Chapter 7: Hades Castle
Morpheus casually strode down the pathway towards the castle's front door. Raven was engrossed in her surroundings. The classic Gothic structure of the castle enthralled her. Raven admired the tortured figures incorporated into the structure, the dying topiary of castle's gardens and the overall gloom of her surroundings. Her attention was so consumed that she staggered into Morpheus who had paused in front of castle's main gate. She turned and quickly noticed the large gargoyle statues guarding each side of the massive entrance. She sighed in disbelief.
Morpheus noticed her reaction. "Yes, dreadful isn't it." He took in his surroundings with a disappointed look. "It's my father's work after all. I'm sorry but in his line of work it's all doom and gloom I'm afraid."
"Actually, I kind of like it," Raven cautiously replied
Morpheus stood momentarily surprised by her response. "I think you're the first person I've ever heard say that. You're going to like meeting my father."
Raven sighed again more deeply as Morpheus' reply reminded her of her plight. "I guess he's inside, huh."
"Don't be silly, he's hardly ever here. You'll have to wait for him," Morpheus replied. He pulled his phone out of his jacket, opened it and quickly punched a few buttons. "Hey Mom, can you open the front door? Thanks." He quickly hung up, folded his phone then jammed it back into his pocket.
Raven watched in quiet disbelief. Morpheus noticed this and quickly smiled and cocked his head. "What?"
"Nothing," Raven looked away slightly uncomfortable at his sudden smile.
"You're going to have to get used to immortal's using 21st century technology," he countered.
"I'm not sure if I can," Raven answered half laughing at the situation.
With that there was a loud clack as the front doors slowly opened. "Come on. The inside's much nicer," Morpheus motioned her forward and Raven entered the front door into a dark corridor. At the far end white light streamed down the hallway. Morpheus led them towards the light.
The inside of the castle was bathed in bright sunlight. The hall emptied into a large formal garden. A stone patio lay before them. Morpheus made his way to a simple stone table in the center of the patio. Smoke wisped from of a large clay oven situated to one side of the patio. A woman stood by the stove pulling loaves of bread out and placing them into a wicker basket. She was dressed in a light green toga. Her dark hair was pulled up into a bun that was held with several large silver pins.
"Hey Mom," Morpheus casually announce his presence. He removed his jacket, tossed it onto the table and took a seat. He wore a white muscle shirt that smartly covered his slim cut frame.
The woman continued loading her basket without looking up. "Morpheus, did you wipe your feet before you came in?" she inquired.
"Umm," he glanced over at Raven slightly embarrassed.
The woman turned around and made her way towards the table holding the basket of freshly baked bread. "Honestly, Morpheus. How many times must I tell you to wipe your feet before coming in here? Who knows what you're dragging in," she lightly scolded him. "Pick that jacket up off the table, our guests will be her soon." Morpheus sheepishly dragged his jacket off the table and threw it over his chair."
"Hello Raven, I'm Morpheus' mother Persephone. I hope my son has treated you well," she said in a welcoming voice.
"Yes, he's been pretty good to this point all things considered." Raven replied.
"That's good. Don't be fooled, he can be a charmer when he wants to be, just like his father." She looked over to Morpheus who quickly scrunched down in his chair in embarrassment. "Come on Mom!" he meekly protested. She smiled back at him taking pleasure from her chiding.
"Raven may I interest you in some fresh-baked bread?" Persephone offered her basket.
"No thanks, I don't think I can right now," Raven replied.
"Mom, can we wait in my room?" Morpheus quickly suggested looking for refuge from any further embarrassment.
"Sure. I'll let you know when our other guests arrive." Persephone returned back to the clay oven and Morpheus stood up and led Raven down another path through the garden.