Chapter 21
“People of Argos, I have great and wonderful news, finally we are free of the tyrant Relious!” The people explode with cheering so loud that the entire city shakes.
“By order of Zeus and Hera we now have a wonderful and generous king. It is my pleasure to introduce Temenos!” Yells Thadin.
Thadin steps aside with a bow as Temenos walks to the edge of the balcony greeting the people who cheer again with deafening sound.
“Wonderful people of Argos, you have long been wronged and although I can’t erase the pain you have felt in the past, what I can do is make sure that it never happens again and from this day on I promise that you will hence forth be treated fairly and with respect, I will always endeavor to do my best and make our kingdom rich where no family goes without.” Shouts Temenos.
The crowd goes crazy cheering “loudly long live the king!”
After a few moments of basking in their praise Temenos raises his hands for quiet, slowly the crowd quiets down enough for him to speak again as Vasos walks up to stand next to the king.
“My people, I’d like you to meet the man who made this all possible, Vasos the son of Aphrodite was the one that delivered you from the evil that plagued this city. He has asked with my permission and that of the gods to punish Relious in single combat to the death for all of you to see, Vasos’ siblings over the years were lured to the city and killed by Relious so I have agreed that he will avenge both his family and the citizens of this city!”
The people cheer as Vasos waves to them chanting long live Vasos the avenger!
“People of Argos are you ready for the battle?” He roars.
They erupt in response demanding justice.
“Then since you have spoken with the permission of the king I will meet the traitor right now!” Vasos responds turning to the king waiting for his judgment.
“I agree! In the city square right now the match will begin!” He yells.
Caught in the moment Vasos runs out of the castle heading to the city square with the crowd around him cheering and patting his back. After a few minutes they enter the square where Relious is waiting in chains, already he is affecting the people again as small skirmishes begin to break out here and there.
“Enough of your tricks traitor!” Vasos says pointing his sword at Relious.
Reaching out with his own gifts he calms the crowd countering Relious.
“It was a mistake facing me in single combat Vasos, I have been trained my whole life by Ares in every weapon including hand to hand combat. You haven’t got a snowballs chance in Hades of beating me!” Laughs Relious wildly grabbing a sword from a nearby soldier.
“Come then and show me your prowess.” Replies Vasos evenly.
With a speed that comes from a life time of training Relious closes the distance between them feigning a stab at Vasos’ chest then switches to slash at his head, the move is so perfect, so gracefully fast that most of the crowd doesn’t even see it happen and in that moment those that do see it know that Vasos is a dead man.
As his sword is buried hilt deep through Relious’ back Vasos leans forward whispering in his ear. “It’s a shame for you that Ares didn’t teach you to never underestimate your opponent the way Athena taught me. It was all too easy for me to see your move coming a mile away and while you over extended your thrust I flipped into the air over your head landing behind you before you could recover. Now you know how you lost so it will haunt you forevermore in the afterlife and as my finally act to disgrace you I will take your eyes so you will wander the underworld blind, I will carve my name into your chest and everyone will forever know the people of Argos and the children of Aphrodite were avenged by Vasos.”
As Vasos finishes carving his name into Relious the crowd has mixed feelings at the brutality of the act.
“People of Argos you have been avenged.” Vasos says walking back to the king halfheartedly.
Silently the crowd stares at Relious in awe.
“Did I go too far?” Vasos whispers to Temenos.
“No my friend, you did what needed to be done. You have avenged your family and these people.”
“What happens now?” He questions.
Raising his voice for the people to hear Temenos answers. “Now that the people and your family have been avenged we will celebrate! Open the stores of food kept at the castle and create a feast that the gods will approve of. Guards take the body away and perform the rest of the burial rights leaving him to his fate in the underworld.”
The crowd starts to cheer but suddenly stops standing quietly as the crowd parts calmly reveling Sevrrir and Sander walking towards Vasos.
“It just wouldn’t be a party without me.” Yawns Sander.
