +"Ah, sire, it is truly wonderful. Athena smiled at me! Oh, by +the way, the earrings. TGD says not to worry. Hera is wearing +them." + +"Wearing them! No wonder she couldn't find them in her jewelry +box! I really must pay more attention to my wife. + +"Oh, as for the postal department! I abolished it. Mercury is +now running the Celestial Parcel Service. Deliveries guaranteed +to reach destination before being dispatched! How's that for a +gimmick!" + +15. Giver of Fire + +Man weeps. + +The beast of the fields ate of his flesh, and no where could he +hide. By day the pterodactyls swooped from the skies to take +their toll. By night the wolves, in vicious packs, invaded even +man's caves and carried off their prey. + +Man weeps. + +The sound was low, smothered by the wind. + +But one heard. + +Prometheus. + +He took a brand from the fires of Olympus, laid it at the mouth +of the cave where man shivered in cold and fear. And the wolves +grew wary, approached not. And man maintained as sacred the fire +given to them by Prometheus. Priests and priestesses watched +without cessation that the fire should be fed. Let the flames +but flicker, and they stirred the ashes. Should the burning +brands be too few they replenished them. And should the flames +die they brought forth the bellows, blew life giving air on the +coals below, and the fire burned bright. They never failed in +their chores. + +Except, + +Once. + +Then, the fire died! + + + +"Lad, you must never tell a soul of this task. As Zeus, master +of the universe, I make no mistakes. But, at an earlier time, I +took an action that I have since regretted. Prometheus, the +giver of fire, as you earthlings know him. I punished him +severely. Even to this day he suffers." + +Zeus seemed to be downcast. "Anyway, the fire he gave to man +has burned out, flickered out, been blown out - whatever. Yet, +after careful thought, I have decided that man should have fire. +Prometheus must be freed to once again pass a lighted brand to +mankind. I can't free him, as that would cast doubt on my +infallibility. So, you do it. Off with you, now!" + + + +There is a mountain, far removed from human haunts. There, time +after time, a tragedy repeats itself. Prometheus, the giant +benefactor to mankind, waits. Chains bind him to the mountain. +He waits and watches, watches the sky. + +High in the sky, barely visible, a black dot can be seen. +Suddenly it falls, faster and faster, and as suddenly slows, +wings widespread. An eagle. A giant bird, with fierce talons, +merciless curved beak, strikes at the helpless captor. + +Its talons rip, its beak slashes, and Prometheus gasps in pain. +The eagle tears at skin and muscle, at bone, and finally tears +from living flesh an organ. It flies away, the liver of its +victim in its beak. + +Day ends, night passes, an lo the body of Prometheus has +healed. And now he waits again the coming of the eagle. + + + +Demo began his hike to the Edge of the World, that region where +juts the great mountain upward to the sky. + +He carried with him dried venison. No bread had he. Mankind's +fires were no more. Raw fruit and vegetables. Sun dried meat and +fish. + +At home his Mother sat before the stove, her frustration plain +on her red face. Without fire she could not cook. Without fire +the night became ever dark, and days were too short. + +Prometheus must be freed! + + + +"These boltcutters will handle any chains you'll run into, +young man. Well tempered metal, endorsed by Vulcan when he +started this franchise. His personal guarantee on every one +sold. Money back, no questions asked, if you aren't satisfied. +Now, what more could you ask?" The salesman was solicitous and +persistent. + +Finally Demo nodded, paid the asking price, and added the +boltcutter to his pouch of goodies. + +He had chanced on the Vulcan Franchised Technology hardware +store while passing through the village. Fortunately it carried +the type of equipment he required. + +"And keep in mind, with the extinguished fires, there'll be no +more of these produced. It'll become a collector's item, worth +much more than the original cost. You are getting a bargain!" + + + +The sight of the giant, some scars still open and bleeding, +brought tears to Demo's eyes. Quickly he climbed upward, reached +the cliff to which Prometheus was pinned. + +Demo looked at the chains, at his boltcutter. + +It was too small! + +He examined the pitons that maintained the chains in place. +Hammered deep in the rock, they seemed mounted to last forever. +Demo shook his head. What could be done? + +At that moment he heard a strange sound, growing ever louder. +Looking upward he saw an object. It fell from the sky, swifter +and swifter still. + +And then, wings spread, in eagle form it lashed at its assigned +prey! + +The mountains trembled at the thunderous scream of the tortured +giant. He quivered, threw himself against the bonds that held +him! + +Agony on his face, he screamed once more! + +Demo put hands over ears to escape the misery and pain that +voice held. It did not suffice! + +He looked, grief-stricken, at the bleeding, gaping wound. He +gazed in wonder at the pain-filled face, the reddened eyes! + +Prometheus eyes closed. Sweat poured from his brow. Slowly he +slipped down, unconscious from the pain. Only the chains +supported him. + +"Zeus, that you could impose such horror! I cannot understand! +But he shall be freed! I must act quickly!" Demo talked to +himself as he worked. + +Though his boltcutter was useless Demo was not ready to give +up. He took hammer and metal chisels from his pack, began to +work on the most worn of the links of chain. + +Even as he worked he noted the change in Prometheus. The wound +healed! By nightfall no sign remained, except the fearful scars, + to show that the vicious attack had ever occurred! + +Tomorrow, the eagle would return! + +The boy worked throughout the night on the link. In early +morning it gave, opened! + +Prometheus pulled against the links, and one arm was free. With +both hands he wrestled with the remaining chain on his left arm. +In moments the piton was freed from the mountain wall! Quickly +he wrestled with the leg irons, wrenched them from their place +against the cliff. + +Prometheus, his bonds broken, glanced wildly around. His eyes +reflected fear, madness. He watched the skies, searching for +something fearful and inescapable. + +But no eagle flew. + +Demo motioned downward, toward the path leading to the valley +below. Quickly he led the way! "Follow me! Follow me! Quickly!" + +Prometheus, walking awkwardly, using skills long lost to +captivity. + +They reached the valley, began the long journey to the sea. + +Suddenly they felt a shadow encompass them. Demo frowned. + +Prometheus had thrown himself on the ground, curled up like a +child. He was sobbing. + +Glancing toward the sky Demo realized why! + +Now the eagle flew! + +Closer and closer, its wings spread wide, it zoomed downward. +Its prey lay still, paralyzed by fear, waiting its strike. + +Demo notched his arrow, loosed it against the huge bird. + +The arrow struck home! + +With an angry squawk the bird turned from its prey to its +attacker. Demo fell as it swooped near, rolled over! + +Too late! + +It had his leg, was pulling him aloft! + +Prometheus, an expression of fear on his face, yet reached out, +seized the wing of his enemy. He pulled the eagle to the ground. + +Demo was released, quickly rolled over. He watched, wide-eyed, +as Prometheus unleashed his pent-up anger on his tormentor. + +They fought long and hard, and feathers and blood mingled on +the valley's floor! At long last the eagle stood atop the giant, +its talons at his stomach! + +Yet, even as it tore at the flesh of the giant, Prometheus +seized its throat in powerful hands, cut off the breath of life. + +In moments the eagle lay dead! + +Demo looked at the face of the conqueror. He shuddered! + +The eyes of Prometheus still held unreasoning fear. No +semblance of reason was displayed in those haunted eyes! The +long, ever-enduring torment had not destroyed his body. + +It had destroyed his mind! + +The hope that man might once more have fire was dashed! + + + +Prometheus, for all his size and strength, was helpless. + +"Come, there is nothing left to do here. I'll help you. To +yonder stream." + +Demo led him from the site, down to a green meadow where flowed +a quiet brook. There he washed the giant's wounds, gave him wine +to drink, watched him as he slept. + +Like a child Prometheus followed Demo. At first ever watchful, +his frightened eyes on the sky. With time he relaxed, only +sporadically tensed, glanced anxiously upward. + +He did not speak. + +He did chores as directed. He searched for berries, edible +plants, honey. He fetched water from a nearby spring. + +Within the immediate area he worked diligently. He would not go +beyond sight of Demo. When he reached a distance that seemed to +great he would halt, bow his head, and return. + + Broken, frightened, the hero was dead! Only the shell lived. + + + +The wild beast became ever braver. Fire, that strange creature +that turned night into day, no longer existed. Mankind huddled +by night in their abodes, listening, frightened, at the night +sounds. + +The wolves became bolder. They hunted in larger and larger +packs, killed sheep at will. Soon village dogs became their +prey. And children who wandered alone into the night. Even men, +traveling alone, were subject to the deadly raid of the wolf +pack. + +Prometheus and Demo came under attack. They slept in the open, +under the stars. Demo woke to hear the call of the wolves as +they assembled for the hunt. He grimaced, felt for his bow and +arrows. + +Prometheus slept. Childlike, he trusted to Demo for his +protection. + +The howls soon ceased. That silence, more than the wild calls, +frightened Demo. He notched an arrow to his bow, sat with back +against a huge oak. He watched the edges of the clearing, +looking for sign of motion. + +He wasn't to be disappointed. + +They came in the false dawn, quietly creeping to the edge of +the open space. Demo saw in the dim light their movement. He let +fly an arrow, prepared another. The yelp of the injured wolf +signaled the attack. + +One more arrow flew and a wolf fell. The pack was upon him! He +had not time to draw his bow again. + +With an angry roar Prometheus awoke. His huge form towering +high, he seized a fallen tree trunk, raised it above his head. + +He met the oncoming horde with battering blows, growls more +fierce than that of beast. Quickly, leaving fallen comrades +behind, the wolves scattered. + +Prometheus sat down, shivered as though cold. + +"Why is there no fire? They would fear the fire." + +Demo stared! + +Under the fierce attack Prometheus had regained his will to +live, to fight! + +"The fire you gave man is extinguished. He failed to keep its +flame burning, failed to protect it. He took it for granted, and +none would be its keeper. + +"There is no fire!" + +Prometheus lay down the great log, breathed deeply. + +"I took from Vulcan's furnace, from the hottest flames, the +heart of fire. I gave it to man for his care and nurture, to +protect him from the creatures of the wild. I gave it to him to +protect him from the night, and those things that creep in the +darkness. And now he has let it die? What fools are these +mortals, to disdain a such a gift?" + + "Man grows lazy and irresponsible. He thinks all things come +to him with no effort on his part. He values little those gifts +that he receives. At last he knows, now, what he has lost." + +"In my own hand I carried the fiery coals. Look!" + +He thrust out the palms of both hands, and Demo stared in the +dawning light of morning at the charred and blackened skin. + +"Vulcan will not so easily be fooled again! Yet," Prometheus +mused, looking at Demo, "Perhaps it can be done." + +Demo frowned. No more was Prometheus leaning on him to take the +lead. + +"You have access to Olympus. Zeus has given you the key, for +you seem to be a favorite of his. And once on Olympus, you have +access to Vulcan. You could prepare the way for me, distract +Vulcan, and I could once more draw fire from that deadly +furnace. Let us plan together." + +They sat, discussed, argued, compromised. + +It was decided. Demo would return to Olympus, persuade Zeus to +call an audience with Vulcan. And in Vulcan's absence, once more +would Prometheus carry fire to mankind. + +The best laid schemes of man and firegiver go oft astray. + + + +Zeus would have none of it! "I want no involvement on my part. +Otherwise, do what you will." + +They sat, discussed, argued, compromised. + +Demo was amazed! That Zeus would condone such activity on +Demo's part seemed unbelievable. Perhaps, as Prometheus implied, +he was a favorite! + +Regardless, Vulcan would be called to an audience. He would be +detained long enough for Prometheus to wend his way to that +great furnace wherein lie the eternal fires. And once more would +Prometheus give to man the gift of fire. + + + +Vulcan looked morosely at the raging fires in his furnace. +Flames huge and red leaped, frolicked, and disappeared to be +followed by others of blue and white. They cast gigantic +shadows, grotesque and ever changing. + +Usually he admired the display, relaxed as might others to the +sound of music. + +Tonight he did not relax. + +Zeus desired his company. + +Rarely did Zeus call upon him. Even more rarely was he invited +into the presence of that most august God. It did not please +him. Here, at his furnace shaping objects from hardest metal, he +felt at home. Let others court the company and favors of Zeus. + +Nevertheless, he would go. Perhaps there was a chore to be +done, a mighty sword to fashion, a shield to form from molten +metal. Or, more likely, some damaged tool to repair, welding +broken parts to make a whole. + +He stoked the fire, breathing the hot flames as though perfume. +Wiping sweat from his moist brow he hurried to ready himself for +his audience with Zeus. + + + +Prometheus waited. + +With Vulcan's departure he slipped into the celestial foundry, +inched ever closer to the heart of that huge factory. The +furnace glowed from the fire within. + +Prometheus entrance was noted. + +He knew not of the guard. + +Vulcan had led a life of abuse, mistrust, and rejection. He +himself trusted no one. Though crippled he remained agile and +able, and used his skill with fire and metal to fabricate an +object of strange shape and size. + +The object was formed of the strongest metals. Its joints were +cunningly hinged to allow motion. Its appearance was that of man +- rather, that of giant. For it was huge. Huge and massive. + +Silently it stood guard in the empty foundry. A dead, useless +metal statue, a scarecrow for the vagrant birds that might pass +by. + +It had one more characteristic. + +It lived! + +Vulcan had withdrawn from the huge furnace a heart of fire, +ensconced it in the body of his creation. That burning, beating +heart gave it an existence of its own. + +Prometheus' entrance was noted. + +Noted by Vulcan's metal monster! + +Prometheus stalked quickly to the fiery confines of Vulcan's +furnace. Opening the door to its sizzling interior, he flinched +back from the blast of flames and heat. + +Quickly he picked up the long shovel, thrust it into the midst +of the flames. Slowly he withdrew it, the very heart of +scorching mass centered in the scoop. + +Vulcan's creation struck! + + + +The metal monster, moving silently, steadily, had positioned +itself behind Prometheus. Even as he captured the heart of the +furnace its arms enfolded him. + +Prometheus dropped the shovel! + +The white-hot mass of fire rolled onto the floor, began to melt +the stones that supported it. + +Prometheus threw himself backward, tipping over his attacker! + +They rolled on the floor. The creature dug its iron talons into +Prometheus stomach. + +Prometheus screamed! + +The memory of the eagle engulfed him! + +Once again he was chained to the crag, the eagle coming ever +closer. + +Now it struck! + +Its talons, tearing, ripping . . . ! + +He seized the metal arm, bending and ripping at the fingers! +One by one they gave way to his strength. + +Even as the last finger gave way, the other arm now enwrapped +his throat! His breathing grew ever more difficult. And Vulcan's +monster wrestled him closer and closer to the deadly ball of +scorching fire. + +He felt the heat on his skin, burning and charring! Now his +chest was barely inches from the fire! It touched his skin! + +Abruptly he reached out, seized the burning mass in his huge +hands! + +He lifted the deadly cargo above his head! + +Burning through skin and flesh, charring bone, it lit the +hellish scene! + +With an effort he loosed the deadly mass behind his back! + +If fell on the head of Vulcan's creation. + +The struggle was over! + +A molten mass, the metal monster lay inanimate upon the floor! + +With crippled hands Prometheus once more shoveled the burning +heart of the furnace. Without a backward glance he rushed from +the site of battle. + +Arriving on earth he deposited his burden in the bowels of Mt. +Vesuvius. There would it ever burn. And from that burning mass +man once more distributed fire to hearth and kiln. + + + +"My boy, you handled that quite well. Certainly left Vulcan's +foundry in a mess, though. By the way, I sent Aesculapius over +to care for Prometheus' hands. It will take time, but +Aesculapius works wonders. Gad, his rates are high! Do you know +how much he charges for house calls! Never mind, it's enough, I +assure you!" Zeus grumbled to even think of the cost. + +"Stay healthy." He growled morosely. + +16. Wading in the River Styx + +Odor of dying algae, of rotting plants, of stagnant waters - +all drift above the long, dark stretches of the river Styx. No +beauty here. + +And in these waters lived creatures not of this world, but of +Hades, round which the river flowed, and flows forever. Doomed +through eternity to these putrid stream, they had yet one +recompense. + +Who dared wade the River Styx, he was their prey. + + + +"My boy, take this package over to the guardshack just across +the Styx. They are expecting it; by the way, be sure to get a +receipt. They hate to sign receipts. Still, it messes up our +accounts if we don't have them. The boat is anchored right by +the pier, and the oars are stowed beneath the seat." + +Zeus started to turn away, then hesitated. "Oh, well! Boy, +don't drag your hands in the water. And don't even think about +taking a dip. You'd be dreadfully sorry!" + + + +An extremely simple chore, this. Why all the fuss? + +Each river has its peculiarities. The Nile, known for its +annual flooding. The Lethe, notorious for the effect on those +who drink its waters. + +And then there is the river Styx. + +It has a well-deserved reputation. The environmentalists have +been picketing since time immemorial. They complain, +legitimately, about the odor, the sludge, the inhabitants - all +the little things that help make the Styx unique. + +They picket Pluto. + +Pluto suggests they picket Zeus, instead. To emphasize his +point he releases Cerberus. + +Hurriedly they scatter, not taking time to even look back. + +They picket Zeus. + +Zeus takes it all with gentle and tolerant attitude. His is a +measured reaction. He assigns to each picket a little black +cloud, from which rain continuously falls. Umbrellas are +discouraged by random gusts of wind. + +The pickets persist. + +Zeus smiles. + +The clouds grow larger, the winds gust more strongly. + +The temperature begins to fall. The continuous rain ends, is +replaced by snow showers. The winds now blow steadily from the +cold north. + +The pickets persist. + +Zeus' smile broadens. + +The clouds merge. The winds now reach blizzard force, and the +snow changes from soft flakes to frozen pellets. The temperature +drops, then drops again. + +The pickets assemble, discuss, and rapidly disperse. + +Zeus smirks, makes a snowball, which he then playfully tosses +into the air. He then builds a snowman. He gives it a picket +sign to carry. + +Humming, Zeus returns to his throne. + + + +There is no snow by the river Styx. Nor rain. Nor cooling +breeze. + +The air is stagnant, hot, thick with the odor of rotted plants, +the breath of Hades' denizens. + +Demo, with the back of his hand, wipes the sweat from his brow. +Ah, how delightful it would be to splash even this putrid water +on his forehead. Or even to swim in its cooling depths! What was +it Zeus had said? Something about being dreadfully sorry? + +He rows slowly, moving the oar against water with the +consistency of mud. To lift the oar for the next stroke is +nearly as difficult as to row. + +Then he cannot lift it at all! + +Frowning Demo yanked at the oar. It gave slightly, then slipped +back into the dank water. With an effort he used the side of the +boat as a point of leverage, once more brought up the oar. + +Covered with slime, strange plant growth, it broke the surface +of the water. But there is something else, a red long and sinewy +coil wrapped tightly around the oar. Grimacing, Demo tried to +scrape the enwrapping red plant from its hold. + +The red plant suddenly uncoiled, extended upward, and quickly +enwrapped his forearm. Wide-eyed Demo attempted to pull free. + +The hold on his arm tightened! + +He was being pulled to the side of the boat! + +Slowly the boat began to tip. He lost his footing, fell against +the gunwale. The boat began to rock, and with each rock the +putrid water of the river Styx splashed in. + +As Demo pulled hard more and more of the red plant became +exposed. + +With a start Demo stared into enormous green eyes! + +This was no plant! + +Rather, a denizen of the weird waters! A denizen with an +appetite for Demo! + +A grin appeared on its face. Rather, a smirk. It licked its +lips in anticipation. + +With one arm held captive by the creature, Demo was unable to +use his bow and arrows. Nevertheless, he was not completely +helpless. + +With his free hand he pulled an arrow from its pouch, stabbed +at the entwining red tentacle. Surprised and in pain, the +creature uncoiled its hold, slid back into the dark stream. + +Demo sat down in the boat, sweat appearing on his forehead. For +a moment he sat still. Then he noticed that the boat was +drifting away from the shore. + +With a start he once more manned his oars! + + It was useless. The slow flowing waters of the Styx had now +branched off. This was a different river entirely! + +He recognized it! Fearfully his eyes opened wide! + +The Meander! A river that went on forever. Purposeless, +endless, going on forever! + + + +He looked back. + +No trace of the Styx was to be seen! + +From the far shore he heard unearthly laughter! + +An object he knew too well blended with the shadows there. The +unseen companion! + + + +Night fell, the air cooled. Birds flew low in pursuit of +mosquito swarms. From the swampy shores growls and moans, +strange shrieks and lonesome howls disturbed the darkness. The +water lapped intermittently against the boat's side. Fish, or +creatures adapted to the Meander, leaped above the water, +splashed back to the surface. Nightbirds winged closed to the +boat, dived toward Demo, then veered away. + +Finally, lulled by the boat's rocking, he fell asleep. + +The frigid night air woke him. The vast waste of the river was +coated by a low-lying white fog. Above, a cold and desolate moon +shone full on the quiet scene below. At times white fluffy +clouds blocked its rays, then drifted on. + +As morning approached a light breeze began to blow. The surface +fog, like disturbed ghosts, scattered, drifted, faded away. +False morning lit the sky, only to fade. + +A red and angry sun rose on the horizon. Twisted, bent, huge +trees brooded along the river bank. The sun's rays hardly +penetrated into the depth of the forest. Birds flew high, +dashing wildly away as a hawk fell into their midst. A large +fish leaped from the waters' surface, splashed back and +disappeared. + +His empty stomach growled in anger over lack of breakfast. The +thought of meat and eggs cooking on his mother's fire would not +leave his mind. + +He searched his pouch, found only day old remnants of bread, +which he quickly devoured. Still, visions of venison roasting, +of warm loaves of bread from the oven - enough! He must quit +this foolish dreaming, must find a way to return! + +Listlessly the young man let his hand dip into the water. Only +were he able to catch a fish, anything to provide sustenance. + +With a start he felt an object brush against his fingers. +Quickly he grasped it, pulled it to the surface. Perhaps a fish, +careless of predators. + +"No!" + +He thrust it from him! The headless body of a man! Shuddering +he watched it slip away. In his mind he recalled the story of +one so killed, doomed to the endless wandering of the Meander. + + + +The broad river seemed to wind endlessly, going nowhere. Along +its low banks huge trees dipped their limbs in the muddy water. +A turtle swam by near the shore, then dived below. In the tree +limbs above birds sang their mating calls. Serenely the placid +river flowed. A lifeless stretch of jungle bordered it. + +But was it lifeless! + +Something moved among the brush and tree trunks. At first he +thought of the unseen companion. No, this was different. + +He watched carefully. + +Farther along, more movement! Something, or someone, was +following his boat! + +They stayed well back from the shore. Still, from time to time +he saw again the movement, glimpsed once more a stern visage. + +He tensed as the current moved him closer still to that shore +and its unknown inhabitants. + +The boat ground to a stop, its lower hull lodged on the +shallow bottom. + +Demo took a deep breath, using the oar tried to pry the boat +from its anchorage. + +A small stream flowed into the river within feet of his +position. + +The bushes along the stream were moving! The motion came ever +closer! + +He climbed into the water, attempted to free the boat again. + +It was to no avail! + +He turned to the shore. They stood silently, stoic, watching. + +Waiting! + +The Sileni! + +A distant cousin of the centaurs, with much the same +appearance. Their lower haunches were horselike, while torso and +head were that of man. Their history was dim, their homeland +unknown. + +There was no escape! The boat was lodged tightly. He stood, +waded slowly to the shore. + +"We rarely see visitors from the outside." This Sileni stood +tall above his companions. "And on the river Meander some come +and go, never to be seen again. What seek you on this river?" + +"Ill fate sent me to this stream. I merely wished to cross the +river Styx, carrying a missive sent by Zeus. Strange forces +diverted my passage, and I floated unwillingly here." + +"Tarry with us a bit. To follow the Meander is useless. It +never ends, never repeats a passage. An eternity is too short to +follow all its windings. Perhaps we can aid you, help you return +to the river Styx. Though it, too, is a river of ill repute." + +The hospitality of the Sileni pleased him. They fed him well, +gave him cot on which to sleep. During his sleep they dragged +the boat to shore. + +"Your coming has been foretold. One waits now to talk with you, +for there is much you do not know. Egeria, the last of the +Caminae, would speak with you. There is the matter of the Tarn." + +With a start Demo regarded the speaker. "Egeria! I do not +understand. The Caminae are long gone, long departed!" + +The conversation with Egeria confused him. She told him of +things to come, but in words that were mystic and full of +cryptic allusions. Yet she spoke of the tarn, where he must +inevitably meet a foreordained fate. + +"The tasks shall lie behind you, yet will there be another +task. By your kindness to a stranger shall you be led to danger +never faced by man. Though you be brave, follow the dictates of +your heart. Heed my words. For this were you brought to me. It +was foretold before your birth." The ancient woman stared at him +through blinkless eyes. + +Although he had listened he knew well that he did not +understand. "Heed the dictates of your heart." What dictates of +his heart? And if all had been foretold why should he not be +informed of those inevitable results? He gazed at her, started +to ask questions, then reconsidered. + +"The Sileni shall return you to your craft. Lie down, in the +bottom. Do not take oar in hand. When darkness descends you +shall once more be on the river Styx. Your mission shall be +quickly done. Tell Zeus that Egeria has opened your eyes." + + + +It transpired as she explained. Zeus, when he delivered her +message, bowed his head. "The Moira draws maps on sandy beaches, +and man and Gods dare not deviate. My boy, believe that I wish +you well. You understand, I cannot intervene in what will be." + +Perhaps for the first time Demo felt real fear! + +17. Lost in Time + +Cronus hiccuped. + +It doesn't happen often, and it rarely has much significance. + +Only this time, it had significance. This time, Cronus was +busy. + +He was adding a slight touch of gray to Demo's hair. + +Cronus, to those not knowing, has time as his domain. Even the +gods respond to his wiles, and age even as you and I. + +And Cronus was gently aging Demo. + +Cronus hiccuped. + +He had taken a liking to the boy since they had met on an +earlier task imposed by Zeus on Demo. So Cronus had not acted in +spite. It was only that Cronus is the master of time, and when +he hiccuped he inadvertently sent Demo flying into a time far +removed. Even this would hardly have been a problem, for Cronus +could easily have returned him. But, as only one way exists for +a project to go right, and many ways for it to go wrong, this +project went wrong. + +Cronus was distracted by his wife. He quickly followed her to +adjust a timepiece that kept erratic time. "My dear, it really +isn't the sundial that's at fault. It's the sun. It refuses to +travel at a constant rate. I've talked to Zeus. Unfortunately, +It's low on his priority list." + +Then Cronus went off to his study, and his hobby of clock +collecting. Demo was, for the moment, forgotten. In his study +Cronus maintained clocks of every size, every design, every +motif. Electronic clocks, grandfather clocks, wall clocks, floor +clocks, round clocks, square clocks - even clocks that kept +time. But no two displayed exactly the same time. For, you see, +time isn't at all the same. Here it has one value, there +another, and elsewhere still a third. But, most assuredly, one +of the numerous clocks ticked the right time. Only Cronus knew +which one. + + + +"Which studio you with? They shooting here today?" + +Demo looked quizzically at his interrogator. Since becoming +Zeus' prot,g, he found that languages were no problem. All the +same, always there were references, words, and phrases of which +he had no ken. + +"I know not of studios, and the next shooting is at the great +fair, a full moon away. There I shall surely prove champion of +all of Greece, perhaps of all the civilized world." + +"Ah-ha! Your advertising a coming film, right. The Great Fair. +Well, I'll try to take it in. Your doing good, pal. I'll tell +you, though, that costume really needs some work." + +The stranger smiled and walked away. + +Demo frowned. + +No city of Greece was this. Grass grew not, and chariots dashed +madly, teamless, down streets of solid rock, The people wore +clothing of strange design, talked in a weird dialect, and gazed +at him in benign amusement. The buildings were as none he had +ever seen. They, too, were made of stone or even metal, and +their height gave challenge to proud Olympus. + +Suddenly he noted, passing high overhead, a dragon of strange +construction, growling deeply as it passed. Passersby gave it no +heed. Plainly the monster had already fed, was returning to its +lair for rest. + +A chariot smashed into the side of another, and high-pitched +screams as of the wild geese filled the air. The chariots lined +up, one behind the other, all emitting similar shrills. + +Something here is akilter, he thought. + +He noted men being disgorged by the shrilling chariots, +shouting each to the other and making aggressive motions with +closed fists. + +Then arrived chariots with fires of red and blue flashing upon +their heads, screaming like night creatures in tales he had been +told. + +These in turn disgorged men adorned in blue cloth, with shining +metal decorations on their chests. These men in turned carried +sticks, and screamed and shouted at those who had gone before. + +In due time the horseless chariots moved away, the mass chasing +in single file the leader. And endless sequence followed madly +after the leading chariot. Was this a race, or a new form of war? + +Along the pathway a bench attracted his attention, and he sat +down, took dried venison from his poke. A young man, perhaps his +own age, approached. + +"Hey, got a dollar? I'd like to borrow a dollar for a while." + +"What, pray, is a dollar?" + +The youth stared at him for a moment. "All right, forget it! +Whatcha eatin'? What's in th' poke?" He gestured toward Demo's +pouch. + +"Food, good food. Would you care for some tasty viands?" + +"Vines? Did you say vines? That ain't vines you're eatin'. +Looks like meat to me. You got any more?" + +"Yes, try it. You'll find it quite tasty. My mother dried it +under the sun, salted it herself." + +The suppliant tasted the dried venison, looked at Demo in +disbelief. "Hell, I'm going to the Salvation Army. You really +eat this stuff!" + + + +A large horseless chariot pulled up alongside him. A woman +starred at him through some strange, clear material. She smiled, +then laughed. He looked around to see what caused her laughter. + +Nothing untoward met his sight. Ill-dressed heathens strolled +aimlessly, it seemed, along the wide pathway. No, there was +nothing amusing to be seen. + +Frowning, he continued to eat his dried venison. Two men +dismounted from the chariot, and it drove away, moaning in a +disquieting manner. + +Inside the passengers were looking at him through the viewing +space in the rear. + +Perhaps it is my garb. Here they dress strangely. + +"Hare Krishna?" + +One of the passengers who had descended addressed him. + +"No, Demo." + +"That's a new one. Is it Indian?" + +"I don't think so. Greek." + +"Greek? Well, new ones are popping up all over. Here, just to +show you I'm open-minded, I'll donate a couple of bucks. Good +luck." + +The man walked off, murmuring, "Demo, and Greek! L A is the +place, I'll tell you!" + + + +He approached a large building. It had openings through which +he could see, but could not enter. However, watching the strange +people he noted an entrance that resembled a whirligig. My, he +thought, how many years since I played with a whirligig. Anyway, +as people went in and out, the door rotated. + +Finally, he entered the building. + +A boy stood in front of a silver recess, leaned down, and a +gush of water rose, striking him on the mouth. Only then did +Demo realize he was thirsty. When the boy moved Demo approached +the recess, leaned down. + +Demo frowned. Nothing had happened. + +He leaned forward again. A man looked at him, "Hey, it ain't +broke again, is it?" The man pressed the button and a stream of +water struck Demo's face. He sputtered, then drank thirstily. + +What part of Olympus is this, he thought. It resembles nothing +I've seen before. + +Nevertheless, it was becoming gradually familiar. He entered a +little room that had the picture of a man on the door. After +watching a few moments he found himself well versed on the +facilities. + +Fortunately, item after item followed a similar pattern. The +important thing was to watch. The paper given to him earlier +served as money. You used money to buy from machines and from +individuals. Of course, how to get money was unclear. + +Then he thought of the boy who had asked him for a dollar. Of +course, just ask. + +He tried it. At first he felt a little strange, for time after +time the individuals he asked seemed a little embarrassed, +finally provided either coins or paper. "Damn cults everywhere. +All right, here, just leave me alone." + +The young supplicant soon found his purse bursting with paper. +It was a strange phenomenon. Ask for money, it is given to you. +Give it to machines, to individuals, and they give you products. +Not too unlike home, except for the first step. + + + +Cronus frowned. + +There is something I've overlooked, he thought to himself. +Something important. Well, tomorrow I'll get around to it. + +The thought struck him. + +Demo! He had been aging Demo! Then, he had helped his wife with +the sundial. Then . . . . Oh, ho! The boy! What of the boy? + +"Ah, I've lost him!" He spoke aloud. "I've let him slip off, +and I didn't really note to where - rather, to when. Drat, it's +inconvenient. I suppose he'll show up by and by, sometime. Yes. +I wonder, what time?" + +At that moment he heard his wife calling. Evening meal was +ready. Thank goodness, I am famished, thought he. + +It was a delicious meal. + +Demo left the building, watched the chariots stopped in the +broad streets, growls issuing from inside. At times other sounds +issued from the vehicles. Loud and raucous, the sounds +repeated and repeated, as though some musical instruments were +being played out of tune. Accompanying these sounds were screams +and yells of tortured innocents. + +He could only assume that, in some manner, the chariots had +malfunctioned. + + + +Duane Golchick and Ralph Fulcere waited nervously outside the +bank door. The customers were thinning out as three o'clock +closing time neared. Finally the last of the stragglers left. + +Duane and Ralph entered quickly. + +"Say, I'm sorry, we were just closing." The guard smiled, +motioned them toward the door. + +"Just walk over to the counter with us. Put your hands behind +your neck and hold 'em there." Duane spoke in a half snarl, held +a revolver in his hand. + +The guard noticed the nervous motion of the gunbarrel. "Okay, +okay, don't be nervous. Whatever you say! Just take it easy! No +one's causing any trouble." + +"All right, listen up!" Ralph shouted. "This is a holdup! Any +screams, any alarms, and we'll take you out. And we don't care +who we shoot first, so you heroes just give it a try. Open it +up, babe." + +He indicated the gate leading behind the counters. The clerk +nervously fumbled with the catch, finally opened the gate. + +Duane and Ralph cleaned out the drawers, stuffing bills into a +garbage bag. "On the floor, all of you. Hands straight out, legs +spread, face down. Lift a head, move a muscle, and you're +history!" + +The left the building quietly. No one had moved. No one was +moving now. They ran for the car, parked in a nearby alley. + + + +A man in blue stopped Demo. + +"Those arrows real?" + +"Oh, yes, very real. Deadly, too. I've killed many a buck with +them. Won a few tournaments, too." + +"I thought so. You got a license to carry a deadly weapon? You +ain't some kind of kook, here to kill off as many as you can, +are you? Here, you better give me the bow." + +"Oh, no, I couldn't do that! It's been in the family for +generations. My Father used it to kill the sea serpent. And his +Father before him to kill fire dragons. I just couldn't part +with it." + +The policeman, for such he was, looked at Demo in astonishment. +"Oh, boy! One of those!" + +He took out his communicator, called for reinforcements. "Were +standing in front of the alley next to Martin's Bank. Seems like +a loony. Anyway, so far he's not violent. Get some +reinforcements over here, before he does go off his rocker. And +tell Sue warm up my pizza. I'll be in about two hours from now. +You let her know." + +He had hardly signed off when he felt an object pressing +against his neck. "Your in our way, Mr. Man. Now just pull out +that gun and let it fall, real easy. Now, put your hands behind +your head. Up against the wall. Spread 'em!" Ralph was relishing +the situation. + +"Get the gun and let's get out of here. You, get out of the +way." Duane motioned to Demo, who stepped politely aside. + +The two men entered the car, rev'd up the engine, pulled out +into traffic. + +"Stop them! Stop! Police!" The officer shouted. + +Demo notched an arrow to his bow, drove it through the right +rear tire of the vehicle. He then repeated the process with the +left tire. + +The car abruptly swerved, ran against the curb, jumped it. + +Crashing into a store front, the engine died. + +Almost at that instant the reinforcements arrived and hurried +to the car. + +"My God, it must be the kook with the bow. Look sticking out of +those tire! See if anyone is hurt. I've got him in sight." + +"Drop it, drop it now! I'll shoot!" + +Demo glanced at the approaching form. This also was a blue +clothed one. He turned to his companion. "Is he talking to you?" + +"Hey, it's all right. He's okay. Get them gorillas in the car. +Hurry, they're getting out!" + +Everyone rushed madly toward the chariot. For a moment Demo +watched, then turned with a shrug. An interesting, but kind of +strange, sport. + + + +"Hey, Guru, tell me what life signifies. You still chomping +that dried junk?" The boy who had asked for a dollar was +grinning at him. + +"My name is Demo, not Guru. Yes, I rather enjoy dried venison." + +"Look, Guru, no offense, eh? You got cover for the night? The Y +has some pads open. They get taken in a hurry, so you better +scat over there if you want one. Gonna rain before morning. Say, +I'm Randy. Look, I can't pronounce that Demo bit, so you're +Guru. Don't let it throw you." + +"Cover? The Y? Ah, shelter from the rain? Yes, that would be +well. You are kind. Where is this Y?" + +"Hell, I'll baby sit you a while. Just follow along, sport." + +They located an available pad, and Demo found himself in a +dormitory filled with numerous unique individuals. The glances +he received indicated that he won honors for uniqueness. + + + +It is a law of nature that, for things to go right, there is +only one viable path. For things to go wrong, the paths are +infinite. Demo continued down one of the infinite paths. + +Cronus had indeed attempted to make contact, return Demo to his +own time and place. Cronus selected the right time without +difficulty. Place, however? Well, place threw him a curve. + +Demo had gone wandering off. + +Cronus had rather limited power so far as space is concerned. +Given sufficient time - of which he was the sole master - he +could examine the reaches of space. And examining the reaches of +space was his immediate goal. + +He began the task methodically. + +First, he returned himself to the time and space when he was +occupied with aging Demo. Then he moved forward (time-wise) to +that point in time when he was distracted. With care he then +gave careful thought to the next incident. + +Unfortunately, he found himself in the predicament many of us +face from time to time. + +He had a sudden mental lapse. + +As the saying goes, the right words were on the tip of his +tongue. Stubbornly, unfortunately, they clung there tenaciously. +Grumbling, he vectored forward in time once more. I'll sleep on +it, he decided. Tomorrow is soon enough. + +Demo, if he were asked, would not have agreed. + + + +Randy woke him early. He knew it was early because it was dark. +Also, because he was sleepy. He was not by any stretch of the +imagination an early bird. Au contraire! + +They left the building hurriedly. + +"Nice place and all," Randy noted. "Just keep in mind, some +strange people stay here. I'd rather not meet them outside. +'Nough said?" + +They walked along the pathway, which Randy called a sidewalk. +Demo noted that he himself was rapidly developing an extended +vocabulary of words, mainly from listening to Randy. + +"Look, we got to scrounge some eatables, you know, food. Now +there's a place over on 5th . . . ." He paused as Demo smiled, +motioned toward his pouch. + +"We can buy food. My pouch is full of paper, eh, money. Gifts! +Dollars!" + +Randy stared at him for a moment, put his hand in the pouch and +pulled out a few bills. "All right, man! You are with it! Okay, +let's hit this place across the way. I could use a good meal for +a change." + +The waitress smiled at them, looked at Demo's garb with +curiosity. "Look, no offense, but you Joe's got cash? The boss +is real mean about that!" + +"Of course we got cash! Hey, show her, Guru!" + +Demo pulled a handful of bills from his pouch, stuck them back +in. + +The waitress stuck out her lower lip, nodded. "Okay, here's the +menu. What'll you have? The western omelette's not bad. Makes a +good meal." + +Randy ordered the omelette and coffee. + +"I'll have the omelette and milk," Demo decided. + +"Hey, Guru, where'd you get that rig? What's your thing, +anyway? You're awful close mouthed." + +"Randy, you ever hear of people traveling through time?" + +"Oh, great! All right, forget it. Sorry I asked." + +"No, really, I'm serious. I'm from Greece . . . from long time +ago Greece. Don't ask me how I got here. I really don't know. +And I don't know how to get back." Demo's disconsolate look +almost convinced Randy. + +"You are one good actor. I'm ready to break out a hanky. Look, +I was out of line. You don't have to tell me anything. Hell, +I've told you practically nothing about me, now have I?" + +They finished their omelettes, and Randy was sipping his coffee +when Demo glanced out the window. + +"It's him! It's Cronus! I'm going back! Randy, thank you for +your help. Here, take this money." + +Demo pulled out handsful of bills, laid them on the table in +front of Randy. + +"Cronus! Come off it!" Randy glanced out the window. + +A tall figure, dressed as was Demo, stood on the sidewalk. His +face was grim, and he was making some weird, ritualistic +motions. Randy looked toward Demo. + +Demo was fading. At the moment he seemed at some point between +clear jello and fog, with fog gaining the upper hand. + +Randy reached out to grab Demo. His hand passed through the +image in front of him, touched nothing. + +He stood up, threw his arms around his new found friend. + +A chill ran through him. + +The room was darkening. His vision blurred. + +"Not me! Leave me here! I belong here! I . . . ." + +The words faded. + +He was now part of the fog. He could see nothing, hear nothing. + +But he knew things were happening. + +Strange things. + + + +The waitress stood beside the table, eyes wide. "Boss, I don't +feel too good today. I think I better take the rest of the day +off." + +"You can't do that! Cecilia is ill, Grace is on vacation! +Anyway, what's the problem?" + +"Two boys! They were sitting here. I brought them omelets. Now +look! They're gone. They didn't pay me, I didn't see them leave, +they left all this money. Something is really weird. I think it +may be me." + +"Nah! Here, let me check the washroom. Anyway, what if they +slipped out. That'll pay for the meal and leave you one real +fine tip." + +In a moment he returned. "Ain't no one back there. Two of 'em, +eh? Look, don't let it bug you. They probably are just having +fun, playing a joke on you." + +"Well, I don't like this kind of joke. All right, I'll stay. +Say, I sure feel odd." + + + +Randy looked around wildly. + +The city was gone, the restaurant, the building even. + +Around him were trees, a nearby brook, some birds singing. Demo +was sitting on a log nearby. + +"Man, what have you done to me? What is going on here. I don't +like this. No sir, I don't like this at all!" + +"Randy! Randy, what in the world are you doing here? Cronus +must have brought you too. Oh, boy! What a mess." + +"This . . . ." Randy hesitated. + +"This th' place you were talking about. Look, I'm sorry. I +thought you were putting me on! I wonder why'd he bring me here? +How'm I gonna get back. Who is this Cronus? You tell him, I want +to see him, and right now. He can't push me around this way!" + +"Just calm down, and for goodness sake, don't talk like that! +It's just an accident, just some kind of accident. I'm sure +he'll send you back. Well, I'm kind of sure . . . ." + +He wasn't. + +Randy languished. Rural atmosphere and bucolic settings were +great TV fare. Who wants to actually live such a life! No way! + +Demo attempted to teach him hunting. + +Randy proved that, with considerable effort and practice, he +would never be a hunter. The trees chosen as targets survived +unmarked. Arrows vanished into unlikely places. + +Chariots in lieu of cars did not sell to well. First, Randy was +scared of horses. Second, he couldn't tell his gee from his haw. +Third, he wasn't interested. + +However, one aspect of Demo's world did indeed interest Randy. + +At the evening meal Theresa chanced by, was introduced, and +Randy's eyes lit up. Rural atmosphere, bucolic settings - in the +right company they could be tolerable. + +He started by telling Theresa of all the wonders of the 20th +century. She suggested he drink less wine. + +He explained to her the pleasures of flying. She gently +suggested he learn to drive a chariot. + +He told her of the convenience of food dispensing machines. She +explained to him how gardens could be grown. + +They fascinated each other. + + + +Cronus made known to Demo that he could now handle sending +Randy back to his own time and place. + +Demo explained this to Randy. + +Randy looked at Theresa, who looked wide-eyed at Randy. + +"No way! I'm here, and here I'll stay!" + +Demo looked at them both, nonplused. + +He reported the state of events to Cronus. Cronus consulted +with Zeus. + +"Ridiculous," Zeus growled. "Ship him out!" + +"Absolutely not!" Hera cried. "It's very romantic. Let him +stay." + +Being a wise husband, Zeus recanted. + +Should you have read of the mysterious disappearance of Randy +Bocksteil, and wondered what happened, you now have the details. + +Randy became a mediocre farmer. He learned the rudiments of +hunting, of skinning and quartering deer. + +He learned, alas, how to make the potent wine of the region. + +When newcomers visit the village, and Randy has sampled his own +wine, he explains to them the wonders of the 20th century. + +They suggest he drink less wine. + + + +It was said of Dionysius that, if he did not steal it, he would +do without it. + +It was said of Dionysius that, if he did not kill, he would +call the day a waste. + +And so it was. + +Dionysius came with a band of pirates from a peninsula lying +far to the west. He came at night, landing on the shores of +Greece in the early dawn of day. He killed a soldier guarding +that shore. + +Dionysius killed without hatred, killed quickly. Some joyed in +toying with their victims, inflicting pain. They wished to +stretch out the victory. They reveled in the growing fear felt +by their opponent. Watching in glee as their opponent realized +his impending fate and became increasingly desperate, they +delayed the inevitable. Then, when the game began to wear, they +cruelly and slowly mutilated their prey. Eventually, tiring of +the game, they dispatched the helpless victim. + +Dionysius' pirate companions were of such nature. He despised +them, traveled with them only for his own ends. + +Once they had made shore, dispatched the guard, he left them to +their own devices. He began a sojourn to the mountains. To the +mountains where lived Demo. + + + +Demo pursued the deer in the foothills. They had migrated down +from the mountains during the night. He found their spoor beside +a clear branch whose cold waters they had come to drink. + +Demo followed the trail from the branch deeper into the green +copses. The deer were cautious, kept moving. He pursued them as +they drifted toward the distant seaside. At times the wind +shifted, and they caught his scent. They scurried quickly into +the deeper forest. + +He moved carefully from tree trunk to tree trunk, keeping the +obscuring bushes between himself and the herd. Finally the +distance was right, and he drew his bow. + +Even as the arrow flew the deer began to bolt. + +Too late for the buck he had chosen! It fell to the ground with +a shudder as the arrow entered its heart. He moved forward +quickly to bleed the carcass. + +Only then did he see the cause for the deers' alarm! + +Dionysius stepped from the shadow of a tree trunk, sword in +hand. + +"Good shooting. Don't reach for another arrow. I believe I +shall take that buck. Be so kind as to carve it for me. And I +would not try to use knife against sword. At least, not until +the buck has been carved. Then you may try what you like. Lay +down the bow!" + +Reluctantly Demo unstrung his bow, placed it on the ground. + +I deserve to lose that buck. To have failed to watch, listen +carefully! He stalked angrily to the deer, began cleaning the +meat. + +While cutting he watched the robber with careful eyes. If the +fellow dropped his guard! Forlorn hope. It did not happen. Then +he noticed something new. + +The birds on the shoreward side became suddenly noisy, then +broke into flight. Their flight was followed only by silence. + +Something, or someone, was approaching! + +He went on with his task, while his eyes searched feverishly to +see who approached. + +She stepped into view at the edge of the small clearing. +Smiling she approached. + +"Demo, I was told you hunted here. Ah, what a fine buck! You +never miss, do you?" + +"Theresa, go home! Quickly!" + +He stood erect, stepped between her and the swordsman. + +The latter smiled, swished his sword through the air in +melodramatic gesture. "Not so quickly, my lady. We haven't yet +been properly introduced. Boy, where are your manners?" + +Theresa shrank back, took a deep breath, turned toward the +forest. + +"You run, the boy dies!" Dionysius' voice was gruff, angry. + +Slowly she turned back, eyes wide with fear as she glanced at +Demo. + +"Theresa, run! Now!" + +She obeyed! + +"Boy, you call for your own death!" Dionysius growled angrily. + +Dashing into the forest, she ran with all possible speed toward +the village. In the fields at the village's edge she saw her +father with other farmers. + +"Demo! He's in danger. A swordsman has him prisoner." + +They gathered their tools, and her father his longbow. "Show +us!" her father commanded, grim-faced. + +They arrived in time to see Demo toss the buck's haunch at +Dionysius. He fell back to ward it off, even as his sword was +impaled by the meat. + +Demo lunged forward, wrestled with Dionysius before the latter +could free his sword. His own knife fell to ground. + +Suddenly Dionysius released the sword, dove to the ground and +seized the fallen knife. + +He smiled as he stepped toward Demo. + +Only then did he note the ring of farmers at the forest's edge. +And most of all he noted the longbow, drawn, in the hands of +Theresa's father. + +Dionysius, stopped, bowed. "Here, boy, you'll need this to +finish cutting the meat." + +He extended the knife, hilt first. + +Demo took it, cautiously, backed off. + +The farmers quickly tied their captive, led him back to the +village. A messenger was dispatched, and soldiers came quickly. +Dionysius sojourn had ended + +18. The Fates + +"Now, my boy," Zeus began with a friendly smile and a pat on +the shoulder. "Now, you see, I have this problem. Nothing to +tumble Olympus, of course. Still, a problem. And you are going +to have the privilege of resolving it. It may well be your claim +to fame. No, just joking! It's really minor." He glanced around, +lowered his voice. + +"My boy, it involves women. Now, I'm not a misogynist - eh, the +dictionary is on that stand over there. In spite of being . . +." He halted, glanced carefully around once more. "In spite of +being married to Hera, I do love and respect beautiful women." + +"However, I am Zeus! I am master of the heavens, of earth - and +if Pluto would fight fair, of even the nether world! And in +spite of that these three - Women! - are flaunting their power +as though I were impotent. Powerless!" + +The clouds were forming one on top of another over Olympus. +Suddenly Hera entered, and angry look on her face. "Not over my +flower bed. You've already washed away two of them. Stop it! +Right now!" + +Zeus blinked. "Yes, of course, my dear. Merely explaining a few +things to the boy here." He took a deep breath, let it out +slowly while watching the clouds with anxious eye. They slowly +began to dissipate. Zeus smiled a wan smile. + +"Lovely woman. A little impetuous at times. Loves that garden." + +"Let me see. We were talking about this little task. Well, what +I'd really like for you to do is to bring me some items. It's +kind of a game, really. Yes, a game. A scavenger hunt!" + +"And you, my boy, you will undoubtedly be successful. Three +items. Simple little items. Nothing controversial. No indeed. +Wouldn't think of it." + +"Have you ever been on a scavenger hunt?" + +"No. No, sir. Never." + +"Really great fun. I recall when I and this bevy of Naiads . . +. Well, no need to trouble your mind over that . . ." Zeus was +silent for a moment, a slight smile on his lips as he reminisced. + +"On a scavenger hunt you go out and locate the items you have +been told to bring back. And you bring them back, and you win. +That simple. So be on your way, now. Don't slam the door." + +"Yes, sir. I mean, no sir. The items, sir?" + +"Oh, of course. A pair of scissors. I told you, nothing rare or +controversial. Thread. Yes, plain, ordinary old thread. And a +spinning wheel. A little large and awkward. But, I assure you, +not too much so for a youth of strength and stamina. Three +items. I think you'll enjoy this scavenger hunt. I really do." + +"There are those - you'll find this unbelievable, but have +faith - There are those who believe they have the power of life +and death. Well, I'll have you know it lies in my hands. Do you +doubt? Shall I demonstrate?" Zeus face was reddening, and clouds +were once more forming above Olympus. + +In fact, he noted them. "Ah, well, yes, have to watch that. +Let's not become perturbed. Oh, Heavens no. My boy, enjoy your +scavenger hunt." He waved grandly. + +"Oh, let me help you a little. Three sisters, and I'll not tell +you their names, have the very objects for which you search. +Lovely ladies, and I'm sure they'll do all they can to bring +your search to a quick end. Very quick." + + + +He found himself in the midst of a glade. And well it was, for +rain was beginning to fall, and the trees protected him from the +cold drops. Scissors, thread, and a spinning wheel. Why, he +thought, I can get those from Mother. + +Suddenly a shudder ran through him. He did not move. He knew. +The unseen companion was there. Waiting, waiting - waiting for +what? What event would trigger the inhuman hatred radiated by +this strange creature. Always there. Never fully seen. + +He rose slowly, glanced fearfully around the glade. "Come out, +if you dare. I await your pleasure." + +He thought he heard the rustle of leaves. Quickly he glanced +upward. The leaves were indeed moving. This time they were +stirred by a vagrant breeze. He shook his head. + +He knew - though he knew not how - that the scissors, thread, +and spinning wheel of his mother would not serve. These must +come from the three sisters. The lovely ladies mentioned by +Zeus. In the back of his mind he thought of stories he had +heard. Perhaps, at some early age, he had heard of the three +sisters. Sadly, he could not remember. Who are they, and where +do they dwell? + +Startled, he looked up. The leaves were again moving. This +time, no breeze caused this disturbance. + +A large bird, perhaps a white owl, flew rapidly through the +forest and in its wake soft white down marked a trail. A trail +he knew he must follow. + +The skies darkened as he stalked deeper and deeper into the +forest. In time the wooded vales grew even darker, and the sky +no longer came to view. A thought formed in his mind, he knew +not how. He knew for whom he searched. + +The thought brought sweat to his brow. The Sisters of Night! +How often had he heard the legends, the strange tales. How often +had they spun the thread, how often cut it! It must be they. The +Sisters of Night! + +He was lost. The trail was no longer marked ahead, and behind +was only darkness. Slowly he inched forward, hoping for a clue. +A simple indication of which way to proceed. + +He heard the sound and joy almost made him sing out. She has +returned, he thought, glancing to his right. And then he froze. +Indeed he had heard sound. And indeed was something there. +Something huge and monstrous, too near to be imagination; too +far to be clearly seen. The unseen companion! With him still! + +He notched his arrow. It was too late. Even as he moved the +rain fell heavy and he could make out, not even the trees before +him. He waited. Only silence. No further sounds were heard. With +a sigh he returned the arrow to its pouch. + +A flash of lightning lit a rocky rise before him, and he noted +the mouth of a huge cave. Slowly he inched up to the opening, +slowing stared into its depth. + +Though nothing met his eyes, yet there seemed a light, a small +flickering light, somewhere in its deep within. Cautiously he +moved forward. + +"Welcome, Welcome, Young man! We've been waiting. What kept you +so long? Hurry along now, The thread is growing short. Come +along." + +He blinked. She wasn't there a moment ago! Waiting for me? I +don't understand! + +"Madame, there is a mistake. You couldn't have been waiting for +me. I don't know you. I had no intention of stopping here. I . . +." + +She smiled. And though she were old and wrinkled, her eyes +brightened like a happy child's. "Come along. You'll understand +by and by. Come along." + +She led him ever deeper into the cavern. The flickering light +grew ever brighter, and seemed to flicker no more. Finally his +companion motioned for him to stop. "Mustn't frighten them. +'Twould be terrible if they made a mistake. Terrible!" + +"Clotho, he has arrived. Lachesis, welcome him. Come, my dear." +She led him forward, and he bowed to the ladies who looked up +from their labor, glanced at him without emotion or even +interest. + +"Girls, girls, are we that old! Look at him. Isn't he a +handsome one. Ah, how sad. To die so young!" + +"Atropos, your were always one to talk too much. Here are your +scissors. Now get on with it!" + +Clotho was busy spinning a thread. Her spindle moved slowly at +times, then rapidly. Lachesis, bent forward, examining the +thread, comparing its length to an unseen measuring stick. +"Right about there, sister dear. Oh, give him another inch. No +harm done. He is a handsome young man." + +Atropos looked at the scissors handed her, sighed. "I would it +were otherwise, young man. But we are duty bound. Nothing can +stay us from our labor." + +Wide-eyed he stood as the scissors opened, approached the +thread. "Wait! Zeus, Zeus, He wants you. You must cease +immediately. He eagerly awaits your company." + +"Zeus! Olympus! Parties! Dancing! He wants us. Child, you can't +mean it. 