The snap of the twig was not very loud. But you know how the slightest noise echo's when your trying to be quiet. The sound was no louder than a cricket's chirp, but sounded like a cannon going off. I froze! Hercules slowly began to turn around. I snapped my fingers and levitated just behind his peripheral vision. Hercules turned in a complete circle. Amazingly I stayed just out of sight.
What I had not banked on however, was Eolus stoking their breakfast fire. He laughed, "Good morning Joy, are you playing games with Herc?" I lost all my control and fell to the ground with a resounding thud. Hercules helped me to get back up. He dusted me off without even thinking where he was dusting. I let this time slide, but if there was ever a next time I decided I would deck him.
I had to be civil now, "Good morning Eolus. Are you two just having breakfast?" Eolus grinned, "No, we just finished. Herc here caught some salmon. We were just cleaning up. If you're hungry we have some left over. Otherwise, I was going to leave them for a hungry bear." I jumped at the idea, FOOD! I grabbed the leaf Eolus handed me with the salmon. I dug in immediately. Boy was it good! I had not eaten salmon cooked like this before.
Eolus and Hercules sat and stared at me as I ate. Both with curious looks on their faces. After I had had my fill I looked up and laughed. "What are you two looking at?" Eolus handed me a water skin, "I have never seen someone eat so much, so fast, and stay relatively clean! Is that a goddess power?" I giggled from embarrassment. "I am so sorry! It has been a while since I last ate anything. I had not realized how hungry I had become. Thank you for the very delicious breakfast!"
Hercules jumped up, "If your still hungry I can go catch some more fish for you!" They were being so sweet! I smiled and answered, "No, I am full now thank you." Eolus scooted a little closer on his patch of earth, "Um, just out of curiosity, how long has it been since you ate?"
I tried to think about it. All I could remember was waking up to Aries's note, Hephaestus showing up and about two days later being able to make my great escape. But I certainly did not want to tell all the gory details to them. "I think it has been about two days. Aries is gone being the war God. I do need help though." Both the men perked up. "Can you boys tell me which way is Troy?"
Eolus pointed east and Hercules pointed west. Then they started arguing about which way to go. I shouted, "BOYS! Boys, it is okay. I want to go the opposite way." Hercules jumped on the miniscule window. "Why?" I looked away, "That is for me to know. Right now, I need to be as far away from Troy as I can get. Now I do not know my way around yet. I tried to blink but I found myself here with you two gentlemen. Although I do enjoy the company, I am afraid I am still just too close to Troy."
Both the men at once, "The Trojan War!" I so wanted to conk them in the head and tell them should have had a V8. But that would only be funny to me. I began walking and the men put out their fire quickly and began walking with me. I turned to them, "don't you two have somewhere to be?" Hercules smiled, "Well we were headed to the Trojan war to offer our services to end the war. But something tells me, if you are out and about, we should be with you."
I turned around abruptly. I was upset. "I do not need a chaperone! Go to your war. All I ask is that you not tell my husband you saw me. I have a few things I need to work out." Hercules shook his head, "It is alright! Women do not walk around by themselves here. Not unless they have been paid for services. Think of us like body guards, that is until you decide to go back home."
Even the idea of returning to Aries's castle made me shiver. I rubbed my shoulders to try to warm myself up. "What if I don't go back." Both men stopped dead in their tracks and turned to look at me. Then simultaneously they said, "What!" I quickly through out, "Nothing! Don't let it bother you." I felt a tear escape the corner of my eye. As it rolled down Hercules reached up and softly took it from my cheek. "You do not have to tell us what he did. When it comes to your husband, I would believe about anything. If you decide you want to talk about it, we are here."
I turned away and began walking again, "It was not something he did. It was something I did. I need to get my head back on straight. I can't do that in his house. If I can make it to the sea, I might just know of a place I can go and be alone. It is probably not the best idea, but it is the only one I have at the moment." Hercules nodded, "Give us a minute, please don't go anywhere." I nodded.
Hercules and Eolus went over by a nearby tree and talked. I looked down at myself and was utterly disgusted. I had managed to get the salmon on my front. Really it was not bad but I did not want to smell of salmon all day. I thought for a moment, and snapped my fingers. My toga changed to a longer, sleeveless, dress toga. This one was yellow and came down to the top of my feet. With about a inch to spare. I smelt like daisy's too. My hair was combed and pulled back in an elegant ponytail.
When Hercules came back to me Eolus took off. He was headed back the way we had come. I looked at Hercules and he smiled, "We have people that are expecting us. Eolus is just going to let them know we won't be making it for a few days. Now let's get you to the sea shore." Something occurred to me, "Hercules, are there any Gods who can read thoughts?" Hercules thought for a moment, "there are some that act like they can." I smiled, "May I try? All I need is a certain location. I can snap my fingers and be there. Wait I know where it is!" I got so excited I could not wait, I snapped my fingers and low and behold, I was at the old beach where I met Amimitl for the first time.
