Thermiandra reached into Heliodas’ quiver and replaced her arrows with the ones he still had, then resumed shooting at the creatures.
“We can’t stand against this onslaught. If this continues, we’ll all be dead soon. Archetus, remember that option we had discussed earlier?” Heliodas asked.
“Setting the ship ablaze?” he asked.
“Yeah, that. Do you think it will work?”
“If we don’t mind setting the ship ablaze.”
“If you do, can you put it out?” He noted that the heavy Egyptian was covered in sweat.
“I could raise an enormous wave to crash into the ship. That should put out the fire. I can’t guarantee that it would completely extinguish the flames, however.” He watched as three more of the fighting men were overcome by the Malthoics. With Heliodas out of the fight, and all of the other losses they had suffered, the Athenian counted and realized that they were down to six defenders. If they lost any more, they would no longer be able to hold the mast.
Heliodas clapped the Captain on the shoulder. “I know how to end this,” he shouted.
“How?” the captain asked as he sliced through another creature while evading a pair of tentacles.
“My friend can light the ship on fire.”
“We’ll die for sure!” the captain objected.
“He can put out the fire after he lights it.”
“Then do it!” the captain shouted.
“The ship will need repairs,” Heliodas said.
“I don’t care!” the captain replied.
“Everyone withdraw below deck!” Heliodas shouted at the remaining warriors.
Thermiandra was the first down the hatch. Heliodas watched the other fighting men flee behind while he remained next to Archetus. Pelephon also didn’t leave his side.
Heliodas could see the sweat pouring off of Archetus, as well as the weariness in his eyes. He knew then that there was a strain associated with channeling the energy of the Titans, and that Archetus had pushed himself to the brink of his physical and magical capabilities already.
Archetus held his arms wide and Heliodas saw the space between them fill with fire. The cultist spun around, blowing through the air as he did so. The fire fanned out in a circle around him, somehow moving past Heliodas and Pelephon without touching them.
The fire spread throughout the deck and then spilled over the rails and down the hull. The flames and the heat overwhelmed the Malthoics, and Heliodas could smell a powerful acrid odor as their squishy bodies sizzled. He noted that their advance had stopped. Some of them had burst by the intensity of the heat while others still clung to life as they attempted to withdraw from the ship.
For close to a minute, the flames burned through the creatures while consuming the wood of the deck. Heliodas was no longer certain if there would still be anything to walk on up top by the time the fire was extinguished. The creatures continued to burst, fry, and boil. When he could see no more movement among them, the cultist raised his arms above his head and Heliodas saw a massive wave just off the starboard side. “Get down!” the Egyptian yelled.
Heliodas dove through the hatch, and was immediately followed by Pelephon. A sudden torrent of water poured down into the hatch. It continued for only a moment, and then all was quiet.
Heliodas climbed back to the top of the stairs and looked at the smoking devastation. Many of the creatures’ bodies remained on the deck, but it was still smoldering. Smoke hung heavy in the air, but he could see no open flames. The bodies of five of the fallen warriors remained as well. Archetus stood, clinging to the mast, though his hair and clothing were completely drenched in water.
“Be careful of the bodies of the fighting men,” the cultist warned.
“Why?” Heliodas asked.
As if in reply, one of the corpses started to twitch, then it slowly climbed to its feet. Sharp spike-like claws erupted from its hands. Its eyes turned milk-white, and its jaw seemed to elongate as it filled with razor-like teeth, and tentacles sprouted from its mouth, writhing around before it. It then began to shamble toward the men on deck. Heliodas still had little feeling in his sword arm, but Pelephon was ready with his blade.
Archetus shot a blast of electricity at the risen corpse, and while the bolt blew through its chest, leaving a charred hole, the creature continued moving forward.
Pelephon yelled a battle cry and rushed to the walking corpse, striking it with his blade, which bit deep, cutting through the shoulder and into the chest. One of the corpse’s arms dangled uselessly, but still it continued forward, striking at Pelephon with its other spiked claw.
