48. In Which Fighting and Falling From the Maiden Occurs
Chapter 48
In Which Fighting and Falling From the Maiden Occurs
T he early morning dew soaked her sandals. Ellie was cinching the leather skirting around her waist when a hand threaded itself through her bent elbow. She jumped sideways.
“Morning.”
“Syren!” she exclaimed.
Syren wore another of the chitons, this one dark blue, with gold etching embroidered along the hem. The top folded over, tying at her warm umber shoulders. A belt cinched at her waist, shortened the length. She bumped Ellie with her shoulder.
“Who did you think it was?”
“A ghost. Frankenstein’s monster.” Ellie shrugged. “I’m not sure I thought much past the disembodied hand.”
“Sorry,” she said with a snort.
“What do you think we’re in for?”
“I’m not sure. I heard Camulos talking to Liam this morning about a maiden, so maybe it’s someone to help you.”
Ellie wrinkled her nose. “That’s unsettling.”
“In any matter, I’m not happy about being woken up so damn early.”
Glancing up, she twisted her lips. “Right? It’s like they hate sleep.”
“Rude ass men.”
They both snickered and walked along in companionable silence. Rounding the edge of the garden maze, they came upon a wide field. Maximus had long ago sectioned off this part from the rest of his expansive estate. Lining the field on one side was a series of targets, some wooden, some straw. Next to those were three figures tied to posts and filled with straw. Opposite them was a setup similar to the training room, with shields, bows and quivers, practice spears, and the like. Everything one would need to train an army from thousands of years ago. In front of them stood a massive wooden structure that ran half the width of the field. Posts round like columns in a throne room reached high into the sky.
Each one had platforms at varying heights. On one side was a wooden arch with two massive metal blades hanging. The structure twisted and turned as the platforms rose and fell. It loomed ominous and foreboding in front of them. The women shared a look.
“That looks terrifying,” Ellie said, more to herself than anyone. Syren nodded. She still had her arm linked with Ellie’s.
“Morning, ladies,” Maximus called across the field. He marched towards them, Camulos trailing behind, both decked out in full regalia. Camulos wore a dark-green cape attached to one shoulder with a metal pin, his long, white hair braided on one side, showing off the gold-adorned pointed ear. Maximus wore a similar cape, blood-red and secured to both sides of his breastplate, it hung down to his ankles. As Evander had corrected her, his belt, or fibula, encircled his hips. Long leather strips hung down in front, similar to the one Ellie wore. Maximus had a dagger sheathed at his side and leather cuffs covering his wrists and forearms. He carried a metal helmet with a tall, red feathered crest. He looked like a Roman soldier Ellie once saw in a picture book she had as a child, and she realized all at once that, considering his accent and impressive age, he was Roman. Really Roman . She hadn’t thought of the men’s origins, never giving their accents, mannerisms, or anything else a second thought. But standing there, watching them come from the house, she realized what they were.
Warriors.
Athena may have created them, but these men had been warriors well before she turned them. The thought made Ellie appreciate them more. And fear them. Athena had been assembling an army to defend Olympus against a threat for centuries.
And she was that threat.
The thought was sobering; so much so that she hadn’t heard a word Camulos was saying. Evander and Liam joined them while Camulos talked, and Liam came between the two women, wrapping his arms over their shoulders. Ellie jolted out of her head.
“How are my two favorite girls this morning?” He pushed his face between them, grinning. Ellie snorted a laugh and smiled up at him. Syren wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and cocked her head. He kissed her cheek.
“Morning, again,” he whispered, and she rewarded him with a tender smile.
Liam was utterly smitten with her, and it was sweet to see. Ellie ignored the pang of jealousy at their closeness. Looking over her shoulder, she caught Evander glancing in her direction. His lips moved into a brief smile before he returned his attention to Camulos and Maximus.
Where Camulos, Evander, and Maximus wore variations of Greek hoplites armor, Liam stood out. He wore a leather breastplate like the men but a fabric tunic, saffron yellow, encircled his middle, and was held in place by a leather belt that went around his waist. The fabric was large enough that it snaked around his body, creating a kilt and a billowy saffron cape behind him. A melding of Gaelic and Greek. He also carried a dagger at his hip, although his was wider, its handle smelted silver. The yellow next to his dark mahogany skin highlighted his handsomeness, as if he needed any help in that department. He didn’t have the leather skirting with strips in the front like the others. He tightly braided his hair across his head.
