Hello! Another chapter, I think I can only manage weekly updates at the moment - school is quite a bit of work currently. So expect updates on weekends.
This story is now 20000 words, it's quite a nice milestone. It's also been added to a community, which I'm quite pleased about.
I could feel pain in my side. And very stiff and cold after lying on the ground for who knows how long. I had to move. I had to get up.
My arms moved to support me and with great effort, pushed myself into a sitting position. I tried to ignore the sharp pain that came from my side as I moved. And breathed. After hesitating a little I examined the large gash they I'd been careless enough to get.
It wasn't as bad as I thought, in fact it had already been partially healed. Someone had given me Ambrosia and nectar. But I was alone. I opened my bag and decided to risk more ambrosia. I had to be ready.
So... I was in front of Midas's house, well mansion, I was surprised I was still lying her honestly. Why hadn't anyone moved me?
Nearby, I noticed king on the ground, danger or possibly side. It was Lityerses. Yes, I now recalled our fight, he had been incredibly quick and aggressive by I was furious with myself for assisting him to one me. I would be more careful.
Suddenly, I realised something amiss. I realised what was wrong. Nico was missing. Undoubtedly it was he who had fed me the ambrosia. There was only really one piece to have gone and that was inside the mansion. Could Midas have others guarding him?
Well, the only thing to do was to go inside. I approached the doorway. And I froze. Because in front of me was a big golden statue. It was Nico. Oh no. My thoughts went back to a time when I had fought Medusa, I recalled her sinister statuary garden filled with her petrified victims.
Medusa had turned a few of my companions to stone in the past. Seeing Nico like this reminded me of that. How long had I considered him my companion? Was there any chance at all that the curse could be reversible?
I found myself taking a few steps towards the golden statue, until I could reach out a hand and touch him. Was it even possible for me to move him from this evil place? I found myself looking past Nico, into the regal looking interior of the mansion. Into the eyes of a smiling man.
"Hello, my dear! You must have come along with this boy," he said cheerfully, gesturing to the statue. He didn't sound particularly menacing but he seemed so relaxed, I knew he had to be dangerous.
"Well I know you came along with him, I saw him trying to fix that injury of yours earlier," he continued in that unworried tone. "Now what is your name?"
"Zoe. And yours?" I replied politely, playing along for the moment.
He chuckled. "Well surely you know me? You came for some help didn't you? But you may call me King Midas."
I had already assumed it was he. Fortunately, I was in no immediate danger because there was a golden statue in the middle of his doorway, preventing me from entering and him from getting within an arms length of me.
"Firstly, is it possible to reverse Nico's... condition?" I asked, dreading the answer. I hoped I would notice if he tried to lie.
Midas sighed at my question. "Do young people not recall myths these days?"
It was a rhetorical question. Still, I'd never bothered to learn much about Midas because he had merely been a greedy mortal, not a monster. I hadn't expected to ever meet him. I did know that he had made a foolish wish, of course, and had accidentally turned his own daughter into a gold statue.
"Many fingers have been burned with the touch of gold," I snapped, if only to show I knew who he was.
And he was grinning. "But it's a wonderful power, and if you had read further, you would've known that all you have to do is throw your friend in the river," he said, obviously enjoying teaching me.
I didn't think he was lying. Still I was surprised he'd told me so easily - I'd expected a few threats at least. And how fortunate, I could see a river just a few hundred metres away, when I glanced behind me.
"Now girl, I know you killed Lityerses but I'll be generous and allow you to take your friend and leave - don't worry he's safe to touch," Midas offered after a pause.
He was going to let me leave now? It was a tempting offer as I was still in considerable pain and Nico was in a bad way. Sure I had a quest to complete, but I didn't want to take too many risks. I honestly wanted to have a long peaceful rest.
But after a moment's thought I realised that Midas was probably afraid and wanted to get rid of us. Even if I had been injured, I did succeed in killing Lityerses. Midas wasn't a fighter. He was definitely dangerous but he wasn't a fighter.
