Gifts of the Greeks

by Edmund A. M. Batara

“Whew!” exclaimed Tyler.

  “Boy, you are now officially prey,” laughed Dionysus. “I would be careful if I were you. Athena plans her battles carefully if she puts her mind to it.”

  “Not exactly my type, Dio. Too overwhelming.”

  “That she is, my boy. That she is.”

  “Now, what was that with Zeus?”

  Tyler saw no reason to hide his conversation with Zeus. It was a just a request after all.

  “He wants me to find a way to get him his leg back. Something about a coming storm and if he is going to die, then he wants to go out standing on his own two legs.”

  "Also affects his worship among the Romans. He couldn't show himself missing a leg," commented Dionysus.

  "Zeus is also worshipped among the Romans?"

  "He's known there as Jupiter. Me, they refer to me as Bacchus. They have other names for the Greek gods. More advanced human cultures here have a term, a concept for it. They call it religious syncretism. It does hold true. But the Romans are the fondest of the idea. A Roman may have Egyptian, Etruscan, or even Norse deities worshipped in his house. No wonder not a lot of them were brought over to Adar. Deities would be leery about a people with flighty religious inclinations."

  "Don't deities get angry about such a practice?"

  "Not when you're talking about an entire civilization or an entire people. Where such things exist, the pantheons tend to take matters in stride. Especially when there are close relations between the pantheons. So, they take worshippers where they can find them. But if the pantheons are at odds, then say goodbye to the civilization. Sooner or later, it's bound to end in ruins. Usually as a result of a religious war or two."

  "That's an eye-opener," said Tyler. "Add one more reason for Zeus to ask for his leg back."

  “I guess he really would ask for that. But for him to talk in that manner, the storm is indeed a dark and dangerous one,” said Dionysus, his face darkening with concern.

  “He mentioned something to that effect. He sees it as an unnatural storm. He believes he may be in a battle he hasn’t experienced in ages. But it’s his prediction. And predictions are possibilities. It may or may not come about.”

  “Knowing my Father, a possibility is a coming reality for him. He prepares for it,” Dionysus commented.

  “I guess you’re right. But since we’re here, can I request something from you?”

  “A request?” asked the puzzled deity. "Wait. No more golden touch. That King Midas was a nice guy. Stupid request though."

  “Not that. It's personal. It’s about how you created this sanctum. Would it be possible to learn the ability? I would like to create my own private space. Like you, something to remind me of home.”

  “That’s all? Not a problem. A simple spell. Doesn't require a lot of energy to create and maintain. But you have to let me see it. I am curious to see what the First World looks now. Well, any deity would. But as I said, most of it will be an illusion. The actual furnishings will be real as long as they exist in this world and we can bring them into your space.”

  “It’s okay. I just don’t want to lose or have vague memories later on. It can also provide me with a haven.”

  “Just remember to activate your space when you are sure you are alone. Your enemies and uninvited beings may be able to determine its entrance if you open it in their presence. Be mindful too of where you entered the sanctum as that will be where you will be upon leaving it. But first, lower your shields, they may interfere.”

  Tyler first got his staff, dissolved the barriers and instructed the two AIs to remove their respective shields too. But he ordered them to prepare to resist any invasive tendrils beyond the spell transfer.

  “Three barriers and a repelling field. I am impressed,” said Dionysus as he walked towards Tyler. He placed a finger on Tyler’s forehead. The mage felt a warm sensation entering his head similar to what he experienced when Eira gave him the light healing spell.

  “There,” said the deity when he removed his finger. “But you can create only one space. Make it count.”

  “I will,” replied Tyler.

  “You do have to create a material focal point for your entrance. A bracelet, a necklace, any jewelry made of any metal except iron. A ring?” said Dionysus. Then his gaze fell on Tyler’s hand. “Not a ring. You’ve got two there already. You keep on adding rings, and you won’t needing a metal gauntlet before long.”

  “A necklace? That way, I can hide it under my clothes.”

