It made him want to take as long as possible to round up this rampaging pig.Spending the day tromping across this beautiful island with her at his side sounded like a pleasant way to pass time.Besides, he likely would never have another chance to explore this island, considering the rule against men.Win or lose, he would be banished from this island forever once these trials were over.
He set off deeper into the forest, and Ariadne fell into step with him.Or, at least, as much as she could as they wound their way between trees and pushed through stands of thick undergrowth.
After a few minutes, Theseus stumbled from the brush onto a pebbled path.He glanced up and down the path, sighing when the left side of the path paralleled the thick forest he had been fighting his way through.
He pointed at the path.“You could have mentioned that there was an easier way.”
Ariadne smirked, brushing dirt and leaves from her white dress.“Where would be the fun in that?This is supposed to be a trial, after all, not an easy stroll.”
She had a point, but he wasn’t going to let it go that easily, even if he wasn’t truly angry.“Is there anything wrong with following the path now?”
Her smirk didn’t falter.If anything, her eyes twinkled more.
Not a good sign.Would the swordmaidens lay traps on the trails on their island?
Wrong question.Of course they would.The better questions would be, what kind of traps had they laid and how could he spot them?
“What should I look out for?”
“The usual.A few trip wires, hidden pits with spikes at the bottom, swinging logs.That sort of thing.”Ariadne shrugged, as if strolling down a trail littered with deadly snares wasn’t a big deal.
Theseus didn’t dare even shuffle his feet, knowing how dangerous this was.And he had been blithely bumbling through the forest a moment ago.Was the forest as deadly as the path?He twisted to better face Ariadne while keeping his feet planted where they were.“If I asked nicely, would you warn me before I step into any traps?”
“Maybe.Maybe not.”Ariadne started off down the path deeper into the island.
It wasn’t the most reassuring answer.But Theseus hurried after her, trying to step where she stepped and move when she moved.When she switched to walking on the far left side of the path, he did the same.When she stepped higher, he did too, barely spotting the thin trip wire as he cleared it.
She strode with such purpose and ease that he suspected the swordmaidens must train frequently along this path.Perhaps they took it at a full run, each snare memorized through practice.
After about a mile of walking, taking several branching paths, Ariadne halted.As she did, Theseus also heard the snuffling, grunting, squealing sounds from ahead.
The undergrowth shook before a massive animal burst from the trees.It was covered in dark gray, wiry fur with gleaming tusks curving out of either side of its mouth.Its sloping back was as tall as Theseus was, its head level with his chest and so large that his torso would fit inside its mouth.
That mouth gaped open, showing jagged teeth, as the giant pig bellowed.Still bellowing, it charged straight at Ariadne and Theseus.
Ariadne dove from the path, and Theseus threw himself after her a heartbeat later.He rolled, scrambling behind a large rock.The ground shuddered as the giant pig thundered past.It plowed right through a trip wire, and a log swung from the forest and bumped into the pig’s side.The pig squealed but didn’t slow.
Theseus touched the rope he still had slung over his shoulder.“Queen Hippolyta gave me this rope as a joke, didn’t she?It isn’t going to do much against that monster.A magic lasso would be rather useful right now.”
Ariadne peeked over the rock, grimacing.“Sorry.No magic rope.”
Even if Theseus managed to get this rope around the pig’s neck, that creature was stronger and heavier than he was and would drag him all over the forest until his skin was stripped from his body.Not a pleasant way to die.
That meant he needed another plan.
He peered over the rock alongside Ariadne.The pig seemingly had forgotten them and crashed about the brush, tearing up saplings and trampling ferns.
What had caused the creature to become so angry?Perhaps it was merely a monster, bent on destroying everything and everyone in its path.But usually monsters targeted people, hunting them down wherever they could find them.Yet this pig was largely ignoring them, except for the moment when they had drawn its attention.
A creature—a monstrous creature, even—but not truly a monster from the Realm of Monsters.
Then what was causing this giant pig to go on a rampage?Animals normally didn’t carry this kind of sustained anger, though wild pigs were known to be more ornery than most.
What Theseus wouldn’t give for a few hours to consult with the Great Library.The librarians there would have all the information he would need within a few minutes if he asked.How was he supposed to come up with a proper plan without that information at his fingertips?
As the giant pig thrashed through the brush closer to them, Theseus studied it as closely as he could manage while the animal bellowed and charged random trees.If he couldn’t research at the Great Library, then he would have to go with good old-fashioned observation.
There wasn’t much to see.It was a standard wild pig.Dark bristles.Tusks.Chunky body.Just really, really huge.
