LA01. The Crown of Zeus

by Christine Norris

  “My own cabin,” Theseus said with obvious pride. “It is at your disposal.”

  “Wow.” Harriet picked up a small gold statuette and weighed it in her hands. “This is too much.”

  “It is no more than you deserve,” Theseus said. “And now, if you will excuse me, ladies, I have matters to attend to before we depart. If you have need of anything, please just ask.” He bowed to the girls and left, pulling the door shut behind him. Megan walked to the window at the back of the room and looked across the empty ocean.

  Rachel flopped on the bed. “I could sleep for a week.” She sunk into the mattress. “Being trapped in a labyrinth and chased by a half-bull, half-man monster really…takes…it…out of you.” No sooner was her head on the pillow than she was asleep and snoring lightly.

  “Being trapped in this book is what’s wearing me out,” Harriet said. She put down the figure and settled on one of the velvet cushioned benches. “Being chained to a rock, almost eaten by both a sea-monster and a crazed bull man? Are we ever going to find that stupid crown? I’m more than ready to go home.”

  “I think we’re getting close.” Megan more than understood her friend’s irritation. And, like Rachel, she was tired. She didn’t even want to think about what had happened, or what was going to happen once they finally did get out of here. After the labyrinth incident, she was sure to be off Harriet and Rachel’s “New Best Friends” list. She knew they probably hated her; they were just too polite to tell her. She didn’t blame them.

  At least they haven’t left me behind altogether. Without them, I’d really be in trouble.

  She sat next to Harriet and looked at the box she stole from the Minotaur. “I hope we’re getting close, anyway.” She set the box in her lap and pulled on the lid. It wouldn’t budge.

  “What’s in that thing, do you think?” Harriet asked. She slid closer to Megan and looked over her shoulder at the box. “Some leftovers from the Minotaur? Maybe a finger bone or some teeth?”

  “That’s gross,” Megan said. She shrugged. “Everything the Minotaur had in that cave looked like it had been taken from the people he had, you know, eaten. Like trophies, I guess. I don’t know what’s inside. Jewelry, maybe. I’ve tried to open it, but this latch is stuck.”

  “Let me see that.” Claire said. She sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed. Megan tossed the box to her. Claire pushed up her glasses and inspected the box’s carvings. She bit her lower lip, furrowed her brow and shook the box, then turned it over and read the bottom. She looked at Megan, and her expression was deadly serious. “We can’t open this box.”

  “Why not?” Megan asked. “I’m sure we could pry that latch open, if we really wanted to. It’s only rusted shut.” She sat next to Claire, took the box back and tried again to open it.

  Claire gave a small squeak. She jumped off the bed and grabbed Megan’s hands and the box. “You don’t understand.” She shook her head and sighed. “Look at these carvings.”

  The sides of the box were carved with what Megan first thought were vines or plants. Megan went back to the bench and both she and Harriet leaned in to get a better look. Tiny people, writhing and twisting, were carved into the wood. Most of their tiny faces looked miserable, some looked in pain.

  “Okay, so it’s not the cheeriest looking thing,” Harriet said. “It’s just a box.”

  Claire pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers. “Look the head on top.”

  “What is that thing, anyway?” Megan said. “I can’t tell—it’s like it changes. Is it a person, or some kind of animal?”

  The creases in Claire’s face deepened. “I can’t tell either, exactly. And that’s what worries me. Look at this.” She put the box on the window ledge. The last rays of sun touched the box’s top and threw the carving into sharp relief. Megan still couldn’t quite make it out. If the light hit it one way, it looked like the smiling head of a handsome, wavy-haired man with a long nose. But if a shadow fell another way, the smile turned to a long-toothed grimace, the wavy hair into flames.

  “So, what does that mean?” Megan said. “The artist was really good, but had a sick sense of humor?”

  “No.” Claire threw her hands into the air, and pursed her lips tightly. She held the box up to her ear.

  “What are you doing?” Harriet said. “Do you hear anything in there?”