  The deity turned and went to a wooden box beside the four-poster bed. Tyler didn’t notice it before. He rummaged through it, got something, and went back to Tyler.

  “I thought I had one. Some temple offering. Here, catch.”

  Tyler got it and looked it. It was made of gold and had a semi-precious stone also set in gold as its pendant.

  “Amethyst. Focus the spell first on the stone and make it your entrance. Then imagine your room, its contents, and the view outside your window. And then cast the spell through the stone,” clarified Dionysus. “Can you do it now? I mean we’re safe here and I really want to see your part of the First World.”

  “Okay. Since you asked nicely,” said Tyler. He concentrated on the stone and then did as he was told. Imagining his room, filling up its contents, and then trying to remember the view outside, took him around ten minutes.

  “Don’t worry about the furnishings. Just tell me when we’re inside and I’ll transfer them. The inn does have a huge furniture inventory.”

  Dionysus looks really excited. But so would I, if the situation was reversed.

  “Ready?” Tyler asked.

  “Of course!” came the answer.

  Tyler activated the spell. The two quickly turned to particles of light which flowed into the stone. Once inside, they rematerialized.

  “Well, I’ll be a donkey’s uncle!” exclaimed Dionysus.

  It looked like Tyler’s old attic room. Painted in light sky blue, it had the L-shape layout, with the foot of the “L” ending in a window and his private computer space. It was daylight outside and the neighbors’ houses with their small lawns provided the view. Tyler’s room directly overlooked the Bowler’s lawn which was beside the house. The street could be seen.

  Dionysus rushed to the window and looked out. Tyler let him be as the deity took in the image. For his part, he looked over his creation. The floorboards were real enough. But the furniture looked like amorphous colored blobs. He didn’t think too much of it, they’re supposed to be replaced by the real thing. But he didn’t know how the desktop computer idea will work out. For now. He looked at the posters on the wall. Gaming promotions with two old movie posters. The small bookshelf beside his bed and its books was also a vague impression of the real thing. The table lamp on top of it was a more precise and realistic copy but it needed a few tweaks.

  So many details needing work, he thought.

  Finally, Dionysus tore himself from the view.

  “By Zeus, I never had so many questions in my mind. And that’s only from the outside view!”

  “You have time to ask. Though I think it would be a good idea to keep this secret between ourselves. There are a lot of things and ideas here which the pantheons may see as heretical.”

  “You’re right. Let’s attend to your room first. The basic furniture. We can try to fix the others later.”

  At the end of an hour, all they were able to place as permanent furniture were Tyler’s bed, a side table, a small empty bookshelf, a small circular table with two chairs, and a narrow table, with an accompanying high-backed chair, on which was placed a nebulous looking desktop computer and its peripherals.

  “What is that?” exclaimed Dionysus.

  “We call it a computer. Enables humans to communicate instantly with each other though we also have other devices to do the same thing. It is primarily used to look for information on a global scale.”

  “Information about what?”

  “About everything.”


  Dionysus was quiet as he continued looking at the blob. He looked at Tyler again.

  “So many questions. But for now, I think this will do. You do have to sleep in your room to keep up pretenses. But once in your room, you can move here. Safer.”

  “Thanks, Dio. This means a lot to me. Though my imagination and creativeness leave much to be desired. The images on those pictures need work.”

  “Not bad for a first try. But don’t worry, you’ll get to fix everything. Time also passes slowly here like in my room. You need to leave instructions with your creation to wake you up when it’s time to wake up in the real world. A means to tell you when somebody is in the room or wherever you came from would be helpful. I’ll get Hephaestus to work on that one. Didn’t need to bother with such a contraption.”

  “I appreciate that, Dio. Now what?”

  Though I could use my affinity ability to check before I return to my original point, thought Tyler. Yet an automated system would be more efficient. I wonder if Hal or X could do it for me?

  “Your men are back. Though that Valkyrie had not returned yet. She already arrived but finding you absent, she said she’ll scout the town. I gave her a room though. Same floor as you and your men.”

