by M. M. Kin
The oldest princess – Thalassa, she reminded herself – had a project that was nearly finished. Her color of choice was pale blue, and she had skillfully woven a pattern of leaves and multicolored flowers along the border. Doubtless this young woman liked weaving. The next one was Melinoe, and Mother was especially proud of her because she was now a priestess at the temple. She gave Persephone a friendly smile, so the goddess smiled back. Her loom had a project that looked just started; all she could see was pale green threads.
Aethra and Eirene had smaller looms with plain cloth in them. That kind of linen was generally used for underwear, light clothing, or bandages. She glanced at the youngest Princess, noticing the impatient jiggle of Eirene's foot. Looks like someone here shares my dislike of weaving. She smiled at Eirene before Mother filled her line of vision.
“Pick out what colors you want and you can get right to work.” Demeter gestured to the empty loom. Persephone held back a groan before giving the obligatory glance towards the palette.
Barely registering her choice, she reached for the thick bundle of dark purple yarn. She was in no mood for pale hues, and started to thread it into her loom.
“Pick another color,” Mother said. Persephone steeled herself against her mother's voice. She wasn't interested in a pattern! All she wanted was a nice purple chiton, since the clothing Mother had left for her were all light or muted colors.
“This purple is lovely on its own and needs nothing to accent it,” she replied calmly as she continued her work. She hadn't woven since she came to the Underworld. And why would she, when there was so much to do down there? Even after so long, her fingers still moved nimbly, moving as if on their own as she let her mind wander.
Demeter was about to argue further, but she quieted herself. Kora had made it more than clear that she was willing to fight. She had the power to do so – repelling her own Gift was testament enough of her daughter's strength. Best not to fight in front of the mortals, and over such a trifling affair at that. She wanted Kora to enjoy her time here, so let her weave what she wanted. As long as she was occupied, at least...
“Hmm, so it is.” She nodded before returning to her own loom, leaving a slightly stunned Persephone in her wake.
That... was nice. It was what she wanted from Mother, for her to listen to her and actually respect her. As her hands moved up and down the loom, she let her mind wander again, thinking of Morpheus. She had visited him a couple of times to try to understand her dreams better. He was very taciturn and didn't seem to enjoy long visits, but he was always polite and respectful to her. The mortals were not the only ones who suffered from Mother's wrath. Mother had mentioned going to other cities and throughout the countryside to quickly grow food for the starving populace.
Persephone wanted to do her part. She wanted to be a Goddess – not just by blood, but by deed. She had a marvelous Gift, and she would use it. She was practically bursting with it, but she was able to bear with it for a while by expending some of her nervous energy on her weaving and listening with half an ear to the chatter of a room full of girls and women. After getting used to the sometimes-deafening silence in Hades's palace, it was startling – yet it felt good – to be surrounded by so much light and noise.
o0o
After a while, Demeter returned her attention to her daughter. The younger goddess had remained silent while everyone else chatted with one another, her hands moving quickly along the taut yarn, weaving with the quickness of experience. The weave was nice and tight, the threads set up properly. Demeter could find no real technical flaw in her daughter's work, but it was clear that Kora did not have her mind set on the project before her. Her gaze was focused – albeit distantly – at something outside.
Well, it was important to know household crafts, but it was just as important to spend time outside. Some men thought it was better for women to be shut indoors all day long, whether for 'practicality' or 'safety' or 'women's work' or whatever excuse they could come up with. But as a nature-goddess knew, everyone needed to be outside at least sometimes. It was from Nature that mankind gained everything they needed to fulfill their needs – minerals, plants and animals alike for food, shelter, and clothing. And not just for survival, but also for enjoyment. Each of the seasons had its own delights to take in, and she could happily recall many a time she and her daughter had gone out for walks simply to enjoy their surroundings.
She had been hired as Demophon's nurse, but she also spent time with the Princesses, showing them what Nature had to offer. All of the girls were eager to learn what she had to teach, especially Melinoe and Eirene.
When Metaniera's schedule permitted, she would join them for their outdoor excursions. Demophon's illness had been a great strain on the family, but now Metaniera could spend time with her daughters and not have to constantly worry about anything else. It had brought them closer together, and now that Kora was home, she could spend time with her daughter and trust that Metaniera and her own children could take care of their own family dynamics without her help.
She poured herself a cup of fruit juice mixed with wine, and after a moment, poured one for her daughter. Kora nodded in acknowledgment, but she continued to stare off as she took a sip.
It was almost noonday before Demeter deemed that enough work had been done. Like her daughter, she wanted to go outside. Besides, she still had a lot of work to do in Hellas, and Metaniera and her daughters would keep Kora occupied. Her daughter still treated the others with respect despite knowing that she was a full-fledged goddess. At least Hades hadn't made her prideful or rude, thank goodness.
Demeter rose from her seat and gently touched her daughter on the shoulder. Kora's hands fluttered to a stop, and she gazed up with an open, relaxed expression.
“Come outside with me for a moment.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Demeter came to a stop in the hallway. It was quiet, with no servant in the immediate vicinity.
