I scratched my head. “Hera will look past the data and either scan our brains or try something unexpected.”
Meter dragged her fingers through her hair and repositioned her leather diadem in an exasperated move that told of her fatigue with this assignment. “Don’s team has no math geniuses … only logic and reasoning. Who needs that?”
I thought back to the Underworld mission last term and how upset Hera was when I’d left them in the Underworld to go get food. “Hera’s not against risk. She’s more calculating. But Hera does like easy odds if she can help it. So my guess is they’ll pick bridge two. Only twenty percent chance of lions.”
I turned to Phi. “You know Don. Is he likely to go lions or boulders?”
“He’d probably go boulders because he thinks no one will pick that. Thirty percent chance is not horrible odds. Not to him,” Phi said. “He has ultra-machismo nectar running through his veins.”
“He does think he’s invincible,” I mumbled.
“He is,” Phi responded. “And he didn’t have to sit on the almighty throne to do so.”
I slid back in my chair.
She continued, “Oh, you thought I was going to give you a pass just because we’re partnered on this assignment? Psi is my guy, my sub-mariner mountain of a man. That said, I do intend to beat him on this exercise.” She flashed a wry smile. “He doesn’t lose much, and I want to deliver this one to him. He needs some humility.”
Meter said, “No one wants to get caught, fighting it out on any bridge. And everyone feels the need to prove themselves by assuming more risk … we should go bridge one.”
“Exactly,” I said. “And by declaring bridge one in our thoughts with such mental clarity, we force Hera to either call our bluff and chance fighting on bridge one or seek her own path.”
Meter’s wooden bangles jingled as she clasped my arm. “That is brilliant. Metis must be rubbing off on you.”
After several tours around the instructional room, Pontus returned to the front. “Pupils, I really like the discussions. I’ve heard very solid methodology. Logic and reason rules the day. Class time is nearly at an end. Midday meal is nigh at hand.” He laughed and patted his belly. “Here’s what I propose … I will give you until Hemera Okeanos, two hemeras from now, to construct your strategy for this project. Prior to War Games prep on that day, each group is to submit a scroll to me with the names of your group members, the strategy chosen, and the rationale. Are we clear?”
Everyone nodded.
Pontus continued, “This also allows for a bit more fairness, even though I think the entire concept of fairness …” he raised air quotes above his head, “… is a crutch for the weak.” He stared at Poseidon. “Breaking defined rules is indeed one thing as it pertains to competitive play. But, I don’t want to hear complaints that someone using an undefined tactic is unfair. Everything in your arsenal must be brought to win a war. Understand?”
Don rose to his feet and stormed out of the room, nearly knocking over a table on his way out.
“I did not dismiss class, young man,” Pontus roared.
Don didn’t even turn.
Pontus snapped his fingers to recapture everyone’s attention. His face displayed equal parts fury and disappointment. His nostrils flared as he frowned. “I expect Rhea to return soon. Course schedule remains as planned for this afternoon. I will see you all on Hemera Okeanos. Alright? Class dismissed.”
As a dull rumble of bodies moving and shuffling sandaled feet filled the space, Phi pursed her lips and dropped her gaze. Hera’s eyebrows rose, furtive glances shooting back and forth. Metis looked across the room to me and shrugged.
Phi shot out of the room like an arrow.
After her gaze trailed behind Phi’s exit, Metis sidled up to me. “Hey, hero.”
I frowned in a playful manner. “What’s that for? Or better yet … what do you want?”
She chuckled. “You. In my cabin. Now.”
Tia breezed up to us and immediately sliced right through our conversation. “Hey, Zeus, can I borrow Metis?”
I stammered, thinking about being in Metis’ cabin … and now not being there. “Uhh, what?”
Tia looped her arm through Metis’ just as Hera walked up and propped her elbow on Demeter’s shoulder. “We’re all going down to the Agora to get fitted for new chitons and himations for the Grand Symposium after our War Games match this week’s end.”
I looked at Hera. “You too?”
