232. ‘You Have to Help Us’
‘You Have to Help Us’
I frowned at his words.
What could he possibly mean?
‘The giants. They have
found their way onto Olympus
and even Zeus cannot
defeat them. We are weakened.
Demeter’s destruction
has taken too many mortal lives.
There are not enough
humans left to pray to us
and without their prayers
our powers have been failing.
We need your help.’
I stood stock-still.
My body was cold
and I let him go.
‘Why would the giants
go to war now?’
He shook his head impatiently.
‘Power. They too are Kronos’
children, do you not remember?’
I gave him a wry smile. ‘I do not know
if you have noticed, but we have
a few too many cousins
to keep track of.’
Hermes glared at me.
‘This is not the time for humour.’
The trickster God saying this
brought home the urgency.
‘Tell me more, Hermes.
If I am to help, I need knowledge.’
I could see the conflict
play across his face.
To trust me with more information
could prove fatal for the Olympians,
but to not give me information
was to spurn my aid.
Finally, I saw him relent.
‘For years the giants
have kept to themselves.
But they have always
been power-hungry.
What happened during
the last war has kept them
in their place. Still, to keep them
content enough to prevent
another war, my father Zeus
made a series of oaths with them.
They are mortal, so he gave them
longevity. But they believe that Olympus
holds secrets to immortality.
To rule would mean power forever,
and they are tired of dying.’
I sighed and said softly, ‘The price
of that crown is the constant threat of war.
I hope all that you are protecting
is worth it in the end.’
He scowled at me.
‘Are you going to help?’
‘Ask Hades.
He is powerful enough—’
As I began to say this
he was already shaking his head.
‘I have already seen Hades.
He says that the affairs
of Olympus are for Olympus
to resolve.’
I nodded quietly,
‘He is correct.’
That fearful look was back
in Hermes’ eyes.
‘Hekate, you don’t understand.
If Olympus falls,
where do you think
the giants will turn to next?’