tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41015535752126250662024-02-07T06:02:11.571-05:00The Absentee Blogger<i>~True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learned to dance.~</i>Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-40940449784602817622020-06-10T09:59:00.001-04:002020-06-10T10:00:49.074-04:00Prometheus' Lantern Chapter 8<div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{118}" paraid="168061440" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: philosopher; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">Need to catch up? Find previous chapters here: 1, 2, 3, 4, </span><a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-5.html" style="color: #466a9c; font-family: Philosopher; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: auto;">5</a><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;">, </span><b><font size="4"><a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-6.html" style="font-family: Times; text-align: left;">6</a>, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4101553575212625066/4280932122560732319">7</a></font></b></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{118}" paraid="168061440" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{118}" paraid="168061440" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Chapter 8</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{124}" paraid="911653291" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"></span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335551550":2,"335551620":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{128}" paraid="497433102" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The hallways and passages of the Underworld twisted and turned, labyrinthine in its architecture. Without her guide, Hera would soon be lost among the denizens of the dead.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{132}" paraid="1187022140" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“It’s much larger down here than I thought,” Hera said, trying to strike up a conversation with </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Macaria</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">.</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{136}" paraid="935866735" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“The space suits our purposes. Our numbers grow daily but never dwindle.” The girl never stopped walking as she spoke. When she pointed out a feature or landmark, it was with a brief gesture and explanation as they passed it. This was not the guided tour Hera had been expecting.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{140}" paraid="148176165" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“How long does it take to learn all the passages?”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{144}" paraid="588970592" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I don’t know. There are passages and rooms still unexplored by many of us. Father gave over portions to be ruled by faithful servants. We have limited knowledge of the paths in their chambers as they have limited knowledge of our tunnels and chambers. There are far too many for any one person or deity to know.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{148}" paraid="57832618" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Doesn’t your father worry they might turn on him? They could plot and plan against him and he’d never know.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{152}" paraid="519635670" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Unlike you, Father inspires trust and loyalty in his </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAPEDAABVzDNVzDNV/wAAACH5BAUAAAMALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIInC2QchYKQgEAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">servants,.</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">” Hera ignored the biting remark.</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{156}" paraid="1823189296" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“How can he be so sure? Anyone can pretend to be loyal to get what they want. Once they get it, what use do they have for the one who gave it to them?”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{160}" paraid="2010889104" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Because if they overthrow my father, who will they trust enough to serve them? Trust must go both ways or it ceases to exist. Without trust, a ruler cannot reign fairly and justly. They become tyrants who inspire fear.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{164}" paraid="2067938617" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Fear is good. It keeps your subjects in line.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{168}" paraid="1310983590" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“True. It will create fear in your people, but fear will also turn on you. You fear for your throne, your kingdom and your life. What you provide to those below you, they provide in turn for you. It is an important lesson my father taught me.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{172}" paraid="1291555981" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Your father is a fool. He could have so much more, yet he fears to go after it.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{176}" paraid="2022017951" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“It is not fear that keeps him here, but commitment and duty. His responsibility to all of the souls is more important to him than his own happiness. Keeping chaos at bay and performing his duties makes him happy.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{180}" paraid="531462804" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Your father is a strange deity. No wonder he ended up down here. Duty and honor are words we use on mortals to get them to do our bidding. Such things don’t apply to us.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{184}" paraid="1244852756" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“That is your view. Father’s is different. If you don’t mind me making the observation, his way appears to have worked better for him than yours.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{188}" paraid="1631333729" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Maybe for a little while, but over the long term it will wear him down. At some point he’ll learn and see things the way the rest of us do.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{192}" paraid="525445980" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Perhaps. Although should that time come, it wouldn’t be for many more years.” </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Macaria</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> stopped walking. There was nowhere else for them to go. In front of them was a river, the water dark as ink. No ripple moved through it and no current pushed waves up on the bank. It shone in the gloomy light, a darkened mirror.</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{196}" paraid="1505094105" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“This is the end of our journey this way. In front of us is the River Styx, which only the dead may cross. Let us return to Mother and Father. Dinner will be ready.” </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Macaria</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> turned, walking back the way they had come. Hera gazed out across the water, making out the lone figure of Charon, ferryman to the dead. Far out across the river, he </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAPEDAABVzDNVzDNV/wAAACH5BAUAAAMALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIInC2QchYKQgEAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">poled</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> his boat and its passengers on their final journey. Even his motions caused no movement on the water.</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{200}" paraid="1825245082" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">The return trip brought them through tunnels Hera was certain they hadn’t traversed before. If she lost her guide, she wouldn’t be able to rely on memory to find her way back. The different routes had been planned on purpose, keeping her from learning her way around.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{204}" paraid="1589907942" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Running water sounded to their right. The River Styx hadn’t made any sound, so this must be another source of water for the underground kingdom.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{208}" paraid="1103632185" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Tell me, </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Macaria</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, what runs alongside us to the right?”</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{212}" paraid="2124373757" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“The River Lethe. Its waters help the dead forget their pain. I carry a vial on my belt when I assist Thanatos in our duties. The relief it brings the dead helps ease their transition into our realm.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{216}" paraid="238362706" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Interesting. Do the souls need to drink of the river’s water for its powers to take effect or do they simply need to touch it?”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{220}" paraid="1368311672" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“The water must be imbibed. The touch of it leaves nothing more than a cold sensation, an impression of something lost but nothing more.” The throne room came into view, its interior brightly lit for the occasion.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{224}" paraid="498952611" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Thank you, </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Macaria</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. Your tour has been most informative.”</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{228}" paraid="924672325" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I hope you learned about more than our realm’s structures during our walk, though I fear this is not the case.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{232}" paraid="483500446" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“My dear, everything you’ve said has been…enlightening. Shall we join your parents at the table?” Hera placed a hand on </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Macaria’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> hip, guiding her across the chamber. The younger woman broke free from Hera’s touch, but it was too late. Concealed in the palm of her hand was the prize Hera sought. As long as the girl didn’t miss it too soon, Hera now held the key to taking over the realm of the dead.</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{236}" paraid="661912126" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Sister, come sit by me.” Hades indicated the large wooden chair beside him, at the other end of the table from Persephone.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{240}" paraid="384437288" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Thank you, but I would prefer to sit by your bride. Have some time to talk away from men. The two of us never manage to have time to speak, just the two of us. Besides, it will make it easier for me to know what is safe to eat.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{244}" paraid="859349722" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“As you wish.” Hades returned to eating, his daughter taking the seat declined by Hera. At her end of the table, Persephone gave her husband a look of bewilderment and anger. Hera was the last being she wanted to sit next to at dinner.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{248}" paraid="2033230442" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I should thank you for your hospitality. Both you and Hades have been more than gracious hosts.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{a15660b9-9cd0-43bd-aa49-e26c785da9ca}{252}" paraid="2127464806" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You’re welcome in our home any time.” The reply passed through tight lips trying not to scream. Persephone knew she needed to be a good hostess, but the nearness of the other goddess unnerved her. Hera was up to something and it wouldn’t result in anything good.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{1}" paraid="1117900172" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Again, I thank you. The spread you have is marvelous. I never thought the food down here would be so varied and wonderful. It is no wonder you were tempted by that pomegranate all those years ago.” Hera picked over the trays laid in front of her, loading cheeses and olives onto her plate along with fruits and cuts of meat.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{5}" paraid="1190378223" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW186562842 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW186562842 BCX0" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“All the food comes from the surface. It is the only food we serve while I am down here so as not to accidentally lengthen my stays.” Persephone poked at her </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW186562842 BCX0" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAPEDAABVzDNVzDNV/wAAACH5BAUAAAMALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIInC2QchYKQgEAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">plate,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW186562842 BCX0" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> her appetite gone.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW186562842 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{9}" paraid="1686144611" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun SCXW186562842 BCX0" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW186562842 BCX0" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Wherever it comes from, it’s lovely. Wines, too? Why don’t I pour us each a glass and we can raise them to ourselves? A drink to friendship and more visits together?” Hera took Persephone’s cup before she could protest and filled both their cups with rich red wine. In the girl’s, she tipped some of the contents of the vial she stole from </span><span class="SpellingError SCXW186562842 BCX0" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Macaria</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW186562842 BCX0" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. Persephone’s attention had been on her plate and she missed the goddess’ addition.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW186562842 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{13}" paraid="193622129" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m not very hungry or thirsty,” Persephone said when Hera returned her cup.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{17}" paraid="834111100" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Nonsense. We must drink to us. This wine is much too delicious to waste.” Hera lifted her glass and motioned for the other woman to do the same. With a sigh, Persephone picked up her glass and together they drank.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{21}" paraid="206386014" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">A glass clattered to the floor and Hera smiled over the rim of hers.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{25}" paraid="462811482" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Oh. What’s happened to me? Where am I?” Persephone put the palms of her hands on her forehead and rocked back and forth in her chair.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{29}" paraid="1624300522" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“My love? Is something the matter?” Hades stopped eating and stared at his wife. Her eyes traveled up, seeing him at the far end of the table, and widened.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{33}" paraid="677421294" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Who are you? What do you want?”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{37}" paraid="1999362051" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Persephone? What’s wrong?” Jumping from his chair, the heavy seat falling over in his haste, Hades ran the length of the table and grabbed Persephone’s hands. She yanked them away, screaming and pushing him back. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{41}" paraid="1403023395" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Get away from me. Go.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{45}" paraid="1527390218" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“It’s me, my love. Don’t you recognize your own husband?”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{49}" paraid="1604191653" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You’re not my husband. I would never marry you. I don’t belong here. Let me go.” Persephone broke free from Hades and went to run, only to realize she didn’t know where she was. Doorways opened all around her. All of them led to dark tunnels she couldn’t see down. Unable to get her bearings, she backed up against a wall. Sliding down to the floor, her body convulsing with sobs, Persephone huddled, trying to make sense of her surroundings.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{53}" paraid="165057351" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“What have you done to her?” Hades’ voice thundered through the cavernous space as he grabbed his sister by the shoulders and spun her, still in her chair, around to face him.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{57}" paraid="626285942" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Done? Nothing. Clearly she isn’t as happy down here as you led us all to believe.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{61}" paraid="1932929309" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You lie!” Hades pressed his face into hers, the heat from his breath warming her neck.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{65}" paraid="211034288" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“She’s erased her memory. Water from the River Lethe.” </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Macaria</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> straightened, holding the cup Persephone recently dropped. “There’s still some residue clinging to the cup.”</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{69}" paraid="359932114" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">Hades took the cup from his daughter, a faint chill creeping up his fingers where they touched the water. He turned, shoving the cup into Hera’s defiant face.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{73}" paraid="148194892" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Is this your doing? Poisoning my queen? Is this how you repay our kindness and hospitality?”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{77}" paraid="479690382" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“No, this is how I get what I want.” </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{81}" paraid="1702840651" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“What can you gain by taking away Persephone’s memories? All you have done is terrify her and anger me. It has not changed my stance regarding the war you wish to wage above.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{85}" paraid="1112650963" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“It might if I were to tell Demeter and Zeus you made Persephone drink the water yourself to try and make her forget her life on the surface. You wanted her to stay forever with you, but the plan backfired.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{89}" paraid="1117298531" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I would never do such a thing.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{93}" paraid="1639553782" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Going to be tough for you to prove that. It’s your word against mine. Oh, and Persephone’s, but I don’t think she’s going to be a very reliable </span><span class="ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAPEDAABVzDNVzDNV/wAAACH5BAUAAAMALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIInC2QchYKQgEAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">witness</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> do you?”</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{97}" paraid="665718753" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“You bitch.” Hades slammed the back of Hera’s chair into the table. Against the wall, Persephone whimpered.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{101}" paraid="503892937" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Resorting to name calling? And violence? Come now, I thought you were better than that.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{105}" paraid="634262328" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I will tear you apart, limb from limb, and let you sink into the River Styx for all eternity.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{109}" paraid="831508125" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Such threats. But, yes, please do keep them coming. After all, you want to impress your wife. Show her what a big, strong, brutal man you are. I’m sure that will win her back over.” Hades let out a scream and turned his back on Hera. She had won. After everything he said and all he had done, she managed to find his weakness and turn it against him. </span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{113}" paraid="1111143583" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I want her back.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{117}" paraid="757407051" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“We can work something out. I’m sure Zeus will be more than willing to restore her memory if I ask him nicely. We can tell him there was a mix up with a water pitcher. Or she fell and slipped into the river while on a walk. So many excuses we can come up with, if you help me.” Hera stood behind her brother, one hand on his shoulder.