Seeds Volume 3

by M. M. Kin

  “No, I am very much real, as you can see,” she countered smoothly.

  “Good answer. I already like you,” Artemis shot back.

  “I should hope so.”

  Rhea smiled approvingly, pleased at the fact that she had made such a good match. “I think you girls will have some fun. Persephone enjoys being outside almost as much as you do.”

  “You are not afraid of getting your clothes dirty, are you?” Artemis asked.

  “Oh, not at all.”

  o0o

  Persephone was amazed by Artemis's unique Gift of talking to animals. She had often wondered what an animal might be thinking, what it might say if it could talk, or if it could understand her if she spoke to them.

  Artemis didn't have to wonder about any of that, since she could understand them and make herself understood! It wasn't a flashy Gift, but it opened up a new world for the Goddess of the Hunt. She watched quietly as Artemis chattered and nickered at a deer before it responded with similar noises. Many animals had died from Demeter's curse, and much of what remained was now in hibernation or nestled in warm hiding places.

  “If you love animals so much, why are you the Goddess of the Hunt?” Persephone asked. The tall woman glanced at her, a look of faint surprise on her face before she nodded.

  “I do not hunt for sport. I rarely use this...” Artemis gestured to her quiver, “But it is part of the cycle of life for living things to eat one another. The wolf is not evil for eating a deer or rabbit. There was once a time, long before I was born, when all man had to clothe himself with was the skin of animals. I must be honest, I am glad these days are over.”

  Persephone tried to imagine what it would be like when the only options were to kill an animal or go naked. Weaving and spinning did have practical applications, sheep didn't die for the wool that humans gathered from them, and nobody could object to cutting down plants to turn them into fiber.

  “You should meet Athene soon. She feels the same way about war that I feel about the hunt. The hunt is to be respected, to be performed only in time of need, and the kill must be done as quickly and painlessly as possible, so the animal does not suffer.”

  “Hmm.” Persephone frowned thoughtfully before she nodded. “Do the animals ask you to not hunt them?”

  “Of course. But unlike others, I know when an animal has babies waiting for it to return to them, or a mate. So I am very careful about my prey. It is so much more enjoyable tracking them down or talking to them. I do not enjoy the hunt as much as everyone else thinks I do. The wolf does not eat any more animals than it needs, and neither do I.”

  After considering that for several moments, Persephone commented on something Artemis had said earlier.

  “How do you know what man or animals did before you were born?” Hades had given her many lessons in his private library, she wondered if there was also such a place up here. Perhaps on Mount Olympus?

  “The animals tell me.”

  “What?” Did animals record history, too?

  “Humans pass down stories from their ancestors. Why should animals be any different?” Artemis replied casually, as if this should be no surprise.

  “Well...” Persephone tapped her chin. Sure, animals did not read or write, but they weren't the dumb beasts that men tended to think they were. That much she knew. They could feel affection for humans or for one another, and they could feel pain and fear. They used the various tools Nature gave them – claws, wings, fins, tails – to survive and even thrive.

  But sharing stories and passing them down? That seemed a bit farfetched, didn't it? Persephone voiced her question.

  “Animals are born knowing the things they need. That is something humans do not have. Animals carry knowledge within them, passing it down to their offspring. A mother or sire has only to remind them of what they already know. Deep within, they also carry the memories of not just survival, but of the way things once were.”

  Now, there was something to think about. “Why do humans not have these memories?”

  “Perhaps we once did.” Artemis shrugged. It was something she had pondered before. Young humans had to be taught everything – whether it be through actual lessons or by observing others. “However, being born with knowledge leaves very little room to learn new things, which is why humans are so different in their way of living. Of course, animals do not fight wars or play cruel games with one another. They are happy being the way they are.”

  Persephone considered the animals she had grown up with. The chickens and goats her father tended seemed happy with their lot, giving her friendly butts of their heads or pecking seeds out of her hand. Her cousin's dog could be satisfied with a belly-rub or a firm scratch behind the ears. Sometimes all the animals wanted was to sit or lay in a warm patch of sunlight. They didn't care about wealth or status or anything like that.

  “Say, would you be interested in learning how to use a bow and arrow? We would not be shooting at animals, but marksmanship is an useful talent.”

  Upon seeing her companion's curious and excited nod, Artemis smiled before lifting her arm and removing her bow and an arrow out of her quiver.

  “See that knot on the tree over there?” the Goddess of the Hunt asked, pointing in front of her. Persephone squinted her eyes, trying to see just where the other woman was pointing. It took several moments to see the tree Artemis indicated, since it was so far off.

  “Yes.”

  “Watch.” Artemis lifted her bow, positioning her arrow. With a sharp zing, the silver-tipped arrow soared through the air, hitting its intended target.

  The glint of sun off the silvery feathers revealed its location. Before Persephone could comment or give praise, Artemis plucked out another arrow and fired it off with rapid grace.

  Artemis bounded off as nimbly as a doe, and Persephone was not far behind. The two arrows were snugly nestled against one another in the tree. Artemis plucked them out and gave Persephone one to examine. It wasn't the first time she had seen a bow or arrows, of course – Iasion's brother had been a fairly adept hunter, bringing home rabbit or pheasant on occasion to augment the food that he and his brother farmed. Eurycleia made the best rabbit stew, and it was always such a treat for the whole family.

