Oh, I just remembered.

Nellie also doesn't fit into this story, but Saladin will be coming in soon! Also, no Vikram or Isabel Kabra. I love you guys, but you're evil, and I hate you at the same time. So, sorry, but no.

I am confused by my own words. Enjoy, and thanks for reviewing!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Κεφάλαιο 2:Μηνύματα και Ηθοποιοί

'Damian and Ambrosine entered their home on Mount Olympus, and saw their mother, Hesper, waiting for them. As expected, the mother glided across the room when she saw Ambrosine's now ruined clothing.

Hesper took in the soaked fabric and the sagging threads, and cried, "Ambrosine! How did this happen, my daughter?" Ambrosine said nothing, but hung her head in shame and humiliation.

Damian strode up to his mother and said, "Mother, it was both of our faults. We were romping around in the field by the river, and Ambrosine wanted to give me an incomplete bath. I should have pulled her out instead of letting her stay. Or, perhaps, I could have gotten Arachne to sew her another gown of the same kind." Hesper enveloped her daughter and son in an embrace.

"I am not angered at all, my Ambrosine. I was merely curious as to how your dress became ruined. Now, go, daughter, and change into a dry one." Hesper said, notes of laughter rippling through the air. Ambrosine gave a gentle smile, and practically floated to her room.

Hesper now turned to Damian, and said, "Damian, my son, your father would like to share words with you. There is nothing to be afraid of, though. I personally believe that he would like a new sword fashioned for him." Damian laughed, and his mother joined in, his hearty laugh mixing with her dainty one.
"Where is father?" The god asked.

"He went out to talk with Belen, god of wine, and his son, Jerome, god of the sea, when you did not return. Hurry, son, and take Ambrosine with you." Damian nodded at his mother just as Ambrosine came out, wearing a white gown trimmed with gold. Her long red hair was tied up in a braid which was interlaced with silver and gold strands. Ambrosine smiled brightly and linked arms with her brother.

"Hurry up, King Damian! Oh! We forgot our crowns at the river. We will have to fetch them on our way to see father."

"How do you know we are going to see father, 'Brosine?"

The goddess grinned, and replied, "The doors in this house are thin. Come, brother, let us go! It is dark outside, and we do not want to be out later than the stars." Ambrosine unlinked her arm with her brothers, and ran out the door, jumping down the hill.

"It is hard to imagine that she is more lively in the Spring than the Summer!" Hesper laughed, shaking her head.

"Brother! Come down here right now, we must see father!" Ambrosine's voice carried from far below.

Damian shook his head also. "Elder sisters can be a burden sometimes."

"Damian, I mean it!" Ambrosine shouted.

"I am coming, Ambrosine! Have patience!" They heard her laughter, and knew that she wasn't really upset. Damian gave his mother one last hug before opening the door and leaping down to his sister. Ambrosine was waiting for him, but not very patiently.

"Finally, brother! I was thinking you had broken one of your limbs!" She said. Damian just smiled a little and grabbed his sister's wrist and dragged her along.

"Damian! I can fend for myself, thank you." The goddess protested.

"All right, 'Brosine, then let's see how fast you can run!" the god suddenly broke out into a sprint, and Ambrosine laughed before beginning to run also. She almost never wore sandals, unless she was going with her mother or father to appeal to Alcander. She enjoyed the feeling of the wet grass caressing her feet, like a lover would to his wife. Ambrosine was a fast runner, of that there is no doubt. She quickly overtook Damian, and soon was at Belen's house waiting for her brother.

She was impatient, though, and decided to knock anyways. She put her fist to wood, and a moment later her father's face appeared in the doorway.

"Father! It is good to see you again!" The goddess said, overcome with excitement. She loved her father too much to say. Arsenio laughed at his daughter's shining face.

"'Brosine, it is good to see you also. How does your mother fare? I have not seen her since this morning."

"Mother fares well, father. She relayed the message that you wanted to share words with Damian, and so she sent him and I to you. But, Damian is acting a turtle right now, father, but he should be here soon."

Arsenio laughed once more. "Come inside, daughter, and meet my friend, Belen, the god of wine and his son, Jerome, god of the sea."

Ambrosine walked inside and curtsied. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Belen and Jerome. My brother will have the pleasure of meeting you also when he arrives. I overtook him in the field just ahead of here." Belen laughed heartily, and Ambrosine immediately liked him.

Jerome, however, was sulking in the corner. "Father, I want to go meet Ioannes! He said we might go stargazing." Ambrosine's head turned to Jerome faster than you could blink.

"You are… acquainted with Ioannes?" Jerome turned his head to the goddess and nodded slowly.

"Yes. We have been like brothers since childhood."

Ambrosine smiled. "Could you give him thanks from Ambrosine? He will remember." Jerome nodded, confusion evident on his face. "He will most likely retell the hilarious story when you relay the message."

The god nodded again, and turned back to his father, although he kept his eyes on Ambrosine. "Father, please, may I go? I now have a message to tell him, which is good enough reason to leave without being rude."

Belen sighed and nodded. "Yes, Jerome, but be back before the moon reaches its peak in the sky." Jerome nodded eagerly, and ran out of the house, heading in the direction of Mount Olympus.

Just then, Damian walked in, holding two circles of flowers. "Sister, I believe that your mind wandered from the crowns we wove."

Ambrosine shrugged, but smiled and took the flowers. "Thank you, Damian. The gesture is greatly appreciated."

Damian nodded and put an arm around his sister's shoulders. "Now, father, what did you call me here for?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Ioannes! I'm here!" Jerome's call reached Ioanne's ears from his room on Mount Olympus.

"Jerome, I'll be right down!" The god called back. Ioannes went to where his mother was.

"Mother, I am going with Jerome. We won't wander far, we are just going stargazing."

Iola nodded. "All right, son. But, as I am sure that Belen wants Jerome home fairly soon, only stay out for a small amount of time."

Ioannes nodded. "Yes, mother." With a little bow, he ran out of the palace, and went down to where Jerome was waiting.

"Brother, hello! Are you ready?"

Jerome smiled. "I am ready, Ioannes, and I believe that the stars are also." The two friends walked until they were in a clearing, where the mountain wouldn't tower above them. They laid down, each facing the opposite direction, so that their heads were right next to each other.

"The stars are rather bright tonight." Ioannes stated.

"Yes, they are. Perhaps Astraios is pleased tonight. Oh, while my brain is ready to speak, and not marveling at the beauty of the stars, I should add that an Ambrosine sends her thanks. She wouldn't tell me why, though. Are you acquainted with her?"

Ioannes laughed. "Partially. She slipped on a rock a couple of hours ago, and I saved her from falling. She is as quick as an arrow, isn't she? She doesn't dawdle around like most goddesses."

Jerome nodded. "She is quite beautiful, too. Not many goddesses have copper hair, or green eyes."

Ioannes nodded, also. "It makes her unique. It is very fitting that she is the goddess of Spring, though, isn't it?"

"Yes, I agree." Silence filled the air for a few moments, and they listened to the crickets chirping.

"Look, there is Polaris…'

Once again, the chapter ends, and our tale pauses.

But tomorrow, perhaps, the story shall begin again…