“Do you think you could stay awake long enough for a party?” Huffs Sevrrir shoving him a little.
“Who could fall asleep with your annoying voice around?” Questions Sander tripping him with a vine.
Stumbling a bit Sevrrir turns to him with his fist cocked back to punch him in the face.
“King Temenos allow me to introduce my two friends and colleges, Sevrrir demigod son of Heimdall and Sander demigod son of Dionysus.” Vasos interrupts before the two of them start fighting.
“Clearly you have a story to tell us Vasos, when last we saw you there was a different king here.” Smiles Sevrrir walking up and shaking his hand vigorously. “A pleasure to meet you King Temenos.”
“Yes it’s all very nice but didn’t I hear someone say something about a party?” Questions Sander insistently.
With an enthusiastic laugh the King walks up to Sander patting him on the back vigorously. “Indeed I did, tell me young man what can you do for us? I have a feeling when it comes to a party you’re the man to talk to.”
“Sit back and watch this my king.” Sander replies rolling up his sleeves.
Putting his fingers to his temples in over exaggeration Sander begins concentrating, suddenly he stretches his hand forward towards the fountain in the square turning the water into wine. Then spinning in a circle he waves his hands over the crowd, instantly joy and happiness swell in their hearts making them want to dance and party like never before.
“Vasos if you would be so kind?” Winks Sander.
“What?” Asks Vasos clearly baffled.
“What say you reach out to the crowd and use your own powers to make the people feel love for their kingdom, themselves and each other.” He says taking a drink of his flask.
“What do you think your majesty?” Questions Vasos amused at the thought.
“I see no harm in making the people even happier Vasos.” He replies feeling the effects from Sander himself.
“So it shall be.” Vasos winks waving his hands over the crowd himself and making them all feel love in different ways.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Yells Sander dancing with the crowd for a moment before noticing Sevrrir standing awkwardly to the side. “My gods look at you Sevrrir, I’ve seen dung piles with more personality. For once in your life what say you try a little something called socializing.”
“It’s going to be tuff for you to drink that flask with a broken jaw boy.” Snaps Sevrrir.
“Oh come on buddy there’s no way you’ll be able to do that, you’re going to be too busy dancing the day away!” Yells Sander focusing on Sevrrir so hard his nose starts to bleed.
Sevrrir tries to get Sander but right before he reaches him his body loses control bursting into dance against his will and pulling him into the crowd.
“What about you Mr. I’ve got a mission to do and nothing else matters?” Questions Sander walking up to Vasos and the king.
“Oh come on Sander that’s not true, it’s more like Mr. I’ll kick your butt so hard you can’t sit if you piss me off!” He retorts.
“What’s that?” Sander says putting his hand to his ear. “Oh it’s your personality I believe it said that it misses you terribly, but don’t you worry I’ll go and find it for you. I’ll start looking at
the fountain.” He says wandering off.
Before Vasos can say anything Sevrrir appears for a moment in front of him still dancing out of control so he looks like a puppet whose strings are being pulled by a drunk madman.
“Help me!” He pleads disappearing in the other direction.
“Would you excuse me for a moment your majesty?” Laughs Vasos.
“By all means my friend, but would you do me the honor of meeting me at the castle as soon as you wrangle your comrades?” He questions.
“We’ll be there shortly your majesty.” Vasos says running into the crowd.
“Sander! Sander!” He shouts looking around.
Out of nowhere Sevrrir dances towards Vasos looking beyond embarrassed as a beautiful young woman is dancing with him body to body.
With a simple look from Vasos the woman suddenly loses interest walking away from his friend at the same moment Sevrrir finally over comes Sanders spell on him.
“When I get a hold of that little twerp he’s dead.” Pants Sevrrir out of breath.
“Calm down, I could tell you were enjoying yourself.”
Flashing red Sevrrir looks around. “You won’t tell him will you?”
“Of course not, now help me find him.”
