Poseidon didn't say anything to me at first, as though not he was not sure how to respond to my actions. At last, he turned to me and spoke softly.
"That was a very foolish thing to do, Persephone, but I am sure that you know that." I nodded as a flood of tears threatened to consume my body. "We are going to travel down river. You are safe on water, Hades has no control on it." I nodded again.
"Will my mother be safe?" I asked him as he led me down a small path.
"Yes, she will be safe. Zeus will protect her. Without her, there will be no harvest and the people will die. She is extremely important." I was glad that my foolishness would not hurt my mother.
At last, we came upon a wide river that had a large boat floating on it. Poseidon helped me into it and we set down the river. "Where are you taking me to hide?" I asked suddenly. Where could you hide from Hades?
"I am taking you to a small village. I will see to it that you are cared for, but I will not be able to visit you. You must act mortal, never showing that you are the daughter of Zeus. Say that you are an orphan, beg for a home. Then, never step into the light of day, lest Hades see your beauty once more and realize whom you are."
I listened carefully and agreed to his conditions. When we arrived at the small village, he let me off the boat and handed me my bags. I looked up at my uncle. "Thank you." I whispered.
"Goodbye, Persephone. I will be back for you when it is safe." I watched as he turned to water and then turned around. There was a small shack by the river and I approached it and knocked on the door. I could hear a flurry of movement inside, until the door was opened by a young woman.
"Hello, I am Kore. I am an orphan and I need a home badly. Would you be so kind as to let me live here?" The woman looked shocked by my appearance.
"Kore, you say? Well my dear I am sure that you would be very nice company. Of course, you may stay in my house. I have just lost my husband you see, and I need someone to help me care for my child." I smiled gratefully as she continued. "My name is Alexandria. But, here I am rambling on. You must be tired. From where did you come?"
"My village was up river." I responded quietly. "But I do not know its name."
"Oh, that's of no matter. Come in and get warm. It is so very cold outside. How can you stand it?" she asked me as she ushered me inside. She didn't wait for my answer. "I have a spare cot. I'll set it up by the fire for you."
"Thank you. May the gods reside with you." I said saying the common mortal blessing.
"And you as well, I say. May they reside with you."
How strange it was to be talking with a mortal as if I were not the daughter of Zeus and Demeter! I found it to be a small relief to explain why I didn't know why I didn't have any powers, which always came up in conversations with gods and their children. I decided that I could like this home that Poseidon found for me.