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“I ask you, dear daughter, to credit this deed towards Phorcys’ debt. Detract this favor from the girls’ time in your service. Then you keep your precious servant for some time yet – a reasonable time, mind you. Poseidon, you have given Phorcys favor, albeit less than what he asked. When Athena releases this priestess, you may give her immortality. Phorcys should be well pleased and remain loyal to the Gods.” Zeus shrugged, laughing. “If he is not then he may return to Hades in the Underworld. I think that would silence any of his protests.”
General laughter filled the Council Chamber, but Poseidon cared little as he caught sight of his niece. Athena sat back with a smug smile. Her eyes narrowed as she regarded him with pleasure.
Poseidon shook his head. He had no quarrel with Athena, not really, not this time. But she gleefully poked at his pride. She loved nothing so much as to assert herself above him with Zeus – preferably in front of all who sat upon Olympus.
He could not bear it. It galled him further when she stooped, whispering to the women. She would lord this over him for some time yet.
Unless he managed to challenge this, she would needle him at every turn.
So he would steal the taste of victory from her and leave the flavor of bitter defeat instead. He pondered this while the others began to talk amongst themselves.
Once Zeus decided a matter, they were free to go. And, for those gathered, the matter was done. Talk of war, Sparta, and Athena’s new temple continued about him.
Poseidon lingered, his mind at work, waiting until his brother was free from the others’ ears.
“She has an iron will,” Poseidon said when they were alone. He stood at his brother’s side, a rueful smile set on his face.
Zeus shrugged. “A trait that runs in the family.”
“If her will is wrong?” Poseidon asked with narrowed eyes. He took care, feigning a serious and concerned air.
Zeus regarded him closely. “This is more than a dispute between the two of you?”
No. Poseidon inclined his head, continuing with his pretext of concern. “Phorcys proved himself a fine warrior. None is more surprised than I. But the Persians threaten Athens by sea, and his actions show his fealty to us. Peace between the Gods and the Titans will help the mortals as this conflict with the Persians unfurls. They will need us, as you said, an
d peace on our part ensures aid when needed.”
Zeus considered the words. “You think Phorcys would deny assistance?”
Poseidon did not. He knew Phorcys to be loyal, if selfish. In truth Phorcys was an exception among the titans for he lacked the cunning and strategy of his peers. The cause of this gripe had no bearing on the impending war. But Poseidon could not admit as much.
Phorcys’ wife wanted her daughter home. True, it was not because she was distraught over being separated from her child – Ceto wanted to marry their mortal daughter well and provide them with the grandchildren her other monstrous Gorgon children could not. It was a trivial thing, of no import to Olympus or Athens. But Poseidon knew such truths would hardly help his efforts to foil his niece’s victory.
“I, for one, believe that we should make and keep our allies where we can. As this war will occupy the seas, Phorcys will be a mighty ally.” Poseidon paused for effect, looking thoughtful as he met his older brother’s eyes. “But perhaps Athena’s temper is a greater threat? This mortal girl must be an uncommon priestess indeed for Athena to hold her so tightly, and on the eve of war.”
Poseidon watched Zeus’ face harden. Zeus paused, taking a deep breath. “Go, learn what you can. We’ve enough to occupy our time and attention without this Medusa upsetting the order on Olympus.”
Poseidon nodded, repressing his triumphant smile until he left the Council Chamber. Athena would lose this challenge. He would make sure of it.
Chapter Three
The sky was still black. Only the faintest streaks of light glimmered along the distant horizon. Medusa slipped from the house with her cloak pulled tightly about her, a bundle in her hand. The morning was crisp without the sun to warm the air and color the sky.
But soon the day would begin – a day that promised distraction from her worries.
She wandered through her uncle’s garden, absently rubbing the leaf of a fig tree between finger and thumb. A sleepy lark chirped in protest as her fingers released the limb, bouncing the lark’s nest.
She smiled at the bird, whispering, “Forgive me for waking your brood.”
The high-pitched squeaks of the larks fledglings split the morning. The bird cocked her head at Medusa in a contemplative manner.
Medusa laughed softly. “I’m not sure I’d forgive me either, little mother, for shattering your rest.”
The bird turned her attention to her chicks, leaving Medusa to her thoughts once more. Her gaze wandered across the yard, lingering on the dark guards’ house. He would not be awake yet, for all were abed at this hour.
But her mind had refused her rest. Uneasy thoughts plagued her, spiraling about until she was more exhausted than before she’d lain upon her mat. There seemed little point in staying within the walls of her room when her mind might be better occupied without. Yet, now that she’d ventured out into the relative tranquility of the morning, she felt no relief from her inner tempest.
While she contemplated a long hike, she knew wandering off on her own would cause distress to her aunt and uncle. She’d caused enough turmoil without adding to it.
