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"… My only love sprung from my only hate…"
The sound of two women fighting killed the silence of the night. About equally sized although unequal in skill, the tallest used her height to gain an advantage when the smaller one faltered a little and, using her choice of weapon, a long wooden pole, swept it across the floor in a quick movement and pushed the other on her back. The smaller one flipped up immediately and started her attack to regain her position as first. To anyone not looking too closely, they would have looked as if they were mortal enemies and wanted to kill each other. But… to some one looking a little closer they would not have missed the smile between them, the nod the smaller one gave her opponent that meant she gave her a point and therefore put the taller one in the lead.
But women were breathing heavily by now and were covered in a thin sheet of sweat. Although the bigger one was ahead in points, she had spent all of her energy getting to that hard earned place, while the smaller one had reserves of energy and the skill that the other had not.
Running towards her opponent with a scream the smaller one picked her up and threw her gently over onto her back. The woman landed with a dull thud on the soft springy floor, chosen especially for this purpose. With a groan she stayed there, signally with her hands the end of the fight.
I lay there, welcoming the pain I knew would be there soon in my back. It was a good pain and meant that I could walk again, I could move, I could fight and be beaten once more. I could take care and look after myself instead of relying on others now. I was independent once again.
With a laugh Celcy held out her hand. I grabbed it as she helped me up. I grinned at her, remembering that for a moment out there in our fight I had been winning.
"You are getting old Celcy, or did you let me win out there?"
"Neither thank you missy, you gained that point fairly. You have good skills of your own and quick reflexes, it will not be long before I feel you can take care of yourself without my protection. Look at you dear… only three months after we arrived and you were walking about and doing things ordinary people do without thinking, and you did it all without pain. I am so proud of you Nestra; your uncle would be too."
She bowed to me. I pulled back her shoulders and frowned, she knew how much I hated people bowing and curtseying all around me. It was irritating but could not be helped when one was a Princess. However to see Celcy doing it unnerved me.
"Do not do that. To bow like that to me is to put yourself inferior to me; you are inferior to none and superior to all, so do not bow like that to anyone."
She smiled to something behind me. I turned to see me friend.
"Beaten again Ness… not very good are you?"
"I'll fight against you any time as long as you were stripped of your powers. Then we will see who is good or not."
"As amusing and entertaining as that would be, I know I would lose, so I have to decline your generous invitation."
We walked back to my home slowly so Celcy and I could cool down after the fighting. Eros walked next to me, tickling and teasing me. Eventually I grew so annoyed with him I poured all of the water that I had been given out of the jug, over his head. He shouted at me and picked me up. I screamed as he ran about holding me in the air. All Celcy did was laugh at us as we acted like children, running about shrieking.
I said my goodbye to Celecea, but not before promising to see her tomorrow. There was still much I had to learn from her and a great deal she could tell me about Aegyptus and his youth. Artemis met us at the wall and I crept over and climbed the trees, slipping over the other side. Silently I pulled myself up the trellis with creepers growing up it and finally reached my rooms.
"A black bird came and left this for you. I stopped Eros from opening it by tying his hands together, literally. He wanted to know who it was from, but I rather think that it was obvious."
Eros sat in a chair staring at the black envelope while Artemis pushed me into the bathroom.
"I had your servants fill a bath for you."
I stripped off all my clothes and threw them in a pile and sank into the lukewarm water. My hair fanned out around my shoulders and I submerged my head under it.
As I relaxed my thoughts turned from how the semi-warm water was bliss to Lynceus. I wanted to know how he was, was he recovering? Was he in pain like I had been in? I wanted to know what he was doing, and whether he remember what had happened in Death.
"How is he?" There was no need for Artemis to ask who 'he' was, I had asked this question every time I saw them.
"He is getting better, not as fast are you are mind, but he is not as bad as he was before. Nestra, I told you the exact same thing days ago. You know I would tell you is there was any change."
"Is she asking after Lynceus again? You are getting as bad as he is. Honestly Nestra, you would think from all your questions about him that you were actually worried about him, and might, possibly like him after all." Eros shouted from outside the door to us, probably still glaring at the envelope, waiting for it for open itself so he could see what was in it.
"Go drown yourself."
"I will come in there and drown you if you do not stop being obnoxious and unable to take a joke."
"You would not dare, Artemis would curse you and make you turn into an insect."
"Trust me Nestra, if I wanted to I would, but as I do not want to come in and see you in the bath I will not."
The threat that he still might come in made me leap out of the bath and put on the simple cotton night dress. I walked out of the bedroom combing my hair through with my fingers.
