Chapter 6 - True intent
Zagreus looked straight into Riveria's eyes and burst out laughing "Hahahaha"
the elf's face slowly turned red "you will not offend our Familia with your behaviour ..."
"Buhahaha" the Prince was catching air greedily "Stop it, please"
"What's so funny about that!" an irritated Riveria shot back.
"This" he pointed to an entry in the book wiping away tears.
The elfess looked up. On the page was only the jester symbol and the note "goddess of deceit and mischief" angry and confused she turned her gaze back to the prince of the underworld.
"The jester may not be a heroic emblem but..."
"No, no" the prince interrupted her "The symbol makes the intent of the god apparent, that is not the point."
Slowly Zagreus calmed down "No one, ever explained this to you?" he looked indulgently and began to explain.
"You could say that when gods say they are gods of something it is in a way advertising themselves for followers." he snorted with laughter. "So when I read, the god of deception and mischief I couldn't help myself"
"Then let me disappoint you. None of the children of our god tribute mischief and deceit" interrupted Riveria in a serious tone.
"That is precisely the point" replied an amused Zagreus. He still didn't understand why mortals liked to twist simple things like that.
"Why would the gods write about others? Gods write what they will bestow to their followers. Reading this caption, her followers can expect to be deceived and tricked. If I were you, I'd be careful about constantly repeating the word children, because your god will start calling you mum."
Riveria frowned, Zagreus however did not notice this and continued.
"Looking at the intention of the god, or symbol, you are likely to be cheated and all your money taken out on alcohol" laughed Zagreus.
Riveria's jaw dropped and she stared blankly at her hands. So many people every day tried to join the Familia, only to be, as her companion put it, "to be tricked and deceived ". Her Familia has no right to know about this.
"So, as the note relates to what the god offers, the symbol indicates the requirements" Hearing these words the elf turned her long ears towards the prince.
"In this case we have the jester. It symbolises common sense and honesty. In lands where kings ruled their subjects, jesters resided in courts. They were the only ones who could mock and say freely whatever they wanted in the presence of the kings using satire. The subject they liked to address were their observations of the hardships of the common folks."
"Therefore I can conclude that the members of your family, after all, must think soberly and be honest with what they believe."
Zagreus waved a hand in front of the broken elf's face. 'Hmm, perhaps it is a common trait for all mortals' the prince wondered. His talents were many, but he had yet to knock a woman down with conversation alone.
'No, it must be blind luck, he's probably been following her family and it's all staged' Riveria snatched the book from the prince's hands and flipped to the very end.
In the index the gods were added in order of arrival in the city, so whoever was there couldn't be known by him.
"Okay, tell me about this person." - She pointed a finger at the last entry of the index
"Lady Hestia" read Zagreus "Goddess of heart, home and family" and next to it was the symbol of a sacred flame. 'Who would have thought that my father's sister would be in town.'
"The flame symbolism is more difficult but what is not done for beautiful ladies" Riveria blushed a little in response to the compliment.
"As it is written here, she offers a place or better said a home to anyone who seeks it."
"This means that those who join will mostly be orphans, although not necessarily. A home and family can also be lost while still having them. The condition set by Lady Hestia, on the other hand, is a symbol of sacred flame, which means purity. In this case, it will be purity of heart."
"My best guess would be that the first child to join her will be an orphan with a pure heart and a hero complex" said the prince. "...and the goddess will search until she finds him"
"Well perhaps I have gone too far, as this particular goddess does not yet have a family." sighed the elf "In that case, what about the girl you saved? What about Lord Soma?"
"Hmm, all in all I am in no hurry to go anywhere anyway. I will answer that question… well, but you will owe me something. I'm not in a position to say what it will be but when the time comes I will ask for a favour, agreed?"
"So be it" said the green-haired woman impatiently "but it must not be something contrary to my beliefs"
"Then we have a deal" smiled the prince and took the index in his hand.
On the page he saw the inscription "Soma the god of wine" that means Dionysus has competition amused the prince to the inscription was a drawing of a chalice and the moon.
"I have a better idea, you try it".
"But…"
"No worries if anything happens you can count on my help - the prince smiled"
Riveria took the index in her hand "Okay so what god promises seems fairly simple"
"Yes" replied Zagresu "Wine, it is a promise both saying that those who join will be able to drink it as well as produce it, for what good winemaker would not try his wares" - squeezed the prince's eyebrows "The question is, what does the symbol mean?"
"To drink at night?" the elf asked.
"Ho ho, we hardly know each other and already you are trying to pull me into the arms of Dionysus" said the prince jokingly, at which Riveria's face turned all red.
Suddenly Zagres became more serious. "Unfortunately no, or not exactly" he replied "Wine can be interpreted as a symbol of friendship and happiness but in this case it is a chalice"
"Soma is not the god of wine" The prince pointed to the moon " but the god of the moon"
What the prince did not say about the divine symbols, was that they did not so much describe the demands made on mortals as define the gods themselves. For Hestia it was purity, for Loki common sense, and for Soma... enlightenment. The gods, on the other hand, chose followers who would spread their ideals.
The moon symbolises enlightenment or the dark side of Nature itself. It is the midpoint between the light of the sun and the darkness of the night, and therefore often represents the realm between consciousness and unconsciousness. The crescent moon is a representation of youth and maturity. The chalice, on the other hand, symbolises ritual rites.
Zagreus turned his gaze towards the room where they had moved Lili, continuing "Have you ever heard about nectar? It is said it's savour simply cannot be described. Some say it taste of whatever is the most delicious substance their mind can imagine"
"As I doubt whether it could be produced here, not all trials created by the gods are made equal."
"However, we all believe that the only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible." he sighed, recalling Achilles' words 'One is not born simply a hero, but becomes one.'