  “I do have to consult with them. I wonder what news they have. Let’s go back.”

  The two returned to Tyler’s room and made their way to the main hall. He saw the huskarls seated at a table near the door. Probably waiting for him, he noted. They joined the two warriors. Though Jorund took it with his usual stolid demeanor, Habrok was visibly surprised to see the mage approach them from inside the inn. The two warriors stood up.

  “Good evening, Sire,” greeted Jorund. Habrok followed suit.

  “Good evening, men,” replied Tyler, motioning for them to sit down.

  “I hope the King had been a hospitable host?” asked the mage.

  “That he was, Sire. Kept us up all night asking about city defense, matters of war, and the like. Habrok was a bit upset when he was not allowed to get drunk,” replied Jorund.

  “Not upset. Disappointed. Nothing like a good plastering to ease the mind after a day’s hard work,” commented Habrok.

  “And a good hangover to waste the next day’s work,” replied Jorund.

  Tyler chuckled. The two still are the same warriors he knew back in Skaney. A good thing. All their experiences have not changed their outlook a bit. He turned to Jorund.

  “What’s your assessment of the city’s defenses, Jorund?”

  “It’s a joke, Sire. From what I could see, most of the defenses were erected during the early stages of the city’s development. The tall walls only cover the areas near the city gates, of which there are three. The rest are low stone walls with wooden fences. The design of the walls was more to keep intruders out than for a full defense against a siege. There are a few defensive positions on the walls. Two elderly counter-siege catapults. And the stone walls are in poor condition. In many places, shacks and temporary business structures hindered access to the walls. They’re built right up to the walls in fact.”

  “That bad?” asked Tyler.

  “That any walls exist at all is the good part. And the armory is full of rusted weapons and armor,” answered Jorund.

  “What have you done so far?”

  “I have given instructions for the areas near the wall to be cleared and repairs to be made. But the temporary structures nearby are still fire hazards. Additional defensive positions are going to be built. I have stonemasons gather materials already. We will see if we can improve on the low walls. I also got the men to start cleaning weapons and armor. The King knows my observations. Got really mad at his predecessors.”

  “How about you, Habrok?” queried Tyler.

  “It’s going to be a tough job, Sire. A bunch of naked women with sticks will be a better distraction for attacking enemies. A few bowmen could hit their targets at 100 feet. Fewer at 200, and none at 300. Started converting the slingers to javelinmen. But for now, they throw javelins like they’re throwing flowers. A lot of work, Sire.”

  Despite himself, the Habrokesque description of naked women waving sticks high up on the walls of the city stuck in Tyler’s mind. With some difficulty, he was able to erase the image.

  “How about the hoplites and other regular soldiers,” he asked Jorund. “What’s your assessment?”

  As Jorund started to answer, the doors of the inn slammed open. A loud female voice shouted.

  “HABROK!”

  The four looked at the door. A woman was standing there, a throwing axe in her hand. She threw the axe at Habrok.

  Tyler instinctively flung a barrier between Habrok and the incoming axe. It was thrown with considerable force as he felt the impact on the shield. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Habrok was already gone. Hiding under the table. The man is fast, the thought crossed his mind.

  With a loud battle scream, the woman unsheathed two swords from her back and rushed the table. She’s faster, the involuntary observation came unbidden to Tyler. Indeed, she was, as in the span of two seconds, she was nearly at their table.

  “HOLD!” shouted Tyler.

  The shout momentarily froze everyone. Tyler could see the wave of energy rolling around him as a result of it. Greatly surprised, he took the chance of asking X.

  “What was that, X?”

  “Congratulations, Elder. You’re now an apprentice Elder mage.”

  “Huh?”

  “That shout reflected your ability to impose your will on your surroundings. A minuscule start, but a start nonetheless.”

  “Thanks, X! But I still have a situation here!”

  He could see the energy wave slowly disappearing. And the movements of the people around him were coming back, though slowly, in proportion to the remaining mass of energy. The woman was closing in.

