212. A Promise
A Promise
Nyx cast her spell over the sky,
the dark blue cloak of night fell,
and as the stars appeared
Hecuba nudged my hand.
I turned to Thanatos and said,
‘I made her a promise,
that she would meet her children.’
Thanatos looked around the battlefield,
still full with pain. ‘My work is not
yet complete. But you should go.’
I would have stayed.
He looked so tired
and it made my heart clench.
But it was my first promise
and first boon to a mortal.
She had lost nineteen children
to this unjust war.
This is what many would call sacrifice.
I called it unnecessary and cruel.
And I could not let her down.
So I left with her. We walked
through the mouth of one cave
out through another
till we were by the greenest
of forests full of bluebird song
and the bright glow of fireflies.
It was said that a spring Goddess
had crafted this forest from barren soil.
As we walked slower now,
marvelling at each fine leaf and flower,
the careful details of an artist,
we heard a terrible sound
rip through the peace.
A loud,
unmistakable
scream.