“Yes.” She rolled her eyes. “Actually, I’ll have you know that I clean up rather nicely. You’ve never seen me in Demeter’s Kosmetikos or all dressed up. You might be impressed.” She winked.
Aphrodite smiled as she approached. “Mmmm, that must be a sight to behold indeed.”
Hera didn’t react. Much. Nothing, save the ripening of her cheeks ever so slightly.
“Well then, looks like I have some free time on my hands. Demeter, let’s get together later at my bungalow to talk about our stra-te-gy.” I flashed a smile. “If you see Phi before I do, let her know.”
“Oh that’s how you wanna play this?” Metis said. “All righty then.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
I grabbed a few bites to eat in the Andron with Shade. He kept trying to throw me off my game with silly theories and logic as they pertained to our Strategy course project. Not happening. Afterward, I took the long way back to my bungalow, hoping maybe I’d run into Don and Phi. Or not.
Just as well. I wasn’t really in the mood to nurse Don’s sore ego from losing the War Games challenge. And being challenged by Pontus.
I fell asleep for a moment, half-hoping to be roused by Metis’ feather-light rapping on my doorframe. But fortune was not on my side. I swung past the boy’s bathhouse to splash some water on my face and then head to afternoon class: Drama. I wondered how everything went down in the Agora. I’d have given just about anything to watch Metis try on chitons.
I took the scenic route to the theater, then meandered past it toward the greenhouse. I had missed the classes on Horticulture at MO Prep, so curiosity tugged at my tunic upon witnessing the stacked-stone wall that stood slightly taller than me. It jutted out from the rear side of the theater. When I found a wooden door flanked by two columns, I peeked inside.
Every manner of vegetable I could imagine grew in various plots or pots across the expansive floor. A tall column anchored the center of the floor. Hanging from it were tautly pulled sheets of fabric that looked part linen and part silk; pieces were interwoven to create an array that formed the roof of the structure. A small hearth with a pot of simmering water sat in each corner.
After stepping back outside, I ambled around to the larger barn standing behind the theater and the greenhouse. A four-columned portico greeted me. I stepped inside and quickly exited. The putrid stench of the resident animals nearly singed my nose hairs. I’d smelled goats before, but this was different.
As I left, I noticed the open side of the stable was at the mouth of a long dirt and gravel path leading to the edge of a cliff, which offered an amazing view of Thessaly. Was this the launching and landing place for Rhea’s lion chariot?
To ensure that I wasn’t late to class, I retraced my steps back to the sunken half-moon theater and stepped through the entryway. Metis sat with Hera and Shade on the bottom riser, laughing about something. Before I’d gone down to meet them, I was pushed aside by Don, who bumped my shoulder as he and Phi walked past. I fought the urge to jolt-knife him in the back. I actually still needed to work with Phi on our project and stabbing her boyfriend would likely not create a productive team environment. I guessed that was the whole point of the assignment right there—togetherness and teamwork and putting aside personal prejudice for the better good.
As I sat on the bottom riser, I massaged Metis’ shoulders and looked through the far door in the center of the skene. Three lovely, hooded figures gathered there. I knew the tallest of them, Professor Mnemosyne—o
r Nemo as she allowed us to call her—from various run-ins last term. The other two, I wasn’t familiar with due to not having taken music or drama here before. I thought back to last term when I saw them practicing their end of term play down in the Agora theater. It was a tragedy we never get to see it.
The three women stopped before us and removed their hoods.
Dressed in a tyrian-purple himation over a white tunic, Professor Nemo spoke first. “I love teaching this Drama class. It is a culmination course designed to bring together all you’ve learned in the arts: poetry, story, and music and song. I will help you memorize the story and your lines. My colleagues will handle the rest.”
Carrying a lyre, a silvery white-haired woman with contrasting youthful features stepped forward. “I recognize many of you. But for the uninitiated, I am Professor Aoede. I normally teach music and song, chorus to be more specific. I am also head voice coach. In this course, I am in charge of teaching the songs to accompany the play that you’ll perform at end of term.”
