Chapter 10 - Prepare For Trouble...

Hestia was just returning through the streets of Orario from another failed attempt to find new members for her familia. The problem was not due to a lack of volunteers, but to a lack of suitable candidates. For a god, accepting someone into the Familia was tantamount to choosing them as a follower, so despite the fact that there were many on the streets who tried to gain divine favour with empty words just to receive a blessing, there was not a single person with a pure heart.

So far, however, luck has not favoured her. Since her descent into the mortal world, she had lived a little on the account of her friend Hephaestus. At first she assumed the search would be more fruitful, but unfortunately after a while she stagnated. So much so that the goddess of fire and blacksmiths decided to give her shelter in an abandoned church and told her to manage.

In addition, it was getting colder by the day, which signalled the undoubtedly inevitable arrival of winter. Soon enough it would probably start snowing, and Demeter would become chilly in her relationships again.

"Hestia, have you managed to recruit anyone into the family?" she heard a familiar voice from behind her

"No, unfortunately but I feel that I am getting closer in my search" replied Hestia cheerfully

"So you still believe that it is fate that will send you someone and you don't have to search for someone yourself?" Hephaestus asked accusingly

"Believe me, I really have been looking. It's not my fault that it's so hard to find one decent person in this town" replied Hestia "who would be a man" she added under her breath

Haphaestos levelled a step with Hestia,

"If you say so... perhaps I am indeed judging you too harshly"

"Exactly! I knew you would understand. Maybe we'll celebrate it then. You know Hard Work" Hestia wasn't going to waste this opportunity of being able to eat and drink for free.

"Look next to us is the Hostess of fertility "

'I'm not in the mood, maybe you should go alone'.

'And miss the opportunity for a free meal? "Don't be asked, you spend too much time in that forge. You need to show yourself to people once in a while so they don't forget what you look like"

Hephaestus nodded and moved towards the tavern, followed by Hestia with a victorious face.

"Good morning Lunoire, a table for two" Hestia said quickly in fear that Hephaestus would change her mind

"Lady Hestia of course"

"So forgive my curiosity, but why are you looking for Lord Soma?"

Again something prompted Zagreus to tell the purpose of his journey directly. "Unfortunately, if I told you, my aura of mystery would disappear, don't you think?" he smiled.

He took a map from the table with the direction marked. He was already about to get up when he sensed the aura of people newly entering the inn. Without turning around, he could feel the characteristic aura of the Olympian gods. The sensation was much weaker than when he made contact in Hades, but it was understandable as mortals might not have been able to stand it otherwise.

From before he entered the inn he remembered that one of the people should have been Lady Hestia. Granted, he hadn't had the chance to meet her, but looking at the other gods of Olympus his chances were estimated at 50% of a conflict arising.

He turned his head slightly to the left and looked towards the newcomers. "Apparently you have two new clients"

"Oh Lady Hestia and Lady Hephaestus" Syr looked to the right "You have nothing to worry about, I see Lunoire has already taken care of them" she smiled winningly.

"So you know the gods that live in the city." Zeg said.

"Even the gods are here to drink or eat" she proudly puffed out her chest "If you are so interested in the gods, I have suggestions."

"Oh? What is it?" asked the prince curiously.

"An innocent game, each of us can ask 3 questions to which the other person must answer truthfully. After each question we change the questioner. If the person does not answer the question..." the corner of Syr's mouth went up

The prince obviously did not refuse the challenge thrown his way. Whether it was pride, stupidity or perhaps the charm of the lady it didn't matter, the prince loved a challenge.

"Two more beers" he said to another waitress "Then we have a deal"

Freya tried to find out anything more from Zagreus but either he was not the brightest star or her charms did not work on him properly.

So she decided to try another tactic. Three questions. It didn't matter if he answered the truth or a lie, as a goddess she would be able to sense it, though something told her that his pride wouldn't let him lie.

Her assumption was not wrong and heard what she wanted "Well then we have a deal"

"Ladies first" said Zagreus

She became increasingly concerned that he was not a fool after all. By returning the question he was hiding what he was interested in, so she won't be able to use it in the first question against him.

"Well, why do you seek Lord Soma?" she asked her nagging question

"Of course the reason is simple, to join the Familia" replied Zeg nonchalantly

'What? That meant he didn't currently belong to any Familia! I'll have to send someone to the guild to find out more about him.

"I hope your target isn't this beverage, there are Families it's better to stay away from."

"One question" Zagreus replied smiling "But well, since you brought up the subject why did you say there are Familias that are better avoided?"

"Some gods don't care about their familia members or their goals are not noble, there have been some cases in the history of the city"

"Be that as it may, ask" said the prince

"Why do you want to join the Soma Familia"

"To help a certain girl" Zagreus replied sparingly

"Sounds like a fairy tale" Syr replied, putting her hands to her cheeks and tipping her head to the side

"You mentioned other cases, what did you mean specifically"

"As you may or may not know" she smiled "Over 7 years ago after the breakup of the two strongest Familiars in the city of Zeus and Hera… There was a group called Evilus consisting of familias led by gods who were supposedly evil and wanted to destabilise the situation in the city"

"A ridiculous name, as if someone was strenuously trying to attach 'evil' to their name. Gods are not bad or good. Their job is to exercise authority over the domain entrusted to them."

Freya knew the prince was right. The gods did not see themselves in terms of good and evil, it was a term for mortals, but she was Syr now so she feigned surprise.

At the time, neither of the two realised it, but more and more people were listening to their conversation.

Her final question remained. For the time being she had managed to ascertain the purpose and reason for his journey. Inexchange, she only answered the questions that she herself had suggested to him. She looked straight into his eyes.

"Why do you have such eyes?" she asked the question troubling her.

The Prince smiled "There are many ways to tell a man that he is handsome." he giggled "Unfortunately, if you were expecting a big secret I must disappoint you"

"..." there was a silence in the room that our two protagonists didn't notice.

"I've got them after my parents" snorted the prince with a laugh. Syr looked at him in disbelief, as she did not sense a shred of lie in his words

"But you know the more troubling question for me is..." Zagreus brought his face close to hers and whispered in her ear "What is your name my lady?"