Chapter 2: Predetermined Paths
I have lost track of how many sunrises and sunsets I have seen as I rise, ready to repeat the cycle again. i walk well into the later part of the day, until I see the port Hades spoke of. How would I gain passage with so little money? I ponder silently, wiping the sweat from my brow. Lost in thought, I don't hear the footsteps emanating from behind me.
"What has brought you here?" a man asks softly in my ear, making me jump.
"The Gods," I reply curtly, turning to look at the figure. His physique is lean and muscular. The sun kissed skin makes his eyes stand out in stark contrast. "A Sailor?"
"An Oracle?" He inquires in slight surprise. Your appearance is," he pauses, eyes sweeping over my disheveled onyx hair, and thinning frame. "You are more unique than others I have seen," he mutters, offering a kind smile.
Normally, I would abhor being associated with any Oracle. Remembering Hades instructions, I suppressed the urge to deny it. Not trusting my voice, I nod in acknowledgement.
"If you require passage, I can advise the captain, Ms.-"
"M-" I pause, uncertainty stilling my words. What name should I give? I ponder, chiding myself for not inquiring about what alias to use. Flashes of mother recanting tales of the Greek Gods race through my minds eye. "Lachesis" I say, barely recognizing the voice as my own.
"To have an Oracle blessed by the Fates is a good omen, indeed." He grins, sky blue eyes shining brightly. "I am called Melicertes," he says, extending his arm in greeting.
I reach out to grasp his arm when a sudden wave of dizziness crashes through me, sapping the last of my strength as it passes.
"Enough formalities, Lachesis." He grabs my arm, carefully moving it over his shoulder to support me. "The time for recuperation is now," Melicertes
insists, slowly guiding us to a modest house bordering the open sea. In two days time, we sail for Kyparissia. We can speak with the captain about you accompanying us."
I nodded weakly as he led me through the doorway. A shadow moved across the room, footfalls echoing like thunder on the creaking floor.
"Who in Poseidon's name have you brought here?" He barked, closing the distance between us in three strides. "Where did you find this stowaway? He pauses, his cold fingers sharply raising my chin. "This girl looks half gone already. In her state, she will not last the trip." He concludes sternly, gray eyes gazing at me with a mixture of concern and pity.
"She is an Oracle, Captain Glaucus," Melicertes countered calmly. "The Gods would not abandon one of their mouthpieces so easily."
"They would be pleased you have such faith in them, Melicertes." He turns away, reaching for the metal pot hanging over the fire. "Seat her by the fire, get her some stew, then leave her to rest. Should she improve , I will decide if she is to leave here on my vessel or remain on land." Captain Glaucus ordered, before leaving us in silence.
Melicertes did as the Captain had instructed, meticulously filling the bowl as I downed the first bowl as quick as he had filled it.
"I understand your hunger, but take time to taste it." He laughed, while he poured another helping for me, and one for himself. "Would you like to hear a story from my homeland?"
I nodded eagerly, glad to hear another tale that brought warm recollections of childhood stories told by the hearth.
"As you are aware, Hera, Queen of the Gods is not one to be underestimated. She is possessive of her husband Zeus, and who ever crosses her shall feel her wrath." He says, keeping his voice low. Whether it was out of courtesy for the Captain or reverence of Hera, I could not say. "One who felt her vengeance was Ino, who had dared raise the infant Dionysus. In retaliation, Hera drove Ino's loving husband King Athamas so mad, he sought to destroy Ino and their son, Melicertes. Knowing no other option of escape, Ino threw herself and her son into the seas. The other Gods had mercy on the pair's plight and rewarded them by turning them into the Deities called Leucothea and Palaemon."
"If you are named after him, do you hail from Corinth?" I inquire with interest.
"Did your visions tell you that?" Melicertes responds with absolute seriousness, staring at me in wonder.
"The Gods have no need to tell us everything." I chuckle softly. Your story left enough clues to your possible origin. Did he start the Isthmian games?"
"Sisyphus," he offers kindly.
"Is he not the man wh-"
"Who put Death in chains, disrupting the God's will, and wreaking havoc for mortals and Gods alike?" He nods gravely. "Indeed, the very same."
I want to ask what that story entails, but a yawn escapes me, and I smile sheepishly.
"Let me show you to your room, Ms Lachesis." He takes my hand, slowly taking me through narrow hallways until we reach a doorway near the back corner of the home. "Rest now. We will talk with Captain Glaucus when you have regained your strength."
I shift into a comfortable position on the soft bed, breathing a sigh of relief for my aching muscles Lulled by the lapping waves against the shore, I drift off to sleep almost immediately. It does not take long for a dream to play across my dreaming lids. I see the islands that make up Greece below me. To my left, multiple ships head to an island with heavy clouds hovering above. The first boat is struck by a might bolt of thunder, catching fire as it sinks to the depths.
The second boat appearing to be made of plants instead of wood, takes on water, before sinking as well.The last boat gets closest to the island, but is swept into a raging whirlpool that turns it away from the shoreline repeatedly. This boat remains afloat, unlike the others, however there is livestock on it. Some animals get close enough to the boat's edge to fall overboard.
Suddenly, the whirlpools cease, and the boat reaches the shore, while the murky skies continue to overshadow the island.
I wake from the dream fairly disoriented, but the weakness has diminished some. While I review the dream for a second time, I realize its significance, and remind myself to tell the Captain tomorrow, knowing deep down, today is not the day to advise him. an odd feeling of nerves and dread settle into my stomach as I watch the bright sky grow dim in the morning light.
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