'Twas he who banished us to this cold, dank cave. And +now he wishes our return? Well, he's plainly drunk too much of +that nectar. I knew it would eventually get to him. Clotho, have +you a thread for Zeus?" + +"Oh, never. Well, I admit, I tried. After all, it wasn't at all +nice of him to send us here. Anyway, it kept unraveling." + +"Lachesis, give the boy another foot or two. Oh, give him an +extra yard. Boy, we'll get dressed as soon as we've put away our +tools. Zeus wants to see us!" + +"Eh, please, don't put away your tools. He is extremely +interested in your skills. You must bring them along." + +"Learned to appreciate us, has he? My, how many eons has it +taken! Oh, very well." + + + +He led the way and in due time they arrived at Olympus. "Wait +at the gate, I'll announce your coming." He smiled at their +activities. + +Clotho was practicing her curtsies, Lachesis her bows. Atropos +smiled a broad smile, then a more reserved one, then tried a +calm yet quiet visage. + +"Zeus, sir, I have them. I have them." + +"Well done. Amazing. No! Not really. I always knew you had the +right stuff. Of course, to scavenge the items I fear you had to +terminate the owners. It is sad. Still, what can one do? Bring +them in, bring them in. Scissors, thread, and spinning wheel! +Wonderful, wonderful!" + +"Oh, no sir. I didn't have to terminate them. In fact, they're +here. Come in ladies, and receive your welcome." + +Zeus opened his mouth, closed it. He looked at the three +Sisters of Night. He looked at Demo. + +"Yes, brought them with you. Yes, very thoughtful of you. Thank +you, my boy, thank you. Don't call me, I'll call you." + +With that Demo found himself in his own home, in his own room, +rolling off his own bed with a thud. + +Rough barked joyously, leaped upon him in frantic welcome. + +"Ah, that Zeus! I really wish he'd not do it that way," he said +aloud. "Mother, I'm hungry!" + + + + + +19. The Stables + +"I'm delighted, my boy, that your chores are almost completed. +Delighted!" Zeus didn't look delighted. Rather, he seemed put +out. Jolly voice and all, but that scowl! + +"Now, this next task. Represents a logistic problem, really. +Time consuming, rather than difficult. Your qualifications are +such that you'll have little trouble, I'm sure." Zeus smiled, as +though at some secret humorous thought. + +"I'm into some real estate deals. Brought a few places down on +earth. Boy, was I taken on this one. Oh, was I taken. Shysters +and developers! I must visit Pluto one day and see if he has +room for any more. They are overrunning his place, I'm afraid." +For a moment Zeus fell silent. His thoughts were evidently on +his brother's domain, and the shysters and developers dwelling +therein. A bright smile lit his face. + +"To the matter at hand. I brought this ranch. Excellent +property, very reasonable price. Closed escrow and all that. +Then I thought to look inside the stables. Gad!" + +"Poor suffering creatures. Horses, excellent horses. +Unfortunately, locked in those stables for eons. Eons and eons. +Maybe longer. To summarize, the place was not entirely sanitary. +Now be off with you and get it cleaned up." He guffawed rather +loudly. + +"Oh, here. This may help." Zeus handed Demo a broom, a mop, and +a clothespin. "For the nose, you understand." + +Demo arrived unceremoniously at the stable doors. He was +greeted by the local population, consisting of many and varied +forms of flies. Black flies, white flies, colorless flies - all +eager to make his acquaintance. + +Shooing them away he slowly opened the stable doors, quickly +closed them. + +Impossible! No mortal could possibly clean up this mess. Still +hadn't a hero, long ago, faced a similar problem? + +Yes, yes indeed. And he had solved it. Solved it by merely +changing the course of a stream. Simple enough. Now where might +he find a stream. + +There was one, and at not too great a distance. + +Well, it is only a creek. Nevertheless, it's all I have. So +let's give it a try. + +He worked diligently, opening a channel to the very door of the +huge barn. As night drew near he began to dam the creek, forcing +its waters to divert to his newly dug channel. + +The youthful civil engineer smiled. + +The water was beginning to flow. Quickly he hurried to the +stable, dared the flies, and threw wide the doors at both ends +of the edifice. Fortunately he wore the clothespin. + +The water was moving ever closer. The chore was indeed a simple +one. + +He looked up, and frowned. + +The sky had darkened, and even now huge raindrops began to +fall. The mild creek was rising higher and higher. The dam, +built to withstand that creek, was faced with an ever deepening, +ever angrier river. + +The water reached the top of the dam, flowed now heavily +through the channel, washed at the very entrance to the stables. + +Suddenly the dam began to move, at first slowly. A crack +appeared in the middle. It widened. + +Water began to seep through the crack. + +Water began to pour through the crack. + +The crack was gone! + +The dam was gone! + +Demo sat down, stared in disbelief. + +In moments his hours of work destroyed! The rock, the mud, the +good green sod - all gone. + +And the stable, fly infested, standing as before. + +Even as he looked a swarm of flies rose, moved in his +direction. + +Quickly he retreated. + +This required rethinking! Not so simple a chore as he had +thought! + +Back to Olympus! I must talk to Zeus! No way! + + + +He arrived at Olympus. Zeus was absent. "He is on a . . .," his +gardener smiled, ". . . on a hunting trip." He winked. + +Suddenly a loud screech disturbed their ears. + +"Oh, dear!" The gardener wrung his hands. "That's Hera! The +flowers are growing so poorly. I've spent hours tending them. +But they will not grow in this kind of soil. I've told Zeus a +thousand times. Olympus is just too pure!" + +Hera entered. + +"I will not have my flowers drooping, my bushes wilting! I may +well have my gardener in that condition if he tends not to my +garden!" + +The gardener cringed. + +"What are you doing here. Did not Zeus send you out on another +of his ridiculous chores. Begone, then, for I am not fit company +today!" She stomped back to her patio, giving one last angry +look at the gardener. + +Demo frowned. "Well, I wish I could help. Anyway, I'm not much +of a gardener. I know we use fertilizer on our plants. Mostly we +use . . . ." He paused. A thought had entered his mind. + +"Sir, perhaps this is your lucky day!" + + + +"This boy, eh, the one who sold you the fertilizer for the +vinyard and for Hera's garden," Zeus paused, a slight frown on +his face. The clouds above Olympus darkened, and a low rumble of +thunder sounded in the distance. "This boy wasn't too smart, you +say?" + +"Oh, no! Smart? Ha!" + +"At first he wanted ambrosia, wine, women - for fertilizer! +Ridiculous! He talked! And talked. The more he talked the less +he decided to charge. We waited quietly." The gardener smiled. + +"His charges dropped?" + +"His charges dropped!" + +"Still we waited! Aha! Finally he agreed that it was all ours, +if we would give him just one bottle of wine and agree to move +everything within 3 days! Oh, he was a cute rascal! We just +outwitted him. Yes, eventually, he came our way. Merely a matter +of waiting." The gardener's smile broadened. + +"Yes," Zeus mused. "A cute rascal, indeed!" + +"So, this callow youth, this dunce from the barnyards, +practically gave away his, eh, merchandise?" + +"And did you, eh, move all this fertilizer? Within 3 days?" + +"Oh, yes, sire. Indeed we did. We didn't want to give him the +chance of changing his mind. I had to call on all the Gods - +save yourself, Sire - to get the job done. Such dedication. Even +Hera carried her share. Lovely wife, Sire, lovely!" + +The gardener smiled. Zeus nodded somewhat glumly. + +"And we gave him 5 bottles of wine to insure he gave no further +thought to the fertilizer or the stables." + +"What! What is this! Stables! Did you say Stables!" Zeus brow +was dark, and the clouds above Olympus now roiled and flashes of +lighting lit the dour sky. + +"Why, yes, sire. It seems that, through negligence, the stables +had not been cleaned in - well, in a long time. One might say +they were a bit ripe." + +"And the horses! Poor things! They were indeed in need of +washing and curry-combing." + +"But, to the matter at hand. Yes, stables they were. And full +to the brim with excellent fertilizer. Oh, such gardens as we +shall have this spring! I'm sure you will be well pleased." + +Zeus sniffed the air. Zeus seemed to be not well pleased. He +was muttering to himself. + +"Callow youth? Stables? Fertilizer? I will have his head . . .! +Buying it from him with my own goods! Inconceivable!" + +"Had all the Gods and Goddesses hard at work. That's something +I've never accomplished. Ah, perhaps he might fit in well at +Olympus!" + + + +Dionysius sat quietly in the prow of the boat. The ferryman was +silent, merely guided the craft on its way. The craft moved of +its own volition. + +"How come I here? Who are you? And what is this body of water +on which we float?" + +The ferryman stared at him in steely silence. + +Dionysius glanced around, studied the ferryman, the boat, the +dark liquid on which they floated. + +"I was condemned, and the execution was for tomorrow. I had +venison for supper - stupid cook burned it badly, gravy was +tasteless. Then I slept. Someone roused me and we went to the +execution chamber. They readied me for the blade. I remember +cursing them soundly, one and all. I was bound and the +executioner made ready. Did I faint? Did you rescue me, or was +it another? What pay do you expect for this service? I am a poor +man, so don't expect too much!" + +Although the air was dark and gloomy Dionysius was beginning to +feel cheerful. + +"However it was done, I am thankful. And you shall all be +rewarded. Before I stabbed the old priest I learned from him the +location of the temple's treasure. I saw it with my own eyes. +Jewels, money, golden goblets and silver. Yes, indeed, you shall +be rewarded." + +He smiled. + +He sniffed the air. + +"The sewers must lead into this stream, the smell of burning +sulfur irritates my eyes. How much farther until we reach shore? +There is a strangely unpleasant odor about this place. I like it +not. Will you speak, or shall I toss you into this filthy +stream!" + +He rose, stepped toward the silent figure. + +Suddenly he stopped. + +The ferryman neither shrank from his approach, nor responded. +His face was hidden by the hood he wore. Yet his eyes shone from +beneath that hood. + +The look from those eyes froze Dionysius in midstep. + +"No! No! It is a bedtime story to frighten children. What are +you telling me . . . ." + +His gaze shifted from stream to boat, from boat to ferryman, +from ferryman to stream. + +"It is a fairy tale, nothing else. Take me to the shore!" His +voice was once more threatening. + +Suddenly he sat down, held his head between his two hands, +sobbed quietly. + +"It's true, isn't it? This river - Styx is its name. You are +the ferryman. This gloom is not the dark of night. It's all +true!" + +Suddenly a thought came to mind. + +"Then you are . . . You are Charon. And I must have - yes, here +it is. Your toll. Take me then to the Elysian Fields. Quickly, +take me away from this dreadful place." + +He extended Charon's toll. + +The figure made no move to accept. + +Rather, a deep and melancholy voice responded. "Your stop is +not the Elysian shore." + +Dionysius gazed at the dark figure, at the coin. Reluctantly he +let the coin fall, watched it disappear into the depths of the +murky water. + +He was silent. + +What more was there to say! + +20. The Demon's Lair + +There are dark grottoes in the high mountains. And tarns, deep +and cold, bottomless pits of murky water. And in some few +favored spots, dark grottoes and murky tarns together. + +Such was the site at which Demo stood. + +Here dwelt one whom even Olympians fear. This was the Demon's +Lair. + +The village folk had long remembered legends. Hoary legends, +whispered around campfires during winter storm. Used to frighten +children to mind their manners. But only legends. Or so Demo had +long believed. + +Something - no one spoke a name - there was. Or something there +had been. Something that preceded even the Titans, that ancient +race from whom the Olympians were descended. + +The Titans, so the tales went, had not conquered it. Rather, +they had duped it, deceived it, and encaged it in bars not of +this world. Bars that, until now, had held. Bars that, +perchance, were weakening with the passage of eons. + +Whispered conversations on earth, whispered conversations on +the pristine streets of Olympus, told of an ominous presence. +Not seen, nor heard - still dread of this unknown creature +stalked the night as might stalk even the creature itself. + +Idle chatter of fearful children? Old wives tales from the back +woods? Or something else, something evil. Something so powerful +that even the gates of Olympus stood not against it. + +No one knew. + +And that was why Demo stood at the gate to the demon's lair. +Zeus would know what manner of creature was there imprisoned. +Zeus would know what manner of prison held such a creature in +throe. + +Who better to send than Demo? If he succeeded, another task +marked off. If he failed, one less concern as Athena chose +another. + + + +Demo gazed into the still water of the tarn, touched its +surface with his hand. He gasped at the chilling cold that +seized his entire arm. + +Was this then the tarn of which he had been forewarned? Would +here the strange tie between himself and the unseen companion be +severed - or brought to its inevitable conclusion? + +It seemed fitting! + +No drearier spot had he seen. No gloomier grotto existed in +these mountains. If doom hung over his head, it could not choose +a place more suitable than this! + +He resigned himself to the inevitable! + +The sun slipped swiftly behind the western peaks, and cool +night breezes stirred the leaves. Swallows swooped in the +darkening sky, and night creatures called one to another as day +ended. + +Come morning and he would search further. For now, a fire, +food, and a night's rest. + +The flames reflected from the precipice's base, their warmth +welcomed as cool night crept in. Beyond the fire light +nightsounds rose and fell, now near, now far. + +He added wood to the fire, wrapped himself in his Eddie Bauer +mummy bag. Ah, how pleasant to sleep after a long day's journey. + +It was a sleep beleaguered by dreams. Dreams of he who dwelled +in the deep tarn. In the dreams the creature came forth, looked +down on the sleeping youth. It's eyes were cold, held deadly +enmity. + +Yet, it did not strike. Motionless it observed him, turned, and +descended once more into the frigid waters. + +Morning came early. Demo sat up, wide-eyed. From the tarn's +brink to his resting place he saw footprints. A great weight had +pressed them, even into the dryer ground. They turned back, led +once more to the tarn. + +Demo closed his eyes, breathed deeply. What manner of creature, +and why had it turned away, doing him no harm? The footprints, +though huge, seemed hardly those of some monstrous being capable +of frightening even the Lords of Olympus. + +Demo stirred the ashes to reveal hot colds beneath, fed twigs +and breathed gently on them to kindle a fire. As he placed +larger branches on the flames he heard behind him the sound of +measured footsteps. + +With a start he turned. + +The man looking down at him loomed tall and ominous. He showed +no emotion. Rather, his face was calm, nor did his demeanor +suggest threat. Slowly Demo rose, glanced toward his bow and +quiver. + +The man smiled. + +"It would avail thee not. Rest easy. I mean you no harm. You, +in turn, may be of aid to me. Why am I here, summoned from an +age yet to be, a world far removed? Did you summon me? I think +not. You are only a child! What can you tell me of this place, +and of that one who stole from the cold waters in the dark of +night?" + +"Who are you? You were summoned? How so? From an age yet to be, +a world far removed? I understand not your words. Still, if you +were summoned I can think only that it was the work of Zeus. No, +perhaps not. Athena may have brought you here to provide succor +for me on this strange sojourn." + +The tall man squatted before the fire, warmed his outstretched +hands. "Strange names, these. Zeus? Athena? I know them not. And +how might I, Beowulf, provide succor to one such as you, when I +seem unable to even help myself. I sit here, lost, knowing +neither north nor south, east nor west." + +He spoke quietly, calmly. For all the strangeness of these +proceedings, his face showed no fear, his eyes reflected only +constant vigil. + +"I can tell you why I am here. Zeus sent me to find what +creature is imprisoned beneath these waters, and what manner of +prison it be. It is plain, from your words; and from the prints +upon the shore, it is imprisoned no more." + +Beowulf responded musingly. "I walked 'neath moonlight across +the moors, alone. The sound of wings, and huge white owl flew +by. And then the moors were gone, moonlight faded, and I stand +upon this forsaken shore of some strange pond. I feel overcoming +me a dread that once before I felt, only once before. And that +when I fought 'neath murky waters with the mother of Grendl. Is +there no end? Have I come here once more to meet a fiend in +mortal combat? And each more powerful than that which went +before?" + +Demo eyes lit up. "It was Athena. She knew of you, though you +had never been. And if she has brought you here, it is with good +cause. Grendl, and the mother of Grendl. Who, or what, are these +of which you speak?" + +"Fiends, creatures of night and corruption, that prey on good +folk, weak and helpless. Alone I have met them, and that in +their own lair, and brought upon them such destruction as they +had sown. Monstrous though they were, yet did I feel not dread +as I feel in this dark cove. What manner of creature dwells in +yonder tarn. In my mind my thoughts are dark, and Wyrd himself +peoples them." + +"Wyrd? I know of Zeus, of Pluto, and of others of like ilk. I +know not Wyrd." + +For a moment Beowulf sat silent, eyes on the ground before him. +"Wyrd is he who awaits us. Before all, he was. When all has +faded and passed on, he will be. Though I fear him, I shall not +bow to his power. Strangely, I believe he dwells here. I know +not why." + +Demo spoke now, glancing at the tarn in apprehension. "Legends +have it that, before the Titans ruled, another walked this +world, held it in a grasp of iron. Then the Titans beguiled him +in some strange manner, and with fetters formed of dreams +entangled him. After that, that he might never again escape they +locked him away in caverns far beneath Tartarus' depths." + +He gazed at Beowulf, back at the tarn. + +"It is said he once more walks the earth, and he is not a +stranger even to the streets of Olympus. Nameless among us, +perhaps Wyrd is the name he bears." + +Beowulf took from its sheath his sword. Light reflected from +its surface in strange patterns, and the sword's edge seemed +alive and moving in the sun's rays. + +"I grow old. Yet, it seems, there is one more toil, one battle +more. Well, so be it. Every man dies. But it is given to some to +live and die for a cause. For a cause that makes their having +lived worthwhile. Boy, I will stand beside thee. Against this +one none has ever prevailed. How will fare a boy, and an old +man?" + +He laughed. "Well, well, until I came none had prevailed +against Grendl. Nor against Grendl's mother. Be of good cheer. +We shall do what flesh and blood can do. And if that be not +enough, then surely we shall die as men, sword in hand!" + + + +The day passed swiftly, and shadows were lengthening. Demo +built a fire, warmed the food his mother had hastily packed. +Beowulf ate of dried meat he carried. + +"Your friend, I think, will return once more this night. Sleep +by your fire. I shall rest against the trunk of that oak, and +when he comes I will greet him. If your Zeus be powerful, pray +unto him, for this night one walks the earth as evil incarnate. +And of us three, I fear none shall view a rising sun." + +Beowulf rose, walked to the tall oak, sat at its base. He lay +the naked sword across his lap, closed his eyes. Whatever dread +he felt, it showed not in his demeanor or action. Though he +slept Demo knew no sound or motion would escape his attention. +It was the sleep of one ever alert, ready for the life and death +struggle that might lie ahead. + +A fog rose from the cold surface of the tarn, and driven by a +light breeze, drifted onto the shore. Demo huddled close to the +fire, eyes watching anxiously that fog-shrouded tarn, the +mist-shrouded trees. His hand clutched his bow, and an arrow lay +beside him, ready to be notched. + +With sunset the grotto lost all semblance of light. Vague winds +rustled tree limbs, calls of night birds sounded, and other +sounds. Sounds that brought quick apprehension to his mind. And +then they faded - then returned once more. + +Suddenly Demo sat up! + +He had fallen asleep. A noise, a movement? Something had surely +wakened him. + +The crescent moon had risen, and in its light the trees and +bushes cast soft shadows. + + Quickly he glanced toward the huge oak. + +Beowulf was gone! + +Slowly he turned his eyes toward the tarn. + +It was there! + +Moving toward him with deliberate stride, dark except where the +moonlight reflected from its eyes. + +Quickly he notched his arrow, drew the bow. + +Nearer it came, and nearer. It seemed nearly upon him when he +loosed his arrow. It struck the creature full in the chest, +dropped harmlessly to the ground. + +"Athena, farewell!" + +The creature's claws touched his arm, cutting effortlessly +through cloth and through flesh. + + + +"Face me, worm of death. I've traveled through space and time +to challenge you, and you return to your lair only through me." + +The creature rose, loosed the boy. It turned to face Beowulf. + +Throughout the forest the scream of anger sounded! + +It charged the waiting swordsman. + +Claws extended, fangs bared, it leaped with fury on its foe. + +Quickly they were joined by sound of blows, the whistle of +Beowulf's blade in air. With every motion the sword gleamed with +a strange and changing light. Now a deep and glowing red. Then a +green that seemed to flow its length, changing to sunlight +yellow. And all besmeared with the blood of Wyrd! + +Blood flowed, both red and green! + +Beowulf fell before the onslaught, rose again. + +Demo watched, transfixed. Even in the horror of nightmare was +not seen such fearsome battle! + + Wounded both and bleeding, and still the battle continued! + +The moon dropped from view, and the gentle stars looked down on +the frenzied struggle. + +In despair Demo saw Beowulf fall, his sword dropping from his +hand. + +Demo lunged forward quickly, was struck down as quickly. He +felt a bump rising on his head where the blow had landed. He +crawled forward, fell, lay still. The creature turned once more +to Beowulf, its blood-drenched claws extended. + +From the tree tops the white object plummeted, opened wide its +wings and flew into the face of the fiend. Startled, the monster +fell, rolled over and quickly slipped into the frigid waters of +the tarn. + +Athena stood beside Demo. Their eyes looked in sorrow at the +prostrate body of Beowulf. + +Even as they moved forward to help him he sat up, his hand +searching for and seizing the hilt of his sword. Without a word +he stood, shook his head, staggered to the brink of the tarn. + +Sword clutched in hand, a look of resignation on his face, he +dove into the Demon's Lair! + +For a brief moment the water was still, not even a breeze +disturbing its surface. + +Without warning it erupted! + +A huge shape rended its surface, fell back with a scream of +anger! The green blood blended with the dark water of the tarn. + +For hours the battle continued. The once calm tarn was now an +ocean of waves and froth, and thunder sound above it. From +beneath those waters rumbles of anger rose. Sulfurous fumes +lifted from its surface, killed the trees bordering the dark +waters. + + + +Then nought but silence! + +Athena's voice was sad. "He will drive Wyrd once more into +those bonds that have so long endured. For all his heroism, for +all his strength, Beowulf cannot survive the conflict, and even +I cannot save him." She gazed, sad-eyed, at the fateful tarn. + + "Yet, he shall return at last in another time, another place. +Indeed he will one day slay the Grendl, the Grendl's mother - +archfiends of another era." + +Her eyes were turned to the heavens, seemed to look beyond the +visible. + +"Beyond that, the day will come when the fire dragon itself +shall fall to his sword. Only then shall Wyrd have him, as Wyrd +must have us all." + +"Come, Zeus waits." + + + +"Wyrd. Yes, yes, the Worm of Death. But, even the Titans knew +it only as a legend. Well, never mind. It is once more returned +to its lair, once more imprisoned." + +Zeus seemed to have other thoughts on his mind. + +"How did you manage, my boy. No, no, I don't have time! Golf +tournament this afternoon. Poseidon has won the last two. Still, +the score is getting closer. Oh, would you care to caddy. No, I +suppose you are a little tired. Good night, my son." + +"Good night, my son." + +Demo looked up at his mother, rolled over and pulled the +blankets close. Such strange dreams. + +His fingers gingerly rubbed the lump on his head. + + + +Theresa entered the room timidly, eyes downcast. + +"Is Demo home. I need to talk to him." + +Metaneira's eyes held a question? "He's out back with Rough. Is +something wrong?" + +"I . . . I like Demo. I really wouldn't hurt him for the world. +I am sorry, I . . . . Please, I can't marry him. Metaneira, I am +sorry. There is another. Oh, what can I say, what shall I do!" + +"Theresa, don't cry. Perhaps all will work out for the best. +But, yes, you should tell him. He is a brave lad. I'm sure he +will take it like a man. Why don't you wipe your eyes, then go +out back and talk to him. Be brave, girl!" + +As Theresa went out the back door Metaneira looked up, shook +her fist. "Athena, you are a conniver. Who have you sent to poor +Theresa? I should have known. Oh, well, you may make a +delightful daughter-in-law." + +She shook her head, looked out the back door. + + + +Theresa and Demo were standing quietly, his arms around her. + +"It's all right, little sister. You see, I think it's always +been this way. I've always felt toward you like a big brother. I +don't think I could really have been anything else." Demo spoke +quietly. + +He liked Theresa, always had. Not as a lover. No, more as the +little girl next door than as an attractive and mature young +lady. Even now he could not see her other than as the little +girl. + +"Who is he, Theresa? Are you sure?" + +"You know him. Randy. He is so strange and wonderful and I knew +when we first met." + +He smiled, placing his hand under her chin he lifted it up. "If +he ever mistreats you, you let me know. And tell him big brother +will beat him to a pulp if he isn't nice to you. Understand?" + +She half sobbed, half laughed. + +"Yes, big brother." + +She hugged him, her arms around his neck, then kissed him on +the lips, pressing against him. For a moment they stood thus. + +"You know, big brother, I think I could have made you love me - +another way. I'm very glad I didn't. I'll always need a big +brother." + +"I'll be here." + + + +21. Dream Shadows + +In sleep reality is dreams, dreams reality. And Demo knew not +whether he slept, and all was but a dream. Or, whether, waking, +his mind did dream of dreams. + +It had started - as had all his recent adventures - with a +summons from Zeus. And when Zeus spoke Demo felt that, perhaps, +he had indulged in too much of Olympic nectar. + +"Boy, the world is not what it seems. Look around you. What do +you see?" + +The question, of course, was purely rhetorical. Zeus went on +with no hesitation. + +"You see Olympus, of course. And, if you had my powers, you +might look down and see earth. Or even let your gaze penetrate +to the nether kingdom of my brother, Pluto. With a little more +effort Tartarus comes in view. And that, think you, is the +universe. Ah, and that is where you err." + +Zeus was plainly morose. He had a problem that bothered him. +And rather than attacking the problem head-on, he was talking +his way around it. + +"Ah, indeed, Sire! Just the other day I was telling my mother . +. . ." + +"Yes, yes, but what I mean is, there is also the unseen. The +world in transition. It was, and now is not. Yet, in a strange +sort of way, it is. Understand? (More rhetorical questions.) It +will be, eventually; it hasn't become, yet. It's a world in . . +. well, it's a world in transition. And during the transition, +it isn't. Hmmm, very simple, actually. Must make a note of that, +- A world in transition - should go over well at the club." + +He reached above his head, unrolled a long papyrus, and jotted +a few notes on the bottom. As he let go the papyrus rewound, +disappearing when the last page was snugly wrapped. Zeus smiled, +took a slight bow, and tossed his pen into the air. It, too, +disappeared. But, not, unfortunately, before several drops of +ink splattered the divine face. With a growl Zeus reached up and +a white towel appeared. He started to wipe away the ink. + +"Drop that! Not with my clean towel!" + +Hera rushed into the room, seized the towel, handing Zeus +instead a well-used one. With a sigh he wiped away the ink, +dropped the towel into the waste disposer. The waste disposer +growled, wagged its tail, and devoured the towel with a single +gulp. + +"Anyway, that's where you need to go. It's the one region +outside of my domain. I just don't have any power there, because +it really doesn't exist, you understand. Well, it exists, kind +of, to be scientifically precise." + +Zeus prided himself on his scientific knowledge. + +"And, Sire, what is the purpose of my visit." + +"That, my boy, is a good question. Let us see if we can +fabricate a good answer." He paused, walked back and forth +twice, did a hop and a skip and a slight curtsy. + +"I don't know! You will have to define your mission yourself. +You see, this transition world, this shadow land - that's it, +that's what I wanted to say. Shadow land! It is that. That is +where you are to go. And what are you to do? Improvise! +Improvise, my lad!" + +"Yes sir, but to what end?" + +"That tomorrow may come." + +"That tomorrow may come?" + +"Great! You've got it! Farewell, and a safe journey!" + +Transitions? Shadow land? So that tomorrow will come? Has Zeus +reached his dotage! Demo would ask more, except that he found +himself suddenly alone. Alone, but where? Surely this was not +his own world. + + + +The gray fog swirled, settled, then swirled again. Dimly +objects could be seen. And movement. They were there, or so it +seemed. Yet, what objects? And what moved? + +Silence accompanied the fog. Or, perhaps, preceded it. +Regardless, the only sound was his own breathing. + +A light was approaching. Small, at first almost non-existent, +it loomed larger, though no brighter. A silhouette, vague and +distorted, carried the lantern. At times both disappeared as the +fog thickened. + +The approach stopped. Plainly they sensed his presence. The +lantern was held higher, and he could catch glimpses of a +woman's face. There was anxiety in her eyes, even fear, as she +gazed at him. + +"Sir, whence cometh thou? Thee be not of our world. Flee to thy +home, for he walks the moors this night!" + +"I . . . I am sent by Zeus. You say one walks this night? Who +walks the moors this night? And why should I fear?" + +"None is safe alone in the dark. If you have not where to go +then come with me. Quickly, quickly!" + +He followed her down dark alleys, twisting streets. The earth +was wet, and muddy water flowed in rivulets crisscrossing their +way. Varied smells, of vegetables, of cooked meats, and of +decay, tinted the air. At times lights were visible through +small barred windows along their way. + +The fog became ever more intense. She held his hand that he not +go astray. Her hand was small and cold. He enwrapped it in his +own to give it warmth. She smiled at his concern. + +They passed a pond where floated debris, bodies of dogs and +cats, and perhaps objects of more unsavory character. As they +reached the far edge of the pond she turned to the right, +slipped and shuffled down a mucky side street. + +She slid the door open and motioned him to remove his footwear. +When they stepped inside she took a soiled towel from its rack, +wiped his feet and her own. + +The room was small. A straw mat covered the floor, and cheap +cotton tapestry decorated the walls. A small barred window +looked out from the back wall. A mat unrolled on the floor +beneath the window served for sleeping. + +She closed the door, dropped a strong wooden bar in place to +block it from opening. "He will not enter. Still may the Powers +help whomever he meets on these dark streets. You are fortunate +I took you in. Others might have taken you for a changeling, and +left you to your own devices. Many a young maid has lost her +life by mating with handsome changelings!" + +"You are most kind. No, no changeling I. My name is Demo, and I +am here on a mission. When it is done I must once more depart." + +She seemed little interested in his mission, regarded his face +and figure with marked curiosity. + +"Thy clothes are not as ours. Thy skin is dark from rays of +sun, and here there is no sun. And thee speaketh strangely, with +words and accent unknown in this land." She stopped, a bemused +look on her face. + +"What call you this land and its people? What is your name?" + +She smiled at his questions. + +"This is the world of Brume, and we are named Brumians. As for +me, you may call me Mist. It is only a title, not my name. Our +names we hold sacred, and to give them to others invites dire +consequences. Yes, to Mist I shall answer." + +"Well, I suppose I should likewise be as reticent. Anyway, my +name is . . ." + +Quickly she put her hand to his lips. "Speak it not again! You +are a stranger, a sojourner in a strange land, and its customs +are not of your world. You need not believe in our customs, but +do not needlessly court danger. I shall name you." + +She walked around him, a smile touching her lips. "Thou art +tall, youthful, strong. Thou traveleth from far lands to our +world. I name thee Wanderer." + +She opened the back window and the white vapors of fog crept +in. Sliding a small door to the side she removed a pot and some +utensils. Toward the center of the room she removed a block of +floormat, revealing a pit in which firewood lay. + +Soon the room was warmed, and the aroma of a thick soup +tantalized his nostrils. Gladly did he eat, little noticing that +only spoonsful remained for her. "Ah, you cook like my own +mother! What meat is this?" + +"Do not concern yourself. It is nourishing, and harmless to +you. It is the night season, and you may share my pad. Though +you may think me forward, ask nought of me, for I am pledged. +Only my company can I grant thee." + +He slept. The fire died, the fog shrouded the room. + +Of early morning he woke to find her fast asleep beside him. He +reached out to tuck the blanket around her shoulders. + +His eyes widened. Taking a deep breath he drew back his hand in +consternation and sudden dread. + +The shoulder was without substance. His hand felt cold and +clammy air, nought else, passed through to touch the mat beneath. + +She woke, looked at him with sad and pensive eyes. "Doth thee +understand. Thou are not as we. We are but shadows, and thou art +real. Waking, we can have semblance of reality. Sleeping, it +fades. But touch me once more, for now I am." + +Reluctantly he reached out for the hand she extended. Though +cold, it was solid now as his own. + +The sadness on her face disturbed him. Quietly he squeezed her +hand, smiled. "There is much I don't understand. You have been +kind to me. Still, I have a mission, and it must be done. I . . +. " + +The rattling of the door interrupted him. It started suddenly, +grew in intensity. Mist moved to the far corner, dread on her +face. + +Demo frowned, took up his bow and notched an arrow. Slowly he +drew the bow, waited. + +The door held. In moments the rattling ceased. From without +they heard a growl, followed then only by silence. + +"Stay. Don't go out. He walks the street this night." Mist held +his arm, eyes wide. + +"Who is he? Why should I fear?" + +"He is like you. He also comes from elsewhere. Yet, he is not +like you. For you are kind. He destroys all he meets. And he is +real, not shadow. When he came our world stopped. No longer do +we move from the unreal to the real. We linger here in this +shadow world, with no yesterday and no tomorrow." + +He looked at her, startled. "No tomorrow? Strange! He said +something very much like that - that tomorrow may come. Strange!" + +"I cannot stay here, for I have my job to do. When I leave, +close and bolt the door quickly. I pray we shall meet again. +Time passes, and now I must do that for which I came. Peace!" + +Then he opened the door, swiftly stepped out into the fog. He +glanced up and down the alley, as far as he could see. Only fog. + +A sound behind him caught his attention. + +Turning swiftly, he found Mist closing the door, stepping to +his side. "You shall not go alone!" + +Arguments came to his mind. He was silent, for he realized she +would not listen. "Stay close behind me. I search for him, the +one from elsewhere. I know not why, but I feel that my mission +is with him." + +"You need not search. He will surely find us." + +Demo moved down the street, ever watchful. Silence held sway, +and the fog clung to them like wet cloth. At times lights could +be seen, rapidly disappearing as the drear dawn came. Dawn +brought little change. The fog still enmeshed a silent world, a +world seemingly populated by Mist and himself. + +The chill he felt came not from the fog. A coldness along his +spine, a prickling on the back of his neck, forewarned him. +Something there was, something evil and fearsome, close at hand! + +"No!" Mist cried as she ran forward toward an object barely +visible. Demo reached out to stop her. His hand touched only +cold fog, and she was gone. + +He followed her quickly, then stopped. The scream of utter +terror rose, ceased quickly. All was silent. For a moment he +closed his eyes. He knew full well he would see her no more. + +Mist. A strange name. And yet a kind and gentle person. Now +gone. To fight the unseen companion to protect himself had been +his goal. No longer. Anger enveloped him. Mist was dead. The +Demon must die! + +Demo gazed from side to side, trying to penetrate the white +barrier before his eyes. To no avail. Then, glancing down, he +noted footprints. Footprints not made by man! + +Slowly, his eyes on the ground ahead of him, he followed the +trail. Where Mist had trodden he could not tell. She left no +trace of her passage. + +Looming huge in the fog and early morning gloom, ahead an +object stood in his path. This was the creature she feared. The +one that surely had destroyed her! + +It was coming slowly closer. Plainly it recognized his +presence. Smoothly he strung his bow, notched an arrow. + +Demo waited quietly. + +A shudder enveloped his body, and his eyes widened. + +He knew this one. An aura emitted from it, one that was not new +to him. + +Surely, this was the unseen companion! + +Without hesitation he released his arrow. + +The laughter that came from out the fog held little humor. +"Your puny weapons are merely playthings. I would end you now, +if it were not that the fates have written, and it is by the +tarn you shall meet your destiny. If you survive this world, or +non-world! I leave you now, earthling. Find your way back to +Olympus and Zeus. If you can!" + +The unearthly laughter sounded once more, then faded, as did +the figure half displayed in the swirling fog. + +In his ears was but silence, and his eyes saw only the swirling +fog. + +'That tomorrow may come.' The words repeated themselves in his +brain. What had Zeus intended? Was the unseen companion the evil +influence dominating this strange world? Or were there other, +still hidden, culprits. "Zeus, you have indeed given me a +strange chore. I know not where to turn! If only I could lift +this fog!" + +He wandered through the streets. Glancing at a pond in passing +he recognized it. He knew that he had merely retraced his +steps, neared Mist's dwelling. With a sigh he found the door, +entered. + +He sat quietly on the mat, fell asleep. + + + +Dreams, interrupted by moments of awareness, disturbed his +rest. Dreams of Mist, of the unseen companion, finally of +Athena. She spoke strange words to him, words couched in +riddles. "Prometheus knew the answer. As did your unseen +companion. Quickly, before the fire die." + +He woke, sweat streaming from his body. From the center of the +room a wisp of smoke rose from the dying fire. 'Before the fire +die?' Strange words. 'Prometheus knew, the unseen companion +knew?' What did they know? + +Wide-eyed, he looked at the fading fire. Suddenly he reached +down, pulled a fiery brand from center, and tossed it at the +wall. In moments the building was burning. + +He rushed out of the building. The conflagration spread +rapidly, and the once empty, fog-shrouded streets were filled +with dim forms rushing helter-skelter to and fro. + +Even as the flames spread the fog began to dissipate. An early +morning sun could be seen shining on the horizon. Where strange +shadows had moved along the streets now people were to be seen. +Smiles replaced looks of dreary misery. Indeed Prometheus had +known! + +Still, there remained much to do. 'That tomorrow may come?' +What action must be taken 'that tomorrow may come'? The fog was +indeed gone. Only a burned out city remained. No tomorrow, this! + +What else had Athena whispered to him while he slept. Something +very important. Nothing came to mind. He moved westward, drawn +by an unknown force. The answer was to be found beyond the +western horizon. If there were an answer. + +The mountains loomed large to the west. He began that westward +trek, barely reached the foothills before the sun began to sink +behind the jagged peaks. Looking for a place to sleep safely, he +noted an opening, the mouth of a cave. + +He entered cautiously. + +"There is no cause for fear. Welcome. I've awaited your coming." + +An old man spoke the words softly, calmly. His countenance +belied the words. + +Clad in the armor of a warrior, with face stern, marked by +steel and fire, the old man projected a sense of authority. + +Demo stepped forward slowly. + +"Sire, I know you not. Yet you have awaited me?" + +"One who has traveled far with you forecast your arrival. In +due time you shall know him. Much will be revealed - by the +tarn. But that another day, another world." + +The unseen companion! He had been here, spoken to this one. +What strange fate forever brought their paths together? And what +was the secret of the tarn? + +Demo shook his head. + +"I rule this domain, ignored by the Gods, unknownst to mankind. +This is the field of atonement. All pass through here. Some +quickly. Some remain long. For a moment you have lifted the +mists. Nevertheless, they shall return. I have halted all +transitions until your coming. The souls who depart your world +and pass through here would press on. And so shall they, in due +time." + +"What would you have of me, Sire?" + +The warrior stood, pulled from its sheath a sword. "Vulcan did +temper this sword with blood. And each who leaves your world +must first feel this edge. It has proven strong and sharp. +Still, time and usage take their toil, and it is now it is only +a blunt instrument, useless for its purpose." + +"Sire, I am no swordsmith." + +The warrior held the blade in hand, extended the handle toward +Demo. "Take it. Return it to Zeus. Tell him one whose name +remains forever unspoken would have the broken sword of Cadmus. +Let Vulcan fashion it and put thereon an edge that will not +fail. 'Til you return, Clothos shall spin no more, nor Lachesis +measure, nor Atropos wield her shears. And none shall pass +through these portals to tomorrow." + +The warrior held the blade high, brought it down flat against +his knee, and the metal snapped. He handed the broken weapon to +Demo. "The gate is there." + +He pointed to the darker recesses of the cave. "Quickly, now, +to Olympus. I wait impatiently." + + + +Zeus listened in quiet amazement, the broken sword in his hand. +In anger he tossed it down and it faded into oblivion. "You +shall meet with it by the tarn, in good time. It is not given to +me to know of this shadow land. Of its existence only am I +informed. The Ancient Ones - they knew! Strangely, they told me +nothing! Must even the Gods pass through those portals? I know +not. Here, take it. The sword of Cadmus. It, too, was broken. +Well, Vulcan has applied his skills. This edge shall never dull." + + + +The warrior examined the sword with critical eye. "The +craftsmanship of Vulcan leaves little to be desired. I see the +break in the blade. It matters not. There is no weakness now. +You have done well." + +His visage reflected an expression that might be construed as a +smile. "My broken sword lies by the tarn. It may well be of +service, at the appointed time. Now, on your way. For I must +return to my dreadful chore." + + + +Zeus was morose. "It is a drear vision you bring to me. Still, +let us live for today. If it were hidden from the Gods, then it +concerns them not. Return to your own, my boy. The flowers +bloom, soft winds blow, and spring creeps upon the land. And, I +assure you, there will be no fog!" + + + + + +22. The Escape + +It is said that none enter, that none leave, the confines of +Hades except they be conveyed by the ferryman. Yet, in time +past, ancient time, one entered unattended that eternal prison. +He entered in search of his own true love, and pleaded with his +songs. So sweetly sung were they that Pluto, that stern master +of the nether regions, granted safe passage to him, and to the +one he loved. For Pluto, most hideous of living beings, yet +within his monstrous form knew the pangs of love. + +Yet did another depart those infernal regions with no aid from +that dark ferryman. + +This is the tale of that departure, of what transpired before. +And here lie the tangled threads, and the first strange steps on +the dark path to the Tarn of Eternity. + + + +Legends relate the sad story of the kidnapping of Persephone, +the story of the evil Pluto. And the legends tell true. But they +ignore the role of Venus, and of Cupid. And they are not +guiltless. + +Persephone did dwell in the Vale of Enna, gathered there the +wildwood flowers. + +Pluto, master of Hades, dwelt alone in his nether kingdom. + +Powerful, emotionless, dedicated only to his duty, this ruler +of the dead traveled from time to time, his coach pulled by +giant black steeds. And one such a trip Venus espied him. Angry +because she had no power to move him she turned to Cupid. + +"This one knows not of love, lives in serenity. I would he +suffer the pangs of unrequited love. Loose your sharpest arrow. +Let him suffer as suffer those mortals ferried through the +portals of his empire." + +Cupid grinned impudently. Ever pleased to show his skill he +notched arrow to cord. True and straight it flew. + +Pluto felt a yearning he did not understand. Disturbed, he +flogged his steeds, flew tempestuously he knew not where, +seeking he knew not what. + +Wild, the horses flew. And in their flight they entered the +Vale of Enna, paused to drink from the pond therein. + +Carrying wildflowers in her arms, with laughter and song did +Persephone approach the chariot, tossed in childlike simplicity +flowers to the occupant. "Come, play with me. I have no +playmate. I need a friend." + +She looked on his loathsome form with neither fear nor +disfavor. To her he was merely a welcome playmate, though not of +human form. She asked nothing of him, only that he share this +little while. + +He gazed upon her, and in his heart Cupid's poisoned arrow +worked its magic. + +The innocent beauty of that face, the warm and happy spirit +shining through those clear eyes, brought to him feelings he had +never known. He thought to hold her close, to stroke that soft +hair, to caress with gentle touch her smooth skin. + +And within him, too, aroused the desires of a man. For though +her face was that of youth, her body was of sculptured beauty +that Venus might envy. + +When Pluto beheld her all thoughts save one departed his mind. +This was to be his bride! + + + +He tarried there, danced in parody of handsome prince, sang in +voice marred and croaking. She mocked him not; rather, smiled. + +Of flowers garlands she made, given to him in innocent pride. +She sang sweet songs of light and sunshine, of crystal stars and +mellow moon, of flowers that did not die, with blossoms that +forever bloom. + +He told her sad tales of a dark and lonesome realm, of those +for whom hope was no more, and of a keeper who sat in solitude +in mastery of that realm. A keeper who, more than all dwellers +therein, was prisoner of that realm. + +From her eye, soft flowed a tear. From her hand, a gentle +touch. He thought not to ask for more. + +They parted, though never long. Always his mighty steeds drove +through time and space, returning once more to that quiet +retreat. The love he felt for the innocent child grew ever +stronger. Still, he approached her, not in courtship, but as a +friend. + +"Your arrow has flown true. It lacked the needed potency. He +loves her as does a brother. Once more loose your bow, and into +his heart drive desire, passion. And I shall open wide her eyes, +that she may see him as the monstrous form he is. He joys in her +presence, feels not the pain of unrequited love. As he has +ignored me, she shall reject him!" + +Venus caused once more Cupid's arrow to fly. An arrow not +tinged with sweet love, rather poisoned with selfish lust. And +even as the arrow flew she closed the eyes of Persephone, let +her dream of handsome prince. Handsome prince, of looks far +removed from those of this dread companion. + + + +Pluto lurched back in alarm as desire mixed with tender +thoughts, new and uncontrollable needs surfaced. + +Persephone opened wide her eyes, saw him now in a new light. No +handsome prince he, no proper comrade. With a scream she rose +from beside him, rushed blindly toward the garden gate. + +He seized her, dragged her to that golden chariot. Madly he lay +whip on flesh, driving the mighty steeds as never had they been +driven. Thus he carried her to his own domain. + +She resisted not, for his was the greater strength. As his +chariot reached the gates of the garden she sighed. In arms she +held her kitten, a white small ball of fur. As they passed +through the gate she set it free. "May the Gods grant you +freedom and happiness, for mine is no more." + +Pluto heard her words with deep remorse. Nevertheless, the +spell cast of Venus overpowered the germ of kindness in his +heart. And yet, though he desired her, his love was more +powerful. "Only when the Gods have granted you to me in marriage +shall you be mine." + +In due time it came about. Still, Persephone was granted one +wedding wish. Quickly, before it could be withdrawn, she prayed +to be returned to her mother for half of each year. And so it +was. + + + +In time she accepted her exile with good grace. Yet, because +Cupid had never used his arrows on her heart, she felt no love +for her captor. At times, perhaps, pity. + +Time as earthlings know it does not exist for denizens of the +nether world. Those suffering suffer not by day or night, but by +eternity. The Curse of Cronus, lifted from the Gods, still left +its mark upon these sufferers, and age beyond age they carried. + +And even Persephone, though shielded by the Gods, felt the +power of Cronus, saw wrinkles gently forming. Invisible to +Pluto, who saw only through the eyes of love, this aging process. + + + +One innocent pleasure Persephone had. + +The dread ferryman in his duties came ever to the kingdom's +portals. And there he heard the happenings on earth, and fables +of happenings in Heaven. + +These tales he passed on to Persephone, for she longed to know +of the world she had left behind. + +And one day he brought to her a tale that left her heart cold. + +Ceres, her mother, was nearing the end of her days. She prayed +daily to the Gods that she might see, before her departure, her +beloved daughter. + +The bargain had been made. Six long months must Persephone +dwell within the nether realm. The Gods would not relent. + +Still, Persephone would see her mother. She pleaded with the +ferryman. To no avail. He listened not to her pleas. He carried +only passengers from the portal to deep within. None carried he +to the portal. + +She wandered though Hades with sad mien, searching for a path +to the other side. She found none. + +While in her search, she met the shades of the departed. On one +such meeting she heard the name, Orpheus. + +Suddenly her eyes widened. Orpheus! The only living man to +enter Hades without the attendant ferryman! + +Slowly, from tormented souls, from the ferryman, even from +Pluto himself, she gathered details of that entry. How he came, +singing his songs, and melted even the heart of Pluto. + +Ah, how did he enter? What secret way, unknown to any other, +had led him into this Stygian realm? + +The heights of Taenarus! Earthly legends told of a path, a path +of unknown origin. Through terrain unlike any known to man it +twisted its uncertain way. Boulders coughed from deep within the +earth's core blocked its passage. Edged stones marred its +surface. And the path winds into a cave, whose very mouth is +enshrouded in darkness. + +From its mouth sulfurous fumes rise, and dark clouds of noxious +gases besmirch the sky. Bones of man and beast lie scattered +midst pools of murky water. + +It is thought that this fissure penetrates the very bowels of +earth. Even into the domain of Pluto, the fearsome kingdom of +Hades. + +Through this portal creatures of the afterworld are unleashed +on earth's dwellers. Ghosts of those long gone, strange beings +never dreamed of by human kind, spirits weird, and other +creatures lacking even a name. + +Orpheus must have entered through this portal. Through the cave +of Orpheus may I escape to my world! + +Thus thought Persephone. And she planned her escape. Each day +she wandered through the dark domain, mapping its drear +geography in her mind. + +She waited. + +In due time Pluto was called to an accounting at Olympus. In +his absence she began the ascent, up through the dark and evil +passages. Ever upward with uncertain step and only hope to +guide. + +Guardians did cross her path, challenged her passage. But when +informed that she was queen, and in Pluto's absence master of +that dread domain, none dared stay her way. + +She reached the portal, followed the rough and strenuous path +leading downward from the heights of Taenarus. Always she gazed +fearfully behind. + +He would come! + + + +23. The Extra Task + +"Well done!," Zeus roared. "Every task completed!" + +He paused. "Hmmm! I've lost count. Every task . . . . Well, +I'm sure you won't mind just one more to, eh, help me out." + +"Yes, yes, every task, that is, except one, a minor one I +overlooked." + +Chagrined he listened as Zeus stated the Final task. + +"Perhaps you have noticed, in your sojourns, that you have had +a companion. An unseen watcher. A sneaky follower. A sly, +disreputable creature! Destroy it! That is your final task. Now, +begone!" + +Imperiously he waved his hand, and as it fell he faded slowly +into oblivion. Why was he smiling so happily? + + + +It happened so quickly that Demo had not time to complain, not +even time to think. He stood on the mountain path once more, +alone. + +Or, perhaps, not alone. The wind gusted, leaves rustling along +the pathway. Above the tree tops bowed in obeisance to the +intermittent breeze. The smell of rain was in the air. And a +sulfurous smell. One he had noted to often before. + +He sensed, rather than saw, the unseen companion. In anger he +raised his bow, but could not decide where to dispatch the +arrow. With a shrug he lowered it, returned the arrow to its +pouch. + +"In due time I will succeed. I must!" he breathed. + +He felt tired. He had labored mightily through the twelve +tasks. Rest was delayed for their completion. And now a further +task lay on him. + +For a moment he leaned against the trunk of a tall pine, his +eyes closed. His arms ached, his back and neck, and his felt the +need to lie down, to rest. + +But he dare not! Somewhere, waiting, his nemesis. And when and +how he might strike he knew not. + +He trudged disconsolately along the mountain path. In the +distance the howl of a wolf broke the silence. The quivering +wail was answered quickly from neighboring hills. The pack was +assembling for some nightly raid. A dust devil traveled a +crooked path on the trail ahead, ended with leaves falling on +the floor. A deer stopped at the edge of the trail, sniffed at +the air, then retreated. + +Demo moved cautiously forward, each step a chore. Strong though +he was his energy seemed to be waning. Startled, he remained +motionless. This is not right, he thought. I have gone days +without rest, and still felt stronger than today. Am I ill, have +I eaten something that has weakened me. + +He felt a vertigo, nearly stumbled. He shuffled forward, each +foot scuffing along the pathway. + +As Demo proceeded he noted a shadow on his path. The sitting +sun limned the figure of a young girl sitting on a log by the +path, rubbing her ankle. Plainly she was suffering, and with the +approaching night, in dire circumstances. Exhausted though he +was, he could not ignore her plight. + +"My lady, you are in pain. Can I help you?" he inquired. + +"No! No. Begone, handsome youth! I carry with me dangers you +cannot understand. Even to talk to me invites disaster. Go +quickly on your way!" + +Her voice was taut with emotion, with fear. Her breath came in +quick pants, and her face was distraught. She bowed her head in +hopeless resignation. + +He started to turn, noted the tears in her eyes, and so +remained. + +"Here, I have medication for your ankle. It will ease the pain." + +He rubbed the ointment on the red swollen skin, and her eyes +widened as the pain began to recede. + +"Oh, sir, I am fleeing from a most horrifying creature. There +are no words that can describe it. Should it finds you with me, +it will destroy you. Please, go on your way. You have been very +kind, now leave quickly. Let me climb down the mountain alone." + +For a moment he hesitated, took a step away from her and down +the mountain. If I stay to help her it will endanger my chances +of completing the final task. I must go on now! + +His thoughts said leave. His heart said stay. The sad face of +the hapless maiden held his eyes. He could not walk away. + +"I too have known fear and loneliness. I cannot leave you thus. +I will help you, no matter what pursues. And should it overtake +us, I shall leave my mark on it." He touches his arrows for +reassurance. + +They slowly descend the mountain, and she leans heavily on him +as she hobbles along the rock-strewn path. At times winding +steeply, narrow. Then leveling and wide. When they reached a +precipice overlooking the site of a beautiful, dark pond they +paused. + +A gnarled pine grew on the crag, leaning outward. In time the +wind and rain would loosen its roots and would plunge off the +overhang. For now a swallow nested safely within its branches. + +Demo looked down at the tarn so far below. For a moment he +closed his eyes, drew a deep breath. This is the place. The +wait is over. He sighed. + + + +There are ponds where birds sing in happy summer frolic. Where +nests are built in bordering bushes, and eggs laid. Ponds where +the fish leap, and frogs sing their merry songs of night. Here +lightning bugs brighten the surface, court the light of +reflected stars. Here the waters are clear and cool. The farmer +stores milk here to keep it cold. Children play along its banks +with happy laughter. By summer day they swim in its depths. Here +by night lovers sit 'neath honey moon and whisper soft words of +adoration. + +And there are ponds of rougher nature where the fisherman plies +his trade. Ponds where flowering plants hide snakes that glide +upon the waters and feed on the creatures swimming below. Where +turtles wait for unsuspecting geese or ducks and drag them to +their death in waters deep. Here young men come to gig frogs, to +seine for bait for tomorrow's fishing, to joke and carouse and +wrestle man to man. + +There, too, are tarns hidden in dark recesses and grottoes. +Tarns deep and still where legends grow and strange stories are +whispered. Here in the eventide one sees the will of the wisp. +At times the call of the loon breaks the evening air. Stories +better left untold are found here. Of strange sights in the dark +of night. Of spirits of those gone. Of evil incarnate, and hate +incessant. + +Such a one was the tarn that lay below. Tales were told of +blood mingling with the murky waters. Tales of bands of evil +note frequenting its shores. Tales of bodies weighted with +stone, resting forever on the bottom. + +The escarpment extended outward from the mountain, formed a +lookout overlooking the dark waters. The escarpment, of solid +rock, attracted those despondent, invited them to end their woes +with a plunge into the waiting waters. Too many responded to +that fatal invitation. + + + +"Here is the land of my mother, Ceres. I am Persephone, her +only daughter. And I have been away so long." She sobbed. + +Ceres. He knew the name. Where had he heard it? Ah, his Mother. +A nursemaid, long ago, and a weak and sickly child. Was this +then the needed task, to protect her daughter from a ruthless +enemy? How strange the fates! Every move seemed programmed, +every action preplanned long ago. And the results? Were they too +preprogrammed? Our lives it seems are in the stars, and we +neither control nor understand our fate. There was now no +question in his mind. This is the Tarn of Eternity! It is here +all shall be resolved! + +"Finally, now I am getting closer to home. I shall see her once +more before she dies. The trip has been long. Soon it is over." + +He felt the sadness in her words. And felt something else, +something more foreboding. + +A hint of a strange odor, a scent that he knew too well. The +unseen companion was close, very close! + +Even as she spoke a dark form emerged from the heavy bushes +beside the path. + +Unthinkingly he knew. This was the unseen companion! + + + +Demo's mother slept fitfully throughout the night. Dreams, +rather, nightmares, repeatedly aroused her. She saw, again and +again, her son. And something else. + +Something huge and grotesque, evil and deadly. Something with +an unreasoning hatred for her son. + +She arose before sunrise, sat on the edge of her bed in deep +thought, spoke aloud to herself. "I could try to go to him. +Sadly, I am old, weak. I would be but a further burden. + +Rough sat at her feet, licked her hand. She reached down +absently, patted his head. Her eyes widened. + +"Rough, go to him. What I cannot do, you can. Protect him with +your life. Quickly now! Find your master! Go!" + +The dog whined as she opened the door, looked up at her. Then +turning, with a low growl, Rough loped quickly toward the high +mountains. + +Whatever danger threatened Demo, he would share. Whatever enemy +imperiled his master, he too would face. + +She sighed, whispered, "Perhaps, perhaps . . . " + + + +Misshapen head, twisted body, covered with hide plated with +metallic scales, it stood tall above them. + +But he is not the only one to recognize the creature. + +Beside him Persephone starts, cries out. "No, let me be free of +you!" + +A gasping chortle issued from the swollen lips of the creature. +"Ah, princess, it is fit we meet here by the Tarn of Eternity. +Only its waters can still the fires of Hell. And even they +cannot still my love for you." + +The words, meant to express deep feelings, were grotesque when +voiced in a broken, harsh whine by the monstrosity. And yet Demo +noted, the eyes held a devotion that was real. + +"Pluto, go back to your world. Leave me to live in peace with +my mother. I will never return to Hades. Better a short life on +earth than eternity in Hades." + +"Persephone, I will never release you. My love for you is +without an end. You will be mine forever." + +This travesty on words of love, voiced by a creature totally +devoid of humanity, brought tears to the eyes of the young +maiden. + +The final task! Destroy the unseen companion! Pluto! Brother of +Zeus! More powerful than any save Zeus himself! + +A tear came to Demo's eye. No mortal could accomplish this +task! Yet, though he die in the struggle, he was committed. +Athena, remember me, for I have loved you! + +He was no longer tired. He drew strength from the imminent +danger. + +He took a deep breath, drew an arrow from its pouch, notched it +to the string. + +"You jest! What power is in your weapons?" once more Pluto +speaks. + +"I have followed you far, and your arrows have not found their +mark. Do you not know, that nothing you can do will destroy me. +I am immortal. I dwell in Hades, Master of that infernal region. +Only the waters of the Tarn of Eternity can quench those flames." + +He laughed, loud and harshly, without humor. + +"Now stand up, tall and brave." he sneered, "I tire of this +childish game, and you are about to die." + +As Pluto lifted his huge fist Demo drew the bowstring. A +threshing from the side of the pathway, distracted him. + +He paused. + +Before either he or Pluto could move another interfered. + +From the brush a deep growl was heard, and in a moment Rough +stood in the path of the threatening fiend. He crouched, eyes +blazing. + +And sprang! + +Caught in mid air by a blow from the monstrous figure, Rough +fell, rolled over, lay quiet. Demo released his arrow! + +It struck, then fell blunted from Pluto's thick hide. + +"I struck the animal only a light blow. I too had Cerberus, and +of all creatures only he loved me. The dog shall live. But not +you, earthling." + +Pluto once more turned toward Demo, his deadly intention +evident. + +"No, Pluto, no more! I can stand no more of you, no more of +your evil ways." + +Persephone rushes by Demo, dodges by Pluto. + +Frozen, Demo stands motionless. Still, there is one who acts. +With a desperate lunge Pluto tries to stop the maiden. + +Too late! + +She flings herself from the edge of the cliff! + +Down she falls, down, finally to plummet into the cold depths +of the Tarn of Eternity. + +Pluto turns, dives into those murky waters. Plummets downward +to rescue her from their frigid embrace! + +As the waves touch him he screams. + +The waters roil and tear at him as though the tarn were a +living creature, a beast of prey. Blood stains the roiled +surface. + +Demo rushes down the tortured pathway, his lungs and throat +burning. A stone turns and he falls, slipping over the edge of +the escarpment. The roiling waters of the Tarn of Eternity licks +hungrily at the boulders below. They crash against the shore, +waiting for their next prey. + +Slowly, painfully, he regains the path, continues his +precipitous journey. Finally arriving at the rock strewn shore, +he throws himself down as the air rushes through his burning +throat. + +There is no sign of life on the Tarn. The water, never still, +moves in chaotic pattern. Swirls and streams, whirlpools and +rapids, never still. + +Then it rises from the deepest, coldest depths. Pluto! + +Pluto swims slowly, uncertainly, moving toward the shore where +Demo now sits. Demo rises, defiant. A broken sword from some +ancient war, lay on the ground, and he seizes it in desperation. + +And then he remembers. The broken sword of the warrior! +Unsullied by its mishap, the broken blade still shines. Holding +the weapon in his hand he waits on the shore, watches the +tumultuous waters of the tarn. + +Even in his torture, Pluto swims in desperate search for +Persephone. But the dark green waters hide their prey. + +And then he sees her! + +Quickly, thrashing his way to the drowning girl, Pluto dives +beneath the murky depths. He lifts her from the water's deadly +embrace. Cradled in Pluto's arms, her face white above the dark +surface, she seems more dead than living. Thrashing the deadly +waves Pluto brings her to the shore. + +Demo raises the broken sword high, waiting! + +Pluto stalks onto the shore carrying her like a doll, gently, +in his huge arms. Turning to Demo, Pluto growls in the angry +voice he could not renounce, "Save her." He lays her softly on +the ground, lays her gently on the sandy beach. + +Throwing aside the sword Demo falls to his knees beside the +child. + +Demo turns her on her stomach , ministers to her. And finally +he is rewarded by the slightest movement, a sign of life. Soon +she begins to cough, to breathe. + +Pluto stands quietly, watching. What on another creature might +have been a smile touches his lips. On his cheek a trickle of +liquid. Water from the Tarn of Eternity? + +"She lives." He utters, half question, half statement. + +"Yes, she lives." + +There was no question now. The tears were real. + +For a moment Pluto turns away, then turns once more to look at +her. "I grant you your life, earthling. Care for her. Help her, +human. For this I spare your life. Quickly, now, for as I +forecast, the Tarn of Eternity is quenching the fires of hell, +and quenching the very life from me. Yet I pass on willingly, +that she may live." + +He pauses, looks out toward the center of the Tarn. + +"These waters, as foretold, have destroyed me." + +Though Demo had paid attention only to Persephone, he had still +noted the horrible oozing of Pluto's blood from a thousand +wounds. + +"It is over. I go to my fate. Tell her this. With her +departure, what hope in Hades dwelt no longer lingers. And tell +her, that in my own way, I loved and love her still." + +He turns. + +With a dignity born of valor he wades into the dark waters, +marches stolidly into the ravenous waters that swirl and froth +and tear at his body. Their waves lap ever higher until, +silently, he disappears beneath the surface, into their clouded +depths. + +And, though he were a denizen of Hell, one could but think, +'True love deserves better.' + +Quickly Demo turned to the maiden. In those few moment her +breathing once more has ceased. Loosing her bodice he turns her +over, lets the dank water seep from her lips. + +Almost he gives up hope. And then she once more stirs, moans. + +She moves, half sat, wide-eyed. Gently he holds her hand. + +She looks wildly around. + +"Where is he? Is he gone?" + + + +He told her of Pluto's last words, of how Pluto died - evil, +misshapen, cast out from the heavens. Of how he knowingly cast +himself into the deadly waters of the Tarn of Eternity for her +sake. + +Hated by all. Destroyed, though, not by any of these, not by +the power of his enemies. Destroyed by the one small touch of +goodness left in him, the ability to love. + +Bemused she looked at the now placid surface of the tarn. + +Pensively she gazed at the quiet, dark waters. And though she +is silent he noted the quiet tears upon her cheeks. Then she +rose slowly, walked to the water's edge, and reached out to a +green weed growing there. + +"Mother, grant me beauty." She whispered the words. + +And as she touched the plant a white flower bloomed, fell into +her outstretched hand. + +"As you have died for love, oh Pluto, I pity you. And though +you will be remembered for the evil of your ways, and as master +of the infernal regions, one consolation you shall have." + +She tossed the flower with its large white petals out on the +now still waters. + +"When the water lilies bloom, you shall be remembered, not for +your vices, but for your one saving grace. + +"You will be remembered for this, that you gave up eternity to +save the one you loved." She paused, a sob in her voice. + +"Rest well, Oh Prince of Darkness." + + A tear trickled down her cheek, and her voice was tremulous. + +Even as she spoke the face of the pond rippled, and the white +beauty of the water lilies spread. Quickly they carpeted the +waters along the shore. Gently rocking with the ebb and flow of +the ripples they spread their beauty ever farther. + +She sat by the quiet waters, stared vacant-eyed toward its +farther shore. Turning, she glanced at Demo. + +"I remember, when I was a little girl, a poem. It was of a +brave warrior, and the woman he loved." + +She spoke the stanzas, not to him; softly to herself. Her +voice, partially choked by emotion, blended with the soft wind +and the rippling waves of the tarn. + + + +"For love of maiden fair, + +"He walks untrodden ways, + +"And fights with dragons in the air, + +"And evil ogres he slays. + + + +"For love of maiden fair, + +"He sailed on unknown seas, + +"And dared the demon in his lair. + +" 'Mongst haunted, ghostly trees. + + + +"For love of maiden fair, + +"He lay him down to die, + +"And asked a token only there, + +"A teardrop from her eye. + + + +"For love of gallant youth, + +"More than a tear she gave, + +"She would not live with constant ruth - + +"Slept by him in his grave." + + + +"There will be no poem for him!" + +As she spoke a break occurred in her voice, and a sadness. +Perhaps she had not loved Pluto, but surely she had pitied him. + +"He was ugly, hated, feared. I, who knew him best, held him in +awe. And yet, for all his faults, he was gentle. Though master +of that dark domain, he wept for those within. Though he had +power, he had not the power to set them free. + +"He loved me. A strange love, perhaps. When I returned for that +brief moment to my mother, he wept. And when I returned to him +once more, his face was radiant. + +"Did I love him?" + +She was silent. Yet, tears flowed from her eyes. + +"Love? What is Love?" + +She walked restlessly by the tarn, breathed deeply. + + "Mother, I would rest. Take me home." She sobbed. + +Demo listened silently, head bowed. Though a tragedy had now +ended, still there was tragedy. How strange indeed this life, +where evil destroyed did not bring happiness. Where maiden +rescued did not bring joy. Where task performed did not bring +triumph. + +He picked up the broken sword, gazed at it musingly. With a +half smile he shook his head, tossed it aside. + +Finally he turned to comfort her, but she was gone. Where she +had stood a rose bush grew. Its single blossom, one deep red +rose, hung low in sorrow. A vagrant wave gently kissed its soft +petals. + +With a sigh Demo turned to climb again the mountain. Above its +peaks a lone white cloud drifted. Sun's rays lit the tree tops. + +The final task was done. + + + +"Rough, you've come back . . . , alone! Oh, and you're hurt." +She dropped to her knees beside the dog, felt of his legs, ribs. +"At least there aren't any bones broken." + +She stood up, thinking. + +"You wouldn't have deserted him if he were in danger. I'm sure +of that. So he sent you home. I only wish I knew that he is +safe. Well, come, boy, I have some food for you." + +She patted the dog, took him inside. After feeding him she +stood in the open door. + +A tear formed in her eye, and she wiped it away. + +"Athena, if you truly love him, protect him." + + + +24. Finale + +The flutter of wings broke the silence, and she was there +beside him. Athena! She reached out her hand, and he held it. +This time neither Zeus nor Pluto intervened. In moments they +were flying upward, ever upward, to far off Olympus. + +He glanced back to the tarn below. The water lilies had covered +its surface. The waves lapped gently at the sandy shore, washed +tenderly the wild rose. + +A few red petals fell softly into the quiet waters, mingled +with the white waterlilies floating there. + + + + +Worldwide Book Rights +(C) 1995 Frank Tymon + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Tarn of Eternity, by Frank Tymon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TARN OF ETERNITY *** + +***** This file should be named 822.txt or 822.