The Sky Throne

by Chris Ledbetter

  “He and Metis have been on again off again since before the schools split. She’s not going anywhere.” Meter paused and looked squarely into my eyes as if to read me. “And if you pursue her, you’re asking for trouble.”

  Tia glided to the table with a plate full of fruit. “Pursue whom?”

  “Metis,” Meter said. “That girl has more drama than a three-act play.”

  “I don’t know, Demeter. Maybe Zeus should go after her. Give her a better option than that wild boar, Atlas. If you can get Metis away from that toe-jam, more power to you.”

  Headmistress walked in and clapped her hands. “All right students, let’s get going. Knowledge and skills await.”

  Everyone rose to their feet except Meter, who stuffed her face with the last bits of fig and barley bread on her plate. Headmistress appeared at my side and handed me a current class schedule.

  “Zeus, just follow everyone else. You won’t get lost.”

  I unrolled the scroll:

  Hemera Gaia: Morning—Shapeshifting—Theatre / Afternoon—Creature Creation—Gymnasium

  Hemera Nyx: Morning—Rhetoric—Megaron 112 / Afternoon—Philosophy—Megaron 210

  Hemera Aether: Morning—Theatre—Theatre / Afternoon—Music—Theatre

  Hemera Ourea: Morning—Geography—Megaron 110 / Evening—Astronomy—Observatory

  Hemera Okeanos: Morning—Calisthenics—Gymnasium / Afternoon—Intramural Practice—TBA

  Hemera Kaos: Rest

  Hemera Selenes: Rest

  I’m so glad I learned the days of the week at eastern Crete. Otherwise I’d be lost.

  Tia looked over my shoulder. “The names for each day are the Theon Hemerai, or Days of the Elder Deities. To give you a frame of reference, yesterday was Selenemera or Hemera Selenes.” She pointed to the last day on the scroll. “Kaos and Selenes comprise the week’s end. Today is Hemera Gaia or Gaimera.” She took a rare breath. “But you probably knew that from lower school. Sorry, if I overstepped. I always get so excited about classes. After post graduate work, I want to teach here at MO Prep someday.”

  My mind drifted for half a moment back to Telesto. She wanted to teach as well. I sighed. “No worries, Tia. Your enthusiasm is quite infectious. You remind me of someone I knew back at lower academy.”

  Her smile beamed as she tilted her head sideways.

  I followed Meter and Tia out into the courtyard. We strode toward the sunken semi-circle structure to our left where all of the students were congregating at the bottom of the risers. On the far side of the earthen floor rose a two-story building façade. A woman emerged from a distant doorway leading a shaggy mess of a goat, a proud stag, and an immense bull.

  Don and Shade rumbled down the riser stairs. “We’re so sorry we’re late, Professor,” Don said breathlessly. “You know I have the big match coming up. We were just running a few sprints before class—”

  “Yes. I do know that a momentous match looms large on your horizon.” She spoke in a slow, deliberate cadence, emphasizing each syllable. Her wide-set eyes narrowed to slivers as she looked down her straight nose. “Shall I regale Ouranos and Pontus with tales of your tardiness? See what their thoughts are on the matter?”

  “Nooo,” Don replied. Perspiration coated his hair and forehead.

  “Then you’ll stay after class and tend my stock. Yes?”

  Don’s posture slumped. “Yes, Professor.”

  Hmmm. The mighty Poseidon silenced by the professor.

  “All right, here’s what we’re after today.” She held the ropes that tethered her stock high in the air. Then she looked at me and flipped her tightly woven braid of white and silver hair from one shoulder to the other. “Have we someone new?”

  I rose halfway from my seat. “Yes. I’m Zeus.”

