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Clearly the diminutive queen expected to be followed, and Helen was too delighted to escape the dreary cell to argue. She wondered if Aethra would strive to simplify her own life by ordering her to do whatever she would eagerly do anyway.
Aethra led her out through the aule, the outer courtyard, and into the vegetable garden. She sat upon a stone bench and patted the place beside her. Grateful to be outside, Helen took a deep breath. The herbs growing nearby lent a hint of mint to the air.
"Does Theseus force you to live in this wretched cold fortress?" Helen asked.
"No, of course not, but he had need of me here. Fortunately, lust does not rule my actions, and we should get along well, if you'll choose to be civil."
No advantage would be gained from an angry outburst, and Helen moderated her tone, "Don't ask me to forget, or forgive, how I came to be here."
Aethra regarded her with a curious gaze. "You're as appealing as the goddess Aphrodite herself and should never be left unguarded. Don't blame my son for taking advantage as any virile man would."
Helen stood to walk the path circling the garden. She knew men thought her pretty, but it was no excuse for ill treatment. "If lust rules your son's temperament, then he's the one who requires a guard." To her complete amazement, Aethra raised a pale hand to stifle a light-hearted giggle.
"All men lust after a comely wench. Has your mother not taught you as much?" Aethra asked.
Leda had attempted to teach her a great many things, but unfortunately, that didn't mean she had learned them. "No, she did not, but from what I've seen, Spartan men are far superior to those of Athens."
Aethra rose to walk with her. "The same fiery blood flows in all men's veins. Now let's enjoy the day in a companionable silence."
Helen was delighted to walk and keep her own counsel while she clung to the hope someone would come for her soon. She imagined a whole army of bronze-clad warriors swinging their swords and shouting her name and storming the fortress.
* * *
Castor and Pollux followed their father's orders only in part. They took a fast ship rowed by twenty men, but those men were skilled warriors as well. With their sail raised for speed, they made their way down the Eurotus River and into the Gulf of Lakoia. From there, they followed the shoreline around the Cape of Malea and into the Gulf of Argolis. Always remaining within sight of land, when it grew dark, they steered the sleek ship into shore. They had brought rations for the voyage, but ate sparingly to make them last. At dawn, Castor and Pollux roamed inland to question everyone who frequented the shore and found Theseus had passed that way.
"The ship is a beauty," one fisherman swore. "I saw it once years ago, but it's still as fine a craft. Theseus was seated in the prow with a woman across his lap. A cloak shielded her face, but he would not have taken an ugly girl."
"At least she was not lashed to the mast," Pollux murmured under his breath. He paid the fellow, and they continued their journey, gathering information from every possible source. Athens lay on the other side of the Saronic Gulf, but a mention of a fortress at Dekelia intrigued them. When they finally brought their ship to shore above the village, Castor and Pollux entered alone.
Fishermen tending their nets saw few highborn men and recognized the brothers as people of importance from their fine garments, proud posture and confident stride. One made a low bow.
Castor greeted them with a ready grin. "We're seeking Theseus. Is it true he's in the fortress?"
The youngest of the fishermen stepped forward. "He was here, but he and his guard have sailed on another adventure."
Pollux swore angrily. "We'd wished to join him. Did you see a young woman with him when he left?"
The fishermen exchanged anxious glances before the youth continued. "He arrived with one, but allowed no one to see her. She wasn't with him when he sailed away."
Castor thanked them for being so helpful and after extracting a promise of secrecy, placed a few gold beads in their hands. "Come brother, let's be on our way."
Pollux followed and waited until they would not be overheard to speak. "It sounds as though Helen is a captive within the fortress, but Theseus would have taken his best men with him wherever he was bound, and there can be few left to guard her."
Castor nodded. "They'll be careless with him away and probably drunk every night. We can storm the fortress and free her in the morning while those fools will still be asleep on their beds."
"I want a closer look," Pollux replied. He led Castor onto a nearby rise where they could study the fortress. There was such little activity to observe, however, they soon ended their surveillance and returned to their ship.
* * *
That evening, Aethra invited Helen to dine in her chamber. The room was furnished for a woman of her status and lit by oil lamps. They sat upon royal chairs piled with thick cushions and the low tripod tables were spread with fare far finer than Helen had been given there earlier. The fish baked in bay leaves was quite good, but she had little appetite. She sampled a fig and stifled a yawn as the older woman bragged of Theseus's bravery.
"Where has be gone?" Helen asked, as though it were of little concern while she was counting the days until she could escape him for good.
Aethra smiled as though he had already returned. "He's gone to rescue the goddess Demeter's daughter, Persephone. She's been kidnapped by Hades and taken to his Underworld, the Kingdom of the Dead."
Helen sat up straight. "He's brazenly kidnapped me, and now gone to rescue a girl Hades took against her will? How can he oppose behavior that's as vile as his own? How can he possibly justify his actions?"
"More wine?" Aethra asked, ignoring Helen's outrage.
