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The young woman – Elpis -- leapt onto the beach, a basket in her arms. She caught sight of Ariston and held the basket to him. “Here, hoplite, for you and your mistress.”
Ariston rose, taking the basket from the girl before she bounded into the water. She giggled as Medusa splashed her. They splashed and laughed until they were both squealing and dripping wet.
He turned away, suddenly wishing this adventure was behind him.
Though he was loyal to Athena, he was a man, young and virile. The sight of his lady, wet and lush, would be too much for even the most indifferent of men. The Gods were surely laughing down at him as he tried again to deny the hunger raging in his blood.
The air by his ear stirred suddenly, causing him to turn – alert once more. He was greeted by two yellow eyes. A regal owl sat on the rim of his shield.
It stared at him, clicked, and bobbed its head.
“Hello.” He grinned, amused by the animal’s behavior.
The owl cooed, its gaze narrowing to slits. It clicked again, then turned its attention to the women in the water. It made a series of small coos, as if pleased by the sight.
Ariston looked too. It was a lovely sight to behold. His blood warmed as he watched Medusa. The finely spun linen of her peplos clung to her curves. He turned, looking desperately for distraction.
“You were up with the sun,” Elpis spoke, still gasping from their antics.
“I slept not at all,” Medusa said.
“How could you? I’ve been haunted by their visit and I have yet to see them.”
Ariston shifted closer to hear them. Whatever troubled his lady, he would find it out.
“Tis a shame such terror is caused by those I call kin,” Medusa teased.
“What will you do?”
Ariston watched as his lady’s features changed, her earlier sadness returning. He felt the desire to go to her. Instead he leaned forward, fetching the water skin and shifting to better hear their conversation.
“There’s nothing I can do, Elpis.”
Elpis nodded. “Either choice has grievous consequences. My heart breaks for you, mistress.” The girl sounded close to tears.
Ariston watched as Medusa drew her companion to her, hugging her. “I have asked Athena. Surely the Goddess of Wisdom and Reason will know my path.”
“But to go against your parents?” Elpis gasped. “Against Poseidon? Or against Athena? Is the gravity of such decisions lost upon your good parents? If so, do they love you well enough? It is cruel, to leave such weighty matters on your delicate shoulders.”
Ariston sat frozen, the water skin gripped in his white-knuckled fists. What matter would place her at odds with not one, but two Olympians?
“Poseidon cares not. Why would he? But my father and mother…” Medusa sighed. “Titans are fearsome creatures. Their wrath is something I know, Elpis. And I fear for Athens, for her people, if my father is too displeased. I could not bear being the cause of such a disaster.” Medusa’s hands swirled in the water as she continued, “I will trust Athena’s guidance.”
Ariston stared at her, a knot of anxiety hardening his stomach.
Medusa splashed Elpis then, a gay smile chasing her gloom away. “I will swim, Elpis. Join me?”
Elpis splashed Medusa, making her mistress laugh with delight.
The owl at Ariston’s back cooed when Medusa laughed, making him smile up at the small bird. “It is the sound of joy, is it not, little one?” he whispered.
The bird’s eyes narrowed again and it clicked at him, softly, in reply.
“I may splash, but I do not swim. It’s your delight, not mine,” Elpis said.
“Will you stay and eat with us?” Medusa glanced at Ariston, her eyes growing wide as she saw the owl. “Be careful, soldier. My Thea is a fickle friend. She will woo you with her bright eyes and soft sounds, and bite you when you’d stroke her.”
Ariston assessed the delicate owl with a dubious frown. “She’ll not bite me.” He cleared his throat when his gaze settled upon Medusa, her wet form undeniably woman. But his voice belied none of his agitation as he asked, “Your Thea?”
