Lyre

by Helen Harper

  ‘It’s like something out of a fairytale,’ she breathed.

  Ozzy appeared by her shoulder. ‘Um, yeah,’ he agreed. ‘Back in the day it must have been something.’

  ‘Back in the day? Look at it now!’

  He stared out at a collection of ruins. It stretched far out across the clearing, with tumbles of stone and overgrown pathways everywhere he looked. ‘Greece certainly does a good ruin.’

  Yuri ripped her eyes away and looked at him. ‘Can’t you see it?’

  ‘Of course I do.’

  ‘The marble walls at least twenty feet high?’

  He jerked. ‘Um…’

  ‘Those gates? They have to be made out of gold.’

  ‘Gates?’

  ‘Tell me what you see, Ozzy.’

  He scratched his neck. ‘There’s, uh, the stones over there. They must have been part of a high wall at some point. I don’t see any gates but there’s an alcove with some kind of statue still inside it.’

  She gazed at him, utterly deflated. ‘But you don’t see the palace?’

  The answering look in his eyes was enough.

  ‘You don’t believe me,’ she said sadly. ‘That’s why you can’t see it.’

  ‘No, I do believe you! It’s just…’

  She shook her head. ‘Don’t lie to me, Ozzy.’

  He sighed. ‘Okay. I see a pile of rocks and what was maybe once a good looking palace. But no marble. No gates.’ He bit his lip. ‘No palace.’

  She started to turn away and he grabbed her. ‘I believe you though! I believe that’s what you see.’

  ‘No.’ Her voice was dull. ‘If you trusted me, you’d see it.’

  ‘Yuri…’

  She pulled away. ‘I’m going to go and explore a bit.’ She didn’t quite meet his eyes. ‘Will you wait? I’m not sure how long I’ll be.’

  ‘We can explore together.’

  Sadness flooded her face. ‘No, we can’t.’ She started to move forward. ‘I’ll be as fast as I can.’

  ‘Yuri!’ His frustration was obvious.

  ‘Please, Ozzy.’ She didn’t turn around.

  He gritted his teeth and looked up to the heavens. The sky was a perfect blue. ‘It’s a beautiful day. Why don’t we just have that packed lunch and enjoy the view?’ He glanced back in her direction, then started. She’d completely vanished.

  *

  Yuri forced down the hard knot of tears that was building in her chest. It didn’t matter that he didn’t believe. Not really. She’d go in and find Poseidon and get the answers she needed and then she could put all this behind her. Pretend to be like the rest of the world who lived in blank ignorance of Olympus and all it stood for. Ozzy wasn’t betraying her. He simply saw things differently. She couldn’t blame him for that.

  She strode up with purpose to the gates. The faster she did what she had to do, the better. The figure at the side, with shadowed eyes, and a shiny intricately designed helmet entirely covering his face, dropped his spear and barred her way.

  ‘Purpose of business?’ he grunted in a voice that sent a shiver of fear down her spine.

  She turned to him, searching for some signs of humanity. ‘Er, I want to see Poseidon.’

  ‘He’s not here.’

  Her heart sank. ‘Wh – when will he be back?’ she stammered.

  ‘He’s not here.’

  She straightened her shoulders. She’d come a long way and was risking far too much to simply turn back now. ‘The sirens then.’

  The guard didn’t move so much as a muscle. ‘There are no sirens here.’

  ‘Okay.’ Yuri swallowed. ‘Then I want to see Zeus.’ If no-one else was around, then she’d take herself straight to the top of the food chain.

  The guard stared at her impassively. For a moment, she thought she’d have to make a run for it and attempt to vault over his lethal looking spear. Instead, however, his arm snapped upwards and the weapon jolted upright.

  ‘Access granted.’

  She beamed. ‘Really? I mean, er, thank you!’ She darted forward before he could change his mind.

  Yuri had barely gone five steps, however, when she halted in stunned admiration. Olympus may have looked impressive on the outside but it was nothing compared to what she was seeing now. She almost turned around to Ozzy to see if he was as spellbound as she was until she remembered he was no longer by her side.

