See I've updated incredibly fast. Anyways I hope you guys enjoy this chapters and let me know what you think : )
There appeared to be a storm brewing and I was not the only one to sense it. We hurriedly walked home in silence with Eriboea. Her paranoia was contagious for I too, found myself looking urgently into the darker corners of the streets and straining to hear approaching footsteps against the cobblestones. I did not know where the urgency derived from; only that it was there and persistent as ever.
When we finally reached the house Hermes and I had rented for our stay, we made our way to the cooking quarters located in the farthest corner of the house, lighting a candle to guide our way. It seemed the most secure place, for though there were windows, the windows were small and the walls were thick stone. IT gave the illusion of safety, and safety made way for comfort.
Hermes guided me into a chair, placing the candle atop the table and I fell ungracefully on it. Eriboea sat across from me and in full contrast and despite her nerves; she was the very essence of a lady, with her straight back, chin high and her crossed legs. Hermes busied himself at my back for a few minutes and I heard the shuffling of cups and pans as he moved about. For minutes Eriboea simply stared at me and I allowed her. She stared at me with curiosity as if I were a work of art upon a Theban stage.
Hermes came to sit with us at the table, placing a small cup in front of me and one in front of Eriboea. "It serves to clear your head, both from ale and nerves." He said and thus we drank the tea in silence.
It was not long until my head felt clear, much too clear for a night of drink. I eyes Hermes questioningly.
"I am a god. It's rather useful at times." He granted me a feeble smile. I smiled back at him.
When I turned to eye Eriboea, she was staring curiously at Hermes.
"Who are you?" I asked her again. It was obvious that she was fleeing the grasp of someone or something, but despite the urgency in her eyes and the nervousness in her gestures, she was a lady of well birth. For her toga beneath her woolen cloak was silk and the hair ornaments gleamed under the torchlight like pure gold.
"I am…Eriboea wife of Aloeus and stepmother to the Aloade." Insticts were greater than anything for when she completed the sentence I was reaching over the table and would've strangled her if Hermes had not held me back.
"Where is he? Where?" I struggled against the steel arms around me. "You tell me where he is you bitch, tell me!"
"Don't you yell at me, impulsive child. I've risked everything to save your man!" She gave me a scowl reminding me strangely of my mother, though she did not look anything like her.
"Liah, calm yourself. She's here to help us." His voice was soothing against my ear. Breathing heavily I nodded and sat when he released me.
"I have risked everything for you." She said intensely, making guilt grow within me at my outburst. "A year ago, the twins returned home and with them they brought a prisoner. He was bound in bronze chains and his hair was long and red. Tall, he was and... I have never seen the god of war afore but there was no doubt that it was him."
"Where?" I whispered.
"I saw what they did to him that night. Dreadful things. Terrible…I've seen what his imprisonment has resulted in and I can only begin to imagine what they've done to him in a year. Though I've not seen him of late, I know my husband still keeps him prisoner." Her words brought tears to my eyes; for I could imagine what dreadful things they've done to him and all because of me.
"I…I can not bear it any longer. I've searched everywhere for someone to help Ares, someone who can free him, but I could not reach Olympus without being discovered, I heard that Hermes had fled with you and thus I've been searching for you both, attempting to keep my eyes opened when Ares himself led you here." She grabbed my hands across the table, her own were cold and clammy. She looked at me with those large dark eyes and I felt her fear.
"Why didn't you free him yourself? You have the chance, have you not?" I asked her, gripping her hand.
"It is a terrible thing but I fear my husband more than I fear anything in this world. I've lived in fear since I married him more than two scores of years ago. He is a cruel man, Liah. Cruel beyond your dreams, and I feared what he would do if he discovered that I had released Ares. I fear what he will do when he discovers that I've led you to him. While Ephialtes and Otus hold Olympus, Aloeus holds Ares."
"But you have still risked yourself by coming to us." Hermes stated.
"I've learned that there are times where fear and consequences are to be put aside. I simply cannot sit back while they destroy this world."
"He'll not discover that you have told us until its too late." Eriboea had given me the most precious gem of all. She was knew where Ares was and she was willing to tell us.
"Brave Child." Eriboea said as she smiled sadly. "You cannot save me. Nobody can. I know my fate and I am willing to accept it." She turned her head as if hearing something. "I must leave, I've stayed too long." She rose from the chair and I rose with her, reaching out for her.
"Will you-"
"Yes." She replied, already knowing what I would say.
"On the morrow, at the time of dusk ride across the plains and through the trees. It can scarcely be called a forest for it is much too sparse, but ride until you come across waterfall. I shall be waiting for you above the waterfall. You will find your Ares, if it's the very last thing I do. I promise you that." She said and I hugged her.
"Thank you." I said against her hair. "Thank you."
"You are brave to love a god so feared and volatile, but you've always been a warrior haven't you?"
"He can be cruel and brutal, but he has the ability to love just as fiercely." I said smiling to myself.
When I moved away from her, she simply nodded and smiled and then turned and walked out of the house.
Little green button below lads and lassies…I hope you guys enjoyed it : )