1
I was created to serve Zeus. He sculpted my body to be perfect in his eyes. He did not want me to look like all the other humans. He wanted me to be darker. He left me in the sun to darken just enough to his satisfaction. He got advice from Aphrodite herself to help shape everything. To match my dark skin, he painted my hair darker than the night sky. When he opened my eyes, he grayed my pupils. And then he breathed life into my body…
"You will never be a mortal, a human. You will live forever, as long as my power remains strong. As long as the humans pray and believe in me, you will have ever lasting life, my beautiful priestess, Ai."
My instructions were as such: Zeus would communicate with the people of large city of Argos through me. Marking my body each time with his ruling in order to command the people. The royal council members were the only ones allowed to read the markings on my body. Zeus was very clear when he told me to let no man lay their eyes upon me. When they followed Zeus's commands they city was blessed with good fortune. And if they disobeyed then they would be punished.
I was to go to Argos every 20 days to speak with the royals of Argos. I was left in the care of the Djinn, sorcerers and cutthroats who took their baby sitting of me very seriously, especially, Sheikh Sulieman. I used to be afraid of him, but we grew on each other quite fast.
The desert was always hot and even as a young woman I was very lonely when I was not carrying out Zeus's commands. When my body was not marked, I would hardly wear anything. A simple sash covered my crotch, and a brown wrap covered my breasts. My hair was longer now and stuck to my back. Because the markings would be appearing soon, I had my long robes beside me ready to wear. Luckily the thin material kept me cool even when I wore them here.
I was sitting in the sand merely admiring some of the large boulders and ruins. There were hidden caves all beneath the desert. If you knew where to look you could find numerous treasures. I noticed something crawling out of the sand beside me and I slowly turned looking as a small baby scorpioch. I tilted my head some smiling as I realized its mother was probably right beneath my bottom. The small thing screeched at me trying to strike its sharp and very dangerous stinger at me. I couldn't help but smile as I gently raised my hand to it, then paused and just turned my palm to it. It tried nipping at my fingertips which hurt a bit, but I did not mind it. Slowly it shrieked a bit more before moving its way onto my palm and I grinned and moved my hand to the top of my thighs and I watched as its small red eyes moved before jumping onto my body. As I watched it shriek and move about, I heard familiar and heavy footsteps. Now the sun's rays were blocked as I looked up at Sheikh Sulieman. His deep blue eyes shined deep as he inhaled loudly.
"The markings will be upon your body soon. It will be time to depart for Argos." he told, and I nodded slowly looking as the baby scorpioch jumped off my legs and disappeared into the sand. I was a bit discouraged now.
"They almost killed us the last time I came to them." I told. It was the first time I had met King Kepheus and Queen Cassiopeia. I came to them with a message from my creator. They and their entire courts laughed at me and mocked me. A woman as dark skinned like their slaves could never be favored by their pure Gods. They planned to kill me for thinking I was mocking Zeus, but their daughter Andromeda showed me mercy, and I was told to never return to their city. From villagers passing through the desert I was told a great famine had hit their city the day I departed. Their animals died, locusts destroyed their crops. Any food they had had already died. Zeus was not pleased. Their food was shortening quickly. A messenger came seeking me out days ago to ask for help from the King himself. He was begging me to return and help his people. I told him I would come back.
"Mortals are very weak-minded beings who need a bit of push to believe when their blessings are being brought to them on a silver platter. When you show them your markings this time they will listen." he announced. I nodded slowly looking at him. He was digging into his wrap and pulled out some dry meat and handed it to me. I took it and bit down on it. It was dry as usual, but very good.
"When they come to escort me… you will come with me?" I asked. He grunted and nodded once, and I smiled happy at that. Without saying anything else, he turned and began to walk back to our camp. As I explored the ruins, letting my fingers run over statues, I couldn't help but feel mild excitement of what is to come on my adventures to Argos. As I wondered this, I could feel the familiar shiver in my body as I looked up upon seeing the familiar eagle flying over my head. I smiled and watched as it flew to the ground shifting in all his glory.
"They will beg me for forgiveness. They will drop to their knees and ask you to bring their precious food back." he said, his voice chilling yet strong. He faced me and I bowed to him.
"Master." I replied in a happy tone.
"Rise, my beautiful Ai. You are a part of me. You need never to bow." he said and I smiled and lifted myself watching as he approached me. He placed his hands on my cheeks like he usually does and leans down and kisses the top of my head which I am always happy to feel his approval of me.
"A messenger came to me asking for my help to give them their food back." I replied and he nodded with a vicious smirk.
"And you will go to Argos. You will see their plight and their hunger on their faces. They will stretch out their hands to you and beg you for help. The king and queen will try and be prideful, before finally giving in and wanting food again. My markings will be simple when they appear on your body tomorrow. They need only pray to me for two nights and their food will return." he said. I nodded. Their prayers make him stronger and I wanted him to be strong. I wanted him to be happy. Always.
