Zeus's Eagle

by Lucy Coats

  Demon was standing there with his feet stuck to the floor and his mouth open. Chiron clapped him on the back, sending him stumbling forward.

  “Well done, my young apprentice. Well done! You’ve succeeded where your master has failed.”

  As if the centaur god’s words had freed him, Demon let out a whoop of relief.

  “I did it! I did it!” he said as Amaltheia returned.

  “You did indeed, young man,” bleated the goat—no longer old, but young and strong again. She lay down in the straw, milk still pouring from her. “Give me that baby. I’ll take care of her now.”

  A horsey head poked through the cave entrance as Hygeia began to nurse contentedly.

  “Is this a private party, or can anyone join in?” whinnied Pegasus.

  “Come in,” said Demon. “And let me look at those burns. It’s the least I can do.”

  While Chiron bustled around, clearing up and filling clean bowls with Amaltheia’s spare milk, Demon cleaned out the chimera wounds and bandaged them properly.

  “How did you get away from beastly Bellerophon?” he asked.

  “I left him snoring at the victory feast after we defeated the Amazons,” Pegasus said. His ears drooped. “I’ll have to go back soon, though. It was lucky you summoned me when you did.”

  Just then, there was a whoosh outside the cave.

  It was the Rainbow Express.

  “Zeus wants you,” said Iris. “Immediately.”

  CHAPTER 11

  LOVE’S WEDDING

  All the joy drained out of Demon, and terror filled him. He had once seen a giant jellyfish when he’d been with Eunice, and that’s how he felt. All wobbly.

  “Z-Zeus?” he stammered, hardly able to get the word out.

  “Zeus,” said Iris. “The King of the Gods. Remember him? You need to come right now.”

  “Hold on just one minute,” said Chiron. “What does my brother want with my apprentice?”

  “I don’t know,” said Iris. “But he’s summoned his Beast Keeper. And I don’t want to answer for his temper if he’s kept waiting for one more second.”

  “Don’t worry, Chiron,” Amaltheia bleated, scrambling up. Hygeia was full as a drum and sleeping peacefully, a dribble of milk running down her chin. “I’ll go with him. I’ve got a few words of my own to say to Zeusie.” She trotted onto the Iris Express.

  Chiron gave Demon a little push.

  “Go on,” he said. “You’ll be all right. My brother likes brave heroes—and you’re certainly that.”

  Demon didn’t feel very brave as he walked beside Amaltheia into Zeus’s throne room. In fact, he felt as if he was going to throw up everything he’d ever eaten in his life—which was not likely to last much longer, he reckoned. The King of the Gods was reclining on his throne, with Eagle perched by one huge sandaled foot, gripping a bunch of lightning bolts. Small lightning flashes sizzled around him, and a continuous growl of thunder was making the room shake. Demon took one look at his face, with its white beard bristling with anger, and fell to his knees.

  “You stole my eagle, Beast Keeper,” the King of the Gods growled. “Explain yourself.”

  Demon’s mouth was dry as a dust bowl. He took a breath in and tried to speak, but no words came out.

  “I,” he mouthed. “I . . .”

  Then Amaltheia trotted forward and butted Zeus in the knee with her silver horns. Hard.

  “Stop bullying the boy,” she bleated. “If he hadn’t borrowed your bird, I’d be dead, and then you’d be sorry. Ungrateful cub. I spend years of my life raising you, and what do I get?”

  She butted him on the other knee, even harder.

  Bang!

  The nanny goat was really getting going now.

  “No thanks.”

  Bang!

  “No gratitude.”

  Bang! Bang!

  “Not even a word on my birthday!”

  Bang! Bang! Bang!

  “I brought you up better than that! I’ve a good mind to tell your mother, Rhea!”

  Zeus cleared his throat. The lightning fizzled out and the thunder-shaking stopped.

  “Enough, old goat!” he roared. “You shall have the finest pen in the Stables of the Gods, and the best care from now on.” He looked over at Demon, frowning through his forest of eyebrows. “The best care, I say, Beast Keeper. But never again steal my eagle without permission. Or I shall bind you to my lightning bolts and throw you down to earth.”

  Demon swallowed for about the fifty-fourth time.

  “I’m sorry, Your High Mightiness,” he croaked. “It was an em-em-emergency. I’ll never d-do it again.”

  Eagle spread his wings and soared up onto Zeus’s shoulder, nipping at his ear.

  “It’s not his fault. I was bored,” he croaked. “You left me all alone. Demon showed courage in coming to me—and he brought me nice feather oil, too. You never bring me nice feather oil,” he finished, sulkily.

  The King of the Gods threw up his hands in surrender.

  “Very well,” he said. “You are forgiven, Pandemonius, since all the beasts speak for you.” He reached in and stroked Eagle’s head. “You’d better come and look in on this creature occasionally, I suppose. Since he likes you so much.”