I couldn't leave with nothing.
"My camp needs some golden weaponry. Would you be willing to donate some?" It would be wonderful if I figure leave without a fight.
Midas stopped smiling. And looked at me with no small amount of irritation. "And why should your camp be any concern of mine?"
"I think it would be little trouble for you and we'll smelt the gold ourselves," I explained in what I hoped was a voice that hinted at danger if he refused.
"You think you can manipulate me?" Midas suddenly snarled loudly.
As he grabbed a hammer - which instantly turned to gold - and held it above Nico. He intended to destroy Nico? Was that possible with a hammer?
"Touch him and I destroy you."
No fight could be avoided now. I took a few steps back and spotted my bow lying on the floor, where I had fainted earlier. That was careless. A quick glance at Midas told me he was unsure of what to do. So I grabbed my bow and aimed an arrow at his hand.
He yelped and dropped the hammer, which landed harmlessly on the ground. He backed away from me, giving me a venomous yet also fearful look. And he was out of sight, out of range. I lowered the bow.
I approached the doorway again. "Please!" I called out. "Just help me out and I will leave you alone." I didn't hate Midas, I didn't want to kill him when he could be so useful, if nothing else.
"Fine! Take what you wish, just stay away from me!" He called back.
An idea came into my head. "Would you be interested in coming to camp? You would be very useful to us," I decided to ask.
"No! I do not want to help you, I would be content here, if only you left!" Midas sounded both distressed and angry. There was no point in asking again.
"Zoe! What's happening?" Nico suddenly cried out, shocked to find himself in a cold river. I sighed in relief, as Nico climbed out. He was okay.
"King Midas turned you into gold, I had to drag you into the river. It is indeed fortunate that you were quite light or I wouldn't have bothered," I replied, light-heartedly.
"It really was Midas? Wow." Nico seemed quite astonished, perhaps horrified at learning he had been a statue.
"And you're alright? I can't believe I was asleep while you were probably dying!" Nico added, suddenly remembering and gave me a concerned look.
"Don't exaggerate. I am perfectly alright," I replied but smiled in gratitude.
"So what's the plan?" Nico asked, shivering due to being soaking wet.
I knew of a Pegasus stables a few hours away from here. I quickly explained as we walked that I would ride the Pegasus I'd found in the mansion - and a chariot filled with gold, while he shadow travelled there.
"Why can't I ride in the chariot with you?" Nico complained.
Nico was beginning increasingly adverse to using shadow travel. "Because you the up too much weight and Pegasus hate you. It makes sense that you go on ahead."
"But it really tires me out! And we'll be separated again, what of we get into trouble?" He objected.
"You won't be as tired if it's just you and a fistful of gold."
"What's the gold for?" He asked, fortunately distracted from complaining for the second.
"Buying a Pegasus or three."
We were approaching the mansion again and although Midas hadn't been bothering me, it was reassuring to have Nico with me just in case. Nico looked resigned to following my plan so it seemed our quest was almost done now. And fairly successful.
It was premature to be celebrating but I was pleased. Octavian was unlikely to be a great help when I returned but if that was so then I would refuse to help him again. If nothing rise, I would at least have some money. Perhaps I could get some new clothes and a hunting falcon. I was missing quite a few essentials for hunters.
All in all, despite feeling apprehension as I entered the mansion again. I was rather optimistic about the near future.
What did you think? Thanks for reading!
Please do leave a comment, especially if you notice any inconsistencies or spelling/grammar mistakes. Or if you have suggestions and ideas or even if you like/ dislike anything. I read and appreciate all comments! Thanks!
I'm British so I don't know a great deal about locations in America (now you know why I keep getting the characters to use teleportation to get around.) If you have any advice it would probably be useful. I think it suits Zoe to speak in British English but if any of the other characters say any British words that are out of character, please point it out as I doubt I'd notice.