"Yes." I replied obediently and he smiled and leaned down pressing his lips into mine of which I accept immediately. His lips are always warm and satisfying. For I have ever only known his lips since I was younger. He pulled back with a proud smile.
"You have made me proud, Ai." he said and I smiled more.
"And I will continue to make you proud my lord." I replied and he smiled. However, a very loud shriek was coming from the distance. I turned and looked out into the distance in shock. The flapping of the eagle took to the sky and I watched as he ascended into the sky. There was more shrieking and yelling which brought my attention back to the sand. I grabbed my robes and slid them on and rushed through the ruins trying to figure out what was going on. I was atop of a hill beside the ruins and when I looked over the hill and my eyes widened as I saw three large scorpiochs surrounding what looked like soldiers. Their brown and orange clothes with black armor were familiar. Soldiers from Argos. They were a day early from what I had written in my reply to them. I could see some of their men on their backs lying in the sand. What were they doing here?
"Stand your ground!" Someone yells.
"Oh!" I say in shock and immediately begin to take off down the hill. The men do not see me and I run as fast as I can, the bottom of my robes flying off my legs. The largest, and blackest of the scorpiochs charged down the ruins to the five soldiers and they threw their swords up and yelled preparing to charge as if this was there final battle. Just as I was reaching the space in the middle of them, I let out a swift and sharp yell as I jumped at the group landing in front of the soldiers. My back was to them and I stood hard and strong as the male scorpioch stopped in front of me roaring loudly at my body. My hood flew back, my hair flying back as well with the wind from the scorpion's mouth. Sheikh Sulieman taught me to stand tall and proud before the beasts and they will sense your energy and act accordingly. But I also knew this creature as well. I helped raise it. The scorpioch growled some, it's eight eyes staring at me and I just stared at him with a firm stare and slowly its growls lightened. Its large stinger was moving down to me and I just lifted my head. I could hear some of the soldiers gasping in shock and I ignored them feeling the side of the stinger gently grazing my cheek. It was similar to a dog licking its master's face. I found my cheek raising into a soft smile. The three beasts began to shake and shrill as if talking to each other before turning and crawling back over the ruins. I smiled.
"Good kids." I replied lowly before hearing feet approach me. I pulled the hood over my head and turned to them now. Only one approached me. He had long dark hair and really high protruding cheekbones and prominent brows with deep-set heavy-lidded eyes. He is a little muscular but lean with long thin legs and big shoulders.
"You! You're the priestess who came to Argos days ago?" he asked quickly. I backed away now wondering what this soldier needs were as he was moving with purpose.
"Who are you?" I asked quickly. He did not answer and that worried me now. "I can make them come back!"
"I am Captain Draco of King Kepheus's guard of Argos. We have come a day early to get you." he said. I winced at his words stiffening now shaking my head.
"Why? No. We agreed tomorrow!" I stated. He shook his head, his eyes dark and heavy on me.
"Look, priestess people are dying in the city. Innocent women, children, babies. The people of Argos are starving." he stated. "Now the king believes all of this happened because of you and now you are going to fix this." I stared into his eyes for a moment wondering to myself how this soldier would die. I looked down now not sure if I should go today or tomorrow.
"The word of Zeus will not appear on my body until tomorrow." I replied. He looked my face over some.
"All the better reason to head back to Argos now. You said you were a messenger of Zeus… now you will truly prove it." he said. I stared up into his eyes noticing how his commands slowly made my body tingle with the excitement of such a command. I looked up at the sky wondering what I should do. I trusted that my master would want me to go. So I looked back at the captain and nodded.
"Alright." I responded lightly. Sheikh Sulieman and the other Djinn were not happy about the soldiers appearing early to take me. The soldiers did not trust my desert family, specifically Solon. The captain, Draco, stood before Sheikh Sulieman as the two stared angrily at each other.
"Djinn are not stepping foot in Argos." he said and I translated. This only made Sheikh Sulieman angrier as he spoke. I looked at the captain with firm eyes.
"The Djinn are my protectors. I was put in his hands by Zeus himself. I cannot leave if they cannot come with me." I said, and Captain Draco's face twitched in anger as he looked down some.
"Then how about a trade. Half of my men stay here as a sign of good faith." he said looking from Sheikh Sulieman to me now. I tensed at this deal but looked at my protector.
"He said let some of his men stay here as a sign of good faith. If I don't come back in seven days… you can eat them." I replied and now Sheikh Sulieman blinked once before throwing his head back and laughing, though it came off as a crackling. But he nodded in agreement. All of the Djinn laughed now and the captain looked at me.
"What did he say?" he asked. I nodded.
"He will agree to your terms. I am to be back in seven days. Or your men will die." I replied and Captain Draco looked from me to Sheikh Sulieman before nodding. And this was how the relationship formed between all of us. Even though the Argos and Djinn did not trust each other, this particular deal was struck every time they came and got me. This was only a year ago. Now things were different, things had changed ever since I grew to like the humans and they grew to love my presence even if it was only because of Zeus. The markings continued to show, the scholars read them and did as Zeus wanted. My master was pleased and the people did not suffer…