Ellie looked around at their ragtag company assembled in the rising morning sun. Awash with the knowledge that the men were as old as they were, she saw them in a new light. Somehow, all this time, this hadn’t felt real. Olympus, Athena, her magic, the curse—none of it. But now, she was beginning to see how serious this all was. And she was grateful the men were willing to help.
“Ellie, are you listening?” an exasperated Camulos called.
She blinked. “No, I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
He let out a loud sigh. “We were discussing what actions we would go over this morning.” He gave her a pointed look that clearly meant she needed to pay attention.
“Are we doing that terrifying thing?” Ellie pointed with her chin.
“Of course,” Liam chided. “After you.”
“That,” Maximus said with a dramatic wave of his hand, “is what we call The Maiden.”
Ellie scrunched up her nose. “It looks like a tortuous gauntlet.”
“It’s The Maiden,” Maximus said with pride.
“It’s an obstacle course.” Ellie shot Liam a look. “You see it too, right?”
Liam chortled and clapped his hands. Maximus let out an exasperated grunt.
“Yes, Ellie, it’s an obstacle course, but we call it The Maiden.”
“Why?”
“Because she does everything in her power to keep you from finishing,” Maximus said with a gleam in his eye.
“That’s a bit gross, right?” Ellie crossed her arms.
“I agree,” Syren chimed in. “You should change the name.”
Maximus rolled his eyes and looked to Camulos for support, who stuck both hands in the air in surrender.
“Yeah,” Ellie agreed. “To something like a massive, rotating pole that you climb.”
“Doesn’t seem like anyone has climbed on Max’s massive, rotating pole in a long time. It looks rusty.” Syren folded her arms over her chest.
Liam and Evander exploded with laughter. Ellie looked past Liam to see Syren proudly smirking. Maximus, however, gaped and then gave them all murderous looks. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared them down. He looked to Camulos, but the warrior was too busy trying to hide his chuckling behind his hand. Max’s dejected sigh was heavy in the cool morning air.
Ellie spoke first. “So, are you expecting us to run that thing? Or is someone gonna show us how it’s done?”
Liam gave her a sideways look she was sure would be a wise remark, but he chose silence instead.
“No,” Maximus snapped before anyone could say anything else. “We are going to do some training here in the field.” He waved his hand, and several weapons appeared, clattering to the ground. “Pair off.”
Ellie glanced from Evander to Camulos and then to the pile of weapons. The one thing she didn’t bring this morning was her crafted bow and quiver.
“Should I grab one of these weapons? I’m not sure what to do.”
Camulos cocked his head to the side, contemplating her question. His eyes darted to Maximus, who had crossed the field with two swords.
“Let’s try some exercises I taught you in the meadow,” he said, marching several yards away.
Ellie watched his retreat, his great wings folded, the horns curved overhead, gleaming in the sunlight. The others scattered out on the field, choosing weapons and partners. She planted her feet and lobbed her head back and forth, stretching the tension out of her neck, then shook her shoulders side to side. Camulos would try to throw her off her game, so she needed to be prepared. He stopped and turned swiftly; his hands poised. One side of his mouth curled upward.
“Ready?” His deep voice boomed over the distance between them.
“Sure,” Ellie shouted. Then, before she could think better, she added, “Bring it on, old man.”
The other pairs swung their collective heads in unison. They shared the same look of equal parts surprise and mirth. Camulos set his lips in a determined line, lowering his hands down to his sides, palms forward. He sent a small surge of magic aimed at Ellie’s outstretched hands. She felt it whizzing along the field, buzzing towards her. Using everything Camulos taught her, she stepped to the right, swinging her hand out, flicking her wrist. Her magic whizzed towards his. The two converged halfway between with a thunderous crack, causing the hair on Ellie’s arms to stand up. She smiled and flicked her wrist again, sending another zipping towards Cam’s abdomen. He moved in enough time, absorbed the magic, and sent it right back. Ellie was ready with a magic ball of her own. When the two collided this time, the sparks created flowers everywhere sparks touched the ground.
“Impressive,” Camulos called.
Evander watched the two of them for several minutes.