  Before Demon could say more than a breathless and relieved thank-you, Aphrodite came in, her beautiful face looking a little sour, but even more glowing than usual. She had obviously used the Water of Eternal Youth. Close behind her were Psyche and Eros, giggling and holding hands.

  “We are to have a wedding,” Aphrodite said. “With your permission, of course.”

  “Ah!” said Zeus. “Our newest goddess. And do you really wish to marry this young rascal?”

  “Oh yes, please, Your Divine Majesty,” said Psyche, looking so happy that Demon almost didn’t recognize her.

  “Very well, then,” said Zeus. “Aphrodite, I shall put you in charge. You’re the best at weddings. Just make sure you consult Hera, though. It might cheer her up. She’s not in the best of moods with me right now.” He got up and beckoned Eros closer.

  “Actually,” he said in a very audible whisper. “I could do with some advice from you, young Eros.”

  It was the day of the wedding. Demon had scrubbed himself all over and was just getting into his best white, gold, and purple tunic, and his gold sandals, when he heard a hubbub below. Fastening the last strap, he hurried down the steps. There, prancing about like a puppy, was Golden Dog. Around his neck he wore a wreath of pink roses, and a whole cloud of pink stars streamed out of his wagging tail.

  “Golden!” Demon cried. “You’re back! Whatever happened to you?”

  “I was running with the Hounds of the Heavens,” he barked. “It was fun. But now you must hurry. Psyche has something to ask you!”

  Demon trotted behind Golden Dog, across Olympus and up the steps of Aphrodite’s palace. Psyche was waiting for him in the hall, with a crowd of chattering nymphs around her.

  “Pandemonius,” she said, beaming. “I have a job for you. Eros and I want you to be our ring bearer. Here!” She handed him a velvet cushion with a ring on it. It was shaped like a three-headed snake, with diamond eyes and a jewel in the center.

  “Isn’t it pretty?” Psyche asked. “I designed it, and Hephaestus worked all night on it. Hera let him use some of her special fire jewels from the Colchian Dragon. Aren’t I lucky? I’m the only other goddess to have some! And Hephaestus says there’ll be a special surprise for me after I put it on.”

  Demon nodded, speechless. He didn’t know much about jewelry, but he wasn’t entirely sure that he’d want to be reminded of that snake every day.

  “It’s lovely,” he mumbled.

  What seemed like hours later, he was following Psyche and Eros through a long arch of roses. A tiny cloud of cherubs buzzed overhead, dropp
ing pink hearts and more rose petals over them. The smell made Demon want to sneeze. At the end, Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, and all the other gods and goddesses were waiting. Eagle was perched on the back of Zeus’s throne, and Hera had a box of sugar rats open on her lap, which she was nibbling. She gave a ladylike hiccup, and one tiny pink bubble floated up out of her mouth. Eros had been up to his old tricks again!

  As soon as the bridal couple reached the throne, trumpets sounded out of nowhere, along with flutes and drums. They knelt before Zeus.

  “Where is the ring?” he asked, his voice booming around the walls, which were covered in a sea of pink and white flowers, all woven together with golden ribbons.

  Demon came forward holding out the cushion, and Eros took the ring and popped it on Psyche’s finger. As soon as he did so, a pair of the most beautiful butterfly wings sprang out of Psyche’s back.

  “Oh!” she cried fluttering up into the air. “I feel so different!”

  “You are a true goddess now,” said Zeus. “Welcome to the family!” He held out a hand to each of them.

  “Hail to Eros! Hail to Psyche!” he called out, and all the gods and goddesses called out with him. “May they be happy for eternity together!”

  Brightly colored fireworks erupted all around them, bursting with joyful bangs and crackles, as the newly wed god and goddess led them through to the feast.

  As everyone sat down, Zeus held up a hand.

  “I have one more announcement to make,” he said. “Step forward, Pandemonius, son of Pan!” Amid cheers, a nervous Demon came to kneel before the King of the Gods, who raised him to his feet.

  “Psyche has told me of your great bravery. You are hereby promoted to Stable Master of Olympus, and Official Eagle Keeper. I have also talked to Endeis, Athena, and Hestia. You shall have a permanent assistant to help you out in the stables when one of us needs you for an errand.” He crooked a finger, and Bion the faun sidled out of the crowd, looking quite overwhelmed.

  “Teach him well, young Pandemonius. Teach him well! And now, let the feast begin!”

  Demon couldn’t quite believe his ears. A proper assistant! Now he would never again have to worry that his beasts were being neglected. He sighed happily and picked up a honey cake in each hand, heading over to congratulate Bion. This was turning out to be one of the best days of his life!

  GLOSSARY

  PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

  THE GODS

  Aphrodite (AF-ruh-DY-tee): Goddess of love and beauty and all things pink and fluffy.

  Artemis (AR-te-miss): Goddess of the hunt. Can’t decide if she wants to protect animals or kill them.