I looked at the envelope, pitch black with a shining silver moon and golden twinkling stars in the background. It was smooth soft paper and at the back, a crest sealed the flap shut. It was of a big black bird swooping down over a land filled with nothing. It was the emblem of Hades, and these words were on it:
Nex est tamen alius tempus in vita. Is est non futurus vereor pro victus partum maioribus periculosus quam exanimus.
I moved my fingernail underneath the seal and broke it, gently taking out the black paper inside. Written on it in a smooth elegant silver script was:
Tomorrow, come, sing, afterwards live and remember us. Do not forget your bargain with my husband. I am longing to hear you and make your acquaintance. Persephone. Goddess of Death.
I looked over at Eros.
"How could you not know who this is from? Black paper; land of nothing on the crest; the words, 'death is but another stage in life. It is not to be feared for the living pose a greater threat than the lifeless' on it. Truly Eros you are not very clever."
He threw a pillow at me and I enjoyed being able to move without pain and launched myself onto him, pinching, kicking and tickling him. We fought for a few moments before tiring. Remember it was the middle of the night as we could not risk practising in the day. The immortals made to leave, but I held onto their arms.
"Stay awhile with me. How will I get into Death for I am not dying?"
"The danger is lesser because your body and mind are whole, we will take you and watch over you." Artemis paused and thought before continuing, "Remember that just because the danger is less, it does not mean that it is no longer there. You could still lose yourself."
They sank onto the bed, on either side of me, like so many other nights we had slept together like this, asking no questions about why I wanted them to stay, just being there. Me in the middle, Artemis on my left and Eros on my right. The feel of their warm bodies next to mine made me feel safe, secure in the knowledge they watched over me.
I thought about him, just as shameful and as humiliating as it used to be, saying that was not so any longer. Artemis' snuffling and Eros' heavy breathing lulled me to sleep just as gently as Lynceus had once done. I missed him and not being with him was like being able to speak but not hear, not able to see him, and never able to have him in front of me.
I have never been a romantic person, never some one who thought romantic thoughts or gushed out words of nonsense. But… I will tell you something I would never tell anyone, even the immortals and especially not him. That these years, so much time that I was to spend here in Argos, without him, well… they were to be the hardest ones in my life. Little did I know, when I had been with him as we argued and I tried to tell myself that really I hated him, that being without him was like being without half of my soul. Of course I would rather die than admit that to anyone but you, and I would kill all who ever suggested that to me or to him.
I dreamed that night like I had not in months. I dreamt that I was cold, in a hard damp cell and that I was …
… Scared, scared out of my wits, I could die, not from being here of course. Whoever heard of a prison cell, however dirty and unclean, killing a young healthy girl? But I would die due to something to do with my father. Why I should call him by that title I do not know for he has been as much a father to me as he has been an uncle to Lynceus. In fact why call him by a name when I could just call him 'the man that has half of my blood running through my veins yet chooses to ignore it and tries to kill me because he hates me so.' I feel no affection towards that man who killed his brother, I only bide my time until I have my revenge.
Sorry, I have rambled. Back to the dream, all I could think of was what Celcy had said to me, 'your father is your father, disobey him and get caught and you will end up in the courts arguing for your life.'
Was that where I was? Were the iron grey stone walls on every side a prison cell? Was the dread I felt because in a few minutes I would be arguing for my life? I snorted as I recalled the saying on Hades' crest, 'the living pose a greater threat than the lifeless.' How true indeed.
I was dragged kicking and screaming and resisting all the way to a cold room, where six men sat there with my father, sentencing me before I had a chance to defend myself, judging me before they knew who I was. All because I was a girl, and so dependant on 'that man who shares half my blood' for orders. Then, what happens when dear, darling little daughter takes life into her own hands? Why then she is killed for doing just that, for wanting to live her own life.
I tossed and turned that night, neither of the Gods slept through it for Artemis gathered me up, long limbs and all, into her arms and rocked me gently as I fell back to sleep, whispering to myself, 'it is the living that pose the greater threat, the living not the dead.'
Eros muttered words of reassurance that nothing was going to happen. We slept once more, but it seemed like I only closed my eyes to darkness, only to open them and find myself alone. With the full glare of the sun on my face, mad at me for wasting the light of today, still trapped in the blackness of yesterday.
Stretching, I heaved myself out of bed. So… I was going to end up in the Argive courts for disobedience… well… if ever it happened I would be sure to give those cruel judges passing judgement on innocent girls a how the likes of which they had never seen before.
I sat back on the bed, wondering if going back to sleep for a few more hours would be a crime of laziness. All my muscles ached and my body felt awful, like a mass of sore tender nerves. My hands brushed a small piece of parchment.