You think she can do this?” Maximus asked, coming along beside him to observe.
They watched as Ellie ducked a wayward bolt that darted past her shoulder. She stood from her crouched position, smiling. Opening her palm, she sent a funneling wind towards Camulos.
“I think she’s just getting warmed up.”
The two turned towards each other and began sparring with swords.
On the opposite side of the field, Liam and Syren were facing off. Liam handed her a long spear that matched the one he carried.
“Do you know how to use this?”
Her eyes traveled up to the top that pointed to the sun. “I know how to work a long shaft.”
“So do I, love.”
She tested the weight in her hands, finding the middle for balance. She ran her hands over the smooth wood, strengthening her grip.
“Whenever you’re done stroking it, Syren,” he called.
“But how will I know what to do with it if I don’t have my hands on it?” She cocked her head.
“Would you two just spar already,” Evander called to them from the field.
Liam’s laugh danced over the sounds of magic and swords that filled the air. “Ahh, mate, you don’t appreciate our bant—Ow!” he protested as Syren hit hard enough in his shoulder to make him move.
She pointed the end of the spear at him. “I told you I knew how to handle a large shaft.”
“Aye, that you do.”
They both took a step back, lowered spears in hand. Liam circled her, one hand out, a lopsided grin on his face. He jabbed forward, aiming for her middle. Syren sidestepped, avoiding him. They circled each other, and it was her turn to swing the spear. He ducked. She spun on her heels, swinging out in a circle and coming back to be held expertly in one hand. He jumped and took to the air, his massive brandy-colored wings flapping twice as he lifted off the ground.
“No fair,” Syren called, pointing her spear at the sky.
His chuckle came from above her. “Catch me.”
He soared towards the sun; his wings spread several feet from his sides. His shadow danced across the tall grass. Twisting, he came back to earth, flying straight towards her. His arms came around Syren just as he hit the ground. Using the momentum as leverage, he pushed off and soared upward again, forcing her to cling to his shoulders. He flapped his wings as he headed higher into the sky. Ellie stopped to watch the pair soaring, happy and light. They complimented each other so well. Liam’s wings flapped around them as he twisted back towards the field, coming to land on the ground, Syren in his arms. She reached over and kissed him.
Evander looked up, watching the pair soaring overhead. Maximus stepped to him, hitting his sword to get his attention.
“What are your thoughts on those two?” He indicated with his chin.
Maximus glanced behind him and then back. “I find it odd. I wasn’t thrilled when Liam insisted on keeping her here,” he whispered harshly as he swung his sword upwards. “Ellie is one thing, but a random human? Here? Simply because Liam wants it?”
“I find her more than a little odd,” Evander said, stepping back on his heel; turning, he made a sweeping arch with his sword. A metallic sound rang out as the two swords clanged together. “I find her suspicious.”
Maximus stopped mid-swing. His sword arched gracefully towards the ground.
“Suspicious?”
“She’s human, and yet none of this”—Evander made a sweeping motion with his hand—“bothers her. None of it. She’s just accepted she is on Olympus. Hasn’t made a single remark about going home? Our wings do not faze her. It took Ellie days, and she still startles if I enter a room as I am.”
“That may not be your wings.” Maximus eyed him and pursed his lips together.
“What do you mean?”
He gestured with his hand. “Nothing. I mean nothing.” Knitting his eyebrows together, he rubbed his chin. “Hum. Before yesterday, I would have disagreed, but now? You might have a reason to be suspicious.”
“Do you think she could be working for someone?”
“No. If she had, Cam would have felt her using magic or opening a portal. But it does beg the question, where is she from?” He took his sword back up, stepping back on his heel, getting into position. “Maybe Syren needs a question-and-answer session during the evening meal.”
Evander nodded curtly and then swung his sword at Maximus.
Across the field, Camulos was giving Ellie instructions.
“Now, I want you to keep the force of your power surrounding you.”
“Like a shield?” Ellie called.
“Exactly like a shield.” He nodded and watched her get into position.