The woman with dark-grayish hair and similarly striking gray eyes removed her black hood. “I am Melete. I’ll be arranging and overseeing practice and rehearsals, as well as aiding Mnemosyne and Aoede in their efforts.”
Nemo clapped her hands. “Very well then. Lots to learn, now. A play has many moving pieces. Let’s dive in, shall we?”
“Who here can sing?” Aoede flipped her long braid in front of her shoulder, and then gazed upon the lot of us.
Glances exchanged amongst us students, however, no one uttered a sound. Still, a chuckle danced in my throat. I knew who would volunteer first.
“Me!” Tia’s hand shot up. “I’ll do it!”
“Oh heavenly bodies …” Demeter laughed. “Professors, do not mistake her volunteering for talent. Have you heard her play the flute?”
Everyone laughed.
Professor Aoede slid her arm around Hestia’s shoulder. “I’ve heard you sing, my child. Any voice can blossom under the lyre. Worry not.” She cradled Tia’s chin, and then peered at the remainder of us. “All right, I need just two more volunteers to form the chorus.”
“Don’t look at me,” I said. “I’m the lead.”
“Don’t you dare,” Don said. “I am lead actor.”
“As if,” Hera interjected. “Professor Nemo, you know I’m your lead.”
Nemo shook her head. “It’s a good thing we have three actor plays. High drama. All three of you may be actors for this play.”
Professor Aoede pleaded, “Wait, let me get my chorus together. Hmmm, Aphrodite, Metis, Hades, would you join Hestia?”
Hera laughed. “Shade is worse than Tia.”
Shade nodded. “She’s not wrong.”
“Fine,” Aphrodite sighed. “Come on, Metis, let’s do this singing thing. Tia’s the high voice. You can lend the medium tone. And I’ll be the low, sultry addition.”
Metis looked at me and then nodded. “All right.”
“Good then,” Professor Aoede said, the scent of sandalwood and honeysuckle wafting from her as she walked past me. “Metis, Aphrodite, and Hestia … follow me.” The girls got up and followed her to a far corner of the floor where they huddled together, each with a scroll in their hands.
Professor Melete gathered Shade, Demeter, and Amphitrite. “Let’s see about building the back set, shall we? You’ll also be place fillers, extra bodies for certain scenes. Living backdrop, if you will. And Hades, your peculiar abilities, such that I’ve heard, will come in handy.”
“Which leaves my three pretty little peacocks,” Professor Nemo flashed a wry smile. “Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon.” She handed each of us three scrolls. I unfurled each one. The first was the story plot summary. The second was a prologue. The third, longest of the lot, was the lines. Nemo continued, “This is actually a trilogy of sorts, a series of three stories to tell one longer tale. It will be performed at the end of our current term, over the course of a full day, from Helios’ climb in the east until his descent in the west. This particular play tells the tale of three children, each damaged and flawed, who rise and overthrow the rule of their parents.”
“Sounds perfect,” Hera deadpanned. She whipped her forefinger in the air in a circle. “Let’s get started.”
Just as I returned my attention to the scrolls I’d been handed, considerable clatter rose high in the theater near the entrance. I turned. Rhea strode in followed by Pontus and Ananke. Rhea’s normally austere facial posture was more so, if that were possible. Moving to the center of the floor, she waved everyone over to sit before her. This didn’t appear to be a pleasant conversation to come.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Rhea’s lips tightened before she spoke. “Gather around, children.” She paused long enough for everyone to fall in. “I am just returned from the oddest set of meetings I’ve ever attended. I’ll begin with this … undefined evil is afoot across our vast earth. Pantheons are under attack from internal and external threats. A gargantuan serpent-like creature caused massive tidal flooding near Kithira and Eastern Crete Lower Academies in the Mediterranean. Of course, you all were just attacked by some manner of a moving mountain during War Games practice. Beasts and creatures of mammoth proportions besiege the Nine Realms of Yggdrasil Academy. Which also means they have cancelled their trip here this weekend for our War Games invitational.”
“Damn,” Demeter muttered. “I rather eagerly anticipated seeing Thor and Baldr again at the post-match symposium mixer. Mmm, those Norse boys have something special in their mead.”