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{121}" paraid="1021878561" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“What do you want?”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{125}" paraid="1123476234" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“An army. I want all of the souls you reign over to join with me.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{129}" paraid="1287487059" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“What kind of army would that be? The dead don’t fight. They have no motivation. They simply exist.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{133}" paraid="1091681675" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“The dead can’t be destroyed by mortals. They are the perfect soldiers. As they kill our enemies, our own numbers will grow.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{137}" paraid="878953147" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“How do you propose to make them fight? The souls of the dead float around aimlessly. No purpose or direction to what they do.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{141}" paraid="1096179355" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I will give them incentive. Have them ready in three days’ time and I will have the means of making them warriors.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{145}" paraid="1456029793" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“If you promise to return Persephone to me, I will do as you request.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{149}" paraid="1691777411" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“Good. I will see myself out. Remember, not a word about anything that happened today or our deal is off and your queen will be lost to you forever.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{153}" paraid="245411424" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“I will keep my end of the deal. You best keep your end.” Hera made no reply, disappearing down the tunnel she arrived through. Curled up on the floor, Persephone watched her go, springing to her feet suddenly as the goddess vanished from sight.</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{157}" paraid="282511541" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">"Take me with you. Please don’t leave me here.” Hades wrapped her up in his arms as she tried to run past him. She struggled against him, the palms of her hands slapping against his chest. “Let me go. Let me go.” Her struggles slowed and she dissolved back into tears. </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Macaria</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> approached her parents, sadness overtaking her beautiful features.</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{161}" paraid="2144798898" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US">“This is my fault. I never should have told her about the River or my use of it. I will go and secure Hypnos’ help. Allowing her to sleep during this time would be best for us all. Less despair for us when she doesn’t recognize us and less trauma for her.”</span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr BCX0 SCXW186562842" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph BCX0 SCXW186562842" paraeid="{2334ea58-1132-4281-9927-5b9aceaaa899}{165}" paraid="927010168" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="TextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">“Thank you. A peaceful sleep will alleviate her terror. Until things are set right, dreams are her only friend. Please don’t blame yourself. Your mother didn’t trust her and neither did I. If we followed our instincts, this would not have occurred. Go, quickly and fetch Hypnos. I don’t wish for your mother to suffer longer than necessary.” </span><span class="SpellingError BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; background-image: url("data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhBQAEAJECAP////8AAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAAIALAAAAAAFAAQAAAIIlGAXCCHrTCgAOw=="); background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Macaria</span><span class="NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> bowed her head and headed towards the chambers where Hypnos resided. Behind her she could hear the echo of sobbing. Sobbing born of terror and the frantic sobbing of wanting this nightmare to end. It was the only time she ever heard her father’s cries. She hurried down the path, hoping for something to soothe her parents’ anguish.</span></span><span class="EOP BCX0 SCXW186562842" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":2,"335559740":100}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: calibri, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></p></div>Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-42809321225607323192019-07-07T11:43:00.001-04:002019-07-07T11:50:57.502-04:00Prometheus’ Lantern Chapter 7<span style="font-family: "philosopher"; font-size: 20px;">Need to catch up? Find previous chapters here: 1, 2, 3, 4, </span><a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-5.html" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #466a9c; font-family: Philosopher; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">5</a>, <a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-6.html">6</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Chapter 7</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
Night had long taken hold of the sky when Maya returned home. After leaving the animals in the forest, she had stopped to bring Ipolit news of Alexander. She never told him how she received the news she relayed to him and he never asked. He knew of course, that she met with him on occasion, along with many other strange and wonderful beings. Along with this knowledge came the understanding that, though he may be a friend, Ipolit would never be allowed in their presence. The fewer who knew exactly what took place beyond the city walls, the safer for all involved.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The result of her dalliance at the stables was a full moon shining near the horizon, preparing to go to bed itself. She walked in the moonlight, enjoying the glow it gave everything it touched. The Lantern of Night.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Beautiful Selene, your work should be appreciated by more. You brighten the night sky and soften the shadows, bringing radiance where there is none.” Maya whispered the prayer, sending it with her gratitude up to the Moon Goddess. If she learned anything, it was not to take the work of any god or goddess for granted. They could be powerful allies, but just as destructive enemies.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The area around her glowed a bit brighter, illuminating the path before her. A root she nearly stumbled over was now clearly defined, allowing her to avoid it and a twisted ankle. Selene heard her prayer and responded with gratitude of her own.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Candles burned down to puddles of wax lining the windows and walkways of her home. On tiptoe, Maya moved through the main chamber towards her bedroom. She kept her eyes averted from the hateful statue dominating the far end of the hall. A benevolent depiction of Hera, misconstruing her as a loving and nurturing figure. Maya’s stomach knotted.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Slipping down a side corridor, Maya let out a sigh of relief. She was in her own section of the house now, safely past her mother. As she entered her room, she muffled a scream. On her bed sat the tall, proud figure of Thisbe.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“What are you doing in my chambers?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“What were you doing out of them? If I’m not mistaken, the moon has nearly run its course and the sun waits for its entrance in the wings. An obedient daughter would be in bed asleep, her dreams coming to an end so she could wake soon. A good daughter would not be preparing to retire for the night already past.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“My apologies, Mother. The time slipped past me.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“What could have captivated you so that you stayed up through Selene’s watch?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Devotion and prayer.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“To whom? You did not attend temple as I instructed. Nor were you begging forgiveness at the feet of our own household statue.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Do I need to be in the iconic presence of a god or goddess to pay them homage? Is there not a bit of them everywhere that will hear our prayers and carry them back to the gods?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“It is not the proper method. Your continued absence at the temple causes rumors to spread. Soon, we will lose our favor in the eyes of the people.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Who cares what the people think? Should we not worry ourselves more about pleasing the gods? Are they not the ones who shape our fates?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Thisbe rose, anger from her daughter’s words coursing through her body, making her stand straighter, fists clenched at her sides. “The elders of our community decide our fate as much as the gods. If they suspect we are no longer favored by Hera, we lose our status in the community. Would you like to become a maid or cook? A servant to another’s needs?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Aren’t we already? We do nothing for our own pleasure, but for the pleasure of those who control us, be it gods or men. A name in place of a title is all that separates us from Cook.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You are closer to his rank than you realize,” Thisbe hissed, crossing to Maya and grabbing her arm. “One more time you disobey me and I will sell you at market myself.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You wouldn’t dare,” Maya hissed back, her face almost touching her mother’s. “You put me on the market block and it will be proof to the town that we have fallen from Hera’s grace. They all think I’m Hera’s Chosen. Sell me at the market and your whole world will crash around you.” Thisbe let her grip on Maya go. A final glare at her daughter and she left the room.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Collapsing onto her bed, Maya gave herself over to Hypnos but not Morpheus. She needed sleep, not dreams to keep her tossing and turning for the little time she would be allowed. Even good dreams would only bring her despair and loss, for the dreams she wished she could stay in left her waking to an empty bed that would otherwise be occupied.<br />
<br />Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-2162815662931907262019-06-30T16:40:00.000-04:002019-06-30T16:54:58.860-04:00Prometheus Lantern Chapter 6Need to catch up? Find previous chapters here: 1, 2, 3, 4, <a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-5.html">5</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chapter 6</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hera paced, going over every point of her plan. Hades would join her, one way or another. She would leave him no choice.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The quietness of her household should have unnerved her, but it didn’t. So engrossed in plotting her revenge, she didn’t even notice. The odd whispers caught her ear, but she ignored them. She had more important things to worry about. Whatever her servants were up to could wait.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>An army was what mattered now. An army of untapped potential with unknown numbers. Soldiers who couldn’t be killed or overcome by normal methods. Even she didn’t know if anything short of a command by Hades could send them back to the Underworld. If they proved to be as successful as she hoped, she may even expand her borders past Elpis and into the world beyond. A whole world awaited and it could all be hers. Patience was the key and she had plenty of that.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What she needed now was a way into the Realm of the Undead. Every year, Hades invited all of Olympus to join him in welcoming Persephone into his home. None ever ventured down there who didn’t already belong to the dead. It wasn’t a very happy, cheery place and most of the gods and demi-gods preferred real celebration in the sunshine to a pretend homecoming in the gloom. Wasn’t it bad enough they suffered through fall and winter because of Hades’ selfishness without having him inflict further gloom on them?<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Snow tended to fall earlier on Mount Olympus, heralding Demeter’s upcoming time of mourning. Judging from the change of leaves in the surrounding countryside, the homecoming celebration had come and gone several weeks ago. But, did the exact date really matter? Wouldn’t Hades be glad of any company he could get? A chance to show off his bride? Certainly he would welcome a visit from his sister without question.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>An excuse would be better. Even if he was surprised by her sudden appearance, he would want to know why she was there. Eventually she would tell him the truth. But first, she needed to know where he stood. Was he loyal to Zeus or another family member? Would he be willing to give his loyalty to her?<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Perhaps it would be best to pretend she was on a mission to check on Persephone. Either Zeus or Demeter asked to make sure she was being taken care of while in his domain. Zeus would be the better story. Then she could complain about how overbearing their brother was and how he hated to share his glory. Wouldn’t it be nice if just once they got a little more recognition?<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hades always craved more power. The short end of the stick had been his lot while Zeus and Poseidon got everything. This should be the easiest manipulation Hera ever pulled. At the other end of the string would be a whole army for her to control. Zeus, Elpis and the rest of the pathetic world wouldn’t know what crawled out of its grave until it was too late. For that matter, neither would Hades.<br />
<br />
**********<br />
There hadn’t been time to seek out the Sister Fates before Hera appeared on Death’s doorstep. Unannounced and uninvited, she strode into Hades’ throne room, her nose wrinkling at the abysmalness of it all. On his throne, Hades coughed, drawing her attention. She quickly put her hand in front of her face, trying to hide her disgust. If she mocked her brother and his realm now, he would never hear her out. Once his army was hers to command, she could taunt him at her leisure.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Brother! How nice it is to see you. It has been far too long since we’ve talked.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Hera. What an unexpected surprise. What brings you down here?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Zeus asked that I check on his precious princess. He worries about her when she’s down here.” Hades sat straighter in his throne. From where she stood in the middle of the room, Hera could feel the animosity radiating off the King of the Dead.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Does he? First of all, when she is down here she is no princess. Persephone is Queen of the Underworld and all its inhabitants. Perhaps it would do well for those of you who dwell on the surface and in the clouds to remember that. Second, if my brother were so concerned, why did he not visit me himself?” This was the opening Hera was waiting for.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You know how Zeus is as well as I. He’s always too busy to take care of things for himself, so he sends the rest of us off to do his bidding.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“What was so much more important than taking a few minutes to visit with me and his daughter?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Who knows?” Hera shrugged, a smirk threatening the edges of her lips. “Most likely chasing off after some young nymph. Maybe there’s a human girl he’s taken a fancy to. In the thousands of years he’s ruled, he never has managed to keep his hands to himself.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I would think his infidelities would upset you, but they appear to amuse you instead.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Why shouldn’t they? I spent many years bitter towards his conquests, exacting my revenge on the females he chased. Nothing I did made much of a difference to him. If I turned his current one into a tree, he would chase after another. It got to be tiresome. I learned long ago to let him have his fun and I could have mine. He doesn’t know what I’m doing if his attention is diverted elsewhere.” Hera winked, a show of bringing Hades into her confidences.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“And what have you been doing while he’s been distracted?” Hera turned away, keeping her face hidden from her brother. She didn’t want him to see any lies that might be written on it.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Not much of anything. Sadly, I’m still an errand girl for him, as you can see by my presence here.” She gestured around at the darkness.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Not long ago I received some very interesting souls. Minotaurs and centaurs among others. It’s been a long time since any of their kind passed through my gates. I thought they died out long ago, when the world changed and our family ceased to rule among the mortals.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“That is very interesting news, my brother. I shall have to ask about it when I return to Mount Olympus. Perhaps someone there will have answers to your mystery.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Perhaps, though I heard whispers that the hand that brought them into being was your own, Sister.” Hades spit out the last words, making the esses hiss.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Where would such a rumor have come?” Blast Thanatos.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Does it matter? It is true. I can tell by the way your shoulders pulled back. I’ve become very good at detecting liars. Also murders, thieves and various other moral blemishes. After nearly five thousand years presiding over souls, you learn things. It makes sorting them out easier.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Five thousand years? But we have only returned to human consciousness in the last two thousand. Before that, our rule only lasted a thousand. How is it that you claim so many more?” Hera spun around, facing Hades and no longer worried about concealing her face. True shock and surprise overtook her act of coyness. Now it was Hades’ turn to smile.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Perhaps for you, my sweet sister, and those who rule above. Down here, things have continued on as they always have and always will. Just because mortals push you from their minds doesn’t mean their souls can forget where they must go when the body no longer wishes to continue.” Hera shivered involuntarily. Thanatos said similar words to her when they last met.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Your realm carried on while the rest of us sat doing nothing? Until a time when the mortals would remember us and our greatness?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“So it would seem.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Did nothing change for you during those years? The souls of the dead found no reprieve elsewhere?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“The mortals changed my name, calling me by many other titles, but they all amounted to the same. My realm cannot be forgotten, no matter how the mortals may wish it to be. They may call me Satan or devil, though I am neither. Thanatos may be reimagined by them as the Grim Reaper, but he carries no scythe. Mortals cannot see us until it is their time and then there is no way for them to communicate with the living. The living believe what they want, but the dead know the truth.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hera felt her face heating. How could her brother keep such a thing from them? While they sat idle on top of their mountain, their power diminished and slipping further away with each passing year, Hades went on as if nothing was wrong. All this time she pretended to pity him when he was the one who held more power than any of their family. Ruling over the dead held much more power than she ever dreamed. Even if Elpis changed once more and forgot them again in favor of some other deities, death would always be a constant.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Underworld would belong to her. Too much was at stake for her to lose it now. An army was only the teaser to the power that lay beneath the feet of mortals and gods. To never be forgotten ever again. To rule forever. These were the real treasures.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Do you still harbor jealousy for our brothers? That they get to walk in sunlight and chose any women they want while you stay down here, a single bride by your side for only six months at a time?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I did for many years, but I have learned contentment. I am only forgotten by my family, but not by those who serve us. I may have only one bride, but what more could I ask for? Certainly it would please me if she were allowed to stay with me at all times, but the sun does wonders for her, bringing back a healthy glow to her cheeks that she loses during her time with me.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Ah, so Persephone is unhappy when she is here? I suppose I should report that to Zeus when I return.