Chapter 29
“Maybe this is a good thing.” Says Sander swinging back and forth as he hangs from the pole they’re going to cook him on.
“Oh definitely, just look on the bright side we’ve been invited to dinner and as a bonus they don’t even have to marinade you with the amount of alcohol you’ve drank.” Sevrrir says sarcastically. “Now hang on your death stick and shut up.”
“I swear every time we get in a situation where we are facing impending death you get grouchy.” Sander replies shaking his head in disappointment.
“Shut up, shut up, shut up! Drink your wine or something!” Yells Sevrrir.
“I would if I could but they took my flask, my precious life giving flask! Of all the tortures on heaven or earth why?! Come to me flask! Come to me!” Sobs Sander.
“I was thinking the same thing, why am I being tortured by having to listen to you two quibble like an old married couple, now both of you shut up so I can go back to sleep this rocking back and forth is great.” Snaps Vasos.
“Silence you godless dogs!” Yells the captain of the guards leveling his spear at Vasos.
“Hey watch it with the name calling pal, there’s no need for foul language.” Retorts Sevrrir.
“Yeah he’s a pussy cat, calling him a dog is like calling me…sober.” Sander chimes in.
“I said silence!” He yells again hitting Vasos in the face with the butt of his spear.
“Touch me again and I’ll kill you!” Growls Vasos losing his temper for the moment.
“Are you sure about this plan to let them capture us Vasos? They don’t seem to be in the spirit of things.” Inquires Sevrrir staring at the guard and then his bonds.
“I’m sure my friend, this is the best way to handle things, I’m not looking to get in a fight here if we don’t have to, no matter how tempting they make it.” He replies calmly.
“If you say so.” Sevrrir mutters.
“If we ever need to escape we know we can and that’s what matters.”
As the group enters the small village they are amazed at how well built and organized it is. Each house is well built from wood and brick with a main road leading up to a small castle that is stone and metal gleaming with power all its own. Painted on every wall are designs of people and places that Vasos doesn’t recognize, they are familiar but he can’t quite place them. Around the city itself is a giant wall ten feet high and three feet wide, walking back and forth across the top of the wall are men dressed in white robes and carrying staffs.
“Magicians.” Notices Sander.
“Hecate followers?” Muses Vasos.
“Who knows they could be following any number of gods or goddesses.” Adds Sevrrir.
“Guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Considers Vasos as they place them up right and facing the front of the castle doors.
A man standing nearby speaks to the captain in a strange language for a moment and then heads to a gong hitting it as hard as he can. The sound reverberates through the village for a moment as everyone drops to their knees in reverence.
Finally the double doors swing open reveling a young beautiful woman sitting on a lectus chair carried by four large men. Her pure black eyes look mildly amused at the sight of the three men tied to the poles, her lips are ruby red and inviting as she smiles slightly. Her vibrant blonde hair is braded perfectly interwoven with silver and so long it reaches her ankles. Her clothes are strange to Vasos, she’s wearing a pure white skirt and a matching top that leaves her arms exposed but is tight against her breasts. Overlaying her top is a large gold chest piece that has bird and snake designs on it. Adorning her arms are matching gold armlets that are beautiful.
“Who are these men Adofo?” She questions the captain in a soft sweet voice.
“These three men were found in the lake after the great wave we saw from the village, they claim to not be responsible for it.”
“Hmm speak strangers and explain how you came to be in our lake.” She calmly demands.
“Great queen, we are traveling to Rhodes by order of the gods. During our journey two sea gods began to fight, their powers caused the sea to rise up destroy our ship and deposit us in your lake.” Answers Vasos.
After he finishes Selene closes her eyes for a long time as if listening to the wind.
Finally she opens her eyes focusing on Vasos. “The goddess tells me that there is more to your story then you have let on, I will give you one more chance to tell me everything but if you dare hold anything back again my men will feast upon you tonight.”
Staring at her for a moment Vasos takes the chance instead of fighting. “I am Vasos son of Aphrodite, to my left is Sevrrir son of Heimdall and to the right is Sander son of Dionysus. As I said we have been sent on two quests the first of which takes us to Rhodes. We had planned to stop here in any case to resupply and search for you great queen, along our travels we stopped in Argos and overthrew the evil Relious and by order of the gods Temenos took the throne. King Temenos asked us to find you when we stopped here and if we did ask you to return to the kingdom to rule by his side if you choose but the choice must be yours.”
Again Selene closes her eyes for a bit before answering. “A strange development, I do not know why the goddess has kept this from me until now but it is not for me to question. Adofo, take a hunting party into the forest and kill what you find. Tonight we will honor our guests as is our custom when a guest of honor arrives, now cut them loose.”
The captain obeys without hesitation eyeing the three of them as he hands them back their things.
