Gifts of the Greeks

by Edmund A. M. Batara

  “Hey Eleos, what can I do to help? Gave you some healing, but that’s all I know. It’s not going to help us deal with the wound.”

  “Left back pouch. Green powder. I will pull out the spear. Sprinkle powder back and front of the wound. Help me sit up. Spearhead still in the ground,” the man whispered, words the result of a focused mental effort.

  “Moving you may tear the wound and worsen your condition. The spearhead is too deep in the ground. What if I try lifting you straight up and lower you on the ground? That way, you will be clear of the spear in a manner which can avoid more injuries. Probably.”

  “No choice. We try your way,” Eleos whispered in reply.

  “Continue holding on to the remaining portion. As you feel yourself being lifted, ease up on the grip.”

  Tyler first got the healing powder before using his lifting ability. Positioning himself, he focused his attention, concentrating on lifting the man from the spear. As he used his ability, he was startled to feel that Eleos' body wasn’t that heavy. I must be improving, he thought. Though I doubt if I am in the league of giant boulders already. Eleos' body slowly rose and cleared itself from the bloody remains of the shortened spear. Tyler then lowered him down to the ground. Eleos slammed into it in the last six or so inches. Tyler still lacked the finesse needed to manage an impact-free landing. The rough landing did elicit a painful grunt from the wounded man.

  As Eleos lay on his stomach, Tyler rushed to his side and poured the powder on the man's back wound. Within a few seconds, the wound started slowly closing before his amazed eyes. The flow of blood from the wound stopped. He turned the man over to his side and threw powder at the still bleeding front exit wound. But he noticed the eyes of Eleos starting to glaze. He immediately cast another healing spell.

  That would have to do until the powder finishes its job, he thought. But that’s really powerful stuff. I wouldn’t be surprised if that powder came from Dionysus. Funny thing, the snake did get to bite Eleos. But with a spear.

  After a while, he could hear Eleos' breathing become less labored. Some color had come back to the man's face. He cast another light healing spell. As he waited and his adrenaline waned, his nose finally registered the smell of burned meat. It was all around him. Despite himself, he vomited his guts out.

  Chapter Lore:

  Valkyrie - Old Norse. In Norse mythology, Odin's handmaidens who choose half of those who die in battle for Valhalla. The other half goes to the goddess Freyja. The ones who enter Valhalla become "einherjar".

  Medusa - Greek. The name of a Gorgon, a winged monster with the body of a female with living snakes as hair. The gaze of a Gorgon can turn one to stone. Medusa is one of three sisters, the others being Stheno and Euryale. The Gorgon are believed by the ancient Greeks to be an archaic race which hated mortal men. The main character is in error in calling a Gorgon a Medusa.

  HAL'S RETRIEVED MAP

  Chapter VIII

  Temple Hunt

  That was nasty, thought Tyler as he wiped his mouth. A faint grunt caught his attention. It was Eleos. The assassin had recovered enough to sit up by himself. But his pallor remained pale and he looked weak.

  “You feel better, Eleos?” asked Tyler as he walked towards the man.

  “I'll live. But continuing the hunt seems a bad idea in my condition, my Lord.”

  “Put it this way, Eleos, you probably got most of this pack. Though I do hope there’s only one in these hills,” he replied as he sat down in front of the man.

  Between the two of them, their combined field of vision covered the clearing. He would have wanted to bring the assassin to the cover of the trees, but he didn’t know if the man’s condition allowed it yet.

  “I doubt it, my Lord. But Empusa packs are territorial. If there are more groups, then it would take time for them to know this area is now for the taking. But there may be stragglers around," replied the assassin.

  “What do you intend to do now? Your condition demands rest and more healing. You’ve lost a lot of blood.”

  “Despite my wish to hunt some more, I have to go back to the inn.”

  “That may be difficult, considering how far we are from the city.”

  “Hermes’ gift,” answered Eleos as he produced two small white stones from one of his belt pouches. He offered one to Tyler.