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You’ll do no such thing.” Persephone stepped from the shadows where she had been listening.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Lovely Persephone. Your time down here has taught you some very unbecoming habits.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“No more than what I learn when I walk above.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You have taken to your queenship well, I see. I beg you to remember when your time down here is done, so is your rule.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“It would serve you well to remember while you visit down here, you are a guest of my husband’s, not his queen,” Persephone shot back. Hera played with a golden ring on her finger, twisting it around while Persephone took her seat next to Hades. It would end her plans if she lost her temper now. There would be time enough later to put the brat in her place.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When Persephone was seated, Hera curtseyed, inclining her head towards the girl.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“My apologies, my queen. You are quite right in your assertion. It would be the sign of a weak ruler to allow themselves to be pushed about.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Please rise, Sister. We have had enough of the family squabbling to last another five thousand years. It was one of the nice things about being down here. While it can be lonely, at least there was no competition.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“A slight perk in your otherwise dull kingdom?” Hera asked, the smirk taking full control of her lips this time.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You might say that. But this has been home for so long that it no longer seems dull.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“And there’s nothing that would make you want what our brothers have?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“No. Our brothers may have all the things you mentioned before, but they lack something to make them truly happy. Without having to work for what they desire, they don’t appreciate what they have. When there is nothing to compare the beauty all around them to, they take that beauty for granted.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“But you wouldn’t. Why don’t you want a piece of that? Beauty instead of this gloom?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Because then I would no longer appreciate it. I have all the beauty I need here beside me. She is what makes me happy and I treasure every moment I’m allowed with her. Without the contrast and constant fear of loss, I would turn into our brothers.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Why would that be bad? Don’t you idolize them?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Once. Then my adoration found someone much worthier.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Then you wouldn’t consider joining with me?” Hera asked, throwing all her carefully crafted arguments out. Hades smiled and shook his head.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“No, Sister. I no longer desire what lies above me when it will eventually all come down here to me. I wish you well in your endeavors, but I will not walk beside you.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Very well. I shall take my leave.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Please don’t leave filled with anger. Stay a bit and join us for dinner. You have traveled down here, the least we can do is offer our table to you.” Hera’s eyes darted back and forth between the rulers of the dead. Was this a trick? Were they trying to keep her down here forever?<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Don’t look so alarmed, Hera. Eat only what I eat and no ill will befall you. Zeus provides us with food grown on the surface for the months I reside here. Dinner will be perfectly safe if you wish to join us.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Yes. I think that might be nice.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Wonderful. Until then, why don’t I have someone show you around. There are many things to see that you may never have the chance to see again.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I would like that.” Hera grinned. A chance to see what she was about to inherit from her dear brother.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Good. Macaria, would you please escort Hera? Show her the sights of our kingdom.” A young woman materialized from the shadows. The clothing she wore was so dark she blended into the gloom, making it difficult to see her properly. When she reached Hera, the young woman pushed back the hood covering her features and Hera drew in a sharp breath. Pale and lovely, she was a younger Persephone.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Have you had the pleasure of meeting our daughter before? Hera, this is Macaria. She assists Thanatos, bringing a peaceful end to suffering.” The girl bowed her head during her mother’s introduction.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Pleased to meet you. I had no idea the two of you had a daughter.” This would complicate things for her. Even if she waited for Persephone to return to Demeter and got rid of Hades, there was still another claimant to the Throne of the Dead.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Amazing the things you learn when you take the time to visit.” Persephone smiled, but Hera sensed the sarcasm behind it. Smile while you can. Soon you won’t have anything left to smile about.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Hera will be joining us for dinner, dear one. When you have shown her everything, bring her back here and we will all eat together.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Yes, Father.” The girl bowed her head before walking off across the room. She stopped at the far end, turning to address Hera. “Come. Walk with me and I will show you our kingdom.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I look forward to the sights you have to show me. Almost as much as I anticipate our dinner together afterwards.” Hera tilted her head to each ruler and headed off after Macaria. When they were far off, Persephone voiced her concerns.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I don’t trust her. She gave up far too easily when you turned down her offer.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“That makes two of us who are wary. I’ve known my sister for far too long to know she’d never back down. Why she thinks I would make a good ally is a mystery. We have no army at our command.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“She thinks she can use the dead.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“We’ve discussed this, my love. The dead will not fight. Why should they? They are content enough.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Don’t let your guard down. We may not think they would make good soldiers, but I’m certain Hera thinks they would be perfect. That’s not the only thing she’s after, either. Did you notice her eyes when you informed her of your unbroken rule? Unbreakable power. She would do anything to possess such a thing.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Do not worry. There is nothing she can do. I made my decision regarding her offer of joining her in exchange for my brothers’ kingdoms. I meant what I said. I know you can’t be happy down here all of the time, but the time you are down here makes me very happy.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“While I need the sun on my face to survive, I also treasure my time with you. You were right. Appreciation comes from not having. When I’m with Mother, the fresh air and sun are the most wonderful things because I don’t have them when I’m with you. Down here, you are all I need because I lack the kind of love you give me when we’re apart.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“May we never know any different.” Hades leaned over the arm of his throne and kissed his bride.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“We have lasted for five thousand years. Our love mastered the test of time,” Persephone replied when they parted. Hades stroked her cheek and pulled her back to him, his lips pressing hard against hers. Five thousand years of this. Kissing the same woman over and over again and stroking the same soft cheek. Yet, no matter how many times he performed the same acts, they never grew old. How could they when you never knew if she would return the next time the seasons changed or if Zeus would have a sudden change of heart and allow her to stay on the surface forever?<br />
<br />
<br />Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-63842294880185427502019-06-23T11:27:00.001-04:002019-06-23T11:27:23.321-04:00Prometheus’ Lantern Chapter 5Need to catch up? <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(82, 79, 30); color: #524f1e; font-family: philosopher; font-size: 20px;">Find previous chapters here: </span><a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/05/its-been-awhile.html" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #466a9c; font-family: philosopher; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">1</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(82, 79, 30); color: #524f1e; font-family: philosopher; font-size: 20px;">, </span><a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-2.html" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #466a9c; font-family: philosopher; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">2</a>, <a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-3.html" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #466a9c; font-family: Philosopher; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">3</a>, <a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-4.html">4</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chapter</b> <b>5</b></div><br />
It was nearly dark when Spiro joined Maya and Admeta. With the approaching winter, the sky grew darker early, limiting the time the inhabitants of the area had to do things. Like hold war councils.<br />
“The birds come from the area surrounding Mount Olympus. They say Hera has been leaving the gods’ home more often and staying away longer. None are certain of where she goes, but they have heard rumors,” Spiro said.<br />
“Do they think she’s getting another army together?” Maya wasn’t ready for another attack by the goddess. The last one drained her emotionally more than physically, and she still mourned the losses she suffered.<br />
“The rumors tend to flow in that direction. They speak of alliances being formed, but not with whom. It is difficult to imagine any god or goddess taking up with Hera after her recent attempts to overthrow them all.”<br />
“Have we learned anything else from these rumors?”<br />
“Only that Hera’s favored cow and peacocks are wary of her recent activities. They are the ones who spoke to our new allies, telling them of their fears. Hera continues to change and the animals grow skittish around her, lest she decide to lash out at them.”<br />
This bit of news was interesting. If she was turning on even her closest acquaintances and pets, was there anything that could make her feel an emotion other than hatred? She prized her twin peacocks longer than humans walked the earth, always well cared for and wanting nothing. Her white cow served her without hesitation, carrying her wherever she wished. Never had any of them feared her.<br />
“Not even her cow, who she rides everywhere, knows where she’s been going?”<br />
“It would appear she’s been spurning them all. She walks when she can and transports herself other ways when necessary. Our last confrontation left her untrusting of even her most loyal creatures.”<br />
“They will be of no use to us, either. We must find out what she’s been up to if we’re to defeat her,” Alexander said. <br />
“We should not dismiss them so quickly. Hera may slip and reveal something to them that we can use. In time, they may prove useful allies. We can use all the allies we can get,” Maya said. She was not ready to quickly ignore potential friends just because they weren’t helpful now. Even the smallest creature could become a powerful contact.<br />
“How can we be certain the information won’t flow the wrong way?” Alexander didn’t want to trust the animals too much. None of the others could blame him. Until now, they had been the closest thing Hera had to friends.<br />
“We limit the information that goes back. Things that won’t make a difference if Hera learns about them. It will keep her pets from thinking we don’t trust them and her from getting too suspicious should they turn out to be spies.”<br />
“But, Maya, do you really think that will work?”<br />
“We’ll never know if we don’t give it a try. All in favor of allowing Hera’s peacocks and cow to join with us in the capacity of spies?” All except Alexander raised his hand.<br />
“All opposed?” Alexander’s hand went up. He was outnumbered, but wanted to let them know where he stood on the matter. If it turned out they really were on their side, fine. But if they were only trying to get into their camp so they could report back to Hera, well he wasn’t about to take the blame.<br />
“The ‘ayes’ have it. Spiro, if you could communicate our wishes to our visitors it would be appreciated.”<br />
“As you wish, Mistress.” Spiro bent his small gray head.<br />
“I still think it’s a bad idea,” Alexander muttered. Hera was tricky. It stood to reason she would put her companions up to this. So far, they hadn’t been able to deliver them any reliable information, but Maya and her camp were expected to trust them. It reeked of Hera’s deception.<br />
“Your hesitation of the matter has been duly noted. Should this prove to be disastrous, you have forewarned us.”<br />
“Then why go forward with it?’<br />
“Sometimes you have to take a chance. It’s the only way to find out if you’re right or not.”<br />
“Heck of a way to prove a point. I can only hope my own instincts are wrong or I fear I may end up standing nearby, watching our world destroyed.”<br />
“For the sake of Elpis and all its people, I hope your instincts are wrong, too.”<br />
“I think now we must turn our attention to finding out who Hera has been meeting with. That is the most important information we could uncover right now. Shall we start drawing up possible lists?” Spiro stood to his full height, trying to obtain everyone’s attention. All around the clearing, heads nodded in agreement. Knowing who else they were up against would be valuable in planning their strategy. It would also give them a good idea of whether they had a chance or were doomed.<br />
<br />
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-55140376369144331852019-06-17T10:33:00.000-04:002019-06-17T10:33:08.610-04:00Prometheus’ Lantern Chapter 4<span style="color: #524f1e; font-family: "philosopher"; font-size: 20px;">Need to catch-up? Find previous chapters here: </span><a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/05/its-been-awhile.html" style="color: #466a9c; font-family: philosopher; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">1</a><span style="color: #524f1e; font-family: "philosopher"; font-size: 20px;">, </span><a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-2.html" style="color: #466a9c; font-family: philosopher; font-size: 20px; text-decoration: none;">2</a>, <a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-3.html">3</a></span><br />
</span> <div style="text-align: center;"><b>Chapter</b> <b>4</b></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Temple of Hera happened to be the last place Maya wanted to visit. She met the goddess face-to-face, did her bidding and was never impressed. The last time they parted ways, Hera’s back was to her and she was running towards Mount Olympus. Maya wasn’t naïve enough to think she’d be so lucky again. Not without Thanatos and her children ready to back her in a fight.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>She missed her children, but knew their separation was for the best. If she brought back harpies or griffins, the townspeople would have killed them without asking questions. A few moved closer to her, staying in the shadows of the surrounding forest. When she had a free moment, she would sneak down to visit. Other times, the gray squirrel Spiro or his daughter Admeta would bring news of her children’s activities.</span><br />
</span>Near to the woods where they stayed were the King’s Stables. This is where Maya ran off to whenever her mother ordered her to the Temple. Her brother, Marcus, who worked as a stable boy, had yet to tell their parents about her frequent trips to the stables. Whether this was due to his admiration and loyalty to his sister or because he hadn’t thought to tell them, Maya couldn’t be sure. In case it was the latter, she decided not to ask.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Maya, my beautiful young friend. So nice to see you.” Ipolit hugged Maya as she entered, filling her nostrils with the scent of fresh hay and sweet apples going sour. She breathed it all in, the smells bringing back memories of Antioco, the black stallion who became her only friend on Hera’s island.</span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“It is always nice to be greeted in such a manner. Mother is never happy to see me anymore. I think she would have preferred it if I had drowned.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Tsk, tsk, Maya. If she knew what you went through, she would think differently.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“If she knew what I’ve done, she would disown me and toss me into the sea herself.” The old stable master smiled and followed as Maya made her way down to the vacant stalls at the end. Only a few months ago, they housed two of the finest horses ever seen in Elpis. One turned out to be Thanatos, God of the Dead and the other Maya’s friend and companion, Antioco. That he had also been the father of the centaur abomination, Ercole, was something the stable master was still coming to terms with.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Have you found a replacement for young Alexander yet?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“No,” Ipolit shook his head. “It isn’t easy to find a family willing to let their son work in a stable where strange occurrences have been rumored to take place.” Alexander had been younger than Marcus by a few years. When the centaur Ercole came through, spreading Hera’s message and recruiting for her army, Alexander saw it as a chance to be heroic. He ran off to join, only to be sadly disillusioned when the real face of Hera was revealed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Disgusted with himself and his rashness, Alexander was afraid to return home. When Hera returned to her own castle, Alexander decided to stay with the griffin Theo. Together they trained the rest of Maya’s children, preparing for Hera’s return.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ipolit hadn’t fared as well getting a recruit. Alexander’s disappearance along with horses who could open their own gate sparked rumors. Rumors were bad if you wanted to quiet superstitions.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I’m sorry. I will keep an ear out for you. I’m sure there must be some young man looking for a trade.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Thank you, my dear. For now, I just work your brother twice as hard. Keeps him honest and out of trouble.” He winked, wrinkling up the scruff of his beard in the effort.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I’m heading out to the forest. If anyone comes looking for me, I’ve gone off to pick mushrooms.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You may want to bring a basket and pick a few if you want your story to hold up.” Ipolit handed her a basket from a shelf near the stable staff’s eating area.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I thank you again. If there is any word, I will let you know.” With basket in hand, Maya made her way across the fields to the gate Antioco and Thanatos used many times to escape. They liked to take long walks in the woods and plan. Now it was left up to Maya to continue where they left off.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The woods darkened the farther she went, making it difficult to see much of anything. A branch to her left cracked, accompanied by a flurry of wings.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Ach, look sister. It is Mother, come for a visit.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Yes, yes. Mother must miss me.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“No, sister. It is me Mother missed.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Hello my beautiful daughters. I apologize for not seeing you sooner, but my eyes had not adjusted to the darkness.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Ach, do you see us now?” A hideous face pressed into Maya’s, hitting her full on with the putrid breath of a scavenger. It was female in essence, and might be pretty if it weren’t for the sharpened teeth and splattering of blood and gore. Next to it sat its mirror image.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I see you very well, Helena. You too, Helen.” The two harpies cackled with glee. They may not have much respect for humans, but they adored their mother. To her credit, Maya loved them back.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Has Mother been looking for another funny horsey? We know how sad you were to lose him.” Helena hopped on the branch, nearly dislodging her sister.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“No, stupid. Mother would not replace the great Antioco. How can one love the same way?” Helen spat, regaining her perch.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Men would be stupid not to love Mother.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Yes, in this we agree. But Mother would not wish to love another. The great Antioco was the only one of his kind.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Of this you speak the truth. Even among our brothers, the equal of Mother’s love and companion cannot be found.” The harpies hung their heads.