  “Zeus, you say. Right then. Welcome to Shapeshifting class. I’m Professor Phoebe. So far this term, we’ve learned how to shift our bodies into inanimate objects. You can only do that for as long as you can hold your breath. However, as we learned last week and as you’ll find today, you can shift into a living object for as long as you need to, or want to, including trees and flowers … as long as the object is living. But—” She paused, tapping the tips of her fingers together, “just remember this, when you shift into something, whether it be inanimate or beast, your composition is never as strong as the original, and thus you will be a weaker form of it. If something happens and you die as the object you shifted to … you can’t shift back. Likewise if you shift into a table and the table is broken—” She dragged her thumb across her neck. “That’s it. You’re done.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Zeus, since you’re new … ” Professor Phoebe snapped my attention back. Her skin was pale like the moon. “There are two aspects of shapeshifting that are prohibited. The first is shifting off campus, because if something happens to you off campus while you’re in an altered state, we’d never know how to find you or help you. Do you understand?”

  I nodded.

  “And secondly,” She pointed her slender finger at me. “Shifting into another person is expressly forbidden. The ultimate unforgivable act. For obvious reasons.” She paused and studied my face. I returned another nod.

  “Very well then, let’s get started. Divide into pairs, boy, girl. Zeus, you and Demeter come get this goat. No shifting for you today, Zeus. Just watch Demeter. She’s a natural.”

  I clenched my teeth. “If I wanted to try, could I?” I tried not to move or even twitch one single solitary muscle in my face that would betray this verbal show of confidence. The inside of my body quaked against my will. I slammed my elbows to my sides to keep them still.

  Everyone turned to look at me. Professor Phoebe’s lips tightened into a line. She looked at Meter, and then brought her hand to her forehead. She massaged her temple and smoothed her hair back.

  “I’ll take care of him, Professor,” Meter said.

  “I don’t think so, Demeter. Shapeshifting is quite the undertaking.” Phoebe walked over. “It’s all about energy and matter and—”

  “I loved those lessons in lower school. I can do this.” I interjected.

  Professor sighed and covered her eyes momentarily in her hands. She muttered something I couldn’t hear, and then glared at Meter. “All right. But no monkey shenanigans. I will keep a close eye on you two.”

  I had no possible idea what I was supposed to do, but if they all could do it, I’d give it my best shot. What’s the worst that could happen under Professor Phoebe’s watchful eye? I grabbed the goat and led it to an edge of the circular floor.

  “Meter, if there’s anything I know, it’s goats. My guardian on Crete was a goat farmer.”

  “Oh, I remember when the Kouretes dropped off some goats for us on Kithira for Agriculture class.”

  My spirit brightened. “You knew the Kouretes?” A pang of sadness hit me.

  “Who didn’t? They came once a year at beginning of first term. As reliable as the moon each night.” She waved her hands in front her face. “All right, we need to get to work here, goat whisperer.”

  I tried and failed to stifle a laugh.

  Meter held my gaze. “Here’s shapeshifting in a nutshell. Later, you’ll be able to shift into anything you’ve shifted into before. Your body remembers it. But for anything new, just place your hand on the subject and accept its essence. All things have energy, some more than others. Even the wood in a table, because it once came from a living tree, right?”

  I nodded and chewed on my lip.

  “Then once you’re full of the energy, you imagine yourself as the thing and you can shift into it. Just think hard about it. And nothing else.”

  “Got it.” I lied. How in the Underworld would I ever be able to accept a goat’s life energy?

  Meter said, “I actually love shifting into trees and flowers. Sometimes, I can smell a flower’s scent on my skin after I change back. You know what’s beautiful about n
ature?”

  I raised my brows.

  She inhaled deeply and smiled. “Even the most beautiful flowers can have sharp thorns. Nature’s all balance and symmetry.” She spoke with such passion.

  “All right, here we go.” She placed a hand on the animal’s back and closed her eyes. The goat bleated a few times and shook its mane.

  She took her hand off the goat and inhaled deeply. Then right before my eyes, she slowly morphed and contorted into the goat. I gasped and stepped backward. A series of chills flushed through me as I witnessed the transformation process. By the time she was finished, I was gazing at two identical goats.

  I narrowed my eyes, still unable to wrap my mind around the process. There was a goat, right where Meter had just stood. Beautiful Meter. Ugly goat. Smooth, radiant skin and long flowing dark auburn hair was now rough skin and a short, gray shaggy mess.

  “Meter?” I uttered in an attempt to see if she was in the goat somewhere.

  No response. My gaze darted around the theater floor. I wrung my hands together. How in the world would she ever change back?

