Archimedes returned that day to the mountains. There was no one there to welcome him. Everyone had thought that they had seen the last of him. As he rode through the gates, he saw the ashes scattered everywhere. There was the smell of fire that still hung dry in the air. Not all eyes were lost, some of them were met with. They spoke of terror and pain, injustice that had occurred to them. There were kids who ran around not too concerned by the frailties of their lives. A few of them even ran across the tracks of Archimedes that made him abruptly stop on his tracks. He got down from his horse and smelt the ashes that were smeared around. He was angry yet too broken to show it out. The only that stood its ground was his horse, so it seemed. The eyes of the horse showed no fear nor remorse. It would run into battle, if called again. It would do so again and again till it fell. A creature born to tread the planet, the horses were. And so were the kids, their eyes too spoke no fear nor remorse. They were free. And a man must wonder if the horses were so strong so that the children could roam free. As Archimedes was deep in thought , he heard someone shout his name. It was his wife Hera waving her hands and calling him. Archimedes raised his hand and mustered up all the strength he had and smiled back at her. She was so relieved to see him, he could tell. He walked alongside his horse and reached their home. He walked on top and was greeted by his wife with a big hug. He too held her tightly and did not want to let her go. " Are you alright Archi " she asked him. He did not say anything to her and continued to hug her. Come let us go in, she said to him and they walked inside.
"I'm afraid that this is too much for us to recover from, he said to her. Hera was strong like she had always been. She never spoke much but her silence was enough sometimes to feel her strength. Is Zeno alive? he asked her. More than alive, she replied. Archimedes smiled as he knew what Zeno was. But he does not breathe fire does he? he asked her. No, there was a dragon and its rider who eventually saved us, said Hera. A dragon? said Archimedes. Yes a dragon that wiped the evil out and on top of it sat a brave ride, a young girl, emphasized Hera. A young girl riding a dragon, there is hope for us after all, said Archimedes. There was a little joy in his face and Hera knew that it was enough for him. A small spark could get him back on his feet, she knew that. Where are the kids? he asked her. They are playing outside, she replied. Get some rest Archi, said Hera. Archimedes agreed that some rest would do him some good. He walked into his room and fell asleep.
When Archimedes woke up that evening.....
There was Zeno sitting across him. "I ought to tear up the kingdom" he said to Archimedes. Archimedes sat up straight as always in the presence of his uncle who he had immense respect for. What the king has done, will not go unpunished, said Zeno. It is not his fault alone uncle, said Archimedes. Even I was foolish to leave the mountains unguarded, said Archimedes. How would you have known that danger was lurking, said Zeno. I should have known Uncle, and to have heard that you have turned into a larger skin. That troubles me, said Archimedes. I have made my peace with it son. I think it could come in handy, said Zeno. I have accepted that it is a part of me, it is who I'am. And it is not all bad, said Zeno smiling. "Turns out these claws can be very useful" he said as his claws turned to a wolf. "What do we do next?" asked Archimedes. Revenge! replied Zeno. Revenge agaisnt all those who have turned their eyes against us, and more so revenge against the people whose swords tilted our way! When? asked Archimedes. Soon enough! replied Zeno.