The blond Macedonian backed up, avoiding the blow, then slashed out with his blade again, this time catching it in the elbow of its good arm. The forearm fell to the deck, and the Macedonian warrior slashed out, cutting through the corpse’s neck. As the transformed head fell to the deck, the body finally stopped moving.
“Get the others over the sides before they do the same!” Archetus yelled.
Neither Pelephon nor Heliodas needed any further encouragement. They ran out, grabbing the fallen soldiers and heaving them over the charred railing. Heliodas grabbed the final one and pushed it over the side, just as it began to twitch. There was a satisfying splash as the walking corpse hit the water, and Heliodas watched the body sink like a stone.
Breathing heavily as he tried to catch his breath, Heliodas walked to the cultist. “Tell me, does this sort of thing happen to you a lot?” he asked.
Archetus shook his head. “Do you remember when I warned you before that using Titan magic can lead to consequences?”
Heliodas nodded.
“This is one of those possible consequences. The more magic that is used, the more attention I attract. This does not happen often, because it requires there to be Titanspawn of one type or another to be nearby, but the more power I have used recently, the more likely it is that they will notice and try to take me.”
“What would have happened if we would have tossed you to them?” Heliodas asked.
“They would have taken me, used me to open up a conduit of power to the Titans, and they would have become more powerful, more substantial, and harder to kill. In all likelihood, they would have kept attacking, because they also feed on life energy.”
“Then it’s a good thing I didn’t give in to my urge to do that,” Heliodas said with a smirk.
Archetus began to laugh. “I know you would never do such a thing,” he said. “Just as I knew you would never turn me over to Syrpax in Ephesos.”
“How do you know these things?” Heliodas asked.
“I told you, I have a non-linear relationship with time. Although I’m still limited by my mortal body, there are some things that I can sense before they happen, and there are other things that I know to be true, even before their truth proves out.”
“Then why didn’t you warn us of the Malthoics?” Heliodas asked.
“Because I did not know they were coming,” Archetus said. “My sense of events that have not come to pass is far from reliable. When I try to gaze into your future, even though I know that you are destined for greatness beyond that which you currently might imagine, I cannot foresee the specific things that will shape your life.”
Heliodas shook his head slowly. “Is this because I am supposedly the son of Zeus?” he asked.
“No,” Archetus replied. “Though you may be the son of the father of your gods, it is simply because you are Heliodas.”
Heliodas looked at Archetus and realized that he had just been paid a high compliment. Though his parentage, whatever the truth of it may be, would always remain an unchanging fact in his life, it was he himself that would determine whether he would be a hero or a failure. No special favors from the gods shaped his personality, caused him to volunteer to fight in the war against Persia, or made him decide to take up Thermiandra’s cause as his own. He decided these things on his own. He was guiding his own life.
“Thank you, my friend,”
Heliodas said to the cultist, patting him on the shoulder. “I may not know you well, but you just bestowed a great compliment upon me.”
“You are welcome,” said the Egyptian.
Hermes’ Arrow sat dead in the water. No wind blew, and half of the oars had been burned away by the fire. Worse, roughly half of the crew had died in the battle. Heliodas wondered if the wounded ship was still able to carry them the rest of the way to Athens.
The captain emerged from below deck and approached Heliodas and Archetus. “In all my years at sea, I’ve never seen such horrors. I think this had something to do with the two of you. Why shouldn’t I have you thrown overboard?”
“Two reasons,” Heliodas said. He suspected that the captain would assume the connection between Archetus and the Malthoics, so he was already prepared with a response. “First, you and your crew wouldn’t stand a chance against us. Second, you’re going to need us to man the oars if we want to make it to port in Athens.”
The captain gave him a stern look, and Heliodas could see the fury that burned behind his stare. After a moment, the captain’s shoulders slumped in defeat as he doubtlessly realized the truth of his words. “Alas, I know you are right.”