“The duties of a Goddess are many. I have work to do, so I must leave you alone. You will have Metaniera and the princesses to keep you company. There are nice areas around the Palace where the princesses like to go to, and you could use one another's company.”
Persephone glanced at her mother for several moments, considering. No, she would not object to such an arrangement. She wanted some time away from Mother, after all, so she could explore this world by herself. She could investigate the city and learn more about what had happened up here since her disappearance.
But not right now. She was a goddess too, after all. Her gift was like Mother's, and she wanted to end as much suffering as she could. Why should she sit here and twiddle her thumbs when she could be helping? It would give her a chance to get to know more people, and be recognized in her own right. She didn't want to merely be known as the kidnapped bride whose disappearance was responsible for the great catastrophe that had nearly wiped out Hellas.
“That sounds pleasant... but I am agoddess as well. My Gift reflects yours, does it not?”
“You are young yet, and inexperienced in your powers.” Demeter knew that outright saying 'No' would cause an argument with her strong-willed daughter, so much like Kora, she was finding her own way around the situation.
“What better way to gain experience than with an older and wiser person?” Persephone's smile was faint. “Of course, I could just go by myself and see what I can do...”
“You are not going by yourself!”
“You know I am capable of it.”
Demeter let out a low sigh. “I do not want you going to those places just yet.”
“Because you do not want me to see what you have done to them, do you?” Persephone hadn't been counting on dealing with this question right now, but if Mother was going to stubbornly deny her opportunities and try to hide what she had done...
“Kora...”
With an annoyed hiss, Persephone spun around and stalked off. Just when things had been going nicely, Mother had to be like this again!
As she heard Mother's angry demand to stop and turn back, she continued walking, her steps long and fast. She would have liked to spend time with Mother learning how to use her powers and showing her mother what she was capable of, but if she had to do this alone, then she would!
She heard Mother's rapid footsteps, and only quickened her pace, bursting outside and nearly gliding down the stairs.
Demeter was a sturdily-built woman, but she was surprisingly agile, and reached out to grab her daughter's arm. To her utter shock, her hand closed in on thin air – and her daughter was gone. She blinked and looked around, but the gardens were empty.
o0o
Persephone reeled back as Mother glanced right through her, calling out for her.
Mother, I'm right here... She almost said that out loud, and stood still for several moments as her mother continued her frantic searching. Can't she see me? How can she... not?
Persephone became aware of a faint, buzzing feeling at the back of her throat. She had been aware of Mother just about to grab her and wishing that Mother couldn't see her. So I got my wish, huh?
She let out her breath slowly, focusing on that faint buzz as she pondered her current situation. Where had she gotten this Gift? Was this just a defense against Mother, or was she invisible to others? Seeing Mother look so angry almost caused her to call out and reveal herself, but this opportunity was too good to not explore. What would Mother do when she became visible? She didn't know if it was possible, but what if Mother tried to keep her from using this Gift?
Oh wait, she can't. Persephone had managed to make her body the way she wanted despite Mother's best efforts. She could use her Gift to defend herself, and this new discovery added a new dimension to her possibilities. Goodness...
She carefully backed out, not making any noise. Being invisible didn't mean much if people could still hear you...
As she made her way back into the Palace, she recalled what Hades had said about invisibility requiring great focus. He had his magical helmet forged so that it would enable him to use his Gift at an unconscious level without becoming tired or distracted.
As soon as she was in the pantry, which was dark and unoccupied at the moment, she relaxed, feeling the buzzing subside. She slid down to the floor, leaning against a rack that held jugs of ale and wine. She let her gaze wander along this part of the pantry, noticing roots and tubers hanging from the eaves. The place smelled a bit musky, but also of a pleasant mélange of fresh and stored foods. She could smell goat cheese, and was hungry for some.
Well, as long as I'm here... She found a block of the cheese on a table used for food preparation, wrapped up in a piece of cloth. She wrested off a piece, nibbling the cheese and enjoying its powerful flavor. When the chatter of servants alerted her, she concentrated on not being seen. Even if it didn't work, the servants wouldn't dare reprimand her for taking some cheese. They knew that the old nursemaid was really a goddess, and that this was her daughter. Like Metaniera, they understood that she was the reason for their good fortune.
As Persephone stood there holding the cheese, the two old women walked right past her, casually conversing about something one of their grand-children had done. They came back with roots and various herbs and tubers for the midday supper. As they did, she waved to them, her hand mere inches from one woman's eyes. Not even a flinch. They couldn't see her!
She left the kitchens, maintaining her focus as she passed the oblivious eldest princess until she came to her mother's room. It was empty, so she ducked into her room and made herself visible again.
That was incredible! Had Hades ever anticipated anything like this? He said that he didn't know what she might be able to do. For a God who knew so much, he knew nothing about her Gift. He admitted that he couldn't even begin to guess what they were, for Gifts appeared in the most seemingly random places. No one knew the Gift of any god when he or she was born. Many of Poseidon's immortal children were sea-gods, and it was true that Gifts could often be inherited. Like Mother, she could make plants grow. After learning of her paternity, she wondered if she would gain any of Zeus's Gifts, but so far, displayed none of his abilities.