“Now if you would follow me gentlemen there is much we have to discuss.” Demands the queen as she heads back into the castle.
Silently the three of them follow her into the lavishly decorated place, all manner of comforts are provided and the moment they enter they can feel the power of the place.
Without a doubt Vasos knows there is a great power invisibly watching them all. “May I ask which goddess it is you serve?”
Turning around she answers. “She has forbidden you to know until the time is right.”
“Any idea when that might be?” Asks Sevrrir clearly annoyed.
“She will decide to revel it to Vasos when the time right.” She states.
“Wonderful.” Says Sander.
“How is that wonderful?” Questions Sevrrir.
“Not the answer, my wine!” He answers taking a drink of his flask.
“You are awfully quiet Vasos have you nothing to ask me?” Selene asks.
“I will ask you questions when the time is right Queen Selene.” He answers.
After another minute the group enters a large chamber filled with giant pillow chairs surrounding a marble table.
As she gingerly steps out of her lectus she seats herself at the head of the table. “Please join me, dinner will be along shortly.”
Reluctantly the three of them sit at the table in silence.
“Now Vasos what is it that you would have of me?” She asks somberly.
“I would ask that you aid us in the next leg of our journey by providing a ship if you have one and if not allow us to fashion one from materials you have here on the island. Also I would ask if you have decided to stay here or return to Argos.” He answers with a slight bow.
“It is the will of the goddess I must follow; when first I was sent from my home our ship was attacked. I prayed to the gods but they did not smite my enemies and as the ship sank death was close so I prayed one final time, only one goddess answered and from that day on I pledged my life to her.”
“And what does the goddess tell you now?” Questions Sevrrir.
“She has told me that I will help you build a fine ship for the journey and supply it, also I will return to Argos and marry Temenos if he will have me. She told me that I must return to Hera and Zeus’ sight and let them know what she has done for me.”
“That’s great!” Slurs Sander.
“There is a catch.” She grins.
“There alw
ays is.” Sighs Vasos. “Let’s hear it.”
“The goddess has said that all this will be done if you grant her a favor in return to be used and called upon whenever she chooses.”
“That’s not good.” Chimes in Sevrrir.
“I’m wondering what happens if we refuse to give the favor.” Vasos states with an eyebrow raised.
“If you refuse I will stay here and you will receive no help from us what so ever, you will not be allowed to use anything here or take any food or water of ours. You will not be held prisoner but you may not stay here either you will be given one day to leave and never return.” She responds.
“I see and when will she demand this favor be fulfilled?” Questions Vasos.
“She has said you will not be called upon until after you have completed the two quests that you’re on.”
“Then you must give me time to decide and confer with my comrade” Answers Vasos.
“We’ll agree won’t we Sevrrir?”
“It isn’t us that Vasos wishes to confer with Sander.” He replies. “It will be called upon after these two quests are finished, remember that after these two quests are finished it will be he and Kol on two others.”
“My friend speaks the truth, if it were just up to me I would agree but Kol has already been placed in danger on my account. If I am to approve, it will only be with him agreeing.”
“What makes you think you would be in danger?” She questions innocently.
“Anytime one of the gods wants a favor it doesn’t bode well for the person involved in my experience.” He answers.
“And how do you plan to contact Kol?”
“There was a golden bird with us on our ship it must be on your island somewhere if you would allow us to find it I will get his answer quickly.” He smiles.
“My men have already found the bird and brought it back to the castle, I will have it brought here immediately.” With a wave of her hand a servant runs off and minutes later returns carrying the banged up automaton.
“Thank you your majesty.” Thanks Vasos taking the bird and sitting it on the table in front of him.
“Would you like me to leave?” She questions kindly.
“That is not necessary your majesty.” He responds happily pressing the button. “Kol, I hope this message finds you alive and well, we are worried that you may have been injured. I’m counting on you being as tough as I think you are. If you are okay I need you to respond to this message as soon as possible, with the help you sent we survived another attack and informed Poseidon of Ares’ treachery. We made it to Melos but lost our ship and supplies in the process once here we found Queen Selene whom we were asked to look for along our way, turns out that she is beholden to a goddess. In exchange for providing us with a new ship and supplies as well as returning to Argos to marry the king who sent us, she has been told that I must owe a favor to her goddess to be called upon whenever and wherever she pleases. She will not say which goddess she is tied to but she has assured us that it will not be called upon until we finish the first two quests. That being the case it will be just the two of us but I don’t want you to be put in anymore danger on my part so if you don’t want me to say yes I won’t. If we choose to say no they will give us one day to leave their island, whatever you choose I will honor that decision.” He finishes pressing the button again.
As they watch the bird heads out of the nearest window and then shoots into the sky.
“While we wait you will be our honored guests please enjoy the food and take your fill of rest.” Smiles Selene.
Immortals Children Of The Gods Page 29