The sun was setting and Acheron had a lot to help Achilles and Iphigenia with. As Acheron flashed himself to a place where no one would see him, he started toward Achilles's home in Salina. However, one fidgeting redheaded goddess was in the way.
"What is wrong?" He groaned.
She hesitated. "Vasani has gone rouge."
"Damn it!"
"This isn't my fault!" She whined.
"Yes it is. This is all your fault! You killed her mother and set all of this in motion."
She looked away and took a deep breath. "Not only did I try to call him off, but V'Dona gave evidence to Deimos and Phobos who sought clearance from the Erinyes to bring him in. He is to be hunted and judged for his abuse of power."
Acheron's headache was back. He didn't know what to say to her so he walked past her to Achilles home.
Salina
Iphigenia was helping Elatos with the last few items to be packed. Most of their supplies and personal effects were already on the ship, but since Achilles… well, Peleus now… couldn't leave during the day, they waited until night fall to gather the absolute last of it all. There really was so little that they owned, that Iphigenia was surprised at how much time they had spent on any of it. But, she was really touched to see just how much Pel had bought for her during their few days in town, especially since she hated him so much at the time.
"Tell me Elatos. How did you come to be in Pel's service?"
He laughed as he let the dogs back in from their short trip outside. "Well, I was 8. And, the man caught me trying to steal a loaf of bread. And before the shopkeeper could question it, Achilles broke out in a loud order. 'Boy, I told you before, you have to remember to leave the coin. Don't be in such a rush to get things for me that you screw up and get people to think you are stealing.' Then he paid for the bread and took it from my hand. He then proceeded to purchase some cheese, apples and figs. And he practically dragged me back to his camp in Aulis, threw me in his tent and then handed me all of the food to eat. I have been serving him ever since."
Iphigenia smiled.
Pel roared in laughter. "Serving me? Is that what you call it? More like serving my nerves up for torture." He joined them after his bath. Iphigenia blushed as she realized that she was staring at him. He was just so handsome when he laughed. And the relationship that he had with Elatos was so charming.
Elatos finally stopped sulking around her once she started sleeping in Pel's bed. She supposed that he understood that she was not going to try to kill Pel again. And now that she was not barricaded in her room any more, she was finally really getting to know Elatos. He was sweet and funny.
But, it was Pel that was melting her heart. They had two full days of sleep where they were able to share memories, laugh and get to know one another. They of course talked when not in their dreams, but time was different. They seemed to have more of it when sleeping. And there, they didn't have to explain things, they could just show each other. She was grateful for their time. She was really enjoying his company. And getting restful sleep helped to calm her nerves. But, she still worried that the Dolophonos would find them soon.
There was a knock at the door and the dogs barked. "It's Acheron." The voice called.
Elatos opened the door to let the man in. Now that Iphigenia was standing and he was standing in front of her, wow. That man could be a giant!
"I am glad that I caught you." Acheron said. "I will let the captain know to leave without you and keep the cabin open with all of your things on board. But, I need you to come with me."
"What is going on?" Pel asked.
Acheron pressed his lips. "The Dolophonos that had attacked Iphigenia in her dreams, he has gone rogue. V'Dona did as she said that she would, and the other Dolophoni are hunting him down as we speak. But, that only makes him more dangerous and he may come after you both."
Pel let out a long list of curses. "Why? Why is that bitch doing this to her?"
Acheron understood his anger. "Artemis tried to call Vasani off. She did not know about the extent of the assaults."
"But, she still ordered him to attack her in her dreams. And you just said his name is Vasani? Wouldn't that have been a clue about the kind of man he is?"
Acheron shrugged. "One would think." Then with a deep breath. "I can't explain all of this here and now. But, I am going to take you some place that should be safe."
Acheron asked that they all gather close. Iphigenia held on to the dogs while Pel held on to her. Then, between heart beats, they moved from their home in Salina to what appeared to be a cave system. There were candles and sconces everywhere. It was quite beautiful.
"What is the meaning of this?" A deep baritone voice called as a large muscular man came barreling out of one of the caves leading from the cavern that they were in. When he saw Iphigenia, he stopped dead in his tracks. His strange lavender eyes were wide.
"Why Acheron?" The man asked.
"Because Vasani has gone rogue and will be after them. I can't leave Achilles trapped in a tiny little room if he attacks during the day. Here, he will have more room to fight and have you there to help until her fate comes to pass. It works out for us all that you still live in a cave system instead of a house."
The man shook his head. "But, I did not see this."
Acheron clapped him on the shoulder. "Because you did not do this. I did. And I can see that this is the best chance that they have."
"I know you." Pel spoke. "You changed my course the night that I found Iphigenia outside of her father's tent. And you brought the dogs."
The man nodded and looked down.
"Why?" Iphigenia asked.
He looked up and took a deep breath and looked straight at Iphigenia. "Because I am your father."
Elatos couldn't keep quiet. "What in the hell? I thought your father was Agamemnon?"
Iphigenia shook her head, she did not understand. This man was maybe around 25 years old.
