Maka watched excitedly as the landscape around slowly turned from forest to flatland surrounded by mountains that soared to the heavens.
Demeter touched her shoulder as they rounded the top of a hill. "Do you see that mountain that rises above the rest, Maka?" she asked, gesturing with her head directly in front of her.
Squinting her eyes against the sun, Maka scanned the countryside. From her viewpoint, she could see a large city in the distance, glimmering in the afternoon sun like a mirage.
And a ways beyond the city was the mountain that Demeter had called to her attention. It stretched higher into the sky than any of the other mountain peaks around it.
Maka's eyes widened as she took in the view. "Is that Mount Olympus?" she asked. Even in her daydreams, she hadn't quite imagined Mount Olympus being so impressive.
Its base was dotted with verdant green meadows while vast expanses of forest traveled the sides of the mountain. The peak was so far in the sky that it was invisible, white clouds of mist covering the very top. "Yes," Demeter answered, regarding the mountain with distaste. "It's not as grand as it seems, trust me."
Maka rolled her eyes. "Even if Papa screwed up, Mother, it's still a beautiful place." Her voice turned slightly pleading. "And you're sure I can't go with you?"
Demeter's face turned stern. "Don't test me, Maka. I said you could stay outside Mount Olympus and I stand by my word."
"All right, all right," Maka grumbled under her breath, playing with a flower from her crown. "How long do you think you'll take?"
Demeter frowned. "If your father actually knows what he's doing then it shouldn't take more than a couple hours…whatever he needs me for. And if he doesn't…" she grimaced. "We might have to spend the night."
She caught the grin spreading across Maka's face. "Don't get your hopes up," she chided. "Even if the place is a sight to see, the people in there will eat you alive, if given the chance." She amended her statement. "Well, most of them."
"Is that what they did to you, Mother?" Maka asked curiously. "Because you fell in love with Papa?"
Demeter held on more tightly to the reins. "Something to that extent." She looked over at her daughter, eyes softening. "That's why I didn't want you to come."
"Don't worry, Mother," Maka said comfortingly, wanting to ease the pain she saw in Demeter's eyes. "Nothing like that is going to happen with me."
Demeter pursed her lips. "I certainly expect so."
They rode in amiable silence the rest of the way to Mount Olympus, the sun high overhead. Maka watched as the peak that was Olympus grew ever larger.
When the horses got closer to the city that lay below, Demeter flicked her reins, directing the horses away from the city. "That is the city of Larissa," Demeter explained. "It's very dear to the gods and therefore highly protected by them."
Maka examined the city with interest. Tan, crowded buildings lay sprawled out, surrounded by forest and flatland from all sides. A large amphitheater was filled with people who were cheering at something that Maka couldn't see.
She turned to Demeter. "Can we visit Larissa on our way back?" she asked hopefully.
Demeter laughed. "And why would you want to do that? There isn't much to see there."
"I've never experienced the mortal world before," Maka said, straightening her crown. She gazed longingly at the city as they passed it by, giving it a wide berth. "I'm curious."
Her mother pursed her lips. "We'll see," she said.
The nymphs weren't what Maka expected. The Dryad nymphs that inhabited the forest Maka lived in were friendly but they always treated Maka with the respect that Demeter had demanded. Instead of companions, they were more like handmaidens.
But the nymphs of the meadows below Mount Olympus had greeted her excitedly, gathering around her in a large group and exclaiming over her gown and the crown of roses and crocuses. Then, they had pulled into their circle, each talking at the same time so Maka couldn't tell who was saying what.
"Don't leave the meadow! I'll see you soon!" her mother had called from behind her. Maka had barely had time to wave a single hand in farewell as they'd taken her deeper into the meadow.
It was a nice feeling, Maka thought as she sat between two nymphs that called themselves Kim and Jackie. They lobbed question after question at Maka, eager to know about Maka and her home.
Maka talked until her mouth ran dry, describing the great forest she lived in and how she helped her mother care and nurture all the plants within it.
The questions slowed eventually, until they reached a lull in the conversation.
"So, Maka," Kim started, running a hand through her pink hair. "Would you like to play a game with us?"
"A game?" Maka asked, tilting her head to one side. "What kind of game?"
"Hide and seek," Jackie said cheerfully. "It's fun."
Maka blushed. "Um, how do you play?"
Jackie stood up, brushing the grass off her green skirt. She held out her hand to Maka. "It's really easy, we'll show you how."
Maka took Jackie's hand, warm against her cool skin. She stood up, digging her toes in the ground. The rest of the nymphs stood up as well, exchanging enthusiastic looks.
"All you have to do is close your eyes and count to fifty while we hide," Kim said, stretching. "Then you come and look for us."
"That sounds like fun," Maka said cautiously.
"Ah, you forgot the most important part, Kim," Jackie chided playfully.
"Oh right," Kim said, smacking her forehead. She grinned at Maka, mischief lighting up her eyes. "We can transform into trees, bushes or flowers. It makes hiding a lot more fun."
"And seeking a lot harder, I presume," Maka said, grinning back at her.
"You can usually tell the nymph, if you look carefully enough," Jackie chimed in. "And Kim here is really ticklish so if you tickle the right tree, it'll bend itself in half from trying not to laugh."
"And then get nailed in the face by said tree," Kim retorted, glaring at Jackie.
Maka held back a laugh. "Okay, I think I get now. Should we start?"