Page 85 of Styx

‘Why are they staying here?’ I whispered.

He was an exceptionally irritating one

of the Potamoi, with big blue barnacles

that made up his beard and distracted

anyone talking to him. ‘They are here

to teach us how to fight,’ he replied.

‘To fight? Why—’ I was incredulous.

‘You are very dull.’ He was annoyed now.

‘And I have better things to do

than answer your questions.’

At that, he grasped a goblet of wine

and walked off to talk to another River God.

I turned to Asteria who looked at me

with an equally bemused expression.

Leto had taken Metis back to their palace

as it was best to keep Metis out of sight.

Asteria’s delicate hand was holding

a small chalice of nectar. She sipped it

as we watched the

chaos that was a feast for my family

from a comfortable distance

close to the door. In the centre of the hall,

I could see a throng that included our fathers.

‘Is that them?’ Asteria gestured.

I followed her gaze to two strangers.

They towered above everyone around them,

dark hair haloed with curls. It was not hard

to tell that they were brothers. One was built

bigger than the other and my guess was this

was Perses, the God of Destruction,