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I’m sorry, daughters, but as you have said, I am not ready to love again. My heart was broken once and I’m not ready to have it broken again. Such a love is a burden and weakness. One Hera will exploit and use against me again if given the chance. I must wait until our quarrel is at an end before I find another to fill Antioco’s place in my heart.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“When Mother is ready, we will help. We are very good at finding nice men.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Yes, but we eat them,” Helen said.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“We will not eat Mother’s companion. This we promise.” Both harpies bobbed their heads in unison.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Thank you. You are both a blessing.” Maya continued on, leaving the harpies behind to guard the secrets the rest of the forest held.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A little farther on, the trees above Maya rustled and a small brown face peeked through.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Great Mother Maya, is that you?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“It is. Good morning, Admeta. Is your father off somewhere today?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“No. He be in the trees nearby. Meeting with messengers.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“What messengers?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Birds from far away. They bring news. Much news.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“What sort of news?” Most times, birds traveling for the changing season would stop and bring information from the outside world. Usually nothing more than new buildings taking the place of wooded homes or new and wondrous plants appearing near a favorite resting place. Something in the way Admeta said it made Maya think the news was something more.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I don’t know. Father said to go, find something useful to do. So, I find you. Very useful, yes?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Yes, that was very useful. Can you bring me to Spiro? I would like to know what is going on.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Yes, Mistress Maya. This way.” The squirrel popped her head back into the trees and took off running, leaping from branch to branch. On the ground, Maya followed her progress by the shaking of the leaves.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Eventually the trees thinned and a small clearing came into view. The forest animals and her children used the space as a council room since not every creature was equipped for perching on branches. It was also large enough to contain most of them and far enough in the woods to keep outsiders from accidentally stumbling upon a meeting in session. At the far end, twittering and squeaking could be heard, along with the cracking of tree branches and fluttering of wings.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Sounds like a lively debate going on,” Maya murmured. Admeta vaulted from the trees and landed in front of her.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Strange birds no are happy. They bring back rumors. Bad things are happening.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Let’s go find out what kind of bad things we’re talking about.” Together they crossed the clearing, the noise from the meeting getting louder.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Father Spiro,” Admeta shouted, scrambling up the nearest tree.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I told you to go and find something to do. Leave us and do not interrupt again.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“But, Father, I bring Mistress Maya.” The chatter above stopped as every creature listened.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Mistress Maya is here? You should have said so first, before crashing through the trees and disturbing our meeting.” Admeta came down the tree again, joined by an older gray squirrel.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Mistress Maya, so good to see you again. We have much to talk about. Let me finish meeting with our bird friends and then we shall discuss.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Discuss what?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Many things, Mistress Maya. Many strange and worrisome things.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I’ll wait for your consul in the grove.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Good. Admeta, please go with Mistress Maya and see that she is taken care of until I can attend her myself.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Yes, Father. Come, Mistress. We go this way.” The young squirrel scampered across the clearing and into a stand of traveler’s pines with Maya close behind. As Maya pushed her way through the branches, they closed back together, obscuring her passage. Under their limbs, thick with needles, was an open canopy. Here Admeta and Spiro lived, their quarters spacious to entertain visiting creatures. The boughs provided natural protection from the elements, keeping its inhabitants warm, dry and comfortable.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Sit, Mistress. I get you food. Drink. What do you want? Nut? Berry?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Thank you, Admeta, but I’m not hungry.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You sure? It no trouble. We keep piles of food for guests.” Admeta gestured towards where other traveler’s pines surrounded them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“How many guests do you get?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Depend on season. Lots when weather gets warmer or colder. Birdies mostly. Some others. A few of your children come and go. They like to keep in contact.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“How many are here now?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Many. More than we ever had at once.” She stood on her hind legs and spun around, pointing to other pines and their inhabitants currently hidden from view. “Normal birdies staying there. Birdies meeting with Father there. Tree-folks visiting stay there. Mistress’ children staying there.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“My children are here? Who?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“The lion-bird one. He come with man-child Alexander.” Maya stood and went to the tree indicated by Admeta. Pushing through the branches, she entered another living space. This one was occupied by a large griffin who took up most of the space and her brother’s former friend and fellow stable boy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Alexander. Theo. I’m so happy to see you.” Maya threw her arms around the boy and griffin in turn. As she hugged Theo, she buried her face into the soft fur of his shoulder.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Maya. How is old Ipolit? Has he gotten another stable boy yet?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Not yet. Are you interested in returning? I’m sure he’d be glad to have you back. I know Marcus would be.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You know the answer to that, Maya. There is too much to be done out here. More recruits show up all the time. Children of yours who didn’t answer the call the first time and children who had been on the wrong side. Every once in a while, we get an animal. Some were on the island with you. Some hear about what Hera did and fear what she could do if she returns.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“And all of them join?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“So far.” Maya reached out and tousled Alexander’s hair. He wasn’t a little boy anymore, but the gesture was instinctive. This was no longer the scrawny child she once knew, who couldn’t lift a bow or shoot an arrow when he first met Theo. His time in training built his muscles and hardened his body. In such a short time, he had grown up. He may only be twelve years old by the marks on a calendar, but mentally and maturity-wise, he was older than many of the men sitting on councils. He witnessed much since he left the safety of the stables and such events aged a person. Maya knew this as well. Responsibility is a heavy burden.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“What other news do you have?”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“There is talk of Hera. None know what she is planning, but she has been coming and going from her home on Mount Olympus. We hoped to learn more here. That is why we returned.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Spiro is talking with some birds now. I will let you know when he returns and we can all discuss what is happening together. Perhaps we can all piece together what Hera is planning and stop it before it starts.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“We can only hope such a thing is possible,” Theo rumbled. “Let us see what comes of Spiro’s talks.” The griffin stretched and laid his head on his giant paws. Soon snoring sounded from the great beast.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Apologies, Maya. We have been traveling quite a bit and only recently arrived. It seems to have taken a toll on Theo.”</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Do not apologize. Get some rest yourself. It could be some time before Spiro is done with the foreigners.” Without another word, Maya pushed back into the squirrels’ quarters, leaving the two warriors to sleep.</span><br />
<br />
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-46281505368933748672019-06-09T09:00:00.000-04:002019-06-08T22:46:00.033-04:00Prometheus’ Lantern Chapter 3<br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3924773334794781315" itemprop="description articleBody" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(82, 79, 30); color: #524f1e; font-family: Philosopher; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.4; width: 640px;">
Need to catch-up? Find previous chapters here: <a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/05/its-been-awhile.html" style="color: #466a9c; text-decoration: none;">1</a>, <a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/06/prometheus-lantern-chapter-2.html">2</a></div>
<br />
Chapter 3<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Maya swirled a spoon through her porridge. Grown cold a long time ago, it was little more than a lumpy gray mess. She watched as the lumps fell off her spoon and into the bowl, plopping and leaving behind miniature craters. A soggy moon in a bowl.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Aren’t you hungry?” Her mother, Thisbe, sat across from her, attentive and cautious. Not long ago by human standards, Maya had been offered up as a sacrifice to Hera. Somehow, things went terribly wrong and now Thisbe faced a daughter only a few years younger than she. A daughter who had seen and done things she never even dreamed of.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I’d feel more comfortable with that statue out of the house.” Maya didn’t need to say which one. It was well known in their household that the girl didn’t approve of their patron goddess.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Our Beloved Mother, Hera has always watched over this house. I’m not about to change now because you are no longer favored by her.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You don’t understand,” Maya said, dropping her spoon into her bowl and meeting her mother’s stare. “Hera is not anyone’s beloved mother and absolutely no one is in her favor.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Thisbe drew in a sharp breath. “You best be prepared to atone for your insolence, young lady. How can you say such things when Hera has blessed this family in so many ways? She gives us shelter and food. Your life alone should have been forfeited to her by our society’s rules, yet she saw fit to spare it. And this is how you repay her kindness? With blasphemy and disrespect?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“She gives to no one. Hera is a taker, not a benefactor. My life was taken from me in other ways. I may still have breath in my body, but my soul has long since departed.” The slap came suddenly, stinging Maya’s cheek.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I will not have such talk at my table. Since you don’t seem to be hungry anyway, I will have Cook clear your dish. You are dismissed. I suggest, very strongly, that you make your way to the temple and stay there for a while.” Maya rubbed her cheek and held her mother’s gaze, even as her porridge was taken away.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Thank you, Cook. That will be all.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Yes, thank you, Zephir,” Maya added without looking at the old man. A smirk tugged up the corner of her mouth when her mother flinched. Thisbe didn’t approve of the servants being addressed by their real names any more than Maya approved of Hera.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I wish you would stop doing that. They’ll start getting ideas and dreams above their station,” Thisbe hissed when Cook had returned to his kitchen.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“We all have wishes, Mother. For some, dreams are all they have.” Without a further word, Maya stood and left.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“What are we going to do about that child?” Thisbe asked her husband as he entered the dining area.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“There’s not much we can do any more. In case you hadn’t noticed, the gods didn’t return a child to us. Maya’s a full-grown woman.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“She’s a child who puts on grown-up airs. She thinks because she was chosen by Hera she is better than the rest of us. She wasn’t chosen, she was rejected. Hera didn’t want the unworthy wretch. Why else would she come home to us and speak so ill of our Beloved goddess?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I don’t know what happened to Maya while she was gone, but we can’t deny the fact she’s changed.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I deny nothing of the sort. In the two weeks she was adrift on the sea, she changed. She’s become arrogant and disobedient. She thinks she runs our household. Then she runs off, disappearing for months with no explanation. Everyone in town thought Poseidon decided to claim her for his own after all. He should have. Save us all a lot of trouble and grief.”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“You don’t mean that. You were beside yourself with worry both times she was gone,” Filemon said, sitting across from his wife in the seat recently vacated by Maya.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I’m her mother. It’s my job to worry about her. It doesn’t mean I can’t wish I didn’t. Why should someone so ungrateful take so much of my energy and tears? What right does she have, causing me to have trouble sleeping and eating?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“She is our daughter. We share the same sorrows and worries for her, but you insist on taking more of the burden than you should. We both need to let her go and find her own way.” Filemon put his hand over Thisbe’s, gently stroking the back of it with his thumb.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“How can we? She brings disgrace on our house. Every word she utters and action she takes is against Hera. For now, a blind eye has been turned in our direction. How long will She allow it to go on before punishment is brought down upon us?”<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Worry less. If Hera is the loving mother you believe her to be, she will forgive the girl. Have faith.” He brought his wife’s hands up to his lips, kissing them.<br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“I hope you’re right, my love. Otherwise, she will doom us all.”<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-39247733347947813152019-06-02T18:40:00.001-04:002019-06-02T20:11:16.223-04:00Prometheus’ Lantern Chapter 2<br />
Need to catch-up? Find previous chapters here: <a href="https://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2019/05/its-been-awhile.html">1</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Chapter</b> <b>2</b></div>
<br />
Despite the gloom permeating his domicile, Hades was in a good mood. Not that the casual observer could tell the difference between his good mood and bad mood, but those residing with him knew it as soon as they saw him.<br />
The chill invading the human world during the winter months could barely be felt down here. Few things could be felt in the land across the River Styx. Beauty and comfort were foreign concepts, developed for corporal beings. A soul had no need for such things. All they needed were space to float, endlessly milling about. Occasionally one would remember for a brief moment the warmth of a fire or the softness of a down mattress, and they would weep at the loss. These memories never lasted long and they would soon be back to wandering aimlessly and wondering why they were here.<br />
Now was the time of joy in the Underworld. Or as joyful as such a place can be. Hades’ queen, Persephone, was visiting for her required six months. It was the only time Hades had someone else with whom he could talk to and he treasured the short spurts of time. Extra effort was given to lighting the halls where he resided and food approved by Zeus was brought in for feasts. Hades promised not to hold his queen longer than the six months allotted and so needed fresh fruits and vegetables not grown in his own kingdom to feed her with. The feasts usually only consisted of Hades and Persephone, but every so often they would be joined by Thanatos when he had a break in his soul-gathering duties.<br />
During her first thousand years being Hades’ queen, Persephone dreaded her returns to the realm of the dead. Every year when the time approached, she begged Zeus to take pity on her and let her stay above ground. Her mother would appeal to both Zeus and Hades for a change of heart. Every year, the brothers held firm to the deal and Persephone was taken away while her mother went into mourning.<br />
As the years went by, Persephone grew accustomed to her role as Queen of the Dead. The arrangement may have been forced upon her, but she sensed genuine love from her husband. All he really wanted was companionship and she provided that for him. He was never cruel or abusive toward her. If anything, there was a sadness around him which became stronger when spring came. <br />
When she returned to the surface, Persephone could always tell how much her mother missed her by the spring thaw. More snow still piled up in mounds meant a hard winter. An early spring was the result of her mother dealing with her daughter’s loss better. As the years went on, there were more early springs, proving both of them had come to terms with the arrangement. Neither one was ready to admit it to the other, so they continued with the pretenses, Persephone crying when she was collected for her time in the underworld and Demeter letting the trees and plants die, covering them with a light snow.<br />
“My dear. You look beautiful beyond words,” Hades said, greeting her as she entered his throne room. It had been built by his brothers as a joke since he rarely had use for it. The dead had few complaints to bring before him and most living petitioners chose to sneak in and try to steal their loved ones back rather than ask him outright for their return. <br />
“Thank you, my lord.” She never returned his compliments. They both knew they were shallow and untrue when applied to the Lord of the Dead. His time underground did little for his complexion, leaving him perpetually whiter than those he watched over. Doom and despair, which he carried around with him like pets, took their toll on his features, sinking his eyes deep into his face and darkened the shadows where his skin hung loose. <br />
“We prepared your Welcoming Feast as usual. I hope you find everything to your satisfaction.” Hades waved towards the other end of the throne room where dinner was laid out on a long table. Despite it being only the two of them, there was enough food for the whole population of Mount Olympus, should they ever decide to visit. They never did, but Hades liked to be prepared.<br />
“Zeus sent it down?” It was a conversation they repeated every year. Persephone hadn’t trusted Hades for many years after his trick with the pomegranate. Since then, she always made sure the food she ate wasn’t from Hades’ realm. Some time ago, she realized he didn’t mean her any harm and wouldn’t intentionally trick her again, but like the farce with her mother each fall, she wasn’t ready to let her guard down.<br />
“But of course. Thanatos will vouch for it if you wish.” Thanatos may be under the employ of Hades, but he was trustworthy and fair. If anything needed to be verified, he was the one to do it.<br />
“No need. I will take you at your word.” <br />
“I thank you for your trust in me. Shall we?” Hades pulled out a chair for her to sit, then took up his own chair at the opposite end. Conversation was difficult over such a large distance, but not impossible. Still, they chose to eat in silence. Hades spent the time studying his bride, Persephone thinking about her eventual return to the surface.<br />
Near the end of their meal, a puff of smoke interrupted them. Glowing green and orange, swirling until it formed the shape of a man. Six feet tall, clad in dark clothing laced with fine silver thread, it was an imposing figure that struck fear into the hearts of the living.<br />
“Thanatos! My old friend. Welcome. I didn’t think you would be joining us this year.”<br />
“My lord,” the figure inclined his head in Hades direction. “My lady.”<br />
“Dear Thanatos, it is good to see you. Please sit and join us.”<br />
“My lady is most gracious, but I must decline. I came only to warn you of changes taking place on the surface.”<br />
