Reah-flow

If there was one thing Reah thanked her mother for, it was her talent for weaving. Since she could walk, or maybe even before, Reah started weaving and rarely stopped.

Reah pulls her flowing blond curls out of her place, because having it her face is both distracting and annoying. The twelve year old turns her attention back to the tapestry she is creating. Unlike the simple patterned blankets her father tells her to make for market, this work illustrates the tale of Psyche and is a wedding present for the King of Athens. Even if his wife is shady at best, everyone in Athens wishes to support their king in his marriage.

"Reah!"

She sighs and doesn't turn away from her work. "What is it father?"

"There were rumors in the market today!"

A thing about her father, he thirsted for knowledge much like herself and her mother but unlike her he enjoys gossip. She can't blame him, since he spends all day selling their wares, made from her thread and his clay, and it's impossible not to become bored.

"There are rumors everyday father, but how many are true?"

He shakes is mop of dark strands and looks at her with hazel orbs. "One is true Reah. Minos of Crete sent a messenger that delivered a ship will come tomorrow and a lottery drawn from the youth of Athens."

Reah stopped her work and looked upon her father. "If it is true, how is it a rumor?"

"Well, no one knows what will happen to the winners. Some say they will stay in Crete, others say treasure, some say marriage, but nothing has been confirmed or denied."

Reah sighs. "You want me to go?"

"Actually, all youth under twenty must attend."

Reah looks to her creation, knowing she clearly won't finish tomorrow. "I'll go wash then."

"Clean the shoes I got for you!"

"Of course father." For if she was picked, she didn't not want to let her feet touch the Cretan ship.

Not surprisingly, her father was correct that everyone must attend the docking of the Cretan ship. She was glad she had cleaned up, short white dress and clean leather sandals. It wasn't too big nor too small but the sail was red. When Reah thought of red, the first thing that came to her mind was blood. Clearly, Reah didn't like the ship.

When the ship docked, it felt like the whole world became mute. Fourteen men got off, and started making their way into the crowd. Reah hoped they would explain their purpose, but actions speak louder than words.

The first scream was female and filled with rage that soon turned to panic. More screams pierced the air and Reah tried to put both hands over her ears when someone grabbed her wrist. She looked up to see a Cretan soldier and screamed bloody murder to his face and tried to clutch her father's hand. He threw her over his shoulder and she caught a glimpse of her father being held back by her people.

The rest of the way to the boat was a blur. Reah isn't important enough to be picked nor beautiful. No one knows her origins, but that might not make a difference in this case. She's barely twelve, far too young for a girl to journey without any relatives.

The man puts her below deck in her own little corner. Reah curls up in a ball, and tries not to think about what will happen to her. Reah feels a hand on her shoulder and looks up to see a young Athenian man and with a young woman flanking him. The man is blond and blue eyed with mischief in them, a son of Hermes. The woman is about two years younger with her black hair in an up do and electric blue eyes, a daughter of Zeus.

The man speaks first. "I'm Talus and she's Jenasis. What's your name."

"Reah."

Jenasis smiles. "It's nice to meet you Reah, and there's no reason to be afraid. The moron and I will watch your back."

Talus looks a bit offended. "How many times must I tell you I'm not a moron."

Reah smiles at them. "Probably a lot."

That is the start of their beautiful friendship/family unit. Since Jenasis and Talus are engaged, which wasn't all that shocking after seeing them bicker like a married couple, they filled in the parent role and Reah had that of their offspring. They tended to stick to their trio and everyone kept in their own clicks for the whole voyage.

Things change when they docked in Crete.

They were all brought on deck, then paraded through the streets to the palace. People were cheering, screaming with joy, and throwing petals at them at the mere sight of the fourteen Athenians. Reah gripped Jenasis's hand as Talus tried to block them from the flowers.

"I don't like this Jenasis."

Jenasis scowled at the crowd. "Me either."

When they get to the palace it's late, so they're led to the dining hall. Reah has never heard of most of the foods, and is surprised King Minos went to such lengths to entertain his hostages.

Talus scans it over. "It's looks like they're trying to fatten us up."

Reah looks up at him. "Like lambs to a sacrifice."

Jenasis nods. "I wouldn't put it past them."

Still, they ate the food because all they've had to eat on the ship was bread and water. Plus, if Reah is going to die, she might as well die full. When the meal was over, King Minos called forth fourteen servants.

"Show the guests to their rooms and bring them to the gates at dawn."

They swarmed Reah and the others, leading them to their rooms. Reah refused to release Jenasis's hand though. A servant scowled at her, probably for acting like a baby, but Jenasis calmly pets her hair.

"I'll see you tomorrow Reah."

Reah sighs and gives each of her companions swift hugs before following an annoyed servant.

Reah hates the labyrinth. She's been in here with Talus and Jenasis for two days and she's already going insane. The place is always moving and the traps just keep getting harder to avoid. She doesn't even want to think about the monster or the screams from six others, most likely signaling their deaths.

At present, she's supposed to be sleeping but is instead looking at the string over her finger that's tied to Talus ahead and Jenasis behind. It had been her idea, so no one wandered too far. It's worked wonderfully, minus that it has the three's blood on it from traps and chaffing.

She senses movement from Talus's end.

"Are you still up Reah?"

"Is Jenasis?"

"No, but if we sense something we'll wake her."

There's silence for a while until Reah speaks.

"Someone built this."

"Probably against their will Reah."

"I wasn't in of the cruelty, though I have been, but the craftsmanship reminds me of home."

"So one of your brothers built it?"

"Yes and I think there might be a center where he worked and if we can find the center..."

"We might find him and get out of here."

She nods but knows the chances are unlikely.

In the next three days, both Jenasis and Talus's strings are cut from herself. She finds them a short time after dead in different locations and wishes she could give them a proper burial. Instead, she keeps journeying until she stumble upon looked doors.

Reah rushes forward and desperately bangs on them. In the distance, she heard the movement of the bull monster.

"Please open the doors!"

A little slit in the door opened and I was met with my own grey eyes on an older man.

"I can't."

Reah felt like collapsing on the ground and sobbing.

She choked on her next words.

"Can't or won't?"

His eyes look even sadder.

"It's locked from the outside."

Reah feels something pick her up and throw against a wall. Her last glimpse of the world was the monster ready to tare her apart.

Nina opened her eyes and felt something wet in her. Nina swears that if she wakes up with one more injury...

Back to this current life Reah. She was a very adaptable person and a good survivor. There was also that fact she went through the labyrinth and died there. Reah was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Jenasis and Talus reminded her of Victor and Grace, which meant it probably was them. The thought of her big brother and his girl watching over even in a different life warmed her heart. Hopefully she'd see them in Elysium.

Nina closed her eyes to get her into double digits with the sound of screaming and the smell of smoke.

Jenasis-Thalia

Talus-Luke

Sorry for not updating in months, but in late November I joined a sport, which I suck at less than when I started, and it just ended for me this week. So now I have more free time and updates should take less time.