Who is Mackie Spence?
Page 19
Hades’ harsh breath shook the room. Zeus, a commanding presence among his fellow gods, directed waves of calm to his brother. Hades’ breathing slowed and order prevailed.
“Still, Hades, you have given us something to think about. Apollo has granted another, not of his line, status to die and be reborn as protector to the girl.”
Zeus paused and looked at Apollo and then at Poseidon.
“Apollo, I will allow it this time, because I believe your intentions were pure and you meant no offense to Hades. Poseidon, I believe you also meant only goodness in your advice to Apollo. Let us view this outcome as a benefit to all of our realms.”
The gods and goddesses nodded at Zeus’ judgment. Hades scowled, and withdrew to his underworld.
Hades’ Revenge
After meeting at Olympus with the gods and goddesses, Hades returned to his world below ground, vexed. Zeus’ decision had usurped his authority as Lord of the Dead. Zeus was the arbitrator, but his ruling was not just. And Apollo, that peacock of the sun, had spoken in such an insulting manner.
Furious, Hades considered calling for the Erinyes. The three Furies had avenged him many times, torturing the lives of mortals who murdered each other and deprived Hades of death’s natural order. But this assignment required a far broader reach than their powers.
He sat for several days, lost in deep thought. His pride had been wounded by Apollo’s actions and condescending attitude.
Hades reasoned, “Apollo has provided a protector for the girl. Let’s see how good a protector he can be. I shall provide an agent to test his, and her, mettle. Perhaps the protector and girl will live long and fruitful lives. Perhaps not.”
Dismas
Aleksander ran, laughing, to the beach with his two friends and their dogs. The weather was hot and dry, a perfect afternoon for swimming and diving from the rock cliff.
He thought about what had happened the day before, how he’d rescued the girl. He’d never swum out so far before. His older brothers had warned him to stay close to the shoreline. The pull of the tide could be dangerous. Still, he’d been able to push her toward the shore ahead of him, kicking with his strong legs and feet at the water.
“Last one in is a rotten fig!” yelled Mentes, as he dashed past Aleksander and Philetor.
“Right. Prepare to rot!” Philetor retorted as he sprinted after Mentes.
Aleksander grinned, knowing he could outrun both of them. Today, it didn’t matter. He’d proven himself yesterday, though he had not said a word about saving the girl to anyone. He kept silent, as if the rescue should remain just between himself and the girl.
A little later, the boys hiked up the slope that led to the diving ledge. Aleksander dove first, accurately throwing himself into a deep section of water. He bobbed up to see Mentes, and then Philetor, dive and surface near by. The three boys swam to the beach, splashing each other on the way.
As he blinked from the saltwater in his eyes, Aleksander saw Archer in a stiff-legged pose. Archer’s ears were flattened back as he growled at Dismas, a boy from their village.
“Ho, Archer,” Aleksander called to get his dog’s attention. Archer didn’t back down.
“Sorry,” Aleksander, called out. “He’s never acted like this before. Usually he’s so friendly he won’t stop licking your hand.”
“He’s a dangerous dog. If he bites me, both of you are dead meat,” Dismas snarled.
Aleksander and his friends stared at Dismas as he made his way up to the diving ledge. What had just happened? Aleksander patted Archer, but the dog vigilantly watched Dismas climb the embankment.
Artemis Warns Apollo and Alerts Zeus
Artemis didn’t like what she’d seen. After the group meeting at Olympus, she caught up with her brother, Apollo.
“What was that about?” she asked, throwing an arm around him affectionately.
Apollo kissed the top of his sister’s head. He loved her, but she worried too much.
“I knew it was risky to make the boy a protector. But Poseidon agreed with me that the girl will need someone. I can’t always be there for her.”
“I understand, but Hades didn’t take it well. He stared ten kinds of wrath at you after Zeus made his ruling. What makes you think he won’t retaliate?”
Apollo shrugged. “These are small matters for the ruler of the underworld to trouble himself about. Are you worried he will come after me? Let him try.” Apollo flexed his biceps and laughed.