Nestra, we will come for you at noon. Be ready, be smart, and be polite.
I stuck my head out of the window trying to figure out the time from the position of the sun. Well… ten minutes later my hair had been re arranged into a bird's nest and I had hit my head on the window frame more than once. Great, I thought, I have a headache that feels just like what Lynceus' singing sounds like, and three lumps the size of eggs on the back of my head. I groaned and then cursed repeatedly. I still had not found out the time. Oh well… better late than never.
Sorting through my clothes, I picked out garments that were too big on me. The training with Celcy had shaved off more weight that I could not afford to spare. I had turned into a twig, a stick, a thing that was too thin. Doubly great. I cursed some more, including the Gods, mainly Eros and Zeus and Hades in my speechs. I dressed in a white robe, short but a little big around my waist now.
"Are you ready or are you going to stand around cursing me all day. Although I admit, when it comes to me, there is a lot to talk about."
"How many times have I told you not to sneak up on me? What if I thought you were my father and tried to kill you with the new things Celcy has been teaching me? What would I do without you, my darling Eros?" I simpered at him and batted my eyelashes.
"I know what I would do without him." Artemis muttered, quiet but loud enough for him to hear, "I would celebrate and throw a party."
He growled at us and chased us around the room.
"Eros, behave and act like the God you are, instead of the fool you look like. We will be late."
"Close your eyes and empty your mind, this may feel a little strange as you are moving between the dimensions of Life and Death. But bear with us." Eros said, holding mine and Artemis' hands after being told off by her. He muttered the words of a spell quickly and then we were gone.
My feet stayed exactly where they were but I felt as if some one had taken a hold of my collar and pulled me away. I thought of nothing, so hard, it was like I had become nothing.
"Open your eyes my mortal friend." Her gentle whisper floated to me and as I opened my eyes I saw the owner of the voice.
She was rather small for saying she was a Goddess, or rather shall I rephrase that, compared to me she was rather small, but I suppose she could be described as of ordinary height. He beautiful appearance however was anything but ordinary and it took me less than a second to realise why the confirmed bachelor of Death had fallen for this girl.
He short brown hair, tinted red in places shone a vibrant copper and framed her tiny face. Those gentle eyes, so soft, yet at the same time issued a warning not to mistake softness for weakness. Freckles covered every visible inch of her, clinging to her frame.
I curtsied down to her, and she bent her head.
"Cousin, why is it she never acts that way towards me?"
Her face lit up as soon as she saw Eros and Artemis and I watched as she winked at Eros.
"Cousins, now do not be too bad today, for Hades had longed for this for a while."
I followed her out of the blank world of nothing, into her realm. Her world of such beauty I had never seen before and quite likely would never see again.
The river of Death split and curved around Hades' palace then joined back together. His home was a mixture of swirling towers, shining black but a riot of colours at the same time. Glass glittered and trapped pale light falling from delicate ball of magic. It was so tall and thin, all around me, the glowing souls of the dead laughed, chattered and talked. I glanced at them, then asked Persephone,
"Why have they still got their memories? They still know who they are."
"Those who still have their memories and know more than a shadow of who they had been serve my husband and myself." She paused slowly, hesitating, wondering whether to tell me her weakness or not, "I do not like to have the lost ones about me, it is somewhat upsetting."
I nodded in agreement. When we walked into that beautiful, overpowering place that the immortal couple of Death called 'home,' my mouth fell down to the floor.
"Zeus' balls!" Eros gasped.
Whoever called Hades cold and stern obviously knew not the God of the Dead. Fires glowed red flames rimmed with back, making the cold place seem warmer. The walls were decorated tastefully in bright styles that had more to d with Persephone's personal tastes than Hades' decorating style.
I watched as Persephone's face softened as she smiled when we approached her husband. She suppressed the urge to run up to him then forgot her place and did just that.
"Hello love, well… I see you have found our guests… " He smiled at his wife, fondness evident in his voice and face, it was obvious that, like he had told me, he would do anything for his wife.
"Come to fulfil my bargain my Lord." I bowed then straightened.
"Of course my lady. We welcome you here. A few of our servants wish to hear you. I hope you mind not that I had invited them."
"No, that is fine. Shall I cover my left eye, in case you do not refrain from giving me even more unexpected gifts?"
"What unexpected gifts have you given her that you have not told me about? …Love?" Her tone grew dangerous are she stared at Hades.
"A simple gift of vision, to see what is hidden, to help her sense hidden dangers. I will take it back when she has no need of it anymore."
Her face relaxed into a smile and she turned and whispered in my ear.
"Only playing with him."
Eros grinned wickedly and decided o make trouble.