  “No, fortunately. But let’s put this box away somewhere safe. Just in case.”

  “Okay, Claire.” Megan rubbed her forehead; Claire’s failure to just come out with whatever she wanted to say gave her a headache. “You want to let us in on the secret?”

  “I think this box is dangerous.” Claire turned away from her friends and looked out the window. “But I’m not positive. I would say get rid of it, but one, it’s got our clue on it, and two, I don’t know that there’s a safe place to lose it here. It’s better that we forget all about it until we get to Athens.”

  Megan was about to press the matter when there was a knock on the door. “Come in.”

  The door opened and Diona came in. She carried a small silver tray loaded with fruits, cheeses and dried fish.

  “We are almost ready to leave,” she said. “The journey to Athens is not long. Prince Theseus thought you might be hungry.” She set the tray down on the table. “If there’s anything else I can get you, please call.”

  Megan smiled at her. “Thanks, Diona, that’s very nice of you, but I think we’ll be all right.”

  She gave Megan a shy smile. “I’ll leave you to your meal.” She dropped a small curtsey and left.

  “What a nice girl.” Harriet picked up a piece of cheese and a slice of fruit. “Mmm, this cheese is delicious.”

  “It’s probably made with goat’s milk,” Claire said absently. She continued to stare at the box over the top of her glasses. Suddenly she rose from the bench, walked across to the corner of the cabin and lifted the lid to a large chest.

  “What are you doing?” Megan said through a mouthful of grapes. “That’s my box. We need it.”

  “I’m putting it away.” Claire set the box on top of a mound of coins inside the chest. “That way none of us will be tempted to open it.” She dropped the lid and latched it. “I’ll study it more tomorrow, when it’s light and we’ve all had a chance to sleep.”

  The girls ate in silence, watching as the daylight slipped away and darkness crept into the cabin. They left some food for Rachel and climbed up onto the bed next to her. Soon, they were all asleep.

  Chapter Eleven: Pandora’s Box

  Megan woke and stared at the wooden ceiling; the room swayed gently. She rubbed her eyes. Where was she? It took a moment to remember. The room was darker now; it was full night. Someone had lit a branch of candles on the table and in sconces on the wall next to the bed; they cast just enough light to see the room.

  She sat up and yawned. Claire, Harriet and Rachel were still asleep. Whoever lit the candles had also draped a blanket over the four of them.

  Megan crawled off the bed and stumbled to the window. Outside, the sea stretched away from the boat until it touched the star-speckled sky. Both were velvet black, the water trimmed in silver from the light of the moon; the sky winked down at the sea. She heard the endless shush, shush, shush of the waves as they slapped against the side of the ship. It was so peaceful, almost hypnotic. Megan pulled herself away and looked at the girls. She didn’t want to wake them, they deserved a peaceful rest. It’s the least I can do for them, after all that’s happened.

  She walked across the room and opened the door. A chilly wind blew in, making the candle flames jump and dance. She shivered and closed the door, then opened the carved rectangular chest at the foot of the bed. There was a thick, woven, striped blanket on top of a pile of clothes. She wrapped it around her and went out onto the deck.

  The wind blew steadily across the deck of the ship. It filled the sails and drummed in Megan’s ears. She took a step, and almost fell over. She wasn’t used to the constant moti
on of the ship. Clumsily she made it to the rail, leaned on it and watched the water rush by and roll in the ship’s wake.

  “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?” a voice said behind her. Megan twisted her head around. Theseus was silhouetted in the moonlight. He walked toward her from the bow of the ship; he walked easily on the moving deck. In addition to his short chiton, he was dressed in a wool cloak, pinned at the throat with a large gold, jewel-encrusted brooch.

  “Yes, it is.”

  Theseus stood beside her at the rail. “It will be good to see my home again.” He looked at Megan. “And I owe it all to you and your friends.”

  “It was our pleasure.” Megan ignored the butterflies in her stomach and reminded herself that while he might be handsome, he also wasn’t real. She tucked a lock of stray hair behind her ear and was suddenly concerned with how it looked, after all the wind, dirt and sleep it had been through recently without so much as a comb. She felt silly, getting flustered over a character in a storybook. She said the first thing that came into her head. “That place, the labyrinth, was awful.”