“Oh, my brother, do not underestimate Hades. He won’t pick a fight with you. He has other ways of getting even when he feels disrespected.”
Apollo considered his sister’s words.
“He would have to go against Zeus, and that could be a disaster for everyone,” he said.
“Exactly.”
“Well, we will see. I haven’t heard from Hades since he left. Be optimistic. I like you best when you smile.”
Grimacing, she shook her finger at him, but kissed his cheek as a goodbye.
Leaving her brother, Artemis considered her options. She could do nothing, and see what happened. Maybe Apollo was right and Hades had no time to spend on revenge. Or, she could watch over Hades herself. But that would be impossible. Hades would feel her presence. No, she would go to Zeus with her concerns.
Entering Olympus, she marveled as always at the beauty of Zeus’ house. The temple-like façade with stone columns was lit by a golden sun in an azure sky. Grapevines provided cover above open-air porches, and olive trees offered a fragrant scent.
Zeus greeted her from his lofty perch. She presented him with a stag for his banquet.
“Artemis, thank you for such a bountiful gift,” Zeus said. “What brings you to my house again so soon?”
“Concern for the situation that was last discussed.”
“Ah, the spat between my brother and your brother. It may come to naught. I have faith that Apollo has given the boy-protector survival skills. This protector already saved the girl in treacherous water.”
“He’s just a boy. What if Hades sets some demented soul upon him? How could he, or the girl, cope with a wraith from the underworld?”
“Oh, Hades knows better, and he is capable of restraint. However, your warning does not fall on deaf ears. Hades has two sides, light and dark, both of which I am well aware. I will look in on the situation from time to time.”
Artemis thanked Zeus, and bid him goodbye.
Zeus sighed. He did not wish to further irritate Hades. Perhaps he’d have a word with Hades’ wife, Persephone. No, that would only upset her mother, Demeter, again. Such complex family politics. The boy-protector and the girl-healer would have to take care of each other.
A Taste for Revenge
Aleksander hadn’t seen the girl for several weeks. Summer had drawn to an end when he chanced upon her, as he carried a jug of water from the village well.
“Hello. How are you on this day?” he asked.
“Very well. And yourself?” she countered.
“Been swimming lately?” he responded, trying to suppress a grin.
“No. Have you rescued any half-drowned goddesses lately?”
“Goddesses, mortals, I’ll save them all. You know, you really weren’t all that heavy.”
“I’m big enough,” she answered with a mock pout.
They continued together on the pathway leading back to their homes. Archer ran ahead, frisking as he caught scents of cats and other dogs. Aleksander and the girl didn’t see him suddenly shift into a low crouch and growl.
Dismas stood in a doorway as the trio passed, covertly watching the girl and Aleksander. His heart filled with a volume of darkness that he could not understand. He didn’t really know either of them that well, not enough to explain this overwhelming antipathy. But he could not deny the rage he felt. It left a bitter taste in his mouth. A bitter taste for revenge.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I feel fortunate to have Jacquelyn Mitchard as my Merit Press editor. When an author/edi
tor of Ms. Mitchard’s caliber gives you the nod, optimism about life in general soars. I also thank Sam Bardelson for his early editing insights, and test readers who offered feedback or professional expertise: Gavin Hollyer, Patrick Amo, Maddie Gander, Elena Fox, and Susanne Bardelson. Many thanks to Field’s End, a writers’ community, especially fellow authors Barbara Clarke, Margaret Nevinski, and Margaret Chang for their ongoing counsel and camaraderie. Special thanks to Tim Richards for keeping me strong with core training as I wrote Who Is Mackie Spence? Finally, I’m indebted to my enduring friends who encouraged me to publish, including wildlife photographer Dottie Tison and members of the No Guilt Book Club.
Copyright © 2015 by Lin Kaymer.
All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.
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ISBN 10: 1-4405-8460-5
ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-8460-2
eISBN 10: 1-4405-8461-3
eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-8461-9
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.
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