“Bah!” Hades waved off Thanatos with a free hand. “What happens in my brothers’ realms doesn’t concern me. The more fire and warfare up there, the more souls end up down here. For me it is all the same. The only thing that changes is the speed at which they arrive.”<br />
“That may be so in the usual flow of things, but things are no longer the same. Hera is looking to increase her influence among men and breaking many of the rules to reach her goal.”<br />
“I didn’t know my brothers and sisters had any sort of rules. It always seemed like a free for all to me.”<br />
“Hera is going beyond. Did you not recently receive the souls of monsters? Half-breeds, the likes we haven’t seen in nearly four thousand years?”<br />
“Yes, I thought it delightful. Minotaurs, centaurs, some Gorgons. I thought such creatures no longer existed, but then their souls showed up on my doorstep.” <br />
“They didn’t exist. Not until Hera caused them to be born. I spent months on the surface trying to piece together what she was doing. In the shape of a horse, I was able to befriend one of the poor beasts she bewitched. Together, we were able to face Hera and hamper her plans. She’ll be back and more ruthless the next time.”<br />
“I still fail to see what this means to me. The beings have souls. The souls then come here when it is their time. I have more than enough room to accommodate them all.” Hades bit into the hunk of cheese he cut while listening to Thanatos’ tale.<br />
“Hera means to stop at nothing. If one method doesn’t work, she will adopt another. What if she doesn’t stop her power-grabbing at the surface? What if the living no longer hold an interest for her?”<br />
“Are you suggesting she might come down here and take over the dead?” Persephone stopped eating to listen, only now speaking up.<br />
“My fears exactly,” Thanatos said, turning to address her.<br />
“Absurd. No one wanted to watch over the land of the dead. Why do you think I ended up with it?”<br />
“Certainly you wouldn’t let her come in and take over?” Persephone asked.<br />
“Never! This might not be much compared to ruling over the air and water, but it’s mine. I’ve done my duty down here for millennia and I’m not about to turn my back on it now.”<br />
“I’m glad to hear it. Despite thinking surface matters don’t concern you, I suggest you prepare for the event when they do.”<br />
“Thank you, friend. I can’t imagine it will ever come to that, but I will be prepared.”<br />
“Good. With that, I shall bid you both a pleasant evening.” He tilted his head to Hades, then bowed deeply to Persephone. “Welcome home, My Lady. May your stay be a pleasant one.” Without another word or breath, he vanished in a puff of smoke, curling towards the surface where his talents were needed.<br />
“Do you really think she’d come down here?” Persephone still hadn’t resumed eating. She rolled a partially nibbled olive around in front of her.<br />
“What could someone like Hera possibly want with a place like this? Yes, I have grown accustomed to it and learned to appreciate what charms it offers. But for someone searching for power, this is the last place they would find it.”<br />
“But she could control the dead.”<br />
“What then? The dead don’t concern themselves with the land of the living any more than I do. They have random bouts of relapses, when they remember who they are, but they can’t do anything about it. For the most part, they are docile, caring for little beyond drifting about.”<br />
Persephone popped the olive into her mouth and chewed, thinking through everything they discussed during dinner. Thanatos seemed certain Hera was up to no good. While that was most likely true, warning Hades seemed a bit excessive. As her husband said, few people would want what the underworld could offer.<br />
“Have you ever attempted to control your subjects before?”<br />
“Why bother? They’re happy and have so few worries. Few things I can’t do myself and those few things I can’t have a wisp of a being do for me.”<br />
“So you don’t know the full extent of what you can command them to do?”<br />
“I suppose not.” Hades examined a cluster of grapes, searching for one unblemished. <br />
“Then there might be some merit to the concerns Thanatos voiced. What if Hera was able to control them?”<br />
“What would she do with them? Millions of souls, all bumping into each other for eternity. What use are they?” Hades laughed, finally finding a suitable grape and plucking it from the bunch.<br />
“It would be millions of souls loose among the living.”<br />
“She wouldn’t. It would be complete chaos should the dead be allowed among the living.”<br />
“Chaos brings with it fear. Fear is what Hera wants, because fear will bring her power.”<br />
“The others won’t stand for it.”<br />
“You heard Thanatos. Hera isn’t playing by anyone’s rules anymore. I think it would be wise to heed our dear friend’s words, lest our kingdom be torn from us.”<br />
“You may be right. When we have finished, I will visit with the Sister Fates to see if they can be of any help.” Despite his grim countenance, Hades was glowing on the inside. His beloved was willing to fight beside him, should the need arise. She referred to the Realm of the Dead not as ‘Your Kingdom’ but as ‘Our Kingdom’. What reason more did he need to make sure Hera never set foot in it?Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-78710879377915284742019-05-26T14:07:00.000-04:002019-05-26T19:24:46.893-04:00It’s Been AwhileHonestly, I’m a bit surprised it’s still here, given my extended absenteeism. But, here we are!<br />
<br />
There’s been a lot happening lately. New jobs, quitting jobs to go back to school, kids growing up and taking up a lot more time. You know, normal life.<br />
<br />
But! I’m back. Hopefully for good. To get things rolling, I’m going to post novel chapters of a completed book. As always, I welcome all comments and feedback. New chapters will be posted once a week for your enjoyment.<br />
<br />
Without further ado, please enjoy the first chapter of <u>Prometheus’</u> <u>Lantern</u>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Chapter</b> <b>1</b><br />
</b><br />
A time existed in human history when men walked on the moon, leaving behind footprints for others to follow. Those days have been long forgotten, the pages torn from history books and burned from human memory. But some still remember, their memories transcending humanity.<br />
<br />
High on Mount Olympus, Hera stood in her tower, looking out across the land. Below the home of the gods, the country of Elpis had sprung up, a phoenix from the ashes of Greece. For the past two thousand years the people returned to the old ways, worshiping their gods and goddesses and forsaking the rest of the world.<br />
<br />
The boundaries were clear, marked with barbed wire and large signs written in every language known. They were there to keep the citizens of Elpis inside the markers as much as to keep outsiders out.<br />
<br />
Hera knew these boundaries well. Inside them she had power. People revered and served her.<br />
<br />
Across those lines, she was considered little more than a fairy tale. She wanted to change that. She needed to change that. More than power and reverence, Hera craved fear. Fear was the creator of power and reverence; of people pledging their lives and the lives of their families in servitude. If she had the fear of the people, the rest would follow. The more fear, the greater the rewards.<br />
<br />
She tried, not long ago, to bring the people of Elpis to their knees. A plan to make every citizen fear and worship her above all other gods and goddesses. It had been perfect, except for one little flaw who ruined the whole thing.<br />
<br />
Hera ground her teeth and slammed the side of her fist into the wall as she thought of her perfect plan reduced to dust. Maya had been the flaw’s name. She should have been dutiful and done everything she was told, yet she questioned everything instead. The monsters she birthed were taught honor and loyalty to family while they nursed and grew strong enough to be useful to Hera. The girl tricked her and had paid dearly. The lives of many of her children and her lover had been forfeit, but the goddess still wasn’t appeased.<br />
<br />
Across the borders were lands untouched by the gods of Greece. Not for long. Soon, Hera would be ready to put a new plan into action. Who knew what waited in other lands? They may not know her name or fear her yet, but they could learn. Once they learned, a new army could be formed. New monsters would be created. This time, Hera wouldn’t allow herself to be tricked. As soon as they were born, the beasts would be carried off, to be cared for by servants completely loyal to Hera. And there would be multiple mothers, so none would ever be quite sure of which monsters belonged to who.<br />
<br />
She learned a lot from Maya.<br />
<br />
Sneaking across the border would be easy. Not arousing suspicion among her brothers and sisters on Mount Olympus would not be as simple. Getting an entire army back into Elpis would be the most difficult part. Not impossible. For a goddess, nothing was ever entirely impossible. Some things just took longer.<br />
<br />
She wished there was someone she could turn to for help, but such a thing was impossible. No deity wanted to share the glory of a victory with another. Fewer wanted to risk losing their own followers in such a dicey situation. Should any of the others catch wind of what she was up to, her own position on Mount Olympus would be in jeopardy.<br />
<br />
Others suspected her of something when she kidnapped Maya. None knew what she had done.<br />
<br />
They still would be wallowing in blissful ignorance, guessing but never scratching the surface of her deceit if Thanatos hadn’t stumbled onto her plans by accident. Damn lackey to Hades had interfered with the fates of men, something he was sworn never to do. Take the souls, that’s all he had to do, but he hadn’t been satisfied with such a menial job. He had to help Maya in her attack. Why couldn’t he leave things alone?<br />
<br />
Whether or not Thanatos told any of the other gods of her plans to take over Elpis, Hera didn’t know. Since his domain was among the dying, she doubted he had much chance to speak to Zeus or Poseidon. As the hierarchy of the gods went, they were the two she had to be most careful of. They wielded the most power and would be the most displeased if her plan worked. Rulers of air and water,<br />
the living and the gods, the two brothers loved their power and the adoration of the people. If that was suddenly taken from them, angry wouldn’t begin to describe them.<br />
<br />
No, Thanatos had no direct connection to any of the higher gods. The only Ruling Brother he ever saw was Hades, lowest brother on the scale. Even demi-gods had more say than he did. Should Thanatos choose to tell him, Hades would most likely shrug and continue on with whatever he was doing. Counting souls or stopping heroes from reclaiming their dead loved ones. Nothing happening in the land of the living affected him and he wouldn’t interfere.<br />
<br />
He could be a useful ally. Legions of the dead were all under his care and control. A whole untapped source of soldiers for her army, undefeatable by normal human methods. It would take some persuasion, but that was one thing Hera excelled at. Whispered words and hints placed correctly worked wonders.<br />
<br />
If she could enlist Hades’ help, she wouldn’t need to look past the borders of Elpis. She just needed to transcend the boundaries of the living. And now was a good time, since his mind tended to wander a bit during these long, cold months.<br />
<br />
The snow drifted slowly outside Hera’s window and she smiled. Yes, now was the perfect time. Love did strange things to a man, even if that man was a god.Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-21151522616924233232016-01-09T08:16:00.000-05:002016-01-09T08:16:21.840-05:00A Novella of (Comically) Epic Something-Something....Cover Reveal!!!*Walks in*<br />
<br />
*Blows off dust*<br />
<br />
*Swipes at cobwebs*<br />
<br />
*Runs screaming from monster spider*<br />
<br />
*Comes back with industrial strength vacuum to take care of spider*<br />
<br />
There. Not all neat and tidy, but a bit cleaner.<br />
<br />
I know it's been a while, but I'm popping in to share the cover to my latest upcoming book. Finally, PANDORA REVISITED will be released to the world. Release date is February 29th. Why? Because Leap Day seemed like an appropriate date for a book of this type.<br />
<br />
The fantastic and talented S.P. McConnell has provided me with yet another awesome cover that I'm very excited to share. Ready to see it?<br />
<br />
Here you go:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrcDLo8J2HCkuVDlymCWDDw6HZ0YqaLNspJTavj_BbFlJyY4LR1jLSYKhmnFLJbL8zIUrkZ24h-6gajeLAWANtmoAkpEcnTN0K9sptEUROvgCF-OFh9K_ealjk0No4qHQKH2gAnaUsYg/s1600/Pandora+Cover+McKeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrcDLo8J2HCkuVDlymCWDDw6HZ0YqaLNspJTavj_BbFlJyY4LR1jLSYKhmnFLJbL8zIUrkZ24h-6gajeLAWANtmoAkpEcnTN0K9sptEUROvgCF-OFh9K_ealjk0No4qHQKH2gAnaUsYg/s400/Pandora+Cover+McKeon.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So?? What do you all think?? I am in love with it and can't wait for February 29th to share the whole book with you all.Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-33316874686112278372015-09-30T09:22:00.000-04:002015-09-30T09:22:33.742-04:00A Run-By UpdateHappy End of September!<br />
<br />
I know, it's been forever since I've posted. I feel like I have a billion projects happening at the same time and no time to get them all done.<br />
<br />
What have I been working on? So glad you asked.<br />
<br />
First up, I have joined the fantastically awesome Pen & Muse Author Showcase once again for their Halloween stories. It's all submitted and set to go next month. I'll let you all know when it goes live, although I suggest checking <a href="http://penandmuse.com/">Pen & Muse</a> out all October long to catch some other great stories.<br />
<br />
Second, my sci-fi YA, ROBOTICS FIRST LAW, is getting an overhaul. I entered it into Pitch Madness this year and although the majority of the mentors liked it, the anonymous suggestion was reworking it as an upper MG. Which means a whole lotta rewriting and reworking of story lines that are no long appropriate or won't make sense. So, yay! I know how to fix it. Ugh! It's going to take a lot of fixing.<br />
<br />
Third, ROBOTICS isn't the only piece currently going through some changes. I have my eye on a very competitive paid 'internship'/writing program. In order to submit to it, I need an original television pilot and a spec episode. So, TINMAN is once again changing its stripes to accommodate this newest challenge. The conversion is nearly done, but I still need to go through and edit everything. Then I need to do a second script. (Wish me luck on that.)<br />
<br />
The final writing related item (for now) is a short Dark Crystal fan film which my husband has talked me into working on. Mostly because he'll be doing the majority of the work once I get a script written. I very much would love to win the film contest since part of the prize is a tour of the Henson Studios in California. I've already done east coast Muppet tour, time for me to see the west coast.<br />
<br />
Besides writing projects overwhelming me, I recently started a second (part time) job. I'm finally working for Disney!<br /><br />Ok, I work at the Disney Store, but it's about as close as a girl can get living in New England. And if that isn't enough, both of my kids were accepted onto the dance competition team at their studio. (Yes, this is me mom-bragging.) This of course means our studio time went from an hour each on Saturdays to a combined 18 1/2 hours from Tuesday through Saturday. That's a lot of dancing.<br />
<br />
Now, if you guys don't hear from me for a while, you know why. Feel free to email me if you have any questions, want to chat, or whatever. I won't be quite as fast responding as I normally am, but I promise I will get to you!<br />
<br />
Until next time!Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-5520284432432751562015-07-02T07:57:00.000-04:002015-07-02T07:57:20.169-04:00Book Release: DARKHAVENToday is the Book Birthday for DARKHAVEN by the ever lovely and talented A.F.E. Smith. I met Afe on Authonomy many years ago. She's a member of the Alliance of Worldbuilders and always willing to help fellow authors out. Now she has her first release through Harper-Voyager and I'm so excited for her. Want more info? Check it out below!<br />
<h1>
Out today: DARKHAVEN </h1>
<hr style="clear: both; visibility: hidden; width: 100%;" />
<span style="display: table; float: left; position: relative; width: 100%; width: auto; z-index: 10;"><span class="imgPusher" style="top: 0px;"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><img alt="Darkhaven cover" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" src="http://www.afesmith.com/uploads/7/7/9/5/7795919/7172927.jpg?287" style="border-width: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><span class="wsite-caption" style="caption-side: bottom; display: table- caption; font-size: 90%; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: -10px; text-align: center;"></span></span>
<br />
<div class="paragraph" style="display: block; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">About the
Book: </span></strong></div>
<br />
<strong>Book title</strong>: DARKHAVEN<br />
<strong>Author</strong>: A.F.E. Smith<br />
<strong>Genre</strong>: Fantasy<br />
<strong>Publisher</strong>: Harper Voyager<br />
<strong>Release date</strong>: 2 July 2015 (ebook), 14 January 2016 (paperback)<br />
<strong>Price</strong>: £1.99/$3.99 (ebook)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.afesmith.com/darkhaven-reviews.html" title=""><strong>READ REVIEWS</strong></a><br />
<br />
<strong>Book description:</strong><br />
Ayla Nightshade never wanted to rule Darkhaven. But her half-brother Myrren – true
heir to the throne – hasn’t inherited their family gift, forcing her to take his place.<br />
<br />
When this gift leads to Ayla being accused of killing her
father, Myrren is the only one to believe her innocent. Does something more sinister than the power
to shapeshift lie at the heart of the Nightshade family line?<br />
<br />
Now on the run, Ayla must fight to clear her name if she is
ever to wear the crown she never wanted and be allowed to return to the home she has always
loved.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Buy links </span><br />
<a href="http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9780008103507/darkhaven" title="">HarperCollins</a><br />
<a href="http://getbook.at/Darkhaven" title="">Amazon (global link)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/darkhaven-a-f-e-smith/1120998688" title="">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/A_F_E_Smith_Darkhaven?id=oNwMBgAAQBAJ" title="">Google play</a><br /> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/darkhaven/id955559379?mt=11&uo=4" title="">iBooks</a><br /> <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/darkhaven" title="">Kobo</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.afesmith.com/darkhaven-blog-tour.html" title=""><strong>CHECK OUT THE DARKHAVEN BLOG
TOUR!</strong></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1085168984844601/" title=""><strong>JOIN THE
RELEASE PARTY!</strong></a><br />
<br />
<hr style="clear: both; visibility: hidden; width: 100%;" />
<span style="display: table; float: left; position: relative; width: 100%; width: auto; z-index: 10;"><span class="imgPusher" style="top: 0px;"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><img alt="A.F.E. Smith photo" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" src="http://ecx.images-
amazon.com/images/I/91rwB3-UxSL._UX250_.jpg" style="border-width: 0; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 10px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><span class="wsite-
caption" style="caption-side: bottom; display: table-caption; font-size: 90%; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: -10px; text-align: center;"></span></span>
<br />
<div class="paragraph" style="display: block; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-size: medium;">About the
Author:</span></strong></div>
<br />
A.F.E. Smith is an editor of academic texts by day and a fantasy writer by night. So
far, she hasn’t mixed up the two. She lives with her husband and their two young children in a house
that someone built to be as creaky as possible – getting to bed without waking the baby is like
crossing a nightingale floor. Though she doesn’t have much spare time, she makes space for reading,
mainly by not getting enough sleep (she’s powered by chocolate). Her physical bookshelves were
stacked two deep long ago, so now she’s busy filling up her e-reader.<br />
<br />
What A.F.E. stands for is a closely guarded secret, but you
might get it out of her if you offer her enough snacks.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Author social media links</span><br />
<a href="http://www.afesmith.com/" title="">Website</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAFESmith" title="">Facebook</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/afesmith" title="">Twitter</a><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25255717-darkhaven" title="">DARKHAVEN on Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-2705554187288736842015-06-29T12:53:00.000-04:002015-06-29T12:53:11.052-04:00Murder Most Fantastical - Chapter 7<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>A
Murderous Hangover</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Francis woke the next morning with a jackhammer pounding away at the
inside of his skull, exactly where his horn nestled into itself. The
pain was to be expected, what with him slamming his head into that
girl the day before. His horn might be a deadly weapon, but it by no
means meant there was no repercussions for him to wield it.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stretching, Francis 'Bud' kicked his legs over the edge of the bed,
his cloven feet clicking against the gleaming tiles. Fredrick might
be a lot of things, but messy wasn't one of them. He insisted his lab
be kept spotless and expected Francis to comply.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Smell, however, was another matter. The beakers on the table still
bubbled away, giving off little bubble pops full of sickening odors.
