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“I am not Athena, Medusa. I am Hera. Did you not call for me?” The woman’s voice was sad.
“Forgive me, Goddess. Thea…” Medusa’s words trailed off. How happy she was to see her beloved Thea. And how desperately she wished her pet had not found her.
“Your pet did not come with me,” Hera said.
Thea landed on the ground, staring at Medusa with her huge yellow eyes as she cooed plaintively.
“Dear Thea.” Medusa smiled at her. “Stay where you are, little one. They would not take kindly to your affection.”
Indeed the snakes were stretching towards the owl with uninhibited aggression. Medusa pushed them back, ignoring the burning stab of their fangs as she did so.
“They bite you?” the Goddess asked with unrepressed horror.
“It’s a small thing – no more than a passing irritation. I am at their mercy too. Though the suffering they cause their victims is far more…cruel.” She paused. “If there were a way, if I had some warning to prevent their whims, I would control them.”
“But you cannot.” Hera regarded her with huge brown eyes. “So how will you protect this soldier?”
She drew a deep breath, knowing she had only one choice to guarantee this man’s safety. “I will leave. My sisters will give the children into his safe keeping.”
Hera moved forward, standing over Medusa. “If I agree, what do you offer me?”
“What would you have me do?”
Hera cocked her head. “You would you serve me? No matter what I ask of you?”
“I would,” she answered.
“Set thoughts of death aside. Your death, that is. I would have your companions punish those in need of punishment.”
Medusa shivered. “Who?”
“You will start here. There is a camp of Persians in the cove below. They wait for a ship that will not come.” Hera watched her closely. “These are the same men who left this path of death you’ve traveled with your sisters. The men who made these children you care for, and many more like them, into orphans. These men will set upon the warrior coming this way, and most assuredly kill him. Unless you unleash the power Athena has cursed you with.”
Medusa nodded once. Her curse had a purpose – justice. These men deserved death. “I will visit them this eve.”
The Goddess smiled. “Then you shall make your way to the caves on Crete. There you shall stay to deal with those sent to you. I give you my word both children will live long and healthy lives.”
“I thank you Hera, for your mercy. They are sweet and gentle children, deserving of love and protection.”
Hera continued, “Yes, yes. I have news that might lighten your heart.”
She asked, “Is there such news?”
“Your owl is not alone. She travels with the soldier, a hero of Salamis on a most desperate quest. He is looking for his wife.”
“A sad quest for a favored soldier.” Her words were soft. If Ariston had lived… No. Hera’s words could do nothing but bring her more sorrow. She did not want to hear of this man or his quest, she could not. Too much pain lived in her heart already.
“You would be surprised, I think, to know the rest of this man’s story.” Hera walked closer, watching the owl as it circled its mistress again and again. “He was injured on the seas, at Athens, struck dead by an infidel’s blade. But he would not rest, he bargained with Hades to come back.”
Medusa stared at Hera. “Why would he do such a thing? Surely rest in Elysium and glory on the battlefield are all any man desires?”
Hera nodded, “I agree, your words are wise. This soldier, however, does not agree. He left matters unfinished, matters he valued more than glory or rest, so it seems. His wife was seriously injured at Athens, her household cursed, and destroyed. He believed her in more danger still – and would protect her once more, if he could find her. But she was carted away by her sisters, before he could send any word to her of his return… Now he searches for his wife, knowing she believes him dead. For more than two moons now he has traveled across the countryside so that he might bring her home with him to Rhodes.”
Hera’s words filled her ears.
Her chest began to spasm unbearably.
Her heart, so broken she knew it would never beat properly, throbbed to life with sudden force.
