I saw it in the slow horror
which crept across her features.
It was astounding how cruel
mortals could be towards each other.
All in the name of victory.
I saw the resignation of decision
across her features within a moment,
and she turned back towards the sea.
From the corner of my eye
I could see soldiers approaching.
On the beach below, a crowd gathering.
This was when I knew what to do.
A strange thought came to me and I said,
‘I can help you. Let me help you.’
‘You cannot help me.’
A broken sob escaped her lips.
‘I simply want to see my children again.’
I considered this.
‘Your children are in different realms
of the Underworld. You will be able
to see them all if you choose this.’
Her face flitted from despairing to eager.
‘It is all I want.’ From my bag of simples,
I withdrew a dark blue urn.
The First Boon
I had brewed this on a whim.
My love of Cerberus and what I did
for Argos all those years ago
had driven me to create this potion.
It had sat in my apothecary,
