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“He is In-Between,” Apollo answered. “Hades has him, for safe keeping I think.”
Poseidon wondered at this announcement. Hades vowed never to meddle in the mortal realm. Hades came to Olympus so infrequently because he despised the sport his brethren made of mortals.
“Hades is sheltering Ariston?” Poseidon voiced.
“It astounds you that your brother would find some mercy for the man?” Aphrodite asked. “Have you all forgotten what this man has done? For Greece? And for his wife?”
Hera sighed. “No one has forgotten.”
Athena grew still. “He is a hero to Greece. And for that alone do I honor him.”
“A true warrior,” Ares agreed, “with a warrior’s heart.”
Poseidon nodded. “He was.” He knew so more than any other here. He could find no fault with the man. Though he’d never admit to it.
“How will we honor him?” Aphrodite asked.
Poseidon watched his fellow Olympians.
Zeus spoke, “Go to him, Aphrodite. Give him whatever he wishes.”
“One gift?” Aphrodite asked. “One gift for a champion of Greece? One who’s given his life twice for his country?”
Ares laughed. “What would you give him?”
Zeus’ voice boomed, expressing his irritation. “We have no time for this. Go, Aphrodite, give him two gifts, but nothing more. Hermes, you go to Perseus. His ship will reach the island soon.”
###
Finally, Perseus of Seriphos was here. It was his ship that was tied to the dock, she was sure.
He’d come for her head, though she knew little else about him.
This man, this would-be treasure hunter, was no different from the mighty Heliodoros or wild-eyed Nereus. And yet her companions had seen Heliodoros harden before he’d freed his giant hammer from the strap on his back.
Euryale had great fun smashing his towering figure into sand.
Nereus had given her pause. He moved with predatory grace, smiling as he saw her. She could admire his form, and his confidence. His statue had pitched forward and shattered, unbalanced as he’d been turned mid-run.
But when this ship appeared on the horizon, she’d sent her sisters to Crete, none the wiser. One plea for figs and cheese had so delighted them that they’d been almost giddy when they left.
She’d watched them go, bidding them silent good-byes.
She was glad she was alone. Whatever happened, she would have her sisters free from harm. After all they had done for her, she loved them too dearly to have them harmed.
The candle she lit flickered. A gentle sea breeze teased the flame higher, then near to sputtering out.
She felt strangely calm, even though the air about her pulsed with energy. The Gods had a hand in this, she could feel it.
Every creature on the island must have sensed it as well. The only sound to be heard was the wind.
The dog, Cerberus’ spawn, had begun to whimper at midday, when the ship was almost upon them. Now he paced back and forth before the temple’s crumbling entrance. His bay, hollow and deep, rose steadily again and again.
“Let him come for me,” she whispered.
She rested her hand upon Ariston’s head, caressing the angle of his jaw with trembling fingers. He’d been with her, like this, for more than a fortnight now. She would release him, now. “I pray for you, my love, for your freedom. Be happy. Be at peace.”
The growls deepened to barking. She stilled, listening.