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/2/822/ + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Money should be paid to +"Project Gutenberg Association/Carnegie-Mellon University". + +*SMALL PRINT! Ver.04.29.93 FOR COPYRIGHT PROTECTED ETEXTS*END* + + + + + +Worldwide Book Rights +(C) 1995 Frank Tymon + + + + +THE TARN OF ETERNITY + +(Previous title, "When the Water Lilies Bloom") + +by Frank Tymon + + + + + +The Garden of Persephone + +Dry and sere it lies. Where once beauty bloomed, weeds and +briars grow, as grow untrimmed bushes once flowering plants. + +They flower not. + +Paths meander through the drear landscape. In earlier time +lovingly attended, now lie they under gray dust and blowing +brown leaves. All paths, in good time, led to the garden gate, +its posterns now long whitened by blowing wind and sand. + +Dry ditches, ground cracked, dust and sand stretch from the +broken gate. The gate, the fence - fallen, twisted, even as the +garden. + +By day the sun burns harshly the once green grass. By night the +chill of winter coats each plant with killing frost. Gusting +winds tear and rip where once soft zephyrs blew. + +In bygone days bloomed here red roses, and pink carnations. The +lilacs' fragrance, the soft beauty of the violets, the +brilliant yellow of the sunflower graced long ago this garden. + +The bees hummed contentedly, and butterflies floated from +flower to flower. Gentle rains caressed the brilliant blossoms, +the verdant leaves. Dewdrops glistened on green leaf at +morningtide. + +Of evening, sang the nightingales. By day, birdsong and happy +bird chatter filled the air. In vibrant colors warblers and +finches courted here, and yellow canaries darted from tree to +tree. Flying jewels, the hummingbirds, decorated the flower +gardens. + +Always blue skies above, and soft caress of the warm sun. At +times, white clouds drifted softly, released the gentle rain. +The flowers opened wide, washed their bright faces in the +crystal drops. The falling moisture fed the myriad streams, and +cooled the noontime air. + +Rivulets flowed with delicate tinkling sound amidst the +flowers. In the clear waters darted fish of brilliant hue, red +and gold. Here grew the waterflowers along the bank, and +watercress. + +A pond there was, cool water where swam the ducks and wild +geese. From time to time awkward goslings there swam, and +ofttimes the graceful swan. + +Growing there, also, the pure white beauty of the waterlilies. +Their beauty hid a message of foreboding. A message, by the +Gods' grace, that Persephone could not read. + +Here dwelt peace and tranquillity, rest from toil, relief from +care. + +Here walked, with gentle grace of fawn, Persephone in happier +days. The beauty of the flowers faded in comparison to her +beauty. Bright eyed, smooth skinned, lips the color and softness +of the rose petals she added beauty to the already beautiful. +The happy chatter of the birds was lost in the happy laughter of +this child. Here she tended her flowers with loving care, +dreamed the dreams of youth - and blissfully knew nought of the +trials to come. + +Bird music filled the air, each performer more talented than +the other. Nature painted the garden with hues beyond man's ken. +Persephone danced in joy beneath the warm sun, sang with the +birds. + +Ceres watched with happy smile, her daughter. + +Yet felt the chill of premonition. + +Such was the Garden of Persephone. + +And that, long since. + + + +The Garden of Pluto + +Darkness! + +Not the gentle poetic darkness of a summer evening, softly +hiding the courting rites of youth, bringing peace and rest to +a tired world. Nor the friendly shadow one finds in the depth of +quiet forest, sheltered from the noonday sun. + +The darkness of Hades has nought in common with these. + +Clasp your hands before your eyes, pressing close against your +lids. Open wide your eyes and try to see. Feel the absolute +darkness pressing in upon you! + +This the darkness of Hades. A darkness that presses on your +very eyes. And more! A darkness that envelopes mind and soul! An +unending and solid darkness, not of this world. + +This is the darkness of Hades! This is the darkness of the +damned! + +In Pluto's garden, earth's flowers do not grow. Yet grow there +plants. + +Strange, distorted semblances of earthly growth, they twist and +writhe. They search for a non-existent sun, thirst for never +falling water. The roses thorns have, yet have they not the +blossoms. + +Yet is there beauty. + +The mystic asphodel here grows. With blossoms seen, now unseen, +hues rainbow inspired. Waxlike and translucent they grow in +abundance in this, the abode of the dead. They bloom in the deep +night of Hades, their aroma rousing hopeless hope, and forlorn +memories. The fragrance clashes with the evil ambiance of +eternal misery. Trampled 'neath the hooves of Pluto's chargers, +yet they ever rise again. Their strange beauty carpets the +pastures of Hades. Their gentle perfume permeates the fields and +streams of hell. + +In Persephone's garden do gentle streams trickle. + +Not so in Hades. + +Here flows the Styx, the River of Hate, nine times round the +infernal region, dark waters flooded with ancient mysteries. The +Acheron, the Mother of Sorrows, carrying in its stream the woes +of all mankind, merges with the darker waters of the Cocytus, +land of the doomed wanderer. Here even the waves and ripples cry +out, and none but Charon dare the fearsome tide. + +Phlegethon flows here. Cooling water, water to assuage one's +thirst, to cool one's brow? + +No! + +Fire! Liquid fire! With consistency of molten lava the glowing +red stream burns all within its path. + +And here also Lethe. The one good gift in all of Hades. A +draught from the stream cleanses the mind of all remembrances. +The evil acts, regretted, are no more. The rare acts of +kindness, bright gems in memory, fade. What was, what might have +been, washed away by this one blessed draught. Even, 'tis said, +gentle Lethean dews bring blessed forgetfulness, release from +love lost, sin committed. + +The mighty rivers flow, and in the depth of Hades merge into a +thunderous stream. Dense dark fog rises from that surface, more +black than gray, then fades to rise again. Here, midst meadows +of asphodels, the monstrous stream surges and pounds in a huge +moat, guardian to the great castle. + +A moat deep and broad, home of fabled creatures, forbidding and +dark. From its surface exudes pestilential odors, and a drop of +malignant liquid from its depths, extracted from time to time, +spreads all repugnant ills upon the world. The misery of +cholera, the evil plague, unnamed and unknown diseases are its +behest to mankind. + +That castle, the centerpiece of the Garden of Pluto, rises high +and majestic upon the far shore beyond the turbulent moat. Its +design, a strange and fascinating beauty, both attracts and +repels. Turrets rise - and yet they waver in one's vision, fade, +and rise again. From windows shine light of fire within, +replaced at times by grotesque shadows on the panes. + +The walls of purest white as though purity dwelt therein. A +drawbridge, extending well above the angry waters below. Huge +chains, cold and foreboding, wait patiently to lift its massive +weight. A door, broad and tall, dark, blocks rather than +welcomes the visitor. Above that door gargoyles of weird design +look down. Living, or hewn from stone, they cast a spell of evil +on all who pass this portal. + +Within the guests of Pluto enjoy the viands from the far +reaches of earth. Wines to challenge even the nectar of +Olympus. Their bouquet ethereal and light, they entice and +capture. Food both delicate and strong. Strong meaty tastes, and +gentle taste of dainty herbs. Spices, strange and delicate +fruits. Music and song and dance, with cymbals, and stringed +instruments, and drums. With singers whose beauty rivals the +beauty of their song. And dancers nimble as wild goat, smooth +and gracious as swan. All these and more - for Pluto has on call +the most brilliant of entertainers. + +Poets read their masterpieces, novelists theirs. Artists +display their paintings, statues. Musicians play with infinite +skill. Nothing is lacking, for all are on call in this kingdom. +Every art is represented here. Brilliance is not rare. Nor is +beauty. + +Conversation is gay and never ending. Humor of all sorts is +heard. Skits are performed to thunderous applause. Joy and good +cheer abound. Laughter fills the halls again and again. + +The dances are spirited, with happy couples moving in perfect +timing with the music of world famous bands. + +Pluto looks on the festivities, notes when interest fades, +introduces new diversions, keeps the activity ever moving, ever +exciting. + +Yet with his best efforts, at times, the sound of revelry +fades. From out the walls, from beyond the moat, the moans and +lamentations, screams of never-ending pain, weeping. Misery lies +without. And all the charades within the castle walls cannot +disguise that this is, indeed, the abode of the damned. Always, +like a blanket of gloom, reality envelopes that great castle. + +And finally, in the early morning hours, the guests are +spirited back to their earthly abodes. The musicians put away +their instruments, the entertainers retreat to their dressing +rooms, the great hall is cleaned, and all who have catered the +festivities return once more to their fated punishment. + +Only Pluto remains, seated, dour and melancholy, on the great +throne. + +No bright and lilting music, no gay conversation, no happy +laughter masks the lamentations from without. + +The party is over! + +This is the Garden of Pluto. + + + +The Garden of Persephone, unattended, lies in waste. + +The Garden of Pluto endures, tended by slaves who dream of +emancipation - and labor eternally. + +The Garden of Pluto endures - today, tomorrow, forever! + +1. Beginning + +"Demo, Listen!" Petulant anger was in her voice. + +"He's chasing the chickens again! You really must do something +about that dog. Hurry, now, before he catches one." His mother's +usually calm mien had disappeared. She had raised a fine flock +of chickens and was proud of every one. To her chagrin, Rough +had acquired a taste for chickens. + +"Rough, leave them be! Come here!" + +The dog at first wagged its tail, then let it droop between its +legs as it noted the tone of voice. Slowly it approached, its +head hung low, expectant of punishment. + +"Rough, I am the greatest hunter in the village. No, I am the +greatest hunter in the whole of Greece. None but I can draw this +bow. None but I can hit the mark, time after time. None can +shoot an arrow for such a distance!" + +His mother smiled. Only 17, yet with the assurance of youth, he +boasted of his skill. Well might he do so. For years his bow and +arrows had fed them well. Today he would foray in search of +deer. + +"And you! All you can hunt is chickens! Well, you are growing. +Soon I'll take you with me on the hunt. And we'll hunt deer, and +bear, and . . . Well, anyway, not chickens. You hear me, pup?" +Demo rubbed its head with both hands, patted the animal. + +Rough licked his palm, followed him into the house, tail +wagging. + +"Lucky for you, dog, that you didn't catch that rooster. He'd +of flogged you good with his beak and spurs. Now, Demo, you +watch him. I wont have my chickens killed by the likes of that +mutt." Demo's mother growled in fake anger while surreptitiously +feeding Rough some scraps. + +A beautiful dog, with long light brown fur covering his body, +except for a breast of pure white, his looks belied his name. A +handsome head, intelligent eyes, and an attitude of careful +interest placated his master and mistress. + +Rough lay down quietly, gazing from one to the other. + +"Yes, you are a skilled hunter. I will make ready to cook +venison, for you never return empty-handed. You wont return +empty handed, right?" She smiled. + +She stood, stepped to his side, and hugged him for a moment. +Her face mirrored pride as she felt his strong arms around her. + +He had been a sickly child. But the Gods had been kind. With +the help of a skilled nursemaid, with good food and work and +play, he had recovered. Now a young man, tall and stalwart, +tanned by the sun he displayed none of the weaknesses of yore. +She was pleased. + +His brown eyes, dark hair, and handsome visage were no less +pleasant to her. Soon he would be looking for a mate from the +village maidens. In her mind she had already made a selection. +She glanced at him, smiled. + +Her thoughts pursued for a moment that theme. I must invite +Theresa to dine with us. Yes, they would make a handsome pair. + +His face reddened at her compliment, and he laughed in +pleasure. + +"You shall not be disappointed, Mother." + +"No, nor would I ever be. Ah, were your Father Celeus still +living. How proud he would be!" + +She filled his pouch with provender for the hunt. Cheese, and +fruit, and warm bread she had baked that day. The smell of the +warm bread and the sweet spread that coated it, the oranges, +made all look eagerly to the meal ahead. + +As she tended his meal, frying venison, he took more warm +bread from the table, shared it with Rough, and grinned as his +mother turned to catch them. + +"Demophoon! Shame! Without even asking! Do you like it? Is it +good?" + +"Mother, your bread is better than another's cake. Isn't it +Rough?" + +Rough barked with mention of his name. + + + +Watching him with both amusement and pride as he stalked into +the bordering forest, his mother Metaneira noted the approaching +storm cloud. She frowned. + +With all his strength and courage he was still but a boy. +Hopefully he will find a dry cave to shelter in. The rains will +be heavy, the winds strong. + +Even in the best of weather she felt concern when he went on +his sojourns. Too many hunters had gone out, not to return. The +Gods of the Forest did not take kindly to wanderers. And they +protected their own. + +A chill ran along her back, and she shivered. + +"Rough, I shall be glad when you can go with him. He may well +need your aid one day." + +She did not realize how prophetic were her words. + + + +Leaving their home he strode rapidly through the open forest of +oak trees. Soon the land began to rise. He climbed the high +mountains, their peaks glistening in the sun. The oak trees +gradually thinned, and pines began to take their place. And at +the higher reaches even the pines gave way to scrubbrush and +weeds. Sunlight was beginning to disappear as he climbed, and he +noted the dark thunderclouds, forming in the north. There shall +be weather by nightfall, he thought. + +"The deer will sense it. They will be searching for shelter. +And I know the grove where they will congregate, waiting for the +storm to pass." He voiced the words even as they came to mind. + +It was a habit formed of living a lonely life. Since he had +none to talk to on his frequent excursions, he talked softly to +himself. + +At times he argued with himself - now supporting a position; +now, opposing it. Such mental contests amused him, sharpened his +wits, or so he led himself to believe. + +"They will drift down to the little valley on yonder hillside. +I can be there by set of sun, or perhaps travel under moonlight, +and our larder will be well-stocked tomorrow." + +Today he didn't argue with himself. It was a good plan. He +began the climb to the mountain valley. + +Few paths led into the mountains. Torturous and narrow they +quickly petered out into animal trails or ended abruptly without +cause. Man left the mountains to Gods of the forest. Only the +bravest hunters dared their heights. + +It did not concern him. This was his world, and he climbed +steadily, finding passage where others might turn back. + +The lower reaches of the foothills were rolling and the climb +was gradual. Here grew giant trees, broadleafed under the summer +sun, bare in the cold of winter. Nevertheless, here game was +rare, as man dwelled nigh. + +As he passed the foothills the terrain became increasingly +rougher. From time to time a vertical wall of stone blocked his +way, and he detoured on twisting paths among boulders as tall as +himself. Sometimes, when no path existed for his progress, he +carefully and slowly climbed the rugged precipice. + +"Ah, " he smiled, "would I could fly." He gazed upward, noted +dangerous routes, continued his climb. Panting from his efforts +he progressed ever upward, soon reaching levels where only the +evergreens grew. And as he went upward still, even these grew +more rarely, and more diminutive in form. A few, twisted and +gnarled, hung tenaciously to the near barren earth, their forms +bowed in submission to the power of the wind. + +As he leaped from boulder to boulder one twisted beneath his +foot. The motion of the stone threw him to the side of the +trail, to the outer edge of the pathway. Loose dirt and gravels +rattled downward, bounced from jutting ledges, disappearing into +the fog that hid the rock-strewn surface at the cliff's base. + +With the agility of youth he caught his balance, danced to a +more solid footing. For a moment he sat down, grinned at the +incident as he gazed over the edge of the precipice that might +have welcomed him. He picked up a pebble, tossed it over the +rim, watched and listened as it careened downward from ledge to +ledge. He shook his head. + +"Could have been me." + +He grinned, tossed another pebble. It rattled down the +surfaced, bounced outward. + +"No, no way, not me." + +He leaned back for a moment, relaxed in the warming rays of the +sun, filtered at times by the gathering clouds. + +He rubbed his ankle, winced at the pain. "Well, not broken. I +think I'll cut a staff. Too bad. May slow me." + +Even as he fashioned the staff his thoughts wandered. He +thought the deep, deep thoughts of youth. The concerns for +tomorrow. His search for a goal beyond the hunting and fishing +of his daily life. His companions had gone diverse ways. Some +were now merchants, others farmers, a few followed the sea. Some +very few had disappeared into the wilds, destined to join outlaw +bands. Perhaps he should become, as his Father, a farmer. + +To plow the fields, plant, and watch the harvest grow. Marry +and raise a family. + +"Mother would like that. She would favor Theresa. And I do like +her. " + +He put his weight on the staff, walked back and forth. The +ankle was swollen, ached, but he would manage. + +His thoughts once more returned to the future. Married, a home +of his own? It was not unappealing. Ah, but he could not forsake +the mountains, give up the hunt! Anyway, there was time enough. + +"There is tomorrow, and many tomorrows to come. Time enough." + +High above a flock of wild geese flew, their path southward +toward the sea. Clouds, winddriven, chased them across the +darkening sky. In the distance lightning flashed between dark +cumulus clouds. Quickly the rumble of thunder followed. He felt +the cool breeze ruffling his hair, heard its whisper in his ear. +Another burst of thunder. "Close, very close." he murmured. +"Best I be moving on. Still, the wind is shifting. Perhaps it +will pass by." + + + +Above the whisper of windrustled leaves he heard a different +noise, the soft pad of footsteps approaching. He frowned. By the +sound he knew them to be human, and likely two people. But who +would be traveling here at this time, with the impending storm? + +Rising, Demo slipped silently into the bordering underbrush, +moved to the meager shelter of a gnarled pine. He lay flat at +its base, obscured by its trunk from any curious eyes that might +gaze from the pathway. + +Tales passed by word of mouth of robber bands, brigands who +made their home in the forests. Furtive, deadly, they survived +by waylaying unwary travelers. Perhaps exaggerated tales, but +few honest men dared the high mountains! + +He waited, eyes wide, controlling breathe and movement. + + + +"I tell you, I saw the boy. He was young, scampered up the +slopes like a mountain goat. And he carried a pouch. There could +be gold. At least he should have food, and our larder is nearly +empty." + +The speaker and his comrade came into sight at the mouth of a +dark ravine. + +"Maybe a kid out on a hunt. Or maybe a trick. He could be here +looking for us, with a band ready to follow. They were peaceful +enough in the village when we took only a few coins and needed +food. It's when you killed that tradesman all changed. Now they +are afraid, and they are hunting desperately for us." + +"True. Anyway, it was dispatch him or be taken prisoner. And I +say we do the same with this one. I say we find this lad, open +his gullet, take his pouch and toss him off yonder crag. This is +our territory, and we want no trespassers!" He grinned, pleased +at the thought. + +The speaker was medium height, burly, and his face wore an +angry scowl. His companion was taller. The shorter man was +plainly the leader, and the tall one listened more than talked. + +"He had a bow." + +"We come up behind him, end it quickly. His bow is of no +consequence." + +"Say, look here. Something's happened here. Look at the stones, +and the footprints." + +They knelt where Demo had nearly taken a fall, examined the +disturbed stones, and the surrounding ground. + +"You're right, someone has been here. And it looks like they've +decided to stay - down there." The tall man pointed over the +brink of the escarpment toward the valley floor. + +"The path ends here, and that's a fact. Well, if he went over +at this point he's a goner. Too bad. Wonder what he had in that +pouch?" + +They glanced cautiously out over the edge of the precipice. The +short man suddenly gave the tall one a half shove. + +"You idiot! What if I'd slipped. I'll rap you on that thick +skull if you do a fool thing like that again!" + +The shorter one grinned. "Ah, it was just in fun. I'd not send +you over." + +"No, not unless you were for taking all the coins for yourself. +Just keep your distance. Maybe you saw nothing at all, just +wanted to get me out here where it'd be easy. No, Rooster, I +trust you not at all." + +The burly man pulled a dagger from his belt, still grinning. +"You think too much, friend Peter. Nevertheless, I like it! It +is an excellent idea!" + +The blade darted out! Missed! + +The Peter stepped back quickly, slipped, fell sideward, slid +toward the cliff! + +He grabbed the ankle of his companion. The Rooster kicked his +face! Blood spurted from a broken nose, covered the sandled +foot! Rooster pulled and jerked, trying to free his leg, but +Peter held on doggedly. + +"Damn you." Peter spat at his attacker. He grabbed a rock, rose +to his knees, still grasping Rooster's ankle. His opponent +pulled away, his eyes on the rock. Red blood flowed from Peter's +torn skin and swollen nose. Peter lashed out desperately with +the rock, crashing it against his companion's knee. + +"Damn you, you've broken my leg!" Rooster cursed, slashed at +Peter's rock hand as both slid toward the waiting cliff. + +Dropping the rock Peter, too, drew a knife, slashed at +Rooster's leg. + +A boulder interrupted their slide. They both struggled to their +feet. + +"I'll see you in hell," Rooster thrust once more with his +weapon. + +The blade sliced through flesh, hit bone. Peter, wounded in the +left side, gasped, staggered backward. + +With a grimace his burly assailant suddenly rushed forward, +slashing wildly. + +Peter, leaping sideward, felt the stones rolling beneath his +feet. + +Ground gave way, and he screamed. At the same moment he grabbed +the Rooster's arm, yanked him forward. + +For a moment they staggered on the edge of the precipice. + +It ended quickly! + +Even as they fought the ground quivered beneath their feet! +Then, with a low rumbling, the ledge on which they fought began +to slide. White-faced they dropped their weapons, scrambled to +reach a firm foothold. + +It was to no avail! + +Their frightened screams mingled with the growing roar of the +falling boulders, lasted only seconds. Demo lay still, unable to +rise. The screams had ceased. Now nothing else was heard save +the rattle of falling stones. Dust rose from the cliffs edge, +quickly blew away by a vagrant breeze. + +Demo lay still. It had happened so quickly! + +They had stood on the trail, talking, friends it seemed. And in +moments they had turned on one another, fought! And now - they +were gone. + +Dead! + +He shuddered. + +"Ah, how my heart is beating!" He stood up. "Dead, and in but a +few heartbeats of time!" He leaned on his staff, took a deep +breath. "And that's what they would have done to me!" + +He moved gingerly from his retreat. + +He listened carefully. + +"There are no more of them . . . ?" He glanced fearfully toward +the ravine from which they had emerged. + +There was only silence. + +Slowly Demo edged up to the brink of the precipice, slowly +peered downward. + +Nothing could be seen save a few scattered boulders and a few +dark patches lying ominously quiet. + + + +He turned now downward, turned his back on the lonely +desolation of the higher peaks. His thoughts remained with the +scene that had just occurred. + +Long he had heard of brigands and outlaws in the high +mountains. In appearance these had looked no different than his +neighbors in the valley. Yet they had destroyed each other in +acts of senseless violence. + +"May the Gods keep me! What strange mad creatures we humans +are!" he whispered to himself. He paused, leaned against the +bole of a tree. He felt nauseated, weak. They were not old, +certainly younger than his Mother. And now, snuffed out, gone. +He sat down, his back against the tree. + +It could have just as easily been me. He took a deep breath. It +was me they wanted. And they would have killed me just as +quickly. A shiver ran through his body. + +"Is life so very cheap?" He looked at his hands, held them in +front of his face. "It can end so quickly. " + +He had never thought about it. Never given death even a second +thought. But now it would not leave his mind. A quick slash with +a knife, a blow to the head, a fell from a crag. And it is over. + +The only death he had ever know was that of his Father. And he +had been quite young. It had been lonesome without him, sad. +But he had not understood how very final it was. He had always +thought, in a childish way, that his Father would return. +Perhaps, strangely, even 'til now. + +He hadn't thought of his Father for a long while. He knew not +why, but tears welled from his eyes. For a few moments he sat +beneath the tree, sobbing. Now I begin to understand. How +strange, after all these years. And yet he had always missed his +Father. But he had never cried before. He shook his head. + +His Mother had cried. He remembered, at night, listening to her +sobs. He had walked to her bed, hugged her, and she kissed him. +But he had not really understood. Now he did. How very strange. +How insensitive we are, unknowingly. + +Biting his lip he rose, glanced back toward the escarpment. +With an effort he brought his thoughts once more to the hunt. +Did the deer ever think of death? Was the buck fearful, +constantly watchful for the hunter? How very strange the world! + +He began his descent, wide-eyed and watchful. There could be +others around any tree, any boulder! + +His concern was not warranted, for he met neither brigands nor +wild beast. The mountain slopes were silent. As though the men +had never existed, had never disturbed the peace and calm of the +placid heights. + +The valley he sought lay far below, tree encompassed. The +downward path would be easier. Even now he walked mid patches of +green grass and verdant bushes. Wild flowers bloomed, occasional +berry bushes provided sustenance, and he ate, then stopped. + +Here he was eating, enjoying the mountains bounty! And they! +Lying dead, who had but moments before lived and breathed as did +he. How short the distance between survival and abundance. He +thought again of the scene he had watched. + +The thought continued to shock him. His thoughts were more +often on material things, on stalking the deer, catching the +fish from the streams. He shook his head, driving away dismal +thoughts as he lengthened his stride toward the distant valley. + +"Well, I must be careful. Mother was right. There are brigands +about. My, that ankle does ache. But I promised Mother venison." +He leaned on the staff to lessen the pain. + +The high mountains beckoned with promise of game. Above the +domain of man the deer browsed. At times threatened by wolf or +the mountain lions, they flourished still. To the hunter who +dared these slopes a day without success was rare. + +The storm clouds were nearing rapidly. The air preceding their +arrival was beginning to cool. The odor of rain wafted ahead of +the storm. And the odor of ozone, accompanying the frequent +lightning flashes. Drifting downward from the peaks, dark +thunderclouds forewarned of imminent danger. Long rumbles of +thunder followed the frequent flash of lightning. And the wind +blew continuously, a mournful sound at times steady, but more +frequently gusting in sudden fury. The trees swayed wildly under +the ministrations of Aeolus. + +The deer, driven by the storm, drifted more rapidly toward the +valley for shelter. They were small, at times indistinguishable +because of the distance. Still could he make out, or so +imagined, antlered bucks among them. The best of these would +fall to his arrow. In spite of the weather he would indeed be +there by sundown. It would be a good hunt. In his mind he could +smell the cooking venison. + + + +Ceres watched her world with happy smiles. Soft rains nurtured +the crops, and harvests would be bountiful. Bees from flower to +flower flew, humming as they went their industrious way. Grain +grew tall, and every tree limb bent low, weighted with its +fruit. Grapes were bounteous, green grapes and blue, others +purple and red. + +Ceres watched with jealous heart. Every seed to her was sacred. +If but one failed to put forth its plant she fretted. If several +slept lazily under the fertile soil her lips tightened in +concern. A limb that bore no fruit, a plant that failed to +flower - all drew from her the like concern. + +Yet she was happy, for though man must toil to reap, his +rewards were plentiful. The grapes, swollen purple, ready to +burst with sweetness, soon would go to press. Bacchus would +receive his devotees, frolicking, carousing, and celebrating +joyful times. For the people were thankful for the wealth of +food their land produced, and gave thanks through their +celebrations. + +Ceres watched her daughter playing amidst the flowers of their +garden. Winsome and gay and ever active she darted among the +plants, now chasing a colored butterfly; now dancing with a +flirting breeze. + +Soon her education must begin. The ways of the wind, of the +storm gods, and of Earth herself must she learn. The many +plants, their names and their fruit, were to be learned. When +and where to sow, how deep the seed to plant. Harvesting, and +storing the harvest, were skills she must have. Preparing the +foods to satisfy the taste and body - so many wonderful and +exciting secrets of the world! + +But, for now, let her play. Her curiosity would teach her much. +Observant, Persephone noted each subtle change in plant and in +the land. Inquisitive, she asked of Ceres question after +question, probing to find how and why and what of each event, +each object. + +Ceres watched with pride her lovely child. + +And wondered at the dark sense of foreboding that would not +leave her mind. + + + +Brooding, his eyes half closed, Pluto sat on his sumptuous +throne. Ornate with jewels - diamonds and rubies, sapphires and +amethyst, green jade and blue turquoise - it held the treasures +of the world. Decorated with filigree of silver and gold, it +dominated the room. Or would have, were it not for its occupant. + +Zeus and Poseidon, his brothers, were heroic figures before man +and Gods. Strong, handsome, powerful - they were admired, +worshipped. + +Not so, Pluto. + +Face and form hideous to behold he ruled the nether world. Not +admiration, nor worship were his. Rather, fear! + +His appearance aroused it. He stood huge over the poor +supplicants who pleaded for release from this, the eternal +prison. A skin of leathery hue, plated in metallic scales that +gleamed in light of candle. Misshapen form, twisted, broken. A +face of ghastly white, lined with deep marks that twisted with +his thoughts, pitted with pock marks. He projected fear and +evil. His kingdom reinforced it. The tales and rumors that +spread among men, and even on high Olympus, did little to +dissipate that fear. + +Only his eyes, often hidden by lowered lids, belied his +appearance. For they reflected the pity and compassion in his +soul. + +At his invitation the great castle filled with revelers. Yet, +in their presence or alone, Pluto had no feeling of belonging. +His was a lonely world, a world apart. + +Companionship, friendship, understanding - these were denied +him. + +And, also, love. + +Pluto brooded. + +2. The White Owl + +Demo suddenly heard thrashing, mixed with the distress call of +a bird. Rounding a bend in the mountain trail he quickly +stopped. Before him was a scene of impending tragedy. + +An owl, beautiful, with white feathers, struggled. Enmeshed in +a clever trap it was unable to break free. A cunning net had +extended above the narrow ravine, and the bird had triggered an +ingenious mechanism that released the net. Its wings threshed +uselessly as it tumbled on the rocky ground. + +And creeping ever closer, a fox. Its eyes gleamed in +anticipation. Saliva dripped from its open mouth. The sun's rays +reflected from the glistening fangs. Brown and white matted fur +clung tightly to its body. Gaunt and hungry, its every muscle +tensed, it waited eagerly for the right moment to strike. + +It crouched to spring, inched closer to its prey. + +"No you don't." Demo whispered the words. Laying aside the +staff, smoothly, with hardly a thought, Demo drew an arrow from +its pouch. Notching it to the string he drew the bow. + +Even as he did so the fox sprang, jaws open wide. + +With a whistle the arrow flew through the air! + +The fox, startled, twisted to avoid the danger. + +Too late! + +The arrow struck him at the peak of his leap. It struck high on +his haunch, cut deep into the upper leg. The arrow's force +knocked the animal sideward, and he fell short of his victim. + +Even as the fox fell the world burst asunder in a thunderclap +of sound. The force of a sudden wind drove Demo to his knee, +almost stunned. + +He froze in that position, starred in consternation at the +scene in front of him. + +Where the fox had fallen an imp stands, looking at him in +anger. It's hand pulls dagger from sheath. The long twisted +blade is raised threateningly. Demo takes another arrow from the +quiver. + +A louder blast of thunder feels the air and the imp looks up in +fear. With another glance of hate he dashes away into the bushes. + +But Demo's eyes are focused on another, and the imp is not now +the center of Demo's attention. The cynosure of his gaze is the +beautiful white owl. For the beautiful white owl is now more +beautiful still. + +Standing free from the trap is the princess of the forest +nymphs. She has shed the white feathers of the owl and stands +before him in innocent beauty. She smiles as his face reddens, +then steps behind some obscuring bushes. + +"What, what is it . . . !" he stammered. + +Dazed, Demo backed away. "This is unreal. It can not be +happening. Imps, and Goddesses - these are but stories. Where am +I? This is not the world I know. Who am I that I meet with imps +and Goddesses. Enough that this day I have seen death. " He +mouthed the words, but no sound came. + +He closed his eyes, opened them. + +She did not go away. + +"You have saved me from the minions of Pluto, the God of +Hades. And for that you shall be rewarded. I shall take you as +my husband, and you shall live with me forever. We will dwell +among the Gods, and you shall ever be my protector." + +The lilting beauty of her voice entranced him. It caressed him +as the gentle notes of a favorite song. Bewitched, he ignored +the content of her words, merely listened to tone of her voice.. + +"Come with me. I am Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. We must tell +Zeus. There will be great rejoicing on Olympus. Zeus feared I +should never find a suitable husband! Yet, here you are!" + +She reached out for his hand. They never touched, for then, +twice in this one day, a mysterious force intervened. Looking +upward he saw great dark clouds boiling. From their depth a +streak of lightning sundered the ground between him and Athena. +Dust and rubble filled the air, and the ground shook beneath his +feet. + +A mighty voice, deep and vibrant, rumbled from the heavens. + +"Mortal, dare you even think to consort with the Gods!" + +For a moment he heard no other sound. He looked up in awe at +the darkened sky. The silence enwrapped him as a shroud. Even +the wind whispered not. + +"On your way! Back to your valley!" + +Lightless, the sky seemed only a black blanket drawn over his +head. The winds once more gusted, tearing angrily at trees and +bushes. The thunder rumbled ominously in preparation for another +lightning strike. + +"Marry for yourself a simple galleymaid. Do not anger the +mighty Zeus! Husband to Athena? Bah!" + +He shrank back in dismay, wide-eyed. + +Though he was silent, Athena bravely replied. "He has saved me +from your evil brother, Pluto. He has risked his life for mine. +He shall be rewarded. Oh mighty Zeus, if you love me, grant this +to me." + +Rumblings reverberated from the walls of the mountain canyon. +Finally they give way to silence. Then, with brief lightning +flashes from cloud to cloud, there is a response. + +"Very well, my dear. Perhaps it shall be as you desire. He's a +brave young man. Striking down a minion of Pluto alone does not, +of itself, make him deserving. Nevertheless, he may indeed join +us on Olympus." + +The voice stopped, the clouds darkened even more. The mountain, +in the midst of day, is black as midnight. + +By the sound alone he knows that Athena again reaches her hand +to him. And again a bolt from the sky separates the two. + +"No! First he must prove himself worthy." The voice once more +thunders. "To win the hand of a Goddess is not an easy chore. +But, if you prove yourself, it shall be as you desire. First, +though, . . .," - and now the voice grew soft and warm with an +assumed kindness. + +"Yes, first you must perform some minor chores. A few little +tasks, perhaps. Yes, that's it! A dozen or so little tasks. +Piddling things, actually. Hmmm, let me give some thought to +this." + +The skies were beginning to lighten. The voice of Zeus had +softened indeed, as had his mood. The clouds were rapidly +dissipating. Blue patches of sky emerged. The dark clouds +dissipated, and small white clouds drifted gently above. + +"Go home! Prepare yourself! And when I call be quick to begin +your sojourn. - Eh, yes, I think minor little chores." + +It almost sounds like Zeus is humming happily to himself. + +The wind whipped the leaves along the pathway, the clouds tore +asunder. And, even as he glanced back to earth, Athena, too, had +departed. + +Nothing remained to reflect the tragedy that might have been. +Nothing remained to reflect the beauty and wonder of Athena. Yet +. . . . + +On the ground, fluttering in the now gentle breeze, a single +memento - a pure white feather. He picked it up gently, +reverently. + +What to do? + +What to do? "This is madness. I am dreaming. Death and imps! +Goddesses and Gods. What has happened today? Can it be real!" He +looked around at the forest, at the sky. All was calm, normal. +Except for one thing. + +In his hand he held a white feather. + +Reluctantly he continued his hunt. There must be food for his +mother and himself. In spite of himself, because of the day's +events, his thoughts strayed. + +He blushed again as he thought of the beautiful Goddess. "Can I +return to my hut, live as a simple hunter, having seen her?" + +"No! As Zeus has spoken, I shall return and await his command. +After all, how difficult can be a few little chores?" + +He thought he saw the imp dancing through the bushes, chortling +in glee. + +Suddenly he tossed away the white feather. Even as it floated +down the side of the mountain he took up his weapons, returned +to the hunt. + +"How foolish can I be," he muttered to himself. "Even if it +were real. I to wed a Goddess! It cannot be!" + + + +Shadows were lengthening, soon night would fall. Nights on the +high mountain are cold and forlorn. Already the sun, hidden by +the storm clouds, neared the horizon. The sky, an angry red, +peaked through rents in the dark clouds. Large drops of rain +pelted him, cold with the hint of hail. + +Yet, swiftly, the body of the storm had swept by. The remaining +clouds drifted high above, each in its solitary domain. The wind +still gusted from time to time, momentarily, then faded. + +Tree leaves fluttered as the evening breeze began its soft +caress. In the eastern sky a single star began to shine. One of +the heaven's wanderers, not unlike himself on the earth below. + +He halted. In the copse ahead a creature moved. Sensing his +presence it froze in position. A tawny hide, revealed +momentarily between the leaves, brought a gleam to Demo's eye. + +A buck! + +Demo notched his arrow, waited silently. + +The antlered head extended above the bushes. The moist nostrils +sniffed the air. Then the buck bounded across the trail. + +The arrow flew, and without glancing at the prey he unstrung +his bow. + +As he moved toward the copse a falling leaf drifted down, +dressed in the yellow-brown of the coming season. His eyes +followed it, then he glanced toward the copse. In astonishment, +he noted that the buck was no where to be seen. Quickly he +rushed forward. Nothing! No buck, and no sign of life! + +"Not possible, not possible that I have missed! Now, where is +the deer," Demo wondered aloud. + +The light glinted on an object. He saw, lying on the forest +floor, that object. An object that caused him to freeze in +place. A beautiful white feather. And beneath it on the ground, +his arrow. Athena will not be rejected! + +Uncertainly he stared from side to side, hesitated. Finally he +picked up the feather, pressed it to his heart. + +"It is the will of the Gods!" + +He returned the arrow to its pouch, rushed through the +darkening forest to the mountain hut far below. + +"I must prepare myself. I must be ready to perform the tasks of +Zeus!" + + + +Olympus is a world far removed from this, our earthly abode. +Its laws are not as our laws, its inhabitants not as those of +earth. Here dwelt, from time to time, the twelve major Gods. +Here ruled Zeus, the ThunderGod. + +It is said the Gods, all powerful, do what they will, act as +they wish, and answer to none. + +Not true! + +Moira, to whose edicts even mighty Zeus must acquiesce, had +long before Olympus' birth assigned duties. Assigned those +duties that ever were to weigh upon the celestial house. Duties +that seemed, to those who bore them, merely whims of their own +devising. + +Zeus, forever to nudge the earth, to keep that sphere spinning +in its little space. Poseidon, ever to keep the busy waters +flowing, mixing, changing. Pluto, to warden the whole of Hades, +dealing out evenhandedly to each of the ferryman's charges that +portion of eternal punishment that each had earned. + +And each lesser God, also duties had. + +Of the Gods only Zeus sensed that strange and ever-present +being, realized that responsibilities had been assigned. He knew +not Fate by name, but knew full well the chores ever to be done. +At times he chafed under their weight, yet always returned to +his given work. Where others might have rebelled Zeus pondered, +understood, and acquiesced. And as these duties were laid on +him, he laid also duties on man. Pride, a strange duty indeed. +Yet each must be proud of himself, of his selfworth. And work he +imposed, for pride comes from work well done. The duty to love, +and to seek love were there. The duty to be gentle, and to be +harsh - and the wisdom to choose the time for each. + +Yes, Zeus tempered duties imposed, with wisdom for their +performance. + + + +When Zeus had looked on Demo he had been troubled. This +earthling would, of course, fail in one or all the tasks to be +imposed. + +And still, within, he felt the might of Moira and knew +misgivings. + +What must lie ahead, not given even for Zeus to foresee? The +plans of man and Gods go astray when Fate's dictates are ignored. + + + +"Theresa, I'm so glad you came by. Perhaps you can stay for +evening meal. Demo should return by nightfall. He's out chasing +deer. I'm sure we'll have venison. Ah, your hair! What have you +done to it! It's so different, and yet so nice. Come in. Rough!" + +She shouted at the dog, who growled low at the visitor, then +approached stiff-legged to sniff at her legs. Satisfied he +wagged his tail, deigned to graciously accept the pats the +visitor bestowed. + +"My, look how you have grown! Let me see, you're 15 now. Do you +know, I was married at 15. Such a silly girl. I knew nothing. +But he was so attentive, so kind. I fell madly in love. Are you +in love, Theresa? Every young girl should fall in love! It is a +wonderful, sad, happy experience! Do sit down." + +"I haven't seen Demo in ages. Is he well? What does he do?" +Theresa paused for a moment, adding "Has he a girl friend?" + +Metaneira smiled. + +"I'm glad you came. Here, let me get some sweetmeats and +drinks. I don't have company often. Girl friend? No, I think +not. He's too wild! What girl would want him! He fishes and +hunts and disappears into the forest for days at a time. Ah, the +poor girl who gets him for a husband!" + +Theresa sat demurely on the proffered chair. Rough lay down +beside her, comfortable that she was no threat to him, or to the +family he protected. + +"Oh, I think he is a fine boy. How old is he now? He seems so +big and strong. And he's handsome. He looks much like his +mother." + +Metaneira accepted with pleasure the compliments for her son. +After all, she herself was sure they were true. + +"No, he is his Father's image. His Father was very handsome. +Very handsome." She was silent for a moment, remembering. + +"So long ago! Theresa, do you like Demo? I think it would be +well for him to find a good woman, to settle down." She looked +searchingly into the girl's eyes. + +Theresa blushed, looked down, then looked at her. + +"I've always liked him. Still, at times he is so young and +childish. He seldom glances at me, or even at any of the girls. +The other boys chase us madly. I could have my choice, you +know!" Her voice suggested that she expected doubt. + +"You stay for supper, dear. My, I like the way you are dressed. +Come here, there are a few changes needed. Trust me." + +She examined the girl carefully. "Turn around, my dear, slowly. +Hmmm, can we tighten it ever so slightly here?" She adjusted the +girl's waistband. + +"And it is so warm. Why not leave this just a bit more open to +the air - that much. No, a little more yet." She loosed +Theresa's bodice slightly, then a bit more, suggesting rather +than exposing the smooth rise of her breasts. + +Theresa, red-faced, looked searchingly at her, then giggled. + +"We're terrible, aren't we. It isn't our fault, since a young +man is so insensitive. Sometimes you must be very forward to +wake them up. Besides, I know he likes you. He's just very shy, +and he truly knows nothing about real life. My, my, I shouldn't +be talking like this. After all, I am his mother. Don't you feel +like a conspirator?" + +They laughed together. + + + +Demo entered the yard, face flushed. Rough barked joyously, +jumped up and down in excitement. He rushed to his master, +leaped up, to receive a happy hug. + +"Mother, I must tell you what happened. I . . . ?" He paused as +both his Mother and Theresa came through the door. + +"Oh, hello, Theresa. Eh, Mother, I'll hang the venison." + +He cut and hung up the meat while the women worked and talked +in the kitchen. Once done he washed up, sat at the oaken table. + +"Theresa is staying for supper. She helped me cook. Isn't that +a lovely dress. Turn around for him Theresa. Isn't she pretty +and slender. My, Theresa, some boy will be carrying you off +before we know it!" + +Theresa twirled, blushing but smiling. Demo blinked, swallowed. +She was a very pretty girl. Yet he could not help but think of +the vision he had seen this day, and compare the two. + +The aroma of cooking meat reminded him of how long since he had +eaten. The meal of venison and vegetables, with sweetbread his +mother cooked, all washed down with wine he finished swiftly. +"How hungry I was, and how good it is! Mother, you are such a +good cook!" + +"I don't know where you can put so much food. Poor woman who +catches you. She'll spend all her time in the kitchen. Well, if +she looks like Theresa, she may spend some time in the bedroom." + +Theresa blushed, glanced under lowered eyes at Demo. + +"Demo, walk her home, will you. The moon is bright tonight, but +I've heard there are brigands about. Besides, I'm sure you could +find no lovelier company." + +They walked slowly beneath the moonlight. Theresa stumbled and +he caught her arm. She leaned close against him, took his hand. +"Thank you. I might have fallen." + +"It's all right," he responded gruffly, moving away. +Nevertheless, he left his hand in hers. + +"Demo, the moon is so beautiful tonight. Almost bright as day. +I love the moonlight. My, you are so tall. And such strong +arms!" she placed her hand around his upper arm, squeezed. + +"It's a good moon for hunting. Fortunately, our larder is full, +at least for now." + +"Then you should have more free time. Will you come and see me. +At times it is lonely. I need a true friend, one I can turn to +in time of trouble. A friend like you." + +For a moment Demo was silent. He wanted to put his arm around +her, hold her close, and tell her that she had a friend. He +didn't understand his feelings. He felt the need to hold her in +his arms. She seemed so fragile, so small and weak and helpless. +He thought of a young doe, first learning to stand. He was +confused. His thoughts wandered, today's events were on his +mind, and he hesitated. + +"Theresa, we have always been friends since we were small. When +you needed help, I have been there. It will always be so. I +guess I have always cared for you, little sister." + +They reached the door of her home, and her father stood outside +watching their approach. "Good evening, Demo. I see you have +brought her home. The pathways are safe tonight, it seems. Girl, +you mother would like to talk to you." + +"Goodnight, Demo. Please come tomorrow night." + + + +As she went inside Demo heard her mother's voice. "Girl, you +are out very late. My, your face is so bright and radiant. You +don't have a fever I hope. Oh, my, what have you done to your +dress. Turn around here. Well, you really shouldn't. Well, I +guess I did the same when I was your age. You grow up so fast, +so fast!" + +"Demo, how goes the hunting?" + +"Hunting has gone well. Our larder is full. Now I must prepare +the house for the winter season. The winds are picking up, and +we'll be getting more rain shortly. Our roof needs some repair." + +"Well, I still need more meat, but there is time enough. Walk +with me a moment, boy." + +"You and Theresa have known each other a long time. I've +watched you grow from childhood to manhood. And she'll be taking +a husband before many more seasons pass. What of you, boy? Have +you plans to marry?" + +"Sir, my plans now are mostly to care for my Mother. I . . . , +well, I suppose I shall marry in time." + +"The flowers bloom, and then they fade. Don't delay too long in +living your own life. I believe you mother would be pleased to +see you wed. Like Theresa said, why don't you stop by the house +tomorrow night. The wife is an excellent cook, and you look like +you could use a pound or two. I have some wine we shall enjoy +together. I'd like your opinion of it." + +On the way home Demo thought of the day's events. Somehow, he +thought, I have this strange feeling. As though the beaters were +driving me into a trap. + +"Strange. Yesterday I was child, without concerns." He spoke +aloud, thoughtfully, to himself. "Today I feel so very +different. I have seen death. I have seen Athena. And even Zeus +has revealed himself to me. It is as though, overnight, I have +grown up." + +And yet he felt too much the child. Everything was happening +too quickly. + +"I need time, I need a lot of time." + +Demo shook his head. Rough came running toward him, and he +laughed, skipped along the path, then ran home with the dog +barking, chasing excitedly at his heels. + + + +The rumble of wheels, the pounding of hoofs, filled the night +air. Through the darkness dashed without concern four great +stallions, pulling the dark chariot. + +At the reins was Pluto! + +Thunder rumbled through the sky, blended with the thunder of +chariot and team. The only light was that from occasional +lightning. It revealed the grim visage of the driver. + +On whatever mission Pluto rode this night, plainly it bore +heavy on his mind. + + + +Persephone sat in the garden swing, watched the night sky, the +gentle stars. A storm brewed, but like all storms, skirted her +garden. In the distance she saw the dark clouds, illumined by +the lightning's flash. + +And on the far mountain road, momentarily revealed by that +lightning flash, a chariot pulled with madcap speed by four huge +stallions. + +She frowned, then laughed away her concern. A nighthawk flew +by, identified by its nasal peent. A soft warm breeze rustled +the leaves of the lilac bush. The sweet fragrance of the lilacs +filled the air. + +Persephone swung gently, hummed quietly to herself. Looking up +she saw a shooting star, a brilliant traveler among the stars, +quickly fading. + +She laughed happily at its beauty. Then thought more somberly +of what it might portend. + +3. Waiting + +He waited impatiently. The days were growing shorter, the rains +were more prevalent. Even now, outside the hut, he heard the +drops beating with ever increasing fury. The pelting on the +roof, the whistling of the wind, and the increasing cold all +presaged an early and severe winter. + +His mother was preparing the evening meal. Luckily, on his way +home he had chanced on two bucks, and the first fell to his +ready arrow. And that two weeks afore! + +The aroma of the roasting venison permeated the little hut. His +mother hummed quietly to herself as she stirred vegetables, +skillfully added the exact measure of spices, sprinkled on tangy +herbs. Yet his thoughts wandered. Dwelling on recent activities, +his thoughts were not on food. + +Had Zeus forgotten? + +He gazed into the burning logs, listened to the crackling as he +stirred the ashes. The brilliant sparks rose and disappeared. + +Demo strode from the fire to the doorway, stared at the mist +and rain. The weather kept him from the hunt. The encounter with +the Goddess Athena occupied his mind. He had confused and +uncertain thoughts over all that had happened. Was it but a +dream? + +Now the winds began to moan through the trees. Autumn has +already touched the high mountains. He glanced out at the moist +leaves, all bright in gold and crimson hues, soon to darken. +Then they will fall. The mountains shall be barren. + +He examined the pack his mother had prepared. It contained +several days' food, for he had no idea how long he would be on +his quest. He picked up his pouch, examined each arrow in turn. +Sharpened and re-sharpened! They wait to fly straight and true +to his prey. The smell of the cooking venison again caught his +attention. + +"Eat well, my son. When you are called you will have little +time for food." His mother smiled. Yet her smile is a little +wan, for she fears for his welfare. + +"You know, Theresa is a lovely girl. She was by when you were +on your last hunt. I think she likes you." + +He ignored her comments. He has no thought for Theresa. + +"She's a very pretty girl. A little younger than you, but not +so much. Her parents look with favor on you, too." + +She glanced at him, judging the impact of her words. +Disappointed, she returned to preparing the meal. + +After eating he tested the strength of his great bow. Made of +the finest wood, it drove arrow after arrow deep into the oak at +the edge of the forest. + +Braving the rain he went to the tree to regain his arrows. All +but one were retrieved. Demo frowned, for the tree gripped the +last arrow stubbornly. + +Rough sat on his haunches, a quizzical look on his face as he +watched his master tugging at the arrow. Suddenly Rough growled. +He rushed toward the tree, barking. + +Demo pulled even harder, glancing up into the tree as he did +so. There, seated on the lowest limb, sneered the fox-imp. It +smiled in delight at his efforts to free the arrow. + +"Listen, mortal. My master Pluto sends you greetings. You are a +great hunter." The imp stopped with a frown. + +"I show the proof of it on my hide," he grumbled morosely. + +"Never mind. My master says you shall also be a rich hunter. +Give up your thoughts of the Goddess Athena. You shall have +riches beyond measure." + +The arrow suddenly came free in Demo's hands, and he tumbled +backwards, rolled over and over on the muddy ground. + +Rough quickly bounded to his side, whining. When his master +rose the whine changed to a contented growl, and he turned once +more to contemplating the creature in the tree. Plainly it +looked more appetizing than a chicken. + +The fox-imp's smile now changed to derisive guffaws. "And you +would perform the twelve tasks of Zeus! If you but attempt to +begin that sojourn I shall be with you. I, and my companions, +shall haunt your trail until you fall in misery and failure." +The voice is angry and threatening. + +"But," and now his voice is affable, "if you accept the offer +of Pluto - if you renounce this vain adventure - you shall +receive all the pleasures of this earth. Gold and jewels will be +yours. Wine of the finest vintage! Women of the most delicate +and beautiful nature! All you desire - and an eternity in which +to enjoy it. That my master offers you. As a token that you +accept, only break the arrow in your hand." + +He shook his head. Should he break the arrow. All the riches of +the world! Slowly he grasped the arrows shaft, bent it in his +strong grasp. + +And if he follows the path laid out by Zeus? By the tricky and +devious Zeus! Zeus who has never made easy the lot of the +adventurer! + +And Athena. He recalls her beauty, the sweetness of her voice. +She wanted him as her husband - and as her protector! + +Suddenly Demo drew back his arm, threw the arrow at the fox-imp. + +The latter dodged quickly in surprise, and the arrow barely +scratched his skin. + +"Oh, you are a beauty, you are. Ah, how that stings. Master +Pluto has great things in store for you, young hunter. Great +things! And how I shall enjoy serving them to you!" + +He leaped from the tree, turning to his fox form before +touching the ground. For a moment he sat, scratching at the +wound with his hind leg. Rough rushed forward, growling, teeth +bared. The fox imp glanced quickly over his shoulder at the dog, +then dashed into the forest. + +Demo stood silently in the mist and rain. + +Can this really be happening? I have heard of such things, but +only in stories. I was sure they were only to frighten children. +And yet . . . and yet it is happening to me. Why to me? I don't +understand. I wish . . . . + +"Demo, my goodness! You'll catch a terrible cold. Come inside. +Oh, you look so pale. Here, dry your head. And wrap up warm." +She hugged him to her, tousled his hair. "My, children never +grow up. Quick now." + + + +Zeus was slowly entering comments in his diary, muttering under +his breath. + +"The thoughts he had in his mind when he beheld the Goddess! +Dear, dear - unconscionable!" He stopped, noting Hera standing +by his side. + +"Yes, Dear Husband. I'm sure you would not countenance any +unchaste thoughts on the part of this bumpkin." + +He ignored the sarcasm in her voice. + +"And was he, this youth, perchance handsome?" + +"Handsome," he growled. "No, no! You would find him singularly +unattractive, I assure you." + +'Ummm! Singularly unattractive. Well!" + +"Now, be about your business. I must call Athena, the Goddess +of memory. I vaguely recall some chores of historical note. Some +very interesting little minor chores. Oh, yes!" + +For a moment Hera stood still, frowned. Fortunately for Zeus +she was quickly distracted by her maids, who gathered around to +whisper of the exciting events of the day. They left the room, +chattering and laughing. + +Zeus smiled as he contemplated those interesting little minor +chores. "Athena, in spite of her foolish infatuation, will +provide me with the information I need. Eh, reluctantly, I +suppose. My, the difficulties one meets in governing the +universe!" + +He hummed softly. "What is that called! Catchy little tune. +Hera, dear, I'm hungry. My ambrosia, please." + +Hera, at the door, glanced backed at him in surprise. +"Ambrosia, please? Did I hear 'please'?" She walked across the +room to his side, placed her palm on his forehead, shaking her +head as she did so. "Strange, no fever. Please? My, how +un-Zeus-like!" + + + +In happier times did Persephone with the water nymphs play. By +the seashore they gathered. They brought from the ocean's depth +strange flowers, colorful stones, and jewels seized from sailing +ships by angry sea. + +Persephone carried with her flowers from her garden, a garland +on her head. With her she brought fruits, and all manner of good +and beautiful plants that grew within the garden. + +In their play they fashioned garlands, gave them beauty by +wearing them. The dolphins swam near and laughed and sported to +see the beauty of land and sea at play. + +One other watched them too. From a distance and with brooding +eyes. Often, as they frolicked on that white and sandy shore, he +sat in the gloom of the forest in his golden chariot, his four +black steeds pawing at the leaf-covered ground. + +Their beauty he coveted. + +And above all he desired Persephone! + + + +4. The First Quest + +He lay in bed, awake. It was morning, but morning dark and +gloomy. He could hardly see the doorway. The rain fell steadily, +the wind gusting, falling, then gusting once