"Wait until…" He said in her ears as we walked to their hall, "I tell you about what they did when Nestra died and went into Death."
"Why… "She turned to glare at Hades, "Hades, what did you do to Nestra in Death? Tell me… I demand to know."
With a forced smile Hades grabbed Eros and described the many various way he could be tortured if he so much as looked at his wife again, let alone made up lies about him cavorting with me. Eros suddenly decided to talk to Artemis and ignore Persephone.
She made out that she was mad, but, when she thought no body was looking, she grinned and winked at me, all the while trying to find out what Hades had done to me in Death. She probably already knew and was just teasing him.
We arrived in the hall and once again I was shocked, black velvet covered the wall within the dark depths was spun gold threads, delicately placed all over the room. At the front there was a raised platform, well… at least I knew where I was to be. Our voices echoed as we talked though the songs Hades wished me to sing, lighter happier ones, common in my mortal realm, and favourite of the Lady of the palace. Another one, minor, sad and a love song. One that I instantly hated and would not have chosen, but Hades had.
My voice filled every corner of this lifeless, somewhat cold room, every nook and cranny was found and covered with my voice. Straining for the highest notes and urging out the lower ones.
As the time passed, the last song approached and its minor haunting tune soon found its way to everyone's ears.
I scowled, knowing the words well, turned to Eros and asked him whether Artemis had had a hand in what I was to sing.
"Hades I hate this song, please do not force me to sing it."
"Nestra I hate seeing perfectly alive women dying and losing themselves all because they heeded me not about memories and holding tightly on to that they are. Now… Nestra sing…"
He used 'the voice' on me, and command that was hard to resist and doing so wasted a great deal of time. I struggled, trying to ignore the sensation that compelled me to sing, then gave up. I glared and cursed Hades alternately.
Stupid love song, pointless, meaningless song, I groaned, means nothing. I glared at Artemis who smiled sweetly at me. Then I began with a deep breath and belted out the first note venomously.
"Love… that foolish emotion…
Always a thing know by fools
Love… nothing real or substantial
I never thought it was true
Never real
Never there
Never… until I found you."
I paused to take in breath and continued all the while shooting hard looks at everyone.
"It was nothing because… in the end it was all nothing without you.
I never knew it
Never felt it
Never grasped it
Therefore now…
When you have left me here alone
I do not miss you,
Because it is not real,
Never was
My heart no longer breaks
I no longer miss you
I am no longer lonely
Because before… I was never loving you
Because love was never true
Never true
Never something between me… and you."
I gasped for breath as the room erupted into shaky, ghostly applause.
"And I," Hades said smiling at his wife, "Am that fool, feeling a fool's emotion." He kissed her and she blushed a bright scarlet red.
"My thanks Hypermnestra, you have repaid your debt. You have honoured my home with your presence, and balanced out the evilness brought in by Eros. Artemis my dear, you are welcome at any time in my home."
"Hypermnestra… "
As I turned a ghostly glowing hand touched my shoulder.
"Step-mother…" I knew not what to say and for once I was at a loss for words.
I here arms she cradled a baby boy, his eyes were dull and obviously lifeless, having no memories to hold on to and not yet gained a personality to hold onto.
"I have very little time to say this as you should not be kept here for long. I will say what I will quickly and simply. Your father killed me and my child. He will kill you if he ever gets the chance or you give him the opportunity. Listen Hypermnestra, do not give him that opportunity. He will kill you without pity, remorse or mercy. You will never be allowed to marry Lynceus, so deep does his hatred run, his hate is far greater than any possible affection he feels for you or your sisters. Take care and watch out. Heed what I say, for as long as you are in is care and live with him, he will watch you , waiting for you to slip up. Do not make a mistake or become careless or else you will die by your father's orders."
I nodded and understood. I had no freedom while I lived even remotely near him and was under constant danger. Curses! What was death and danger to me but a shadow forever lived with and courted?
Curse curses curses!
I was still cursing as Eros grabbed my hand and Artemis the other.
"Death and Life opposites
Never side by side exist
Out of this realm into the other
Quickly now to Life we hurry
Bid goodbye to Death's sweet kiss,
But life is truly what we miss."
We said the words and I felt the strange jerk that pulled me out of Hades' world and pushed me back into my own world.
But as Hades' crest had said, the living pose a grater threat then that posed by the dead, how I longed to be back in a world not filled with cares and worries.
It is often said that duty is heavier than a mountain and death lighter than a feather. I had not truly understood that until now.
Thanks to all who reviewed, I love you all, I'm so glad that you like this story 'cause it's my favourite one out of all the ones I've written, and the best. I am now setting a target for myself to write about 3000 words a go.