  I crept in front of the goat and looked squarely in its eyes. “Meter?”

  “Baaaaa!”

  I nearly jumped from my skin. Guess she heard me after all.

  The goat contorted again. In a moment, Meter shifted out of the animal and back into herself and her white tunic. Wow. There she stood again in all her glory.

  Meter stretched her arms out to her sides. “And that’s how you do it.”

  I applauded. Words could scarcely appreciate what I’d just witnessed.

  She bowed. “Thankyouverymuch.”

  Professor Phoebe walked over. “So, Zeus, what do you think?”

  “I’m going for it.”

  Meter jumped in and put her arm in front of my chest. “I don’t think he should try it just yet. I’m not sure he’s ready.”

  “Zeus?” Professor Phoebe asked, swiping a strand of brilliant white hair out of her face. “Your safety is my top concern. It’s all right if you don’t take part. In fact, I’d rather you not.”

  I thought for a moment. “I’ll give it my best shot.”

  Professor Phoebe’s smile dimpled her cheeks slowly. “All right, let’s see your best shot.”

  I walked over to the goat. It bleated when I caressed its fleece. I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply, and concentrated. “It’s all energy and matter,” I kept repeating to myself. “Be the goat.” I placed my hand squarely on the animal’s back, high, near the neck. After several moments of anxious waiting, a cold gust of wind surged into my fingers and palm. My entire hand shook as the wind streaked up my arm. Energy transferred into me, filling my body cavity slowly. Completely. Like liquid conforming to a goblet. I shivered uncontrollably.

  In my mind’s eye, I found myself walking through a vast plain of high grasses. A swarm of flies clouded the air before me as the stench of dung filled my nostrils.

  And that quickly, my mind snapped back to the present. I looked around the theatre floor. Meter. Professor Phoebe. They all looked normal, except much taller. Then it hit me. I looked down and stumbled when I saw my cloven feet. Praise Gaia! I’d done it!

  Professor Phoebe applauded. Her wide smile beamed at me. “I didn’t think a newcomer could pick it up this quickly. I’m impressed.”

  How had I never known I had this power? I felt like running around the theatre floor. Wait! My mind raced into hyperdrive. I didn’t know how to shift back! Meter patted me on the head, and then caressed my back.

  “All right, time to shift back, Zeus,” Meter said.

  I was stuck. I didn’t know what to do. I tried to talk, but all that came out was, “Baaaa! Baaaa!”

  Meter waited a little while longer, and then turned a concerned gaze at me. “Zeus? You can shif—Oh, no.” She cupped her hands over her mouth. “We never told you how to shift out.” Her eyes widened. Her gaze darted. “Prof!” she called out.

  A sinking feeling kinked my goat stomach. I walked around in circles. Meter grabbed me and held me still. Phoebe hurried over.

  Meter looked directly into my goat eyes, “Can you understand me?”

  “Baaaaa!”

  “Do exactly as I tell you. Picture yourself as you were just a moment ago. Visualize yourself standing here next to me. And then focus all your energy into becoming you again.”

  I closed my goat eyes and focused. I felt the calm of connecting with my own soul, like the rejuvenating happiness of seeing an old friend. Rather than cold, warmth flooded through me like sunshine and love. Every positive emotion I’d ever felt, sprang forth. Embraces from Amalthea. Telesto’s kiss. Headmistress’ slightest touch. Sounds around the theatre became more clear. The honeyed floral scent of Demeter filled my nostrils again. In moments, I’d returned to myself again.

  Meter hugged me once I’d shifted back. “Good job. I was worried there for a moment. None of us ever picked it up that quickly, not even me. That definitely says something about you.”

  Professor Phoebe smiled at me and walked away to check the other groups. “Let’s switch animals,” she called out.

  We cycled through all the animals. Each time we shapeshifted, the same nervousness and discomfort swirled in the pit of my stomach. Without fail. Like we’d never be able to change back or something.

  I turned to Meter. “I still don’t understand how this works. What happens to our clothes when we shift into something?”

  “Good question. Shows you’re a thinker. I like that,” she said. “It’s like this. Everything has skin of some sort, right? With animals, our clothes become their hair, fur, scales, or whatever. Our sandals become their hooves, and so on.”