again. The air was +damp, cold, and clothes and bedclothes were soaked with moisture +from the humidity. He shivered, curled up tightly against the +cold. + +Still, Rough tugged at the blankets as day broke, eager for his +master's company. Reluctantly Demo shooed the dog away, tucked +the covers more closely around himself. + +"Well, mother, I shall sleep in this morning. Even Zeus is +hardly up and about on a day like this." + +It was the wrong thing to say. + +The rain suddenly increased, the wind grew stronger, and the +door flew open. Rough began barking excitedly, moved cautiously +toward the open door. As the rain blew in he retreated nearer +his master. Demo rose quickly to shut the door, but not before +a dark object blew in, fell upon the floor. Quickly Rough seized +it between his teeth, shook it from side to side. + +"Hey, easy there." Demo approached the dog cautiously. In his +mouth Rough held A thin leather sheet. And burned on its surface +were some words. Slowly Demo deciphered them. + +"The race is to the swift. Sometimes. Be at the Temple of Mars +at sundown. The white feather must . . . ." + +He could not make out the rest. The heavy rain had soaked the +material, and the remaining words were smudged beyond +recognition. + +Zeus! It could have come from no other! + +"Mother, I must go quickly. Why the temple of Mars? There is no +way to reach it by sundown. Still, I must try." + +She looked at the falling rain, thought to detain him. Finally +she sighed, quickly put more and fresher food in his pouch. +"Perhaps you should take the white feather. And do be careful. I +had a bad dream last night. I shall not repeat to you, but +beware of that which you cannot see." + +She hugged him. + +In spite of the rain he smiled. The first task was begun. + +The race is to the swift. Sometimes. + +What strange words these. + +And to reach the temple of Mars by sundown! Beyond the ability +of any mortal. + +Still, perhaps, if he could float on the swift waters of the +churning river it might be possible. The falling rain had turned +the gentle stream into thunderous torrents. And even as he +looked a huge tree floated down the stream, twisting and +rolling. + +There seemed no other option. Quickly he located two fallen +logs, pried them slowly to the waters edge. There he knotted +vines around them, forming a single platform. Finally, with a +deep breath, he forced them off the bank into the stream. + +Almost too late he waded out. The cold mud sucked at his feet, +the angry water stormed at his thighs. He leaped atop the +nearest log, slipped, fell across the logs awkwardly. He was on +his way to the temple of Mars! + +What chance of success he had was quickly spoiled. + +When he clambered onto the raft his pouch had opened. A sudden +gust of wind picked up the white feather, wafted it quickly +beyond his reach. In seconds it landed on the raging waters, +quickly disappeared from sight. + +Rough bounded along the shore, barking furiously. He badly +wanted to board the raft, yet feared to dare the sullen waters. +Finally, as the raft moved to the stream's center the dog +stopped, whined, its tail between its legs. The dog shivered as +though in fear, then slowly turned to wend its way home. + +Demo watched with regret as the Rough quickly disappeared in +the midst of the heavy rain shower. "Perhaps I should have taken +you with me. No, you must stay home, protect Mother." + +Demo smiled. With a sigh he braced himself on the logs as the +tumultuous stream tossed the frail craft from side to side. What +a wonderful start he was making to perform the required tasks +of Zeus! + +The white feather, lost to the wind and the rain! And his +chances of reaching the temple before nightfall almost +non-existent! + +The watery trip, miraculously, was almost uneventful. Almost. + +As the raft rounded a bend in the river the water narrowed, +flowed ever faster. And on the shore, obscured by the driving +rain and gathering fog, stood a creature of unearthly mien. It +neither moved nor spoke. + +Demo had faced the bear that claimed the mountain ridges as +their own. The snarling night cats that dominated the forests +had stood before him. Of them all, none had aroused in him such +fear as now he felt. + + For from this creature radiated a menace more fearsome than he +had ever known, an overwhelming evil emanation. + +Demo gasped, eyes wide. "What is it! What manner of beast are +you . . . ?" + +Almost immediately the creature disappeared in the swirling +mist. + +It was gone! Though it disappeared from view he felt a +premonition. A premonition that he would see it again. He knew +not why, but knew it would be with him. A constant, unseen +companion. The chill that enveloped him now was not caused by +the cold, soaking rain. + +Whether sundown was near, or had long past, he could not tell. +The dark, drear day had no sun, only the continuous rain. +Finally, there, on the cliff above, stood the temple, barely +visible. + +He paddled with his hands, attempting to bring his raft to the +far shore. The water swirled, waves built up before the wind, +and currents formed and disappeared throughout the stream. His +paddling was almost to no avail. The makeshift raft swirled, +rocked, meandered randomly at the mercy of the river. By the +time the craft reached the shore he had drifted well beyond the +temple. + +Clawing his way up the muddy bank he found a narrow trail and +began the climb. His ankle, which he had thought healed, began a +slow steady ache. Rock-strewn, and now covered with silt and +muck and murky water, the trail formed a slippery maze up the +mountainside. Rivulets gouged ever-deepening gullies across the +path. At times the entire path was but a stream, with swift +water washing away small plants and stones. + +Midway in his climb he entered a wide clearing. A doe, in +attempting to flee from his approach, had slipped and its leg +hung useless as it stood, shivering in fear. + +A ray of light appeared briefly from a sun very low on the +horizon. Time was running out. With a frown he avoided the doe, +continued his climb. + +He could not help himself. He looked back, and its brown limpid +eyes, full of pain and fear, held him. Finally, with a growl, he +returned. He approached the beast carefully. Though it tried to +evade him, it was to no avail. Finally it stood motionless, +shivering. + +"I have no time, little one. I must be quick. This splint will +hold, hopefully, until you heal." He bound the doe's leg with +wooden splints in place. With a growl he started once more up +the mountain. He noticed the doe following behind, timidly +maintaining its distance. + +"Go away. The sun has certainly set. Ah, if you had only been a +full grown buck. My arrow would have quickly found its mark. And +I would already be at the temple!" + +When he reached the temple it was indeed dark. The building +rose massively before him. Built over the years, at times of +wood, at times of stone, it had grown from a small shrine to its +current size. Cautiously he entered through the huge doorway. +The wooden doors were open, as though he were expected. There +was no sound. The temple was empty! + +Plainly, Zeus had already departed!. + +Demo sat down in the middle of the floor, his head bowed. +Finally he noted a white feather lying in an open space near the +temple's center. He picked it up, stroked it softly with his +hand. How like the one lost in the storm! + +Dropping it, aloud he whispered, "Good-bye, Athena. It was not +to be." + +The clatter of hooves on the floor caught his attention. The +doe stood by the door, pawing the stones. "Well, you have cost +me dearly, little one. Go on your way, there are hunters who +would not reject you." + +A rumbling voice filled the temple. "The race is to the swift. +Sometimes." + +The voice emanated from the doe! + +Quickly he stood up. Zeus! It must be Zeus! + +"Merely a little test, my boy. One must be sensitive to +suffering. Your bleeding heart has caused you to fail this +simple task, bringing the white feather to the temple. +Nevertheless, I'll certainly remember you kindly for the aid you +provided me. Well, boy, go on home now. It was nice knowing you." + +His head bowed he walked across the temple, passed the doe on +his way to the downward path. + +"Wait!" The voice was an angry growl. "What is this! How did it +get here?" + +Zeus stood in the middle of the temple, in his godly form now. +In his hand he held the feather Demo had previously taken from +the floor, only to toss aside. + +"I know not sire. For the feather I carried was stolen away by +the wind. This was here when I entered the temple." + +"Ah, good, good. Then it couldn't be the feather. Good day, my +boy. Give my regards to your mother - and to any other kinfolk +you should meet. Lovely day, lovely." Zeus smiled happily as the +rain dripped upon him from a rent in the temple roof. + +With drooping head Demo once more turned to go. A sudden +disturbance caught his attention. Once more he halted. + +A beautiful owl floated on wide spread white wings through the +temple entrance. + +"Zeus, Aeolus carried here the white feather. Even as you +required, it was delivered. Nought was said that the boy must +himself carry it." + +"Athena, you shall have many children." He paused for a moment. +"And all of them shall be lawyers," Zeus growled. "Very well, +technically the task was done. Come back, my boy. Let us +celebrate your success. Here, have a sip of my most valued +nectar." + +Zeus tipped the flask, burped, wiped his lips with the back of +his hand. "Here you are. Take a deep draught." + +Demo smiled happily, looked at the rosy fluid for a moment, and +raising the flask to his lips, closed his eyes. + +He drank eagerly. Oddly, the liquid had little taste. Not +noticeably different from the taste of water. Almost like +rainwater, really. + + + +"Demo, you must fix that leak. The rain is all over your face. +How can you lie there!" + +He opened his eyes wide. Indeed he was lying on his own bed. +And the only nectar was the drops of rain leaking through the +roof. With a start he sat up. It was only a dream! + +Rough lay at the foot of his bed, eyes closed. + +Lying beside the dog, half hidden by his form, something caught +Demo's eye. Something familiar! + +Two white feathers! + + + + + +5. The Gorgon's Head + +"An object of extreme rarity. Actually, only one exists - all +others, destroyed. A shame, really. Could have sent out a few as +gifts. Love to give one to my dear brother Pluto. Well, well, it +can't be helped. Only one left." Zeus spoke sadly, noting the +effect on Demo. + +"And you want me to fetch this precious object for you?" Demo +queried. + +"Eh, that's the general idea. Now, there are some difficulties. +I mean, after all, if it were too simple I would have dispatched +Hera." + +Suddenly his eyes widened. "Oh, oh, I didn't see you, my dear. +Just joshing with the boy! Kidding around, you know!" + +Hera glared. Fortunately for Zeus she was distracted, seeing +Cupid practicing archery in the flowery garden. "Hmmph! Men!" +she murmured as she went into the garden. + +"The object - well, I must confess, it is not an object. It is +. . ., " He lowered his voice, glancing toward the garden. "It +is a young lady whose beauty would adorn Olympus. I would have +you invite her to the Olympian Spring Ball. Not a bad task, eh." + +Zeus nudged him with his elbow while keeping an eagle eye on +the garden. "Just let her know that the Gods look kindly upon +her, and that she will be the guest of honor. She can't possibly +refuse. Oh, by the way, her name is Medusa. Lovely girl, Medusa." + +Now, what is the hitch? Zeus talks so kindly. Yet he is a wily +one. An invitation to a beautiful girl to attend a spring +festival? Why me? Would not an Olympian messenger, Mercury +perhaps, have served better. After all, I have no credentials. + +So his thoughts rambled as he proceeded northward. + +And I know not where she dwells, nor do I know her appearance. + +A bleak stretch of land lay ahead. Empty, barren, dotted with +boulders it stretched well into the distance. At his pace it +would require a fourth of a day to traverse. He moved across the +open space cautiously, checking behind, to either side. He liked +not being in the open, exposed to eyes he could not see. + +Surrounded by forest, the open area exposed him to the view of +foes who might wait among the trees. And in a strange land any +might be a foe. Wild animals certainly wandered here. And outlaw +bands who prey on lonesome travelers. He looked around more +carefully. Bushes and shrubs formed a narrow border, beyond +which giant evergreens loomed. In unknown territory, he felt the +weight of unfriendly gaze following his progress. + +On reaching the other side of the open meadow he glanced back, +and his own eyes widened. + +He shuddered. + +It had entered the open stretch, crouched near the wooded edge. +Now it dropped to the ground. Huge, misshapen, a travesty of a +man, it lay quietly, motionless on the ground. Though distant, +he knew it well. + +The unseen companion! + +Demo notched an arrow to his bow, felt the cool breeze on his +fevered face. He drew the bow to its limit, shook his head. + +Too far! The arrow would not carry. + +He waited, but the creature lay quiet. + +"What want you?" he shouted. "Why do you follow me?" + +Silence. + +Finally, with a shrug, he turned, started once more on his way. +After a few steps he halted, looked back again. + +It has disappeared! The broad expanse held now only boulders, +small shrubs. Lifeless, bare, no hint of motion, other than from +vagrant breeze. + +Was it but a dream, an aberration in vision? + +No! It was real. The bushes at the edge of the clearing were +moving, disturbed by the passage of . . . He knew not what. He +knew, though it had slipped into the brushes, it would return to +his trail. Whatever it be, their destinies were intertwined. + +But days ago I knew only my Mother, Theresa and her family +well. And a few others but only to a small extent. Suddenly I +walk and talk with Gods, and Goddesses - yes, and with imps. And +I am followed by something, by a being unlike any other. What +does it all portend? The thoughts repeated themselves as he view +the clearing. + +A foreboding crossed his mind. + +One of us shall not survive the tasks of Zeus! + +Ever northward he trekked. He did not know why, only that his +feet were guided by Zeus. His quest was to the far north. + +Game were plentiful, and he ate well. At times he partook of +venison, at times of fish from the streams. Rarely, he ate not. + +After one repast he knelt by a quiet brook, washing his face +and hands. + +In the water he saw a visage not his own! + +He turned quickly, rose to his feet. + +The unseen companion had faded into the undergrowth. + +"Come out and face me, coward! Do not skulk and hide, recreant!" + +Perhaps a tree branch moved, perhaps a footfall was heard. + +Then, nothing. + +His eyes widened, as he thought to himself, I must be on my +guard. Whatever it is, it becomes bolder with each passing day. + +He followed a stream, a path along its edge. The path widened +as he climbed upward, and at times footprints could be +discerned. A dwelling must lie not far ahead. + +At evening he arrived in a small village at the foot of tall, +snowpeaked mountains. He found an inn. Walls made from logs, +with cracks filled with dried mud, and a rock fireplace as one +wall, it formed one huge room. Animal furs, fur of deer, of +bear, hung across from one wall to the other, sectioned off +little bays where the traveler could rest in limited privacy. +Through signs and much nodding and handwaving Demo bartered +trinkets for such a room. The nights were growing cold, and this +brief respite was welcome. + +Suddenly a man standing by the door turned toward him, growled +in mixed language at him. Strangely, Demo understood. + +"Is he with you? What is he, and why does he loiter in the +shadows?" + +They crowded through the open doorway, gazing southward to the +ravine he had so recently traversed. They stared fearfully +toward the shadows at the mountain's base. + +A creature, perhaps a man, stood huge in the shadows. It +neither approached nor yet retreated. Even so, from it a +threatening aura seemed to radiate. + +The watchers moved nervously, whispered low one to another. + +"No, not with me," he responded + +"Begone! We want not you, nor his kind. Return him his +treasures. " + +The inn keeper reluctantly parted with the baubles he had +received. Two were missing. Demo started to argue, realized it +would be to no avail. Reluctantly he left the shelter. + +"I know that creature! He has visited our village before. He +brings pestilence, death. Begone, the two of you, quickly!" + +They gathered outside the structure. One reached down to pick +up a stone, then several others. Demo loosed his bow and they +quickly shuffled inside, cursing and threatening. + +Demo continued north. He didn't look back. He knew well that he +was not alone. + + + +His queries about Medusa led him now to one domain, now to +another. Time after time, each lead ended without location of +the fabled damsel. Until, at last, in a village on the slope of +the mountains, he received guidance that seemed to hold worth. + +The sun had set, and evening stars were beginning to make +appearance. To the north the little bear could be seen. The air +had the feel of coming frost. The great hunter moved across the +cold winter sky, followed by his faithful hounds. + +"Feel the air, young man! Is there not a storm brewing? A +blizzard? Medusa has been deserted by her lover. Her countenance +is hard. The chill winds will blow, the lakes freeze over, and +living things shall freeze and die. For her heart has grown +cold." + +The old crone rubbed her hands together for warmth, continued. + +"Until she takes again a suitor, the world will suffer from her +rejection. Even now, there, beneath the little bear, she waits +in her icy cave." + +The night wind began to blow and the chill crept through his +clothing. "Beneath the little bear, then, will I find her?" + +"She is there. And she is dangerous. If you value your life, +end this quest. She strikes out in her anger, uncaring for any. +If you go on, beware the great white bear. He guards her by day, +and by night." The old woman turned away, hobbled awkwardly to +her frigid mountain hut. + +She stood in the doorway, looked at him intently. "Your +companion, why does he lurk in the shadows? He has nothing to +fear from me." + +He did not reply. He knew not himself the reason for the evil +presence. + + + +Game became increasingly scarce. + +He was lucky when a rabbit crossed his path. And even these +were few in number, lean in build. Scrub brush served to cook +those few he killed. + +The winds wailed, the snow peppered down, then settled in huge +white flakes. At times the storm stilled and he traveled on in a +world where day was night, night day. Across the skies strange +colored images danced, twisting and turning. Here seemed a world +deserted by Zeus, left to the ministrations of lesser Gods. + +The world was enveloped in a blanket of white. At times he sank +into its depths. At other times, frozen, it supported him as +well as solid ground. And still the snow fell, wind-driven. + +With cessation of the wind he could hear, though from a far +distance, the crunch of footsteps on the frozen snow. Hidden in +the fog or by the falling flakes, the unseen companion was ever +with him, ever following. + +Even when the snow ceased the air held a strange opaque +whiteness, as though the world were immersed in milk. At such +times even his hand before his face was not visible. He dared +not travel on, knowing he would circle helplessly in the +blinding whiteness. + +Slowly the white out lifted. The barren snow covered wasteland +stretched endlessly. + +He pressed on. There was little choice. + +At times the storm died, the skies cleared. Crystalline bright +the stars shone down. Still the hunter, now directly overhead +and to his south, marched across the wintry sky. The pole star +gleamed softly, a constant beacon. + +But the storm quickly returned. + + + +And then they met! + +Invisible in the snow bank it lurked, marked his presence, +waited to attack! + +The great white bear moved quietly, without a warning growl. It +charged down upon him, its huge jaws wide. Its clawed paws +reached out to seize him. + +Quickly he strung his bow, notched an arrow! + + As he drew the cord, the snow settled beneath his foot. He +felt himself slipping. + +He fell, rolled downhill! + +Demo slid halfway across a frozen pond. Thick, fat flakes of +white touched his face. They melted in cold trickles as he lay +half conscious. + +Suddenly the ice gave way beneath him! + +Even as he sank he saw, blurred upon the shore, two monsters in +mortal combat. + +The great white bear! + +And another. One he knew too well. + +The bitter cold of the icy waters enveloped him. Through he +forced his arms and legs to move, to try once more to rise to +the surface, it was to no avail. The freezing cold quickly +changed to numbness, then oblivion. + + + +Warmth! He felt warmth! + +Not since he had left home had he felt such wonderful, gentle, +soothing warmth. + +He slowly opened his eyes, then closed them in disbelief. The +girl ministering to him outshone even Athena in beauty. Slender, +yet with the smooth curves of a mature woman, she held his gaze. +Her face, though pale, mirrored beauty found only in one's +dreams. Her lips, soft and pouting, were warm and red. Her face +expressed concern, and her eyes expressed compassion. + +Her hands lightly massaged his body, and wherever they touched +a glow of warmth spread through him. He recalled the icy cold of +the lake, and his eyes widened. + +"How am I here? Who are you? How did I escape the icy depths?" + +Placing a finger to her lips, she smiled, exposing the whitest +of teeth. "Shhh. Rest. I will explain it all, in good time." + +Even as she spoke he closed his eyes, fell into fitful sleep in +which he dreamed he was in her arms; then, dreamed he was +carried in the arms of another, more hideous being. + +He awoke with a start as the ravaged lips of the loathsome +monster touched his own. Sitting up he saw no one. Finally, in +the far corner of the room, he saw her. She rose slowly, from +the fireplace dipped warm soup from an iron kettle. + +Bringing the bowl with her she sat on the edge of his cot, +slowly fed him the warm broth. + +"He brought you here. Your friend. He brought you in from the +blizzard, frozen and cold, and left you with me. In spite of +cold and storm, he would not stay. He retreated into the +blinding storm as though escaping an enemy camp." She shook her +head in puzzlement. + +"First, though, these words he said I should say to you." She +thought for a moment. + +"The time is not now. You have your destiny to fulfill. By the +tarn shall all be resolved. Strange words, these. Do you +understand his meaning?" + +"No, I understand only that a great white beast attacked me. I +fell, rolled into the frigid waters of the lake. I saw them, +doing battle on the lake shore. After that I remember the cold, +then nothing." + +"He killed the great white bear. No mortal could achieve that +victory. You have a mighty friend and protector." + +"No friend of mine. He has followed me, always near, ever +fearsome. I know not his purpose, but in some strange way our +fates are intertwined. Would I understood it better." + +"Why sojourn you in these far reaches. Did none warn you of the +dangers?" + +"I journey at the behest of Zeus. I seek Medusa, to invite her +to the great Olympian Ball, where she will reign as queen. Do +you know of her, know where I might find her?" + +"Zeus! The Great Olympian Ball! I am Medusa. It is strange that +you have you not heard my story. Do you not know the danger you +face, merely being here with me?" + +"I know nought of danger. I see but a damsel of excellent +beauty, and need fear only for my heart." + +She smiled at his words, then her face took on a look of +sadness. + +"I am condemned. I pass from wild happiness and joy to deepest +misery and sorrow. And those who look on me in my happy times +love me, and those who look on me in time of my distress grow +cold and fearful, and are no more. No one warned you! Ah, Zeus, +how can you be so unkind!" She sobbed. + +"Look upon my face, for I am in a gentler mood. Beware, if you +hear me lament, or see an angry trickle from my eye, look not +upon me, but go your way swiftly." She placed the empty bowl on +the table. + +"Do you see these glistening white walls? They were formed at a +time when I felt the miseries of the world upon me. The +glaciers, the icebergs, the frozen wastes - all these I formed. +At times, when I bask in the warmth of love, they fade, they +melt. Again alone, once deserted, I form them anew." She smiled +at him, touched his hand. + +"I thought, perhaps, Zeus had sent you to me. Yet while you lay +abed in your sleep, in your dreams, I find you love another. It +is well, for my warmth shall not last. Come, let me show you my +chamber of horrors. A chamber of horrors of my own doing." + +She conducted him out into the cold. All around statues stood +in various guises. All men. Warriors. Hunters. So detailed, so +well sculpted, they seemed to lack only breath to move and walk. + +"These I have loved, and in my anger destroyed. They stand +there, a constant reminder of my uncontrollable nature. Even +now, as I look at them, my heart moans. Begone, Demo, quickly, +for a bottomless sorrow engulfs my heart. Quickly! And do not +look upon my face, if you value your life!" + +He started to turn toward her, but she grabbed his shoulder and +turned him away. Even as she did the touch of her hands sent a +chill through his body. + +The warmth was gone! + +"Tell Zeus Medusa shall attend the ball. Fare the well, young +man. Now, flee for your life." + +The calm air was stirring, and pellets of frozen snow that had +been peppering the icy landscape were now blown wildly about. +The wind mounted in howling fury, and soon the blizzard was upon +him. He rushed southward, not daring to look back. + +It was no longer the unseen companion alone he feared. + + + +"You're back!", Zeus roared in evident surprise. "Well, yes, +you're back. Been expecting you. Eh, nothing unusual about +Medusa, I take it. I mean, nothing strange and, eh, stultifying?" + +"A beautiful lady, sire. She welcomes your invitation, and +shall attend the ball." + +"The ball, yes. She will attend the ball! Zounds! What to do? +Well, it may serve my purpose. I shall invite some special +friends. Oh yes, very special friends! My charming brother +Pluto. Serve him right. And a few other who have done me dirt. +The ball is in the third month. And Medusa is in such a mood +that month! Yes, I must invite some very special friends." + +Zeus rubbed his hands together and smiled cherubically. + +"Oh, Demo, of course you are invited." + + + +What dreams do children dream? + +Persephone sat quietly on a wooden bridge. Her legs dangled +down, her tiny white feet broke the surface of the stream. The +crystalline waters of the rivulet bathed them softly. A +hummingbird darted near the water's surface, a brilliant winged +jewel. At times it whirred motionless above the water. Then +angry at the reflected beauty below, dived heedlessly, only to +rise again as the rapid beat of its wings distorted the liquid +mirror. + +Persephone smiled, watched with amused attention. + +Another hummingbird approached, and soon the two flew away, the +first in angry pursuit. A tiny warrior protecting his domain. + +Persephone closed her eyes, leaned back to bask in the warmth +of the sun. The music of the stream, the softness of the breeze, +the quiet solitude of her garden lulled her into a light slumber. + +And as she slept, she dreamed. + +Games of tag, of skipping ropes, of dolls ran through her mind. +Friends she had known, kitty cats, and puppy dogs. Climbing the +tall oak tree and seeing the big, wide world from its great +height. Swinging on the swing beneath the tree. The taste of +blackberries, of cherries, of fresh peaches. + +The dreams of childhood. + +Her mother, holding her, hugging her. Her mother's smile. + +Colored stones, and crystals, and flowers. Beautiful dresses, +and grown-up parties yet to come. + +A far-off day and the arrival of a handsome prince, a marriage, +living and playing together as children. + +Children of her own, and she would mother them as her mother +had done for her. Cookies, and pies, and cream covered berries. + +Dolls for her girls, and swords for her brave boys. She would +sew for them, and of a night tuck them into bed. She would tell +them strange stories of magic worlds, and real. + +Ah, the happy world, the beautiful world. + +What dreams do children dream? + + + +"Grim!" + +"Inexorable!" + +"Pitiless!" + +"Passionless!" + +"Without feeling!" + +"Devil!" + +"These have I been called!" + +Pluto sat in his chariot on the mountainside, the mounting +storm surrounding him. Gusting wind screamed, and pelting rain +drove from the skies. The fury of the storm matched the fury in +his voice. + +"Without feeling! Then why burns this loneliness within me! Why +thirst I for the companionship denied me! Was it by choice this +form is mine!" + +A sob was in his voice. + +Gloomily he bowed his head, shook it. Reluctantly he took the +reins, returned once more to the nether regions where he held +sway. + +Yes, even the devil weeps. + +6. Escape from Tartarus + +"Young man, I'm becoming increasingly dependent on you. You +have carried yourself well indeed. Athena may well have chosen a +worthy mate." Zeus' smile was effusive, his manner friendly and +brisk. + +"I've just gotten word from the CIA (Clever Information +Activities) that something is astir in Tartarus. I do hope you +recall your history." + +"Tartarus? Well, sire, I recall vaguely that the Titans dwell +therein. And that it lies far beneath even the depths of Hades." + +"Astounding? The boy has genius! Ah, you must have cheated in +school. I'll bet you studied! Sneaky way to pass a course. +Regardless, right you are. But there is more." Zeus paced back +and forth silently, looking down, a slight frown on his face. + +"The CIA tells me that Megalith, a veritable giant among +giants, has assumed power. . . . However, first, let me mention +a bit more geography." + +Zeus sat at his desk, punched a few keys on his computer, and +displayed a map labeled Tartarus. "Computer, display the +boundaries." + +The computer hummed and whirred for a moment, then displayed +the same map, but with boundaries highlighted. + +Zeus smiled in delight. "Pac-man it isn't, but it's still a +great toy." He frowned momentarily. "Beats me at chess. I have +plans for that programmer. Long vacation with my brother Pluto." + +"Computer, give us an image of Megalith, hear?" + +The computer once more hummed and whirred. A few words appeared +on the screen. Zeus read them, grunted. "All right, all right! +I'll do it your way! Computer, display Megalith." + +The computer did some more of the h & w routine, displayed a +muscular warrior, standing quietly, a bemused expression on his +face. + +"Looks peaceful enough, doesn't he. Ah, beware! That quiet face +belies the turmoil within. He, young man, is plotting the escape +from Tartarus! The escape that must be thwarted!" + +Zeus stared for a moment at the computer screen. He sighed. + +"You know, of course, that these - the Titans - are our +forebears. I would we could live in peace with them, but it is +to no avail. Out of the goodness of my heart I granted them +asylum in Tartarus. Yet they are not appreciative. They want to +escape. What a strange term! Who would escape from Paradise!" + +The computer displayed a pair of arms, waving desperately. + +"Yes, yes, what is it. Oh, I mean, Computer, Speak." + +"Oh Great and Mighty One, Master of the Universe, Benefactor of +all mankind, . . . ," the computer began in a subservient voice. + +"Computer, cease. I know all that. Get to the point. Computer, +Speak." + +"News of Tartarus, Master. Megalith has secretly had installed +an express elevator from the basement right up to the earth's +surface. He is even now contracting with the SkyHigh Elevator +company to extend it to the top of Olympus. Fortunately SkyHigh +is asking an exorbitant price. They have a monopoly on the +elevator trade, so they are likely to eventually obtain the +asking price. For now, however, Megalith is examining other +alternatives. He was visiting the local Ultralight assembly +plant. And it is said his agents have contacted the Rocketeers +Club. No additional data at this time, Sire." + +"And now, back to our commercial. Oh Great and Mighty one, +Master of the Universe . . . " Zeus turned off the computer. + +"He has already made his first move! An elevator indeed! And an +extension to the peaks of Olympus! Zounds!" + +"My boy, my plans have changed. This may require more than the +skills of an earthling. I shall don human form, and I shall +accompany you. The might of Megalith must be met! Ah, I like the +sound of that! Permit me to repeat, The might of Megalith must +be met!" He let the words roll sonorously from his lips, a +slight smile on his face. + +"Once considered the theater, you know. Actually, this God +thing is much more fun - sometimes." + + + +Two figures moved cautiously to the bank of the river Styx. +Dark and smoothflowing the river arose from pale mists in the +distance, and faded once more into mists as pale. + +The sojourners moved slowly along the river's edge. One, a +white-bearded elder, shuffled along supported by wooden rod. The +other, younger and vigorous, darted ahead, returned, then darted +ahead again. + +"I think I shall tie a string to your leg, as though you were a +June bug. Just calm down. There is no danger." + +"For you, perhaps not. Still, I know he is here. I can feel his +presence. In every sojourn he has been with me." + +"Ah, the unseen companion! Yes, I too note an irksome presence. +Nevertheless, nothing shall come of it this day. Trust me." + +Demo glanced at the old man, Zeus. For it was indeed these two, +long removed from the heights of Olympus. "Trust you . . . ? I +knew this used chariot salesman once . . . Well, never mind." +He noted the look of concentration on Zeus' visage. "No real +correspondence. I was just thinking out loud." + +Zeus regarded the river Styx with distaste. + +"Most foul stream, this. I was in a vile mood when I loosed it +from the bowels of the earth. Unpleasant odor, too. Fetid, in +fact. Perhaps Pluto is right, a little landscaping and +environmental cleanup are needed. I'll make a note . . ." + +"Beware, my lad, that you drink not of these waters. Though you +be of the most placid nature, but a sip from this stream and you +shall rant against the world. Here has the essence of hate been +distilled, and it flows forever at the edge of Hades. + +They were interrupted by the yapping of a dog, or perhaps a +pack of dogs. The yapping quickly changed to deep-throated +growls. "Ah hah! Cerberus! My puppy! Must have grown a bit by +now. How glad he will be to see me once more" Zeus was exuberant. + +His face was that of an eager child. Plainly a wave of +nostalgia flooded his mind, and a wistful smile flitted across +his face. "To return to the innocence of childhood. How +wonderful it would be . . . . Here, boy! Come here!" + +Demo shrank back! + +The dog bounded toward them from a hidden cave. It rushed to +Zeus, licked his hand with one of its heads, while a second head +growled ominously at Demo. The third head maintained a +continuous vigil. + +"Pet him, he's quite gentle." Zeus smiled. "Good doggy, good +doggy." + +"Remember when I gave him to you, Zeus." + +Startled, Demo and Zeus looked up. Their gaze encompassed the +towering height of Megalith. + +"Yes, I remember." Zeus smiled delightedly. "He was just a +little bundle of fur. barely a handful, yet so warm, so loving. +He came to me, climbed upon my lap and quickly fell asleep. A +most wonderful present he was." + +"Well," Zeus voice changed, and he ceased petting Cerberus. "So +it is true. You have left Tartarus. You know, of course, that I +can't permit it. I've already contacted the SkyHigh Elevator +Company, and they'll be removing the elevator by the end of the +month." + +Megalith ignored the comment. "Your Mother Rhea sends you +greeting, as does your Father Cronus. They want you to know they +grow weary of the depths of Tartarus. They would breathe the air +of earth, drink the nectar of Olympus. Lift your decree of +banishment, Zeus. What manner of child are you, to so treat your +aged parents! Remember you not, your happy childhood?" + +For a moment Zeus stood silent, head bowed. + +"You weave your words with delicate care, Megalith. I know it +is not for my parents you seek these things. You, who were born +in Tartarus, would have these worlds as your own. You would have +the Gods of Olympus give obeisance, the children of man serve +you." + +Megalith reached down, patted the third head of Cerberus. The +dog snapped at his hand, and he withdrew it quickly, scowled. + +"You recall, Zeus, when you allowed me to visit Olympus, when I +gave you the pup Cerberus?" + +"I recall well. I was yet a child in many ways. Now, I have +matured, Megalith. Gifts do not buy my favor." + +"And do you recall I left with you, also, the jug of the best +wine of Tantalus?" + +"Good wine it was! A most amazing brew! To what purpose is your +question?" + +"You drank of the jug, and it brought you dreams of Hera, and +of others. And even now those dreams return to tease your mind. +The wines of Tantalus will return, time after time. Nor can you +avoid them. Sleep now, Zeus, in a drunken stupor as the wine +works its magic." + +Megalith smiled. + +Indeed Zeus stretched out on the greensward, Cerberus whining +as he lay down beside him. A smile touched Zeus' lips. + +"I have long planned my return. The wine of Tantalus was but +the first step. Now, while he sleeps, I shall roam once more +this earth, partake of its pleasures, prepare it for our coming. +And you, earthling, shall be my emissary. We are well met!" + +"I serve Zeus, no other." + +"Well said. See this pebble. Watch carefully, then mind your +tongue." + +Megalith lifted a huge boulder in his right hand, looked at +Demo with a smile, lifted it high above the head of the sleeping +Zeus. + +Quickly Demo notched an arrow. + +Megalith laughed. "Dream on, Zeus, for the dream shall soon +end. As for you, blunt your arrows if you will. In a moment I +shall feed you to Cerberus." + +The dog growled at mention of his name. + + + +From the River Styx a form arose. + +"Hold, Megalith!" + +With a start Megalith gazed at the dark and menacing figure. + +"You seduced my brother with your gifts, Megalith. I laughed, +for your wiles were of no value against me. You find the fields +of Tartarus confining. Lay down the stone then, and come with +me. For I have prepared a place for you in Hades." + +A chill encompassed Demo. + +He dared not look at the speaker. This one projected all the +aura of another he knew. Another who traveled with him, unseen, +on sojourn after sojourn. + +The unseen companion! + +Though shaken Megalith was not deterred from h is intent. + +"You have no power over me. And you have no reason to love +Zeus, who banned you also to an inferior kingdom. Join me. We +shall rule the earth, and even Olympus." Megalith smiled. + +"True, I cannot harm you. I have no love for Zeus, as you say. +Yet you have erred. For there is one who loves Zeus beyond all +measure, and before that stone shall fall he shall tear your +heart from that giant body." + +Megalith's eyes widened. + +Indeed such a one even now waited, ever alert, ever faithful. + +Beside Zeus, awake and watchful, Cerberus stood. Baleful eyes, +from each of his heads, glared at this creature who dared +threaten his sleeping master. + +With a deep growl he crouched. + +Megalith stepped backward, in desperation launched the great +stone downward. + +It did not strike the helpless target. It's path was deflected. + +The stone stuck not the hapless head of Zeus. For another +bravely placed himself in harm's way. + +The stone struck the third head of Cerberus, crushing and +tearing. The dog moaned low, stood still over its helpless +master, then lunged forward. + +The battle was long. The deep growls of Cerberus mixed with the +angry snarls of Megalith. The ground rocked under their fury, +and blood and sweat mingled in an ugly stream. + +They rolled on the ground, tearing and ripping each his enemy. +The hills reverberated with the sound of their blows. + +Megalith broke loose, rushed to the mountainside, seized a +boulder even huger than before. + +He turned to meet the onslaught of the dying beast, brought the +stone down. Another head was crushed, and Cerberus staggered +back. + +Megalith once more picked up a massive rock. Quickly now he +stepped around the dying dog, stood again over Zeus. + +Demo launched his arrow. It fell, blunted, from the rough hide +of the Titan. Megalith looked at the boy, smiled a scornful +smile. He raised the stone high above his head. + +Before the stone could fall Cerberus struck. Wounded and +bleeding, still he launched his body at the Titan, knocked him +from his feet. His fangs closed on the throat of Megalith. + +Megalith seized the dog's neck in both hands, his powerful +fingers cutting off the breath of life. The dog shuddered, yet +released not its death grip on the Titan's throat. + +In moments it was over. + +The Titan lay dead! + +And Cerberus. + +No. Yet he moved. + +Slowly, painfully he inched his tortured body to the side of +the sleeping Zeus. He licked his master's hand, his tail wagging. + +Closing his eyes he slept, to wake no more. + +The silence was broken only by the call of a raven, flying high +above. Even Styx flowed quietly, as though in dread. The stream +reddened where the blood of giant, and of beast, mixed with its +dark waters. + +Demo knelt by the sleeping Zeus, touched him hesitantly with +extended hand. "Sire, wake. The task is done." + +Even as he spoke Zeus pulled himself erect, stroked the long +white beard he favored for his earthly form. He blinked, looked +at the motionless Megalith. With a sudden sob he held Cerberus +to him. + +"'Tis well I sent you not out alone. I fear he would have done +you in neatly. That wine! I should have known! A devilish +concoction, well brewed to twist the mind of even the Gods. And +say you another interfered on my behalf, your unseen companion? +Strange indeed." He shook his head. "If that one be whom I think +there is little love lost between us." + +"Have you ever owned a puppy, my boy. Wonderful! There is no +creature so loving, so caring of his master. Cerberus, Cerberus, +that you should die saving me." A tear trickled from his eye. + +"Yes, child, for such loyalty even the Gods may weep." + +For a moment Zeus sat quietly, Cerberus in his arms. A tear +trickled from Demo's eye as he thought of Rough, and the many +times the dog had protected him. + +"I shall bury him at the base of yonder mountain. It shall +serve as his headstone. Let all who look upon its majesty +remember who sleeps at its foot." Zeus sighed. + +"Well, well, it is over. And you, my boy. Well done. Well done. +This sojourn I shall long remember. And though you are, shall we +say, jumpy and at times overly eager I did indeed enjoy your +company. So I may . . . + +"Ah, listen, even now your Mother calls you. Is it fresh-cooked +venison I smell? Yes, yes indeed. Excellent cook, your Mother. +The berry pie that disappeared while cooling in the window . . . +slightly tart, but oh so tasty, very tasty!" + + + +Ceres walked sad of mien upon the earth. + +Time past, the mighty Pluto had rode roughshod across the land. +Had seized her daughter Persephone, carried her away to his +damned kingdom. + +Long since had she accepted her daughter's fate. Yet she +remained forever disconsolate. At times she wept. No smile +touched her lips. And in her mind a plan developed. + +The wiles of women have oft changed the course of man's world. +Even the Olympians would feel that power. + +Carefully she gave thought to devices that would serve, to +those who might champion her cause. Finally, in desperation, she +turned to that power of powers. + +White-faced, in dread, she prayed to Moira to unravel the evil +that had been done. + +Her humble cottage was quiet, still. The silence was such as +she had never known. Even her breath was unheard. + +In the silence she received her answer. Not in words, nor in +thoughts, but in a strange vision. + +She stood on a high peak, surrounded by rolling fog. In that +fog she heard her daughter calling, but she could not tell from +whence came the call. + +She answered, yet knew her voice to be unheard. + +Faintly, another voice sounded through the fog. The voice of a +young man. "My lady, you are in pain. Can I help you?" + +The vision faded, and she was once more in her little hut. She +sat by her kitchen table, laid down her head, and cried. + +There would be an end to the cursed imprisonment of her child! +There was yet a champion who would stand against the fiend from +Hades. In time the one who had wrought this grievous crime would +suffer! + +In her mind she saw darkly a deep cold tarn, its face hidden by +fog and mist. She knew. + +There, by the tarn, the tragedy would end. + +7. The Curse of Cronus + +"My dear, it is but reasonable. It is the curse of Cronus, that +even the Gods shall age." He sighed. + +"I have, in my infinite wisdom, ameliorated that curse to a +degree. The aging process is slowed, and eons are only days. +Still, aging continues. No, basically, it is not practical to +completely counter the process. I've certainly given it careful +thought. Do you think I enjoy it. Just look at me!" + +Zeus frowned, paused in deep thought. Using his cane he limped +slowly to his throne. + +"You really shouldn't be so upset. Look at what it's doing to +me? Zeus - with a cane? Ridiculous!" + +"But, sire, would you but look at me! How can I stand the +humiliation. Just look at me!" Venus stamped her foot in +exasperation. + +"Yes, my dear, I am looking. Oh, yes! Eh, to be honest, I can't +even see a single wrinkle. Just a moment, let me put on my +eyeballs." He adjusted his bifocals carefully on his nose. + +"My dear, you look delectable. Wrinkles! Bah!" + +"You jest. I saw it only this morning. Right here, on my +forehead. Do examine me more closely." + +Zeus pursued his examination with great gusto, until the +entrance of Hera distracted him. Gruffly he growled, "Well, if a +wrinkle is there, it is a beautiful one. Let me see? Ah, I have +it. I shall send for expert advise. Rest assured, I'll solve the +problem." + +Hera watched suspiciously, finally spoke as Venus departed. + +"What's that young snip want. You were certainly giving her a +thorough perusal. Which, I might add, you were relishing +mightily." + +"The duties I must perform. They weigh on me heavily indeed, my +dear. Venus has detected a wrinkle. Sad, but the curse of +Cronus, you know." + + + +With a suddenness that Demo had come to abhor he found himself +once more before the might of Zeus. + +Arrow notched, bow drawn, he had the game on the dinner plate - +and then, whoosh, the forest, the buck, everything - +disappeared. And now he stood before Zeus, his arrow still ready +for its flight. + +Zeus ducked precipitously behind his throne. + +"Now, boy, now, now! Didn't mean to startle you. Eh, just +release the arrow - No! I mean, just return your arrow to its +quiver. There will be other bucks, I assure you." + +Demo turned red, quickly returned the arrow to its pouch. + +"My apologies, Sire. You called me at an awkward moment. No +offense was intended." + +"Delighted, really delighted, to have you here once more. I +look back upon our last little adventure together with fond +remembrance. Fond remembrance? I like that combination. I'll +have to use it again sometime." + +Demo waited quietly. Zeus rarely spent time in empty +conversation. Though it might seem like prattle, somewhere +hidden was meaning - and danger. + +"Have I talked with you of Cronus? No, I think not. Well, +Cronus bore a grudge against us - myself, the other Gods. Some, +they say, get mad, others get even. Not Cronus - oh, no! Cronus +get mad? Never! Cronus get even? Perish the thought!" + +Zeus stalked back and forth before the throne. His face was +turning red in exasperation, and sweat trickled from his brow. + +Already the dark clouds were beginning to form above Olympus. + +"Now you stop that!" Hera exclaimed. "And quit rambling! Do +tell the poor boy of Cronus' monstrous gift to the Gods! And do +get on with it!" + +"Hmmm, yes, my dear. Where was I?" He wiped his brow. + +"Cronus was furious. F . U . R . I . O . U . S!" + +"The boy knows how to spell. Be a bit more concise, Zeus. You +know, we have this garden party shortly. Quickly now!" Hera was +petulant. + +"Of course the boy knows how to spell. Eh, don't you, my lad?" + +"Oh, yes, Sire! My mother taught me well. She says . . . " + +"Another time, boy. Another time." Zeus brushed off his +comments. + +"He was furious. He had no intent to get even. No way! Even +would never do. It was his wish to lay upon us troubles ten +times greater than those he received. Even? Ha!" + +"And so he did. The Curse of Cronus! Has a nice ring to it, +don't you think. I remember well the ceremony. In deep sonorous +tones he enunciated those very words - The Curse of Cronus - and +then repeated it three times. Melodramatic type, he was. I could +almost hear the deep swelling boom of a gong as he ended each +pronouncement." He paused, seemed to be thinking. + +"I've tried awfully hard, you know, to emulate that voice. Very +impressive, really. Can't quiet hack it, though. Had something +to do with his bearing, too." He stopped, looked at Hera and +Demo, and blushed. + +"Lift the curse, that's what I want from you. Now, be off and +take care of it. I have a garden party to officiate, you know." +He glanced placatingly at Hera. "Do be quick about it, for Venus +is terribly peeved. Although I didn't see a single wrinkle. +Lovely skin, lovely, . . . " He paused, noted Hera's angry +glare. "Reminds me - to a lesser degree, of course - of Hera's +beautifully smooth neck and shoulders." + +Hera deigned to be placated. She smiled gracefully as she +accepted his compliment. Yet, she had a knowing look in her +eyes, and the boy noted how she shook her head. + + + +Demo started to ask more questions, when he found himself, +drawn bow in hand, once more in his hunting pose. He sighed, +released the arrow. + +Fresh venison, a new mission, and Cronus! + +He cleaned the game carefully, working from habit without +thinking. His mind was far away. The Curse of Cronus - I must +lift the Curse of Cronus! + +"Oh, yes, of course I know of Cronus," his mother appeared +peeved. "I may be a country girl, but I want you to know, I am +well read. Cronus was, of course, Zeus' old man. My, how they +quarreled! Some thought Zeus would be banned. And well he might +have been, if he hadn't moved first." + +She sighed, added a touch of herbs to the soup. "Mmmmm," she +commented. "It is tasty indeed. Not the ambrosia I'm sure Zeus +serves, but quite tasty. Here, give me your bowl." + +"There was a curse, mother?" + +"Yes, that there was. Zeus drove them out - his father, Cronus; +his mother, Rhea; all of the Titans. He stood by the wayside, +lightning bolt ever ready." She paused, her eyes seeing a prior +time, a time when the Gods were seen by man. + +She filled the bowl with the warm soup, placed it before him. +"Now try some of that. Cronus indeed. This will take the years +off. And a slice of my bread." + +She smiled as he began to eat, watched in pleasure as he +attacked the food with the zeal of hungry youth. + +"Cronus stumbled, and Zeus raised his arm to cast the +thunderbolt. And then Cronus stood straight and tall and +majestic. He repeated, three times I think, with his arms +extended upward, 'The Curse of Cronus'. Doesn't it have such a +melodramatic sound to it? Especially if you pause between the +words." She once more intoned, "The Curse of Cronus", pausing +dramatically between the individual words. + +"And the curse, mother, what was it?" + +"That the Gods, for whom 'til now time did not exist, would now +- like other beings - age. Zeus laughed. Still, there are +rumors, and I understand he laughs no more." She lowered her +voice. "I'm told that, even now, he walks with a cane. Have you +seen it? Can this be true?" + +Demo ignored the questions. "Mother, how would I find Cronus?" + +"My child, you do not find Cronus. He finds you. It is +inevitable. It is from his touch that we pass from child to man +or woman, from youth to middle age, from middle age to an elder +estate. It is a process you would not desire to compress. No, +search not for Cronus. He is not well met!" + +Demo pondered her words, the story she had told. Fable, or +fact? At one time he would have thought the former. Now he was +completely unsure. His simple world had turned strange. + +Demo began his trip, knowing not the way, knowing not the guise +of him whom he sought. The fates were kind, and he found aid +along the way. + +"Earthling, attend me!" + +The voice was soft, yet commanding. + +He breathed deeply as he gazed upon her. The beauty of Athena, +of Medusa, he had thought, could not be surpassed. He was wrong. + +The diaphanous gown accentuated, rather than hid, the exquisite +form of the maiden who addressed him. The face was beautiful not +only in its own right, but in its every response to her +thoughts. Now with a slight blush, now calm and serene, now +smiling and happy - always with an innocence that beguiled and +attracted. + +"I am Venus. It is for my sake that Zeus has dispatched you on +this dreadful sojourn. And dreadful must it be for you, for when +Cronus looks upon you the bonds of time will lock you in their +embrace. Yet there is no other way." She sobbed. + +"Take this. When you tend Cronus, tell him from whence it came. +Then ask him, must the beautiful blond hair of Venus turn gray. +Once he loved me, a grandchild who was his pride. Perhaps he +still remembers. Give to him this mirror, for in it he shall see +my visage. And as I age, so shall indeed the image on which he +gazes. It is his curse. Let him reap its reward." + +She expected no reply, and was gone so swiftly none was +possible. + +He glanced at the mirror from the side of his eye. He blinked. +Truly, it was not his own image, but hers. He carefully placed +the mirror in his pouch. Perhaps, after all, Cronus would relent. + + + +One might think that, to reach Tartarus, the path would be +first through Hades. And having passed through that monstrous +domain Tartarus would lie ahead. + +Indeed, Tartarus lies far below even the inferior regions of +Hades. Solitary, neighborless - there is no common border, no +entry or exit. Tartarus stands alone. None may enter. None may +leave. To those who live therein its bounds are endless. To +those who dwell without it is but a speck, lacking depth, +lacking width, lacking height. + +Demo searched. He found not Tartarus. He found not Cronus. And +so he slept. And as he slept, Cronus found him! + +Each night he lay down to rest, tired from his travels. Each +morning he awoke, unrested, the weight of passing years pressing +down upon him. Yet, the sun had made its own journey, and it was +but the start of a new day. He felt in his bones aches he had +never known. The muscles that served well afore now weakened, +gave way under exertion. + +The dreams began. A white bearded patriarch, severe of mien, +stood nightly at the foot of his bed, gestured over his prone +body. + +And with that gesture he felt his very bones grow tired. The +smooth skin of youth wrinkled, and his sharp eyes dimmed and +lost their luster. + +"Return to Zeus. Tell him that the Curse of Cronus shall never +be lifted. Give up this quest, for on it you shall age each day +as though it were a year. Only the kindness of Cronus prevents +you from withering and dying before the dawn." The deep sonorous +voice ceased, the vision faded. + +He touched his cheek, his forehead. Indeed wrinkles formed and +furrows! Beneath his chin a dewlap hung. His eyes grew tired, +and his voice weak. Nightmare, or visitation from Cronus? + +By day his travels became ever more onerous. The pain of +arthritis attacked his joints, his breath was short, and at +times he wandered over his earlier trail unknowingly. + +Demo noted, looking in the mirror of a calm pond, his thinning +hair, now turning gray. Dark pockets formed under each eye, and +his eyes were themselves bloodshot. + +Perhaps, he thought, it is time to return home, there to rest. +Perhaps, there to lie down to an eternal rest. + +Each night Cronus came. Each day Demo was left with a body +weakened and tired from the visit of Cronus. + +His appearance had become so wretched that he avoided the quiet +ponds, that he see not his image. In desperation he called on +Zeus, then sighed. Even Zeus, mightiest of the Gods, labored +under the Curse of Cronus. + + + +On a certain day, in a certain glade he walked, knowing not +where to turn. His thirst grew, and he noted water trickling +down the hillside ahead. At the base of the hill a small spring +formed a placid pool, and he leaned forward to drink of its +water. + +"Not me! Let it not be me!" + +The gaunt, ancient creature reflected in the still waters +screamed out the words. + +He would turn away, and yet he could not. Fascinated he noted +the wrinkled face, the gnarled hands, the tired eyes. + +My youth, to have fled so quickly! The Curse of Cronus indeed! + +Night shadows were fast enveloping the land. He cut soft limbs +and foliage to make his bed. It mattered not. All beds to him +were hard. Emptying his pouch he nearly dropped the mirror of +Venus. + +He caught it before it struck the ground. I need no more bad +luck, the thought crossed his mind. + +The image of Venus brought tears to his eyes. The beauty +reflected in the mirror but days before had disappeared. Now was +seen but an old crone, straggly hair, wrinkled face, bent back. +Still the eyes tore at his soul. + +The sad eyes that held remembrance of beauty beyond that of all +beings. They seemed to say, "If I could but forget what once I +was. Then I could more readily bear this plight." + +He shuddered, held the mirror in his hand as he stretched out +on his forest bower. Sleep would come soon. And with sleep, +Cronus! + +And so it was. Cronus stood silent at the foot of his sylvan +bed. He held an object in his hand, gazed at it in deep thought. + +The mirror of Venus! + +He had taken it from the bed where Demo lay. Slowly Cronus +lowered the mirrored, glanced at the boy. Demo stirred, looked +with tired eyes at his visitor. + +"I know this one from long ago. I see, yet I know not the face, +nor the name. Is this your mother, boy?" + +"No, sire, this is the face of another, the face of one you +once loved. The face of one you have condemned to misery. This +is the face of your granddaughter, Venus, disfigured by the +Curse of Cronus." + +Cronus' eyes widened, and he glanced once more at the mirror. +"I shall take this with me. Sleep, boy, this night I give you +rest." + +Head bowed, he turned and walked away, fading into the night. + +Demo slept. + + + +He woke late, the sun high in the sky. Even then might he have +slept, except for the sound of the sparrows. + +They hopped excitedly around an object gleaming on the forest +floor. He rose, walked to it, and they took wing in fright. + +The mirror of Venus. Cronus had dropped it there before he +left. Strange. He had been so moved by the aged image therein. +Demo shook his head, picked up the mirror. + +In shock, he almost let it fall. + +The beauty of Venus, radiant and young, once more graced its +surface. + +Eyes wide he glanced at the hand holding the mirror. The +gnarled fingers, wrinkled and old, were no more. The strong +hands of youth now held the mirror. + +Quickly he rushed to the spring, examined his countenance. + +Cronus had relented. + +He heard a distant rumble of thunder, glanced anxiously to the +sky. + +A voice, strong and yet soft, reached his ears. + +"Well done, my son." He knew the sojourn had ended. + +And then he heard the words again. "Well done, my son." and +felt a hand shaking him. + +"Yes, well done. The firewood you were to gather, where is it? +Do you know the sun is near its zenith, and you still lie abed." + +"Yes, mother, I shall fetch it quickly." + +He shook his head. Only a dream? He looked at his hand, the +hand of youth. As he sat on the edge of his bed his foot brushed +an object. + +Absentmindedly he reached down, picked it up. + +He found himself gazing on the beauty of Venus, a smile on her +face. The lips seemed to move, and expressed in a voice all +softness the gratitude shining in her eyes. + +He smiled. No! + +No! Not a dream. + + + +As a child I nourished him. His body I made strong, agile; his +mind, quick. Strength I gave him, and the will to bear pain +without flinching. Almost, eternal life. But that was not to be. + +Ceres was thinking to herself. + +The voice I heard while praying - It is, I am sure, his voice. +The time is coming when this tragedy shall end. In some manner, +unknown to me, Fate will bring the paths together. + +Ah, yet how powerful is the enemy! Zeus himself alone is more +powerful. + + + +No, not true. Moira has mapped the path of each, be they God or +man. And Fate has given me a vision. + +I knew not then to what purpose the boy's skills would be +needed. How quickly time has passed, and the wrong done my +daughter is yet to be avenged! + +His shall be the duty. + +I grow old, my limbs puny. + +He is young, strong. My enemy shall be his enemy. + +And for that enemy his name shall be Nemesis! + +8. The Minotaur + +"Being a well-educated earthling," Zeus began, a slight touch +of sarcasm in his voice, "You are undoubtedly familiar with the +legends of the Minotaur?" + +"I have been told the legend by my mother, sire." + +"Ah, a wise woman. And proud, I am sure, to have such a +stalwart, handsome offspring." + +"At times she has expressed doubts. However, it is but a +motherly quirk, or so I believe." + +"Fine, fine." Zeus seemed weary of the conversation, and yawned +loudly. + +"Pardon me, my son. It isn't that you aren't a brilliant +conversationalist. I could listen to your childish prattle - eh +- to your exploits for hours on end. Shameful, I have so little +time for such pleasures. I must attend to my chores, you know. +Have to give the globe another kick before long, keep it +spinning." He paused long enough to sip at his nectar. + +"Poor year, this. Lousy flavor. Must force myself to drink it, +I suppose." He took a large draught from the flask, smacked his +lips. + +"Well, the annual circus is scheduled for later this spring. +I've decided that we shall have some unusual creatures to +entertain the Gods. They grow listless and tired with dull +repetitive acts. Dragons, unicorns - you know, all old hat. So I +thought I'd surprise them this time. A jolly old minotaur may +well jolt them a little. Yes it should." He mused aloud. + +"Bring one back. Oh, don't hurt it, please. Want it in good +shape. And find out what it eats, will you? Hate to have it +starve on us. I suppose we could feed it nectar and mead. Might +not drink the nectar. This year's nectar is really poor. Not fit +for a minotaur." He took another draught, licked his lips, then +took an additional one. + + + +"Where . . . ?" Demo started to ask, only to find himself +sitting on the ground in his front yard, addressing the air. + +"Yes, dear?" his mother queried. + +"Nothing. Mother, do you recall telling me of the minotaur?" + +"Why, isn't that strange. They had a special on TV just last +night on the very subject. The nasty creature has wandered away +from the maze. No one knows to where. Frightful creature. I +certainly hope it doesn't come near here. I'd give it such a +whack." + +She brandished her broom in the air, brought it down within +inches of Demo's foot. + +He scrambled backward. + +"No one knows where it is?" + +"No, sonny. But you stay away from the woods for a while. It +may well be wandering out there. It could be very hungry. And no +one knows what it eats. It really has a nasty temper, or so they +say. I wonder why it has a nasty temper?" + + + +Drat! Wandered off from the maze. Poor security, I'd say. Where +would I wander if I were a minotaur? He sat in quiet thought. + +Food, of course, it must find food. No keepers to feed it now. +And water, certainly. The body of a bull, the upper torso of a +man. Boy, I bet it has a strange diet! + +I could go over and look at the maze. Might be a clue or two +there. And I better talk to the keepers. They should have a +handle on its feeding habits. + +And if I find it? What then? How does one capture a minotaur? +Or keep oneself from being devoured by it? Ahh, and I was so +happy as a simple hunter! + +"Mother, I'm off again tomorrow." + +"Oh, I wish Zeus would quit sending you on these silly errands. +And you should forget about that Athena. I hear she has a +vicious temper. Now Theresa, she is such a lovely girl. And so +docile. You'd make such a handsome couple," she finished +wistfully. + +"Yes, mother. Do tell dear Theresa hello for me." + + + +Morning came early. He rose grumpily, washed his face in the +wash basin, and carried it out the door to throw away the water. + +He paused to look up at the stars, still brilliant in a dark +sky. Orion was low in the sky, and seemed to be pointing toward +the ocean's shore. + +Perhaps it is an omen, he thought. I shall trek to the ocean. +After all, the minotaur may have plans to leave our land for one +more to his - it's - liking. + +Demo tossed the water out into the darkness, heard it splash, +then a sudden sputtering and words not fit for ears of a young +man. + +"Watch what you are about. If Pluto weren't so concerned I'd +just quit this foolishness." The fox imp was leaping up and +down, shaking itself to shed the water. "This is the second bath +I've had this year. Enough is enough! Going to catch a minotaur, +eh? At this rate I'm going to catch a cold!" He sneezed loudly. + +"You'll be lucky to catch a mouse!" + +Suddenly the imp was silent. He frowned, turned cautiously. + +With a deep growl Rough pounced. + +The imp squealed, rolled sideways, and dashed madly to the +closest tree. Clambering up the oak, the imp glared down at +Rough in anger. "I shall certainly sic Cerberus on you! What a +thrashing you will get! Call off your dog, boy. Quickly, now, or +I will send him where he would not go." + +The threat seemed real. "Come here, Rough. You'd not care for +the taste of carrion." + +"Carrion? Carrion, is it! The seasons pass, my boy. And you +near your destiny. I merely hope to be there when you meet that +destined fate. Yes, indeed! Then there'll be no talk of carrion!" + +He looked carefully at Rough, who stood tense and ready at +Demo's side. When the imp thought the time propitious he leaped +from the tree limb, danced a jig beneath the branches. All the +while watching Rough carefully. Demo held the dog tightly. +Finally the