  The arrow was exquisitely crafted, and obviously not made by a mortal hand. And she had never seen silver feathers before. What kind of bird could boast of such spectacular feathers in its plumage?

  “Who made this?” she asked.

  “Hephaistos makes the arrow-tips, but I do the rest.”

  Persephone nodded as she ran her fingers along the shaft. Her uncle would have envied such an arrow!

  o0o

  After returning to Eleusis, Persephone thought about what she had been taught and shown. Mortals a few decades older were considered wise and knowledgeable to the younger generation. So a god several centuries older would have a lot to teach her. Hades was certainly proof enough of that. She wondered what kind of valuable insight she could learn from other gods. What could Hera tell her about being a queen? What might Athene say about wisdom or war? Or go back another generation to the Titanesses, Rhea had several sisters, and if they were anything like Grandmother, she was eager to meet them. She had been nervous about meeting another goddess, but she and Artemis had gotten along naturally, as if they were meant to be friends all along.

  She's also my sister, Persephone reminded herself. That idea took some getting used to. Growing up, she had been an only child. Now she had to deal with the fact that Hermes and Ares – among a whole host of other gods – were her brothers and sisters. She hadn't revealed her paternity to Artemis, and she didn't intend to. It was lovely having the Goddess of the Hunt as a friend. Why spoil it?

  o0o

  Persephone was so excited about her new friendship with Artemis, along with her continuing friendship with the princesses that for the time being, she set aside her concerns about Zeus or Hades. She had been isolated even amidst the nymphs for so long that she was dete
rmined to simply enjoy the time she had left.

  The thought of returning to the Underworld excited but saddened her. She missed Hades and looked forward to enjoying his company again. She genuinely cared for him, and could not imagine any other man as her mate. Yet she dreaded leaving the surface world. She would miss Mother and Grandmother and all her new friends. At least the Underworld wasn't a horrid place like everyone believed it to be.

  Eleusis and Mount Olympus were lovely places, but she missed the intellectual stimulation that came from spending time in Hades's library. On the surface world, writing was still fairly new to many cultures, and Hellas was no exception. Stories and myths were passed down orally, and writing was mainly used to keep records. The majority of Hellas's population did not know how to read or write, nor was there any opportunity for them to ever learn. But then, for most people, there was no need to. Farmers and merchants might make marks on pieces of wood, clay or papyrus paper to count how many of this or that they had, and that was all they had need for.

  Hades had said that in the future, reading and writing would become more common – and more important as well. He even suggested that somewhere in the future, just about everyone would know this valuable skill. It was hard for her to imagine what Hellas might be like in centuries or even millennia, even though she now knew that she would see the world change just as Hades had done for quite a few centuries.

  Such thoughts sometimes boggled her mind, and she was glad for the distractions of daily life. She would explore the city or the forest, visit with Grandmother or Artemis, spend time with Mother or the princesses, or find things to do with her hands like, spinning, gardening, or preparing food with Mother. Cooking was one thing she enjoyed doing with Mother, and those times brought peace between mother and daughter.

  Persephone sat in a chair with a basket of pea pods in her lap, prying open the pods with her fingernails and extracting the little sweet orbs, popping one in her mouth here and there. Sometimes they would eat with the royal family, but oftentimes, it was just the two of them.

  Mother sat in her own chair, spinning some wool as she stared off with a distant but calm expression. It had been over a week since she had brought up the subject of Hades, and Persephone figured that was long enough. Less than two weeks remained before the winter solstice.

  “Mother, I need to talk to you about something important.” Persephone tried to sound as light and casual as she could.

  “What is it?” Demeter asked, continuing to spin yarn with her spindle. The pair continued working, their hands deftly moving around at their respective tasks, and Persephone welcomed this occupation.

  “I know you do not like talking about Hades, but this is important. Please listen to me.” She could see Mother stiffen, her shoulders squaring as she took a deep breath, but at least she didn't attempt to close the subject.

  “What is it?” Demeter asked again with measured patience.

  Persephone took a slow breath, glancing down at the peas for a moment. How best to suggest her inevitable return to the Underworld without sending Mother into a panic or anger? Hmm.

  “Before Hades let me leave the Underworld he promised me that he would see me again.”

  “Absolutely not,” came Mother's automatic reply. “After what he has done, he thinks he has the right to see you again?”

  Persephone had to bite back a wry smile. “We both know that Hades's word is never to be doubted. If he wants to see me again, he will.”

  “Not if I stop him.”

  “You know you cannot.” She spoke calmly, trying to project this onto her mother as well. Demeter had stopped making yarn, her task forgotten for the moment as her jaw tightened.

  “Do you seriously expect me to just stand aside while the man who kidnapped my daughter seeks out her company?”

  “Hades would never harm me. I am not afraid of him.”

  “What?” Demeter was incredulous. Everyone feared Hades, even mighty Zeus himself. “I thought you were unhappy in the Underworld!”