“No problem, I saw him standing by the fountain statue when I was dancing uncontrollably.”
“Joy, let’s get moving.” He says rushing through the crowd to the fountain.
“So then I told the guy if you mess with Vasos you mess with me!” Says Sander.
Running up Vasos looks around to see who Sander is talking to but doesn’t see anyone. “Who are you talking to?”
“Shhhh.” Sander says putting his finger to his lips confounding Vasos for a moment.
“What?”
Turning back to the statue Sander smiles. “I’m sorry miss but I need to talk to my friend here, this is the guy I was telling you about. He’s the best, not much to look at but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s the best.” Sander says slurring his words and falling into the fountain while trying to hug Vasos. “Some idiotic guy spilled his drink everywhere.”
“You’re talking to the statue?” Exclaims Sevrrir unable to believe it.
“Sevrrir, I didn’t see you there. You know what? I know that we’ve had our differences but let me make amends; I’ll introduce you to this lovely lady. She doesn’t talk a lot but man she is stacked, her stomach is flat and solid. Her breasts are firm. So what do you say?”
“No thanks Sander, she’s not my type.” He answers rolling his eyes.
“Hey no problem I’ll find a guy instead it’s cool I’m not judging.” Says Sander patting his back.
“What?! No!”
“Anyway come on Sander we’ve got plans.” Vasos says throwing him on his shoulder as they head towards the castle.
“But the party!” Sander yells stretching his hands towards the people still partying.
“Sevrrir if you would.” Vasos sighs.
“My pleasure, Sander this is going to hurt you more then it hurts me.” He says gleefully hitting Sander so hard in the head it shakes Vasos’ whole body.
“Was it really necessary to hit him that hard?” Sighs Vasos.
“Necessary? Of course not but it was fun.”
Dropping Sander’s limp body to the ground Vasos turns to stare at Sevrrir. “Listen, I understand you don’t like Sander and I even get a little kick out of you two wacky kids jabbing at one another, but I want it understood that we are a team in the end, when it comes to completing our quests all we have is each other. For better or worse we are a family, remember that when we go into battle, Sander has already proved that he will protect you, do the same for him.”
Looking ashamed, Sevrrir can’t meet Vasos’ eyes as he responds. “I understand Vasos and despite everything know that I would defend you both to the death and follow you into hell itself, you are my captain, my leader and my brother. So is the goofball drunk but if you ever repeat that to him I’ll deny everything.”
“Not to worry brother.” Smiles Vasos patting him on the back. “Now let’s collect our drunk and get moving, destiny awaits.”
A few minutes later the three of them are in the conference room with the king.
“What can we do for you King Temenos?” Asks Vasos sitting across from him.
“It’s what I can do for you, what can I do for the man that saved my life and won me my kingdom?” He answers.
“As it so happens my king we are in need of a ship to take us to Melos.”
“Not a problem Vasos, when do you plan to leave?”
“As soon as possible my liege.” He answers.
“Will you not stay for the rest of the celebration?” He frowns.
“I’m afraid not my lord, we have a long way to go yet.”
“I hate to ask another favor of you Vasos but I must, the gods reveled to me the truth of why Relious wanted the children of your mother to help him capture the young woman named Selene because she was the daughter of the original king of Argos, the captain of the guard spirited her away in the night when the king became ill. Relious had planned to find her and force her into marriage legitimizing his kingship.”
“I can see where this is going.” Sighs Sevrrir.
Hanging his head a little the king continues. “It’s true, if you would accept I would like you to find her and bring her back safely to the kingdom, I will not force her into anything but I believe she has the right to live here in safety and happiness it’s the least I can do for her.”
“Where is this woman?”
“It was reported that Relious found her in Melos.”
“On our journey when we stop there we will take some time to look, should we find her we will send her back with the ship.” Vasos states quieting Sevrrir with a look.
“Thank you my friend again I am in your debt, now let’s get your ship and a crew together for your journey.”
Immortals Children Of The Gods Page 21