  “Agreed. So, why are you looking for the Temple of Athena? What wisdom do you hope to find there?”

  Megan tilted her head. “Not wisdom, exactly. Direction.” Although I could probably use a dose of wisdom while we’re at it.

  Theseus nodded. “Ah, I see. Many have gone there, looking for the same thing. Many never return.”

  He looked over the water, his face pensive. “I hope you and your friends find what it is you are looking for.” He bowed graciously and went below deck. Megan wondered what he meant by ‘many never return’. Had others been here, in the book, before Megan and her friends? If they had, obviously they had failed, since the crown was still here to be found.

  If they failed, what happened to them? Megan shuddered at the thought. She remained a while longer at the rail, thoughts racing around her head, the sea spray hitting her face. I won’t fail. For their sakes, I can’t. With no answers, she went back to the cabin.

  Harriet was awake. She sat on a bench, head bowed and hands in her lap. She held something, but Megan couldn’t see what it was. She closed the door loud enough to announce her presence, but Harriet didn’t look up.

  “Hey,” Megan whispered. “Harriet, what are you doing?”

  Harriet’s head snapped up; her eyes were wide. She looked guilty of something. “Nothing.” She pulled a blanket across her lap. “Just sitting here. I couldn’t sleep anymore.”

  Megan walked toward her. “What’s that in your lap?”

  Harriet’s face shone like the moon in the dim light of the cabin. “It’s a blanket.” She held it up for Megan to see. “I was cold.”

  Megan gave a nervous laugh. “What’s under the blanket?”

  “My lap,” Harriet retorted. “Honestly, Megan, what’s with the third degree?”

  Megan shook her head, confused. There was a strange gleam in Harriet’s eyes.

  “Harriet, I’m—”

  “No, don’t apologize. You’re so suspicious. I don’t know why I even bother with you.”

  Megan’s mouth fell open. Tears welled in her eyes. I knew it. She hates me. Why shouldn’t she?

  “I-I’m not being suspicious, Harriet. I was just asking.”

  Harriet stood and clutched the blanket to her stomach. “Yeah, but it’s all your fault we’re here, in the middle of the ocean, trapped in some bloody story, isn’t it? So if you don’t mind, I’ll find somewhere else to sit.” She stomped toward the door.

  Megan, feeling like she had been kicked in the gut, tried to stop her. “Harriet, wait!”

  Claire was awake. She sat up, grabbed her glasses off the table and pulled her knees to her chest.

  Rachel stretched her arms over her head. “What’s going on? Why is everybody shouting?”

  “I’m not sure,” Megan said. “All I did was ask Harriet what she was doing and she got all defensive.”

  “I’m leaving.” Harriet reached for the doorknob and something fell out of the blanket.

  Claire jumped from the bed and picked up the little carved box. “I told you to forget about this.” She shook it under Harriet’s nose. “You shouldn’t be messing with it.”

  Harriet’s face turned red. “Who died and made you boss? You act like you know everything, but you don’t, you know.” Before anyone could stop her, she snatched the box from Claire, pushed past Megan and ran out the door.

  “Stop her, before she opens that box!” Claire shouted.

  Megan shot onto the deck, Rachel on her heels. Harriet stood near the bow, her back to them.

  “Give me the box, Harriet,” Megan said in a soft, steady voice. She didn’t know why Claire was so upset over the box; she just hoped Harriet’s plan wasn’t to jump overboard. “We’re not trying to hurt you, or boss you around.” She looked over Harriet’s shoulder—Harriet’s fingers fumbled with the latch. She tore a fingernail, badly, and the metal ripped her skin, but she didn’t cry out, only kept at the latch.

  Claire reached them, out of breath, and spoke into Harriet’s ear. “Please, Harriet. You can’t open it. It’s not safe.”

