A murmur rose now:
they could speak.
At least they remembered
some of their humanity.
‘I am asking for your help.
I am asking you to march
with me upon Olympus,
where giants have laid siege.’
The murmurs grew louder.
I could feel Thanatos’ eyes
upon me as I spoke.
I heard Hermes’ slow chuckle.
An impossible plan
for an impossible army.
‘In return, if we win,’ I continued,
‘I can offer you a second life,
one of more comfort than you knew.’
At this the army grew so loud
that Hecuba started barking.
The heat of excitement battled
both the cold and the decay.
I heard Hermes clear his throat.
This was not something I could offer;
only Zeus could bestow this wish.
But I fully intended to make Zeus
accept this as my boon.
Besides, would it not benefit
the Gods to have more mortals
left that would pray to them?
I turned back to my army,
