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“My wife…” His voice wavered.
Hades brow lifted slightly. “Lives. You do not.”
“She is in danger.”
“Earthly danger. She is no longer your concern, Ariston.”
“The danger she faces is not earthly, but far from it…” Ariston’s voice was hoarse, his desperation mounting. He took a wavering breath before he began again. “She is everything to me. I am proud of my death, but it means nothing if she is in peril. I must know.” Ariston kneeled. “I beg you. I beg you to return me to Athens.”
Ariston waited, willing himself to be strong.
“Who is this wife?” Hades asked.
“Medusa of Athens.” He paused. “Now of Rhodes.”
Hades was silent, his dark blue eyes regarding him steadily.
“When I die—” Ariston began.
“You are dead,” Hades assured him.
“When I return…die again, I would serve as guardian to Tartarus. I am a skilled warrior, a skill I might offer you.” He spoke with confidence.
“You vex me,” Hades muttered, the slightest crease appearing between his eyes. “You offer this to me for a woman?”
Ariston nodded. “She is worthy.”
Hades was silent again, his eyes shifting to the blue-white flames in the massive fireplace.
“My words do not…adequately express the love I have for this woman. But I cannot leave her. She is at risk. I must return.” The words came without thought. How could he justify such emotion to a God who reviled affection or companionship? “As Olympus has my arm and sword, she has my heart – a mortal, and perhaps weak, heart.”
The room was silent for too long. He would have to fight his way out…
“It is a weakness not reserved for mortals alone, Ariston of Rhodes.” Hades’ words were so soft Ariston feared they’d not been spoken. But Hades continued, strong and clear. “I will return you to your ship so that you may lead your men to victory. Too many have fallen from this war and I would see it end. When that is done, you may go to your wife.” He paused then added, “When you return to my realm, I will have your fealty.”
The God of the Underworld, Lord of Death, gave him mercy? Mayhap there was one God he might serve with honor.
Ariston vowed, “You have it.”
###
“It was a wise choice. He is an Ekdromoi. His skill will be needed at Salamis,” Ares said with a nod. “If more could be returned, our odds would be greater.”
Zeus agreed. “A leader can make a great difference amongst men.”
“Then we must pray that Ariston is such a leader,” Poseidon said, daring to look at his niece with a smile.
“Did he show such initiative while serving in the temple?” Hera asked.
But Athena had not heard Hera’s question, Poseidon could tell. She was staring at him, her face flushed with unspoken fury. She was uncharacteristically quiet, he noted. For one known to love the sound of her voice, her absolute silence was unsettling.
“He had little chance to prove his prowess while playing caretaker,” Ares snorted. “But I’ve seen him fight. His death was glorious. He will bring down the Persians.”
“Apparently he has the incentive to do just that.” Hera smiled. “A rare husband indeed.”
“It is, I think, rare to find such loyalty. Be it mortal or immortal,” Aphrodite agreed.
“I, too, have seen this Ariston in battle,” Apollo said. “He resembles our Ares – only slightly less immortal.”