Chapter 19
Confessions
Given the damaged condition of Hermes’ Arrow, as well as the seriously decreased number of crew, it required two extra days for the ship to make it to port in Athens. True to their word, Heliodas, Pelephon, and Archetus made good on their promise to man the oars. For Pelephon and Heliodas, the work was hard but manageable. Archetus, on the other hand, was not accustomed to physical work, and he soon found himself unable to keep up with the pace set by the oarmaster. The stern man with the wiry build and the shaved head screamed at Archetus to keep up, but the Egyptian found himself physically unable. Eventually Heliodas’ oar broke due to damage caused by the fire, so he offered to take Archetus’ oar.
When at last they reached port in Athens, Captain Heryonax personally gathered Heliodas and his companions and escorted them to the ramp to disembark. “I hope you don’t take offense when I tell you that you are not welcome aboard my ship again.”
“No, not at all,” Heliodas replied. “I want you to know that I’m deeply sorry for the deaths of your crew and the damage to your ship. We didn’t expect that to happen.”
“Yes,” said Heryonax, “I do understand. Nevertheless, you keep dangerous traveling companions. Some of the crew that survived that night will want to leave my ship now, so I’m not only going to have to replace the ones that died, but I’ll also have to find replacements for the ones who think the ship is cursed by the gods. It’s going to take some time to repair the old girl. She’s a good ship, but most of the oars, much of the deck, and parts of the hull will need to be fixed or replaced. This won’t be an easy patch job.”
“I understand,” Heliodas said. “I feel bad for what has happened here. You should know that I inherited my family’s farm outside of Athens, and there’s an excess of coin that I’ve managed to acquire over the years. I’d be happy to help cover the costs of repairs.”
The captain smiled, but shook his head. “Your offer is appreciated, but I must refuse. I wish nothing more to do with you or your friends. I can afford to have Hermes’ Arrow repaired.”
“Then I wish to leave you and what’s left of your crew in peace. Be well,” Heliodas said.
Heryonax smiled warmly. “You and your friends be well too, though I somehow doubt that will be the case.”
Heliodas led his companions away from the ship and toward the polis center. Once they were well away from the docks, he stopped and turned toward them. “My friends, it would appear that we have reached our destination,” he said. “I intend to accompany Thermiandra to deliver her message to my great-uncle, Demosthenes. After that, I have not yet decided what to do next. What of you?”
Pelephon shrugged. “We’ve had some interesting times. I intend to enjoy myself in the taverns of Athens for a few nights, and then catch a ship back to Ionia, where I’ll rejoin Alexander’s army. I would welcome a night or two of revelry with you before taking your leave. In the mean time, my throat is dry, and the only way to quench my thirst is with several glasses of wine.”
“And you?” Heliodas asked Archetus.
The large man shrugged. “My good friend, Heliodas, our journey together is not yet at an end.”
“It is as far as I’m concerned,” Heliodas said. “You’re a good man, Archetus, but you are a danger to those around you. I wish you luck in your journeys, but I’m afraid I can’t risk the well-being of the people around me.”
“I understand,” Archetus said with a wide smile.
“Why do I get the feeling that you know something I don’t,” Heliodas asked.
“I know nothing more,” Archetus said, “though I’m certain that we will soon be on the road together.”
“Why?” Heliodas asked.
“I cannot tell you right now. Events will play out as they must and you’ll understand when the time is at hand.”
“And somehow I knew that you were going to say that,” Heliodas said. “I hope, for all our sakes, that you’re incorrect.”
“And what of you, Thermiandra?” Pelephon asked. “Once you’re done delivering your message, do you intend to return to the palace at Cyme?”
“I’m not sure. My path might take me back to Cyme eventually. I intend to spend some time here and get to know the polis.”
“You have no place to stay here in the polis,” Heliodas commented.
“Not yet. I was planning to inquire about a room at one of the inns,” she replied.