She planted her feet, waiting to feel the familiar tingle of magic moving through the air. Placing her hands out from each other as if she held an imaginary ball between her palms, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply, concentrating. She felt her magic growing, extending out from herself. Sparks of electricity ran through her as the magic came towards her. Keeping her mind centered on shielding herself, she expanded her hands. The magic from Camulos rushed, faster now than he had previously sent them. It sparked and sizzled. Ellie snapped her eyes open just in time to see it hit the side of the shield. It cracked, sounding like something hitting a pane of glass. It broke apart as it hit and then streaked in opposite directions. One went over the top of her, and the other snaked towards the ground, following an invisible dome.
Camulos nodded, impressed. “Very good,” he encouraged. “Now, this time, let’s up the ante.”
“What does that mean?” Ellie yelled, but she didn’t get an answer.
Gathering his magic in his skilled hands, he moved it between his palms. Shooting his hands out, he threw a bolt at her. It zoomed between them at a frightening speed. She barely had time to react when it was almost upon her. The change in the air was electric, as if all the atoms and particles in the line of fire were shaking with the force. It crackled across the tops of the grass and slammed into the shield Ellie created at the last minute. She let out a scream and ducked, encapsulating herself in a bubble. Magic split into fractions of pieces, zigzagging across the top and middle, streaking towards the bottom, causing the shield to shrink around her. She felt her magic pulling inward, absorbing his power. Then it snapped like a bowling ball hitting a trampoline. The bolt flew back at Camulos twice as fast, growing in intensity as it crossed the field. Somehow, she used the shield to absorb the attack and then redirect it. Without control, the bolt was potent. It struck Camulos in the middle of his chest and sent him flying backward.
Ellie watched in slow-motion horror as her friend flew and hit the ground with an explosive crack. He bounced once and then lay, unmoving, his wings splayed on either side. The world came to a screeching halt. She didn’t know who screamed, the sound filling the air and sending lightning zigzagging across the sky. Fear paralyzed her. Maximus leapt in the air, flying at an incredible speed to Cam’s lifeless body. Evander took off running, then leapt into the air as well, Liam joining him. They all reached Camulos at the same time.
Maximus hit the ground first, reaching for his friend. Ellie covered her mouth. Air rushed against her palm, flowing out from her fingers, and she realized she was the one screaming. The world knocked back into place, and everything around her sped up. She moved, her feet running to Cam on their own accord. By the time she reached him, he was sitting up. Maximus knelt in the grass, with Evander and Liam standing nearby. It felt like it took hours to reach the men. Never having run that fast in her life, she was light-headed, seeing red spots before her eyes. Her hands shook as she approached. Breathing hard, her heart thundering in her ears. He looked at her, clutching his chest.
“You win,” he choked out.
Maximus looked over his shoulder. “What the hell was that, Ellie?”
She was gulping air as if she were drowning on land. Her face was flushed and tingly. Leaning over, she put her hands to her knees and held up one hand, continuing to gasp for air. Syren joined them seconds after Ellie. She was beside her, rubbing her back as Ellie sucked in air from her hunched position.
“I-I don’t—I don’t know,” she gasped.
Evander was at her side, leaning down. “Are you alright?”
She nodded. “Running,” she wheezed. “Running is evil.”
Syren snorted a laugh.
“How about you train with someone else and give this old man a break.” Camulos’ voice was raspy. Max offered his forearm, and he got to his feet.
“You and Evander.” Maximus nodded with his chin, clapping Camulos on the back. “Let me get this old man a chair.”
“Shut up, Max,” Camulos snapped. “I only got the wind knocked out of me.”
Maximus made a face, and the two sparred with quips instead of weapons as they headed for a shade tree, collapsing beneath it. Liam and Syren made their way alongside the others under the tree. Ellie looked at Evander sheepishly and shrugged.
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
“No.”
She headed to the weapons lying on the ground. “Which would you like? Swords or arrows?” Turning to face the spectators, she teased, “Because, no one on Olympus has ever heard of a gun.”
“Neither.”
She spun around to face him.
“I think we need to practice control. Restraint.”
“Oh, we do, do we ? And how do we do that?”
The muscle in his jaw ticked. “If Athena or the Legion comes, you must be precise and quick. They won’t give you a chance to recover or get away. They will be ruthless. Let’s try hand-to-hand combat and see how good your reflexes are.” He stepped back on his heel. “You can’t use your magic, Ellie.”
“You want us to punch each other? That’s how I’ll learn restraint?”