Overnight those smells had matured from the dog poop and old gym sock
mixture to the more pungent fish-left-in-the-sun. Francis held his
breath and hurried past the table to the medicine cabinet in the far
corner.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The horn extended from his forehead, hardened hairs twisted
together. Most people mistakenly believed a unicorn's horn was made
of bone. It wasn't. Francis' horn was merely stronger, thicker
strands of hair, twisted to a point. Occasionally the golden threads
would break, much like a fingernail snaps off. Losing pieces of his
horn didn't hurt and most times he never noticed it happening.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The mechanics of the horn extending and contracting were lost on
Francis. All he knew was the horn extended when he became angry,
frustrated, or excited and folded up like one of those plastic
camping cups he had as a kid whenever he was calm.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Francis popped a couple of aspirin and grabbed a bottle of water
from the small refrigerator next to the sink. After making sure it
was a new, unopened bottle from the store, he chugged half the
contents in one go.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“That wasn't my Veggie Glow juice, was it?” Fredrick's
unexpected entrance startled Francis. The half-full bottle of water
bounced across the floor, spilling its contents down the drain.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“It was water. I checked before I drank.” Francis sighed as the
bottle emptied. He hadn't seen any other unopened bottles in the
fridge and he didn't trust the tap water in the lab. Tonight he'd be
forced to go shopping, as long as Fredrick didn't have other plans
for him.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Good. No telling what the Glow juice would do to you. I'm all for
experimenting, but you're enough of a guinea pig as it is. Horn and
hooves make enough of a statement, no need to start glowing in the
dark, too.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Francis returned to his cot, his head cradled in his hands. Aspirin
took much longer to affect him as an unicorn than it did when he was
human. The jackhammer in his brain had recruited a friend and both
were thumping along happily in time to Fredrick's complaints.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“News has been quiet about that nosy girl you offed last night.
Thought I'd be coming into work and passing gossips and news-sellers
blabbing all about the mysterious death. Nothing. Everyone quiet.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“You should be glad of it. Do you want the police poking around
and finding out what you're doing here?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fredrick shook his head. “Nah. Better this way.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A fresh beaker of sludge blurped and plopped away on the table.
Fredrick added a few drops of something pink. The blurping and
plopping stopped and steam rose from the congealed mess.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“No, no, no. That isn't right at all.” Fredrick scribbled
something in a notebook before dumping the rejected experiment down
the drain. “Stay away from the sink, Bud. No telling what that
stuff will do to you.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Francis snorted. The snort came out more like a whiny. He was going
to have to start watching that. Every day he felt himself sliding
closer to unicorn-hood and farther from human. He needed a cure and
fast. </div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fredrick, however, didn't possess the same sense of urgency as
he lifted a new beaker and randomly threw a handful of power into it
without bothering to measure. The scientist grabbed one of the
overnight mixtures from nearby and poured half the contents in with
the powder. A flash of light accompanied a loud bang, and the beaker
was no more.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Can't be giving you that mixture, can I?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A knock on the door and a jiggling of the handle sent Francis
scurrying for the sewer.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Everything okay in there, Doctor?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Fine, fine. Nothing to worry about, Beatrice. Small
miscalculations error.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Footsteps moved away from the door and down the hall to where
Beatrice's lab was located. Francis could hear them clicking above
his head. He counted to twenty before lifting his head back through
the grate. Fredrick stood with his back to him, mixing something else
at his table.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fearing another explosion, Francis ducked back into the sewer. It
was quieter down here. A much better place for a nap to get rid of
his headache. A better place for Fredrick to forget about him when he
made his to-do list for the night.</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Francis curled up on a pile of ragged blankets and let the
jackhammer in his skull knock him into unconsciousness. </div>
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-16499457368258262672015-04-21T11:13:00.002-04:002015-04-21T11:13:37.173-04:00Release the Kra --- uh --- Book!Guess what today is!!<br />
<br />
Nope, guess again.<br />
<br />
No, not that either...<br />
<br />
Wait, did I just hear 'Book Release Day?'<br />
Yes! THAT'S IT!!!!<br />
<br />
Today WHAT THE TOWN KNEW goes out into the world. It's been a long journey, but I'm finally at the end. (Well, sort of the end.) Now the remainder of the journey is in the hands of the readers.<br />
<br />
Want to get your own copy? It's available in both <a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Town-Knew-C-Farley/dp/150322225X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429628997&sr=8-1&keywords=What+the+town+knew"><b>paperback</b></a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Town-Knew-C-W-Farley-ebook/dp/B00SOZYEMI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1429628997"><b>Kindle</b></a> formats. Don't have a Kindle? No worries! You can get it in other <b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/514777">e-book</a></b> formats.<br />
<br />
To all of you who encouraged me along the way, thank you! And Happy Reading. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipnQhc2uUg7g-lHm0sqdcNbVwJ034YNuNT5Lhizzjag4oAxrY5xDk-jqXcH_xnYdMfz_blaGoH0CpLTOfa8rxYh8fODUF_Ni1iimmleNVKSeoy6FI52rA9JCBqqyvbM3WPIayS_GZtDo/s1600/Final+WWTK+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipnQhc2uUg7g-lHm0sqdcNbVwJ034YNuNT5Lhizzjag4oAxrY5xDk-jqXcH_xnYdMfz_blaGoH0CpLTOfa8rxYh8fODUF_Ni1iimmleNVKSeoy6FI52rA9JCBqqyvbM3WPIayS_GZtDo/s1600/Final+WWTK+cover.jpg" height="497" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-5894587145915153462015-04-10T09:33:00.002-04:002015-04-10T09:33:41.494-04:00Murder Most Fantastical - Chapter 6<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b>Chapter 6</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b>Dead is Dead</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The jousting lead was a bust, although it did show me a hidden side
of my junior detective.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Sir, the Doctor Dunn sent over the coroner's report for that girl.
Would you like to take a look at it?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Thank you, Bobsy. Put it on my desk and I'll go through it as soon
as I finish this doughnut.” Yes, I was still referring to him as
Bobsy. I mean, who picks a name like that? I licked the jelly from my
fingers and reached for the folder Earhart had placed in my tray.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“I didn't know there were doughnuts.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Cheever brought them in.” Earhart turned to the break room. “But
there aren't any left.” I popped the last piece of sugary fried
dough into my mouth and opened the report.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
A heavy sigh came from Earhart's direction. He shuffled with his head
down over to his desk. For someone who spent his weekends making
people laugh, he certainly was a downer the rest of the time.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The photographs of the cut-up victim led to the near reappearance of
the doughnut I had so recently enjoyed. Coroner's reports really
needed to come with warning labels for people who had just eaten.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I flipped the pictures over so I wouldn't have to look at those
gaping holes. Or the blood. Or the organs. Or the bones. Or the ---</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Detective Summerton, are you all right, sir?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Fine, fine.” I waved my junior detective off and swallowed. For
the record, doughnuts don't taste as good the second time around.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The report itself didn't have much to it that I didn't already know.
Cause of death was the obvious stab wound. She had died between nine
and eleven the night before. The only new information was her name
and address.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Do you know where Serendipitous Way is?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Isn't that down near Memory Lane?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I squinted at Earhart, unsure if he was making a joke at my expense
of if he was serious.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“You know, sir, the street full of memorabilia shops.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Of course I know what you're talking about.” I huffed and stood,
dusting sugar particles off my jacket. “I wanted to make sure you
knew where it was since that's where we're headed.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“What for?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Our victim's, one Natasha Nix, last known address was 10
Serendipitous Way. We're going to see if anyone there knows anything
that could help us.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Or if any of them are jousters?” Earhart asked, pulling on his
coat.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Don't be silly, Earhart. It's a residence, not a barn.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Of course, sir. And sir?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Yes?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Can we stop for doughnuts on the way?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I raised an eyebrow in his direction. “No, I don't think so. I'm
still full from the ones Cheever brought in.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Another heavy sigh from Earhart as he trudged out the door to the
car. I followed behind, trying to figure out what people found so
funny about him.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Maybe it was just his name that made the audiences laugh.</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br />
</div>
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-80901268171079327242015-04-04T18:50:00.001-04:002015-04-04T18:50:56.281-04:00Murder Most Fantastical - Chapter 5<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b>Chapter 5</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b>A Brief Personal History of Our Suspect</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Francis 'Bud' Finnegal wasn't born a unicorn. He never intended, or
dreamed, that he'd ever become a unicorn.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Not that he was one now, not fully. Not yet. But soon, if Fredrick's
experiments were to be believed. For now, Francis existed somewhere
between the human he was born as and the animal he was slowly
becoming.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Another thing Francis wasn't was a murderer. Well, not until recently
when Fredrick started sending him out to keep the nosy people and the
bill collectors off their doorstep. The bodies added up to several
dozen over the last year or two. Most of those had fallen into the
latter category. The two of them didn't make much money, one being a
renegade scientist and the other a transitioning unicorn. Bill
collectors didn't seem to care much about excuses, so they had to pay
them anyway they could.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Fredrick preferred to pay them with Francis' horn through their
heart.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
This job and Fredrick had turned him into the professional killer he
now was. The neon orange sludge at the back of the lab sink may have
helped some. It was about the time the sludge appeared that Francis
sprouted the horn and hooves.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
If only he hadn't applied for the job under Fredrick. He needed the
money at the time, How was he to know that Lab Assistant, No
Experience Required would lead to a life of crime and unicorn-hood?
But two years later and that's exactly where he was.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Monkeys in the lab next-door set up a shrieking cacophony, marking
the end of a normal workday. In the hall, chatter from lab assistants
and scientists who lived by the clock filled the air as they hurried
towards escape. An escape not possible for Francis.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Since the sprouting of the horn, Francis had been forced to stay
hidden. Most of the time he lived in Fredrick's lab, undisturbed.
During inspections or the rare time when a top-secret project was
being worked on somewhere in the building, putting security on high
alert, Francis was expected to wait the time out in his sewer lair.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Lair. A unicorn with a lair. Weren't unicorns meant to have forests
or glens or something more open? Who ever heard of a unicorn with a
lair?</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Then again, how many unicorns were running around free in the world?
By Francis' count, only one; Him.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Francis let out a sigh. His whole life he wanted to be different.
Seemed like everyone he knew was special in some way and he was only
average. Well, he had his wish. You didn't get much more different
than being a unicorn.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Only one problem now. As with so many others before him, Francis
realized the folly of his wish coming true after it was too late. For
the first time in his life, Francis wished to be normal.</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br />
</div>
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-50166945564606613062015-03-20T12:22:00.003-04:002015-03-20T12:22:58.992-04:00Murder Most Fantastical - Chapter 4<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b>Chapter 4</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b>Tilting at Wrong Conclusions</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The fairgrounds were deserted. A crumpled Ye Olde Paper Napkin
tumbled past to land next to the remains of a turkey leg at the
corner of an abandoned booth.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Where is everyone?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“At work, I assume, sir.”
Earhart stood next to me, his nose wrinkled against the onslaught of
waste, both human and animal.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Isn't this where they work?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Not all of them, sir. Many of
them spend their days at mindless desk jobs, calculating large
numbers or writing meaningless reports for their superiors while
dreaming of the next time they can step back in time and be free.”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The wistfulness in his voice caused me to turn and face him. The
wrinkle had gone from his nose and taken up residence on his
forehead. His eyes stared out across the faded banners and merchant
tents.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“You certainly know a lot about
this, Earhart.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Huh? Oh, right. I, uh, went
quite a bit when I was younger.” My junior detective wouldn't meet
my eyes, locking them instead on some distant building. “I think we
might try there. Horses stay in the barns and there's bound to be
someone watching over them at all times.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I followed his gaze. “Yes, of course. I was about to say the same
thing myself.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Earhart didn't respond. He was already down past the tent marked
'King's Ransom Hats and Doublets' and bee-lining for the stables.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Right, then. The stables it is.”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I reached the stable door only to find Earhart muttering and clinging
to the outside wall.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Everything alright, Earhart?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Oh, splendid sir. I think you
should handle this one yourself.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Nonsense. How else are you going
to learn to deal with a case?” I grabbed his arm and dragged him
along behind me.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The barn smelled of hay and manure. Mostly manure. I scrunched up my
nose in a vain attempt to ward off the stench. The smell affected
Earhart more. He tugged his arm away, trying to escape to fresh air.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“It's just horse shit,” I told him, and tightened my grip. If I
was going to be subjected to this, so was he.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Four stalls contained horses. Big horses. Like, giant man-eating
horses. The brown one nearest me turned its head and snorted, no
doubt breathing in the scent of its next meal.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I took a step back towards the doorway and snapped my arm back to me
when Earhart made another break-away attempt.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
He wasn't leaving me alone with these monsters.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The stall at the far back opened and my muscles tensed, ready to run
if the horse back there got loose.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I mean, run after the horse, of course. To catch it. Don't want one
of these beasts terrorizing the whole town.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
A woman came out of the stall and closed the stall behind her. No
need to worry about a horse bolting, only Earhart, who didn't make it
far since I still retained my hold on him.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Excuse me, Miss. We have a few questions we were hoping you could
answer.” The woman's head snapped around at the sound of my voice.