Truth be told, invisibility was way better, as Persephone was quickly finding out. No wonder Hades enjoyed it so much. As she sat on her bed, her head lolled against the wall. She still needed to figure out how to get to other places. She couldn't run fast like Hermes, or fly, at least as far as she knew. Mother had this way of quickly moving using the earth, almost like Hades's teleportation. It wasn't just plants that Demeter could control, it was the earth itself, which was why her curse had been so devastating. She could also create violent earthquakes if she willed it.
Persephone needed to get to Olympus. She wanted to confront the man who had sired her, and to gain recognition as a goddess in her own right. It wasn't for vanity that she desired this, it was to show them – especially Zeus – that she wasn't little Kora anymore. Since she was bound to Hades, she was a queen in her own right, companion of the dreaded Lord of the Underworld. A bit morbid, but fascinating nonetheless.
As she heard her mother call out again, she frowned before steeling herself. This had gone on long enough; she had already proved to herself that she could get away if she needed.
She became invisible again before emerging from her room, following the sound of Mother's voice. Demeter was in the kitchen, looking around as the servants did their best to help her. She willed herself visible again and paused just outside, peering in as if surprised to see her mother.
“Mother, here I am!” she called out. Demeter's head snapped in her direction, and she made a beeline towards her daughter. Persephone quickly backed away from the doorway to give her mother a wide berth.
“Where did you go?” Mother hissed.
“I have been here in the Palace the whole time, Mother.”
“Where did you hide?”
“I was not hiding.” Persephone shook her head slowly. “I just needed a few minutes to myself. But I came back to you, did I not?”
“How did you...”
“I just did.” She shrugged, refusing to elaborate on the subject further. “Look, I have no wish to fight with you. But I do not appreciate being treated like that. I know what you did, Mother. I had nightmares of it.”
“... Nightmares?”
“I saw dead and dying people and animals... children crying for their mothers who could not feed them. You lashed out against the world because you lost your child, but you did not stop to think of the mothers who would lose theirs!”
Demeter took a step back. No one had ever... put it that way to her before. Yes, she knew people were dying, but she had been too angry to think about it.
“I...” She gazed at her daughter. Persephone glared right back, her eyes glazed over with unshed tears, her cheeks rosy with fury as she stood there with her shoulder squared, her fists clenched.
Demeter blinked and slowly turned her eyes away before taking a deep breath.
“Come with me. If we do it together, we can move more quickly.” She looked back at her daughter. “Bring a cowl.”
Persephone almost rolled her eyes at this, but she quickly returned to her room to wrap one around her shoulders. If anything, she could just give it someone who needed it a lot more than she would.
Chapter XLVI
o0o
The earth shifted and groaned before parting to reveal Demeter and her daughter. Mount Olympus was visible in the far distance, but what held their attention was the city before them. Not one bit of green could be seen anywhere, and Persephone shuddered as she studied the scorched farms surrounding the city. It was exactly like her nightmares...
As the earth smoothed itself under their feet, she cast a quick glance at the remains of yellow grass.
“Will you teach me how to do that?” Persephone asked. Mother blinked and stared at her.
“I mean...” She waved her hand to the ground “When you move us from one place to another so quickly with the ea
rth!”
“You do not seem to have any power over the Earth.” Usually, a god's abilities would manifest themselves in childhood, as Demeter remembered fondly. A three-year-old Kora had hated being told that she had to wait until the right time in springtime for the flowers to bloom. She had gone outside, and simply by staring at the tiny little flower-buds and wishing they would blossom, they did. But as far as the dirt itself, she didn't seem to wield any power over this element.
“There must be a way I can move quickly. You and Hermes can do so.”
“Each god must use his own Gift the best way he can. I cannot move through the sky like Zeus or through the ocean like Poseidon. You have... unique Gifts.”
“I cannot help being born with them, can I?”
“I suppose not. But...” Hades could become invisible, as well. This concern nagged Demeter as she studied her daughter.
“But what?”
“Nothing.” She quickly turned away from her daughter. “You can see what has happened here.” She was grateful that Kora didn't continue to reprimand her or scold her for what she had done. The younger woman's gaze was calm as she studied the devastated landscape.
“I was unable to use my Gift in Hades. I have a lot of power... stored in me.”
“Still, you have never used your power on such a large area.”
“Mother...” Persephone tried to not show obvious annoyance. “Like you said before, it will go quicker if we do it together. I will have your guidance, won't I?”
“Yes.” Demeter sounded almost sorrowful.
o0o
Skouros lay in bed next to Hypia, his eyes closed as his hand rested atop hers. Three more of their children had died, and they had gone through every single scrap of food, that could be found in the house or outside. This had happened a long time ago, and they had been reduced to eating things that they would have ordinarily disdained in the past. Skouros would never forget the morning when he caught his wife outside, putting dirt into her mouth. Unfortunately, for just about everyone in Olympia, chewing on leather or braided hemp or eating dirt and clay had become their only options.