imp rushed angrily into the orchard, growling in a +high-pitched voice while glancing anxiously over its shoulder +for the approach of Rough. "Minotaur, indeed! Wait 'til I get on +the phone to Pluto!" + + + +"Mother, I'm off to Minos. I want to see where the minotaur +lived." + +"Well, for goodness sake, don't go inside. People just keep +popping in, and Theseus is the only one to pop out again. Must +be awfully crowded in there. If you pass by your Aunt Matilda's +place, tell her I'll see her next week." + + + +He picked up his bike, kicked the tires, and started pedaling. +The phrase 'Minos or bust' came to mind, he didn't know why. +Probably some historical significance, he thought. + +Naturally he had a flat before reaching midway on his trip. +"And no gas station within miles," he muttered aloud. + +Never trusted these contraptions anyway. I guess I shouldn't +complain. It did save me a few hours. I'll drop it off at Aunt +Matilda's, and pick it up later. + + + +"Oh, Demo, how tall you have grown. My, my! And so handsome. I +must introduce you to my neighbor's daughter. You'd make such a +perfect couple!" Aunt Matilda was plainly glad to see him. + +"I really can't eat another bite. You are such a good cook, +Aunt Matilda. Oh, mother said she'll be over next week. I think +she wants to borrow a pattern from you. She's always sewing. +Wished she'd learn to darn. Look at the holes in these socks!" + +It took some time to extricate himself from the enthusiastic +welcome of his Aunt. Eventually he left the bike in the garage +next to the chariot, bade her a fond farewell, and hurried on +his way. He'd be lucky to reach the maze by nightfall. + +But he did. He crossed over the bridge, followed the winding +path over the ridge. And there it was. + +The maze, from the outside at least, was rather impressive. +Huge massive walls of at least a man and a half in height. And +they seemed to extend indefinitely, eventually disappearing into +a wooded ravine. The keepers sat at the gate, talking together, +and glancing nervously around. + +"I hear the minotaur has escaped?" Demo questioned. + +"That it has. We were distracted. This lady was going by and +she . . . " He seemed to think better of his comment. "Anyway, +we were distracted. It snuck out, quiet like. Amazing, for a +bull. More like a tiger, stealthy quiet. It's sad, really. Never +trust a minotaur. They'll turn on you. And to think how many +years I've watched and guarded the creature. And my father +before me, and his before him. Minotaurs lack dependability. +I'll take a cat every time, myself. Don't eat nearly as much. +Nice pets. Catch mice, too. Of course, for all I know, so do +minotaurs. Nah, they couldn't be that spry!" + +"How many stand guard here?" + +"There are twelve of us. But what's to guard! He's gone, all +right. Didn't touch his food last night. Of course, I really +don't blame him. The ladies of the Minotaur Monitor Group +required that we feed him half hay, half fish or poultry. I +think he stuck at the hay. So he is half bull. Of course, that's +not the eating half. Anyway, the ladies had their way - and now +look how it's all turned out. Of course, I slipped him a glass +of wine at times, and he was appreciative of that, I want you to +know." + +"I'd like to go inside, glance around if I may." + +"Oh, no! Zeus forbid! The going in is easy - it's the coming +out that comes hard. None who went in have come out in my time. +Nor in my father's time. Before that, there are those who claim +Theseus went in, killed the minotaur, and came out. Well, I'll +have you know, if he went in it wasn't far in - and he snuck out +in a hurry. Cause the minotaur is alive and well, and wandering +around I don't know where on this damp night. I surely hope he +doesn't catch a cold. No, no, sir! You don't want to go in +there." + +"Well, I thought about the coming out again. If you'll kindly +hold the end of this rope I'll take the other end in with me. +And when I'm ready to come out I'll just follow the rope right +back to here. No way I can get lost if you'll just hold on to +the trusty rope." + +After some discussion the guards admitted Demo to the +entranceway. The chief guard held the rope end in his own hands, +and Demo proceeded to follow the maze. Every so often he pulled +on the rope. The tension in the line gave him a feeling of +confidence. + +But circumstances outside the maze did not bode well for his +escapade. + + + +"Ah, good evening again, ladies. Oh, you dropped your +handkerchief, miss. Let me get it for you." The chief guard +politely stepped forward to help the damsel in distress, in the +process laying down the rope. + +Unfortunately, at that moment Demo tugged at the rope, to +insure his path to safety continued in place. + +Tensionless, the rope lay loose on the smooth floor! + +He frowned. Perhaps, he thought, I've left too much slack in +it. This time he pulled harder. The rope moved easily, coiled at +his feet. Demo's face whitened. + +The chief guard turned in time to see the end of the rope +snaking into the maze. He rushed forward to grab it, reached the +entranceway in time to see it disappear down one of the many +openings that seemed to appear and then vanish before his +startled eyes. + +He placed his hand on the entranceway, took a tentative step +inside, then quickly withdrew his foot. + +"Ah, what a nice young lad he was! I wonder where he can be. I +do hope he starts back quickly, before the rope's end has +completely slipped within. Oh, well, time for supper. Do hope +the wife included a sip of wine. Relaxes one." + +Demo looked dazedly at the rope coiled at his feet. The entire +length was there, even the grappling hook that the chief guard +had held so firmly in hand. + +He sat down, stared at the walls that now seemed to press upon +him ever closer. Finally he stood up, used the rope to measure +their separation. After a while he measured it again. No, just +imagination. They hadn't moved. The narrow corridors maintained +a constant width, half a man's height. + +All the same the appearance that the corridor became more and +more narrow stayed with him. Is there truly no escape from the +maze? How many had gone before, never to return. Did they die +here? Or does it lead to another land, another world? Well, I +shall not remain here. And I will escape this maze. But how? How? + +He bowed his head, eventually fell into a disturbed sleep. He +dreamed of searching for Athena, hidden in the middle of an +impossible maze. + +At times he dreamt he had found her, held her in his arms, as +she whispered in his ear. Love words? Or something else. What +was she saying? + +Demo woke, glanced around. + +Day was breaking and the sky above was brightening. +Nevertheless, something was wrong. This wasn't his home! This +was - ah, the maze. Slowly he stood up. + +Athena. She had been trying to tell him something. Something +very important. She had whispered so low the words were unclear. +He shook his head, started to wander off in search of the +entranceway. + +Then he stopped. + +It was something about the rope. She whispered something about +the rope. I better take it with me. + + + +The guards huddled around the fire, talking dispiritedly. + +I suppose they'll transfer us back to headquarters. Can't stand +that place! Too many brass. Too much spick and polish." + +"You may not be so lucky. Remember, the minotaur escaped. They +just might cut off our heads!" + +"It wasn't our fault! How could we know it was coming out? Cut +off our heads? Do you really think so?" + +"Hello. Would you share me a bite of bread?" + +Startled, they quickly looked around. + +The chief guard stood up in amazement as Demo leaped to his +side. "Are you real, sir. This is an experience. I've known none +who successfully navigated that maze. Tell me sir, how were you +able to do what none has done before you?" + +Demo took the proffered loaf, tore off a section, and began to +eat. + +The guards eagerly awaited his response. + +"Athena. She whispered it to me in my sleep. I almost missed +it. Mother always told me, wash your ears. She's right, you +know. I nearly didn't hear it." + +"Ah, sir, and what were the words you nearly didn't hear?" + +"Take the rope," is what she said. "An excellent +recommendation, excellent." + +They sat back in disappointment, glanced at one another and at +him. + +"Now why does she want me to take the rope. That's what I asked +myself. And It came to mind that, with the rope and grapple I +could cross the walls, rather than following each corridor. That +way, if one corridor seemed to be getting me nowhere, I could +quickly climb over to the next one." He paused to twist off +another piece of bread. + +The chief guard picked up the paltry remains and slowly ate the +crumbs. + +"Nevertheless, after swapping corridors for a while I found +little evidence that I was making progress. And then another +thought hit me. Brilliant thought, really. And not Athena's, but +my own. I think." He paused, ruminating. + +"Yes, I do believe it was my own." + +The guards looked at each other in exasperation. Demo munched +their bread, then picked up the chief guard's wine bottle. The +latter half-heartedly attempted to retain it, but finally gave +it to Demo. + +"Save me a draught, if you'd be so kind," he growled rather +sarcastically. + +"Anyway, I started to climb to the next corridor. Just when I +got to the top of the wall it struck me. Why fool with those +twisting corridors. I'll merely jump from wall to wall and go in +a straight line until I reach the outer wall. So I noted my +shadow's direction from the rising sun, and headed south to the +wall whereat I entered last night. It didn't take long at all, +and here I am, and this wine is quite tasty. I fear I haven't +saved you a full draught." + +"From wall to wall he went. He didn't solve the maze at all, he +jumped over it. I don't think that's really fair. Oh, well, +certainly effective," the chief guard grumbled. "Yes, you are +right, you saved me less than a draught." + +He shook the empty bottle above his upturned lips, to no avail. + +"I don't suppose you have any idea where he might have gone?" + +"The minotaur? Well, the old boy has put on a little weight +over the past century. I'd wager he moved mostly downhill, +toward the sea. Much easier path to stroll, I'm thinking." + +Demo nodded. As reasonable an assumption as any other. Off to +the sea, then. + + + + Demo heard the pounding waves long before reaching the shore. +As he broke out of the undergrowth onto the rock-strewn beach +his eyes widened. + +The huge waves seemed almost upon him, then broke, ending in a +gentle flow lapping at his feet. The sea was not the gentle blue +of calmer days, but a deep and angry green. The skies were dark +on the far horizon where a powerful storm built and drove the +pounding waves. White froth leaped high into the sky where water +met solid boulders. And on one such boulder a creature sat. A +creature that blended well with the nature's fury. + +The unseen companion, barely discernible through mist and froth. + +He closed his eyes, breathed deeply. + +When he looked again the massive boulder was bare. + +Still, something moved. Beyond, on the beach, something stood. + +He rubbed his eyes, lurched forward, the unstable stones +twisting under his steps. + +It had not moved, waited silently. + +The minotaur! + +"You don't have a bale of hay on you, by any chance? Or even a +steak? I've been eating this sea weed for days now. Not that +it's bad. Learned to enjoy it while in the Orient, years ago. +Great taste, yet enough is enough, really. By the way, I suppose +I do look rather strange. They tell me I'm a minotaur, whatever +that is. It does have some advantages, with four legs and all." +He reached down and picked up a handful of brown kelp, gnawed at +it judiciously. + +"Has a flavor all its own. Quiet different from dried seaweed I +use to enjoy in Japan. Actually, I learned to enjoy it with +sesame seed and soy sauce. You wouldn't have either of those in +your pouch, I suppose. No, well, I didn't expect it. Should +never travel without them, though. Local supermarkets seem to +run out so quickly. Would you care to join me in a swim?" + +Demo glanced out to the raging sea. The waves, which he had +thought to be huge before, now had doubled in height. Even the +boulders seemed to rock under the force of the surge of water. + +"No, I think I'll stay here and play in the sand. I'm just not +in the mood for a swim today. The water does look lovely, +though. Why don't you indulge yourself?" + +"No, no! Never swim alone! And old safety rule I picked up +somewhere. By the way, are you here vacationing?" + +"Actually, I was looking for you." + +The minotaur suddenly tensed, became alert. + +"You aren't planning to take me back to that silly maze now, +are you? I'd walk around that place once each day, and its +windings back and forth made me seasick. I should never have +bought that place. + +"Ahh, a real salesman! The Realtor was so very enthusiastic. A +month after I bought it he came to the door to ask how I liked +the property. I invited him inside, and haven't seen him since. +I guess the place did have a few good points at that. +Personally, though, I prefer view property. And I'll certainly +not go back! No indeed! Of course, they did feed me. But hay? Do +I look like I would enjoy the taste of hay?" He stared defiantly +at the boy. + +"Oh, no! I definitely have no intent of taking you back there." + +"I'm glad to hear that. You see, I've been a captive behind +those walls so long! I want to see the world. I'm looking to +join a carnival and travel from place to place. After all, I'd +be major attraction, don't you think?" + +Demo listened in disbelief, and in sudden glee. "A carnival! +Not a carnival. What you want to do is join a circus. Now that +is the life. A three ring circus. The big top! Definitely, a +circus!" + +"I have no delusions of grandeur. Don't you think that might be +presumptuous on my part. A little carnival would be sufficient." + +"I have a . . . an acquaintance. I do believe we can have you +as the chief attraction in the center ring. In fact, I'm sure of +it. You would perform before the crown heads of Europe . . . I +mean, before Zeus and all the Gods on Olympus. Believe me, this +. . . acquaintance would be more than pleased to have you." + +"Wonderful, wonderful! When can we start?" + +"Right now. And if you'll let me ride on your back I think we +can make it in record time." + + + +The gatekeeper was notably reluctant to allow their entrance. +Fortunately Hera was near and heard the argument. "Of course he +can come in. It isn't every day we have such handsome company. +And Zeus is looking forward to your return. He always is." She +said the last in a sardonic tone. + +It puzzled Demo at times, how the words said one thing, but the +tone implied something quite different. + +Hera announced them. "Zeus, your ringmaster and his chief +attraction have arrived." + +Zeus, who was staring at his cups, looked up. + +"Poor year for nectar. And now you're back. What else can go +wrong!" + + + +The division had seemed fair and equitable. Zeus to receive the +Heavens, Poseidon the oceans, and himself the nether world. Oh, +they differed a bit in the dimensions, but when the dimensions +were so large what mattered it? + +Pluto sat on his throne, reminiscing. + +We were all young bucks in those days, before Cronus and Rhea +were driven out. Actually, as parents go, they hadn't been too +bad. Old fashioned, believed in discipline - they just wouldn't +give in to the whims of their children. It finally reached the +point that something had to be done. + +Zeus got the word first. + +The three of them were to be turned over as wards to the court! + +Incorrigible!, Yes, that was the word they used! + +Themis had been looking forward eagerly to the day. I should +never have dipped her pigtails in the ink. She resents that to +this very day. And how was I to know she would be the Goddess of +Justice and Law! + +Yes, she was more than willing to take control of their lives! + +Zeus laid out their counterplan, suggested the details of the +partition. He and Poseidon merely acquiesced. Zeus had always +been the smooth one. + +They woke Cronus and Rhea in the dark of night, Zeus with that +mighty thunderbolt, the one Vulcan had fashioned at Cronus' +direction. A thunderbolt so powerful even the Titans such as +Cronus and Rhea could not stand against it. + +Reluctantly Cronus and Rhea agreed to leave. Of course, they +pleaded with the children. He and Poseidon had felt remorse, had +almost backed down, allowed them to remain. + +Zeus was adamant. He would provide the Titans a world of their +own, but to that world they must depart. And so depart they did, +off to Tartarus. + +The exodus went smoothly, except for that little incident of +the Curse of Cronus. At first he thought it was merely a bad +joke. Ah, a few gray hairs and aching joints had long since +convinced him. It was no joke! + + + +Well, well, time had passed. And now here he sat on the throne +of his realm. With a queen yet! + +So he had stolen her away! It hadn't really been done with evil +intent. And he had made an honest woman of her, proper marriage +ceremony and all. + +He'd never forget her mother. Angry? Whew, was she ever angry! +Nothing she could do, however. Zeus himself conducted the +ceremony. Couldn't be more official than that. + +Food was delicious. Persephone hadn't eaten much. Of course, +every young girl is excited by her marriage, wouldn't expect her +to eat very heartily. + +Joyful occasion, over all. + +Except for two incidents. + +Zeus had promised Persephone as a wedding present to give her +one wish. How would anyone guess that she would wish for six +months each year with her mother! Dreadful mistake, that wedding +present. Zeus was a bit muddled, plainly, when he let himself be +cajoled into such a promise. + +The other incident hadn't been quite that bad. + +Ceres came forward to give him her blessing. + +She wiped the tears from her eyes, looked straight at him, and +intoned slowly - "One born of man shall aid her, and when you +follow him it will be to a foreordained destiny." + +That was all. She smiled, turned away, and left the wedding +party. + +He had brooded long over her words. + +Zeus knew not of their content, or refused to divulge his +knowledge. + +She was his bride, this his kingdom, and the only earthlings +were those poor souls whose lifely habits had condemned them to +his control. + +Pluto, Ruler of Hades, to fear nothing. + +Death could not claim him! + +Even Zeus entered not into Pluto's domain! + +So why this premonition, this uncertainty! + +9. The Dragon's Breath + +"My Boy, My Boy! Ah, I am indeed so proud of you! Such daring! +Such courage! And such wisdom! Well, I am all but shamed to send +you on the ridiculous chore I now have in mind." + +Zeus rubbed his hands together, clapped them, and otherwise +exhibited an excess of glee. + +"Yes, after surviving such adventures as that of the Minotaur, +the next task will be rather childish. Ah, well, even routine +chores must be done. I have the same problem, you know." + +"Indeed, every day, day in and day out, I must spin the earth +around. I actually missed a day! Gave everyone quite a scare. +Ho! I made up for it. Spun it twice as fast the next day. I say, +that was jolly." + +"Of course, the wife gave me whatfor. Oh, I deserved it. You +know, if you don't give it that spin each day, it starts to +wobble. I wonder if I didn't spin it for . . .?" + +He looked around for his wife. "Of course, I would never +consider doing that. Eh, well, the next chore . . ." + +"Dentistry! I hate the thought of it! My dentist tells me I +need to have some teeth replaced. Ridiculous! Five teeth, to be +exact." + +"Of course, I couldn't possibly use ordinary repairs. Gold +teeth, now. I do like the sheen of gold. But, no, that wont do. +Very picky, these dentists. At times I've thought of driving +them out of Olympus, right down to another kingdom! Let 'em +visit Pluto for a while. My brother's very sociable." + +"And that, in a nutshell, is the chore." + +"To drive out the dentists?", Demo asked in confusion. + +"Sorry, sorry. To continue, then." Zeus frowned. "You know, +you've really shown a great deal of brilliance. I'm surprised I +have to explain things in such detail. Never mind. Now listen +carefully." + +He paused, sipped slowly from his flask the divine nectar of +the Gods. He frowned, and a large black cloud formed above him. +In a moment rain drops began to pellet them. + +Hastily he looked up. "Ah, go away! Go away! Go bother Pluto!" + +The cloud drifted rapidly away, darting from side to side in +uncertainty. Zeus reached up, produced a towel, and wiped his +visage. + +"They've changed the flavor again. Can't leave well enough +alone. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's what I always +say. It's not like the good old days. They knew how to prepare +nectar then. I mean real nectar, with a kick." + +He took another sip. "Well, well, one must make do." + +"Cadmus. He killed this serpent, see. Knocked out its teeth, +sowed them like seed, and raised an . . . Oh, it doesn't matter!" + +"The important thing is, five teeth remain. For all his +prowess, he didn't knock them out. My dentist says I must have +those. No substitutes. No plastic. The real McCoy. Dentists!" + +"Anyway, they're right in your own back yard. T'other side of +the mountain from your home, actually. Easy day's trip. Just get +a gunny sack, go over and pick 'em up, and bring 'em back. Your +task, then - should you choose to accept it - is - get those +teeth." + +Demo frowned. Somehow it seemed he had heard those words before. + +Zeus smiled kindly, reached out and patted Demo's head. + +"I do apologize. It's such a silly task! But necessary. So be +on your way." + +Demo stood up, knowing he had been dismissed. The sudden +landing when dismissed from Olympus back to earthly surroundings +is best met standing and with flexed muscles. + +As he departed he heard Zeus murmur, "Actually, this nectar +does have a certain bouquet, a body, an essence of its own." + +He couldn't quite make out the last few words. " Hmmm, did I +tell the boy that the serpent isn't dead after all? Minor +detail." + + + +"Mother, do you know aught of Cadmus?" + +"Cadmus. Oh, yes, he lived down the valley a ways. Strange +fellow. Went around killing dragons and such. In fact, that was +his downfall. Poor soul. Why do you ask." + +"Was he a dentist?" + +"Oh, heavens no! Sorry, Zeus, no disrespect intended. Ah, +you're thinking of the dragon's teeth. Did I ever tell you about +that. It goes to show the ridiculous way some of the neighbors +behave. Let me see." She paused, a slight frown on her face. + +"If you cross the mountain at lowpass and descend to where the +river forks, you'll see it." + +Demo waited, but plainly she wanted him to ask. + +"Yes, mother, what is it I will see?" + +"The field, the very field where Cadmus sowed the dragon's +teeth. It grew him a dreadful crop, it did." + +"Warriors! They sprang up from the ground! Fully armed, ready +for battle. Big, burly, rascals all. And he didn't even have to +water or fertilize. I wonder how big they might have been if he +had used fertilizer?" + +"Vicious tempers, though. Hardly spoke a civil word to him or +each other before they were hard at it, fighting like children. +He just stood and watched openmouthed. Couldn't believe adults +would behave so abominably. Did I pronounce that right?" + +"Yes, mother, I think you did." + +"Thank you. I really need to review my English - eh, Greek. One +does forget, you know." + +"Cadmus, mother, and the dragon's teeth?" + +"They went bonkers, killed each other off, except for half a +dozen. They looked around, and one said 'Hey, you could get hurt +out here.' and they walked off the field over to Cadmus. He put +them to work building some kind of city, Planned to live there, +I think. Anyway, he got one of the God's peeved. Wasn't too +smart, Cadmus." + +"Really, mother. What happened?" + +"Turned him and his wife into serpents. Kind of poetic justice +I suppose. He comes slithering around this way every so often. I +don't mind, cause he kills the mice. It is a little +disconcerting when he starts talking about the good old days, +though. And I have to be extra careful I don't step on him. He +always was the one to be underfoot." + + + +Demo bartered with the village smithy for some metal tongs and +a hammer, stowed them in his pouch, and headed for lowpass. A +beautiful day, with bright sun and cooling breeze. + +"Five teeth. Zeus is right, this is a silly task." + +At lowpass he gazed out over the wide valley. The river flowed +roughly through its center, and the fork in the river was less +than half a day's travel away. With a satisfied grunt he began +the descent. + +At first the trail ran steeply down. He half walked, half slid. +But eventually the incline became less intense, and he made good +progress. The path widened as it reached the green meadow. From +there it led with little deviation directly to the dragon's +woods. + +In due time he reached the field. It was immediately +recognizable. + +Rusted armor and scattered bones brought tears to his eyes. So +many brave men had died, and for nothing! + +Here and there a small helmet rose only partway above the +ground. "Ah, bad seed, I suppose. Never ripened." + +Then he heard it. + +The sound came from the forest adjoining the field. A moan, +almost ghostly in quality. + +"Do the spirits of these dead warriors dwell in yonder copses?" +he whispered to himself. Slowly he approached the forest edge. + +It rushed from among the trees, fire breathing from its mouth. +Its huge body threshed from side to side, knocking giant trees +to the ground. + +As it saw him it stopped, moaned again. "I see you have some +tongs there. Are you perchance a dentist. I've got this terrible +toothache." It had hardly finished speaking when it moaned once +more. + +"No, I'm not a dentist. But, see here, maybe there is something +I can do. Do you know where I'll find a dead dragon. Killed by +Cadmus, if I rightly recall?" + +"I am he, eh, it. Didn't kill me. Terrible dentist. Never, +never go to Cadmus for treatment. No anesthetic at all! just +yanked 'em out." The creature shuddered. + +"The worst part is, he left five. He left the five I really had +wanted him to work on. Never, never, trust a dentist. Oh, boy, +do they ache." + +Five, well that must be the five. Demo thought carefully. + +"Well, hang in there. I think we can get you some help. Come +along now." + + + +When they arrived at Olympus Zeus was out back. + +"Just go through the gate right there," Hera smiled. "I'm sure +he'll be glad to see you. Shouldn't your pet be on a leash, +though? Keep him out of the flowers. And don't let him chase my +cat. She'll claw him good if he does." + +She reached down and scratched her pet behind the ears. The +saber-toothed tiger purred softly, arched its back. With a +supercilious look it examined the dragon as though it were an +oversize mouse. Eventually it followed Hera out the door, merely +stopping once to glance disdainfully back. + +Zeus was busy, feeding fuel to a small still. He opened a valve +at the base, filled his flask with the sparkling liquid. + +"This is it. Just the right flavor. Just the right consistency. +Just the right strength." He slowly sipped, threw his head back +and took a larger swallow. + +At that moment Demo and his companion entered the garden, and +the dragon groaned. + +Zeus took the cup from his lips, stared wide-eyed at the +dragon, then looked at his drink. He closed his eyes, shook his +head, then looked at the dragon once more. + +"Boy, do you notice something unusual behind you. I do believe +this nectar has muddled my senses." + +"Oh, no sir. Nothing unusual. I've completed my task." + +"Nothing unusual." He said the words sadly, emptied his flask +on the ground. "I was afraid you were going to say that." He +shook his head. + +He looked once more at the dragon and frowned. "I'll drink no +more of that stuff." + +"The teeth, boy, the gunny sack full of teeth. Where are they?" + +"Right here, sir." Demo pointed to the dragon. + +Zeus blinked, then smiled. + +"Aaah! Yes! I understand. Well, now, that's all right. I had +some doubts there for a moment. Thank you, my boy." He refilled +his flagon. + +"Yes, I see. Well, take them, then. The teeth, that is. Fight +him. Hit him a nasty blow and take the teeth. Get on with it." + +"Oh, no sir. He's more than willing to part with them. They +hurt dreadfully, he tells me. I told him your dentist would +willingly remove them." + +"Yes, of course." Somehow Zeus sounded disappointed. + +Odd, he sounded disappointed at the completion of each task. + +"Well," Zeus growled at the dragon. "Don't just stand there. +The phone's over yonder. Make an appointment and get them +pulled. I do hope the dentist isn't all booked up." + + + +The palace had all the jewels, all the objects of art, all the +trappings a person could desire. But for a country girl raised +in a small hut it lacked a prime requisite. + +It flat wasn't homey. + +Such was Persephone's evaluation. + +Even that could have, over time, been corrected. + +A second problem concerned her even more. + +Her husband. + +He wasn't presentable. + +His looks were atrocious, his bearing boorish, and he could +only be described as uncouth. + +He had one slight redeeming grace. + +In his own strange way, he loved her. + +That fact, more than anything else, made her unhappy. + +If he were but toying with her she could willingly have +despised, yes, even hated him! + +His love was real. + +He showed it in his every attempt to be kind, in his watchful +manner. If she seemed to only hunger, he sent for food. If she +were only tired, he prepared her bed. If she showed sorrow he +tried to bring joy. + +How miserable to be married to a monster with a kind heart! + +Her feelings vacillated. + +At times she hated him for having abducted her, for keeping her +from her mother and the flowery garden where she had played. + +At times she pitied him for the suffering he bore +uncomplainingly. + +Only she knew the sadness in his soul as each new sinner moved +into his kingdom. Their pain he suffered too. Yet he was chained +forever to his duty, to be the Master of the Nether Regions. + +In spite of her feelings she thought of different ploys, +plotted, to escape from this dark world. + +In time that escape would occur. + +As would regrets. + +10. Heaven's Essence + +On Olympus, in spite of all the stories and legends, idyllic +conditions do prevail. Zeus and Hera live in peaceful bonds of +matrimony. Mercury zooms off here and yon, now here, now yon. +Zephyrs blow gently. Paradise indeed. + +But, occasionally, matters go astray. The essence of heaven is +flavored with a drop from misery's vial. And, oh, what +despondency, what black moods, and what strange and tragic +escapades a drop may launch! + +Demo found himself at the center of one such escapade. He +quickly wished himself elsewhere. To no avail. + +"We're going on a very short vacation, Hera and I. It's been +eons, literally, eons! So I just want you to take care of the +place while were gone. Keep an eye on things. Check the house +plants, make sure they are watered. Feed Cerberus's pup. That's +really about it. I suppose I ought not do it, but I'll give you +credit for a full - eh, for half a task." Zeus smiled happily. + +"You told me . . . .," Hera paused, and angry look in her eye. + +"You are right dear, you are absolutely right. A full task, my +boy. Out of the goodness of my heart." Zeus glanced petulantly +toward Hera. Fortunately she was examining her garb in the +mirror. + +"Oh, one minor detail. You'll be baby-sitting Cupid during our +absence. Venus left him here to keep us company. He's a +wonderful little chap. I'm sure you'll get along splendidly." + +Was there a smirk on Zeus' face, a touch of facetiousness in +his voice? + + + +"Boy, why are you sitting on the throne of Zeus?" + +Demo turned, startled. + +"Eh, you see, I'm in charge. Zeus is on vacation, and I'm +filling in for him." + +"Indeed! A likely story. Let's see your credentials!" + +For a moment Demo hesitated. Then he stood erect, shoulders +back, as kingly as he knew how to stand. + +"Who are you to question the credentials of an appointee of the +mighty Zeus. See, here in my hands he has left his thunderbolt, +symbol of his power. And in a moment I shall become angry and +cast it at you. Begone! And when you are allowed to return, do +so with a better grace, or I shall send you trapping, off to +visit . . . well, off to visit his brother Pluto. Now, off with +you, and quickly!" + +Demo took the thunderbolt in his right hand, raised it high, +and made as furious a face as a 17 year old might make. + +Apparently it was sufficient. The lackey backed quickly out of +immediate range, bowing low and rushing madly from the room as +he reached the entranceway. + +Demo smiled. + +Well, he thought, I could have done worse. A little more +practice is all I need. This Zeus surrogate role could be quite +pleasant. + +It wouldn't be. + +The clouds were difficult. In fact, he couldn't master them at +all. + +With Zeus, merely to think an angry thought generated them. +They clustered, dark and ominous, above his head. Streaks of +lightning jumped from cloud to cloud. + + + +Demo tried, but he could not really develop a seriously angry +thought. At one time he did almost generate a mild fog, thinking +about the fox-imp. With it's antic in mind, his better nature +overcame him, and he broke into laughter. Poor fox-imp. It had +been so concerned when Rough growled. + +For two days were Zeus and Hera to vacation, and two trials +were imposed on Demo, one on each of those long days. + + + +The first day Demo sat in the garden, relaxing, watching the +green grass grow. It was chore that pleased him, requiring +little physical or mental exertion. There are those who prefer +to sit and watch green grass wither. Not Demo. He really had no +mean bone in his body. At least, if he so had he to date hadn't +located it. Actually, he hadn't searched very thoroughly. + +Nevertheless and regardless, here he sat, watching the green +grass grow. Occasionally he broke out his micrometer, measured a +blade or two. "I believe they are shirking. Hasn't changed a +single millimeter!" + +Would that it could have lasted. + +"Sire," Janus bowed. "There are two who would have your +counsel." + +Demo nodded. "Oh, very well. Send them in. Oh, and bring me my +nectar." + +The two who entered were unknown to him. One, the smaller, +limped. The taller, however, walked as unsteadily as did the +small one, and his red nose and blinking eyes suggested a state +of inebriation. + +Demo frowned. + +"Well, what would you have of me. Get on with it!" + +"Sire, this picture, this picture so well crafted, is claimed +by Bacchus. By Bacchus, who can not draw a straight line, nor +walk one. He claims to have painted it, with all its intricacies +and beauty. He lies. I, and I alone, painted this picture. I +would take it with me to my island of Lemnos." + +"Poppycock! Preposterous! This limping lout knows that Zeus is +absent. He wishes to take advantage of your innocence. He is a +worker in metal, merely an artisan. His soul is burned by the +smithy's fire. Art! He knows nothing of art! This picture is of +my own design, and it contains my very soul. An artist, you +know, puts himself into his every product. Look! Here is beauty, +wonder, brilliance - would a smithy even aspire to such +qualities as reflected here!" + +"Ho, yon wimpy wine sop would not know one end of the brush +from the other. More like he would paint the picture in wines of +many colors, not with the pigments you see on this my parchment. + +The picture, limned on parchment stretched on a wooden frame, +depicted a forest scene. Near at hand the trunks of large trees, +and seen between them, in the distance, an open meadow. There +danced woodnymphs. + +Demo examined the picture carefully, then turned it face away +from the purported owners. + +"Tell me," he looked at Bacchus, "what is portrayed, and how so +portrayed?" + +He listened quietly to the exposition of the sylvan scene, the +merry dance of the nymphs, the greens and browns and tone colors +that formed the hues. + +"And you," turning to Vulcan, "describe to me this picture." + +Vulcan closed his eyes and was silent. Then he spoke slowly, +almost as in a trance. "This is the picture of a maiden, her +golden hair lighted by a single beam filtered through the forest +foliage. All else is only background, merely there that she +might display her beauty. It is but a vision, unreal, of what +might be. Yes, it is only the picture of a maiden." + +"Could each of you supply me with a picture similar in nature +that I might compare?" + +Neither could respond to his request. + +"Well, without more evidence I find that I cannot judge for one +or the other. Let me give further thought to the matter. Eh, +come back in 2 days. Zeus will be here, he'll resolve the +problem quickly." + +"My Lord, we are both to leave this edifice this very day. Zeus +has so decreed. He was unhappy with our problem, and requested +that we bring it to your attention." + +Demo frowned. To my attention! + +"It's time for my ambrosia. Return when the sun begins its +descent. I'll give you and answer then. + +He mused. He thought. He worried. He ate. + +Delicious, this ambrosia. Not equivalent to his Mother's +cooking. But certainly good enough for Zeus. + +He carved the food carefully, munching on each savory bite. And +as he carved a thought came to mind. + + + +Okay, I've a solution. With my knife I shall rend the picture +from top to bottom and each may keep his half." + +He took picture, laid it on the table before him, face up, +pulled out his hunting knife. + +Bacchus rose, looked at the picture, then shrugged. "Very well, +Sire. It will serve me just as well. It is but an ornament to +decorate my wall." + +Vulcan looked at Bacchus, at the picture, and then at Demo. + +"No, I would have my picture. Still, let it remain whole. +Though Bacchus may own it, it shall ever be mine. Better it +decorate his wall in its entirety than suffer the sacrilege of +dissection." + +"Upon further thought, Master Vulcan, I consider the picture to +be yours. You speak true, it is the picture of a maiden. All +else is there only for her. And you would lose your masterpiece +rather than see it destroyed. Take it." + +"As for you, Master Bacchus, I find you to be deceitful in this +matter. I would have you accompany Master Vulcan. For six months +you will serve him. And he, in that six months, shall teach you +the rudiments of his art. Now, begone, for Cerberus' pup grows +hungry." + +Was I right? Demo questioned himself. Perhaps, after all, +Bacchus did paint the scene. What would Zeus have done? + +Ah, Zeus would have done much the same. And, being Zeus, he'd +be right by definition. So, of course, as Zeus' surrogate I too +am right by definition. + +Demo smiled. This God stuff wasn't too bad at that. + +So he thought! + + + +Children are lovable. As babies they, sweet and cuddly, invite +one's kind adoration. As toddlers, though underfoot, they laugh +and chatter, bring brightness into our dull lives. Older, they +play, are now defiant, now dependent, as they seek to find their +place in the world. + +Then, there was Cupid. Not quite the child. Yet not an adult. +Ever with the prankish nature of youth. Armed, nevertheless, +with a bow. Armed with arrows of the most pernicious kind. Sly, +at times. Open and outgoing at others, he shared the faults - +and the virtues - of his mother, Venus. + + + +The second day started off nicely. Demo gave the world a little +extra twirl, and it hummed along smoothly. He did note a slight +wobble, and gave it a slight extra spin to compensate. + +He checked the progress of the sun, the positions of the stars, +and kept a weather eye on earth and underworld. + +No problems surfaced. + +He was being lulled into an unwary mood. + +The attack began! + + + +It was ruthless! They came at him in droves, never giving him +time to think. His face whitened, reddened, turned blue. + +Demo tried to think of the terms Zeus might use under such +circumstances. They didn't come. + +Zeus' old flames - angry, petulant, pleading, demanding! + +Demo was caught off guard. + +They informed him that they had an audience. Zeus plainly had +forgotten to pass on the information to him. They waited +impatiently for the promised audience. + +Zeus had promised faithfully, to each and every one, a place by +his side on the throne. Had promised the decision on this very +day. At these words Demo hair stood on end. + +What kind of fit would Hera throw at even such a suggestion. +The heavens would split asunder from her anger! This problem had +to be resolved, and quickly, before the return of Zeus and Hera! + +Nereids and naiads, they came. Sea nymphs and mountain nymphs. +Beauties from far off forgotten corners of the world, and others +from nearby. All with one thought in mind - to claim that +promised gift from Zeus! + +"Ah, Ladies, charming Ladies - I must retire to my chambers and +give this matter careful thought. Return when the sun has +reached its zenith." Demo smiled, bowed, and escaped quickly +before their anger could be vented on him. + + + +It would certainly be simpler if - well, dalliance on such a +scale! It had never entered his mind. Zeus? + +Anyway, whether real or imagined, these angry young ladies were +convinced. What could be done? + + + +Enter Cupid. Helpful child, he considered the dilemma faced by +Demo. In his childish way he quickly arrived at a solution. A +solution of great moment to Demo. + +Cupid's arrows flew! + +Unfailingly they struck the heart of each victim! Unfailingly +they elicited a well-known result! + +Love and ardor possessed each target. Love and ardor, no longer +for Zeus. Rather, for Demo! + +Cupid's arrows flew! And flew! + + + +The approach of noon weighed heavy on Demo. How best to +extricate Zeus from an untenable situation came not to mind. +What to do? A really deplorable situation, with very little room +for maneuvering. My, what would Hera say! + +Aha! An idea came to mind. A contest, to chose one from the +mob! Cut the problem down to size. What kind of contest? + +Of course! + +These, the most beautiful of women - what else? A beauty +contest! + +A problem still remained. Who dare judge such a contest? +Certainly not Demo! He shivered at the thought. The anger of the +losers might well be vented on him. No, someone better qualified +must decide. It had to be someone impartial, and unassailable. +Someone not subject to feminine wiles. + +But who? + +Oddly enough, Cupid entered the throne room at that very +instant. + +Demo smiled. + +A child! Why, of course, a child! Who could be angry at the +decision of a child? And certainly a child would hardly be +swayed as might an adult. + +"Cupid, my lad, I have a chore for you." + +Cupid listened carefully, nodded in understanding, and agreed +to participate in this new game. He would indeed judge the +beauty contest. + +"Janus, bring on the ladies, if you please." + +The meeting did not go as planned. + +The ladies entered. They sat around the room, stood, fidgeted. +Each was unique, beautiful in an individual way. In look and +action they differed. Yet they all did one thing in common. + +They stared at Demo with undisguised desire, boldly caressing +him with ardent gazes. + +Demo felt the hair on his neck rise, and a shiver raced down +his spine. With an effort he announced, "There is insufficient +space in the throne room for all you fair ladies. So we propose +to have a beauty contest, the winner to set beside Zeus and +guide him in matters of the heart. Cupid has volunteered to be +the judge." + +They seemed little interested. Rather, they watched Demo's +every move with strangely glistening eyes. At his direction they +paraded across the throne room. + +Cupid made notes, assigned points for various and sundry +qualities, and finally arrived at a conclusion. He brought his +notepad to Demo, stood quietly beside the throne, cherubic in +appearance. That alone should have forewarned Demo. + +It was a tie! All the contestants had attained identical scores! + +Demo's eyes opened wide, and he quivered. This was unexpected! +He hesitatingly announced the result, readied himself for the +angry outburst he expected. + +There were a few yawns. Some of the ladies engaged in quiet +gossip. All continued to regard him with interest. + +There was no outburst. + +"Who cares." A comment came from the back of the room. + +"Sit beside Zeus! I'd much rather keep company with a charming +boy." The lady stared meaningfully at Demo. + +"Hardly!" Another beauty stood up. "He is certainly mine!" + +In moments the room was filled with rancorous voices, angry and +loud. Turmoil followed, and the crowd quickly moved to the outer +court, accompanied by pummeling and hair pulling. + +Demo sat wide-eyed, glaring at Cupid. + +The boy smiled. "Well, I must practice my archery." + +He strolled away, humming softly. + +Was that a smirk I noted, Demo thought. I'm sure not. After +all, he is only a child. + +I think I'll cut his bow string. + + + +A maiden clothed in white gazed with tear-dimmed eye across an +endless plane. Sulfurous fumes rose from boiling liquid ponds +dotting that dread surface. Manlike creatures, yet men no more, +staggered blindly from place to place. In their ceaseless walk +they fell hapless into the open pits and screaming in agony +clambered out, only to resume their endless wandering. + +With a sob the maiden turned to her companion. Hideous though +the manlike creatures were, the visage of her comrade was more +hideous still. A body twisted, scaly, not of this world, +well-suited to this dark and gloomy clime, supported the +grotesque head. + +"Have you no pity? Is there nothing to be done for these, the +suffering?" + +A voice between whine and growl responded. "They chose, while +on the earth, their own brand of eternity. I am but the keeper. +Yet, for the kindness of your soul, shall their pain be eased +for a brief moment. I shall give them sleep. I can do no more." + +"And for me? I who would choose another world, I who have not +yet passed through death's portal - what have you to offer me?" + +"I offered you a goblet from the River Lethe. That would have +soothed your tears, and washed away all memory of yesterday, and +of all yesterdays. Sadly, you would not drink. Perhaps it is +better." He spoke musingly, as though unsure. + +"You know full well that you are to abide with me until once +more the sun pass through one half his journey. Then may you +return to your mother's lodging, to green grass and gardens, for +a time. Were it within my power the confines of Hades would be +such a garden, that here you might too find beauty. It cannot +be!" + +The creatures of the nether region lay quiet now, a short +respite from their eternal pain. Tears welled from the eyes of +Persephone. Where they fell bloomed sweet violets, even bloomed +in Hades. + +But too quickly they wilted and died. + +11. The Sound of Regulus + + + +"My dear boy, how are you? This weather! I must apologize. I've +been despondent, down in the dumps. I'll try to cheer up, really +I will. Tomorrow you shall have sunshine." And in fact Zeus did +indeed sound cheerful. + +"Your poor dear Mother! I know she washed today, and then to +have that awful deluge! Well, well, I shall have to make amends. +Ah, she does cook such delicious berry pie! Ummm! Ah, I have it! +You will soon notice, on the hillside to the south - I'll +arrange to have the most scrumptious berries grow. Tell her to +pick from that patch. Ah, those pies!" He paused, leaned back on +the throne, eyes closed. The smile reflected that even the +memory of the pies was appealing. + +"But I mustn't waste your time. My snake charmer, poor soul, +has lost his snake. Not literally. It has just grown old +(Cronus, you know) and can't hear his flute to well. So he needs +a snake. And he won't settle for just any type of snake. No, he +tells me the regulus is the only one that will do. Would you be +so kind as to dash off to the Cush and pick up one for him. The +northwest corner, I believe. No, sorry, that's the northeast +corner. I think. Oh, never mind, you'll find it all right. It's +called the Nubian Desert. And do hurry back. He'll be so very +pleased. Yes, he will. And so will I." Zeus smiled benevolently, +and Demo knew it was time to go. + +It was. + +With a final word, "What you don't hear can't hurt you," Zeus +waved good-bye and Demo found himself partially immersed in a +sand dune. Slowly, cautiously Demo worked his way out of the +dune, slid down the side. Overhead the bright sun beamed down as +the heat became ever more oppressive. + +In the distance he heard a steady beating sound, drumlike yet +metallic. It disturbed him. The dull monotonous beat, +reminiscent of the clang of shields, spear butt struck, +announcing doom and death song. + +Demo shivered. It did not bode well. Where had Zeus placed him, +and where would he find the regulus? And the last words from +Zeus, what did they portend. "What you don't hear cannot harm +you." Strange words indeed. + +But he heard well, and what he heard was that steady beat, and +suddenly the sound of footstep in the sand. He turned to greet +in friendly manner the native of this strange land. + +Striding toward him, tall and imperious, spear in hand, a dark +yet ghostly white sinister figure! + +"Are you of Cush, or are you from the Northland?" The voice +was emotionless, but the spear point bore upon his chest, a +handsbreath away. + +"Neither. At least, I think neither. I am Demo, and I am here +on a mission for Zeus. I know nothing of Cush, nor of the +Northland. I am here to find the regulus, to take with me to +Zeus. I mean you no harm, and implore your aid." + +The stranger listened stoically to his plea. He silently +marched in a wide circle around Demo, always at spear length. +Seeing no weapons he sat down at the edge of the sand dune. + +"Zeus? Is that the name of the pharaoh? Are you an emissary of +this pharaoh, Zeus?" + +"Of Zeus, yes. But he is no pharaoh. He is, well, he is Zeus. +And I'm here to perform this little chore for him." + +"Strange, you don't resemble us. Neither the Nuba nor the +Mirikan. Nor the people of the Northland. Very well, I'll take +you to Jebel Bakhal. There your fate will be decided." He rose +slowly. + +"Come, perhaps your blood shall stain the sands of Cush. Others +shall decide. That way!" The tall stranger pointed with the +spear, waited for Demo to move out. As Demo hesitated the spear +point was thrust forward, stopped a finger's width from his +skin. + +Demo nodded, moved quickly in the indicated direction. + +So this is Cush, he thought. And somewhere in Cush I'll find +the Regulus. Or will it find me? Ah, the sun is blazing. Would I +were swimming in the streams of home! + + + +Heat, dreadful heat! + +Heat, humidity, and air that pressed upon the chest - how shall +I escape? + +Here, prisoner of love though she were, she knew only +suffering. She glanced at the creature by her side. Pluto gazed +out upon his kingdom deep in thought. + +The moans of unremitting misery rose from countless throats, at +times drowned by the screams of horror, the imprecations against +Pluto and all his minions. Persephone cowered at the sounds, +pressed palms to her ears, to no avail. + +Pluto sighed, rose slowly. Sad-eyed he gazed upon the woman +child by his side. Why had he brought her here? Though his, she +would never be his. Though loved, she would never love. What a +fool, to have stolen her from Ceres! And yet, he would not exist +without her. + +God, ruler of the nether world. Then why the sadness, why the +remorse? + +Pluto sighed. + +Dunes gave way to wasteland, sand strewn with stones. And this +in time to regions where grew sparse vegetation, small trees. +Soon copses of thorn trees rose. And beyond, shimmering as an +illusion, dark hills faintly seen. + +Though his companion strode seemingly without effort through +sand and stone Demo grew ever more weary. And even as the sun +neared the horizon and a light breeze tokened cooler air he +paused, exhausted. + +His companion eyed him suspiciously, once more walked in a wide +circle around him. "Uhmm, sit. The river is beyond. We shall +sleep here this night. And tomorrow we shall know your fate. +Here." + +He was offered dried food, a mixture of fruit and nut and meat. +There was little taste, but at least sustenance. "I need water," +he breathed. + +"No. Tomorrow there shall be water. Here there is none. Sleep +now. When the moon rises we shall move on. Over there." He +motioned toward a slight rise between dark boulders and above +one of the scattered termite hills. + +Demo lay down, shivering in the air, rapidly cooling with the +setting sun. The sandy earth, still warm from the sun's rays, +was welcome. And he fell rapidly into a strange sleep broken by +even stranger dreams. + +A dream in which a giant with a spear stood over him, spear +raised. And a bright glow enveloped the giant's head, gleaming +white. + +Suddenly he sat up. + +It was no dream. + +The point of the spear touched his stomach and he slid hastily +away. His companion stood at his feet, and the full moon gleamed +brightly behind his head. "Quickly, we will be in Jebel Barkal +by daylight. Quickly." + + + +"Ah, Regulus!" They looked, one to the other. "The Master of +the Cobras! The Guardian of the Desert!" + +These were the priests, the wise men. Each wore the mystic +crown, the sun disk with the protecting uraei, the twin cobras, +sacred to Amun. All of gold, even the band of the crown. Clothed +in gowns of white, trimmed with gold. The chief priest held a +golden rod, nearly equal in height to himself. + +The pillars supporting the roof were gold, and at the peak of +each pillar the ram's head, above which was the sun disk, and a +single cobra seeming to view with disdain those before him. + +"Tell us of this Zeus. What has he to do with Regulus? Why +would Regulus deign to visit this one in his far off kingdom? +What manner of Pharaoh is this Zeus?" + +"Zeus? Zeus is the Father of the Universe. All that is, is, +because Zeus so wills. You and I and Regulus and . . . and +everything. We are but the product of Zeus' power." + +Ezah raise his spear, a look of shock on his face. + +"Wait, wait! Do you speak of Amun? Is this Zeus but a different +face of Amun? There is no Zeus here. And all that you say, that +is the work of Amun. We know not this Zeus." + +"Yes, it may be. In my land the supreme being is called Zeus. +In your land the name may well be Amun. And he has sent me." + +They whispered, looked at him askance, whispered again. + +"You are but a stripling. Ezah could dispose of you with one +blow. He could pierce you with his spear, and you would be no +more. What kind of emissary is this for a God to send our +temple, this temple dedicated to Amun?" + +"I, well, I have chores to perform. And this was laid on me as +one of those chores. I have no special magic, no special skills +- I am merely the chosen one." + +"The Chosen One!" + +They all stood, and the high priest, wide-eyed, bowed. + +"Amun has sent you, then. And the will of Amun must be obeyed! +Tomorrow you shall be led to the Nubian Desert, to the abode of +Regulus. And there we will leave you. For none returns who +enters the lair of Regulus." + + + +Sleep was fitful, with dreams that began and ended with a +strange serpent eyeing him malevolently. And a hiss that made +his blood run cold. He woke often, fell once more to sleep. The +moon shone, cold and bright. A slight breeze blew, at times +gusting to drive grains of sand across his face, into his +nostrils. At times he sensed a musty smell, strange and +frightening. The odor of Regulus. He was sure of it, though he +knew not why. + +Morning came cold with the desert night. But quickly the sun +warmed the land an air, and day creatures awoke. Ezah stood +silently by his side. They ate, drank a tea sweet with the taste +of a strange honey, and Ezah rose. "I brought you here, and I +have been chosen to lead you to your destruction. North and East +toward the sea. But long before we reach that sea you shall +enter the Nubian Desert. There I turn back. And you, Amun +willing, you shall meet Regulus. And may Amun protect you, for +none other can!" + +The earth changed from hard surface coated with sand to sand +alone. With each step Demo sank ever deeper into the entrapping +grains. As he struggled to keep up with Ezah the sweat dripped +in a steady stream from his brow, into his eyes, at times +blinding him. He could taste the salt, mingled with the desert +dust. Each breath drew in dry dust, clogging his nostrils, +coating his throat. + +Suddenly Ezah raised his spear high, stopped short of a ridge. + +"I have gone far beyond the borders, far beyond my realm. But I +can go no farther. Yonder ridge marks the bounds of his lair. I +know not how he looks, nor how he attacks his prey. I am told on +the far side of the ridge lies but a graveyard, dotted with the +remains of those who dared approach Regulus. I have but one +weapon, this spear. Take it, and may it render you good service. +Before you go pray to Amun, or to your Zeus. Now I must leave +you." + +Demo accepted the long spear and watched in dismal mood as Ezah +turned and quickly disappeared in the direction from which they +had come. Reluctantly Demo move toward the ridge, using the +spear as a cane to aid his passage. + +As he reached the peak his foot slipped. He fell forward in +the sand. He rolled headlong over the ridge, and downward. +Rolled into the lair of Regulus. Stopped finally. Buried in a +dune of sand. Sand clogged his nostrils, forced its way between +his lips, packed even his ears. + +He tried to stand, to break out from the smothering blanket. He +moved his arms and legs as though swimming. He was blind, knew +neither up nor down. His heart pounded as he held his breath, +for fear of breathing in only the deadly grains. + +He felt the spear's shaft, held it tight, moved it from side to +side. And suddenly through slitted eyes he noted light. + +For a moment he lay still, then gradually worked his way +upward, upward to the light. + +Hours passed. Or days. He had no sense of time, only of +desperation. And finally he emerged from the imprisoning grains. + +He forced the grit from his mouth, his nostrils. Rubbing +carefully he cleared his eyelids, blinked slowly to regain once +more his sight. His heard a continuous roar and he looked around +to find the source. Then he realized it came from within him. He +could hear no external sound! Both ears were plugged with grit, +with desert silt and sand! + +He found that, ears plugged, his sense of balance was lacking. +With each step he wobbled from side to side, both from lack of +balance and from the loose particles beneath his feet. + +He could see now, though dimly. His eyes burned and teared. If +he only had water to wash his eyes. + +And his mouth! Dry, filled with the taste of earth and silt and +minute particles of rock. And the rising wind was driving even +more grit into his face, into his lungs. He turned his back to +the wind, gazed at the bleak landscape of Regulus' Lair. + +For the most part there was nought to see but bare desert +waste. And yet, dotted here and yon, remains of those who had +gone before. A skull, whitened by the windblown grit. The rib +cage, each bone in place, lying half buried at the base of a +dune. And the horizon darkening as the wind's intensity mounted. + +Though he could hear nothing the felt the driven grains +striking even through his clothes. And dust devils rose from the +desert floor, danced their dance, and faded in the distance. The +sun was blotted out as the gusting wind lifted silt and sand and +dust into the sky. + +He lay down, desolate and knowing not which way to turn. But +even as he lay on the desert floor the sand began to blanket +him. With an effort he stood erect. + +How could he find Regulus? Indeed, with the blowing wind, the +shifting dunes, and the desert heat how could he do anything. +Zeus, he though, I have failed you. I'll see home no more. + + + +Amun the powerful ruled those desert wastes. Amun the merciless +drove the sand across its surface. But Amun could relent. +Perhaps the pleas of Mut, Goddess Mother, perhaps but a whim, +yet the winds died and dark clouds gathered, poured briefly +their life giving waters on the scene below. + +The huge drops fell, pelting the desert floor, drenching Demo +in the deluge of a rare thundershower. And bringing a new and +different danger. + +For the rain fell in torrents, and water rushed down gullies, +down ravines, flushing sand and rocks before it. A wall of water +loomed above Demo's head, coming ever closer. He clambered up +the side of a dune, fell. He rolled down, but managed again and +again to regain his footing. Finally he reached the top. + +Standing there he gazed at the raging waters in disbelief. They +ate at the dune as though a wild beast. Waves rose an bit away +the sand beneath his feet. The dune shrank, began to merge with +the surrounding water. The rain had ended, but the stream +continued unabated. + +And then, as suddenly as it had risen, the stream sank into the +desert leaving but moist pools behind. Demo looked in disbelief +at the sudden calm. Hurriedly he drank muddy water from a pool +at the base of the dune. Even as he drank the thirsty soil +soaked up the water. Small pools disappeared under his gaze, and +larger ones shrank rapidly. + +He knew the winds must have hummed, the torrents roared - and +yet he had heard nothing, the silt and grit pounded into his +ears. And he was sure that now there was silence - how much he +wanted but to listen to that silence. He smiled at the idea, +then frowned. How dare I smile at a time like this, he thought +to himself. + +Distracted by his thoughts he did not note the ripples on the +largest pool. Ripples which emanated from movement beneath the +surface. Movement that ever became more violent. Nor did he hear +the hiss that bubbled up from the depths. Aroused by the +torrential rains, the rushing waters, the blast of thunder, +Regulus awakened. + + + +"He's seldom gone this long. Demo is such an able hunter. I do +believe if there were but one deer in the forest Demo would find +it. We're never without venison, you know." She was proud of her +son, of his prowess as a hunter. + +"But this time the hunt has been long. And I dreamed of Moira +last night." She shuddered. "May I never again have such a +dream!" + +"Moira? I don't know Moira." + +"No, and be glad you don't! But enough of that. Come, you shall +help me cook the last of our venison. I do hope Demo returns +soon with his kill. He's always so proud, you know. Rough, leave +those chickens alone!" + + + +Hissing and writhing Regulus rose from the pool, slithered out +on the sand. He gazed at Demo balefully. Demo neither saw nor +heard. For him the world was silent. + +But then he noticed something. A faint musty odor, and odor +which he remembered from his dreams. + +Demo quickly stood up, looked toward the pool of water. And saw +Regulus rising, the brown drops shedding from his slick skin. +Wide-eyed Demo held the spear level, pointed toward the strange +apparition. + +Regulus regarded the spear point with concern, hissed mightily. +With consternation he observed Demo, hissed once more. + +"Most unusual," he commented, "I must be losing my touch." + +He slithered over the sand, undulating from side to side in his +progress. He approached Demo, but kept a distance beyond the +spearlength. With slow sinuous motion he glided around the boy. + +"Hisss! Hissssss!" he breathed, watched nonplused at the lack +of response. "You seem not to understand, my boy. Have I failed +in some manner to properly enunciate the sound? Perhaps my lungs +are waterlogged! Know you not that none survive who hear the +hiss of Regulus? How dare you continue to stand there, +impervious. Bad mannered, to say the least." + +He grumbled, still continued his slow and torturous +encirclement of his intended prey. + +"You must be Regulus," Demo commented, in part to himself. "I +would hope, though my ears are so confoundedly stopped up I +can't hear you, that you can hear me. I'm sent by Zeus to +invite you to come live on Mount Olympus. No nasty sand storms - +and absolutely no floods! Look at you, dripping and with wet +sand sticking to your every scale! You could slither comfortably +through the smooth green grass, dance to the flute, and sip +nectar in sun." + +Though Demo was hardly a salesman he was suddenly aided by the +elements. A dark cloud was forming above, accompanied by +thunder, lightning, wind - and sudden rainfall. + +Regulus wriggled from side to side, glissaded down one dune, up +another. But there was no place to hide. Grumpily he returned to +a spot before Demo, nodded his head in agreement. Whatever +Olympus had to offer, it would be an improvement. + + + +Hardly had the contract been made than Demo found himself once +more in Zeus' presence, accompanied by the sinuous serpent. + +"Well, well, I'm pleased. So this is the Nubian Demon. I beg +your pardon, but it is the reputation you have earned. Regulus, +isn't it? Of course. Ah, you shall like it here. Yes, indeed. +But please stop that infernal hissing. You see, it really +doesn't work up here. Just crawl into that basket over there. +And please, pull the top over you. My, what a surprise you shall +be to my charmer. + +"As for you, Demo, once more well done. I'm amazed at your +resourcefulness. But do keep in mind that my little black cloud +was helpful. Good day, my boy." + +With a sudden thump Demo found himself once more in his own +front yard. The fall had ended so abruptly the sand-and-silt +plugged ears were cleared, and he could hear once more. + +"Demo, I told you to stay out of that tree. My, I hope you +haven't broken anything. Well get up from there and come to eat. +We have such wonderful company. Theresa is staying for supper." + +Rough licked his cheek and grinned a dog grin. + + + +Evening came early. + +They ate their supper in a strangely quiet mode. + +Afterward his mother looked at him for a moment, turned away, +wiped a tear from her eye. + +"Mother, are you ill? What is wrong!" Demo rose quickly, +stepped to her side. + +"Demo, I have a story to tell you. Sit down, don't interrupt +me." + +She sighed, paused as though uncertain how to continue. + +"Today an old woman visited our home. A very old woman. Her +name is Ceres. Perhaps you have heard the name." + +He shook his head. + +"An old woman, but a very good woman. One known to me since +youth. At one time she served as your nursemaid. A good +nursemaid! Would that I had known how good!" + +She stood up, paced back and forth in a disturbed manner. + +"You were a weak baby, with very little chance for life. I +feared that you would not survive. I prayed to the Gods. And +then she came to me, brought to us by your Father. He had met +her in the forest, where she wept for her lost daughter. She +nurtured you, raised you for me, put