  Athena (a-THEE-na): Goddess of wisdom and defender of pesky, troublesome heroes.

  Chiron (KY-ron): God of the centaurs. Known for his wisdom and healing abilities.

  Dionysus (DY-uh-NY-suss): God of wine. Turns even sensible gods into silly goons.

  Eros (AIR-oss): The rascally, winged god of love.

  Hades (HAY-deez): Zeus’s brother, the gloomy, fearsome ruler of the Underworld.

  Helios (HEE-lee-us): The bright, shiny, and blinding Titan god of the sun.

  Hephaestus (hih-FESS-tuss): God of blacksmithing, metalworking, fire, volcanoes, and most things awesome.

  Hera (HEER-a): Zeus’s scary wife. Drives a chariot pulled by screechy peacocks.

  Hermes (HUR-meez): The clever, fun-loving, jack-of-all-trades messenger god.

  Hestia (HESS-tee-ah): Goddess of the hearth and home. Bakes the most heavenly treats.

  Pan (PAN): God of shepherds and flocks. Frequently found wandering grassy hillsides, playing his pipes.

  Poseidon (puh-SY-dun): God of the sea and controller of natural and supernatural events.

  Psyche (SY-kee): A beautiful mortal princess turned goddess who only wanted to be with her love, Eros.

  Zeus (ZOOSS): King of the gods. Fond of smiting people with lightning bolts.

  OTHER MYTHICAL BEINGS

  Amaltheia (ah-mul-THEE-uh): An actual goat who raised Zeus as if he were her own.

  Antaeus (ahn-TAY-oos): Giant who likes to challenge everyone he meets to a fight.

  Asclepius (as-KLEE-pee-us): Born the half-god son of Apollo, but raised by Chiron the centaur as an apprentice. Doctors love him.

  Bellerophon (buh-LAIR-uh-fun): A no-good, Pegasus-stealing excuse for a “hero.”

  Cherubs (CHAIR-ubs): Small flying babies. Mostly cute.

  Endeis (en-DEE-es): Never a dull moment when you’re the daughter of Chiron, mother of Peleus, and official oread of Mount Pelion.

  Heracles (HAIR-a-kleez): The half-god “hero” who just loooves killing magical beasts.

  Hygeia (hy-GEE-uh): Famous for her excellent health and cleanliness . . . or should I say hygiene?

  Maenads (MEE-nadz): The wild, frenzied, frolicking followers of Dionysus.

  Morpheus (MOR-fee-us): The spirit of dreams. Brings wonderful (or terrible) visions to the sleeping.

  Naiads (NYE-adz): Freshwater nymphs—keeping Olympus clean and refreshed since 500 BC.

  Nereids (NEER-ee-idz): A sisterhood of fifty sea nymphs who love to gossip.

  Nymphs (NIMFS): Giggly, girly, dancing nature spirits.

  Oreads (OR-ee-adz): Nymphs that play in the mountains and hills.

  Peleus (PEE-lee-us): A hero and the prince of the ant-men. Relies a little too much on his magical sword.

  Satyrs (SAY-ters): 50 percent goat, 50 percent human. 100 percent party animal.

  PLACES

  Aegina (ee-JYE-nuh): Island near Athens ruled by Peleus’s father. Home of the ant-men.

  Mount Pelion (PEEL-ee-un): A mountain on the Aegean Sea where Chiron the centaur lives.

  Styx (STICKS): A dark river separating the Underworld from the land of the living.

  BEASTS

  Centaur (SEN-tor): Half man, half horse, and lucky enough to get the best parts of both.

  Chimera (ky-MEER-uh): Part lion, part goat, and . . . part snake? Wait, what?!

  Griffin (GRIH-fin): Couldn’t decide if it was better to be a lion or an eagle, so decided to be both.

  Hydra (HY-druh): Nine-headed water serpent. Hera somehow finds this lovable.

  Pegasus (PEG-uh-sus): The mightiest winged horse of all.

  Phoenix (FEE-nix): Wondrous bird with a burning desire to be reborn every hundred years.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Lucy Coats studied English and ancient history at Edinburgh University, then worked in children’s publishing, and now writes full-time. She is a gifted children’s poet and writes for all ages from two to teenage. She is widely respected for her lively retellings of myths. Her twelve-book series Greek Beasts and Heroes was published by Orion in the UK. Beasts of Olympus is her first US chapter-book series. Lucy’s website is www.lucycoats.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @lucycoats.

  ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

  As a kid, Brett Bean made stuff up to get out of trouble. As an adult, Brett makes stuff up to make people happy. Brett creates art for film, TV, games, books, and toys. He works on his tan and artwork in California with his wife, Julie Anne, and son, Finnegan Hobbes. He hopes to leave the world a little bit better for having him. You can find more about Brett and his artwork at www.drawntoitstudios.com.

  Looking for more?

  Visit Penguin.com for more about this author and a complete list of their books.

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