  “Take it. It’s your passage back to the inn.”

  Tyler took the stone and looked at it. Some sigils covered the surface, and he could feel energy, a lot of it, contained inside. It looked like a stone, but the texture revealed it was made of a chalk-like substance, hardened a bit to withstand handling.

  “Hermes?”

  “Yes. The deity who took care of my father when he was born. God of transport and travel. Took my father until he was given to the care of his mother's sister, Io. My Lord surely remembers that Hera killed Semele, my father's mother, out of jealousy.”

  “I do remember,” Tyler lied. So that’s what he was talking about, the big bone of a transgression. That means Dionysus is Zeus’s son! No wonder his power level is nothing to sneeze at. And he did have something in common with Hephaestus. Hera.

  “What does this do?” he asked Eleos.

  “Crush it in your hand, and you will be brought back to the inn's main hall.”

  “That simple, then? Why didn’t your father just give it to me before we left?

  “If you died in the mountains, the stone is too great a gift to be lost. Not to mention enabling immediate access to the inn. Oh, and I do call him “father,” but he never calls me his son. Not that I mind. My life is already a gift I can never repay. I was already half-dead with hunger when he found me.”

  Tyler thought about it. For Dionysus, growing up knowing your mother’s killer and being unable to get justice, coupled with a distant father, the entire episode must be a continuing traumatic experience. Partly explains his relationship with Eleos. He pitied the deity and the man before him. Ah, the hell with it, he thought. Almost a son is close enough.

  “If it’s any consolation, your father did ask me to make sure you survive. He did call you his son.”

  “He did?” Eleos face betrayed a slight smile. “Thank you for telling me. That means a lot, no, a lifetime to me.”

  “You strong enough to leave?”

  “I believe so. I will leave the safekeeping of the stone to you. Please don’t let it fall into the wrong hands. Don’t forget to bring what provisions you can carry. Leave the rest hidden in a cache. You don’t know when you may need it.”

  “Stone. Food and water. Cache. Got it.”

  “Final word. There are few, if any, friendly creatures or beings around. If you come across beautiful women, chances are they are Empusas. But then again, they may be deities. Without the sight, it would be difficult to tell. If they’re men, either you’re facing predators or deities. Play it safe. And stay alive.”

  “Consider the advice taken. Thanks, Eleos.”

  The man gave him a wave of farewell and disappeared in momentary coruscation of light.

  Alone again. In unfamiliar territory. Beasties all around. Seems familiar, Tyler mused.

  He retreated to the edge of the other side of the clearing, as far away as he could from the noisome smell and gruesome scene. When the smell of death didn’t violate his nose anymore, he selected a tree and climbed up.

  Nothing like being above the ground in these situations. No deadly pouncing creatures. No unpleasant surprises in the bushes from man or beast, he thought. But being up a tree brought up memories of his first days in Fossegrim Forest. It seemed such a long time ago.

  He let his energy flow through his immediate surroundings. He was relieved to find a safe area. Ordinary claws and fangs though are not covered by his area scan. Tyler decided it was time to discuss the situation with Hal.

  "Hal."

  "I know what you’re going to ask, Elder. I can sense a faint energy trail. North of here. Around three miles. For some reason, the trace appears fain
t and dispersed."

  "Don’t tell me. It’s another ruin."

  "I can’t tell, Elder. But it is an abnormality."

  "I guess there’s only one way to find out. I hope it's not a ruin like the others. Just need to rest for a while. Can you keep watch? I am going to take a nap. Even for thirty minutes."

  "Of course, Elder. Better build up your strength. Three miles across rough country will be tiring."

  "Teleportation skills would be very welcome now, isn’t it, Hal."

  "Yes, Elder. But such an ability is several levels above your present capability."

  "You’re always such a ray of sunshine, my friend."

  "My pardon, Elder. But your servant can’t be your friend. I exist to serve my programming which is to be at your disposal."