  She was in a vast courtyard. Sparkling marble surrounded her: on the floor, covering the walls, leading down the hallway up ahead. Around the edges, there were leafy golden trees heavy with fruit. Unable to help herself she walked over to one and gingerly reached out to touch it. The bark was smooth and surprisingly warm. Several boughs were heavy with fruit and she stretched up on her tiptoes to pluck one of the gleaming golden apples.

  ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you,’ a voice said from behind.

  Yuri whirled round, shoving her hands behind her back and feeling guilty. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to do anything wrong, I just wanted to touch it.’

  ‘They’re not very tasty. And they only lead to bad stuff.’

  She blinked. ‘Bad stuff?’

  He regarded her solemnly. ‘Yes.’ He put out his hand. ‘I’m Paris, by the way.’

  ‘Uh, Yuri.’

  ‘You’re here to petition the gods?’

  She nodded. ‘I wanted to see Poseidon. But he’s not here so I’m going to try to speak to Zeus instead.’

  Paris frowned. ‘You’re wasting your time. Zeus doesn’t like getting his hands dirty with the affairs of humans. Not unless he’s impregnating them anyway.’

  Yuri jerked back. ‘Excuse me?’

  He shook himself. ‘Never mind.’

  ‘Paris!’

  He stiffened and turned. ‘Apollo. What do you want?’

  Yuri’s jaw dropped as Apollo approached. She didn’t think she’d ever seen any man quite so classically handsome. There was something cold about him though, as if by dint of having golden skin and perfectly composed features some essential part had been left out from his soul.

  ‘You’re not angling after more apples, are you? It didn’t go particularly well for you last time. I’m not sure Atlanta would be too thrilled at you touching her trees.’

  Irritated by his supercilious tone, Yuri took a deep breath, interjecting herself into the conversation. ‘It wasn’t him! It was me. I was going to pick one.’ She tilted up her chin, daring the god in front of her to do something about it.

  Apollo raised his eyebrows. ‘And who are you, little human?’

  ‘My name is Yuri and I’m here to speak with Zeus.’

  Amusement danced in his eyes. ‘Father is picking them younger and younger these days.’

  Her spine stiffened. ‘What are you suggesting?’

  He licked his lips and she felt a delicate shudder run through her.

  ‘Apollo, leave her alone,’ Paris interrupted. ‘She’s just a kid.’

  ‘What’s it to you, soldier boy? You thinking of trying your luck? She’s not as pretty as the last one, I’ll grant you, but maybe you’ll be able to keep her for longer this time.’

  Paris stepped up, tension in every line of his body. Alarmed, Yuri quickly side-stepped away. This was an argument that she had no wish to involved herself in. She was barely through the door; she wasn’t in any rush to be thrown out just yet. While the two squared off against each other, she slipped past them and into the hallway up ahead, counting herself fortunate that they were far more concerned with their posturing than with her.

  She darted ahead, swiftly moving past various open doorways, picturesque atriums and gushing golden fountains. Painfully aware of the epic vastness of Olympus - and Ozzy waiting on her outside, she wanted to find Zeus as quickly as possible without getting hopelessly lost. She grabbed hold of a passing girl, scantily clad in some kind of diaphanous shift and babbled in her direction.

  ‘Where’s Zeus?’

  The girl looked at her uncomprehendingly.


  ‘Zeus?’ Yuri repeated. ‘Where is he?’

  ‘The King of Heavens is in the throne room.’

  ‘Where’s that?’

  ‘I’ll show you,’ someone murmured by her side.

  Yuri turned, her mouth dropping open when she registered who spoke.

  ‘No,’ he smiled, ‘your eyes do not deceive you.’

  ‘But,’ she gasped, ‘ you’re…’ She stared, trying to work out what he actually was.

  ‘Goat is the word you’re searching for,’ he provided helpfully. ‘My legs and my horns.’ He reached and gently touched the protruding nubs on the top of his head and grinned. ‘I’m very horny.’

  Yuri merely gaped.

  ‘You’re young and nubile,’ he continued. ‘Why would you be interested in an old lech like Zeus?’ He gestured towards his naked torso. ‘I can assure you I’m as much of an animal in bed as I am in real life.’