  Harriet stopped her manic working of the latch and stared out over the water. Claire reached around and gently took the box from Harriet’s now limp fingers.

  Harriet hung her head. “I just wanted to see what was inside,” she muttered.

  “And that’s the problem,” Claire said.

  “Why don’t you just tell us what’s in the box,” Megan said. “If you think you know so much.” She didn’t want to be angry with Claire, but the stress was getting to her. Harriet’s taunts still rang in her ears—her worst fears come to pass.

  Claire gave Megan a piercing, critical look, and then her shoulders slumped. “Oh, all right.” She looked up and down the deck. They were alone, except for the night watch and the captain. “But not here. Back into the cabin.”

  With Rachel, Megan and Harriet settled on the bed, Claire stood in front of them, the box in her hand. She shifted from one foot to the other. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. I wanted to protect you.”

  “Just spit it out already,” Rachel said. She seemed to be the only one unaffected by the obvious tension in the room.

  “I think, that is, I’m fairly certain, that this is Pandora’s Box.”

  “The Pandora’s Box?” Rachel said. “How exciting.”

  “What’s a Pandora’s Box?” Harriet was much calmer, her eyes dull and tired. She held her injured finger with her other hand.

  “Pandora was the first woman, according to Greek legend.” Claire put the box on the table and tented her hands on either side of it. “In order to tempt her, the gods took all the bad things of the world—disease, strife, pain, and the like—out of Hades and put them into this box. Then they locked the box and made sure it wound up in Pandora’s keeping. She was told never, ever, under any circumstances, to open the box.

  “Pandora watched the box daily, very diligent in her task. Eventually she heard voices coming from the box. It was the evils inside, calling to her to be let out. Finally curiosity consumed her, and she lifted the lid. Pandora released evil into the world.”

  Harriet put her knuckles to her mouth. “I heard them,” she whispered.

  “Heard what?” Megan asked. Her hurt and anger faded, replaced by concern for Harriet. She was hearing things? What was this book doing to them?

  “I heard the voices.” Harriet sunk into a chair. “They were telling me that you wanted what was inside for yourself, and that I shouldn’t trust you and you weren’t my friend. I couldn’t help myself. Megan, I’m so sorry.”

  Megan put an arm around Harriet’s shoulders. “It’s all right. It wasn’t really you.” Megan said it, but inside there was still a kernel of nagging doubt.

  “We have to get rid of that box,” Claire said. “Before anybody else is tempted.”

  “What do we do with it?” Rachel eyed the box. “We can’t smash it, or bur
n it; we’ll let the, uh, things out. If we hide it, someone else might find it.”

  “We could toss it overboard,” Harriet suggested. “Throw it into the sea.”

  “I suppose that would be all right,” Claire said. “But let’s make sure the box stays shut.” She looked around the cabin. “We’ll use this.” She took one of the thin, tasseled cords that tied back the bed curtains and wrapped it around the box. She tied the ends with multiple knots. “There. That should do it.”

  “Let’s take it back out on deck,” Rachel said. She led the girls outside.

  “Why do you suppose there was a clue written on the bottom of this thing?” Megan asked. “If it’s so dangerous, why use it?”

  “That’s probably the exact reason.” Claire leaned over the rail and looked down at the water. “It was a test, another task to complete. Another chance to keep us trapped in here, and to keep us from the crown.”

  “Sir Gregory was a clever one, wasn’t he?” Rachel said. “Putting this box into the mix to try and trip us up.”

  “And now, over she goes.” Megan dropped the box over the side of the ship, and they watched it tumble into the water and sink beneath the surface. Megan was glad to see it go.

  “That’s the end of that.” Rachel brushed her hands together. “I’m starving. Is there anything to eat?”

  * * *

  After two days of calm seas and blue skies, the ship pulled into Athens. The city was a gleaming jewel set between the sea and the emerald island of Greece. White buildings stuck out from the side of a hill, as if they had been carved from the rock; wide stone-paved streets wound through the metropolis from the docks to summit of the hill.

  The girls lined up along the rail as the ship pulled into the harbor.