Chapter 33 A Gilded Cage #2
Hera brushed the memory away as she approached a giant map of Greece and the surrounding territories chiselled into the marble floor, the grooves filled with black paint.
Upon it, a piece of land had been elevated.
A larger replica of the Trojan Bay stood like a banquet table with its stone legs planted in Phrygia and the Aegean Sea.
A cluster of carved ivory ships had been placed along the shore opposite the fortress city, and a series of miniature tents fashioned from silk were scattered across the land beside them.
Her son, Ares, leant over the enlarged section of Troy, his hands splayed on the stone.
The twins, Artemis and Apollo, lounged against the chamber wall, their foreheads touching as they whispered together.
Hera’s lips tightened as Aphrodite walked over to the map to gaze at the little city, and Ares slipped an arm around her waist. Hera’s younger son, Hephaestus, lurked on the far side of the room to his wife.
He was covered in soot, still draped in his leather apron.
He must have come straight from his forge.
It seemed that Ares had summoned everyone.
The Goddess of Love was putting on an excellent performance of vulnerability, her emerald eyes shining with just a hint of moisture, her bottom lip reddened as she worried it between her teeth.
Even Poseidon had been drawn in, flanking her other side, glancing at her like he really was a concerned uncle.
Ah yes, Hera recalled that Aphrodite still had a bastard child living in Troy.
‘Do not underestimate Priam’s defences,’ said Ares. ‘Even with their numbers, the Greeks cannot hope to fully surround the city. They will never starve Troy to its knees.’
Athena faced him across the table, gesturing to the miniature vessels.
‘Over a thousand ships have already congregated. Sea-trade to the Troad has been eradicated. Priam’s city will not survive on squirrelling supplies through Phrygia alone.
Besides, the Trojans have only one great tactical general, Hector, whereas the Greeks are blessed with several strategists.
Odysseus of Ithaca, in particular, is the most skilled –’
‘Odysseus,’ Ares drawled. ‘Your favourite pales in combat next to Hector. Now that Achilles has abandoned the war, you will see the mighty Greek army crumble against the power of Troy.’
Athena’s eyes flashed. ‘It does you little credit to dismiss the King of Ithaca. He has a brilliant mind.’
‘That won’t save him on the battlefield.’ Ares spread his arms and took in the room. ‘You will all bear witness.’
Apollo sighed. ‘Brother, I told you the last time you dragged us here, I won’t go to Troy unless Achilles fights. My priestesses say he’s the greatest mortal warrior that has ever lived. The others aren’t worth my time. Get him back, then I’ll come.’
‘Agreed,’ said Artemis.
Before Ares could rage against his siblings, Athena interjected, ‘It is already done.’ She met Ares’ stare with a soft smile. ‘And when Odysseus brings Achilles back to Troy, you will be forced to admit he is the greatest mortal mind of his generation.’
Tired of their bickering, Hera cleared her throat.
‘Mother.’ Ares’ disposition brightened as he paced to her side and guided her to the table. ‘Look at this.’ He gestured across the map. ‘Under the counsel of my priestesses, Agamemnon of Mycenae has amassed the greatest Greek allied army the world has ever seen. Won’t Father be pleased?’
‘I’m sure he will.’ Hera massaged the back of Ares’ neck.
From the shadows, Hephaestus barked out a laugh.
At that moment the doors were thrown open, and Zeus entered, followed by a quivering Hermes.
The King of the Gods paused at the edge of the map and took in each member of his family. Then his gaze fell on the raised segment of Troy. He advanced, eyes consuming every detail.
‘Father.’ Ares drew himself up to his full height. ‘The entire Greek force is now camped at Troy. I was just telling Mother, Agamemnon has –’
In one swift motion, Zeus gripped the underside of the marble and hurled it into the air. The Olympians scattered as the great slab came crashing down, chunks of glittering stone shattering across the room. Hera grasped Ares’ arm.
‘Typhon, the dragon, has been sighted above ground.’ Zeus spoke softly, yet his words rolled over them like a great wave.
‘No …’ said Aphrodite, her voice quivering.
‘Who set the dragon free?’ asked Apollo, clinging to Artemis’ hand. ‘Hades would never …’ he trailed off, the name of the dead heavy on the air.
‘This was her doing, wasn’t it?’ asked Athena. ‘The creature who looks like a mortal girl. Father …’ she approached Zeus, ‘I do not believe Hades created her. When I faced her over a year ago, her power was so like our own …’
Zeus stood still as a pillar of salt. Hera’s chest tightened. Without realizing, Athena had laid bare the truth.