What I did not know though, was Eolus and Hercules, upon my departure, took off to Troy to talk to Aries. Not to tell him something had happened, but to inform him he was about to lose me. They may not have agreed with our marriage, but I will give credit where credit is due. They wanted to do right my me. They were worried for me. But I personally could not get over what had just transpired between myself and Hephaestus.
I could not straighten out how I felt! Weather I truly like Hephaestus, or weather I wanted to strangle him. Stupid Cupid and his STUPID ARROWS! I stood on the shore line. Watching the waves crash against the shore. I was not sure even where the cavern was, nor even if I could hold my breath long enough to get there. What would I do if the cavern was occupied? I did truly feel bad for Amimitl. I did not want to intrude on his mating season. I think that is how Aries had put it.
Amimitl was beaten pretty badly when I last saw him too. He may never want to see me again. But I felt I had to get away. Even if it meant testing the waters with Amimitl. Above the water it was too likely I would be caught. I made up my mind and stepped into the water. Just with my feet at first. I enjoyed the feeling of the water lapping against my feet so much that I never even noticed Amimitl come up in front of me. I had closed my eyes and was just enjoying the nice clear water.
Amimitl waited until I opened my eyes. When I did, he was there staring down at me. He did not look beaten or disheveled in the slightest. If anything, he actually looked like maybe he had really missed me. He stepped to the side and beckoned me forward, "Would you like to come back down to the ocean with me? I have a new cavern." I looked up into his eyes, "Is this one God proofed too?" He nodded. "Then lead the way please." Amimitl quickly swept his arms underneath me and began walking out into the water. As soon as our heads were submerged he took off like a missile. He could swim so fast it was frightening. He weaved and waved. I ducked my head into his chest and heard him chuckle deep in his throat.
When we came back up, we were in a whole new cavern. Except this one had bubbles that were like windows. I could see out into the ocean like looking into an aquarium. It was so beautiful. There were luminescent plants and animals everywhere that made seeing everything else a breeze. Inside the cavern were luminescent stones that made it just bright enough I could see to walk. I went straight up to one of the bubbles and sat down. Looking out into the water was exactly what I needed to calm my nerves.
Amimitl sat down across from me. He did not say one word. He just let me have the silence. I enjoyed sitting there just as long as I could. I must have sat there for hours. Amimitl had to go get back into the water after every hour or so. He would get wet, soak in the ocean for a few minutes and return by my side. Each time he would sit a little closer to me. I knew what he was doing. But my mind was not on him at the moment.
I kept trying to line out exactly what had happened with Hephaestus. Hephaestus made it very clear, he had every intention on continuing what he had done. He kept me in that bed for two days. I could not fight him, and I still do not believe I know enough of my powers to prevent it from happening again.
It was not even that I was not attracted to him. you know in most stories I had ever read he was supposed to be misshapen. But I found him to be quite handsome. Yes he did have a slight hump on his back and he walks with a limp. That does not make a person ugly! He had a very sweet personality and in general was very good looking.
But none of this was the point! I am a married woman. I have not even been married for six months yet. He took advantage of me. I have to tell Aries! I have to explain! Aries may never speak to me again. The timing could not have been any better either. Hephaestus had to have known Aries would be gone just now. We are supposed to be in the past. The current gods, except for Janus. He is the roman God of time I believe. I cannot remember exactly. Anyway, the current gods are not supposed to know what is going on. Something feels very suspicious!
Amimitl just got back from his most recent dip in the ocean. This time he sat down right next to me. He handed me a plate of cut up fruit and vegetables. I accepted it. I was hungry again. My stomach was feeling weird. It must be from being under the sea.
Amimitl put his hand on the nape of my neck. He closed his eyes and gasped. I jerked away from him. He was bothering me with the way he was acting. I did not know what to think. He gasped again and looked over at me with tears in his eyes, "you poor thing! Aries does not know yet! Yippee! Sorry I should not be excited. Aries must trust you to leave you alone like this. For Hephaestus to do this to you is delightful, er I mean disgraceful. You may hide here as long as you want. I can teach you a few things about being a god too you know." He scooted closer to me. We were almost touching again. "Like I can teach you how you can split yourself, and be in multiple places at once. That is how most gods have multiple wife's or husbands."
I gave him a sideways look, "you just want me to be with you. I came here to think. Not to become your sex slave. If you will excuse me." I got up to leave. Amimitl grabbed my arm lightly. "I did not mean to scare you. I got over excited. Split, don't split, the choice is up to you. Let me teach you a few things. After that, I will help you go looking for Aries. I ask for no payment. Just one God helping another. What do you say?"