Seven: Revelation

Icarus

It's the feeling of dropping that wakes me up. After a panic, I realise it's only an extra-large wave we lurched over. I didn't even realise I fell asleep. I can barely see the deck its so dark. I cling to the bench, it feels like I'll get thrown off the ship if I move. Dusk is gone, stars are out. Orion's setting in the sky. Most of the crew have gone to sleep at their posts, with the helmsman guiding the ship. The sail looks like a cloud, the wind blowing strong, carrying us over the ocean quickly – way too fast if you ask me. Then again, the faster we go, the quicker we get off this death trap…
Narcissus is nowhere to be seen. Then, in the corner of my eye, I see a lonely, flickering light, a shadowy figure holding it out over the ocean. There he is again, eyes glowing orange in the firelight, searching the damp darkness beneath us with a silent, calm desperation. He turns away from the water. Sits for a while, just staring across the deck. I'm about to go back to sleep when he suddenly moves. With his free hand, he picks up a wide bowl from the darkness. Leaves. Returns, cradling the bowl in his arms, water sloshing over the sides. He puts it down heavily under the torch and stares at it. Touches the water in the bowl. Moves closer. Stops. A frown runs across his face.

'You're…'

I hear him murmur. Then slowly, slowly, he moves his hand towards his own face. His eyes widen as he keeps staring at the reflection. Suddenly he reaches out and slams the bowl away with horror. I flinch as the bowl clatters past me. The water spills from it and slashes over the torch, instantly outing it.

"LAND AHOY!" I hear the helmsman shout from the other end of the ship.

Narcissus

He's…

No. no.

He's…

How could I be so stupid. All the time, spent, chasing him…

But the first time we met, he spoke. He spoke to me. I swear he…

He hasn't spoken since. It couldn't be because…

No. It's wrong. This, this is a test. I know it is. He's testing me.

Or maybe it's Aphrodite. She's testing. It would make sense. The most beautiful man on earth doesn't make an offering for months, yet makes a living off her rival goddess – what did I think was going to happen? She's probably pissed off. She's definitely pissed off.

No wonder she's plaguing me with hallucinations. Making me think I'm insane. Making me think…

'Uh…are you alright?'

It's Icarus. He's standing beside me all of a sudden, squinting in the sunlight. A frown creases his sweaty brow. Why does he look so concerned? It's like he knows something.

'Yes. I'm fine.'

I turn away from the ocean, I can't stand to look at it any longer. Too much happens there. Even when we find his father, I may stay in Athens for a while, make sure I get my sacrificial debts sorted, ensure I'm Aphrodite's favourite again.

Then maybe I'll stand a chance with Him. Until then, I shouldn't see him. It'll be painful but -

'You don't look fine.'

Said the boy who fell out of the sky and dislocated every bone in his body.

'Come,'

I motion towards the small flock of servants, slaves and followers who are waiting by the dock, eyes eagerly following my every move. I almost roll my eyes. It's exhausting being flawless. I give a small wave of my right hand and it's like sending a stick through flies: they all scatter in a matter of moments.

'Wow. That was cool.' Icarus stares wide eyed as if he's never seen synchronized servants before.

'Hardly.'

'Will they come back?'

'They've gone to prepare our lodgings.'

'So, where are we going?'

'Aphrodite's temple.'

'Why?'

'I've got a question for you, why do you ask so many questions?'

'Well-'

'That was a rhetorical question.'

'What does rhetorical mean?'

'Argh!'

Icarus

Hm. He's annoyed now. But annoyed is better than distracted. I could tell that he was thinking about last night, his discovery. I kind of feel sorry for him, must have messed him up. Must be why he's suddenly so set on going to Aphrodite's temple. He doesn't really seem like the religious type, too self-obsessed. Literally.

We walk for what I guess is a short while, but it feels like a marathon. Narcissus has gone back into some sort of inner monologue, the pace he was keeping with me gradually speeds up to his normal stride. I glance downwards. His calves ripple with muscle, powering him along smoothly, like he's a fish swimming through water. I find it harder, struggling with the open ground, the uneven surfaces. I trip a lot, not that he notices. The sandals Narcissus gave me don't help either – they're brand new and tailored exactly to my size apparently, but they hurt like hades. I'm not used to shoes. Learning to fly was ten times easier.

We're coming to the outer city from the docks, and it starts to filter through, first the smells that seem almost familiar, then the sounds. I see the soldiers standing by and try not to flinch – no need, they don't even know I exist – they're Athenian. We pass them without any issues. It's not until we get through the city gates that it really hits me: beaten footways reach out like a spiders' web from the cluster of makeshift stalls lying around more sturdy looking buildings. Which way do we go? I don't think even the labyrinth is this confusing. All ahead of us – then all around us – paths and tracks that lead one way, then another, then another – all weaving between sweet and stale smells and stalls selling dried meat and fish and fruit and fabric – cloths of all different colours so rich and full and puffing up in the breeze and the sound of coins changing hands and the yells and singing – rough voices of strangers so loud and jolly and harsh – and it all gets loud loud loud and the smells grow stronger, crashing into each other – filling my ears, nose, head, brain –

'I don't…don't feel too great Nar..cissus…'

His sharp face appears back at me through a floating lilac cloud of sweet smelling stuff – his worry face from before on –

Everything's about to spin and fall away like before – but hands hold my shoulders and keep everything together for once.

'Thanks,' I mutter, as the world turns the right way round again.

Narcissus

I nearly left him behind, couldn't he walk any faster? It's not my fault I have things other than him to think about. Then again, this is probably the furthest he's walked in a long time. I slow up slightly, waiting to give him time to catch up. That's when I realise he's quite a few paces behind me, looking dizzy, confused, as if he'd had too strong a wine for the middle of the day. I know better though. He's saying something, but looks like a fish gulping for all I can hear. The marketplace is too loud.

I grab him before he collapses and guide him to a side street, taking water from my pack and splashing some on his face. It seems to bring him back.

'Th'nks,' he smiles weakly

'I'm taking you to our lodgings. You need to rest,' despite the fact he's spent most of the journey sleeping. I don't say that part.

'Wha' about the temple?'

'The temple can wait.' I say, a slightly irritated edge underlining my voice. It really can't wait, but dragging an ill child with me to the temple of love is not the best idea, especially if I'm trying to get on Aphrodite's good side. Perhaps it will turn out for the best anyway, going alone late in the evening is bound to draw less crowds, less people to get in my way. More attention from the goddess; Zeus knows I'm going to need it.

I drop Icarus off at our apartment; it's only a few streets away and after years of trading and soliciting here, I know Athens decently enough. I leave him with my personal slave girl – slave is her status but I pay her a small allowance. Her family would starve otherwise and it's inconvenient to have miserable staff.

It would seem that misery spreads.

I shut up the voice in my head, before it plagues me further with its pessimism. Alone once more, I pick up a handful of olives from the kitchen before heading out. I have some errands to run, Aphrodite likes offerings of fine jewellery, garlands and delicate sweets (amongst other things) so if I hope to find any I'd better get there before the stalls close. Then there's the matter of the horses Dareios has yet to pick up from the man I'm hiring them from. Then there's the fact that the temple of Aphrodite is all the way up north of Athens…

It occurs to me I should eat more than a couple of olives. It's going to be a long night.