The King of the Gods turned his golden gaze on his daughter, and Hera watched his rage burn into pride.
‘My Bright Eyes, always the cleverest of my children.’
Beside her, Ares stiffened. Hera felt the barb like it was her own wound.
‘The creature I tasked you with destroying is a Titan.’ Zeus’ words rippled through the divine family like shockwaves, their eyes flicking to the fresco towering around them.
Before anyone could speak, he continued, more lies pouring from his lips, ‘She was Hades’ creation, her beastly flesh altered to appear mortal.
He hoped to use her as a weapon against me to claim the throne of Heaven.
Hubris led Hades down this path, and his own invention ultimately became his downfall.
Like all Titans she is treacherous. She murdered him and Persephone and unleashed the dragon.
’ Zeus looked down at the ruined floor before him.
‘Let this be a reminder, she will not stop until she has destroyed everything we have built. Everything you care about, your cities, temples, wars, worshippers, none of it will exist if she reaches Olympus. From this moment on, all you will think of is killing her. Nothing else matters.’
Hera watched the faces of her family change, shifting with tides of anger, confusion and fear.
‘But Troy …’ Ares stared at the crumbled remains of his map. ‘I must be there when it begins. All those sacrifices, all those mortals praying to me, all the bloodshed in my name –’
‘Nothing. Else. Matters,’ repeated Zeus, each word a shard of ice.
Ares did not question him again.
‘What will we do about the dragon?’ asked Artemis. ‘It will surely come here seeking revenge.’
‘Concern yourself only with the girl. I will deal with Typhon, just as I did before.’
Zeus cast one last sweeping look at his family, then paced out the chamber. Swiftly following, Hermes flew from the room, having refused to make eye contact with anyone.
‘Hermes,’ Hephaestus called as he hurried after his brother. ‘Pip, wait!’
The others lingered, staring at each other.
‘I will not let this ruin my war,’ Ares muttered, his hands squeezed into shaking fists.
Athena remained very still, staring at the miniature Greek camp. ‘We do not have a choice.’
‘I will have my fucking battle!’ Ares shouted.
‘Did you not hear what Father said?’ said Apollo. ‘Olympus is under threat!’
Aphrodite began to weep.
‘Poseidon.’ Hera gestured for him to follow her and swept from the room. The children’s voices clashed behind them as they paced down the pillared corridor. When Hera was sure they were alone, she drew him into a shadowed alcove.
Poseidon appraised her, his expression grim. ‘What do you want, Hera? The last time I granted you aid, it cost me my best horse.’
‘I regret the loss of Pegasus, but heed me; with Hades dead and Demeter’s mind lost, besides Zeus, you and I alone know who the girl really is,’ her voice grew quieter, ‘what Prometheus prophesied she would do. You also know there is another of the original Titans left in the world. One she might go to for help.’
Poseidon’s brow creased. ‘You cannot mean …’
‘Think on it,’ Hera glanced over his shoulder, eyes straining to catch the tell-tale shimmer of a shade.
‘No one besides us, Zeus and Demeter know Metis exists.’
‘That’s not true. The girl spoke with Prometheus – he may have told her that Metis saved his life during the fight for Olympus. He knew of her exile to Delos – Zeus taunted him with it after his own capture.’
‘No.’ Poseidon ran a hand over his beard. ‘Metis has been brought to heel.’
‘Trust is a luxury we cannot afford,’ hissed Hera. ‘My husband is blind when it comes to that woman. But she stood against him once, she could do it again.’
‘She would never endanger Athena.’
‘Are you sure?’ She placed a hand on Poseidon’s chest, above his heart. ‘Would you stake your life on it?’
He flinched from her touch, backing into the curved wall behind him. Hera stepped forward, bridging the space between them, her lips almost brushing his ear.
‘Once, Metis forsook her mortal family to become a Titan. Perhaps she still serves the Mother above all else.’
‘We must not speak of these things …’ Poseidon rasped.
Triumph thundered in Hera’s chest. She could see the resolve crumbling in his eyes.
‘Go, now, while Zeus searches for the dragon. Metis will heed you better than me. Make sure she remains loyal to us.’
Poseidon blinked, his eyes darting about the hallway. ‘If my brother discovers what we have discussed, where I have gone –’
‘He won’t.’ Hera took the hand that had touched his chest and placed it above her own heart. ‘I swear on the blood of my children.’
Just as she had hoped, the final threads of his resistance snapped.
‘Fine. I will go to Delos.’