He straightened himself. “Yes. This will help your reflexes, giving you time to think and respond. You need to be faster at responding. Do you think they’ll worry about hurting you when they come for you?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Then I reckon it’s hands up.”
Evander stepped back, raising his hands and bouncing on the balls of his feet. He danced around her gracefully, but she remained unmoving. After a few seconds, she cocked her head, her eyes flashing.
“This may not be the best way to see how I react. I’m not good at fighting but know how to protect myself.”
“I’m listening.”
“I took all those self-defense classes.” Her eyebrows lifted on her forehead. “Attack me.”
He rocked back on his heels, giving it some thought. “That might work. You won’t hold back?”
“I won’t if you won’t.”
Nodding, he made a circle, strolling instead of attacking. She stood at the center, swiveling from side to side, keeping him in her line of vision. She was looking sideways when he made his move. Evander came at her from the blind spot. He picked her up at the waist, trapping her arms at her side, her chest to his. Ellie kneed him in the thigh hard, and he let her go. She hit the ground and stepped back. He came at her again, this time faster; catching her about the waist, he grabbed one arm. He twirled her around as he had when they danced; her back hit his front, her dress flowing out in a billow of fabric. She slammed into his chest, his arms around her, trapping them behind her. He lifted her with a grunt and swung a leg out, effectively sweeping her legs out from under her. The two of them landed in a heap in the grass.
“Get off me!”
Her frustration built as she pushed against him, having been taken out twice. Evander wasn’t holding back, just like he said. A part of her was a little frightened at the idea that he overpowered her so easily. He wasn’t breathing hard as he lifted off her and yelled for Max to join. She rolled and sprung to her feet. When she was up, he was gone, and Maximus was circling. She turned, watching Max as her eyes skimmed the field for Evander. A sense of panic started gnawing at her, having to defend herself from two. Max lunged at her, and she sidestepped. Evander came from behind, his arms sliding around her waist. Before he could sweep her legs out a second time, she slammed her head backward into his chest. He grunted and let go. She danced forward and turned to face Evander. She heard feet pounding behind her before remembering Maximus was also in the field. One second, she was whirling on her heel to face him, and the next, she was mid-flight. The earth faded away from her feet. Struggling against him, Ellie wiggled until one of her arms came loose. She fought back, kicking her legs and pounding her fist against him as he flapped them higher.
“Let go of me, Maximus,” she snarled. “You didn’t say flying.”
“You think the Chthonian will not fly off if they get a hold of you, Ellie?” he asked, tightening his grip.
She hadn’t considered that. She hadn’t considered that they would be exactly like the men. That they could grab her and fly off. Her blood turned cold in her veins as Maximus flapped his wings around her. Ellie rested her forehead against his collarbone and closed her eyes.
“Okay, Max, I get it. I get the seriousness. Take me back now.”
He tilted his head back so he could see her a little better. Something in his eyes flashed, and a shiver snaked up Ellie’s spine.
“Take you back? To Evander?”
“Yes?”
He flapped, pushing air around them, sending them higher into the sky. Darkness crossed his features, and his gaze darted to the ground below.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?” she whispered.
“For this.”
Ellie felt the wind at her back, and then the pressure from his arms disappeared. She was falling. Falling back towards earth, towards the ground, and the grass. Her hands flailed above her, grasping for something. Anything. The air slipped through her open fingers like a whisper. The sun over her floated on golden streams. Shining. Sparkling. Warm. The sky cradled her for a moment before it, too, let go, and she fell as helpless as Icarus with paper wings. As helpless as she’ll be when the Chthonian comes for her. When Athena finds out the truth. When she brings destruction to Olympus. Helpless. Falling. The top of a tree came into view, then another, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before she hit the ground. She couldn’t think of any way to save herself; she could only watch the clouds above fall away.
She conceded.
Maximus had won.
Her body slammed into something, her head rolling forward with the force of the impact. His arms encircled her, pulling her to safety. It was the only way she knew she hadn’t smacked into the earth. Evander landed at a run, carrying her a few steps before setting her down hard.
“What the fuck?” he roared, sounding more animal than man. “What the actual fuck, Maximus?”
Her legs were Jell-O. They wiggled, refusing to support her weight, and she wobbled, trying to stay upright, stumbling forward. Evander raked his hand through his hair, yelling at the company.