I couldn't be sure, but from our end of the barn it looked like she
squinted and stalked forward. A cat in human form.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“I'm Detective Summerton.” I held out my hand, which she ignored
completely. She focused in on Earhart instead, a slow cat-and-mouse
chase around me as my junior detective squirmed and circled around
me. Having tangled us both up right proper, he bowed his head and
pushed his cap down to cover his eyes.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Ah, yes. This is my junior detective ---”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The woman straightened up with a shriek and tugged Earhart away from
my grasp. “Bobsy, is that you?”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Uh...” Earhart, safe from my clutches and trapped in hers,
looked to me for help.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“It is you!” The woman had taken off his hat, revealing his
crimson face</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“It's me,” Earhart squeaked.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Bobsy?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The woman finally turned to acknowledge my presence. “Bobsy here
plays court jester for us on the weekends. Helps muck out the stalls,
too. Didn't he ever tell you?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Ah, yes, of course. Bobsy.” 'Bobsy' twisted away, avoiding my
gaze. “While it's all well and good what Bobsy does in his free
time, it's not what we're here to speak to you about.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The woman released Earhart and wiped her hands on her jeans, which I
suspect resulted in her palms picking up more dirt rather than less.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
She offered a pre-mucked hand to me. “Betty Oswald. I'm one of the
jousters here.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I shoved my hands into my pockets, discovered a handkerchief which I
convinced myself was cleaner than Ms. Oswald's hand, scrunched it up
in my palm and accepted her handshake. “Lovely to meet you.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“What can I help you with?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“We're here on a murder investigation.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Betty raised an eyebrow, her gaze drifting from me to Earhart and
back to me. “Murder? Here?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Oh, gods no,” Earhart said, stepping forward. “In town. We had
a girl run through the chest with some sort of weapon. The resulting
injury looks like it was made by a lance.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Betty's eyebrow traveled higher. “And you think it was a jouster?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Not necessarily. The wound could have been made by someone else
who had access to the lances. Or a copycat jouster.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“And you think all this because of the way this girl was killed?
That's a lot of assumption to base on the wound.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“There were hoof prints, too!” I added. Earhart tended to leave
out the important details.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Betty blinked, snorted, then threw her head back and let out a laugh
that startled the horses. She took a couple deep breaths, wiped away
some tears, turned to face me, and burst out laughing again.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“I fail to see what's so funny about this. A girl is dead and all
the evidence currently points in your direction.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Sorry. Sorry.” Betty regained control of herself, with the
exception of a snort or two. “It's just, you can't be serious. You
don't really think a jouster ran down that girl, do you? Someone
riding a horse, brandishing a ten-foot pole, in the middle of town.
Wouldn't someone have noticed that?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I straighten my jacket and put the handkerchief back in my pocket.
“It was dark.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Betty snorted again. “If you say so, Detective. If you want to have
a look around, be my guest.” She stepped out of the way and
gestured to the rest of the barn with a sweep of her arm. The brown
horse near the front swept his head over his gate in the opposite
direction to stare me in the eye.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Earhart, if you would go and check the weaponry for damage, I'll
wait outside for your report.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“But, sir...”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Hurry. We have a lot to do today.” I ducked out of the barn
before he could argue further.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Or the horse could make good on the threat I saw in those big, brown,
bloodshot eyes.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I leaned against the side of the building and waited for Earhart to
join me, which he did a few minutes later.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Nothing missing and nothing broken. Looks like this was a dead
end, sir.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Nonsense, Bobsy.” I pushed away from the wall and headed for the
fairground exit. “We now know it wasn't a jouster. Or, at least not
one of these jousters. We've eliminated one possibility.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Of course, sir.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
We climbed into the car in silence as I tried to imagine what, or
who, else could have left a wound like that. Which was difficult to
do as the image of Earhart in a jester's outfit continually pushed
its way into my mind.</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Snort. <i>Bobsy</i>.</div>
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-81448384075653881712015-03-03T08:19:00.000-05:002015-03-03T08:19:19.287-05:00Murder Most Fantastical - Chapter 3<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b>Chapter 3</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b>Down Below</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Scuffling footsteps and shouts drifted down into the sewers along
with dropped car keys and dripping rainwater.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
He didn't mind. Down here was home. The sewers were his roads and
highways from place to place, taking him throughout the city without
detection. Quicker than up above and less crowded. Down here he could
travel over a few streets and re-emerge above-ground to blend in with
the populace, leaving no trail or tracks for the police to follow.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Soon he would move on. But for now, he listened. The sirens shrieked,
growing louder. They had started not long after the first startled
yell of discovery. An old woman had stumbled upon his kill and
sounded the alarm. No doubt she had gone through the deceased's
pockets first, but found nothing. He had been thorough in cleaning up
his mess. The longer it took for the authorities to identify the
victim the more time he had to cover all his tracks.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The sirens stopped and more feet thundered overhead. Medics racing to
save an already dead girl. Officers spoke in low whispers about the
state of the body and what could have caused damage like that.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Then came the statement that caused the blood to chill in his veins.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Hoof prints. Earhart found hoof
prints near the body.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<i>Dammit</i>.
Despite all his careful planning and execution he had slipped. Shoes
were clumpy and uncomfortable, so he'd go barefoot, er hoofed,
whenever possible. Getaways were swifter when he wasn't tripping over
unnecessary foot coverings. No one ever noticed the weirdness of his
feet, generally because they were too fixated on the weirdness
sprouting from his forehead.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“...thinks it's was a lance.
Hunting down jousters now.”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
He perked up at that bit of news. If the investigators were
questioning men riding horses, he was still safe. They put two and
two together to arrive at twenty-two rather than four.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Easier to believe the crazy but known than the unbelievable unknown.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Letting out a sigh, he slipped down the tunnel, pocketing the set of
keys as he went. After the hectic confusion of the day cleared out,
he may just be a new car richer. It'd need some bodywork, but he was
resourceful. A coat of paint was nothing compared to the cost of a
new set of wheels.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
His hooves clicked against the cement, too muffled by the sounds of
the busy city to be heard. A left down a tunnel and a right down
another and he reached his destination. He disliked the metal ladder
rungs, a necessary evil to use the underground system. His hooves
slipped and caught on each step, but he continued his ascent.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Getting into the sewers was so much easier than getting back out of
them again.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Ten minutes later he pushed the metal cover up and over.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
A hand clad in a yellow rubber glove reached down and grasped his. He
accepted the helping hand, pulling the rest of his body out of the
hole and into the stark white room.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The man attached to the yellow glove relinquished his grip. “What
took you so long?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Listening.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
With a grunt, the killer replaced the sewer lid and sat panting on
the floor.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Is she taken care of?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Won't be snooping around here
anymore.” The killer swiped his arm across his forehead, the sweat
soaking into his coat sleeve. Murder and making a getaway was hard
work.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“No evidence?”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Left a hoof print.” The gloved
man raised a white eyebrow. “Don't worry. The police are
questioning jousters. They still have no clue.”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The gloved man snorted and settled into a chair. On a table behind
him beakers and jars bubbled and popped with bright colored liquids.
One let out a loud 'pfft' and expelled a foul odor, somewhere between
fresh dog poop and old gym socks.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The killer covered his nose and wafted the air in front of him with
his other hand. His co-conspirator opened a tiny window above the
table, letting some of the smell out.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Have you figured it out yet?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“I'm close, but I can't be
disturbed by any more nosy reporters if I want to finish.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The killer leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “Now,
Fredrick, she was only a girl. It's not like you have people lining
up to knock on your door every day.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“One is one too many. If word got
out about us...about you...” He left the rest of the statement
hanging.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“I understand.” He took off his
hat and allowed his horn to expand. “That feels so much better.
Hats cramp my style.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Fredrick snorted and shook his head. A cloud of white hair floated
above his ears. “Not wearing a hat will cramp more than you style,
Bud.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Touch<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">é</span>.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The killer yawned and stretched his arms.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“You should get some rest. We'll work some more once you're ready.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
He said nothing, nodding his agreement and patting Fredrick on the
shoulder as he passed by. In the far corner of the room was a cot
that he flopped down on. Seconds later his snores filled the space.</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Murder was tiring work.</div>
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-64113116273355746812015-02-19T11:38:00.000-05:002015-02-19T11:38:20.537-05:00Murder Most Fantastical - Chapter 2<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<b>Ch</b>apter 2</div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
A Crime Scene Unlike Any Other</div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Fifteen years on the job and I never encountered anything quite like
it before.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
And I had seen a lot.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Inspector, come look at this.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I let out a sigh and headed towards my junior detective in the corner
of the alley.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“What is it?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“If I knew, I wouldn't have asked you to come look at it.”
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Detective Earhart squatted back on his heels, allowing me space to
squeeze in next to him.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“What do you think?” He pointed to a set of tracks in the sooty
dirt. The ground between the tracks was discolored a dark red.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I stuck a finger in the reddish dirt and tasted it with the tip of my
tongue. Metallic and coppery, with a hint of rotten fish. I ignored
the last flavor during my analysis.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Blood. Most likely from our victim.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Earhart stared at me, mouth slightly open.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“What?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“I meant shape of the prints, Inspector. I assumed as much about
the blood.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Oh. Of course.” I wiped my finger off on the leg of my pants,
pushing the memory of rotten fish as far away as possible.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“You know, sir, that this alleyway has a backdoor to the butcher
shop.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Yes, Earhart, I'm aware.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“And the mortuary.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Yes.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“And the waste management research labs.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Thank you, Earhart.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I turned my attention to the prints he had dragged me over here to
see. They looked like horse prints, but smaller. Daintier.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“As long as you're aware, sir. I mean, no telling what they dump
out here in the alley.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I leaned over the prints, squinting at them and ignoring my junior
detective.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
A pony? But what would a pony be doing in the alleyway. Better yet,
what would a horse of any size be doing back there?</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I stood, brushing myself off and clandestinely spitting, ridding my
mouth of the foulness. Once composed, I turned back to Earhart.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Let's take another look at the body, shall we?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The girl's body remained slumped against the fence, an expression of
surprise frozen on her face. She couldn't have been more than twenty.
The cause of death was obvious enough. Not many people could survive
impalement that left a bloody round hole through their chest the size
of a doughnut.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
While we had the cause of death, we had no murder weapon.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“This seem odd to you?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Earhart bent down to inspect the wound closer.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Awfully neat. Practically a perfect circle. Wonder what caused
it.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“So do I.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Something glimmered at the edge of the wound, catching the dim rays
of sun.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Hand me a bag,” I said, pulling out a pair of tweezers. Earhart
held the collection bag open as I lifted a gold thread and examined
it.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“What is it, sir?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Hair? Although, it's too shiny to be real hair. From a wig,
perhaps. We'll have the lab run tests on it and see what they can
tell us.” I tucked the hair into the evidence bag and Earhart
sealed it.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Do we have any identification yet?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Earhart shook his head. “Nothing on the body and no pocketbook or
wallet anywhere nearby.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Robbery? Could be the motivation, but doesn't seem likely. The method
of death was so violent, but clearly planned. No one picked up a
weapon from a trash heap and left that precise of a mark.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“So no identification and no murder weapon. Looks like we have our
work cut out for us on this case.” I waved to the coroner smoking
at the end of the alley. She nodded back and crushed out her
cigarette before joining us at the body.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Detective Summerton. Glad to see you've been assigned to this
case.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Doctor Dunn. Have you had a chance to examine the body?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“I did. Just waiting on the all-clear to have my team move it to
the lab for a closer inspection.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“What can you tell us about it now?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Doctor Dunn shook her head. “Not much. She died last night, I'd say
around 9. Cause of death seems pretty clear. Puncture was done by
something sharp and tapered, like an awl.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I thought back to the hoof prints.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Or a lance?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“You mean like the kind jousters use, sir?” Earhart piped up from
behind me.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Exactly what I mean.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Doctor Dunn shrugged. “Sure, why not?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
I nodded and tapped Earhart on the shoulder. “Let's head back to
the station. We have a lot of work to do. Doctor Dunn, you can go
ahead and move the body. Inform us at once if you find anything
more.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“What do you have in mind?” Earhart asked, scuttling along beside
me, my longer strides outpacing his short legs. I would have slowed
down, but I was in a rush to get back to my desk.</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Jousters, Earhart. We need to compile a list of every jouster in
the area. One of them is certain to be our man.”</div>
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-15528560218185513562015-02-17T08:16:00.001-05:002015-02-17T08:16:59.129-05:00First Chapter to a New Story<span style="font-family: inherit;">You asked for it, and here it is. The beginning of a new story, just for you. In case you missed it, I was given the following to work with:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Blovel (writing this as I go along - so expect some errors)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Unicorns</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sci-Fi</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kitchen Sink (I have to thank my husband for that one.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Without further ado, I present you with Chapter One of MURDER MOST FANTASTICAL. Enjoy.</span><br />
<br />
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Chapter
1</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Death
Through the Eye of the Beholder</b></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There was something satisfying about seeing his victim's face a split
second before their death. The surprise, the disbelief, the horror,
all flickering across their eyes almost too fast to discern one from
the other. But not too fast for him. He was a professional. Death was
his trade.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The face before him now was that of a young woman. A college student
working towards a bachelor degree in journalism. A degree she would
never fully earn.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
She was at the disbelief stage, unable to trust her what her eyes
were telling her brain. He couldn't blame her. It wasn't every day a
man strode up, took off his hat, and revealed an unicorn horn
sprouting from his forehead. Free of the necessary restraint, he
shook his head and allowed his horn to extend to its full length.
Killing was possible with a collapsed horn, but death came slower and
more painfully than with a full skewer. Death like that wasn't fair
to his victims, unless they were lawyers or bureaucrats who thrived
on creating red tape. This girl was neither of those. Only a student
with a school assignment who got too nosy.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Sorry, sweetheart. Guy's got to
do what a guy's got to do. You understand.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Horror stage. Her eyes wide, tracking his approach. She stepped
backwards, attempting to put space between them, but there wasn't
much space to be had. The narrow alleyway he had followed her into
ended at a chain-link fence, the gate padlocked. Her back hit and her
hands quested at her sides for the latch that would never open for
her.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Nothing personal. You seem like
a good kid. If only you kept your nose out of where it didn't belong.
Shame. You would have made one heck of a reporter. You got the spunk
and stubbornheadedness to hang onto a lead and follow it to the end.