“I think you’d be wise to avoid those,” Heliodas said. “The only inns are by the docks, and I think you’d find them dangerous for an unaccompanied woman, even here in this polis. I own a house here, another one on the farm in the country, and my uncle is the General of Athens. I can help you find a safe place to stay.”
“I’ll take you up on that offer,” Thermiandra said. “I suppose that means that we aren’t finished with each other just yet.”
“Probably not,” Heliodas agreed.
The companions said their final goodbyes and took their leave of one another. Heliodas and Thermiandra began walking toward the home of Demosthenes, but she halted their progress. “We should go to the agora first,” Thermiandra said.
“Do you need to buy some things?” Heliodas asked.
“Of course,” she replied. “I’ve been wearing the same clothing since Ephesos and I’ve not had any good food since I left Cyme. Can we go there before I meet your uncle?”
“We’re close to the agora right now. It’s actually along the way.”
“I appreciate it,” Thermiandra said.
Heliodas said nothing for a moment, but gazed at Thermiandra. Though she had been his traveling companion for some time now, he was still taken with her beauty. Between her dark skin, high cheekbones, and long legs, she was as beautiful as anyone he had ever dreamed of. More than that, however, there was an inner strength to her that he admired, while there also remained an underlying vulnerability that she had not yet explained to him. “So are you planning to finally include me in your secret?”
Thermiandra frowned, then placed an arm around Heliodas’ waist. “Very soon,” she said. “In fact, we should do that after we go to the agora.”
“Do you not wish to meet Demosthenes first?” he asked.
“Our time together probably draws to an end soon. Meanwhile, Cyme and its affairs will remain unchanged for another day or more…” She smiled. “Regardless of when I deliver my message.”
“Very well,” Heliodas said.
They entered the bustling agora. Between the people conducting trade and the others who were simply there to socialize, it was crowded. As they walked among the stalls, they neared several places offering freshly cooked meats, as well as an herbalist.
Heliodas overheard a conversation mentioning that the Great Procession to Athena was
tomorrow, which surprised him. He’d completely forgotten that this was the time of year when most of the people of Athens would form a great line to the Parthenon, the great temple to Athena atop the Acropolis, and give offerings. Many of the prominent citizens of Athens would sit on benches near the temple during this event, a symbolic show of unity between the city and Athena. Despite Heliodas’ feelings about the gods, he had always chosen to attend this event and offer something. He knew that he probably did this as much to honor his mother’s long-time friend Ophene as it was for any other reason. She always greeted him warmly when she saw him, and seeing her was one of the happier reminders that remained of his mother.
As they walked, Heliodas spotted someone familiar out of the corner of his eye. “Look, it’s my uncle, Demosthenes. I should go speak to him. Do you want me to introduce you?”
“Not yet. I’m not dressed to meet such an important person, and I haven’t practiced the speech that was prepared for me. But feel free to go see him. I won’t wander far,” she said.
Heliodas raised an eyebrow, but decided not to question her about it right now. There was time for the two of them to speak later. “Very well,” he said. “I’ll return shortly.”
Thermiandra wandered toward one of the merchant stalls while Heliodas approached his uncle. “Uncle!” he called.
Demosthenes saw him immediately and greeted him with a wide smile. “Nephew! I was not expecting to see you again so soon. I trust that you were given leave before returning?”
“When have I not been a dutiful soldier?” Heliodas asked.
“You must tell me how the war is progressing,” Demosthenes said.
“It goes well!” Heliodas said. “There was a major battle on the Granicus River. Alexander’s army was victorious. We routed the Persians, driving Persia’s legions out of Ionia.”
“So the Ionians are finally free?” Demosthenes asked.
“Insofar as they are now part of Alexander’s kingdom,” Heliodas replied. “I was injured in the battle.”
“Clearly you still stand. How bad was it?”
Echoes of Olympus (The Atheniad Book 1) Page 22