And there it was
that I saw the most hideous
of all sights. A young woman,
no, the glow around her body
told me she was a Goddess
screaming as she fought
against the brutal arms
that held her. I ran instantly.
I had to save her!
Hecuba was barking,
alerting me to the chariot
with its fire horses, flaming and majestic.
Before I could reach them,
a sinkhole opened and before
he dragged her into it with him
I saw the face of her assaulter
and recoiled as though slapped.
Hades.
Panic
What do you do when you witness such an awful act? Do you run to the Gods, beg for help? Do you seek out a friend and tell them what has happened? I did neither. I knew what I had witnessed was something so awful its legacy would echo through the land of time forevermore. So I did what I wish I could have done for my mother, pursued by two Gods drunk on their own power. I plotted a rescue. I ran through the forest to the mouth of the cave that would take me to the Underworld. I hurried to my palace, Hecuba at my heels. In my apothecary I piled simples, potions, poisons, anything I could get my hands on. I looked upon Hades’ domain, clear as day from my palace tower, and narrowed my eyes, the fury in my chest close to bubbling over. He would not get away with this. I looked at the silver hound and her eyes said everything that was already in my heart. Before I left, I told her to go. Go see her family. I gave her protections, and a spell to show her how to find them, the spirits of her children. And when that was done, I knew what I must do. I would find Hades. He would not get to steal a Goddess and answer to no one. I hefted my bag onto my shoulder and this time, I took the direct route to his palace, Gods in Grey be damned.
I Crossed the Rivers Again
And this time I did not quiver.
There was no doubtful nature to my steps.
There was no hesitation in me.
Even when the foreboding orchard
and its ink-dark fruit menaced me
with its promise of poison.
I was ready. I had a sword crafted
from adamantine, a gift from Charon,
and alongside it, I carried my torch.
