Chapter 3: The Styx
Raven could hear the rippling noise of flowing water echo in the caverns ahead of them. The passage opened out and they were soon along the shore of the underground river Styx. Morpheus led them to a rickety pier that extended into the river.
"Where the hell is he," Morpheus said to himself. He dismounted and walked to the edge of the pier looking across the river in obvious annoyance. Raven leaned forward in the saddle and began stroking the Nightmare's neck once again.
Morpheus reached in his pocket and pulled out his flip phone. He looked down at it and walked back towards Raven. He punched a couple of buttons then held the phone up to his ear. After a few seconds Raven could hear a garbled voice. "You're late," Morpheus said curtly into the phone. A garbled voice responded. "No excuses. Chop, chop." Morpheus pulled the phone away from his ear, hung up, flipped the phone closed and stuffed it into his jacket.
He looked up at Raven and said, "Sorry for the delay, our ride's running a bit late. My Dad always goes with the lowest bidder." Raven returned a stunned look. "What's the matter?" the god of dreams continued.
"Sorry, this whole thing is just too weird," she replied after a brief pause.
"What, did you expect gods walking around in togas and playing harps?" Morpheus replied.
"Well, yes," Raven countered.
Morpheus grunted in disapproval walked over towards the shore and sat on a large rock. He folded his arms and stared out over the river waiting for his ride.
Moments later, Morpheus stood up then slowly walked to the dock. A small wooden ship came around the bend. Raven dismounted, pulled the reigns over the Nightmare's head then led him to the dock.
The boat looked barely seaworthy. It was rather long with a flat deck and one mast. In the back of the boat was a raised platform. The boat eased up to the end of the pier and an elderly man quickly lowered a plank. Morpheus walked up the plank and onto the boat.
"You're late Charon," Morpheus said curtly. The elderly boatman grunted and held out his hand. Morpheus walked right by him. "Hey wait a minute," Charon said in a croaky voice. "I don't care who you are you owe me passage." Charon turned as Morpheus made his way to the raised platform on the back of the boat.
"It's a tin roof old man," Morpheus cried.
"What?" Charon responded.
"It's on the house," Morpheus replied.
Raven led the Nightmare to the edge of the gangplank and halted. Charon looked down at her then waved her up. She ran up the gangplank which bowed under her and the Nightmare's weight. The boat rocked slightly as both of them made their way on board. Raven released the reigns and the Nightmare walked slowly to the middle of the craft. Charon pulled the plank back onto the boat.
"I'm sorry I don't have anything to pay my passage," Raven cautiously said to the elderly boatman. Charon stood up and grunted in annoyance. "You can have my belt," Raven meekly offered. Charon cackled briefly then cleared his throat. "My lady, what would I do with that?"
"If you two are done with your introductions I'd like to get going," Morpheus called down in annoyance. He had grabbed the large steering oar at the back of the boat.
"Why you little…," Charon said lightly then paused as he looked back at Raven. "Excuse the language my Lady. That boy's got me all worked up at the moment."
"That's ok, I understand," she replied. Charon walked back to the mast and unfurled the main sail. A cool breeze blew up and the boat slowly pulled away from the dock.