“Right there with you, Meter,” Hera said. “But, only after we beat that a—”
“Are you even listening to me?” Rhea snapped.
“Sorry.” Hera’s eyes shifted. I spoke to her mentally, Great going, hot shot.
She glared at me and shot back. Shut it!
Rhea turned cursed stares toward us both, but then addressed the group again, “But … my little lion cubs, I have yet to divulge the best part…”
“Great Gaia!” Don said. “There’s more?”
“And how. Funny, you should invoke her …” Rhea rifled her fingers through her hair and then whipped it back over her shoulders. “After the summit, Gaia, Supreme High Mother Goddess, summoned us all to a separate meeting. Based upon the recent rash of abnormal activities, and with the blessing of the Khaos Council, she has enacted a series of safety measures and guidelines. They are thus …”
“Just guidelines. Not rules, yes?” Shade said.
“Let me finish, Hades! Seriously.” Rhea’s eyes flashed with rare anger. “I will address all questions and concerns at the end. Now then, new regulations. One … advanced buddy system. Outside of housing area, you must travel in prides of at least three.”
Whispers crisscrossed between us. I tried desperately not to give full worded thoughts to what I felt about that rule. Uggh.
“And Zeus, I have heard from Eros and Phanes, that they have officially opened an investigation into the Amalthea and Aristaeus incident,” Rhea continued. “Two … as of this evening, the Agora is closed. It’s too dangerous. It’s wide open with no security.”
Tia’s hand shot up.
Rhea pushed onward without stopping. “Three … no one may leave campus for any reason unless accompanied by me. This stands until further notice.”
Don’s arm raised.
“I know, Don. We are trying to construct a plan to secure the Caldron playing field for the War Games match. With my telepathic abilities and my lion chariot, we may indeed be able to. If not, we’ll reschedule.” She massaged her temples. “You all are relentlessly assaulting me with your thoughts. It’s a lot to sift through. Yes, Tia. Ask it aloud so everyone can hear.”
Tia blurted, “Is the celebration still on? They didn’t have the chiton I wanted at The Golden Himation down in the Agora. But I was told there’s a shipment coming in, tomorrow. Or the next hemera. I don’t a have suitable outfit. I can’t go to the event in my old
tattered tunics. And what of my poor sandals? The one’s I have are so last term—”
Rhea sighed in exasperation. “My dear Hestia … all I can tell you is that you may have to wear an “old rag” … if there will be an event at all.”
Tia’s hand shot up again. “So just to be clear, the Agora is only closed to us … not totally closed.”
“You are correct, Hestia,” Rhea said. “It serves foreign customers as well—”
“Well that’s dung!” Tia stomped and folded her arms.
“Hestia …” Rhea said. “What’s gotten into you, young lady?”
Tia hung her head. “Sorry, Headmistress. I’m just tired of all the crap that’s going on.”
“But surely we must still honor Ouranos with a Symposium … or something,” Hera said. “He died in my arms … in our arms. Promise me that we will still honor him.”
“He was my father before he was a great-father to the six of you. Which is to say … yes, come what may, we shall still honor his life. However, with all that’s going on, I feel it’s proactively prudent to finally have you all … everyone who hasn’t yet done so … to go up and sit on the Throne. I’ve thought long and hard on this. I think now’s the time. I have no idea what deity magic will dawn within each of you, but we are all that we have left and we must be able to protect ourselves.”
Several of us gasped.
Don stood abruptly. “Yesss! Finally!” He cut his eyes at me. “Come on. Let’s go right now.”
“Poseidon.” Rhea held Don’s gaze like the grip on her fiery whip. “We can’t go right now. We’ll do it during Astronomy class.”
“What’s this?” Aphro asked.
“The Sky Throne,” I replied. “It sits atop the Observatory, the highest point in all of Hellas. From the Throne, whosoever is called to do so can control the heavens. It also bestows deity magic. Last term, Hera, Shade, Metis, and I climbed up to the throne. I was the only one to actually sit on it. But we each got different gifts.”
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