  “Yes, the Underworld is a dead place. But that is not Hades's fault. He has always been very kind to me. I do not hate him, and neither should you. I most certainly am not worried about seeing him again.” Hopefully if Mother could see that she wasn't afraid of the big, bad Lord of the Underworld, then she might feel more at ease.

  Demeter glanced at her for several moments, her furrowed eyebrows clear evidence of her attempt to process her daughter's words and formulate a response. Well, at least she hadn't snapped with 'No!'

  “Honestly, I am a lot more angry with Zeus than I was with Hades for kidnapping me. Besides, Hades apologized for kidnapping me. Now, how nice was that of him?”

  Demeter gave out a quiet snort of disdain as she resumed her spinning.

  “Hades would be happy to apologize to you too, if you let him.” Her smile was serene as she continued shelling peas. “He really is not a bad person.”

  “Then why would he kidnap you?”

  “He was lonely.” Persephone looked down again, eating several peas as her mother stared at her. To her surprise and relief, Mother didn't say anything further.

  Chapter XLIX

  o0o

  Only a week remained before the winter solstice, and even such a brief period of time felt too long to Hades. He had been sorely tempted to reveal himself to Persephone too many times.

  When he saw her romp and play outside with her friends, he was reminded of his mother's words regarding her needs. She looked radiant – eyes sparking, cheeks rosy, her laughter like the sweetest music to his ears. He hated remembering the argument with his mother, or the fact that he would have to confront his sister in a week. Demeter would be angry no matter what he said.

  He had many powers, but he could not turn back time. If he could, he would have tried to court her properly, and then the entire mess wouldn't have happened, but what was done was done. He had made promises, and he would fulfill them whether or not he looked forward to it.

  o0o

  Eirene usually found it hard to focus on things, but she actually didn't mind trying to concentrate as she aimed the arrow at the stump. A few days ago, Persephone had gotten a new bow and set of arrows, and she didn't mind sharing. It was really exciting because Triptolemus alone was allowed to take lessons along with the soldiers and guards, and that made Eirene jealous. The boys got to do all the fun things like learn how to fight with swords or use bows while she and her sisters were stuck with spinning and weaving, and that annoyed her to no end!

  When she complained to Mother about the difference in the way she and her brother was treated, Mother always said that girls had their duties and so did boys and that was how things were. Ugh! That was a stupid answer!

  But Sephie was good at getting her out of the weaving sessions she hated. Thalassa and Aethra could weave all they wanted, and Mother was too afraid to defy a goddess. So she could go on walks with Sephie and she didn't care if it was cold or snowing outside. Anything was better than weaving! And it was so much fun having snowball fights or playing hide-and-go-seek with her friend.

  “Just take a deep breath,” Persephone whispered, standing behind Eirene as she held the girl's arms steady, demonstrating the proper way to hold the bow and arrow. It had been such an unexpected – but wonderful – gift from Artemis, and she was glad to have such a good friend among the goddesses. Despite Eirene's youth, the size of the bow was no great hindrance to its use since it was a bit smaller than Artemis's own bow, and required less force to pull.

  “Make sure your arm is positioned so that when you let go, the string does not snap against it, because believe me, it hurts!” Persephone had learned the hard way, and had dropped her bow the first time due to the unexpected pain of the sinew whipping against the inside of her arm. Eirene's body was loosely pressed against her own, and she could feel the girl actually concentrating, her nervous energy restrained for the moment.

  “Do you have your target?” Persephone whispered. Eirene n
odded.

  “Good. Now... let go.”

  Eirene uncurled her fingers, letting the arrow fly. It did not hit its intended target, but it actually came fairly close, missing by a couple of feet.

  “Wow! That was close! You did better than me on my first try!”

  The princess grinned with relief. Storytelling was popular especially during the long winter nights, and there were quite a few stories of how gods hated to be bested by mortals. Just look at what Athene had done to Arachne simply because the mortal had woven better! But Sephie didn't seem mad at all.

  “Would you like to try again?” the older woman asked.

  “Yes, please!”

  “Well, then!” She pulled another bow out of her quiver and handed it to Eirene. “This time, try it yourself.” She took a step back, letting Eirene take her stance.

  “Lift your elbow a bit higher... there you go,” Eirene heard her friend instruct. Her elbow shook a little, but she took a deep breath, remembering how Sephie had positioned her arms. The arrow veered to the other side of the target – a tree with a large knothole in its trunk – but it did come a bit closer. She remembered the couple of times where she had actually been allowed to watch her brother train with the men. Some of them hadn't been very good marksmen in the beginning, and it thrilled her to know that she was already better than a few of them.

  “You said that Artemis gave you this. What is she like?” Eirene asked eagerly.

  “She is a bit tall...” Persephone lifted her hand several inches above her own head, indicating Artemis's height. “And slender, but very strong and fast. She doesn't like being inside, and she talks to animals.”

  “Talks to animals?”

  “That is right.”

  “How? Does she make animal noises or does she talk to them with words?” Eirene was a fair imitator of birdsong, and she wondered what the birds meant when they made this or that kind of chirp or tweet.