  Faintly disgusted, Yuri stepped backwards. ‘Actually, she is going to show me…’ her voice trailed off as she realised the girl had disappeared.

  The goatman leaned towards her. ‘It’s just you and me now, baby.’

  Her stomach squirming, Yuri raised her eyes to his. ‘Fine,’ she snapped, with considerably more confidence than she felt. ‘Take me to Zeus.’

  He bowed. ‘Follow me.’ Then he walked off with a definite strut, flipping her a saucy look over his shoulder.

  Blinking furiously, Yuri swallowed hard and walked after him. This place was too weird for words. She trailed after him, trying not to notice the rippling muscles visible across his back or the natural, masculine sway to his hips. She shook herself several times. Something was very wrong with her. Fortunately, before very long, he halted in front of two vast doors.

  ‘Here we go!’ he said cheerfully. ‘I’ll wait for you out here, Yuri.’

  Too preoccupied by the sudden assault of nerves that hit her stomach, Yuri didn’t register his use of her name. Instead she stared at the gilded doors, with their etched drawings inlaid into the panels telling of battles gone past. The doors themselves were firmly shut. She sucked in a breath, her feet suddenly unwilling to move any further.

  The goatman tutted and reached out, pushing open the nearest door. Then he gave her a tiny push. Stumbling forward, Yuri only just managed to catch herself from falling flat on her face. Before she could say or do anything, the doors slammed shut behind her.

  Her mouth dry, she glanced around. The room she was in was massive. Light flooded in through vast windows on one side, while the floor reflected the shapes of the outside trees in its buffed surface. Yuri’s eyes moved up until she was staring at the gleaming throne at the far end. The seated figure might have been some distance away but even from where she was, she could see narrowed blue eyes watching her speculatively from underneath a set of white bushy eyebrows. Considering the flowing white robes and general imposing nature of him, Yuri was pretty sure this had to be Zeus himself. On shaky legs, she pushed herself forward. Now was not the time to get an attack of the willies.

  As if from out of the woodwork, dozens of figures appeared along the side, each one watching her silently. Although they were all dressed in artfully draped togas, each one boasted a different colour. It was only Zeus himself, waiting for her at the top who was wearing traditional white. Yuri wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans and felt very, very scruffy. She really should have thought about her appearance before she’d left Litochoro. The throne room’s long walk was clearly designed to create as many feelings of inadequacy as possible. She didn’t need to compound to that by looking like a under-dressed, overwhelmed teenager. Even if that’s what she was.

  After what seemed like an age of walking, Yuri finally reached the foot of the throne. She craned her neck upwards. Zeus’ eyes were utterly impassive, regarding her in much the same way as an eagle would look at a little mouse it was about to swoop down and eat. She lifted her chin and tried to look confident. Before she could say anything, however, he lifted up one gigantic palm to stall her.

  ‘You have funny eyes,’ he commented, in a booming voice that reverberated around the room. There were several titters from the otherwise silent audience behind her.

  Unable quite to believe she’d heard correctly, Yuri glared at him. ‘Funny eyes?’

  ‘Yes. They’re all … slanty.’

  ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ She put her hands on her hips. ‘You’re the King of all the sodding Heavens and you’re racist?

  ‘What does racist mean?’

  She snarled in reply while the corner of Zeus’ mouth quirked up. ‘You’re very easily wound up for a little Japanese girl.’

  Her antagonism grew. He’d been playing dumb with the eyes’ comment, trying to get her to rise to the bait. Like an idiot, she’d done exactly that. Forcing herself to calm down, she took a deep breath. She needed Zeus on her side, not against her.

  ‘I apologise,’ she said stiffly, not meaning it in the slightest. ‘I was here to speak to Poseidon.’

  ‘He’s not here.’

  Yuri gritted her teeth. ‘I know that.’

  ‘So why are you here?’

  ‘The sirens killed my father.’ Her voice rang out clear and steady, despite her inner turmoil. ‘They almost killed me as well. I want to know why.’