  "Hal, in this world, I already have two huskarls who have pledged themselves to me. Try as I may, those two will always consider me as their lord. Even while I refuse to call them my servants, the most they would settle for is the term companions. I can’t change it, it’s a cultural thing. Astrid is an unknown element. Then I have the deities who have been friendly to me. Try as I may, I can’t think of them as friends. There’s always something they want from me. Even Eira. That leaves you. You may be an artificial construct, but you’re the one I can confide in as of now."

  “As you wish, Elder. I will try to be this “friend.” But at my level, the concept does seem strange to me.”

  “We’ll work it out, Hal. Our lives are tied together anyway. I will try to catch some sleep before we move out.”

  “As you wish, Master.”

  “Master? Hal, I do believe you’re developing a sense of humor.”

  With that, Tyler slept. It was not difficult. The morning’s excitement was stressful enough. Thankfully, nothing happened. Upon waking, a quick meal. He stashed some of the food up in the tree and when he got down, marked the tree trunk.

  "North, Hal?"

  "North, Elder."

  Tyler began walking north. The tree cover disappeared after a short while, and he found himself in open rolling terrain, dotted with trees and bushes. He could already see the beginnings of the Dragon Fly mountain range.

  Whoever gave that name had a lousy sense of humor, he thought. A terrifying name to warn people away would have been appropriate. But I hope Dionysus' information is accurate. Dragons would be a huge game-changer right now. And not in my favor.

  The towering peaks, crowned with mist and topped with snow in some places, looked intimidating. The mage hoped the temple wouldn’t be up in those forbidding crags. He walked up the hill in front of him to get a better view.

  "Hal, I think your estimate is off. The mountains are still a long way from here."

  "It must be the abnormal nature of the energy. But as far as my sensors indicate, the temple is not on top of those mountains."

  "Good to know! I was worried there for a while."

  Suddenly, Tyler heard cries for help. It came from the left side of the hill. Holding his staff at the ready, he walked over to investigate.

  "Elder, you do know there’s no record of human habitation in this area."

  "I know that Hal. But I would rather confront now whatever that is instead of worrying about somebody stabbing or jumping my back later."

  Looking down when as he reached the side of the hill, he saw two young women dressed in country clothes at the bottom. One was lying down in apparent distress, while the other cradled her head. She saw him looking down at them.

  “Help us, kind sir! My sister broke her ankle coming down the hill! There are wild animals about. We fear for our lives!” The woman then broke down in tears.

  Tyler shook his head. It was too obvious a trap. At least to him.

  “I am sorry, but I don’t intend to be your meal today!” he shouted down at the two.

  At his words, the two immediately transformed and quickly rushed up the hill. Undulating through the grassy hillside, the two already had their claws out.

  Thanks to the gift of Hephaestus, to Tyler, the two were moving slowly. He noticed that their faces retained some vestige of their magically created beauty. Must be younglings, he thought. He considered killing them outright but the memory of that morning's carnage made him hesitate about killing the two. He settled for an away spell.

  AWAY! He called the spell in his mind and cast it on the onrushing creatures. The force picked up the two and flung them back towards the few trees located at the bottom of the hill. One of the Empusas smashed against a tree trunk while other was thrown to the ground. He could hear the crack when the Empusa broke her back against the tree. The other Empusa dug a furrow when she landed. The force of the blow made her plow the soil for a few feet.

  Those must have hurt. I really have to practice this skill. I merely intended to drive them away, not break their bones.

  He saw the tree-breaker remained unmoving where she was. Judging from the way she was wrapped around the tree, her back on it, Tyler knew the creature was dead. The other one was starting to get up.

  I don’t think that one is going to let this incident go. She'll hunt me.

  Resigning himself to what he had to do, two energy blades stabbed the prone snake woman, cutting her in half. Tyler was again thankful for the distance between him and his target. He didn’t have to see the gory details up close.

  Job done, he turned and continued on his way.

  It's really a kill or be killed world, he sadly noted.