strength in your bones and +muscles. Nearly, she gave you gifts no human dare dream of." + +This time she sobbed, head bowed. + +"But I, foolish woman, feared her ministrations, feared for +you. I ask her to leave my house and I took you away, and action +I shall ever regret." + +"Nevertheless, I had promised, that should you survive, she +might one day ask of you a service. + +"This day she came, and so asked. I queried of her, what might +that service be, yet she answered not. She said only this, that +should you accomplish the chores of Zeus, one task more must you +perform, and then the debt would be paid." + +Demo smiled. + +"Mother, if I complete the tasks laid on by Zeus, what matter a +simple task laid on by an old woman. The promise has been made, +the service shall be rendered. In due time she will, I'm sure, +inform me of that which must be done. Do not be concerned." + +His mother hugged him close. + +During the night he heard her sobs. + +He felt for the first time a gloom, a foreboding, that one +insurmountable task lay ahead. He fell to sleep with difficulty, +woke often. And he dreamed. + +In the night he dreamed of rushing through the dark forest, +pursued by he knew not what. Knowing that, before the long +night's end, he must turn and face that dread pursuer. + + + + + + + + + + + + + +12. Poseidon's Wrath + +"A family reunion would be nice. I really don't get around as +much as I used to. The job, you know. Duties. Responsibilities. +You humans! You just don't understand how vexing it can be, +being a God. Why, every day, day in and day out, I've got to +have the sun rise. No big chore, but it's only one of many." +Zeus shook his head. + +"The moon, if I don't watch her, goes wandering off. Messes up +the tides terribly. Disconcerting to young lovers, too!" + +He looked, head cocked to the side, at Demo. + +"So, what may I ask, do you want here at Olympus?" + +For a moment Demo was nonplused. + +"Sire, I gathered you had sent for me. I came not of my own +volition. Perhaps some other has need of my services . . . ?" + +"Somebody is playing games, and they are surely going to get +themselves into a mess of trouble. Yes! A mess . . . of . . . +trouble!" Zeus glanced around, a thoughtful expression on his +face. + +A titter sounded from the inner hallway. + +Zeus glanced at Demo to see whether he had noted the sound. + +Demo was silent. Best to leave all surmises alone. After all, +he thought, who am I to criticize the dalliances of Zeus. + +Zeus smiled. + +"Anyway, you are here, so let's get you started on another +exciting excursion. By the way, you've really done remarkably +well, and I am proud of you. Here, let me give you a slight +token." + +He thought a moment, smiled once more, and waved his hands +nonchalantly in the air. The medal was large and shiny as Zeus +slipped the supporting chain over Demo's head. Demo took the +medal in his hands, read the legend thereon. Although the words +were difficult to read in an inverted position he managed to +decipher them. + +"For Ungodly Support to the Gods." + +Zeus kissed him on one cheek, then the other. "I'm never sure +the order in which I'm supposed to do that. Never mind. If I got +it wrong, we'll merely change the ritual." + +He glanced rather anxiously toward the hallway. + +"Young man, rather quickly now. I want you to drop in on +Poseidon. Lovely fellow, you'll like him. Eh, don't ever discuss +fishing with him. He has a dread of the subject. I was fishing +one day and he nibbled at the bait, and . . . Anyway, a subject +not to be discussed. Where was I . . . ?" Zeus glared at Demo as +though the boy had stolen his train of thought. + +"Take this bag with you, and give it into his hands, and his +only. He'll know what to do. By the way, do you own a bathing +suit?" + +Zeus, Olympus, and all else seemed to be fading away. Demo +seemed to hear, faintly, Zeus scolding. "Now, you know you +aren't supposed to play with my powers. You just leave that +young man alone, my dear. I'm such an ogre when I'm jealous." + + + +He landed with a splash. + +Zeus' aim was plainly off. + +Almost always he had landed in his home, the forest. But this? + +The middle of a stream, of course. He slipped under the water, +propelled himself upward, glancing quickly around at the height +of his watery leap. A shudder went through him. + +No river, this! + +Neither shores, nor the green forest, nor the high mountains of +home! + +Water, only water! Deep blue water, extending as far as eye +could see. Blue . . . and salty. Surely he had landed in the +ocean! + +"Zeus, Oh, Zeus! I do think you may have erred . . . only +slightly, of course. Zeus . . . ?" + +"Who dares call on Zeus, when he swims in my domain? How come +you here, earthling? Where is your ship? Do you not fear my +watchdogs, the great sharks that guard my kingdom. And why call +you on Zeus. Poseidon rules these waves! + +"I . . . My name is Demo. I was merely doing an errand for +Zeus. And, through some mischance, I landed in these waters. +Perhaps you can direct me to the nearest shore?" + +"Mischance, eh? Well, Zeus is putting on the years . . . Odd, +but he may be losing his grip. Oughta spend more time at the +seashore. Relaxing. Yes indeed." The voice seemed to emanate +from a puff-fish, which floated rather nonchalantly at arms +length away. + +"The nearest shore. Of course. You earthlings. I would invite +you down for a meal, but you lack the necessary organs to join +me. Toward the setting sun. A small island. I'll race you!" + +Demo looked to the west. Water, only water. + +"Is it, well, very far?" + +"No, no! Just a good swim away. Ah, forgive me. It could be a +bit strenuous for you. I'll take care of it, though." The +puff-fish whistled loudly, popped up above the water to peruse +its surface. + +"Here he comes." + +Demo followed the puff-fish's gaze. He wished he hadn't! + +The shark was approaching at alarming speed. Its fin split the +water's smooth surface, drawing ever closer. Demo's eyes widened. + +"Hey, that's a shark!" + +"Yes, yes indeed! Actually, merely a minnow as sharks grow. +Actually, he was the only one in the area, so I flagged him +down. Oh, taxi, right this way." + +The shark circled slowly, at times rising to the surface, its +cold eyes regarding Demo with hungry interest. + +"None of that, now! Just come over here and let him ride upon +your back. Over to the island, and be quick about it. I don't +care to wait. And I do so enjoy shark steaks." + +The shark stopped dead, then slowly swam alongside Demo, who +clambered aboard. + +The trip was indeed swiftly completed. Though it ended swiftly, +not swiftly enough. Not before the shark, perhaps to show its +displeasure, several times dived deep. + +Coughing and spewing saltwater, Demo suffered the torments +with little grace. As they reached the shallows off the island +he quickly dismounted, swam toward the waiting beach. + +The shark swam with him, circling ahead and behind, and +occasionally taking a playful nip at Demo's heels. Amazing how +playful nips at one's heels improves one's swimming skills! + +As he waded toward the shore a sudden wave roared in. Massive +torrents of water tore over him, knocked him to his knees. When +he groggily arose he saw before him, in all his oceanic +splendor, a figure of majestic proportions. + +"You are on an errand for Zeus, are you shipmate? And may I +inquire to what port ye are bound? I may well give thee +favorable winds and gentle seas, if it so please me." + +"Sire, I seek the master of the deeps, Poseidon himself. I have +this missive to convey to him." + +"Well, now, you've laid your course well, and have made already +landfall. Lower your sails, matey, for I be Poseidon, he whom +you seek. Let me look upon this important missive. My, my, from +Zeus himself!" + +Demo proffered the missive, astonished at his good luck in so +quickly completing his task. + +Poseidon opened the package, pulled out a long roll of papyrus. +"Well, a letter from Zeus! I didn't know he could write!" + +He read the Zeus' letter, looked contemplatively out to sea, +then read it once more. "Have you read this missive, my good +lad?" + +"Oh, no, Sire. It would not do, you know!" + +The calm look on Poseidon's face had disappeared. Anger seemed +to be mounting, and his face grew first red, then purple as an +angry sea. + +"Then let me tell you what this is. This is a bill. And not an +ordinary bill. Our good Zeus says, says he: 'Your past bills for +the water I have supplied you have not been paid. Your rates are +therefore doubled, and the present bill also includes a penalty +for late payment and excess water usage. Return payment in full +with the boy, or suffer the consequences." + +"How dare he! To send such a bill to Poseidon! I rule the waves +and all the water under them! Penalties! I am somewhat annoyed +by your missive, shipmate. Have you heard the term, keelhaul? +It's an old custom to keelhaul those who arouse the ire of +Poseidon. And, in the absence of Zeus, mayhap we shall keelhaul +his emissary." + +Demo looked around. He saw no sign of emissary, none to serve +for the aforementioned keelhauling. + +Demo shivered. + +"Eh, Sire, he seems not to have an emissary handy. Should I +see such an emissary, I shall most certainly direct him to you, +so that he may participate in the keelhauling. Anyway, now my +mission is complete, and I must report back to Zeus." + +"Oh, no! I wouldn't think of such a thing. Come aboard, come +aboard! Ho the dinghy, we'll be going directly to the ship. Look +lively, now!" + +Demo followed Poseidon's gaze. Where the sea had been empty now +floated a three master, its sails furled. And on the beach a +dinghy, manned by a scurvy looking crew of ill-clothed sailors. + +"Yes, indeed. I can see you are impressed by her lines. Only +wait 'til you are on board. We shall have a sumptuous feast in +your honor. Ah, you haven't eaten until you've partaken of the +food from my galley. Come along!" + +Demo examined, surreptitiously, the oarsmen. Though they rowed +with vigor, their faces remained expressionless, their eyes +empty. He felt as though he were looking on the spirits of +drowned sailors, condemned to these chores for eternity. + +"Quickly, now, laddie! Up the ladder. Hold her steady, boys. I +wouldn't have the youngster get wet, not yet." + +Somehow the last two words disturbed Demo. He wasn't exactly +sure why. + +"Keelhauling, I didn't explain it to you, did I. Well, it's a +sport we indulge in at times. Gives the lads a chance to get in +their exercise. The way it works is, we take a . . . eh, a +volunteer. We tie his hands behind him, wrap a hawser around +him, and toss off the bow. The boys pull the hawser from stem to +stern, from starboard to larboard, all around the good ship back +to the bow once more. Jolly good fun!" + +Demo listened wide-eyed and speechless. + +"I see you are impressed! And so you should be. I've a very +good mind to let you volunteer. Give you a chance to show off +your mettle. Yes, I just may give you the chance." Poseidon's +voice held a tone of anger to match his angry face. + +"And the sea is of like mind. Have you ever seen such waves! +Keelhauling today would indeed be great sport!" + +"Sire, I fear I would provide poor sport indeed. With hands +free I swim like a rock. With them tied I fear I would never +surface at all." + +"Well, don't fret. That happens all the time. Ruins the fun, of +course. Keep in mind, though, that we always give the volunteer +a solemn burial at sea. A very impressive ceremony. You would +truly appreciate it." + +The prospect of participating in a keelhauling - in fact, of +being the keelhaulee - grew less and less desirable as Poseidon +explained the term. + +"But, first, a good meal. We'll start with some bacon and eggs. +Delicious bacon, and the eggs are cooked in the bacon grease. A +delightful meal. And you probably thought we'd be dining on +cockles and mussels and nought from the dry land. No, no! We +feed our guests well. Yes, indeed!" + +The rolling of the ship as the waves struck, the thought of the +greasy bacon and greasy eggs - the very idea of eating - +nauseated Demo. + + + +With a sigh he stared out at the watery scene. + +The sea, which had been so blue and calm early in the day, now +frowned with graygreen surface and waves that reached, at times, +the foot of the crowsnest. The wind blew with a sonorous tone, +reminiscent of the dirges played at village funerals. And above +all the sky looked down with a gray visage, pockmarked with +black clouds. + +From these, more and more frequently, lightning flashed to +better display the scene. + +Flying fish swam deep, and dolphins sported not. Gulls and +terns were not to be seen. + +And yet . . . . + +And yet a bird flew. Battered by the wind, drenched by falling +rain, its powerful wings brought it ever closer to the ship. A +huge white bird . . . . + +Demo eyes brightened. Could it be her? Here, in this dreadful +storm! + +Indeed it was. + +She landed beside them, assumed the form of a goddess. + +"Well, uncle, you sail rough seas this day. I've come to ask of +you a favor, for I am in love and what Cupid cannot grant, the +mighty Poseidon may well provide." + +"Ah, little niece, delightful to have you on board. The boy and +I were discussing some manly sport for later in the day. Perhaps +you can stay. It should be amusing." + +"Come, Uncle, let us go forward to where the bow leaps from the +depths. I want to feel the force of the waves, the blast of the +windy gusts. No fair weather sailor I. Boy, stay! We shall +return." + +With anxious mien Demo awaited their return. He was sure his +own fate was being discussed. Could she control even the power +of Poseidon? A shiver went through him, whether from the cold +rain and wind or from his own fears, he knew not. + + + +"My boy, forgive me. I knew not your qualities. Athena, my +dearest niece, has told me of your exploits. My, you are much +too shy and retiring. If I had done the deeds she attributes to +you, I would blare them out for the world to hear. Come, join +Athena and myself at a table set to honor you." + +The attitude of Poseidon had changed indeed. And the smile of +Athena erased all fear and doubt from Demo's mind. Even the sea +now grew calm, and the winds died to mere gentle breezes. Demo +thought, 'The wonder of a woman!' + +"Before you return to Zeus - with a message I wish to dispatch +- I would have you assist me with a problem. I'm sure it will +take but a little of your time, and you shall certainly be +rewarded well." + +"Sire, I would willingly serve, but . . . " + +"Good, good! Then it's settled. Have you, perchance, heard of +Oceanus, and of my henchman Proteus!" + +"Vaguely, I recall the names." + +"Eh, you shall get to know them well. Perhaps you will know +them better than you would care to. I think so. Well, enough for +now. Let us enjoy the feast." Poseidon smiled. + +They dined well. The wealth of the sea contributed to +Poseidon's table. Yet were missing the flesh of the sea calves, +a delicacy for which his table was famed. Amphitrite, Poseidon's +wife, commented on the lapse. + +"Proteus, long our herdsman for the sea calves, has left us to +follow Oceanus. For Oceanus has returned, and attempts to +reclaim these watery regions from the rightful authority of my +beloved Poseidon. It is sad, for only strife can result, and the +death of heroes." + +Poseidon glanced at her, then addressed Demo. + +"I had intended to delay this conversation until after our +repast. However, since the subject is broached, let me appeal to +you." He sat silently for a moment, a slight frown on his face. + +"These domains were passed to me from Oceanus, in the early +times when the Old Gods lost their powers. Even as Zeus was +given the heavens, and Pluto the netherworld, so received I the +raging waters, the ocean depths, and all creatures who take to +the sea. And the Titans, who had long held power, were exiled to +Tartarus." + +His face grew grim. + +"I have ruled well this maritime kingdom. The fisherman takes +his catch, the traveler sojourns on peaceful seas, the water +nymphs sing along the quiet streams. Yet Proteus, when still he +served me, prognosticated of evil times. In words strange and +cryptic he warned of a usurper who would wrest from me my very +throne." + +Amphitrite patted his hand, and for a moment he smiled. + +"Athena has told me of your services to Zeus, of your courage +and your deeds. I now am in dire stress, and would send you on a +task. A task to thwart the avarice of Oceanus, and end this +madness." + +"My dolphin, my sea chariot, and my horses are at your +disposal. I have little guidance to provide, little help to +offer. You should know this. When Oceanus ruled these waves the +seas were wild and no ship dared sail. Under my rule calm seas +have greeted the sailor, and steady winds have filled his sail. +I would keep it so." + +"Tomorrow, at break of day, my chariot and steeds shall be at +your disposal. My dolphin shall act as a guardian, to warn you +in times of danger, and protect as best he can. As for the rest, +it is left with you." + + + +After the meal they went on deck. The seas were calm, sparkling +with strange luminescent lights where played the flying fish. +The moon rose, its light reflected from the water's surface. +Demo and Athena stood quietly at the bow of the ship, enthralled +even as we by the beauty and majesty of the sea. + +Poseidon and Amphitrite watched the couple for a moment, then +looked at each other with a smile. "I think she chooses well," +Amphitrite voiced quietly. + +Poseidon nodded. + +Demo walked with his hand in that of Athena, bathed in her +smile. Strange that Zeus did not interfere! + +Premonitions occupied his mind, and even as he pressed the +warmth of her against him he shivered. Waiting for him, he knew, +was the unseen companion. And a destiny he could not fathom. + +She sensed his mood, touched his cheek lightly with her hand. +"Would I could remove this curse from you. Understand that it is +not given even to me to see the final scene. Yet my love will be +with you. Ah, 'tis time. The moon is sinking into the sea, and I +must be a-wing ere it fade from sight. Fare the well, my +wanderer. Return safely to me." + +He looked at the moon, now half hidden by the horizon. Turning +he found her gone. The beat of wings above the ship, and the +silhouette of an owl against the moon, marked her going. + +Demo stood, disconsolate, listening to the quiet lap of the +waves against the bow, the groan of taut hawsers, the gentle +flap of furled sails in a light breeze. Tomorrow a different +adventure - one from which he might not return. Well, morning +comes swiftly. He sought his bunk, slept well, rocked by the +gentle swells of the vast ocean. + + + +The chariot rode smoothly and swiftly over the surface of the +sea, pulled by a brace of stallions even a warrior might ride +eagerly. Led by the dolphin they raced he knew not where. To +search for Oceanus, whom he had never seen; to look for Proteus, +who changed form at will - what strange adventure this. Perhaps, +what hopeless adventure. + +Yet they pressed on. The sun rose and lightened a glistening +sea, deep blue mirroring the blue of the sky. And as far as +sight could see, nothing. Only the endless surface, stretching +from horizon to horizon. + +Still on the dolphin sped, close followed by the steeds. Never +had he ridden with such speed, never had he seen an ocean +without end. Sun overhead, he felt the warmth of its rays, even +though the cool ocean breeze gentled its beams and he felt only +comfort. + +They came upon the shore so quickly that he was surprised. The +mighty stream rushed into the sea, a current that stretched even +beyond the sight of land. They had approached from the side. +Suddenly the dolphin leaped into the air, twisting sideward, and +swam slowly in a circle. The team slowed, halted the chariot at +land's edge. + +What was he to find here? He recognized nothing. Beyond the +mouth of the river the trees grew profusely, hiding the upper +reaches from his view. The near shore was rock strewn, but +marked with wide sandy stretches. Inland the land rose slowly, +then reached a escarpment, a huge vertical stone wall. + +He waded to the shore, looked for edible plants near the +river's brink. Strange plants grew in scattered clumps, but +nothing that he recognized. He sat down, gazed out to sea. On +the far horizon white cumulus clouds were forming. Finally he +picked some of the native plants, examined them carefully. +Perhaps they had some food value. They might serve for greens, +or even a salad. Reluctantly he munched on a leaf. + +The taste was bland. Still, there seemed to be little else with +which to satisfy his appetite. At least, it would fill his +stomach. + +He had eaten a handful, leaned back to rest, when he noted a +shadow on the sand. Quickly he looked up. + +He had felt no alarm. Surely this monstrous creature was not +the unseen companion! + +"I came swiftly, yet plainly not swiftly enough. I am sorry. +You have eaten the herb, and the curse of Glaucus is even now +working in your body. + +"I pity you, young man. You have eaten of the herbs that +brought me to the state you see. Soon you will feel a mild +desire to enter the water. And if you resist it will grow ever +stronger. At last you will respond, and when you do, your body +will change as did mind. You too suffer the curse of Glaucus! + +Demo stared at him in distaste. Yet, fearfully, he knew it was +true. Even now he felt the urge to enter the beckoning sea. His +mind saw visions of deep lagoons populated with swarms of fish, +great manta rays, swimming amidst brilliantly colored coral +reefs. His skin felt dry and sere. He must swim in the warm +ocean, or he would surely die. + +Quickly he rose to his feet. Glaucus looked down, did not move. +Demo walked slowly to the beach, looked back at this, his weird +visitor. Finally, closing his eyes, he stepped into the water. + +He felt the change begin even as the soft waves touched his +ankle. He rushed forward, threw himself headlong into the soft +waves lapping the shore. He heard a roaring in his ears, his +muscles ached, and for a moment his eyes were sightless. + +It was done! + +He did not ask. He looked at the scaly hands, the strangely +webbed fingers and toes. The curse of Glaucus. The adventure was +over. Athena was lost to him forever. Now he was but another +denizen of the deep, a strange monster in the ocean's depths. + +The dolphin swam near. + +"You are one of us, now. I know not whether the process can be +reversed. In any event, in this form I can take you to Proteus, +if it is your will?" + +"Proteus? What matters it now. He would set upon me, for I +resemble nothing but a monster of the deep." Yet, reluctantly, +Demo swam with the dolphin through boundless seas 'til night +darkened the eastern sky. + +"Down. We must go down. Here Proteus waits, prepares for the +coming of Oceanus. He works busily, his eight great arms ever +assembling the throne on which Oceanus would sit. Come with me +to the depths." + +With each moment they swam ever deeper. The blue-green waters +of the surface darkened, took on a purplish tinge, grew ever +more impenetrable by the eye. Yet, far below, a light gleamed +dimly, or lights. And it was toward those lights they made their +way. + +At first the fish had swam and played, delighted with their +company. Butterfly fish flitted by, seahorses danced in a +vertical ballet, and in the distance the sharks circled, ever +accompanied by the pilot fish. + +With each fathom they penetrated the fish grew ever fewer, even +as did the light. The warm surface waters were no more, replaced +by chill drafts from far below. And colder still the waters as +their passage continued. + +The source of light became more evident as they drew nigh. Red +and glowing lava, flowing in an endless stream, lit the massive +peak from which it flowed. The stream near the volcano's mouth +glowed brightly, and lava flow around the peak retained the glow +until the heat was quenched by the frigid waters. + +Water and steam and bubbles swirled ever upward above the +melted stone, a seething cylinder of white illuminated by the +light beneath. And there, on the edge of the molten magma, +Proteus worked his work. + +His giant squid-shaped body was limned by the magma's red +light. He coiled his tentacles around huge boulders, tore them +from their rest. These he sat in place, building a massive +throne, the throne of Oceanus. + +The task progressed. Nevertheless, even as he worked the Gods +of fire struck out against the defilement of their melted +artistry. A belch of white-hot lava erupted, brushed aside the +mighty throne. In hasty retreat Proteus swam quickly, tentacles +drawn in to escape the edge of the crimson river. He drove +across the watery waste, propelled by the force of inky jet +fluids. + +His passage brought him to the very spot whereat they waited. +His eyes looked upon them in neither curiosity nor fear. So long +as Demo and his dolphin guide did not interfere with Proteus' +movement they were ignored. + +Demo watched the undersea volcano, the fiery eruption with its +steaming seawater, molten stones. Still, it was not the grandeur +of the scene that held his attention. + +In the midst of the burning mass a dark object stood, arms +folded, eyes focused in deadly hatred on Demo. + +The unseen companion! + +With a shudder Demo closed his eyes, opened them once more. The +vision was gone. Only the angry red lava remained. He shook his +head, turned once more to the job at hand. + +"Proteus, I am sent by Poseidon to reason with you." + +The tentacles suddenly coiled spasmodically. The creature moved +cautiously away, halted, then approached once more. + +"Poseidon knows full well why I have left his service. I served +him well as herdsman, and in reward the Golden Isles were to be +mine. They have gone to another, Glaucus, who is only a +trespasser in these watery depths." + +"Glaucus, he who was transformed from human form to one such as +I?" + +"Indeed! He whom I would drive from these waters with all good +will." + +Demo was silent. Suddenly a spume of molten lava shot from the +peek of the volcano. The explosive eruption drove them back, +even as the red liquid followed a steamy path, lighting the +depths around them. Only Proteus observed nature's fury with +equanimity. + +With a shudder Demo ignored the roiled waters. "Proteus, let me +deal with Glaucus. Should I convince him to return to the land +from whence he came, can you in your wisdom return him once more +to human form?" + +"Willingly, willingly. I tell you, though, I know his kind. +He'll never give up the Golden Isles." + +Turning to the dolphin Demo ignored the last remark. "Take me +to the isle where I first assumed this form. There I knew +Glaucus. Perhaps there he still remains." + + + +Lying in the waves Demo gazed anxiously at the shore. There +grew the horrid plants, the occasion of his unhappy condition. +But nowhere was Glaucus to be seen. The waves gently washed upon +the deserted beach, and terns and gulls flew low above them in +search of food. High above white cumulus clouds floated in an +azure sky. Even as he gazed one began to obscure the brilliant +sun, casting a dark and cooling shadow on earth and sea. + +The dolphin grew restless, swimming back and forth to release +its pent-up energy. "Go, search these seas for one such as I. +Tell him that a friend waits here. A friend who may well have a +remedy for this curse from which we suffer." + +The dolphin willingly began his search. No lover of indolence +was he. + +Diligent though he was, he searched to no avail. Glaucus was +not to be found. Eventually, nigh day's end, the dolphin swam +once more to Demo, confided to him his failure. + +"Know you of Scylla? The six headed monster who takes her toll +on those following their trade on the sea? Go where she waits +her prey, and look there for Glaucus. For there was a time, +before Circe in anger molded this hideous creature, that Scylla +was a maiden fair. Yes, a maiden loved of Glaucus. Search for +him near that abode, for he will not wander far from his true +love." + +Through the night Demo slept in the gentle tide, washed by warm +waves. The phosphorescent sea stretched as far as eye might +follow, dropping below a distant horizon. Flying fish played +above its surface, and seahorses danced beneath. All was silent, +save for the soft waves caressing the shore. + +He dreamed. + +Of Athena, of home, of what he had now become. + +The roar of incoming waves awoke him. A seafog covered the +shoreline, and heavy waves were forming with the incoming tide. +He dove into the oncoming wave, swam deep to calmer waters. + +There played bigeyed butterfly fish, colored with a palette of +white and black and orange. Silversides swam, and among the +floating weeds wanderer crabs creep. Seahorses cavort, and at +times the young were exploded in droves from the fathers pouch. +Shoreward, where rocky outcrops lay, seasnails moved slowly, +devouring the algae on their way. + +He sensed, rather than saw, their approach. + +They came swiftly. The Dolphin swimming in happy glee, Glaucus +following at a more subdued pace. After explanations Glaucus +willingly accompanied him to Proteus lair. + +The pact was sealed. Glaucus would be returned to his prior +form. Proteus was to return once more to Poseidon's service. +"And myself?" Demo queried. + +"It shall be as with Glaucus." + +Proteus smiled, if one can say a squid smiles. At least, he +grimaced. + +"How, then, do we deal with Oceanus? You know of his rekindled +ambition. What can be done to placate one such as he?" + +They talked long, examining the problem each from his own +perspective. "It is a problem without solution!" exclaimed +Proteus. "He seems invincible. Yet even he must have some +weakness, some hidden defect that might be his downfall." Demo +spoke with little assurance. + +"None. No, there is not niche in his armor. Any weakness in +another is lacking in him. I should know. Weekly, before the +Golden Isles fell to Glaucus, Oceanus and I played round after +round of golf on those shores. I observed him, talked to him, +learned of his history. He opened up to me. I tell you, no, +Oceanus has no weaknesses." + +"What, of all things, does Oceanus most enjoy?" + +Proteus sat quietly, only the tips of his tentacles wriggling. +"He enjoys thoroughly power. He likes, of course, a round of +golf. And to talk. Little else." + +"Ah, let us wend our way to Poseidon. There is much to be done." + + + +Indeed there was. Day after day they worked with Poseidon, +taught him skills foreign to his domain. With Proteus he visited +the Golden Isles, the throne intended for Oceanus, and learned +much along the way. + +"Proteus, when comes Oceanus?" + +"That I know not. But this I know, the waves shall not be +still, nor the ocean calm, with his coming." + +Demo woke with the leaping and bounding of the three-master. +The ship moaned in the throes of an angry sea. The planks bent +and gave, and sea water sloshed in the hold. Above, the wind +tore at the furled sails. The hawsers, stretched taut, groaned +under the torment. Seabirds landed on the deck, sought shelter +from the storm. + +"Is it now? Has he come?" + +Proteus, now in human form, nodded. "It is surely Oceanus. I +will address him. He will listen to me." Proteus spoke with +little assurance, his eyes watching the ever wilder sea. + +"Oceanus, 'tis I, your old friend, Proteus. We would meet with +you, on the Golden Isles. Poseidon is amenable to concessions. +He would negotiate with you. This day we sail for the Golden +Isles." + +The words seemed to have little effect. Then, gradually, the +winds died, and the waves grew ever smaller. A light breeze +rose, steady, blowing toward the Golden Isles. + +Quickly the sails were unfurled. The ship rode smoothly and +swiftly toward the distant shore. In the bilge sea water +continued to slop, gradually was dumped over the side. + + + +"A gift, Zeus, from Poseidon." Demo handed Zeus a golf club, +handle of gold. + +Zeus frowned. "And what of my missive?" + +"Given to him, Sire. He acknowledges that his payment has, +indeed, been delayed. But, another matter might interest you. A +terrible battle ensued between Poseidon and Oceanus. The waters +of the oceansea thundered upon ship and shore. Islands +disappeared haplessly into the depths. Still they fought in ever +more desperate anger. + +They labored for a day, and only with nightfall did Poseidon +finally dominate. 'Twas on the golf course of the Golden Isles, +and as result of his win Poseidon retains mastery of the seas. +Oceanus had the lead, then developed a nasty slice as they +neared the 15th hole." + +"Oh, yes, it really was a nasty slice. Ball flew right off the +course." + +"Golf, Poseidon, Oceanus? Who rules the watery domains as they +while away their time at such diversions?" + +"I, your majesty. Great fun. Some minor problems. Washed away +the rock of Gibraltar, which Poseidon kindly replaced. And, +Sire, Poseidon invites you a golf match at your earliest +convenience, where he would negotiate with you over the bill you +submitted. I'd be more than pleased to run Olympus in your +absence." + +"Yes, I understand." Zeus weighed the club in his hands, took a +hefty swing. "I'll surely join him. I doubt he knows that +Proteus gave me lessons years ago. 'Twill be a most enjoyable +game!" + +He paused for a moment, eyes wide, as though watching a major +catastrophe. "You . . . in my absence!" With a frown he walked +toward the throne. "Where is my flagon of nectar. Good day, my +lad!" + + + +The river Lethe flows dark and deep in the nether kingdom. +Strange stories of the power of those waters spread among +mankind. + +One story was true. + +Who drinks of those waters remembers no more. + +Lost loves, friends, family - their vision fades away. + +Hate, enemies, wars, catastrophes - all are gone. + +Happiness, joy, taste of rare wines, flavor of good foods - all +fade. + +Victories, defeats. Catastrophes, triumphs. Gone, all gone. + +A blessing or a curse? + +To each new dweller in Hades offers Pluto a goblet. In that +goblet the limpid water of Lethe. The only kindness offered in +the kingdom of the damned. + +One bathed in those limpid waters, drank deep, and found no +peace. + +Pluto. + +Master of the evil domain. Keeper of the Portals of Hell. +Cursed to minister to the punishment of the damned, forever. + +And cursed yet more with a heart that bled for the poor fools +whose actions had brought them to such sorry end. + +The most damned of all souls in purgatory. + +Pluto, master of that dread domain. + +He had hoped with Persephone to escape in her arms the +ever-present misery. + +Her sorrow brought misery the more. + +"I can give to others the waters of Lethe. Only to others. As +for me, I must know all past evil deeds - and even more, must +know the evil yet to come." + +The waters of Lethe failed him. + +13. The Anger of Zeus + +"I will not have it! Dare he taunt the master of the universe! +I will swat him like a fly! No! Too easy! He shall change places +with Prometheus! No, no! Even that is too easy. Boy, where are +you, come here! Now, right now! I have a chore for you. Yes, +such a chore!" + +The sudden call to Olympus was unexpected. Not that Zeus ever +sent out invitations. Normally - if one could consider a summons +from Zeus to be normal - he had few cues and hints before Zeus +summoned him. This unceremonious summons came as a complete, and +not overly appreciated, surprise. + +He noted immediately Zeus' red face, and the tumultuous tower +of black clouds above Olympus. This was going to be a real task! + +"Atlas! A vulgar name! Do you know it? I'll tell you of Atlas! +Condemned! Condemned to hold the world forever upon his +shoulders! And he dares claim that I chose him for that task +because I had not the strength and stamina to perform it! How +dare he!" + +Zeus paced back and forth, sputtering. + +"He is to be punished. Right now, I have yet to decide the what +that punishment shall be. You, my lad, shall decide. I want you +to travel widely, to examine all the vilest, cruelest, most +atrocious forms of torture. Select from these the very worst. +That torture shall be imposed on the impudent lout." + +"But, Sire, I . . . " + +"Enough! Begone. And do not linger, or you may join him." + +Never had he seen Zeus so angry. Once more he started to speak, +but with a wave of his hand Zeus dismissed him. + +He landed in the midst of a patch of briars, extricated himself +slowly and carefully. "My, but he is peeved!" + + + +Two mighty brothers served Zeus faithfully and well. Yet there +came a falling out, and the anger of Zeus could not be appeased. +One brother he chained to a mountain crag, and daily sent a +great eagle to tear and rend his flesh. + +One he placed in eternal servitude, to carry upon his shoulders +the earth and heavens. And that was Atlas. + +Torture, torment? More like Hades than Heaven! What a strange +and obscene task was this! + +"Mother, the Gods at times have been cruel to man. What manner +of cruelty have they applied, what devices or creatures that +give pain?" + +"A strange question. But, yes, the Gods work in strange ways." + +A sparkle lit her eye. + +"There is a legend that once, in long ago times, there lived on +earth only men. They grew proud and warlike, offended each the +other and offended all the Gods. Zeus became very angry, and +called unto him all the Gods. Long they parlayed, and angrily. +And at long last they decided on a torture so inhuman, so +merciless, so enduring that they hesitated to loose it upon even +these undeserving earthlings. At last Zeus authorized the +punishment." + +She paused, stirred the pot in which vegetables were beginning +to boil. + +"And that was?" + +A smile crossed her face. + +"A present was delivered to man. One that he looked on with +delight, and took to his heart. A present that has punished him +ever since. It was an object of unending torture; still, a +torture that poor weak man courted." + +"A present, Mother?" + +"Yes, he sent to man Pandora. Pandora, the first woman. And +since that day man has found himself unable to live without her. +She torments him, tantalizes him, arouses in him all emotions. +Yet he turns again and again to her." She laughed. + +"Just as Athena torments you, yet you turn to her again and +again!" + +"You tease me, Mother?" + +"No, the legends say it's true. Woman was man's first +punishment. Disguised as a gift! Well, well, perhaps your Athena +will be more the gift, less the punishment!" She tousled his +hair, hummed to herself, glanced in amusement over her shoulder +at him, and laughed. + +Demo smiled. Such pleasant punishment. + +Yet, truly, how much pain. The wanting, the loneliness, the +feeling of emptiness when she was not near - before he met her +they did not exist. Now they were his constant companions. + +A coin has two sides. + +Gift and punishment indeed! + +The more he thought, the more reasonable it seemed. The +punishment for Atlas, the ultimate punishment, would be to find +him a mate. + +Of course, it was difficult. For one such as Atlas, who might +qualify? + +There were children's' stories, tales, even legends, of women +such as these. But reality knew none such. + +I have a task of great difficulty, he thought to himself. I'll +get busy on it after lunch. "Mother, haven't we anything to eat?" + + + +"Mother, tell me of women." + +"Women! Why . . . , eh, what in the world do you want to know? +She blushed slightly, frowned. + +"Well, you spoke of Pandora. I am sure there are other women in +history. Tell me of them." + +She blinked, then smiled. "Oh, of course. History is replete +with stories of great women. Let me think." + +"What is greatness? Hera, wife of Zeus, of course. Venus, +Goddess of Love, certainly. The Amazons, who dominated men, +perhaps. There are so many, and they vary in their greatness." + +"Let me tell you true, Mother. I have a task laid on by Zeus, +to punish the mighty Atlas. I would find for him a wife, a gift +of happiness, of misery. Thus there would be punishment, but +lightened by womanly touch. Where would I look for such a one?" + +"Zeus! At times I am angry, even at the Gods. Atlas did +faithfully support his master. Yet Zeus has rewarded him with an +unending toil! A fit mate for Atlas? I can think of only one, +and that one who would resist such wedded bliss." + + + +"You know of one! Her name, Mother, and I will find her!" + +"You are eager, but beware. She has been courted by many, won +by none. Her name is Atalanta. Huntress, runner, wrestler - +skilled in arts of man and of woman. Yes, you might well search +for Atalanta." + +He was committed. Find Atalanta, woo her for Atlas, arrange the +nuptials - and convince Zeus that he had fulfilled his task. + + + +Little details must be worked out. A plan of action developed. +A purported weakness of Atalanta - a love for golden apples - +might well be exploited. Vulcan agreed to fashion these in his +shop, and with his usual skill fashioned them in exquisite form. + +Demo looked at them and was so enticed that he had a mind to +keep them. Wisdom prevailed, and merely placed them in his +pouch. + +He inquired widely of those who might know, searched widely for +the land wherein she dwelt. In due time he was rewarded. And +finally he reached the very village she called home. + +The dwellings were scattered, separated by green meadows and +forest. Each small domicile resembled in its own way the home +where he lived with his Mother. + +But he did not find her in one of these. + +They met in the square of the little village. He was +astonished. With her reputation for physical superiority he +expected - well, it doesn't matter. + +What he found was a beautiful woman, tall and slender. Not +muscle-bound, she. Not the heavy wrestler. Nor the huge-biceped +brute he had visualized. + +They talked. + +"Ah, young sojourner. What brings you to our land? Do you seek +adventure, riches? You'll not find them here, I assure you. But, +while you tary, join with me in a race." She challenged him, as +she did all newcomers to the village. Race with her, and if he +but win she would acquiesce to his every demand. + +Demo blinked. It was going to be so easy. Amazing! He had +expected to cajole, beg, lie - even, terrible thought, to carry +her off against her will. + +The race began unpropitiously. + +She darted ahead, turned with a smile - a sarcastic, mocking +one. + +"My, shall I help you? Perhaps your brogans are too heavy. Or +is it those huge feet?" + +Quickly he tossed one of the golden apples before her, slightly +off to the side. The legends proved true. + +She quickly deviated from the path, picked up the apple, +continued on her way. + +Happily, in those moments he gained. She was now only steps +ahead! + +Once more Demo tossed an apple. This time it went even more off +the path. Nevertheless she ran after it, returned to the race. + +She laughed. + +"You think to distract me? I have but begun to run. But don't +worry, I'll wait for you at the finish line." + +And now they were abreast! + +He tossed once more, the last of the apples. + +His eyes widened. The fox imp rose from the roadside bushes, +seized the apple, and disappeared again, chortling. + +Atalanta would now be concerned only with the race! How could +he possibly beat her! Ah, if only he had one more of the golden +apples. Sadly he staggered on. There was no way he could beat +her! + +He had failed! + +He reckoned not with Vulcan's skill! + +Atalanta lost all thought of the race, ran madly after the fox +imp. The imp, looking back, saw her quick approach and dropped +the apple. It skipped sideways, dashed into the forest without a +glance behind. + +Atalanta seized the last apple, returned to the race to find +herself bested. With good grace she bowed to the winner. + + + +The nuptials were performed by a local priest. He wanted no +pay, merely the reputation of having married the mighty Atlas to +Atalanta. + +As Atlas shifted the world on his shoulder Atalanta squeezed +his brawny arm. The adoration on her face brought happiness to +his eyes. + +A perfect match, thought Demo. + + + +"Give him a wife! I sent you to find the most horrible of +tortures. How dare you suggest we reward his impiety by +providing him with a wife! I've a mind to have you replace him +for just a few hours, with the burden of the world on your +shoulders!" + +Zeus was, to put it kindly, miffed. + +"But, Sire, think! If Atlas had such a wife as Hera . . . ?" + +"Give him Hera? Well, you begin to interest me." Zeus looked +around quickly. "Just jesting, my boy, of course. Now what have +you in mind?" + +"That he be wed to Atalanta." + +"The huntress! Yes, yes indeed. Glad I thought of it. A +delightful young lady. Enticing! Irresistible!" He paused, +glanced around, spoke with lowered voice. "She will tire of him! +At first, they will be attracted, of course. Of course, he will +be so busy balancing the world, he'll have little time for her. +Soon they'll quarrel and he'll feel miserable." Zeus smiled +benevolently. + +"Wonderful! My boy, you wisdom exceeds your years. In fact, the +more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to permit your +marriage to Athena. You, too, deserve such married bliss." + +There seemed to be a slight snicker in his voice. + +Demo ignored it. Finally, Zeus was beginning to mellow, to +consider rewarding him for his services. What a kind and +considerate God indeed! + + + +Though she knew not where fate might lead, Ceres labored still +to undo the evil marriage of Pluto to Persephone. In the heart +of Pirithous she planted the seed of love, love for Persephone. +There it grew and prospered. + +The day came when Pirithous would tarry no longer. Whatever his +fate might be, he would free his loved one from the grasp of the +barbarous Pluto! + +Theseus reasoned with his friend, but to no avail. Then, +reluctantly, knowing full well the dangers, he joined him on +that fated mission. + +The entrance to the dark kingdom lies on the far shore of +Oceanus. Nevertheless, there are secret ways, known to only the +few. This knowledge Ceres had. + +Dark caverns and dread marked their way. Creatures not of this +world guarded narrow defiles, yet let them pass unharmed. +Sulfurous fumes that might have brought them to a deadly sleep +dissipated with their approach. Olden bridges, rotten and +decayed, crossed deep caverns, yet none gave way with their +weight. With each such success Theseus grew ever more alarmed. + +"Friend, it is not as it should be! We are not opposed! Do you +remember the ambush of the Sileni? I fear we are being led on." + +Pirithous listened, nodded. + +"Such is my thought. Turn back, old friend. I shall press on +alone. For good or evil, my fate lies ahead, in the bowels of +this infernal region. Fare thee well, now go your way. And say a +prayer to Zeus for the success of my mission." + +Theseus placed his hand on Pirithous' shoulder. "We have fought +many a battle, you and I. The times you have saved my life, and +I yours, are innumerable. If fate calls you yonder, then you +shall not go alone." + +Would that loyalty and friendship were portents of success. + +It was not to be. + + + +Even the drawbridge was in place, and the great wooden door to +Pluto's castle, open. They entered warily. + +Pluto grimaced in a friendly smile, if such it could be called. + +"Welcome, for I have few such visitors. Come, join me. Sit on +yonder bench, and let us discuss the purpose of your visit." + +Woe unto those who sit upon the Chair of Forgetfulness! + +Named rightly, even as the waters of Lethe, it cleanses the +mind of all that went before! + +And that the bench to which Pluto motioned them. + +Pluto poured red wine into waiting glasses, rose to carry it to +them. He nodded to the bench as he approached, reached the wine +toward them. + +Pirithousaccepted the glass, moved to the bench. Theseus +frowned. Something was wrong. But what? + +Finally he too moved to the bench, joined his friend. + +"We came to . . . ." Pirithous was silent, glanced at Theseus. +Shaking his head, he repeated, "We came to . . . ." He could not +continue. + +Theseus sat quietly, empty-eyed. + +Without a sound Pluto took the wine glasses from lax hands, +called his minion to carry away the glasses and wine. + +He sat, looked at his visitors, then turned away. + +They waited now for the coming of Hercules. + +And Ceres waited, too. + +She waited for a champion. + +A champion to challenge Pluto's power. + +14. Lover's Quarrels + +Cupid launched his arrows with careful aim at times, at times +with casual disregard. + +Today he launched no arrows. + +His quiver was empty. + +"Zeus, you've got to straighten out the postoffice. I ordered a +gross nearly an eon ago. And still they haven't arrived! Look at +me! What good am I without my arrows? What is Olympus coming to?" + +"Now, now, have patience, Little One. Let me see. Ah, I have +it. Just stand by. Oh, Demo. I need you. I have such a nice +chore for you. Demo, get yourself up here!" + +Demo grimaced. Just before supper, and what a meal his mother +had prepared. Surely there'll be nothing but leftovers when I +get back. Ah, unfortunately, Zeus was not one to wait. + +"My lad, we have a major problem. A work stoppage! Our mail +system is old, archaic, obsolete - besides which, I don't like +it. Fix it!" + +Peremptorily Zeus turned, walked through the nearest wall and +disappeared from view. + +Demo blinked. Such abruptness would be unpardonable in a lesser +entity. At times one must bear with Zeus. He had his - eh, +eccentricities. + + + +"It's the rain! No, it's the snow! No, it's the dark of +night!" The postmaster explained the reasons for such poor +service. His subservients listened quietly, nodded in ready +agreement with each of his explanations. Then they all sat back, +put their feet on their respective desks, and talked incessantly +about ways of solving the problem. + +"Eh, shouldn't they be out delivering the mail, " Demo inquired? + +"Well, yes, but we need to think about this big problem. The +mail can wait." + +Demo looked at the postmaster, shook his head, and started for +home. He stopped. "Is there any mail for myself or my Mother? +I'll take it with me." + +"Oh, you couldn't do that! Only we are authorized to deliver +the mail. It'll be along in . . . , oh, in a week or so." + + + +Cupid's arrow are very effective. In fact, they never fail. +Unfortunately, they do have a minor weakness. Their effect is +not permanent. Thus Cupid must wander from place to place, +zapping the same targets from time to time. + +That isn't to bad, as Cupid is fast, his aim is accurate, and +in an odd sort of way the victim enjoys the wound. + +However, since he has previously inoculated his subjects, he +must use the same concoction as previously. Otherwise the spell +may work, but for an entirely different object of desire. + +The problem with the mail was introducing another complication. +Cupid's spell was beginning to wear off for many a couple. + +One such couple was Athena and Demo. + + + +Not that they quarreled. Rather, as Athena phrased it, they +discussed. + +The discussion became loud, grew heated, and Athena paced +angrily back and forth. "And I could have a God. But no! I +choose a country bumpkin! An insensitive, heartless, country +bumpkin." + +Fire burned fiercely in her eyes as she glared at Demo. + +"So he saved my life. Anyone could have done as well! Certainly +that is no reason to condemn myself to live with him for an +eternity. Look at him! Merely a mortal! And an immature, +childish one at that!" + +Demo blinked, swallowed. + +He had never seen anyone so angry. Not even Theresa the time he +spilled cold wine down her back. Well, maybe that time. +Nevertheless, no other. + +This was indeed a crisis! Plainly, the mail system must be +rescued, and Cupid's arrows quickly delivered! + + + +Demo began his task by doing extended research. His first step +was to read. History of the Post Office. Operation of a Post +Office. Management books in general. Operations Research, +Management Analysis, Industrial Engineering, Sex Life of the Sea +Turtle - Oops! That book was misfiled, on the wrong shelf. +Anyway, it was really dull reading. + +He interviewed the customers of the Post Office. He interviewed +those who delivered the mail. He interviewed the managers. The +more they talked, the less he knew. + +He attempted to examine the day-to-day operations. In spite of +his credentials as Zeus' emissary, he found little cooperation. + +Organization charts were missing. Long term plans were +non-existent. Budgets were cursory documents. Balance sheets and +Profit and Loss statements were fiction. + +The warehouses bulged! + +The mail was accumulating at a phenomenal rate. The mail was +being delivered at a minuscule rate. + +Fingerpointing was rampant! + +Managers blamed workers. Workers blamed management. Zeus blamed +Demo. The people blamed everyone. + +And Cupid waited impatiently for his arrows! + +What to do! + + + +He discussed the situation with his Mother. + +"Why, dear, there really seem to be two problems. Delivering +the mail that has accumulated, and insuring that it doesn't +accumulate in the future. Perhaps you could burn the backlog, +and throw away all incoming mail for a while." + +"Burn! Throw away! Mother, Zeus would be furious! Besides, what +if I burned Cupid's arrows? Athena and I might never be united!" + +Nevertheless, he thought about his Mother's words. And thought +of a brilliant solution to the first problem. + +"Sire, we need to implement a two step process. First, we +deliver all the outstanding mail. Second, we streamline the +existing system to insure we don't again arrive at our present +situation again." + +"Fine, I like that. Do it!" Zeus seemed very agreeable. + +"Well, yes, Sire. By the way, I'll need the services of +Mercury." + +"Of Mercury! He's my private messenger! How dare you! How long +will you need his services? Ridiculous! When can I have him +back? And how do you propose to use him?" + +"We'll loan him to the Post Office Department. He'll distribute +the backlog quickly and easily, and then we have only the second +problem to solve." + +Zeus frowned, then finally agreed. + + + +Mercury's transfer to the Postal Department was delayed. Not +because he objected; rather, because of the normal bureaucratic +delays. Eventually the paperwork was completed and the transfer +made. + +The results were astounding. Within a day half of the backlog +was distributed. It seemed that the initial problem was well on +its way to being solved. + +Appearances are deceiving! + +On the second day the mail distribution once more failed. And +Cupid had not yet received his arrows! + + + +Demo hurried to talk to the Postmaster. + +"What has happened? Where is Mercury? The mail is once more +piling up!" + +"No problem. It'll all be delivered in time. As for Mercury, he +was ruining the morale of our normal deliverers. I really +couldn't tolerate that, so I placed him in another department. +He is currently acting as our censor. Keeps his eye open for +anything that might be controversial. Why, he just found a +package of arrows! Never should have let them get into the +system. Directed to a Mr. Cupid, on Zeus' staff. Might well have +been an attempted assassination planned!" + +"Arrow? Cupid?" Demo's eyes brightened. "Ah, where are they? +What did you do with them?" + +"Turned them over to security. Right now they are rounding up +this Cupid character. It'll go hard with him, I assure you!" + + The arrest of Cupid created a furor on Olympus. Zeus was +nonplused. Hera, horrified! Venus, however, was the practical +mother. "Zeus, you must go his bail. I know it is high. Still, I +am sure there are some celestial bailbondsmen who'll cover it +for a fraction of the total amount." + +Reluctantly Zeus provided the gold. + + + +The problem still remained. Find the arrows! + +Demo rushed to Hades, where The Great Detective, better known +as TGD, a detective of somewhat dubious character had +established office. "Sir, you are famous for the divorce cases +you have supported, for the furtive tracing of vanished +criminals - indeed, for tracking down lost people and lost +items. Your skills are badly needed in support of Zeus!" + +TGD smiled. "I am pleased that Zeus has need of me. I would be +better pleased if he were to allow me to relocate my office to +Olympus. However, for a reasonable fee, I shall be glad to +locate the arrows." + +"The arrows? How did you know? Well, yes, the arrows must be +found. The world is approaching a level of desperation never +seen before." + +"Great! Then my price shall be adjusted accordingly. Now, where +were they last seen? In whose hands? What was the intended +disposition by that person?" + +"Come, boy, just the facts. Don't waste my time. + +Though taken aback, Demo quickly supplied the information. + +"We must act quickly! The game, to plagiarize, is afoot. Hand +me my cape, my cap, and yonder cane. Been at this too many +years, you know. Eh, my pipe, also, if you please." + +"But . . . , eh, where are we going?" + +"Don't be dense, lad. Where else - we're going to collect those +arrows. I don't charge by the hour, I charge by the case. So I +don't care to waste time. Come along, now, Wat . . . - Beg your +pardon, come along now, Demo." + +Demo came along. + +TGD had dealings with the postal system before. His +interrogation of the Postmaster was cruel. Without hesitation he +attacked when any sign of deviousness, confusion, or simple lack +of clarity surfaced. + +"My dear sir, you're talking pure balderdash! Come, come, to +the point, man. Who was the last man known unequivocally to +have had possession of those arrows? None of this 'It seems +like,' or 'I think it was,' or any of that tomfoolishness. Who +do you recall with certainty last had the arrows!" + +TGD augured in on the key contact, step by step. With each new +suspect he reiterated the above questions. His eyes were +brightening. He plainly had a clue! + +Demo listened and watched. He was impressed by TGD's +step-by-step, inexorable closing in on the culprit. + + + +Mercury recalled finding the package of arrows. In his job as +censor he had decided to notify the Postmaster. The latter had +called in the security department, and the arrows were +transferred to them. + +"To whom did you specifically deliver the arrows?" TGD queried. + +"Why, to Janus, of course. As doorkeeper Janus is in full +charge of security. Would I have delivered them to anyone else!" + +TGD smiled. "Thank you, of course you delivered them to Janus. +Eh, did you ask for a receipt?" + +"Ask for a receipt! From Zeus' own doorkeeper! Never!" + +"Ummm. Yes, I understand. Thank you, you have been most +helpful." + + + +"How long have you worked as doorkeeper, Mr. Janus?" + +"Oh, for eons. Yes, for eons and eons! I've always been Zeus' +doorkeeper, you know. He'd never have another. Very pleased with +me, he is. + +"Except that time I closed the door on his foot. Terrible +episode, really. Never cared for those sandals, myself. Don't +really offer much protection. Lost th' toenail on his big toe, +he did! It grew back, of course! My, but he was in a dither. +Said some dreadfully rude things to me. Even, would you believe +it, threatened to replace me!" Janus feelings had been hurt, +perhaps even more so than Zeus' big toe. + +"Yes, I'm sure. Now about the arrows, Mercury gave them to you, +did he not?" + +"Of course he did. Dreadful conspiracy going on. Arrows are +dangerous things indeed. I gave them to Ate for delivery to +Zeus. Blessed if I know what she did with them. Be very +careless, letting them lie around. Particularly after the +release of that dreadful Cupid. Was he plotting an insurrection, +do you think?" + +TGD smile, turned to Demo. "We are closing in. Ate! Yes, I +might have known. The very essence of mischief. Let us first +discuss the matter with Zeus. We'll get no straight answers from +Ate, of that I am sure!" + + + +Zeus received them with poor grace. + +The love that Hera held for him was growing ever thinner. He +glared at Cupid with undisguised anger. "You should have had a +backup supply. Ridiculous to run out of arrows. They really +aren't that costly!" + + + +TGD grilled Zeus with the same methodical approach he used for +all. And even Zeus was impressed, and finally cooperated. + +"Demo, I am sure you will succeed. Indeed, he is TGD. Must get +him to find my wife's earrings. We'll work on that later." + +"Yes, Ate did mention the arrows to me. Told her to get them to +Cupid, right away. But he claims never to have received them!" + +Of course, Ate, true to the reputation for mischievousness, had +never delivered the arrows to Cupid. The noose was tightening. +The culprit was now identified! + + + +"Ate, did Mercury give you the arrows?" + +"Oh, no. Janus gave them to me. Perfect arrows, well designed +for their purpose. Plainly they belonged to Cupid. Talked to +Zeus about it, and I delivered them to Cupid the very next day." + +TGD was taken aback. In spite of Ate's reputation he recognized +some semblance of truth in the words. + + + +Cupid denied all. "Never received them from Ate. Never even saw +Ate. Dastardly lie, that's all. Finger pointing! Would ruin my +reputation! Ridiculous!" + +Sitting quietly TGD listened, nodded. "Lovely place you have +here. Would you show me the house?" + +"Delighted," Cupid smiled. "I decorated it myself." + +Demo found himself blushing at the many statues and pictures. +They had plainly been developed with Cupid's tastes in mind. + +TGD, however, had other things in mind. + +"You've no mail slot in your front door." + + + +"No, I'm a bit old fashioned. Mailbox is down by the road. +Retains something of the old rural atmosphere, you know." + +They wandered through the house, from one erotic treasure to +another. Then they walked outside. + +TGD admired the lawn, the trees, the white picket fence. He +opened the gate, reached in the mailbox, and extracted a +package. "Here, my boy. Your arrows." + +Demo's eyes widened. + +"Astounding, my dear TGD! But, how did you know? The mailbox? +No mail is being delivered!" + +"Elementary, friend Demo. Of course you knew no mail was being +delivered. I know that. Cupid knows that. So Cupid doesn't +bother to check his mail." TGD smiled. + +"And Ate certainly knew that! And I know Ate!" + + + +"Thank you, lad. Never has my kingdom been so peaceful!" Zeus +was well pleased. + +"Ah, sire, it is truly wonderful. Athena smiled at me! Oh, by +the way, the earrings. TGD says not to worry. Hera is wearing +them." + +"Wearing them! No wonder she couldn't find them in her jewelry +box! I really must pay more attention to my wife. + +"Oh, as for the postal department! I abolished it. Mercury is +now running the Celestial Parcel Service. Deliveries guaranteed +to reach destination before being dispatched! How's that for a +gimmick!" + +15. Giver of Fire + +Man weeps. + +The beast of the fields ate of his flesh, and no where could he +hide. By day the pterodactyls swooped from the skies to take +their toll. By night the wolves, in vicious packs, invaded even +man's caves and carried off their prey. + +Man weeps. + +The sound was low, smothered by the wind. + +But one heard. + +Prometheus. + +He took a brand from the fires of Olympus, laid it at the mouth +of the cave where man shivered in cold and fear. And the wolves +grew wary, approached not. And man maintained as sacred the fire +given to them by Prometheus. Priests and priestesses watched +without cessation that the fire should be fed. Let the flames +but flicker, and they stirred the ashes. Should the burning +brands be too few they replenished them. And should the flames +die they brought forth the bellows, blew life giving air on the +coals below, and the fire burned bright. They never failed in +their chores. + +Except, + +Once. + +Then, the fire died! + + + +"Lad, you must never tell a soul of this task. As Zeus, master +of the universe, I make no mistakes. But, at an earlier time, I +took an action that I have since regretted. Prometheus, the +giver of fire, as you earthlings know him. I punished him +severely. Even to this day he suffers." + +Zeus seemed to be downcast. "Anyway, the fire he gave to man +has burned out, flickered out, been blown out - whatever. Yet, +after careful thought, I have decided that man should have fire. +Prometheus must be freed to once again pass a lighted brand to +mankind. I can't free him, as that would cast doubt on my +infallibility. So, you do it. Off with you, now!" + + + +There is a mountain, far removed from human haunts. There, time +after time, a tragedy repeats itself. Prometheus, the giant +benefactor to mankind, waits. Chains bind him to the mountain. +He waits and watches, watches the sky. + +High in the sky, barely visible, a black dot can be seen. +Suddenly it falls, faster and faster, and as suddenly slows, +wings widespread. An eagle. A giant bird, with fierce talons, +merciless curved beak, strikes at the helpless captor. + +Its talons rip, its beak slashes, and Prometheus gasps in pain. +The eagle tears at skin and muscle, at bone, and finally tears +from living flesh an organ. It flies away, the liver of its +victim in its beak. + +Day ends, night passes, an lo the body of Prometheus has +healed. And now he waits again the coming of the eagle. + + + +Demo began his hike to the Edge of the World, that region where +juts the great mountain upward to the sky. + +He carried with him dried venison. No bread had he. Mankind's +fires were no more. Raw fruit and vegetables. Sun dried meat and +fish. + +At home his Mother sat before the stove, her frustration plain +on her red face. Without fire she could not cook. Without fire +the night became ever dark, and days were too short. + +Prometheus must be freed! + + + +"These boltcutters will handle any chains you'll run into, +young man. Well tempered metal, endorsed by Vulcan when he +started this franchise. His personal guarantee on every one +sold. Money back, no questions asked, if you aren't satisfied. +Now, what more could you ask?" The salesman was solicitous and +persistent. + +Finally Demo nodded, paid the asking price, and added the +boltcutter to his pouch of goodies. + +He had chanced on the Vulcan Franchised Technology hardware +store while passing through the village. Fortunately it carried +the type of equipment he required. + +"And keep in mind, with the extinguished fires, there'll be no +more of these produced. It'll become a collector's item, worth +much more than the original cost. You are getting a bargain!" + + + +The sight of the giant, some scars still open and bleeding, +brought tears to Demo's eyes. Quickly he climbed upward, reached +the cliff to which Prometheus was pinned. + +Demo looked at the chains, at his boltcutter. + +It was too small! + +He examined the pitons that maintained the chains in place. +Hammered deep in the rock, they seemed mounted to last forever. +Demo shook his head. What could be done? + +At that moment he heard a strange sound, growing ever louder. +Looking upward he saw an object. It fell from the sky, swifter +and swifter still. + +And then, wings spread, in eagle form it lashed at its assigned +prey! + +The