Acheron jumped in. "OK. We don't have a lot of time here. Everyone, this is Zebulon. Zebulon, this is everyone. Yes, Zebulon is really your father. No, he is not 25, more in the range of 25 thousand years old. Yes, he is a god. No, he is not Olympian. He is Chthonian. So was your mother, she was the goddess Hecate who was badly wounded when she was pregnant with you and chose to save your life instead of her own, so she removed you from her womb and placed you into Queen Clytemnestra's and bequeathed all of her powers to you. So, one day, you will become a goddess as well. Congratulations. Except for the fact that you have to die before you get those powers. And this is why Artemis hates you so much. Done. Now let's plan for the show down with a pissed of Dolophonos who likes to make people suffer, shall we?"
Everyone erupted into questions, exclamations, and curses at one time. The chaos had the dogs joining in with barks.
"Silence!" Acheron growled. "I know it is a lot. But, seriously, we need to focus. I do not typically talk so much in one breath. That alone should emphasize our need to stop asking questions on those topics and focus on Vasani."
Pel pulled Iphigenia into him so that he could help to sooth her emotions. Her eyes were wide and she was trembling as she tried to wrap her mind around it all. She had another set of parents that she did not know about, they were gods. She will be a goddess. But, she has to die first? And she is being hunted. It was too much to take at one time.
The men all started to talk about the best way to defend her. Iphigenia allowed herself to be grounded by Pel's embrace. His warmth soothed her. She listened. But, she was so tired of always having to sit back while her life took turns at the whim of kings or gods.
Then she looked over. In the shadows of the cave, she saw the spirit of the beautiful priestess from Tauris who had taught her about magics and herbs. It was not a topic that Iphigenia was fond of, but it was something to do since she could not leave the temple. And for some reason, her presence was always a welcome one.
Iphigenia finally spoke. "Could you get me some herbs?"
Everyone fell silent and looked at her. But, she continued. "I have a list, but, specifically angelica, laurel, and yarrow."
Zebulon smiled. "You are like your mother. She was a goddess of the moon, underworlds, spirits, necromancy, and magic you know. Her specialty was using herbs for protections. And she was always fond of dogs." He looked down at Priam and Agamemnon.
"So that explains the spirits that I have seen all my life? Remind me not to thank her for that one."
To her surprise, the spirit of the beautiful priestess came forward, into the middle of their group. And everyone could see her. "Now, if I held back on that gift my child, then I would not have been able to spend so many hours with you." She smiled.
"Hecate?" Zebulon's eyes watered at the sight of her. She turned to him. "Do not grieve my love. Hades has taken pity on me and allowed me a chance to visit only for small moments of time. But, he has tied me to our daughter. I could not leave her side to visit you."
The goddess reached up to hover her hand over Zebulon's face. "Cherish her for us both." Then she was gone. The god fell to his knees as his grief overtook him.
Iphigenia finally approached her father for the first time. And when she placed a hand on his face, he pulled her down into a hug. Tears swelled in her eyes as she comforted her father. But, she would not let it continue.
Pulling back to cup his face and look him in the eyes. "I have lived so much of my life, quietly accepting my fate for the sake of my families safety and honor. But, I am not a little girl any more. The world thinks I am dead. The honor of the house of Agamemnon fell apart when he offered me to be sacrificed and the woman who gave me birth turned on him for it. The safety of my siblings is no longer tied to my compliance. I am not responsible for releasing an army from a curse. I cannot change my curse. But, you, and the men around us are my family now. And I won't let you all risk your lives while I hide. Let me help."
Zebulon nodded and kissed her on the forehead. "What do you need?"
"I need angelica, laurel, and yarrow." She smiled. And no sooner had she said that, then baskets of them appeared next to her. "Thank you." She kissed his cheek and set to work preparing the herbs.
The men returned to discussions about defenses. As they talked, Pel watched Iphigenia work at sorting and compiling batches of herbs that she placed around the tunnels. Her lips moved as she spoke incantations and burned some in various sconces. She had changed so much since she was a child. Yet, her core was the same. Protective of her family with a strength to do what she needed to do. She was right. She is not a little girl any more. And he was proud of her for choosing to fight in anyway that she knew how.
As she returned. Elatos asked. "So, what are those herbs for?"
"They are protective and healing herbs. Also they help sooth dreams and enhance psychic powers. And since, Vasani has attacked me in my dreams before, it seems pertinent to give us strength there. Plus, Pel here has psychic powers, why not give him a boost? I might not be a warrior like all of you. But, if I can help, I will."
"Uh, question. Who is Pel?" Zebulon asked.
Elatos, Achilles and Iphigenia laughed. But, it was Achilles who answered. "I am. I can't go around telling everyone that I am Achilles. So, Acheron highly suggested that I change my name. As my father died 5 years ago of a nice old age, I figured that no one would mistake me for him. So, Peleus it is."
"Yeah, cuz that's not going to get confusing." Zebulon grimaced.
Elatos laughed. "Hell, it is better than when he tried to convince me that he would change his name to Troy."
Zebulon screwed up his face. "There is something wrong with you boy."
"See, I have been saying that for years." Elatos was grateful for the support until Pel popped him upside the head.
Zebulon finally relented. "Look. I don't care what you call yourself. You just be good to my daughter or I will kill you. Got it?"