  By the time we’d finished shifting in and out of all of the animals, my body was fatigued to the bone. Don took away the animals and then returned.

  “So, this week was easy, yes? Small, pretty simple animals. So let’s recap, when might you have to shift into animals, anyone?” Phoebe asked.

  Meter’s hand shot up. “If you’re out hunting and you need to sneak up on a stag.”

  “Good one.” Professor responded. “Anyone else?”

  No one answered. I thought about the incident at Othrys Hall. I raised my hand.

  “Yes, Zeus.”

  “Maybe if something or someone is chasing you, you could shift to aid your escape”

  “Hmmm,” the professor folded her arms. “Sure. Maybe. Chased by what exactly?”

  “Anything,” I answered. My mind darted between images of the attack on Crete and the incident at Othrys.

  “Zeus, you’re an Olympian now,” Professor Phoebe said in a terse, controlled manner. “So far, there’s only five of you … well, six, now. You can’t afford to run every time you encounter trouble. To shapeshift to evade trouble would be cowardly. And Olympians aren’t trained to be cowardly. Understand?”

  I nodded. Snorts and chuckles rose up around me. I wanted to shapeshift right then. Into anything. Preferably something that could fly.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “Next week, we’ll try larger animals.” Professor Phoebe called out to us as we filed out of the theatre.

  “Elephants?” I said.

  “Or maybe a wooly mammoth.” Professor Phoebe flashed a wicked grin.

  “Meal time!” Don strode past me. My stomach grumbled as soon as he said it.

  Hera sauntered up beside me. “Hey, you wanna catch a meal down in the Agora?”

  To say my curiosity had been piqued by Hera’s offer to go to the Agora would have been a gross understatement. I paused for a moment, watching everyone else walk past me. I thought of the earlier conversation in the Andron about Hera never eating with everyone else.

  “Sure. Why not?” I replied. “They have food down there?”

  “The best.” She nodded. “Besides, you’ll need some writing supplies for Rhetoric and Philosophy tomorrow.”

  “You coming with us?”
Meter called casually over her shoulder as she walked toward the Megaron. Her smile was easy and innocent.

  “Zeus and I were just heading to the Agora.” Hera looped her arm through mine. The lion’s heads from her armlet bit into my bicep. Her lips curled as she led me away.

  “Wait, I can come with—” Meter said.

  Hera’s head whipped around. “We’re not riding a three-wheeled chariot.”

  Meter stopped, looked Hera over, and then marched off.

  A sudden burst of wind stole up the path and rustled Hera’s red tunic. I wondered if I was the only one following dress code. Actually, Meter always wore the standard issue tunics. I cast a sidelong glance toward Hera as we walked in silence. I wasn’t sure what to say. The crunch of shale underfoot sounded like steady percussion to the wind-chime tones of the bangles on her wrists.

  They reminded me of the ones Amalthea had worn back home. “Do you make those?” I asked.

  “These what? The bangles?”

  “Yeah those.” I looked up and smiled. Her cat eyes warmed, a nice change from their standard intensity.

  “No. I could never make anything as beautiful as these. This is all Tia. The trinkets she creates are amazing.” Hera stopped and turned toward me. She extended her wrist and wiggled it. The brightly colored bangles danced around her wrist, some wooden and some metal.

  I gazed at the bow of lips. I could have listened to her raspy voice talk about anything all day. I loved the sound.

  “What about the armlet?”

  “Also Tia’s.” She flexed her athletic arm. Her bicep pressed against the metal.

  “So Tia makes jewelry? A girl of many talents.”

  “Back before the schools split, the Cyclopes taught Metalworking, Weaponry, and Geology. You should’ve seen them. One-eyed behemoths. Still, they were great teachers. And Tia would always go to the Forge and try out different jewelry designs.”

  “Where’s this Forge?”

  “Under the gym. Somebody’ll show you one day. Now it’s just a concessions area for sports contests in the gym. Ever since the Cyclopes went over to Othrys, we haven’t had anyone to teach what they taught. That’s probably how they beat us in War Games last year. Better weapons.”