CHAPTER 4
Medusa's house is different from the small sun-dried mud brick buildings that lie on the outskirts of the city's agora. For one thing, this house is much bigger than those other structures and has an expanded courtyard in the back. The house's interior is also vast with a hearth that rivals any I have ever seen on Olympus. The floor is comprised of inlaid tiles with curious designs and unusual colors. A sweet aroma permeates throughout the house, bringing with it the fresh clean breeze from one of the open windows. It takes me a bit of time to discern the identity of this sweet aroma but I finally realize that it is rosewater that I smell. The reason it takes me so long to recognize this scent is because I am used to catching a strong whiff from Aphrodite's person whenever she is present. The rose water that she uses for her perfume is so heavily sweet that I usually find myself coughing and unable to breathe until she has departed from my sight. The rosewater scent in Medusa's house is more subdued and likely diluted because I can freely breathe and enjoy the scent at the same time. Even the incense used in my temple cannot compare to the pleasant atmosphere brought about by the rosewater.
Medusa smiles when I compliment her on the fragrance of the rosewater. "My mother and I often make it to ward off the smells coming from the streets. You would be surprised how far those stenches travel and how potent they are."
A small boy emerges suddenly from behind a wall hanging to the left of the room. He looks to be about four or five years old and has short curly hair almost as auburn as Medusa's but with traces of blonde in it. The boy has a shifty air about him, as though he has just made a daring and rather difficult escape from a tutor or nurse. The latter personage reveals herself by shouting out in a shrill voice, "Titos, come back here! Your bath is waiting!"
Despite my limited experience with children, it is clear to me that no boy, be he mortal or divine, likes to hear the word 'bath'. Titos proves no exception to this observation. He wrinkles his small face in an expression of distaste at the sound of the nurse's voice, then makes a beeline for Medusa. "Meddy, Meddy!" he shrieks happily.
By the time he hurls himself into her arms, his scowl has been replaced by a broad grin. Medusa smiles in return as she wraps her arms around the boy and lifts him off the ground. For a short while, she bounces him on her hip, causing them to laugh gleefully. Then she places him back on the ground and a game of chase begins, the two of them tearing across the courtyard like a pair of game hounds after a wild boar. It is clear Medusa and Titos are extremely fond of each other, a characteristic I never knew could exist between siblings. I find that I am staring dumbly after them, multiple thoughts running through my mind.