  As he trudged through the rolling terrain of the foothills, Tyler kept his barrier in place. That on top of the shield his staff made and what Hal had created. With the shields and his staff, he figured he could take care of ordinary predators. It’s the unnatural hunters the young mage was worried about. From time to time, he scanned his surroundings for magical signatures. But even for occasional stops for food and drink, nothing untoward happened. But his legs were getting tired.

  It was mid-afternoon when his periodic scouring of his immediate surroundings revealed a strongly concentrated energy mass ahead of him. It was not moving, as if it was waiting.

  I knew the peace and quiet wouldn’t last, he thought.

  He readied himself, crouched and moved forward. The anomaly was near the top of the hillock he was going to traverse.

  What am I doing? He suddenly realized how foolish he looked. If the being or creature is waiting for him, all the crouching and sneaking won't help. Considering the strength of the energy, he doubted if it was unaware of him. He stood up and walked up the knoll.

  As he reached the grassy top, he saw an old man squatting on the ground. He was bald, tall and wiry. He had a piece of white cloth wrapped around his waist, and a short white cloak draped over his shoulders, covering part of his body. He didn’t look Nordic nor Greek.

  More like a South American, observed Tyler. Put glasses on him, a thin mustache, and voila! A Gandhi!

  “I don’t think I look like the man you’re thinking about. Hello and good afternoon, Mr. West,” said the old man. Tyler’s jaw dropped. To say he was surprised would be an understatement.

  “Don’t stand there looking like a fool, come, sit down. The afternoon breeze is relaxing.”

  Tyler sat down to the right of the mysterious figure, looking at the old man all the time. The man’s statement caught him flatfooted. With his thoughts swirling and his mind confused, he couldn’t think of anything to say at the moment.

  “Come on, Mr. West. Say something. Don’t tell me you’re in shock.”

  I am, his subconscious answered.

  “This won’t do at all. Take several deep breaths.”

  Tyler tried to follow the old man’s instructions. But all he could manage were quick and shallow ones.

  “I am sorry for surprising you like that. Should have started slow. Let me help,” the being said as he flicked a finger in Tyler’s direction.

  A sudden calmness descended upon Tyler. He found he could breathe freely and the shock was gone.

&
nbsp; "You could read minds?" asked Tyler, now wary.

  "Nice trick, isn't it? Yes, I can. But only what's at the forefront of your thoughts. Beyond that, the resistance is too much. Easy to read what one is thinking aloud. You feel better now?"

  “Thank you! But you have me at a disadvantage.”

  “Ah! I forgot! In my haste, I didn’t ask you first for food and water. I have to, you know.”

  Again mystified by the strange request, Tyler took out some food and gave it to the old man. The waterskin he also turned over to the man. The man took the food and placed it in a sack which appeared out of nowhere. Then he poured water into a cup which suddenly appeared in his hands. Drinking the water, he returned the waterskin.

  “Now that’s done, time for introductions, I think. I am Viracocha, an Incan deity. Though I am also known by other names. Wiracocha, Kon-Tiki. I do believe those who don’t like me have other unflattering names in mind.”

  At the word “Incan,” Tyler tensed and involuntarily prepared himself.

  “No need for that, Mr. West. I know you had encountered Supay, but I am not of his breed. In fact, I belong to the opposite of what he stands for. Though I am much diminished from what I was supposed to be. Hah! The great creator god. The god who knows everything. Now reduced to, what was in your mind again? A Gandhi-looking old man!” the old man laughed.

  “Now I am thoroughly confused,” replied Tyler.

  “Oh, you need an explanation. Or an exposition. I am not good at those things. Brings back memories I’d rather forget.”

  “But you said you were a god who knew everything. How can you forget things? Or even try to forget them?”

  “It was very difficult, but I eventually got around to it. Diminished power did help. Even removed my hair and beard as my way of admitting to myself that things have changed. But you do deserve an explanation. A short one. Ask your questions as I tell my tale.”