  He was about to fling several blades at her when he heard Dionysus.

  “Astrid?”

  He stopped. Thinking quickly, he encased the onrushing Valkyrie in a force box, top open. With a loud impact, she slammed into it. Holding her two swords, she halted and looked at all of them. The lust to kill was blazing in her eyes. Her nose was bleeding.

  Jorund had already stood up and was in front of the table, his battle axe at the ready. Dionysus was standing behind Tyler who was the one left sitting on the table. He slowly stood up.

  “Calm down, warrior, before I do something permanent to you,” he said. “I gather you’re Astrid? From Skaney?”

  Hearing her name, the woman took a deep breath and calmed down. A bit. Though the swords were still gripped in her hands.

  “I am. And who may you be?”

  “I am the mage you have been sent to serve. I am Havard,” Tyler answered.

  At that, the woman sheathed her swords and wiped the blood off her face.

  “You do appear to be a mage. I apologize to you and Master Dio. I didn’t see him at first. But this man Habrok and I have something to settle first!”

  “That man is one of my huskarls. He has served me well. You will be working with him,” said Tyler.

  “Work with him? I’d rather slit his throat first. After I pluck out his eyes and cut off his equipment!”

  “Then back to Skaney with you then, I have no time for private vendettas. Move against Habrok though and you will wish you were dead,” said Tyler, his voice firm and tinged with a deadly threat. He had no compunctions about killing the warrior, whatever her reasons were. Her deadly, sudden, and upsetting entrance had rapidly drained what remained of his patience.

  The few people in the main hall were staring at them. The barkeep, an unfamiliar face to Tyler, had his big mace out. Eleos must still be recovering, he surmised.

  “Valkyries. Told you all they know is hack and slash. Add cut to that. Cutting off a man’s equipment, plucking eyes, slitting throats. Bloodthirsty women! But a pretty one too,” whispered Dionysus.

  “Make up your mind right now! You are disturbing an imp
ortant discussion and wasting my time!” said Tyler, his voice rising. He noticed his patience was low as of late. He blamed the stress but Astrid’s actions were unacceptable.

  Astrid lowered her head. From the trembling frame, he deduced either she’s crying or she’s trying to control her battle lust.

  “I will serve, my Lord,” finally said Astrid. As she raised her head, Tyler saw her tear-streaked face. Now, what the hell did Habrok do to have Astrid after him? He wondered.

  “Remove first all your weapons and put them beside the door. Then join us.” Tyler dissolved the box barrier.

  Astrid went to a place behind the door and started removing her weapons. Two short swords which looked to be Grecian xiphos variants, two long knives from sheaths attached to her belt, a boot knife, and one throwing axe. She looked back.

  “My javelins and my shield are back in my room.”

  Loaded for bear too, Tyler thought.

  “Come, join us. But give me your word not to take any action against Habrok or any of us. We will deal with the details of your service later.”

  "You have my word as a Valkyrie, my Lord."

  Habrok came out of hiding and resumed sitting. He looked pale. Astrid took a seat at the head of the table, though her back was to the door. The few guests of the inn had all moved to the corner tables, expecting a bloody fight. When they saw nothing was going to happen, they all sat down and continued drinking. But they kept to the corner tables.

  “Habrok, move to this side of the table,” Tyler indicated the place beside Dionysus, a seat where he could watch the door. “Astrid, sit beside Jorund. I won’t have you sitting with your back to the door. Never a good idea.”

  After the changes in seating arrangement had taken place, he looked at Astrid. The Valkyrie had cleaned her face. She does look pretty, observed Tyler. Blond hair tied at the back and Nordic features perfectly complemented with Grecian ones. Tall with blue eyes. With not too defined muscles. Clenched expression. But I am not surprised about that.

  “Now, before we continue, let me ask Astrid first. What were your instructions and what do you know of what you’re getting into?”

  “Only to seek you out and offer you my services, my Lord. On the situation, nothing was mentioned.”