Tropetember day 23: Mythology

'Whence once we had heroes three, now Scott stands alone

Charged with crimes that are unknown

But soon light shed upon the situation unmasks

What will Scott, to save his friends, be tasked.'

Scott found himself standing in what looked like an arena. The columns were clear around him but clouds obscured the rest of the area.

With a rushing of wind the three furies appeared out of the mist and landed on columns around him.

'Who dares disturb the gods?'

Scott started. He knew that voice. He swallowed hard and as the floor vibrated from the footsteps approaching Scott dropped to one knee and kept his head bowed. The Erinyes settled and remained silent.

Golden sandals entered Scott's vision and he bowed as low as he could.

'Scott?'

'Father.'

A warm hand touched his head and Scott looked up into the face of the King of the Gods. Jeff looked kindly at him and Scott tentatively smiled. He was aware of his demi-god status thanks to his father, and his Mom, Lucy had had nothing but love for Jeff (despite the stories).

'Rise, favoured Son. Why are you here?'

'I do not know, Father.'

Jeff turned to the furies. They were known to be just creatures, and he feared for his son's life even if he couldn't show it.

'Alecto, Megaera, Tisiphone – speak. Why have you brought my son here?'

'Your son stands surety by the Goddess Ruth for the lives of his soldiers.'

'And what have his soldiers done, Megaera, to justify you?'

'They have defiled the Grand Temple of EOS, Queen of the Gods, and she demands satisfaction for her rage.'

'The Grand Temple is in Belah Gaat's kingdom. It is he who should be seeking restitution.'

'But he is, my lord. Gaat has claimed the right to vengeful destruction for the death of his favoured handmaidens at the hand of some of your son's soldiers.'

'At the order of my son?'

'No, my lord. Your son was ever upright in his quest.'

'Then why is he here before me, Tisiphone?'

'Your son offered a bargain. His labour to save his soldiers.'

'Scott? Is what Alecto says true?'

Scott fell down before his father again, knees and hands on the floor and his face bowed once more.

'It is, Father. I did offer myself to save my soldiers.'

'Did you know of what they stood accused?'

'I did not.'

'Yet you offer yourself in their stead?'

'Of course. We were at war and they were under my command.'

Jeff sighed. His idiotic self-sacrificing son. He could not help him out of this mess. He thumped his lightning staff on the ground and it shook as he spoke with his Voice.

'Summon Belah Gaat and the Goddess EOS.'

The mist around them thickened momentarily before thinning to show Gaat, the king who had been after Scott since he'd been old enough to wield a sword and the goddess EOS. Scott didn't really know much about her, but she had a reputation for being cruel to the children of Jeff, and the defiling of her temple would put him firmly in her sights.

'Belah Gaat, you are summoned here to bear witness to the judgement of Scott of Kansas. He stands surety for the souls of the soldiers that have wronged you. Do you accept his pledge?'

'I do.'

'And EOS, my Queen, do you accept my son's life as surety against the lives of the soldiers that have defiled your Grand Temple?'

'I do, my King.'

'Then we have agreement. Punishment shall be…'

'Nay, my Lord, the King. The deciding of punishment is not yours. Only Gaat and EOS have the right to decide that.'

'Very well, Tisiphone. What is your decision?'

'Let Belah Gaat task Scott with 10 tasks, feats of strength and valour that he and only he may accomplish, and thus may Scott redeem himself and his men.'

'Is this acceptable to you, Gaat?'

'It is, my Lord.'

'And EOS?'

'I will accept it only if you are not given the ability to assist him.'

'I accept. But I make condition that he can receive help from others only if that help is unasked for and only if that help does not complete the task for him.'

'That is acceptable, my King.'

'And Gaat?'

'Yes, I agree too.'

'Have you any more to add, Erinyes.'

'It is just. Only that, if Scott should fail, he and his men are ours.'

Jeff thumped his staff on the ground once more.

'It is decided then.'

And Scott was no longer at the foot of Olympus but in the palace of Gaat. The man grinned at him.

'You may wish that I had just killed your men by the time I have finished with you, Scott.'