mountains trembled at the thunderous scream of the tortured +giant. He quivered, threw himself against the bonds that held +him! + +Agony on his face, he screamed once more! + +Demo put hands over ears to escape the misery and pain that +voice held. It did not suffice! + +He looked, grief-stricken, at the bleeding, gaping wound. He +gazed in wonder at the pain-filled face, the reddened eyes! + +Prometheus eyes closed. Sweat poured from his brow. Slowly he +slipped down, unconscious from the pain. Only the chains +supported him. + +"Zeus, that you could impose such horror! I cannot understand! +But he shall be freed! I must act quickly!" Demo talked to +himself as he worked. + +Though his boltcutter was useless Demo was not ready to give +up. He took hammer and metal chisels from his pack, began to +work on the most worn of the links of chain. + +Even as he worked he noted the change in Prometheus. The wound +healed! By nightfall no sign remained, except the fearful scars, + to show that the vicious attack had ever occurred! + +Tomorrow, the eagle would return! + +The boy worked throughout the night on the link. In early +morning it gave, opened! + +Prometheus pulled against the links, and one arm was free. With +both hands he wrestled with the remaining chain on his left arm. +In moments the piton was freed from the mountain wall! Quickly +he wrestled with the leg irons, wrenched them from their place +against the cliff. + +Prometheus, his bonds broken, glanced wildly around. His eyes +reflected fear, madness. He watched the skies, searching for +something fearful and inescapable. + +But no eagle flew. + +Demo motioned downward, toward the path leading to the valley +below. Quickly he led the way! "Follow me! Follow me! Quickly!" + +Prometheus, walking awkwardly, using skills long lost to +captivity. + +They reached the valley, began the long journey to the sea. + +Suddenly they felt a shadow encompass them. Demo frowned. + +Prometheus had thrown himself on the ground, curled up like a +child. He was sobbing. + +Glancing toward the sky Demo realized why! + +Now the eagle flew! + +Closer and closer, its wings spread wide, it zoomed downward. +Its prey lay still, paralyzed by fear, waiting its strike. + +Demo notched his arrow, loosed it against the huge bird. + +The arrow struck home! + +With an angry squawk the bird turned from its prey to its +attacker. Demo fell as it swooped near, rolled over! + +Too late! + +It had his leg, was pulling him aloft! + +Prometheus, an expression of fear on his face, yet reached out, +seized the wing of his enemy. He pulled the eagle to the ground. + +Demo was released, quickly rolled over. He watched, wide-eyed, +as Prometheus unleashed his pent-up anger on his tormentor. + +They fought long and hard, and feathers and blood mingled on +the valley's floor! At long last the eagle stood atop the giant, +its talons at his stomach! + +Yet, even as it tore at the flesh of the giant, Prometheus +seized its throat in powerful hands, cut off the breath of life. + +In moments the eagle lay dead! + +Demo looked at the face of the conqueror. He shuddered! + +The eyes of Prometheus still held unreasoning fear. No +semblance of reason was displayed in those haunted eyes! The +long, ever-enduring torment had not destroyed his body. + +It had destroyed his mind! + +The hope that man might once more have fire was dashed! + + + +Prometheus, for all his size and strength, was helpless. + +"Come, there is nothing left to do here. I'll help you. To +yonder stream." + +Demo led him from the site, down to a green meadow where flowed +a quiet brook. There he washed the giant's wounds, gave him wine +to drink, watched him as he slept. + +Like a child Prometheus followed Demo. At first ever watchful, +his frightened eyes on the sky. With time he relaxed, only +sporadically tensed, glanced anxiously upward. + +He did not speak. + +He did chores as directed. He searched for berries, edible +plants, honey. He fetched water from a nearby spring. + +Within the immediate area he worked diligently. He would not go +beyond sight of Demo. When he reached a distance that seemed to +great he would halt, bow his head, and return. + + Broken, frightened, the hero was dead! Only the shell lived. + + + +The wild beast became ever braver. Fire, that strange creature +that turned night into day, no longer existed. Mankind huddled +by night in their abodes, listening, frightened, at the night +sounds. + +The wolves became bolder. They hunted in larger and larger +packs, killed sheep at will. Soon village dogs became their +prey. And children who wandered alone into the night. Even men, +traveling alone, were subject to the deadly raid of the wolf +pack. + +Prometheus and Demo came under attack. They slept in the open, +under the stars. Demo woke to hear the call of the wolves as +they assembled for the hunt. He grimaced, felt for his bow and +arrows. + +Prometheus slept. Childlike, he trusted to Demo for his +protection. + +The howls soon ceased. That silence, more than the wild calls, +frightened Demo. He notched an arrow to his bow, sat with back +against a huge oak. He watched the edges of the clearing, +looking for sign of motion. + +He wasn't to be disappointed. + +They came in the false dawn, quietly creeping to the edge of +the open space. Demo saw in the dim light their movement. He let +fly an arrow, prepared another. The yelp of the injured wolf +signaled the attack. + +One more arrow flew and a wolf fell. The pack was upon him! He +had not time to draw his bow again. + +With an angry roar Prometheus awoke. His huge form towering +high, he seized a fallen tree trunk, raised it above his head. + +He met the oncoming horde with battering blows, growls more +fierce than that of beast. Quickly, leaving fallen comrades +behind, the wolves scattered. + +Prometheus sat down, shivered as though cold. + +"Why is there no fire? They would fear the fire." + +Demo stared! + +Under the fierce attack Prometheus had regained his will to +live, to fight! + +"The fire you gave man is extinguished. He failed to keep its +flame burning, failed to protect it. He took it for granted, and +none would be its keeper. + +"There is no fire!" + +Prometheus lay down the great log, breathed deeply. + +"I took from Vulcan's furnace, from the hottest flames, the +heart of fire. I gave it to man for his care and nurture, to +protect him from the creatures of the wild. I gave it to him to +protect him from the night, and those things that creep in the +darkness. And now he has let it die? What fools are these +mortals, to disdain a such a gift?" + + "Man grows lazy and irresponsible. He thinks all things come +to him with no effort on his part. He values little those gifts +that he receives. At last he knows, now, what he has lost." + +"In my own hand I carried the fiery coals. Look!" + +He thrust out the palms of both hands, and Demo stared in the +dawning light of morning at the charred and blackened skin. + +"Vulcan will not so easily be fooled again! Yet," Prometheus +mused, looking at Demo, "Perhaps it can be done." + +Demo frowned. No more was Prometheus leaning on him to take the +lead. + +"You have access to Olympus. Zeus has given you the key, for +you seem to be a favorite of his. And once on Olympus, you have +access to Vulcan. You could prepare the way for me, distract +Vulcan, and I could once more draw fire from that deadly +furnace. Let us plan together." + +They sat, discussed, argued, compromised. + +It was decided. Demo would return to Olympus, persuade Zeus to +call an audience with Vulcan. And in Vulcan's absence, once more +would Prometheus carry fire to mankind. + +The best laid schemes of man and firegiver go oft astray. + + + +Zeus would have none of it! "I want no involvement on my part. +Otherwise, do what you will." + +They sat, discussed, argued, compromised. + +Demo was amazed! That Zeus would condone such activity on +Demo's part seemed unbelievable. Perhaps, as Prometheus implied, +he was a favorite! + +Regardless, Vulcan would be called to an audience. He would be +detained long enough for Prometheus to wend his way to that +great furnace wherein lie the eternal fires. And once more would +Prometheus give to man the gift of fire. + + + +Vulcan looked morosely at the raging fires in his furnace. +Flames huge and red leaped, frolicked, and disappeared to be +followed by others of blue and white. They cast gigantic +shadows, grotesque and ever changing. + +Usually he admired the display, relaxed as might others to the +sound of music. + +Tonight he did not relax. + +Zeus desired his company. + +Rarely did Zeus call upon him. Even more rarely was he invited +into the presence of that most august God. It did not please +him. Here, at his furnace shaping objects from hardest metal, he +felt at home. Let others court the company and favors of Zeus. + +Nevertheless, he would go. Perhaps there was a chore to be +done, a mighty sword to fashion, a shield to form from molten +metal. Or, more likely, some damaged tool to repair, welding +broken parts to make a whole. + +He stoked the fire, breathing the hot flames as though perfume. +Wiping sweat from his moist brow he hurried to ready himself for +his audience with Zeus. + + + +Prometheus waited. + +With Vulcan's departure he slipped into the celestial foundry, +inched ever closer to the heart of that huge factory. The +furnace glowed from the fire within. + +Prometheus entrance was noted. + +He knew not of the guard. + +Vulcan had led a life of abuse, mistrust, and rejection. He +himself trusted no one. Though crippled he remained agile and +able, and used his skill with fire and metal to fabricate an +object of strange shape and size. + +The object was formed of the strongest metals. Its joints were +cunningly hinged to allow motion. Its appearance was that of man +- rather, that of giant. For it was huge. Huge and massive. + +Silently it stood guard in the empty foundry. A dead, useless +metal statue, a scarecrow for the vagrant birds that might pass +by. + +It had one more characteristic. + +It lived! + +Vulcan had withdrawn from the huge furnace a heart of fire, +ensconced it in the body of his creation. That burning, beating +heart gave it an existence of its own. + +Prometheus' entrance was noted. + +Noted by Vulcan's metal monster! + +Prometheus stalked quickly to the fiery confines of Vulcan's +furnace. Opening the door to its sizzling interior, he flinched +back from the blast of flames and heat. + +Quickly he picked up the long shovel, thrust it into the midst +of the flames. Slowly he withdrew it, the very heart of +scorching mass centered in the scoop. + +Vulcan's creation struck! + + + +The metal monster, moving silently, steadily, had positioned +itself behind Prometheus. Even as he captured the heart of the +furnace its arms enfolded him. + +Prometheus dropped the shovel! + +The white-hot mass of fire rolled onto the floor, began to melt +the stones that supported it. + +Prometheus threw himself backward, tipping over his attacker! + +They rolled on the floor. The creature dug its iron talons into +Prometheus stomach. + +Prometheus screamed! + +The memory of the eagle engulfed him! + +Once again he was chained to the crag, the eagle coming ever +closer. + +Now it struck! + +Its talons, tearing, ripping . . . ! + +He seized the metal arm, bending and ripping at the fingers! +One by one they gave way to his strength. + +Even as the last finger gave way, the other arm now enwrapped +his throat! His breathing grew ever more difficult. And Vulcan's +monster wrestled him closer and closer to the deadly ball of +scorching fire. + +He felt the heat on his skin, burning and charring! Now his +chest was barely inches from the fire! It touched his skin! + +Abruptly he reached out, seized the burning mass in his huge +hands! + +He lifted the deadly cargo above his head! + +Burning through skin and flesh, charring bone, it lit the +hellish scene! + +With an effort he loosed the deadly mass behind his back! + +If fell on the head of Vulcan's creation. + +The struggle was over! + +A molten mass, the metal monster lay inanimate upon the floor! + +With crippled hands Prometheus once more shoveled the burning +heart of the furnace. Without a backward glance he rushed from +the site of battle. + +Arriving on earth he deposited his burden in the bowels of Mt. +Vesuvius. There would it ever burn. And from that burning mass +man once more distributed fire to hearth and kiln. + + + +"My boy, you handled that quite well. Certainly left Vulcan's +foundry in a mess, though. By the way, I sent Aesculapius over +to care for Prometheus' hands. It will take time, but +Aesculapius works wonders. Gad, his rates are high! Do you know +how much he charges for house calls! Never mind, it's enough, I +assure you!" Zeus grumbled to even think of the cost. + +"Stay healthy." He growled morosely. + +16. Wading in the River Styx + +Odor of dying algae, of rotting plants, of stagnant waters - +all drift above the long, dark stretches of the river Styx. No +beauty here. + +And in these waters lived creatures not of this world, but of +Hades, round which the river flowed, and flows forever. Doomed +through eternity to these putrid stream, they had yet one +recompense. + +Who dared wade the River Styx, he was their prey. + + + +"My boy, take this package over to the guardshack just across +the Styx. They are expecting it; by the way, be sure to get a +receipt. They hate to sign receipts. Still, it messes up our +accounts if we don't have them. The boat is anchored right by +the pier, and the oars are stowed beneath the seat." + +Zeus started to turn away, then hesitated. "Oh, well! Boy, +don't drag your hands in the water. And don't even think about +taking a dip. You'd be dreadfully sorry!" + + + +An extremely simple chore, this. Why all the fuss? + +Each river has its peculiarities. The Nile, known for its +annual flooding. The Lethe, notorious for the effect on those +who drink its waters. + +And then there is the river Styx. + +It has a well-deserved reputation. The environmentalists have +been picketing since time immemorial. They complain, +legitimately, about the odor, the sludge, the inhabitants - all +the little things that help make the Styx unique. + +They picket Pluto. + +Pluto suggests they picket Zeus, instead. To emphasize his +point he releases Cerberus. + +Hurriedly they scatter, not taking time to even look back. + +They picket Zeus. + +Zeus takes it all with gentle and tolerant attitude. His is a +measured reaction. He assigns to each picket a little black +cloud, from which rain continuously falls. Umbrellas are +discouraged by random gusts of wind. + +The pickets persist. + +Zeus smiles. + +The clouds grow larger, the winds gust more strongly. + +The temperature begins to fall. The continuous rain ends, is +replaced by snow showers. The winds now blow steadily from the +cold north. + +The pickets persist. + +Zeus' smile broadens. + +The clouds merge. The winds now reach blizzard force, and the +snow changes from soft flakes to frozen pellets. The temperature +drops, then drops again. + +The pickets assemble, discuss, and rapidly disperse. + +Zeus smirks, makes a snowball, which he then playfully tosses +into the air. He then builds a snowman. He gives it a picket +sign to carry. + +Humming, Zeus returns to his throne. + + + +There is no snow by the river Styx. Nor rain. Nor cooling +breeze. + +The air is stagnant, hot, thick with the odor of rotted plants, +the breath of Hades' denizens. + +Demo, with the back of his hand, wipes the sweat from his brow. +Ah, how delightful it would be to splash even this putrid water +on his forehead. Or even to swim in its cooling depths! What was +it Zeus had said? Something about being dreadfully sorry? + +He rows slowly, moving the oar against water with the +consistency of mud. To lift the oar for the next stroke is +nearly as difficult as to row. + +Then he cannot lift it at all! + +Frowning Demo yanked at the oar. It gave slightly, then slipped +back into the dank water. With an effort he used the side of the +boat as a point of leverage, once more brought up the oar. + +Covered with slime, strange plant growth, it broke the surface +of the water. But there is something else, a red long and sinewy +coil wrapped tightly around the oar. Grimacing, Demo tried to +scrape the enwrapping red plant from its hold. + +The red plant suddenly uncoiled, extended upward, and quickly +enwrapped his forearm. Wide-eyed Demo attempted to pull free. + +The hold on his arm tightened! + +He was being pulled to the side of the boat! + +Slowly the boat began to tip. He lost his footing, fell against +the gunwale. The boat began to rock, and with each rock the +putrid water of the river Styx splashed in. + +As Demo pulled hard more and more of the red plant became +exposed. + +With a start Demo stared into enormous green eyes! + +This was no plant! + +Rather, a denizen of the weird waters! A denizen with an +appetite for Demo! + +A grin appeared on its face. Rather, a smirk. It licked its +lips in anticipation. + +With one arm held captive by the creature, Demo was unable to +use his bow and arrows. Nevertheless, he was not completely +helpless. + +With his free hand he pulled an arrow from its pouch, stabbed +at the entwining red tentacle. Surprised and in pain, the +creature uncoiled its hold, slid back into the dark stream. + +Demo sat down in the boat, sweat appearing on his forehead. For +a moment he sat still. Then he noticed that the boat was +drifting away from the shore. + +With a start he once more manned his oars! + + It was useless. The slow flowing waters of the Styx had now +branched off. This was a different river entirely! + +He recognized it! Fearfully his eyes opened wide! + +The Meander! A river that went on forever. Purposeless, +endless, going on forever! + + + +He looked back. + +No trace of the Styx was to be seen! + +From the far shore he heard unearthly laughter! + +An object he knew too well blended with the shadows there. The +unseen companion! + + + +Night fell, the air cooled. Birds flew low in pursuit of +mosquito swarms. From the swampy shores growls and moans, +strange shrieks and lonesome howls disturbed the darkness. The +water lapped intermittently against the boat's side. Fish, or +creatures adapted to the Meander, leaped above the water, +splashed back to the surface. Nightbirds winged closed to the +boat, dived toward Demo, then veered away. + +Finally, lulled by the boat's rocking, he fell asleep. + +The frigid night air woke him. The vast waste of the river was +coated by a low-lying white fog. Above, a cold and desolate moon +shone full on the quiet scene below. At times white fluffy +clouds blocked its rays, then drifted on. + +As morning approached a light breeze began to blow. The surface +fog, like disturbed ghosts, scattered, drifted, faded away. +False morning lit the sky, only to fade. + +A red and angry sun rose on the horizon. Twisted, bent, huge +trees brooded along the river bank. The sun's rays hardly +penetrated into the depth of the forest. Birds flew high, +dashing wildly away as a hawk fell into their midst. A large +fish leaped from the waters' surface, splashed back and +disappeared. + +His empty stomach growled in anger over lack of breakfast. The +thought of meat and eggs cooking on his mother's fire would not +leave his mind. + +He searched his pouch, found only day old remnants of bread, +which he quickly devoured. Still, visions of venison roasting, +of warm loaves of bread from the oven - enough! He must quit +this foolish dreaming, must find a way to return! + +Listlessly the young man let his hand dip into the water. Only +were he able to catch a fish, anything to provide sustenance. + +With a start he felt an object brush against his fingers. +Quickly he grasped it, pulled it to the surface. Perhaps a fish, +careless of predators. + +"No!" + +He thrust it from him! The headless body of a man! Shuddering +he watched it slip away. In his mind he recalled the story of +one so killed, doomed to the endless wandering of the Meander. + + + +The broad river seemed to wind endlessly, going nowhere. Along +its low banks huge trees dipped their limbs in the muddy water. +A turtle swam by near the shore, then dived below. In the tree +limbs above birds sang their mating calls. Serenely the placid +river flowed. A lifeless stretch of jungle bordered it. + +But was it lifeless! + +Something moved among the brush and tree trunks. At first he +thought of the unseen companion. No, this was different. + +He watched carefully. + +Farther along, more movement! Something, or someone, was +following his boat! + +They stayed well back from the shore. Still, from time to time +he saw again the movement, glimpsed once more a stern visage. + +He tensed as the current moved him closer still to that shore +and its unknown inhabitants. + +The boat ground to a stop, its lower hull lodged on the +shallow bottom. + +Demo took a deep breath, using the oar tried to pry the boat +from its anchorage. + +A small stream flowed into the river within feet of his +position. + +The bushes along the stream were moving! The motion came ever +closer! + +He climbed into the water, attempted to free the boat again. + +It was to no avail! + +He turned to the shore. They stood silently, stoic, watching. + +Waiting! + +The Sileni! + +A distant cousin of the centaurs, with much the same +appearance. Their lower haunches were horselike, while torso and +head were that of man. Their history was dim, their homeland +unknown. + +There was no escape! The boat was lodged tightly. He stood, +waded slowly to the shore. + +"We rarely see visitors from the outside." This Sileni stood +tall above his companions. "And on the river Meander some come +and go, never to be seen again. What seek you on this river?" + +"Ill fate sent me to this stream. I merely wished to cross the +river Styx, carrying a missive sent by Zeus. Strange forces +diverted my passage, and I floated unwillingly here." + +"Tarry with us a bit. To follow the Meander is useless. It +never ends, never repeats a passage. An eternity is too short to +follow all its windings. Perhaps we can aid you, help you return +to the river Styx. Though it, too, is a river of ill repute." + +The hospitality of the Sileni pleased him. They fed him well, +gave him cot on which to sleep. During his sleep they dragged +the boat to shore. + +"Your coming has been foretold. One waits now to talk with you, +for there is much you do not know. Egeria, the last of the +Caminae, would speak with you. There is the matter of the Tarn." + +With a start Demo regarded the speaker. "Egeria! I do not +understand. The Caminae are long gone, long departed!" + +The conversation with Egeria confused him. She told him of +things to come, but in words that were mystic and full of +cryptic allusions. Yet she spoke of the tarn, where he must +inevitably meet a foreordained fate. + +"The tasks shall lie behind you, yet will there be another +task. By your kindness to a stranger shall you be led to danger +never faced by man. Though you be brave, follow the dictates of +your heart. Heed my words. For this were you brought to me. It +was foretold before your birth." The ancient woman stared at him +through blinkless eyes. + +Although he had listened he knew well that he did not +understand. "Heed the dictates of your heart." What dictates of +his heart? And if all had been foretold why should he not be +informed of those inevitable results? He gazed at her, started +to ask questions, then reconsidered. + +"The Sileni shall return you to your craft. Lie down, in the +bottom. Do not take oar in hand. When darkness descends you +shall once more be on the river Styx. Your mission shall be +quickly done. Tell Zeus that Egeria has opened your eyes." + + + +It transpired as she explained. Zeus, when he delivered her +message, bowed his head. "The Moira draws maps on sandy beaches, +and man and Gods dare not deviate. My boy, believe that I wish +you well. You understand, I cannot intervene in what will be." + +Perhaps for the first time Demo felt real fear! + +17. Lost in Time + +Cronus hiccuped. + +It doesn't happen often, and it rarely has much significance. + +Only this time, it had significance. This time, Cronus was +busy. + +He was adding a slight touch of gray to Demo's hair. + +Cronus, to those not knowing, has time as his domain. Even the +gods respond to his wiles, and age even as you and I. + +And Cronus was gently aging Demo. + +Cronus hiccuped. + +He had taken a liking to the boy since they had met on an +earlier task imposed by Zeus on Demo. So Cronus had not acted in +spite. It was only that Cronus is the master of time, and when +he hiccuped he inadvertently sent Demo flying into a time far +removed. Even this would hardly have been a problem, for Cronus +could easily have returned him. But, as only one way exists for +a project to go right, and many ways for it to go wrong, this +project went wrong. + +Cronus was distracted by his wife. He quickly followed her to +adjust a timepiece that kept erratic time. "My dear, it really +isn't the sundial that's at fault. It's the sun. It refuses to +travel at a constant rate. I've talked to Zeus. Unfortunately, +It's low on his priority list." + +Then Cronus went off to his study, and his hobby of clock +collecting. Demo was, for the moment, forgotten. In his study +Cronus maintained clocks of every size, every design, every +motif. Electronic clocks, grandfather clocks, wall clocks, floor +clocks, round clocks, square clocks - even clocks that kept +time. But no two displayed exactly the same time. For, you see, +time isn't at all the same. Here it has one value, there +another, and elsewhere still a third. But, most assuredly, one +of the numerous clocks ticked the right time. Only Cronus knew +which one. + + + +"Which studio you with? They shooting here today?" + +Demo looked quizzically at his interrogator. Since becoming +Zeus' prot‚g‚ he found that languages were no problem. All the +same, always there were references, words, and phrases of which +he had no ken. + +"I know not of studios, and the next shooting is at the great +fair, a full moon away. There I shall surely prove champion of +all of Greece, perhaps of all the civilized world." + +"Ah-ha! Your advertising a coming film, right. The Great Fair. +Well, I'll try to take it in. Your doing good, pal. I'll tell +you, though, that costume really needs some work." + +The stranger smiled and walked away. + +Demo frowned. + +No city of Greece was this. Grass grew not, and chariots dashed +madly, teamless, down streets of solid rock, The people wore +clothing of strange design, talked in a weird dialect, and gazed +at him in benign amusement. The buildings were as none he had +ever seen. They, too, were made of stone or even metal, and +their height gave challenge to proud Olympus. + +Suddenly he noted, passing high overhead, a dragon of strange +construction, growling deeply as it passed. Passersby gave it no +heed. Plainly the monster had already fed, was returning to its +lair for rest. + +A chariot smashed into the side of another, and high-pitched +screams as of the wild geese filled the air. The chariots lined +up, one behind the other, all emitting similar shrills. + +Something here is akilter, he thought. + +He noted men being disgorged by the shrilling chariots, +shouting each to the other and making aggressive motions with +closed fists. + +Then arrived chariots with fires of red and blue flashing upon +their heads, screaming like night creatures in tales he had been +told. + +These in turn disgorged men adorned in blue cloth, with shining +metal decorations on their chests. These men in turned carried +sticks, and screamed and shouted at those who had gone before. + +In due time the horseless chariots moved away, the mass chasing +in single file the leader. And endless sequence followed madly +after the leading chariot. Was this a race, or a new form of war? + +Along the pathway a bench attracted his attention, and he sat +down, took dried venison from his poke. A young man, perhaps his +own age, approached. + +"Hey, got a dollar? I'd like to borrow a dollar for a while." + +"What, pray, is a dollar?" + +The youth stared at him for a moment. "All right, forget it! +Whatcha eatin'? What's in th' poke?" He gestured toward Demo's +pouch. + +"Food, good food. Would you care for some tasty viands?" + +"Vines? Did you say vines? That ain't vines you're eatin'. +Looks like meat to me. You got any more?" + +"Yes, try it. You'll find it quite tasty. My mother dried it +under the sun, salted it herself." + +The suppliant tasted the dried venison, looked at Demo in +disbelief. "Hell, I'm going to the Salvation Army. You really +eat this stuff!" + + + +A large horseless chariot pulled up alongside him. A woman +starred at him through some strange, clear material. She smiled, +then laughed. He looked around to see what caused her laughter. + +Nothing untoward met his sight. Ill-dressed heathens strolled +aimlessly, it seemed, along the wide pathway. No, there was +nothing amusing to be seen. + +Frowning, he continued to eat his dried venison. Two men +dismounted from the chariot, and it drove away, moaning in a +disquieting manner. + +Inside the passengers were looking at him through the viewing +space in the rear. + +Perhaps it is my garb. Here they dress strangely. + +"Hare Krishna?" + +One of the passengers who had descended addressed him. + +"No, Demo." + +"That's a new one. Is it Indian?" + +"I don't think so. Greek." + +"Greek? Well, new ones are popping up all over. Here, just to +show you I'm open-minded, I'll donate a couple of bucks. Good +luck." + +The man walked off, murmuring, "Demo, and Greek! L A is the +place, I'll tell you!" + + + +He approached a large building. It had openings through which +he could see, but could not enter. However, watching the strange +people he noted an entrance that resembled a whirligig. My, he +thought, how many years since I played with a whirligig. Anyway, +as people went in and out, the door rotated. + +Finally, he entered the building. + +A boy stood in front of a silver recess, leaned down, and a +gush of water rose, striking him on the mouth. Only then did +Demo realize he was thirsty. When the boy moved Demo approached +the recess, leaned down. + +Demo frowned. Nothing had happened. + +He leaned forward again. A man looked at him, "Hey, it ain't +broke again, is it?" The man pressed the button and a stream of +water struck Demo's face. He sputtered, then drank thirstily. + +What part of Olympus is this, he thought. It resembles nothing +I've seen before. + +Nevertheless, it was becoming gradually familiar. He entered a +little room that had the picture of a man on the door. After +watching a few moments he found himself well versed on the +facilities. + +Fortunately, item after item followed a similar pattern. The +important thing was to watch. The paper given to him earlier +served as money. You used money to buy from machines and from +individuals. Of course, how to get money was unclear. + +Then he thought of the boy who had asked him for a dollar. Of +course, just ask. + +He tried it. At first he felt a little strange, for time after +time the individuals he asked seemed a little embarrassed, +finally provided either coins or paper. "Damn cults everywhere. +All right, here, just leave me alone." + +The young supplicant soon found his purse bursting with paper. +It was a strange phenomenon. Ask for money, it is given to you. +Give it to machines, to individuals, and they give you products. +Not too unlike home, except for the first step. + + + +Cronus frowned. + +There is something I've overlooked, he thought to himself. +Something important. Well, tomorrow I'll get around to it. + +The thought struck him. + +Demo! He had been aging Demo! Then, he had helped his wife with +the sundial. Then . . . . Oh, ho! The boy! What of the boy? + +"Ah, I've lost him!" He spoke aloud. "I've let him slip off, +and I didn't really note to where - rather, to when. Drat, it's +inconvenient. I suppose he'll show up by and by, sometime. Yes. +I wonder, what time?" + +At that moment he heard his wife calling. Evening meal was +ready. Thank goodness, I am famished, thought he. + +It was a delicious meal. + +Demo left the building, watched the chariots stopped in the +broad streets, growls issuing from inside. At times other sounds +issued from the vehicles. Loud and raucous, the sounds +repeated and repeated, as though some musical instruments were +being played out of tune. Accompanying these sounds were screams +and yells of tortured innocents. + +He could only assume that, in some manner, the chariots had +malfunctioned. + + + +Duane Golchick and Ralph Fulcere waited nervously outside the +bank door. The customers were thinning out as three o'clock +closing time neared. Finally the last of the stragglers left. + +Duane and Ralph entered quickly. + +"Say, I'm sorry, we were just closing." The guard smiled, +motioned them toward the door. + +"Just walk over to the counter with us. Put your hands behind +your neck and hold 'em there." Duane spoke in a half snarl, held +a revolver in his hand. + +The guard noticed the nervous motion of the gunbarrel. "Okay, +okay, don't be nervous. Whatever you say! Just take it easy! No +one's causing any trouble." + +"All right, listen up!" Ralph shouted. "This is a holdup! Any +screams, any alarms, and we'll take you out. And we don't care +who we shoot first, so you heroes just give it a try. Open it +up, babe." + +He indicated the gate leading behind the counters. The clerk +nervously fumbled with the catch, finally opened the gate. + +Duane and Ralph cleaned out the drawers, stuffing bills into a +garbage bag. "On the floor, all of you. Hands straight out, legs +spread, face down. Lift a head, move a muscle, and you're +history!" + +The left the building quietly. No one had moved. No one was +moving now. They ran for the car, parked in a nearby alley. + + + +A man in blue stopped Demo. + +"Those arrows real?" + +"Oh, yes, very real. Deadly, too. I've killed many a buck with +them. Won a few tournaments, too." + +"I thought so. You got a license to carry a deadly weapon? You +ain't some kind of kook, here to kill off as many as you can, +are you? Here, you better give me the bow." + +"Oh, no, I couldn't do that! It's been in the family for +generations. My Father used it to kill the sea serpent. And his +Father before him to kill fire dragons. I just couldn't part +with it." + +The policeman, for such he was, looked at Demo in astonishment. +"Oh, boy! One of those!" + +He took out his communicator, called for reinforcements. "Were +standing in front of the alley next to Martin's Bank. Seems like +a loony. Anyway, so far he's not violent. Get some +reinforcements over here, before he does go off his rocker. And +tell Sue warm up my pizza. I'll be in about two hours from now. +You let her know." + +He had hardly signed off when he felt an object pressing +against his neck. "Your in our way, Mr. Man. Now just pull out +that gun and let it fall, real easy. Now, put your hands behind +your head. Up against the wall. Spread 'em!" Ralph was relishing +the situation. + +"Get the gun and let's get out of here. You, get out of the +way." Duane motioned to Demo, who stepped politely aside. + +The two men entered the car, rev'd up the engine, pulled out +into traffic. + +"Stop them! Stop! Police!" The officer shouted. + +Demo notched an arrow to his bow, drove it through the right +rear tire of the vehicle. He then repeated the process with the +left tire. + +The car abruptly swerved, ran against the curb, jumped it. + +Crashing into a store front, the engine died. + +Almost at that instant the reinforcements arrived and hurried +to the car. + +"My God, it must be the kook with the bow. Look sticking out of +those tire! See if anyone is hurt. I've got him in sight." + +"Drop it, drop it now! I'll shoot!" + +Demo glanced at the approaching form. This also was a blue +clothed one. He turned to his companion. "Is he talking to you?" + +"Hey, it's all right. He's okay. Get them gorillas in the car. +Hurry, they're getting out!" + +Everyone rushed madly toward the chariot. For a moment Demo +watched, then turned with a shrug. An interesting, but kind of +strange, sport. + + + +"Hey, Guru, tell me what life signifies. You still chomping +that dried junk?" The boy who had asked for a dollar was +grinning at him. + +"My name is Demo, not Guru. Yes, I rather enjoy dried venison." + +"Look, Guru, no offense, eh? You got cover for the night? The Y +has some pads open. They get taken in a hurry, so you better +scat over there if you want one. Gonna rain before morning. Say, +I'm Randy. Look, I can't pronounce that Demo bit, so you're +Guru. Don't let it throw you." + +"Cover? The Y? Ah, shelter from the rain? Yes, that would be +well. You are kind. Where is this Y?" + +"Hell, I'll baby sit you a while. Just follow along, sport." + +They located an available pad, and Demo found himself in a +dormitory filled with numerous unique individuals. The glances +he received indicated that he won honors for uniqueness. + + + +It is a law of nature that, for things to go right, there is +only one viable path. For things to go wrong, the paths are +infinite. Demo continued down one of the infinite paths. + +Cronus had indeed attempted to make contact, return Demo to his +own time and place. Cronus selected the right time without +difficulty. Place, however? Well, place threw him a curve. + +Demo had gone wandering off. + +Cronus had rather limited power so far as space is concerned. +Given sufficient time - of which he was the sole master - he +could examine the reaches of space. And examining the reaches of +space was his immediate goal. + +He began the task methodically. + +First, he returned himself to the time and space when he was +occupied with aging Demo. Then he moved forward (time-wise) to +that point in time when he was distracted. With care he then +gave careful thought to the next incident. + +Unfortunately, he found himself in the predicament many of us +face from time to time. + +He had a sudden mental lapse. + +As the saying goes, the right words were on the tip of his +tongue. Stubbornly, unfortunately, they clung there tenaciously. +Grumbling, he vectored forward in time once more. I'll sleep on +it, he decided. Tomorrow is soon enough. + +Demo, if he were asked, would not have agreed. + + + +Randy woke him early. He knew it was early because it was dark. +Also, because he was sleepy. He was not by any stretch of the +imagination an early bird. Au contraire! + +They left the building hurriedly. + +"Nice place and all," Randy noted. "Just keep in mind, some +strange people stay here. I'd rather not meet them outside. +'Nough said?" + +They walked along the pathway, which Randy called a sidewalk. +Demo noted that he himself was rapidly developing an extended +vocabulary of words, mainly from listening to Randy. + +"Look, we got to scrounge some eatables, you know, food. Now +there's a place over on 5th . . . ." He paused as Demo smiled, +motioned toward his pouch. + +"We can buy food. My pouch is full of paper, eh, money. Gifts! +Dollars!" + +Randy stared at him for a moment, put his hand in the pouch and +pulled out a few bills. "All right, man! You are with it! Okay, +let's hit this place across the way. I could use a good meal for +a change." + +The waitress smiled at them, looked at Demo's garb with +curiosity. "Look, no offense, but you Joe's got cash? The boss +is real mean about that!" + +"Of course we got cash! Hey, show her, Guru!" + +Demo pulled a handful of bills from his pouch, stuck them back +in. + +The waitress stuck out her lower lip, nodded. "Okay, here's the +menu. What'll you have? The western omelette's not bad. Makes a +good meal." + +Randy ordered the omelette and coffee. + +"I'll have the omelette and milk," Demo decided. + +"Hey, Guru, where'd you get that rig? What's your thing, +anyway? You're awful close mouthed." + +"Randy, you ever hear of people traveling through time?" + +"Oh, great! All right, forget it. Sorry I asked." + +"No, really, I'm serious. I'm from Greece . . . from long time +ago Greece. Don't ask me how I got here. I really don't know. +And I don't know how to get back." Demo's disconsolate look +almost convinced Randy. + +"You are one good actor. I'm ready to break out a hanky. Look, +I was out of line. You don't have to tell me anything. Hell, +I've told you practically nothing about me, now have I?" + +They finished their omelettes, and Randy was sipping his coffee +when Demo glanced out the window. + +"It's him! It's Cronus! I'm going back! Randy, thank you for +your help. Here, take this money." + +Demo pulled out handsful of bills, laid them on the table in +front of Randy. + +"Cronus! Come off it!" Randy glanced out the window. + +A tall figure, dressed as was Demo, stood on the sidewalk. His +face was grim, and he was making some weird, ritualistic +motions. Randy looked toward Demo. + +Demo was fading. At the moment he seemed at some point between +clear jello and fog, with fog gaining the upper hand. + +Randy reached out to grab Demo. His hand passed through the +image in front of him, touched nothing. + +He stood up, threw his arms around his new found friend. + +A chill ran through him. + +The room was darkening. His vision blurred. + +"Not me! Leave me here! I belong here! I . . . ." + +The words faded. + +He was now part of the fog. He could see nothing, hear nothing. + +But he knew things were happening. + +Strange things. + + + +The waitress stood beside the table, eyes wide. "Boss, I don't +feel too good today. I think I better take the rest of the day +off." + +"You can't do that! Cecilia is ill, Grace is on vacation! +Anyway, what's the problem?" + +"Two boys! They were sitting here. I brought them omelets. Now +look! They're gone. They didn't pay me, I didn't see them leave, +they left all this money. Something is really weird. I think it +may be me." + +"Nah! Here, let me check the washroom. Anyway, what if they +slipped out. That'll pay for the meal and leave you one real +fine tip." + +In a moment he returned. "Ain't no one back there. Two of 'em, +eh? Look, don't let it bug you. They probably are just having +fun, playing a joke on you." + +"Well, I don't like this kind of joke. All right, I'll stay. +Say, I sure feel odd." + + + +Randy looked around wildly. + +The city was gone, the restaurant, the building even. + +Around him were trees, a nearby brook, some birds singing. Demo +was sitting on a log nearby. + +"Man, what have you done to me? What is going on here. I don't +like this. No sir, I don't like this at all!" + +"Randy! Randy, what in the world are you doing here? Cronus +must have brought you too. Oh, boy! What a mess." + +"This . . . ." Randy hesitated. + +"This th' place you were talking about. Look, I'm sorry. I +thought you were putting me on! I wonder why'd he bring me here? +How'm I gonna get back. Who is this Cronus? You tell him, I want +to see him, and right now. He can't push me around this way!" + +"Just calm down, and for goodness sake, don't talk like that! +It's just an accident, just some kind of accident. I'm sure +he'll send you back. Well, I'm kind of sure . . . ." + +He wasn't. + +Randy languished. Rural atmosphere and bucolic settings were +great TV fare. Who wants to actually live such a life! No way! + +Demo attempted to teach him hunting. + +Randy proved that, with considerable effort and practice, he +would never be a hunter. The trees chosen as targets survived +unmarked. Arrows vanished into unlikely places. + +Chariots in lieu of cars did not sell to well. First, Randy was +scared of horses. Second, he couldn't tell his gee from his haw. +Third, he wasn't interested. + +However, one aspect of Demo's world did indeed interest Randy. + +At the evening meal Theresa chanced by, was introduced, and +Randy's eyes lit up. Rural atmosphere, bucolic settings - in the +right company they could be tolerable. + +He started by telling Theresa of all the wonders of the 20th +century. She suggested he drink less wine. + +He explained to her the pleasures of flying. She gently +suggested he learn to drive a chariot. + +He told her of the convenience of food dispensing machines. She +explained to him how gardens could be grown. + +They fascinated each other. + + + +Cronus made known to Demo that he could now handle sending +Randy back to his own time and place. + +Demo explained this to Randy. + +Randy looked at Theresa, who looked wide-eyed at Randy. + +"No way! I'm here, and here I'll stay!" + +Demo looked at them both, nonplused. + +He reported the state of events to Cronus. Cronus consulted +with Zeus. + +"Ridiculous," Zeus growled. "Ship him out!" + +"Absolutely not!" Hera cried. "It's very romantic. Let him +stay." + +Being a wise husband, Zeus recanted. + +Should you have read of the mysterious disappearance of Randy +Bocksteil, and wondered what happened, you now have the details. + +Randy became a mediocre farmer. He learned the rudiments of +hunting, of skinning and quartering deer. + +He learned, alas, how to make the potent wine of the region. + +When newcomers visit the village, and Randy has sampled his own +wine, he explains to them the wonders of the 20th century. + +They suggest he drink less wine. + + + +It was said of Dionysius that, if he did not steal it, he would +do without it. + +It was said of Dionysius that, if he did not kill, he would +call the day a waste. + +And so it was. + +Dionysius came with a band of pirates from a peninsula lying +far to the west. He came at night, landing on the shores of +Greece in the early dawn of day. He killed a soldier guarding +that shore. + +Dionysius killed without hatred, killed quickly. Some joyed in +toying with their victims, inflicting pain. They wished to +stretch out the victory. They reveled in the growing fear felt +by their opponent. Watching in glee as their opponent realized +his impending fate and became increasingly desperate, they +delayed the inevitable. Then, when the game began to wear, they +cruelly and slowly mutilated their prey. Eventually, tiring of +the game, they dispatched the helpless victim. + +Dionysius' pirate companions were of such nature. He despised +them, traveled with them only for his own ends. + +Once they had made shore, dispatched the guard, he left them to +their own devices. He began a sojourn to the mountains. To the +mountains where lived Demo. + + + +Demo pursued the deer in the foothills. They had migrated down +from the mountains during the night. He found their spoor beside +a clear branch whose cold waters they had come to drink. + +Demo followed the trail from the branch deeper into the green +copses. The deer were cautious, kept moving. He pursued them as +they drifted toward the distant seaside. At times the wind +shifted, and they caught his scent. They scurried quickly into +the deeper forest. + +He moved carefully from tree trunk to tree trunk, keeping the +obscuring bushes between himself and the herd. Finally the +distance was right, and he drew his bow. + +Even as the arrow flew the deer began to bolt. + +Too late for the buck he had chosen! It fell to the ground with +a shudder as the arrow entered its heart. He moved forward +quickly to bleed the carcass. + +Only then did he see the cause for the deers' alarm! + +Dionysius stepped from the shadow of a tree trunk, sword in +hand. + +"Good shooting. Don't reach for another arrow. I believe I +shall take that buck. Be so kind as to carve it for me. And I +would not try to use knife against sword. At least, not until +the buck has been carved. Then you may try what you like. Lay +down the bow!" + +Reluctantly Demo unstrung his bow, placed it on the ground. + +I deserve to lose that buck. To have failed to watch, listen +carefully! He stalked angrily to the deer, began cleaning the +meat. + +While cutting he watched the robber with careful eyes. If the +fellow dropped his guard! Forlorn hope. It did not happen. Then +he noticed something new. + +The birds on the shoreward side became suddenly noisy, then +broke into flight. Their flight was followed only by silence. + +Something, or someone, was approaching! + +He went on with his task, while his eyes searched feverishly to +see who approached. + +She stepped into view at the edge of the small clearing. +Smiling she approached. + +"Demo, I was told you hunted here. Ah, what a fine buck! You +never miss, do you?" + +"Theresa, go home! Quickly!" + +He stood erect, stepped between her and the swordsman. + +The latter smiled, swished his sword through the air in +melodramatic gesture. "Not so quickly, my lady. We haven't yet +been properly introduced. Boy, where are your manners?" + +Theresa shrank back, took a deep breath, turned toward the +forest. + +"You run, the boy dies!" Dionysius' voice was gruff, angry. + +Slowly she turned back, eyes wide with fear as she glanced at +Demo. + +"Theresa, run! Now!" + +She obeyed! + +"Boy, you call for your own death!" Dionysius growled angrily. + +Dashing into the forest, she ran with all possible speed toward +the village. In the fields at the village's edge she saw her +father with other farmers. + +"Demo! He's in danger. A swordsman has him prisoner." + +They gathered their tools, and her father his longbow. "Show +us!" her father commanded, grim-faced. + +They arrived in time to see Demo toss the buck's haunch at +Dionysius. He fell back to ward it off, even as his sword was +impaled by the meat. + +Demo lunged forward, wrestled with Dionysius before the latter +could free his sword. His own knife fell to ground. + +Suddenly Dionysius released the sword, dove to the ground and +seized the fallen knife. + +He smiled as he stepped toward Demo. + +Only then did he note the ring of farmers at the forest's edge. +And most of all he noted the longbow, drawn, in the hands of +Theresa's father. + +Dionysius, stopped, bowed. "Here, boy, you'll need this to +finish cutting the meat." + +He extended the knife, hilt first. + +Demo took it, cautiously, backed off. + +The farmers quickly tied their captive, led him back to the +village. A messenger was dispatched, and soldiers came quickly. +Dionysius sojourn had ended + +18. The Fates + +"Now, my boy," Zeus began with a friendly smile and a pat on +the shoulder. "Now, you see, I have this problem. Nothing to +tumble Olympus, of course. Still, a problem. And you are going +to have the privilege of resolving it. It may well be your claim +to fame. No, just joking! It's really minor." He glanced around, +lowered his voice. + +"My boy, it involves women. Now, I'm not a misogynist - eh, the +dictionary is on that stand over there. In spite of being . . +." He halted, glanced carefully around once more. "In spite of +being married to Hera, I do love and respect beautiful women." + +"However, I am Zeus! I am master of the heavens, of earth - and +if Pluto would fight fair, of even the nether world! And in +spite of that these three - Women! - are flaunting their power +as though I were impotent. Powerless!" + +The clouds were forming one on top of another over Olympus. +Suddenly Hera entered, and angry look on her face. "Not over my +flower bed. You've already washed away two of them. Stop it! +Right now!" + +Zeus blinked. "Yes, of course, my dear. Merely explaining a few +things to the boy here." He took a deep breath, let it out +slowly while watching the clouds with anxious eye. They slowly +began to dissipate. Zeus smiled a wan smile. + +"Lovely woman. A little impetuous at times. Loves that garden." + +"Let me see. We were talking about this little task. Well, what +I'd really like for you to do is to bring me some items. It's +kind of a game, really. Yes, a game. A scavenger hunt!" + +"And you, my boy, you will undoubtedly be successful. Three +items. Simple little items. Nothing controversial. No indeed. +Wouldn't think of it." + +"Have you ever been on a scavenger hunt?" + +"No. No, sir. Never." + +"Really great fun. I recall when I and this bevy of Naiads . . +. Well, no need to trouble your mind over that . . ." Zeus was +silent for a moment, a slight smile on his lips as he reminisced. + +"On a scavenger hunt you go out and locate the items you have +been told to bring back. And you bring them back, and you win. +That simple. So be on your way, now. Don't slam the door." + +"Yes, sir. I mean, no sir. The items, sir?" + +"Oh, of course. A pair of scissors. I told you, nothing rare or +controversial. Thread. Yes, plain, ordinary old thread. And a +spinning wheel. A little large and awkward. But, I assure you, +not too much so for a youth of strength and stamina. Three +items. I think you'll enjoy this scavenger hunt. I really do." + +"There are those - you'll find this unbelievable, but have +faith - There are those who believe they have the power of life +and death. Well, I'll have you know it lies in my hands. Do you +doubt? Shall I demonstrate?" Zeus face was reddening, and clouds +were once more forming above Olympus. + +In fact, he noted them. "Ah, well, yes, have to watch that. +Let's not become perturbed. Oh, Heavens no. My boy, enjoy your +scavenger hunt." He waved grandly. + +"Oh, let me help you a little. Three sisters, and I'll not tell +you their names, have the very objects for which you search. +Lovely ladies, and I'm sure they'll do all they can to bring +your search to a quick end. Very quick." + + + +He found himself in the midst of a glade. And well it was, for +rain was beginning to fall, and the trees protected him from the +cold drops. Scissors, thread, and a spinning wheel. Why, he +thought, I can get those from Mother. + +Suddenly a shudder ran through him. He did not move. He knew. +The unseen companion was there. Waiting, waiting - waiting for +what? What event would trigger the inhuman hatred radiated by +this strange creature. Always there. Never fully seen. + +He rose slowly, glanced fearfully around the glade. "Come out, +if you dare. I await your pleasure." + +He thought he heard the rustle of leaves. Quickly he glanced +upward. The leaves were indeed moving. This time they were +stirred by a vagrant breeze. He shook his head. + +He knew - though he knew not how - that the scissors, thread, +and spinning wheel of his mother would not serve. These must +come from the three sisters. The lovely ladies mentioned by +Zeus. In the back of his mind he thought of stories he had +heard. Perhaps, at some early age, he had heard of the three +sisters. Sadly, he could not remember. Who are they, and where +do they dwell? + +Startled, he looked up. The leaves were again moving. This +time, no breeze caused this disturbance. + +A large bird, perhaps a white owl, flew rapidly through the +forest and in its wake soft white down marked a trail. A trail +he knew he must follow. + +The skies darkened as he stalked deeper and deeper into the +forest. In time the wooded vales grew even darker, and the sky +no longer came to view. A thought formed in his mind, he knew +not how. He knew for whom he searched. + +The thought brought sweat to his brow. The Sisters of Night! +How often had he heard the legends, the strange tales. How often +had they spun the thread, how often cut it! It must be they. The +Sisters of Night! + +He was lost. The trail was no longer marked ahead, and behind +was only darkness. Slowly he inched forward, hoping for a clue. +A simple indication of which way to proceed. + +He heard the sound and joy almost made him sing out. She has +returned, he thought, glancing to his right. And then he froze. +Indeed he had heard sound. And indeed was something there. +Something huge and monstrous, too near to be imagination; too +far to be clearly seen. The unseen companion! With him still! + +He notched his arrow. It was too late. Even as he moved the +rain fell heavy and he could make out, not even the trees before +him. He waited. Only silence. No further sounds were heard. With +a sigh he returned the arrow to its pouch. + +A flash of lightning lit a rocky rise before him, and he noted +the mouth of a huge cave. Slowly he inched up to the opening, +slowing stared into its depth. + +Though nothing met his eyes, yet there seemed a light, a small +flickering light, somewhere in its deep within. Cautiously he +moved forward. + +"Welcome, Welcome, Young man! We've been waiting. What kept you +so long? Hurry along now, The thread is growing short. Come +along." + +He blinked. She wasn't there a moment ago! Waiting for me? I +don't understand! + +"Madame, there is a mistake. You couldn't have been waiting for +me. I don't know you. I had no intention of stopping here. I . . +." + +She smiled. And though she were old and wrinkled, her eyes +brightened like a happy child's. "Come along. You'll understand +by and by. Come along." + +She led him ever deeper into the cavern. The flickering light +grew ever brighter, and seemed to flicker no more. Finally his +companion motioned for him to stop. "Mustn't frighten them. +'Twould be terrible if they made a mistake. Terrible!" + +"Clotho, he has arrived. Lachesis, welcome him. Come, my dear." +She led him forward, and he bowed to the ladies who looked up +from their labor, glanced at him without emotion or even +interest. + +"Girls, girls, are we that old! Look at him. Isn't he a +handsome one. Ah, how sad. To die so young!" + +"Atropos, your were always one to talk too much. Here are your +scissors. Now get on with it!" + +Clotho was busy spinning a thread. Her spindle moved slowly at +times, then rapidly. Lachesis, bent forward, examining the +thread, comparing its length to an unseen measuring stick. +"Right about there, sister dear. Oh, give him another inch. No +harm done. He is a handsome young man." + +Atropos looked at the scissors handed her, sighed. "I would it +were otherwise, young man. But we are duty bound. Nothing can +stay us from our labor." + +Wide-eyed he stood as the scissors opened, approached the +thread. "Wait! Zeus, Zeus, He wants you. You must cease +immediately. He eagerly awaits your company." + +"Zeus! Olympus! Parties! Dancing! He wants us. Child, you can't +mean it. 