“You could have died!” His roaring pierced her ears. “She could have died! Do you know that? Died!” He grabbed Ellie’s shoulders, but she could only stare at a spot on the ground. Her head felt heavy, disjointed from the rest of her. Evander’s face came into view, worry lined the corners of his piercing green eyes. “Why didn’t you try to save yourself?” Letting go of her, he rushed Max, swinging his fist.
“What the fuck!” he yelled as Maximus ducked a well-timed swing, spittle flying from his mouth. She couldn’t make out anything else. She knew he was shouting by his movements, but his words sounded like they came from behind glass. Distorted. Her ears rang, her head fuzzy as she watched Liam pull him back. Frost covered the ground, shooting out from all sides as he railed. Someone touched her elbow, pulling her into an embrace. She was shaking, or maybe the person who held her was shaking; Ellie wasn’t sure. Liam was pushing Evander, keeping him back as he screamed.
“Why didn’t you save yourself? Why?” He gestured to her. “She didn’t even try to use her magic. Maximus, what the hell? Fuck. Ellie. Fuck. Why didn’t you use your magic?”
He was pacing now, coming closer, worry marring his face, and then marching away. His hands scrubbed through his hair, ruffling the golden strands that caught the sunlight. Camulos and Liam were saying something. Maximus gestured, pointing at her, then at Evander, arms spread wide. The ringing in her ears was too loud. Camulos came into her line of sight, his face full of concern. That’s when Ellie realized the person holding her was Syren. Her dark hair blocked half the chaos from view. Snowflakes landed in the dark strands. Frosted lightning struck through the middle of each flake. Ellie pulled back from their embrace.
“It’s okay,” Syren cooed. “You’re safe now. It’s okay, little lamb.”
Stepping back, her lungs immediately sprang into action, filling with as much oxygen as possible. She felt her pulse at her temples and jaw. His hands reached for her, pulling her, cradling her cheek in the palm of his hand. He was shaking.
“Why didn’t you do something?” he was saying into her hair. His words rumbled against her chest. “By the gods, Ellie, I almost lost you.”
Ellie shoved him hard in the chest.
“You dropped me.” She pushed against Evander. “You dropped me!” she screamed at Maximus. When Evander reached for her, she took a step back, her legs gaining strength under her. “You picked me up and then dropped me.” The air crackled. Evander made another attempt to hold her, but she slammed her palms into his chest. He let her shove him.
“How could you drop me?” Ellie pointed at Maximus. “What were you trying to teach me? What the hell kinda lesson was that?”
A storm cloud blocked the sun as the forest life chattered excitedly around them. Maximus said nothing. He only looked at her as shocked as she felt. She turned her anger to Evander.
“I trusted you, Evander. I trusted you. And you had him attack me. He almost killed me.”
It was her turn to shout and shove. Her face was pink and flushed, tears running down her cheeks. No one moved. No one tried to stop her. Evander allowed her to push him one more time before she stormed toward Maximus. Sparks flew from her fingertips across the field in all directions.
“You fucking dropped me.”
“You were supposed to use your magic,” he mumbled.
“Evander said no magic. He said don’t hold back and no magic. Don’t you remember?”
“Yes, Ellie, but obviously—”
“Obviously?!” Her voice climbed an octave. Lightning shot from her hand, whizzing past Max, who ducked, hitting a tree. It zig-zagged up the trunk and shot out the top. “ Obviously ? What was obvious? You flew up into the damn sky and let go. What was I supposed to do? Sprout wings? Use my magic, how? I don’t know what that means. I don’t know how to use magic like that. What the actual hell, Max?” She turned in a circle as she yelled, making eye contact with each of them. “Were you trying to kill me? Is that it?”
“No. No, of course not. No, Ellie. Listen to me . . .”
“Listen? Listen to you? Maximus, what could you possibly say to excuse that?” She was met with stony silence.
“I’m done.” She shoved her hand at all of them. Maximus flinched as she did. Ellie could feel her magic surging under her emotions, wanting to be free. But unlike so many times before, it settled in her, moving just under the surface, there if she needed it. It was the first time she could remember being angry and upset and her magic not consuming her.
“I’m done,” she growled. “I’m done with all y’all.”
Ellie whirled and marched back to the house.