  ‘The sirens’ actions are of no consequence to me.’

  ‘You’re their King! Can’t you punish them or something?’

  ‘I don’t micro-manage.’ His nose wrinkled. ‘Well, alright. Sometimes, I micro-manage. Not when it comes to the sea though. You’ll need to speak to Poseidon about that.’

  ‘I would if he were here.’

  ‘He’s not.’

  Yuri’s grip on her temper was fraying. ‘So you’ve said.’

  He got to his feet. ‘You feel we have wronged you.’

  ‘My father died!’

  ‘People die every day. Be thankful that you did not.’

  ‘Why didn’t I?’ Yuri shouted desperately.

  Zeus momentarily closed his eyes, his features smoothed over. Then he spoke, his tone slightly altered. ‘You were a child. Poseidon showed you mercy. Many others would have done differently, Yuri Tateno. Count yourself lucky and move on.’

  ‘Why did they drown my father?’

  ‘Why does a child kill a fly? Why does a cat kill a bird? Why do the mountains rise and the seas churn?’

  ‘That’s it? That’s the answer you’re going to give me? A bunch of stupid questions?’

  ‘What answer would you have me give? You’re but a child.’

  ‘I just want to know why,’ she pleaded. ‘Why him? He was good. He didn’t deserve that.’

  ‘Most people don’t. But walk into any hospital in any land and you’ll see death. Every day hundreds of thousands pass into the Underworld. Your father was no different.’

  ‘But…’

  ‘Leave now.’

  ‘No.’

  He shrugged. ‘So be it.’ He raised up one long finger and pointed it directly at her. There was an odd fizzle and a blinding flash of light, then Yuri was gasping in pain as something clutched at her heart. She fell to her knees. Then someone was there by her side, helping her up.

  ‘My King, I will escort the girl out.’

  Zeus was impassive. ‘She does not want to leave.’

  Unbidden tears streaming from here eyes, Yuri spat. ‘I’ll leave. Goddamn you!’

  ‘I can’t very well damn myself,’ he said mildly. ‘Get her out of here, Pan.’

  The goatman nodded. Holding Yuri’s pain-streaked body with one hand, he supported her half-stumble, half-walk out of the room. Zeus watched their every move. It was not until the door closed behind them that he sighed heavily.

  ‘I hate those ones,’ he commented.

  ‘She’s luckier than she knows. The cloud of death follows her even now. Poseidon should not have intervened.’

  ‘What did she expect? It’s not like I can just call Hades up and ask him to turn back
time and release her father from the Underworld. If I did that then everyone would be banging on the door.’

  ‘Poor thing. I don’t think it occurred to her that was possible.’

  ‘No,’ he mused, ‘she wanted answers for questions that don’t exist.’

  ‘Humans never learn. It’s not your fault.’

  He glanced at his wife. ‘No. I don’t suppose it is. What do you think Pan wants by coming to her aid like that?’

  Hera snorted. ‘What does Pan ever want? Exactly what you’d probably be taking if she was a year or two older.’

  ‘I’ve not had sexual intercourse with any humans for decades. You should know that.’

  ‘What about that Dana woman?’

  ‘Hera, love…’

  ‘Callie, as well?’

  ‘Perhaps there have been one or two…’

  She began reeling off more names. Zeus buried his head in his hands. This was going to go on for quite some time.

  *

  With Pan’s help, Yuri lurched back through the majestic but now somehow cold and unfeeling corridors of Olympus. Few people glanced in her direction, as if the thunderbolt she’d received from Zeus could be contagious and that by looking at her they’d also immediately feel its effects. She had to bite down hard on her lip to avoid crying. She shouldn’t have expected anything else. Her father was still dead and it was of no more consequence to the gods of Olympus than the flapping of a butterfly wings. She felt like an idiot.

  They lurched back through the courtyard with its gleaming golden trees and alluring shiny apples. Both Apollo and Paris had disappeared, either to take their fight elsewhere or to bother themselves with other trivial matters. Yuri barely even registered the moving head of the guard as he followed their exit, bowing his head at their departure. She just wanted to get as far away from Olympus as possible.