'Twas he who banished us to this cold, dank cave. And +now he wishes our return? Well, he's plainly drunk too much of +that nectar. I knew it would eventually get to him. Clotho, have +you a thread for Zeus?" + +"Oh, never. Well, I admit, I tried. After all, it wasn't at all +nice of him to send us here. Anyway, it kept unraveling." + +"Lachesis, give the boy another foot or two. Oh, give him an +extra yard. Boy, we'll get dressed as soon as we've put away our +tools. Zeus wants to see us!" + +"Eh, please, don't put away your tools. He is extremely +interested in your skills. You must bring them along." + +"Learned to appreciate us, has he? My, how many eons has it +taken! Oh, very well." + + + +He led the way and in due time they arrived at Olympus. "Wait +at the gate, I'll announce your coming." He smiled at their +activities. + +Clotho was practicing her curtsies, Lachesis her bows. Atropos +smiled a broad smile, then a more reserved one, then tried a +calm yet quiet visage. + +"Zeus, sir, I have them. I have them." + +"Well done. Amazing. No! Not really. I always knew you had the +right stuff. Of course, to scavenge the items I fear you had to +terminate the owners. It is sad. Still, what can one do? Bring +them in, bring them in. Scissors, thread, and spinning wheel! +Wonderful, wonderful!" + +"Oh, no sir. I didn't have to terminate them. In fact, they're +here. Come in ladies, and receive your welcome." + +Zeus opened his mouth, closed it. He looked at the three +Sisters of Night. He looked at Demo. + +"Yes, brought them with you. Yes, very thoughtful of you. Thank +you, my boy, thank you. Don't call me, I'll call you." + +With that Demo found himself in his own home, in his own room, +rolling off his own bed with a thud. + +Rough barked joyously, leaped upon him in frantic welcome. + +"Ah, that Zeus! I really wish he'd not do it that way," he said +aloud. "Mother, I'm hungry!" + + + + + +19. The Stables + +"I'm delighted, my boy, that your chores are almost completed. +Delighted!" Zeus didn't look delighted. Rather, he seemed put +out. Jolly voice and all, but that scowl! + +"Now, this next task. Represents a logistic problem, really. +Time consuming, rather than difficult. Your qualifications are +such that you'll have little trouble, I'm sure." Zeus smiled, as +though at some secret humorous thought. + +"I'm into some real estate deals. Brought a few places down on +earth. Boy, was I taken on this one. Oh, was I taken. Shysters +and developers! I must visit Pluto one day and see if he has +room for any more. They are overrunning his place, I'm afraid." +For a moment Zeus fell silent. His thoughts were evidently on +his brother's domain, and the shysters and developers dwelling +therein. A bright smile lit his face. + +"To the matter at hand. I brought this ranch. Excellent +property, very reasonable price. Closed escrow and all that. +Then I thought to look inside the stables. Gad!" + +"Poor suffering creatures. Horses, excellent horses. +Unfortunately, locked in those stables for eons. Eons and eons. +Maybe longer. To summarize, the place was not entirely sanitary. +Now be off with you and get it cleaned up." He guffawed rather +loudly. + +"Oh, here. This may help." Zeus handed Demo a broom, a mop, and +a clothespin. "For the nose, you understand." + +Demo arrived unceremoniously at the stable doors. He was +greeted by the local population, consisting of many and varied +forms of flies. Black flies, white flies, colorless flies - all +eager to make his acquaintance. + +Shooing them away he slowly opened the stable doors, quickly +closed them. + +Impossible! No mortal could possibly clean up this mess. Still +hadn't a hero, long ago, faced a similar problem? + +Yes, yes indeed. And he had solved it. Solved it by merely +changing the course of a stream. Simple enough. Now where might +he find a stream. + +There was one, and at not too great a distance. + +Well, it is only a creek. Nevertheless, it's all I have. So +let's give it a try. + +He worked diligently, opening a channel to the very door of the +huge barn. As night drew near he began to dam the creek, forcing +its waters to divert to his newly dug channel. + +The youthful civil engineer smiled. + +The water was beginning to flow. Quickly he hurried to the +stable, dared the flies, and threw wide the doors at both ends +of the edifice. Fortunately he wore the clothespin. + +The water was moving ever closer. The chore was indeed a simple +one. + +He looked up, and frowned. + +The sky had darkened, and even now huge raindrops began to +fall. The mild creek was rising higher and higher. The dam, +built to withstand that creek, was faced with an ever deepening, +ever angrier river. + +The water reached the top of the dam, flowed now heavily +through the channel, washed at the very entrance to the stables. + +Suddenly the dam began to move, at first slowly. A crack +appeared in the middle. It widened. + +Water began to seep through the crack. + +Water began to pour through the crack. + +The crack was gone! + +The dam was gone! + +Demo sat down, stared in disbelief. + +In moments his hours of work destroyed! The rock, the mud, the +good green sod - all gone. + +And the stable, fly infested, standing as before. + +Even as he looked a swarm of flies rose, moved in his +direction. + +Quickly he retreated. + +This required rethinking! Not so simple a chore as he had +thought! + +Back to Olympus! I must talk to Zeus! No way! + + + +He arrived at Olympus. Zeus was absent. "He is on a . . .," his +gardener smiled, ". . . on a hunting trip." He winked. + +Suddenly a loud screech disturbed their ears. + +"Oh, dear!" The gardener wrung his hands. "That's Hera! The +flowers are growing so poorly. I've spent hours tending them. +But they will not grow in this kind of soil. I've told Zeus a +thousand times. Olympus is just too pure!" + +Hera entered. + +"I will not have my flowers drooping, my bushes wilting! I may +well have my gardener in that condition if he tends not to my +garden!" + +The gardener cringed. + +"What are you doing here. Did not Zeus send you out on another +of his ridiculous chores. Begone, then, for I am not fit company +today!" She stomped back to her patio, giving one last angry +look at the gardener. + +Demo frowned. "Well, I wish I could help. Anyway, I'm not much +of a gardener. I know we use fertilizer on our plants. Mostly we +use . . . ." He paused. A thought had entered his mind. + +"Sir, perhaps this is your lucky day!" + + + +"This boy, eh, the one who sold you the fertilizer for the +vinyard and for Hera's garden," Zeus paused, a slight frown on +his face. The clouds above Olympus darkened, and a low rumble of +thunder sounded in the distance. "This boy wasn't too smart, you +say?" + +"Oh, no! Smart? Ha!" + +"At first he wanted ambrosia, wine, women - for fertilizer! +Ridiculous! He talked! And talked. The more he talked the less +he decided to charge. We waited quietly." The gardener smiled. + +"His charges dropped?" + +"His charges dropped!" + +"Still we waited! Aha! Finally he agreed that it was all ours, +if we would give him just one bottle of wine and agree to move +everything within 3 days! Oh, he was a cute rascal! We just +outwitted him. Yes, eventually, he came our way. Merely a matter +of waiting." The gardener's smile broadened. + +"Yes," Zeus mused. "A cute rascal, indeed!" + +"So, this callow youth, this dunce from the barnyards, +practically gave away his, eh, merchandise?" + +"And did you, eh, move all this fertilizer? Within 3 days?" + +"Oh, yes, sire. Indeed we did. We didn't want to give him the +chance of changing his mind. I had to call on all the Gods - +save yourself, Sire - to get the job done. Such dedication. Even +Hera carried her share. Lovely wife, Sire, lovely!" + +The gardener smiled. Zeus nodded somewhat glumly. + +"And we gave him 5 bottles of wine to insure he gave no further +thought to the fertilizer or the stables." + +"What! What is this! Stables! Did you say Stables!" Zeus brow +was dark, and the clouds above Olympus now roiled and flashes of +lighting lit the dour sky. + +"Why, yes, sire. It seems that, through negligence, the stables +had not been cleaned in - well, in a long time. One might say +they were a bit ripe." + +"And the horses! Poor things! They were indeed in need of +washing and curry-combing." + +"But, to the matter at hand. Yes, stables they were. And full +to the brim with excellent fertilizer. Oh, such gardens as we +shall have this spring! I'm sure you will be well pleased." + +Zeus sniffed the air. Zeus seemed to be not well pleased. He +was muttering to himself. + +"Callow youth? Stables? Fertilizer? I will have his head . . .! +Buying it from him with my own goods! Inconceivable!" + +"Had all the Gods and Goddesses hard at work. That's something +I've never accomplished. Ah, perhaps he might fit in well at +Olympus!" + + + +Dionysius sat quietly in the prow of the boat. The ferryman was +silent, merely guided the craft on its way. The craft moved of +its own volition. + +"How come I here? Who are you? And what is this body of water +on which we float?" + +The ferryman stared at him in steely silence. + +Dionysius glanced around, studied the ferryman, the boat, the +dark liquid on which they floated. + +"I was condemned, and the execution was for tomorrow. I had +venison for supper - stupid cook burned it badly, gravy was +tasteless. Then I slept. Someone roused me and we went to the +execution chamber. They readied me for the blade. I remember +cursing them soundly, one and all. I was bound and the +executioner made ready. Did I faint? Did you rescue me, or was +it another? What pay do you expect for this service? I am a poor +man, so don't expect too much!" + +Although the air was dark and gloomy Dionysius was beginning to +feel cheerful. + +"However it was done, I am thankful. And you shall all be +rewarded. Before I stabbed the old priest I learned from him the +location of the temple's treasure. I saw it with my own eyes. +Jewels, money, golden goblets and silver. Yes, indeed, you shall +be rewarded." + +He smiled. + +He sniffed the air. + +"The sewers must lead into this stream, the smell of burning +sulfur irritates my eyes. How much farther until we reach shore? +There is a strangely unpleasant odor about this place. I like it +not. Will you speak, or shall I toss you into this filthy +stream!" + +He rose, stepped toward the silent figure. + +Suddenly he stopped. + +The ferryman neither shrank from his approach, nor responded. +His face was hidden by the hood he wore. Yet his eyes shone from +beneath that hood. + +The look from those eyes froze Dionysius in midstep. + +"No! No! It is a bedtime story to frighten children. What are +you telling me . . . ." + +His gaze shifted from stream to boat, from boat to ferryman, +from ferryman to stream. + +"It is a fairy tale, nothing else. Take me to the shore!" His +voice was once more threatening. + +Suddenly he sat down, held his head between his two hands, +sobbed quietly. + +"It's true, isn't it? This river - Styx is its name. You are +the ferryman. This gloom is not the dark of night. It's all +true!" + +Suddenly a thought came to mind. + +"Then you are . . . You are Charon. And I must have - yes, here +it is. Your toll. Take me then to the Elysian Fields. Quickly, +take me away from this dreadful place." + +He extended Charon's toll. + +The figure made no move to accept. + +Rather, a deep and melancholy voice responded. "Your stop is +not the Elysian shore." + +Dionysius gazed at the dark figure, at the coin. Reluctantly he +let the coin fall, watched it disappear into the depths of the +murky water. + +He was silent. + +What more was there to say! + +20. The Demon's Lair + +There are dark grottoes in the high mountains. And tarns, deep +and cold, bottomless pits of murky water. And in some few +favored spots, dark grottoes and murky tarns together. + +Such was the site at which Demo stood. + +Here dwelt one whom even Olympians fear. This was the Demon's +Lair. + +The village folk had long remembered legends. Hoary legends, +whispered around campfires during winter storm. Used to frighten +children to mind their manners. But only legends. Or so Demo had +long believed. + +Something - no one spoke a name - there was. Or something there +had been. Something that preceded even the Titans, that ancient +race from whom the Olympians were descended. + +The Titans, so the tales went, had not conquered it. Rather, +they had duped it, deceived it, and encaged it in bars not of +this world. Bars that, until now, had held. Bars that, +perchance, were weakening with the passage of eons. + +Whispered conversations on earth, whispered conversations on +the pristine streets of Olympus, told of an ominous presence. +Not seen, nor heard - still dread of this unknown creature +stalked the night as might stalk even the creature itself. + +Idle chatter of fearful children? Old wives tales from the back +woods? Or something else, something evil. Something so powerful +that even the gates of Olympus stood not against it. + +No one knew. + +And that was why Demo stood at the gate to the demon's lair. +Zeus would know what manner of creature was there imprisoned. +Zeus would know what manner of prison held such a creature in +throe. + +Who better to send than Demo? If he succeeded, another task +marked off. If he failed, one less concern as Athena chose +another. + + + +Demo gazed into the still water of the tarn, touched its +surface with his hand. He gasped at the chilling cold that +seized his entire arm. + +Was this then the tarn of which he had been forewarned? Would +here the strange tie between himself and the unseen companion be +severed - or brought to its inevitable conclusion? + +It seemed fitting! + +No drearier spot had he seen. No gloomier grotto existed in +these mountains. If doom hung over his head, it could not choose +a place more suitable than this! + +He resigned himself to the inevitable! + +The sun slipped swiftly behind the western peaks, and cool +night breezes stirred the leaves. Swallows swooped in the +darkening sky, and night creatures called one to another as day +ended. + +Come morning and he would search further. For now, a fire, +food, and a night's rest. + +The flames reflected from the precipice's base, their warmth +welcomed as cool night crept in. Beyond the fire light +nightsounds rose and fell, now near, now far. + +He added wood to the fire, wrapped himself in his Eddie Bauer +mummy bag. Ah, how pleasant to sleep after a long day's journey. + +It was a sleep beleaguered by dreams. Dreams of he who dwelled +in the deep tarn. In the dreams the creature came forth, looked +down on the sleeping youth. It's eyes were cold, held deadly +enmity. + +Yet, it did not strike. Motionless it observed him, turned, and +descended once more into the frigid waters. + +Morning came early. Demo sat up, wide-eyed. From the tarn's +brink to his resting place he saw footprints. A great weight had +pressed them, even into the dryer ground. They turned back, led +once more to the tarn. + +Demo closed his eyes, breathed deeply. What manner of creature, +and why had it turned away, doing him no harm? The footprints, +though huge, seemed hardly those of some monstrous being capable +of frightening even the Lords of Olympus. + +Demo stirred the ashes to reveal hot colds beneath, fed twigs +and breathed gently on them to kindle a fire. As he placed +larger branches on the flames he heard behind him the sound of +measured footsteps. + +With a start he turned. + +The man looking down at him loomed tall and ominous. He showed +no emotion. Rather, his face was calm, nor did his demeanor +suggest threat. Slowly Demo rose, glanced toward his bow and +quiver. + +The man smiled. + +"It would avail thee not. Rest easy. I mean you no harm. You, +in turn, may be of aid to me. Why am I here, summoned from an +age yet to be, a world far removed? Did you summon me? I think +not. You are only a child! What can you tell me of this place, +and of that one who stole from the cold waters in the dark of +night?" + +"Who are you? You were summoned? How so? From an age yet to be, +a world far removed? I understand not your words. Still, if you +were summoned I can think only that it was the work of Zeus. No, +perhaps not. Athena may have brought you here to provide succor +for me on this strange sojourn." + +The tall man squatted before the fire, warmed his outstretched +hands. "Strange names, these. Zeus? Athena? I know them not. And +how might I, Beowulf, provide succor to one such as you, when I +seem unable to even help myself. I sit here, lost, knowing +neither north nor south, east nor west." + +He spoke quietly, calmly. For all the strangeness of these +proceedings, his face showed no fear, his eyes reflected only +constant vigil. + +"I can tell you why I am here. Zeus sent me to find what +creature is imprisoned beneath these waters, and what manner of +prison it be. It is plain, from your words; and from the prints +upon the shore, it is imprisoned no more." + +Beowulf responded musingly. "I walked 'neath moonlight across +the moors, alone. The sound of wings, and huge white owl flew +by. And then the moors were gone, moonlight faded, and I stand +upon this forsaken shore of some strange pond. I feel overcoming +me a dread that once before I felt, only once before. And that +when I fought 'neath murky waters with the mother of Grendl. Is +there no end? Have I come here once more to meet a fiend in +mortal combat? And each more powerful than that which went +before?" + +Demo eyes lit up. "It was Athena. She knew of you, though you +had never been. And if she has brought you here, it is with good +cause. Grendl, and the mother of Grendl. Who, or what, are these +of which you speak?" + +"Fiends, creatures of night and corruption, that prey on good +folk, weak and helpless. Alone I have met them, and that in +their own lair, and brought upon them such destruction as they +had sown. Monstrous though they were, yet did I feel not dread +as I feel in this dark cove. What manner of creature dwells in +yonder tarn. In my mind my thoughts are dark, and Wyrd himself +peoples them." + +"Wyrd? I know of Zeus, of Pluto, and of others of like ilk. I +know not Wyrd." + +For a moment Beowulf sat silent, eyes on the ground before him. +"Wyrd is he who awaits us. Before all, he was. When all has +faded and passed on, he will be. Though I fear him, I shall not +bow to his power. Strangely, I believe he dwells here. I know +not why." + +Demo spoke now, glancing at the tarn in apprehension. "Legends +have it that, before the Titans ruled, another walked this +world, held it in a grasp of iron. Then the Titans beguiled him +in some strange manner, and with fetters formed of dreams +entangled him. After that, that he might never again escape they +locked him away in caverns far beneath Tartarus' depths." + +He gazed at Beowulf, back at the tarn. + +"It is said he once more walks the earth, and he is not a +stranger even to the streets of Olympus. Nameless among us, +perhaps Wyrd is the name he bears." + +Beowulf took from its sheath his sword. Light reflected from +its surface in strange patterns, and the sword's edge seemed +alive and moving in the sun's rays. + +"I grow old. Yet, it seems, there is one more toil, one battle +more. Well, so be it. Every man dies. But it is given to some to +live and die for a cause. For a cause that makes their having +lived worthwhile. Boy, I will stand beside thee. Against this +one none has ever prevailed. How will fare a boy, and an old +man?" + +He laughed. "Well, well, until I came none had prevailed +against Grendl. Nor against Grendl's mother. Be of good cheer. +We shall do what flesh and blood can do. And if that be not +enough, then surely we shall die as men, sword in hand!" + + + +The day passed swiftly, and shadows were lengthening. Demo +built a fire, warmed the food his mother had hastily packed. +Beowulf ate of dried meat he carried. + +"Your friend, I think, will return once more this night. Sleep +by your fire. I shall rest against the trunk of that oak, and +when he comes I will greet him. If your Zeus be powerful, pray +unto him, for this night one walks the earth as evil incarnate. +And of us three, I fear none shall view a rising sun." + +Beowulf rose, walked to the tall oak, sat at its base. He lay +the naked sword across his lap, closed his eyes. Whatever dread +he felt, it showed not in his demeanor or action. Though he +slept Demo knew no sound or motion would escape his attention. +It was the sleep of one ever alert, ready for the life and death +struggle that might lie ahead. + +A fog rose from the cold surface of the tarn, and driven by a +light breeze, drifted onto the shore. Demo huddled close to the +fire, eyes watching anxiously that fog-shrouded tarn, the +mist-shrouded trees. His hand clutched his bow, and an arrow lay +beside him, ready to be notched. + +With sunset the grotto lost all semblance of light. Vague winds +rustled tree limbs, calls of night birds sounded, and other +sounds. Sounds that brought quick apprehension to his mind. And +then they faded - then returned once more. + +Suddenly Demo sat up! + +He had fallen asleep. A noise, a movement? Something had surely +wakened him. + +The crescent moon had risen, and in its light the trees and +bushes cast soft shadows. + + Quickly he glanced toward the huge oak. + +Beowulf was gone! + +Slowly he turned his eyes toward the tarn. + +It was there! + +Moving toward him with deliberate stride, dark except where the +moonlight reflected from its eyes. + +Quickly he notched his arrow, drew the bow. + +Nearer it came, and nearer. It seemed nearly upon him when he +loosed his arrow. It struck the creature full in the chest, +dropped harmlessly to the ground. + +"Athena, farewell!" + +The creature's claws touched his arm, cutting effortlessly +through cloth and through flesh. + + + +"Face me, worm of death. I've traveled through space and time +to challenge you, and you return to your lair only through me." + +The creature rose, loosed the boy. It turned to face Beowulf. + +Throughout the forest the scream of anger sounded! + +It charged the waiting swordsman. + +Claws extended, fangs bared, it leaped with fury on its foe. + +Quickly they were joined by sound of blows, the whistle of +Beowulf's blade in air. With every motion the sword gleamed with +a strange and changing light. Now a deep and glowing red. Then a +green that seemed to flow its length, changing to sunlight +yellow. And all besmeared with the blood of Wyrd! + +Blood flowed, both red and green! + +Beowulf fell before the onslaught, rose again. + +Demo watched, transfixed. Even in the horror of nightmare was +not seen such fearsome battle! + + Wounded both and bleeding, and still the battle continued! + +The moon dropped from view, and the gentle stars looked down on +the frenzied struggle. + +In despair Demo saw Beowulf fall, his sword dropping from his +hand. + +Demo lunged forward quickly, was struck down as quickly. He +felt a bump rising on his head where the blow had landed. He +crawled forward, fell, lay still. The creature turned once more +to Beowulf, its blood-drenched claws extended. + +From the tree tops the white object plummeted, opened wide its +wings and flew into the face of the fiend. Startled, the monster +fell, rolled over and quickly slipped into the frigid waters of +the tarn. + +Athena stood beside Demo. Their eyes looked in sorrow at the +prostrate body of Beowulf. + +Even as they moved forward to help him he sat up, his hand +searching for and seizing the hilt of his sword. Without a word +he stood, shook his head, staggered to the brink of the tarn. + +Sword clutched in hand, a look of resignation on his face, he +dove into the Demon's Lair! + +For a brief moment the water was still, not even a breeze +disturbing its surface. + +Without warning it erupted! + +A huge shape rended its surface, fell back with a scream of +anger! The green blood blended with the dark water of the tarn. + +For hours the battle continued. The once calm tarn was now an +ocean of waves and froth, and thunder sound above it. From +beneath those waters rumbles of anger rose. Sulfurous fumes +lifted from its surface, killed the trees bordering the dark +waters. + + + +Then nought but silence! + +Athena's voice was sad. "He will drive Wyrd once more into +those bonds that have so long endured. For all his heroism, for +all his strength, Beowulf cannot survive the conflict, and even +I cannot save him." She gazed, sad-eyed, at the fateful tarn. + + "Yet, he shall return at last in another time, another place. +Indeed he will one day slay the Grendl, the Grendl's mother - +archfiends of another era." + +Her eyes were turned to the heavens, seemed to look beyond the +visible. + +"Beyond that, the day will come when the fire dragon itself +shall fall to his sword. Only then shall Wyrd have him, as Wyrd +must have us all." + +"Come, Zeus waits." + + + +"Wyrd. Yes, yes, the Worm of Death. But, even the Titans knew +it only as a legend. Well, never mind. It is once more returned +to its lair, once more imprisoned." + +Zeus seemed to have other thoughts on his mind. + +"How did you manage, my boy. No, no, I don't have time! Golf +tournament this afternoon. Poseidon has won the last two. Still, +the score is getting closer. Oh, would you care to caddy. No, I +suppose you are a little tired. Good night, my son." + +"Good night, my son." + +Demo looked up at his mother, rolled over and pulled the +blankets close. Such strange dreams. + +His fingers gingerly rubbed the lump on his head. + + + +Theresa entered the room timidly, eyes downcast. + +"Is Demo home. I need to talk to him." + +Metaneira's eyes held a question? "He's out back with Rough. Is +something wrong?" + +"I . . . I like Demo. I really wouldn't hurt him for the world. +I am sorry, I . . . . Please, I can't marry him. Metaneira, I am +sorry. There is another. Oh, what can I say, what shall I do!" + +"Theresa, don't cry. Perhaps all will work out for the best. +But, yes, you should tell him. He is a brave lad. I'm sure he +will take it like a man. Why don't you wipe your eyes, then go +out back and talk to him. Be brave, girl!" + +As Theresa went out the back door Metaneira looked up, shook +her fist. "Athena, you are a conniver. Who have you sent to poor +Theresa? I should have known. Oh, well, you may make a +delightful daughter-in-law." + +She shook her head, looked out the back door. + + + +Theresa and Demo were standing quietly, his arms around her. + +"It's all right, little sister. You see, I think it's always +been this way. I've always felt toward you like a big brother. I +don't think I could really have been anything else." Demo spoke +quietly. + +He liked Theresa, always had. Not as a lover. No, more as the +little girl next door than as an attractive and mature young +lady. Even now he could not see her other than as the little +girl. + +"Who is he, Theresa? Are you sure?" + +"You know him. Randy. He is so strange and wonderful and I knew +when we first met." + +He smiled, placing his hand under her chin he lifted it up. "If +he ever mistreats you, you let me know. And tell him big brother +will beat him to a pulp if he isn't nice to you. Understand?" + +She half sobbed, half laughed. + +"Yes, big brother." + +She hugged him, her arms around his neck, then kissed him on +the lips, pressing against him. For a moment they stood thus. + +"You know, big brother, I think I could have made you love me - +another way. I'm very glad I didn't. I'll always need a big +brother." + +"I'll be here." + + + +21. Dream Shadows + +In sleep reality is dreams, dreams reality. And Demo knew not +whether he slept, and all was but a dream. Or, whether, waking, +his mind did dream of dreams. + +It had started - as had all his recent adventures - with a +summons from Zeus. And when Zeus spoke Demo felt that, perhaps, +he had indulged in too much of Olympic nectar. + +"Boy, the world is not what it seems. Look around you. What do +you see?" + +The question, of course, was purely rhetorical. Zeus went on +with no hesitation. + +"You see Olympus, of course. And, if you had my powers, you +might look down and see earth. Or even let your gaze penetrate +to the nether kingdom of my brother, Pluto. With a little more +effort Tartarus comes in view. And that, think you, is the +universe. Ah, and that is where you err." + +Zeus was plainly morose. He had a problem that bothered him. +And rather than attacking the problem head-on, he was talking +his way around it. + +"Ah, indeed, Sire! Just the other day I was telling my mother . +. . ." + +"Yes, yes, but what I mean is, there is also the unseen. The +world in transition. It was, and now is not. Yet, in a strange +sort of way, it is. Understand? (More rhetorical questions.) It +will be, eventually; it hasn't become, yet. It's a world in . . +. well, it's a world in transition. And during the transition, +it isn't. Hmmm, very simple, actually. Must make a note of that, +- A world in transition - should go over well at the club." + +He reached above his head, unrolled a long papyrus, and jotted +a few notes on the bottom. As he let go the papyrus rewound, +disappearing when the last page was snugly wrapped. Zeus smiled, +took a slight bow, and tossed his pen into the air. It, too, +disappeared. But, not, unfortunately, before several drops of +ink splattered the divine face. With a growl Zeus reached up and +a white towel appeared. He started to wipe away the ink. + +"Drop that! Not with my clean towel!" + +Hera rushed into the room, seized the towel, handing Zeus +instead a well-used one. With a sigh he wiped away the ink, +dropped the towel into the waste disposer. The waste disposer +growled, wagged its tail, and devoured the towel with a single +gulp. + +"Anyway, that's where you need to go. It's the one region +outside of my domain. I just don't have any power there, because +it really doesn't exist, you understand. Well, it exists, kind +of, to be scientifically precise." + +Zeus prided himself on his scientific knowledge. + +"And, Sire, what is the purpose of my visit." + +"That, my boy, is a good question. Let us see if we can +fabricate a good answer." He paused, walked back and forth +twice, did a hop and a skip and a slight curtsy. + +"I don't know! You will have to define your mission yourself. +You see, this transition world, this shadow land - that's it, +that's what I wanted to say. Shadow land! It is that. That is +where you are to go. And what are you to do? Improvise! +Improvise, my lad!" + +"Yes sir, but to what end?" + +"That tomorrow may come." + +"That tomorrow may come?" + +"Great! You've got it! Farewell, and a safe journey!" + +Transitions? Shadow land? So that tomorrow will come? Has Zeus +reached his dotage! Demo would ask more, except that he found +himself suddenly alone. Alone, but where? Surely this was not +his own world. + + + +The gray fog swirled, settled, then swirled again. Dimly +objects could be seen. And movement. They were there, or so it +seemed. Yet, what objects? And what moved? + +Silence accompanied the fog. Or, perhaps, preceded it. +Regardless, the only sound was his own breathing. + +A light was approaching. Small, at first almost non-existent, +it loomed larger, though no brighter. A silhouette, vague and +distorted, carried the lantern. At times both disappeared as the +fog thickened. + +The approach stopped. Plainly they sensed his presence. The +lantern was held higher, and he could catch glimpses of a +woman's face. There was anxiety in her eyes, even fear, as she +gazed at him. + +"Sir, whence cometh thou? Thee be not of our world. Flee to thy +home, for he walks the moors this night!" + +"I . . . I am sent by Zeus. You say one walks this night? Who +walks the moors this night? And why should I fear?" + +"None is safe alone in the dark. If you have not where to go +then come with me. Quickly, quickly!" + +He followed her down dark alleys, twisting streets. The earth +was wet, and muddy water flowed in rivulets crisscrossing their +way. Varied smells, of vegetables, of cooked meats, and of +decay, tinted the air. At times lights were visible through +small barred windows along their way. + +The fog became ever more intense. She held his hand that he not +go astray. Her hand was small and cold. He enwrapped it in his +own to give it warmth. She smiled at his concern. + +They passed a pond where floated debris, bodies of dogs and +cats, and perhaps objects of more unsavory character. As they +reached the far edge of the pond she turned to the right, +slipped and shuffled down a mucky side street. + +She slid the door open and motioned him to remove his footwear. +When they stepped inside she took a soiled towel from its rack, +wiped his feet and her own. + +The room was small. A straw mat covered the floor, and cheap +cotton tapestry decorated the walls. A small barred window +looked out from the back wall. A mat unrolled on the floor +beneath the window served for sleeping. + +She closed the door, dropped a strong wooden bar in place to +block it from opening. "He will not enter. Still may the Powers +help whomever he meets on these dark streets. You are fortunate +I took you in. Others might have taken you for a changeling, and +left you to your own devices. Many a young maid has lost her +life by mating with handsome changelings!" + +"You are most kind. No, no changeling I. My name is Demo, and I +am here on a mission. When it is done I must once more depart." + +She seemed little interested in his mission, regarded his face +and figure with marked curiosity. + +"Thy clothes are not as ours. Thy skin is dark from rays of +sun, and here there is no sun. And thee speaketh strangely, with +words and accent unknown in this land." She stopped, a bemused +look on her face. + +"What call you this land and its people? What is your name?" + +She smiled at his questions. + +"This is the world of Brume, and we are named Brumians. As for +me, you may call me Mist. It is only a title, not my name. Our +names we hold sacred, and to give them to others invites dire +consequences. Yes, to Mist I shall answer." + +"Well, I suppose I should likewise be as reticent. Anyway, my +name is . . ." + +Quickly she put her hand to his lips. "Speak it not again! You +are a stranger, a sojourner in a strange land, and its customs +are not of your world. You need not believe in our customs, but +do not needlessly court danger. I shall name you." + +She walked around him, a smile touching her lips. "Thou art +tall, youthful, strong. Thou traveleth from far lands to our +world. I name thee Wanderer." + +She opened the back window and the white vapors of fog crept +in. Sliding a small door to the side she removed a pot and some +utensils. Toward the center of the room she removed a block of +floormat, revealing a pit in which firewood lay. + +Soon the room was warmed, and the aroma of a thick soup +tantalized his nostrils. Gladly did he eat, little noticing that +only spoonsful remained for her. "Ah, you cook like my own +mother! What meat is this?" + +"Do not concern yourself. It is nourishing, and harmless to +you. It is the night season, and you may share my pad. Though +you may think me forward, ask nought of me, for I am pledged. +Only my company can I grant thee." + +He slept. The fire died, the fog shrouded the room. + +Of early morning he woke to find her fast asleep beside him. He +reached out to tuck the blanket around her shoulders. + +His eyes widened. Taking a deep breath he drew back his hand in +consternation and sudden dread. + +The shoulder was without substance. His hand felt cold and +clammy air, nought else, passed through to touch the mat beneath. + +She woke, looked at him with sad and pensive eyes. "Doth thee +understand. Thou are not as we. We are but shadows, and thou art +real. Waking, we can have semblance of reality. Sleeping, it +fades. But touch me once more, for now I am." + +Reluctantly he reached out for the hand she extended. Though +cold, it was solid now as his own. + +The sadness on her face disturbed him. Quietly he squeezed her +hand, smiled. "There is much I don't understand. You have been +kind to me. Still, I have a mission, and it must be done. I . . +. " + +The rattling of the door interrupted him. It started suddenly, +grew in intensity. Mist moved to the far corner, dread on her +face. + +Demo frowned, took up his bow and notched an arrow. Slowly he +drew the bow, waited. + +The door held. In moments the rattling ceased. From without +they heard a growl, followed then only by silence. + +"Stay. Don't go out. He walks the street this night." Mist held +his arm, eyes wide. + +"Who is he? Why should I fear?" + +"He is like you. He also comes from elsewhere. Yet, he is not +like you. For you are kind. He destroys all he meets. And he is +real, not shadow. When he came our world stopped. No longer do +we move from the unreal to the real. We linger here in this +shadow world, with no yesterday and no tomorrow." + +He looked at her, startled. "No tomorrow? Strange! He said +something very much like that - that tomorrow may come. Strange!" + +"I cannot stay here, for I have my job to do. When I leave, +close and bolt the door quickly. I pray we shall meet again. +Time passes, and now I must do that for which I came. Peace!" + +Then he opened the door, swiftly stepped out into the fog. He +glanced up and down the alley, as far as he could see. Only fog. + +A sound behind him caught his attention. + +Turning swiftly, he found Mist closing the door, stepping to +his side. "You shall not go alone!" + +Arguments came to his mind. He was silent, for he realized she +would not listen. "Stay close behind me. I search for him, the +one from elsewhere. I know not why, but I feel that my mission +is with him." + +"You need not search. He will surely find us." + +Demo moved down the street, ever watchful. Silence held sway, +and the fog clung to them like wet cloth. At times lights could +be seen, rapidly disappearing as the drear dawn came. Dawn +brought little change. The fog still enmeshed a silent world, a +world seemingly populated by Mist and himself. + +The chill he felt came not from the fog. A coldness along his +spine, a prickling on the back of his neck, forewarned him. +Something there was, something evil and fearsome, close at hand! + +"No!" Mist cried as she ran forward toward an object barely +visible. Demo reached out to stop her. His hand touched only +cold fog, and she was gone. + +He followed her quickly, then stopped. The scream of utter +terror rose, ceased quickly. All was silent. For a moment he +closed his eyes. He knew full well he would see her no more. + +Mist. A strange name. And yet a kind and gentle person. Now +gone. To fight the unseen companion to protect himself had been +his goal. No longer. Anger enveloped him. Mist was dead. The +Demon must die! + +Demo gazed from side to side, trying to penetrate the white +barrier before his eyes. To no avail. Then, glancing down, he +noted footprints. Footprints not made by man! + +Slowly, his eyes on the ground ahead of him, he followed the +trail. Where Mist had trodden he could not tell. She left no +trace of her passage. + +Looming huge in the fog and early morning gloom, ahead an +object stood in his path. This was the creature she feared. The +one that surely had destroyed her! + +It was coming slowly closer. Plainly it recognized his +presence. Smoothly he strung his bow, notched an arrow. + +Demo waited quietly. + +A shudder enveloped his body, and his eyes widened. + +He knew this one. An aura emitted from it, one that was not new +to him. + +Surely, this was the unseen companion! + +Without hesitation he released his arrow. + +The laughter that came from out the fog held little humor. +"Your puny weapons are merely playthings. I would end you now, +if it were not that the fates have written, and it is by the +tarn you shall meet your destiny. If you survive this world, or +non-world! I leave you now, earthling. Find your way back to +Olympus and Zeus. If you can!" + +The unearthly laughter sounded once more, then faded, as did +the figure half displayed in the swirling fog. + +In his ears was but silence, and his eyes saw only the swirling +fog. + +'That tomorrow may come.' The words repeated themselves in his +brain. What had Zeus intended? Was the unseen companion the evil +influence dominating this strange world? Or were there other, +still hidden, culprits. "Zeus, you have indeed given me a +strange chore. I know not where to turn! If only I could lift +this fog!" + +He wandered through the streets. Glancing at a pond in passing +he recognized it. He knew that he had merely retraced his +steps, neared Mist's dwelling. With a sigh he found the door, +entered. + +He sat quietly on the mat, fell asleep. + + + +Dreams, interrupted by moments of awareness, disturbed his +rest. Dreams of Mist, of the unseen companion, finally of +Athena. She spoke strange words to him, words couched in +riddles. "Prometheus knew the answer. As did your unseen +companion. Quickly, before the fire die." + +He woke, sweat streaming from his body. From the center of the +room a wisp of smoke rose from the dying fire. 'Before the fire +die?' Strange words. 'Prometheus knew, the unseen companion +knew?' What did they know? + +Wide-eyed, he looked at the fading fire. Suddenly he reached +down, pulled a fiery brand from center, and tossed it at the +wall. In moments the building was burning. + +He rushed out of the building. The conflagration spread +rapidly, and the once empty, fog-shrouded streets were filled +with dim forms rushing helter-skelter to and fro. + +Even as the flames spread the fog began to dissipate. An early +morning sun could be seen shining on the horizon. Where strange +shadows had moved along the streets now people were to be seen. +Smiles replaced looks of dreary misery. Indeed Prometheus had +known! + +Still, there remained much to do. 'That tomorrow may come?' +What action must be taken 'that tomorrow may come'? The fog was +indeed gone. Only a burned out city remained. No tomorrow, this! + +What else had Athena whispered to him while he slept. Something +very important. Nothing came to mind. He moved westward, drawn +by an unknown force. The answer was to be found beyond the +western horizon. If there were an answer. + +The mountains loomed large to the west. He began that westward +trek, barely reached the foothills before the sun began to sink +behind the jagged peaks. Looking for a place to sleep safely, he +noted an opening, the mouth of a cave. + +He entered cautiously. + +"There is no cause for fear. Welcome. I've awaited your coming." + +An old man spoke the words softly, calmly. His countenance +belied the words. + +Clad in the armor of a warrior, with face stern, marked by +steel and fire, the old man projected a sense of authority. + +Demo stepped forward slowly. + +"Sire, I know you not. Yet you have awaited me?" + +"One who has traveled far with you forecast your arrival. In +due time you shall know him. Much will be revealed - by the +tarn. But that another day, another world." + +The unseen companion! He had been here, spoken to this one. +What strange fate forever brought their paths together? And what +was the secret of the tarn? + +Demo shook his head. + +"I rule this domain, ignored by the Gods, unknownst to mankind. +This is the field of atonement. All pass through here. Some +quickly. Some remain long. For a moment you have lifted the +mists. Nevertheless, they shall return. I have halted all +transitions until your coming. The souls who depart your world +and pass through here would press on. And so shall they, in due +time." + +"What would you have of me, Sire?" + +The warrior stood, pulled from its sheath a sword. "Vulcan did +temper this sword with blood. And each who leaves your world +must first feel this edge. It has proven strong and sharp. +Still, time and usage take their toil, and it is now it is only +a blunt instrument, useless for its purpose." + +"Sire, I am no swordsmith." + +The warrior held the blade in hand, extended the handle toward +Demo. "Take it. Return it to Zeus. Tell him one whose name +remains forever unspoken would have the broken sword of Cadmus. +Let Vulcan fashion it and put thereon an edge that will not +fail. 'Til you return, Clothos shall spin no more, nor Lachesis +measure, nor Atropos wield her shears. And none shall pass +through these portals to tomorrow." + +The warrior held the blade high, brought it down flat against +his knee, and the metal snapped. He handed the broken weapon to +Demo. "The gate is there." + +He pointed to the darker recesses of the cave. "Quickly, now, +to Olympus. I wait impatiently." + + + +Zeus listened in quiet amazement, the broken sword in his hand. +In anger he tossed it down and it faded into oblivion. "You +shall meet with it by the tarn, in good time. It is not given to +me to know of this shadow land. Of its existence only am I +informed. The Ancient Ones - they knew! Strangely, they told me +nothing! Must even the Gods pass through those portals? I know +not. Here, take it. The sword of Cadmus. It, too, was broken. +Well, Vulcan has applied his skills. This edge shall never dull." + + + +The warrior examined the sword with critical eye. "The +craftsmanship of Vulcan leaves little to be desired. I see the +break in the blade. It matters not. There is no weakness now. +You have done well." + +His visage reflected an expression that might be construed as a +smile. "My broken sword lies by the tarn. It may well be of +service, at the appointed time. Now, on your way. For I must +return to my dreadful chore." + + + +Zeus was morose. "It is a drear vision you bring to me. Still, +let us live for today. If it were hidden from the Gods, then it +concerns them not. Return to your own, my boy. The flowers +bloom, soft winds blow, and spring creeps upon the land. And, I +assure you, there will be no fog!" + + + + + +22. The Escape + +It is said that none enter, that none leave, the confines of +Hades except they be conveyed by the ferryman. Yet, in time +past, ancient time, one entered unattended that eternal prison. +He entered in search of his own true love, and pleaded with his +songs. So sweetly sung were they that Pluto, that stern master +of the nether regions, granted safe passage to him, and to the +one he loved. For Pluto, most hideous of living beings, yet +within his monstrous form knew the pangs of love. + +Yet did another depart those infernal regions with no aid from +that dark ferryman. + +This is the tale of that departure, of what transpired before. +And here lie the tangled threads, and the first strange steps on +the dark path to the Tarn of Eternity. + + + +Legends relate the sad story of the kidnapping of Persephone, +the story of the evil Pluto. And the legends tell true. But they +ignore the role of Venus, and of Cupid. And they are not +guiltless. + +Persephone did dwell in the Vale of Enna, gathered there the +wildwood flowers. + +Pluto, master of Hades, dwelt alone in his nether kingdom. + +Powerful, emotionless, dedicated only to his duty, this ruler +of the dead traveled from time to time, his coach pulled by +giant black steeds. And one such a trip Venus espied him. Angry +because she had no power to move him she turned to Cupid. + +"This one knows not of love, lives in serenity. I would he +suffer the pangs of unrequited love. Loose your sharpest arrow. +Let him suffer as suffer those mortals ferried through the +portals of his empire." + +Cupid grinned impudently. Ever pleased to show his skill he +notched arrow to cord. True and straight it flew. + +Pluto felt a yearning he did not understand. Disturbed, he +flogged his steeds, flew tempestuously he knew not where, +seeking he knew not what. + +Wild, the horses flew. And in their flight they entered the +Vale of Enna, paused to drink from the pond therein. + +Carrying wildflowers in her arms, with laughter and song did +Persephone approach the chariot, tossed in childlike simplicity +flowers to the occupant. "Come, play with me. I have no +playmate. I need a friend." + +She looked on his loathsome form with neither fear nor +disfavor. To her he was merely a welcome playmate, though not of +human form. She asked nothing of him, only that he share this +little while. + +He gazed upon her, and in his heart Cupid's poisoned arrow +worked its magic. + +The innocent beauty of that face, the warm and happy spirit +shining through those clear eyes, brought to him feelings he had +never known. He thought to hold her close, to stroke that soft +hair, to caress with gentle touch her smooth skin. + +And within him, too, aroused the desires of a man. For though +her face was that of youth, her body was of sculptured beauty +that Venus might envy. + +When Pluto beheld her all thoughts save one departed his mind. +This was to be his bride! + + + +He tarried there, danced in parody of handsome prince, sang in +voice marred and croaking. She mocked him not; rather, smiled. + +Of flowers garlands she made, given to him in innocent pride. +She sang sweet songs of light and sunshine, of crystal stars and +mellow moon, of flowers that did not die, with blossoms that +forever bloom. + +He told her sad tales of a dark and lonesome realm, of those +for whom hope was no more, and of a keeper who sat in solitude +in mastery of that realm. A keeper who, more than all dwellers +therein, was prisoner of that realm. + +From her eye, soft flowed a tear. From her hand, a gentle +touch. He thought not to ask for more. + +They parted, though never long. Always his mighty steeds drove +through time and space, returning once more to that quiet +retreat. The love he felt for the innocent child grew ever +stronger. Still, he approached her, not in courtship, but as a +friend. + +"Your arrow has flown true. It lacked the needed potency. He +loves her as does a brother. Once more loose your bow, and into +his heart drive desire, passion. And I shall open wide her eyes, +that she may see him as the monstrous form he is. He joys in her +presence, feels not the pain of unrequited love. As he has +ignored me, she shall reject him!" + +Venus caused once more Cupid's arrow to fly. An arrow not +tinged with sweet love, rather poisoned with selfish lust. And +even as the arrow flew she closed the eyes of Persephone, let +her dream of handsome prince. Handsome prince, of looks far +removed from those of this dread companion. + + + +Pluto lurched back in alarm as desire mixed with tender +thoughts, new and uncontrollable needs surfaced. + +Persephone opened wide her eyes, saw him now in a new light. No +handsome prince he, no proper comrade. With a scream she rose +from beside him, rushed blindly toward the garden gate. + +He seized her, dragged her to that golden chariot. Madly he lay +whip on flesh, driving the mighty steeds as never had they been +driven. Thus he carried her to his own domain. + +She resisted not, for his was the greater strength. As his +chariot reached the gates of the garden she sighed. In arms she +held her kitten, a white small ball of fur. As they passed +through the gate she set it free. "May the Gods grant you +freedom and happiness, for mine is no more." + +Pluto heard her words with deep remorse. Nevertheless, the +spell cast of Venus overpowered the germ of kindness in his +heart. And yet, though he desired her, his love was more +powerful. "Only when the Gods have granted you to me in marriage +shall you be mine." + +In due time it came about. Still, Persephone was granted one +wedding wish. Quickly, before it could be withdrawn, she prayed +to be returned to her mother for half of each year. And so it +was. + + + +In time she accepted her exile with good grace. Yet, because +Cupid had never used his arrows on her heart, she felt no love +for her captor. At times, perhaps, pity. + +Time as earthlings know it does not exist for denizens of the +nether world. Those suffering suffer not by day or night, but by +eternity. The Curse of Cronus, lifted from the Gods, still left +its mark upon these sufferers, and age beyond age they carried. + +And even Persephone, though shielded by the Gods, felt the +power of Cronus, saw wrinkles gently forming. Invisible to +Pluto, who saw only through the eyes of love, this aging process. + + + +One innocent pleasure Persephone had. + +The dread ferryman in his duties came ever to the kingdom's +portals. And there he heard the happenings on earth, and fables +of happenings in Heaven. + +These tales he passed on to Persephone, for she longed to know +of the world she had left behind. + +And one day he brought to her a tale that left her heart cold. + +Ceres, her mother, was nearing the end of her days. She prayed +daily to the Gods that she might see, before her departure, her +beloved daughter. + +The bargain had been made. Six long months must Persephone +dwell within the nether realm. The Gods would not relent. + +Still, Persephone would see her mother. She pleaded with the +ferryman. To no avail. He listened not to her pleas. He carried +only passengers from the portal to deep within. None carried he +to the portal. + +She wandered though Hades with sad mien, searching for a path +to the other side. She found none. + +While in her search, she met the shades of the departed. On one +such meeting she heard the name, Orpheus. + +Suddenly her eyes widened. Orpheus! The only living man to +enter Hades without the attendant ferryman! + +Slowly, from tormented souls, from the ferryman, even from +Pluto himself, she gathered details of that entry. How he came, +singing his songs, and melted even the heart of Pluto. + +Ah, how did he enter? What secret way, unknown to any other, +had led him into this Stygian realm? + +The heights of Taenarus! Earthly legends told of a path, a path +of unknown origin. Through terrain unlike any known to man it +twisted its uncertain way. Boulders coughed from deep within the +earth's core blocked its passage. Edged stones marred its +surface. And the path winds into a cave, whose very mouth is +enshrouded in darkness. + +From its mouth sulfurous fumes rise, and dark clouds of noxious +gases besmirch the sky. Bones of man and beast lie scattered +midst pools of murky water. + +It is thought that this fissure penetrates the very bowels of +earth. Even into the domain of Pluto, the fearsome kingdom of +Hades. + +Through this portal creatures of the afterworld are unleashed +on earth's dwellers. Ghosts of those long gone, strange beings +never dreamed of by human kind, spirits weird, and other +creatures lacking even a name. + +Orpheus must have entered through this portal. Through the cave +of Orpheus may I escape to my world! + +Thus thought Persephone. And she planned her escape. Each day +she wandered through the dark domain, mapping its drear +geography in her mind. + +She waited. + +In due time Pluto was called to an accounting at Olympus. In +his absence she began the ascent, up through the dark and evil +passages. Ever upward with uncertain step and only hope to +guide. + +Guardians did cross her path, challenged her passage. But when +informed that she was queen, and in Pluto's absence master of +that dread domain, none dared stay her way. + +She reached the portal, followed the rough and strenuous path +leading downward from the heights of Taenarus. Always she gazed +fearfully behind. + +He would come! + + + +23. The Extra Task + +"Well done!," Zeus roared. "Every task completed!" + +He paused. "Hmmm! I've lost count. Every task . . . . Well, +I'm sure you won't mind just one more to, eh, help me out." + +"Yes, yes, every task, that is, except one, a minor one I +overlooked." + +Chagrined he listened as Zeus stated the Final task. + +"Perhaps you have noticed, in your sojourns, that you have had +a companion. An unseen watcher. A sneaky follower. A sly, +disreputable creature! Destroy it! That is your final task. Now, +begone!" + +Imperiously he waved his hand, and as it fell he faded slowly +into oblivion. Why was he smiling so happily? + + + +It happened so quickly that Demo had not time to complain, not +even time to think. He stood on the mountain path once more, +alone. + +Or, perhaps, not alone. The wind gusted, leaves rustling along +the pathway. Above the tree tops bowed in obeisance to the +intermittent breeze. The smell of rain was in the air. And a +sulfurous smell. One he had noted to often before. + +He sensed, rather than saw, the unseen companion. In anger he +raised his bow, but could not decide where to dispatch the +arrow. With a shrug he lowered it, returned the arrow to its +pouch. + +"In due time I will succeed. I must!" he breathed. + +He felt tired. He had labored mightily through the twelve +tasks. Rest was delayed for their completion. And now a further +task lay on him. + +For a moment he leaned against the trunk of a tall pine, his +eyes closed. His arms ached, his back and neck, and his felt the +need to lie down, to rest. + +But he dare not! Somewhere, waiting, his nemesis. And when and +how he might strike he knew not. + +He trudged disconsolately along the mountain path. In the +distance the howl of a wolf broke the silence. The quivering +wail was answered quickly from neighboring hills. The pack was +assembling for some nightly raid. A dust devil traveled a +crooked path on the trail ahead, ended with leaves falling on +the floor. A deer stopped at the edge of the trail, sniffed at +the air, then retreated. + +Demo moved cautiously forward, each step a chore. Strong though +he was his energy seemed to be waning. Startled, he remained +motionless. This is not right, he thought. I have gone days +without rest, and still felt stronger than today. Am I ill, have +I eaten something that has weakened me. + +He felt a vertigo, nearly stumbled. He shuffled forward, each +foot scuffing along the pathway. + +As Demo proceeded he noted a shadow on his path. The sitting +sun limned the figure of a young girl sitting on a log by the +path, rubbing her ankle. Plainly she was suffering, and with the +approaching night, in dire circumstances. Exhausted though he +was, he could not ignore her plight. + +"My lady, you are in pain. Can I help you?" he inquired. + +"No! No. Begone, handsome youth! I carry with me dangers you +cannot understand. Even to talk to me invites disaster. Go +quickly on your way!" + +Her voice was taut with emotion, with fear. Her breath came in +quick pants, and her face was distraught. She bowed her head in +hopeless resignation. + +He started to turn, noted the tears in her eyes, and so +remained. + +"Here, I have medication for your ankle. It will ease the pain." + +He rubbed the ointment on the red swollen skin, and her eyes +widened as the pain began to recede. + +"Oh, sir, I am fleeing from a most horrifying creature. There +are no words that can describe it. Should it finds you with me, +it will destroy you. Please, go on your way. You have been very +kind, now leave quickly. Let me climb down the mountain alone." + +For a moment he hesitated, took a step away from her and down +the mountain. If I stay to help her it will endanger my chances +of completing the final task. I must go on now! + +His thoughts said leave. His heart said stay. The sad face of +the hapless maiden held his eyes. He could not walk away. + +"I too have known fear and loneliness. I cannot leave you thus. +I will help you, no matter what pursues. And should it overtake +us, I shall leave my mark on it." He touches his arrows for +reassurance. + +They slowly descend the mountain, and she leans heavily on him +as she hobbles along the rock-strewn path. At times winding +steeply, narrow. Then leveling and wide. When they reached a +precipice overlooking the site of a beautiful, dark pond they +paused. + +A gnarled pine grew on the crag, leaning outward. In time the +wind and rain would loosen its roots and would plunge off the +overhang. For now a swallow nested safely within its branches. + +Demo looked down at the tarn so far below. For a moment he +closed his eyes, drew a deep breath. This is the place. The +wait is over. He sighed. + + + +There are ponds where birds sing in happy summer frolic. Where +nests are built in bordering bushes, and eggs laid. Ponds where +the fish leap, and frogs sing their merry songs of night. Here +lightning bugs brighten the surface, court the light of +reflected stars. Here the waters are clear and cool. The farmer +stores milk here to keep it cold. Children play along its banks +with happy laughter. By summer day they swim in its depths. Here +by night lovers sit 'neath honey moon and whisper soft words of +adoration. + +And there are ponds of rougher nature where the fisherman plies +his trade. Ponds where flowering plants hide snakes that glide +upon the waters and feed on the creatures swimming below. Where +turtles wait for unsuspecting geese or ducks and drag them to +their death in waters deep. Here young men come to gig frogs, to +seine for bait for tomorrow's fishing, to joke and carouse and +wrestle man to man. + +There, too, are tarns hidden in dark recesses and grottoes. +Tarns deep and still where legends grow and strange stories are +whispered. Here in the eventide one sees the will of the wisp. +At times the call of the loon breaks the evening air. Stories +better left untold are found here. Of strange sights in the dark +of night. Of spirits of those gone. Of evil incarnate, and hate +incessant. + +Such a one was the tarn that lay below. Tales were told of +blood mingling with the murky waters. Tales of bands of evil +note frequenting its shores. Tales of bodies weighted with +stone, resting forever on the bottom. + +The escarpment extended outward from the mountain, formed a +lookout overlooking the dark waters. The escarpment, of solid +rock, attracted those despondent, invited them to end their woes +with a plunge into the waiting waters. Too many responded to +that fatal invitation. + + + +"Here is the land of my mother, Ceres. I am Persephone, her +only daughter. And I have been away so long." She sobbed. + +Ceres. He knew the name. Where had he heard it? Ah, his Mother. +A nursemaid, long ago, and a weak and sickly child. Was this +then the needed task, to protect her daughter from a ruthless +enemy? How strange the fates! Every move seemed programmed, +every action preplanned long ago. And the results? Were they too +preprogrammed? Our lives it seems are in the stars, and we +neither control nor understand our fate. There was now no +question in his mind. This is the Tarn of Eternity! It is here +all shall be resolved! + +"Finally, now I am getting closer to home. I shall see her once +more before she dies. The trip has been long. Soon it is over." + +He felt the sadness in her words. And felt something else, +something more foreboding. + +A hint of a strange odor, a scent that he knew too well. The +unseen companion was close, very close! + +Even as she spoke a dark form emerged from the heavy bushes +beside the path. + +Unthinkingly he knew. This was the unseen companion! + + + +Demo's mother slept fitfully throughout the night. Dreams, +rather, nightmares, repeatedly aroused her. She saw, again and +again, her son. And something else. + +Something huge and grotesque, evil and deadly. Something with +an unreasoning hatred for her son. + +She arose before sunrise, sat on the edge of her bed in deep +thought, spoke aloud to herself. "I could try to go to him. +Sadly, I am old, weak. I would be but a further burden. + +Rough sat at her feet, licked her hand. She reached down +absently, patted his head. Her eyes widened. + +"Rough, go to him. What I cannot do, you can. Protect him with +your life. Quickly now! Find your master! Go!" + +The dog whined as she opened the door, looked up at her. Then +turning, with a low growl, Rough loped quickly toward the high +mountains. + +Whatever danger threatened Demo, he would share. Whatever enemy +imperiled his master, he too would face. + +She sighed, whispered, "Perhaps, perhaps . . . " + + + +Misshapen head, twisted body, covered with hide plated with +metallic scales, it stood tall above them. + +But he is not the only one to recognize the creature. + +Beside him Persephone starts, cries out. "No, let me be free of +you!" + +A gasping chortle issued from the swollen lips of the creature. +"Ah, princess, it is fit we meet here by the Tarn of Eternity. +Only its waters can still the fires of Hell. And even they +cannot still my love for you." + +The words, meant to express deep feelings, were grotesque when +voiced in a broken, harsh whine by the monstrosity. And yet Demo +noted, the eyes held a devotion that was real. + +"Pluto, go back to your world. Leave me to live in peace with +my mother. I will never return to Hades. Better a short life on +earth than eternity in Hades." + +"Persephone, I will never release you. My love for you is +without an end. You will be mine forever." + +This travesty on words of love, voiced by a creature totally +devoid of humanity, brought tears to the eyes of the young +maiden. + +The final task! Destroy the unseen companion! Pluto! Brother of +Zeus! More powerful than any save Zeus himself! + +A tear came to Demo's eye. No mortal could accomplish this +task! Yet, though he die in the struggle, he was committed. +Athena, remember me, for I have loved you! + +He was no longer tired. He drew strength from the imminent +danger. + +He took a deep breath, drew an arrow from its pouch, notched it +to the string. + +"You jest! What power is in your weapons?" once more Pluto +speaks. + +"I have followed you far, and your arrows have not found their +mark. Do you not know, that nothing you can do will destroy me. +I am immortal. I dwell in Hades, Master of that infernal region. +Only the waters of the Tarn of Eternity can quench those flames." + +He laughed, loud and harshly, without humor. + +"Now stand up, tall and brave." he sneered, "I tire of this +childish game, and you are about to die." + +As Pluto lifted his huge fist Demo drew the bowstring. A +threshing from the side of the pathway, distracted him. + +He paused. + +Before either he or Pluto could move another interfered. + +From the brush a deep growl was heard, and in a moment Rough +stood in the path of the threatening fiend. He crouched, eyes +blazing. + +And sprang! + +Caught in mid air by a blow from the monstrous figure, Rough +fell, rolled over, lay quiet. Demo released his arrow! + +It struck, then fell blunted from Pluto's thick hide. + +"I struck the animal only a light blow. I too had Cerberus, and +of all creatures only he loved me. The dog shall live. But not +you, earthling." + +Pluto once more turned toward Demo, his deadly intention +evident. + +"No, Pluto, no more! I can stand no more of you, no more of +your evil ways." + +Persephone rushes by Demo, dodges by Pluto. + +Frozen, Demo stands motionless. Still, there is one who acts. +With a desperate lunge Pluto tries to stop the maiden. + +Too late! + +She flings herself from the edge of the cliff! + +Down she falls, down, finally to plummet into the cold depths +of the Tarn of Eternity. + +Pluto turns, dives into those murky waters. Plummets downward +to rescue her from their frigid embrace! + +As the waves touch him he screams. + +The waters roil and tear at him as though the tarn were a +living creature, a beast of prey. Blood stains the roiled +surface. + +Demo rushes down the tortured pathway, his lungs and throat +burning. A stone turns and he falls, slipping over the edge of +the escarpment. The roiling waters of the Tarn of Eternity licks +hungrily at the boulders below. They crash against the shore, +waiting for their next prey. + +Slowly, painfully, he regains the path, continues his +precipitous journey. Finally arriving at the rock strewn shore, +he throws himself down as the air rushes through his burning +throat. + +There is no sign of life on the Tarn. The water, never still, +moves in chaotic pattern. Swirls and streams, whirlpools and +rapids, never still. + +Then it rises from the deepest, coldest depths. Pluto! + +Pluto swims slowly, uncertainly, moving toward the shore where +Demo now sits. Demo rises, defiant. A broken sword from some +ancient war, lay on the ground, and he seizes it in desperation. + +And then he remembers. The broken sword of the warrior! +Unsullied by its mishap, the broken blade still shines. Holding +the weapon in his hand he waits on the shore, watches the +tumultuous waters of the tarn. + +Even in his torture, Pluto swims in desperate search for +Persephone. But the dark green waters hide their prey. + +And then he sees her! + +Quickly, thrashing his way to the drowning girl, Pluto dives +beneath the murky depths. He lifts her from the water's deadly +embrace. Cradled in Pluto's arms, her face white above the dark +surface, she seems more dead than living. Thrashing the deadly +waves Pluto brings her to the shore. + +Demo raises the broken sword high, waiting! + +Pluto stalks onto the shore carrying her like a doll, gently, +in his huge arms. Turning to Demo, Pluto growls in the angry +voice he could not renounce, "Save her." He lays her softly on +the ground, lays her gently on the sandy beach. + +Throwing aside the sword Demo falls to his knees beside the +child. + +Demo turns her on her stomach , ministers to her. And finally +he is rewarded by the slightest movement, a sign of life. Soon +she begins to cough, to breathe. + +Pluto stands quietly, watching. What on another creature might +have been a smile touches his lips. On his cheek a trickle of +liquid. Water from the Tarn of Eternity? + +"She lives." He utters, half question, half statement. + +"Yes, she lives." + +There was no question now. The tears were real. + +For a moment Pluto turns away, then turns once more to look at +her. "I grant you your life, earthling. Care for her. Help her, +human. For this I spare your life. Quickly, now, for as I +forecast, the Tarn of Eternity is quenching the fires of hell, +and quenching the very life from me. Yet I pass on willingly, +that she may live." + +He pauses, looks out toward the center of the Tarn. + +"These waters, as foretold, have destroyed me." + +Though Demo had paid attention only to Persephone, he had still +noted the horrible oozing of Pluto's blood from a thousand +wounds. + +"It is over. I go to my fate. Tell her this. With her +departure, what hope in Hades dwelt no longer lingers. And tell +her, that in my own way, I loved and love her still." + +He turns. + +With a dignity born of valor he wades into the dark waters, +marches stolidly into the ravenous waters that swirl and froth +and tear at his body. Their waves lap ever higher until, +silently, he disappears beneath the surface, into their clouded +depths. + +And, though he were a denizen of Hell, one could but think, +'True love deserves better.' + +Quickly Demo turned to the maiden. In those few moment her +breathing once more has ceased. Loosing her bodice he turns her +over, lets the dank water seep from her lips. + +Almost he gives up hope. And then she once more stirs, moans. + +She moves, half sat, wide-eyed. Gently he holds her hand. + +She looks wildly around. + +"Where is he? Is he gone?" + + + +He told her of Pluto's last words, of how Pluto died - evil, +misshapen, cast out from the heavens. Of how he knowingly cast +himself into the deadly waters of the Tarn of Eternity for her +sake. + +Hated by all. Destroyed, though, not by any of these, not by +the power of his enemies. Destroyed by the one small touch of +goodness left in him, the ability to love. + +Bemused she looked at the now placid surface of the tarn. + +Pensively she gazed at the quiet, dark waters. And though she +is silent he noted the quiet tears upon her cheeks. Then she +rose slowly, walked to the water's edge, and reached out to a +green weed growing there. + +"Mother, grant me beauty." She whispered the words. + +And as she touched the plant a white flower bloomed, fell into +her outstretched hand. + +"As you have died for love, oh Pluto, I pity you. And though +you will be remembered for the evil of your ways, and as master +of the infernal regions, one consolation you shall have." + +She tossed the flower with its large white petals out on the +now still waters. + +"When the water lilies bloom, you shall be remembered, not for +your vices, but for your one saving grace. + +"You will be remembered for this, that you gave up eternity to +save the one you loved." She paused, a sob in her voice. + +"Rest well, Oh Prince of Darkness." + + A tear trickled down her cheek, and her voice was tremulous. + +Even as she spoke the face of the pond rippled, and the white +beauty of the water lilies spread. Quickly they carpeted the +waters along the shore. Gently rocking with the ebb and flow of +the ripples they spread their beauty ever farther. + +She sat by the quiet waters, stared vacant-eyed toward its +farther shore. Turning, she glanced at Demo. + +"I remember, when I was a little girl, a poem. It was of a +brave warrior, and the woman he loved." + +She spoke the stanzas, not to him; softly to herself. Her +voice, partially choked by emotion, blended with the soft wind +and the rippling waves of the tarn. + + + +"For love of maiden fair, + +"He walks untrodden ways, + +"And fights with dragons in the air, + +"And evil ogres he slays. + + + +"For love of maiden fair, + +"He sailed on unknown seas, + +"And dared the demon in his lair. + +" 'Mongst haunted, ghostly trees. + + + +"For love of maiden fair, + +"He lay him down to die, + +"And asked a token only there, + +"A teardrop from her eye. + + + +"For love of gallant youth, + +"More than a tear she gave, + +"She would not live with constant ruth - + +"Slept by him in his grave." + + + +"There will be no poem for him!" + +As she spoke a break occurred in her voice, and a sadness. +Perhaps she had not loved Pluto, but surely she had pitied him. + +"He was ugly, hated, feared. I, who knew him best, held him in +awe. And yet, for all his faults, he was gentle. Though master +of that dark domain, he wept for those within. Though he had +power, he had not the power to set them free. + +"He loved me. A strange love, perhaps. When I returned for that +brief moment to my mother, he wept. And when I returned to him +once more, his face was radiant. + +"Did I love him?" + +She was silent. Yet, tears flowed from her eyes. + +"Love? What is Love?" + +She walked restlessly by the tarn, breathed deeply. + + "Mother, I would rest. Take me home." She sobbed. + +Demo listened silently, head bowed. Though a tragedy had now +ended, still there was tragedy. How strange indeed this life, +where evil destroyed did not bring happiness. Where maiden +rescued did not bring joy. Where task performed did not bring +triumph. + +He picked up the broken sword, gazed at it musingly. With a +half smile he shook his head, tossed it aside. + +Finally he turned to comfort her, but she was gone. Where she +had stood a rose bush grew. Its single blossom, one deep red +rose, hung low in sorrow. A vagrant wave gently kissed its soft +petals. + +With a sigh Demo turned to climb again the mountain. Above its +peaks a lone white cloud drifted. Sun's rays lit the tree tops. + +The final task was done. + + + +"Rough, you've come back . . . , alone! Oh, and you're hurt." +She dropped to her knees beside the dog, felt of his legs, ribs. +"At least there aren't any bones broken." + +She stood up, thinking. + +"You wouldn't have deserted him if he were in danger. I'm sure +of that. So he sent you home. I only wish I knew that he is +safe. Well, come, boy, I have some food for you." + +She patted the dog, took him inside. After feeding him she +stood in the open door. + +A tear formed in her eye, and she wiped it away. + +"Athena, if you truly love him, protect him." + + + +24. Finale + +The flutter of wings broke the silence, and she was there +beside him. Athena! She reached out her hand, and he held it. +This time neither Zeus nor Pluto intervened. In moments they +were flying upward, ever upward, to far off Olympus. + +He glanced back to the tarn below. The water lilies had covered +its surface. The waves lapped gently at the sandy shore, washed +tenderly the wild rose. + +A few red petals fell softly into the quiet waters, mingled +with the white waterlilies floating there. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of The Tarn of Eternity, by Frank Tymon + +Worldwide Book Rights +(C) 1995 Frank Tymon + diff --git a/old/etarn10.zip b/old/etarn10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c38f696 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/etarn10.zip |