You simply picked the wrong lead to hold onto.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Please.” Her hands scrabbled,
frantic to find a way out of the alley. The clanging of the gate
would draw attention soon. If she came to her senses and screamed,
help would race to her aid before he finished his job. Time for
talking was over. He had his assignment and he knew what needed to be
done.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Close your eyes. Easier to die
when you don't see it coming.”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
“Die?”</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Here came the scream. So much for making the whole incident easier on
the girl. Normally he didn't feel bad about his kills, not that he
was feeling bad about this one. There were simply some victims he
didn't want to see suffer. Just because a guy was a killer didn't
mean he didn't possess a heart.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The girl's mouth opened, a flash of teeth in the moonlight. Before
she could emit a sound, the man lowered his head and charged.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
A crunch of bone. A gurgle of blood. The dying gasps of the girl past
the point of speech.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
He backed away, red dripping down his horn and forehead. From his
pocket he took out a black handkerchief he carried for occasions such
as this. He wiped the blood from his horn and face, keeping an eye on
the girl.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The hit had been clean. She suffered little, which would be some
comfort to whatever family she had living around here. Her body
slumped to the ground, a puppet with its strings cut. From her face,
dead eyes stared up into space, searching for an answer to how she
could die like this, at the end of a unicorn horn.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
She should have seen it coming. During her research she had uncovered
enough clues. She just hadn't been given the opportunity to assemble
them all into a picture that made sense. If she had figured
everything out, he wouldn't be standing here. He'd be in a cage
somewhere awaiting testing. Not his idea of a good time.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
His horn clean and retracted, he put his hat back on to cover the
murder weapon. The coast clear, he sauntered out of the alleyway,
whistling all the way home.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The papers the next morning would be fun, if the girl's body was
discovered in time.
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
There was something satisfying about killing and leaving clues that
didn't add up to anything reasonable. Watching the detectives trying
to make sense of the crime scene was always an additional source of
amusement.</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
As long as they refused to belief what their eyes told them, he was
safe.</div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;">
And they always refused to believe.</div>
<br />Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-61398860457669851442015-02-02T08:14:00.000-05:002015-02-02T08:14:17.504-05:00Soon Everyone Will KnowWanted to give you all a quick update on WHAT THE TOWN KNEW. I haven't been around the blog much this past month because I've been a) sick and b) neck-deep in edits and revisions.<br />
<br />
I received my manuscript back from my editor about mid-month and tackled the changes. And a lot of changes there are. For those of you who read the rough draft as I posted it here, just know that Lizzie, while still paranoid, is a much nicer person. Certain plot lines have been dialed back while others have been bumped up.<br />
<br />
Currently, I'm holding the proof and going through to fix any lingering errors and format issues. Be prepared for a slightly different read when the book is released in April. (And yes, it will be released at the end of April.)<br />
<br />
Also, Indiegogo supporters, the full swag packages will be headed out in the next few weeks, unless you're getting a hardcopy of the book. Those packages will be going out (hopefully) mid-March. I wanted the swag to go out before now, but getting the book ready took slight precedence. Don't worry, none of you have been forgotten!<br />
<br />
On the picture book side of things, I do have an appearance at Woonsocket Harris Library on February 19th. It's at the end of school vacation, so parents in the area, if you need to get out of the house you can come see me. Story time and craft.<br />
<br />
Hope everyone's having a fantastic year so far! Only 6 more weeks of winter and we can break out the shorts and flip-flops.Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-17367673347884595142015-01-06T09:42:00.000-05:002015-01-06T09:42:24.383-05:00To Start off the New YearWe are well into the new year, a year I'm hoping will bring lots of good things with it.<br />
<br />
WHAT THE TOWN KNEW is off to the editor for a professional look-through before I do a final pass and it goes to the printer. Still very much on target for April release. If you missed the first announcement, we have a location and date for the book launch: Booklover's Gourmet in Webster, MA. It will be on Saturday, April 18th from 2-4 pm. I'd love to see everyone's smiling faces.<br />
<br />
With the launch lined up and everything moving forward, I'm offering a pre-order special. From now until the launch, you can order a copy at the bottom of the page <a href="http://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/p/stores.html">here</a> for $7.99 plus shipping and handling. After the launch, the price will be going up to $11.99.<br />
<br />
Here's to a fantastic 2015!Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-80627993201274365372014-12-31T08:21:00.001-05:002014-12-31T08:21:55.536-05:00...And A Happy New YearHere we are once again. Another New Year's Eve and another New Year only hours away.<br />
<br />
2014 has been an interesting ride. It's been a year of travel - more travel then I've ever done before. From weekends in Maine for book signings to our first big family vacation to Disney to weddings in DC and Arizona for close friends and family, we saw quite a bit.<br />
<br />
Writing-wise, I spent a good portion of the spring and early summer traveling around New England for book signings and readings of WHO WILL DANCE WITH ME? My debut adult novel WHAT THE TOWN KNEW got rolling towards publication (April 2015) with awesome cover and digital art from <a href="http://spmcconnell.com/">S.P. McConnell</a> and lots of help from all of you who contributed to my Indiegogo campaign.<br />
<br />
My first short story <i>The Sticky Sweetness</i> was published in Pen & Muse's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Carnival-Anthology-Elizabeth-Vescio-ebook/dp/B00PGBGSIG/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1420030911&sr=8-16&keywords=Pen+%26+Muse">DARK CARNIVAL ANTHOLOGY</a> and the Alliance of Worldbuilders Anthology is set to come out this year with two of my pieces.<br />
<br />
The highlight for me as far as writing goes was the Dark Crystal Author Quest. I made Top 25 Editor's Choice and was able to attend a reception in New York back in October. If you missed that whole adventure (and it was an adventure) you can read all about it <a href="http://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2014/10/nyc-or-bust-or-why-i-almost-cried-on.html">here</a> and <a href="http://theabsenteeblogger.blogspot.com/2014/10/nyc-or-bust-or-why-i-almost-cried-on_27.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
That's not to say this year was all rainbows and sunshine. I got my share of rejections (not going to say how many exactly...but a fair amount) and both my NaNo attempts ended up short. The first time I haven't made my goals. But, compared to years past where we had real loss and heartbreak, I can't complain too much over how 2014 treated me.<br />
<br />
Now I can look forward to 2015 and all it brings with it. I'll have a new novel out in the spring along with a few more short stories in another anthology. I'll be celebrating my 10 year anniversary (Yikes!) and finally going on my honeymoon...a very late honeymoon...back to Disney in May. I'm already booking appearances for both my children's book and my upcoming release.<br />
<br />
In short - I plan to keep busy.<br />
<br />
And maybe, just maybe, this will be the year that brings with it an offer of representation.<br />
<br />
What are you all looking forward to this year? What are your goals and hopes as we enter a fresh year with a clean start?Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-82588574593728618792014-12-24T07:55:00.000-05:002014-12-24T07:55:17.923-05:00A Story for the Holidays<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>MEMORIES ON A TREE</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Pine
and cinnamon hung heavy in the air, the sharp tang wrinkling my nose.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “Geez,
Nana. Do you spray these down before boxing them up for the year?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> Nana
sat in her rocking chair overseeing the whole operation. Christmas
was less than two weeks away and her house wasn’t yet decorated.
Having suffered a hip fracture this past year after her eighty-fifth
birthday, she was in no condition to be climbing the attic ladder to
bring down heavy boxes crammed with tinsel and wrapping paper.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “Careful
with those.” She pointed her cane at the cardboard box in my arms.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “What’s
in here?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “Memories.”
She put the tip of her cane on the floor, her chin resting on the
knobby handle. “Open it up.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> Gently,
I placed the box on the table. Nana might be fragile physically, but
she retained a fearsome attitude. Breaking something she considered a
memory would bring out that side, along with a lot of cane whacks.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> I
lifted the lid and Nana straightened up in her seat, trying to see
inside the box.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “They’re
tree ornaments, Nana.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “Not
just tree ornaments.” Her cane clacked against the floor.
“Memories.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> I
sighed. “OK, Nana. What are we doing with all these memories?”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> Her
chair rocked as she sat back. “Decorate the tree, of course.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “Of
course.” I looked around the small living room for her Christmas
tree, but there wasn’t one.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “Nana,
we can’t decorate the tree. You don’t have one.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “Well,
go get one. I’ll wait. Haven’t got much else to do today.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> I
checked my watch. “Nana, I’d love to, but it’s already two. I
have to get home soon.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “David
James. You’re going to go get your old nana a tree.” The
ferocious side reared its head.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “My
name’s Dustin, Nana. David was my dad.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> “Dustin.
Pah! What kind of name is that? Never understood why your mom chose
such a foolish name over David.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">This
argument was as old as me. Nana didn’t approve of Mom breaking
tradition and naming me, her first and only grandson, anything but
David. I think Mom did it because I would have ended up David James
the Fifth. It also could have been because Mom never got along with
Nana and rebelled against her mother-in-law anyway she could. Either
way, despite my birth certificate clearly saying ‘Dustin’, for
the last twenty-three years Nana insisted I was David.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I
really have to go.” I had been there since ten, lugging boxes down.
Another perk of being the only grandson in the family.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">What’s
so important you’re going to leave me with all these boxes lying
around for me to trip on?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I
need to walk Tiger.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Bring
the mangy mutt here. You have to go get a tree, pick him up on the
way.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Nana,
I’m not bringing Tiger…”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I
said bring him and the tree.” Her tone left no room for argument.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Yes,
Nana.” I pulled on my coat and stepped out into the Illinois
winter.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Get
a good one. I don’t want no Charlie Brown Christmas tree in my
house, shedding needles everywhere.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">No
needles. Got it.” The door slammed behind me, knocking off the
tattered wreath I had hung earlier.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Damn
it.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Language,”
came the muffled admonishment from Nana. Woman had ears like a bat.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sorry!”
I picked up the wreath and attempted to rehang it. The faded ribbons
knotted together to form the wreath were frayed and moth eaten,
leaving few spots to pin it. Like all decorations, this one needed
replacing.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">Snow
drifted down as I drove to complete my chores. Only a dusting, adding
to the five inches we accumulated at Thanksgiving. Light for this
time of year.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">First
stop was the parking lot of Al’s Hardware. Al sold Christmas trees
during the season and his prices were always the lowest. I’d be in
and out and off to grab Tiger before going back to Nana’s.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Dustin.
Nice surprise seeing you. Thought you had gone artificial on me.”
Al clapped his gloved hands together, his words floating through the
air on frosted breath.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I
did. Nana didn’t. She sent me down to pick up a tree.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Take
a look. Most of my really good trees are gone. Early birds show up
the day I open shop and get them.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">I
check through all the trees, but Al’s right. The ones left are
scrawny with needles piled into green carpets below them.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sorry
I didn’t have what you were looking for. Tell your Nana to come
earlier next year.” Al adjusts his earmuffs and stomps through the
yard to his store.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">The
only other place in town that sells trees is Target. Some guy from
the next town owns a tree farm and he has an agreement with the store
to let him set up shop in their lot.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">Target’s
parking lot is full with all the holiday shoppers. I find an empty
space near the trees. This guy has a lot more than Al and the
selection is much better. No Charlie Brown tree for Nana.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">I
settled on one slightly taller than me with full branches and paid
the guy.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">You
have decorations for it?” he asks when he hands me my change. “If
not, Target has tree ornaments 50% off.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">I
thank him and get the tree into the bed of my truck. Times like these
are good reminders of why I keep the gas guzzler instead of trading
it in for a smaller, more fuel efficient car.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">The
key’s in the ignition when I think about what the tree guy said.
Nana could use some new decorations. It could be my Christmas present
to her.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">When
I get inside, I find most of the decorations have been picked over,
much like Al’s tree lot. The few ornaments left are gaudy or broken
from being carelessly handled. The only decoration salvageable is a
star tree topper.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">The
rest of her ornaments need replacing and her tree topper can’t be
in much better shape. At least it’ll be a start.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">I
make my purchase and pick up Tiger. He’s so happy to see me he sits
on the bag nearly breaking the star.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">No,
Tiger. Bad dog.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">He
whines and shifts his weight, allowing me to pull out the bag from
under him. He settles into the passenger seat and we’re off,
returning to Nana’s Christmas Prison.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">I
bring the tree in first, leaving Tiger and my surprise in the cab.
While I was gone, Nana had set up her tree stand. Made of wrought
iron, the thing weighed a ton and I wondered how she moved it on her
own. Maybe she wasn’t as helpless as she let on.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">Nana
was still sitting in her rocking chair, looking for all the world
like she hadn’t moved. “Not going to get pine needles all over my
floor, is it?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">No,
Nana. I got you a good one.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">You
know you’re supposed to let it relax before you decorate a real
tree, don’t you?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Yes,
Nana, but we can’t wait for it to relax completely. I can’t stay
too long.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Thought
I told you to bring that dog with you.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I
did. He’s in the truck.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Then
I see no reason for you to rush off.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Mom’s
expecting me for dinner.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">Nana
pursed her lips. “Allison’s making dinner?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Mom
is making dinner, yes.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Hope
it’s something microwavable. Woman doesn’t know how to cook
anything that takes more brains or skills than pushing a button.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">Told
you they didn’t get along.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Whatever
she makes will be good. Excuse me for a minute while I get Tiger and
a surprise I picked up for you.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">Tiger
doesn’t bark or wag his tail when I reach the truck. His big brown
head is hung down, staring at the floor.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Come
on, boy.” I open the door and discover why he’s lost his
enthusiasm over seeing me. On the floor is the star, chewed into five
pieces. Most of the gold paint is gone, exposing the cheap white
wiring beneath.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Bad
dog! Bad Tiger!” I shout, picking up all the pieces and shoving
them into the bag. Sticks and star angles fall back out as fast as I
put them in, slipping through the holes ripped in the plastic.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">In
frustration, I gather as much of the destroyed star as I can and grab
Tiger’s leash. I march him up the porch steps and into Nana’s
house.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I’m
so sorry. I bought you a new tree topper, but Tiger ate it.” The
pieces tinkle with a fake metal ping as I dump them on the table.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Why
on God’s green Earth would you buy me a tree topper when you know I
have one?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I
wanted to surprise you with all new ornaments, but all they had left
was the star. I thought it would be a start to replacing some of
these old ones that keep falling apart.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">Nana
said nothing for a minute. Her hand, crooked with arthritis stroked
Tiger’s head. The dog knew he was in trouble with me, but Nana
hadn’t berated him yet, so she was safe.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">The
tip of her cane came up and pointed to the last box I brought down.
The cardboard box she called ‘Memories.’ “Bring that box here.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">I
picked it up and placed it on the coffee table next to her.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">Slowly
her hand went into the box and pulled out a little ceramic tree
painted a multitude of colors.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Your
dad made this when he was five or six.” She holds it out to me and
I see ‘David James Grade 1’ in faded black marker on the bottom.
“Well, don’t just stand there, take it.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">She
practically threw it at me, so I took it from her, cradling it in my
hands. “What do you want me to do with it?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Put
it on the tree where it belongs. Boy, you must get your common sense
from your mother.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">I
ignore the jab and hang the ornament. When I return, Nana has another
one out. This one is homemade as well, but better craftsmanship. A
lace angel, once pure white now yellowed with age.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">This
one was made by my mother. She gave it to me the Christmas before she
passed away.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">I
take it and hang it near the little ceramic tree.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">Ornament
after ornament comes out of the box, each with a story attached.
Dad’s first Christmas. Grandpa’s death. Marriages and children.
Heartbreak and loss, all recorded on one Christmas tree.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">I’ve
helped Nana decorate before and seen all these ornaments hundreds of
times. This was the first time any of them meant something. The first
time instead of seeing a macaroni picture frame missing half the
noodles, I saw the gapped-toothed second grader whose youth lived on
only in the photo.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">The
last ornament to come out of the box was the star for the top of the
tree. Looking at it with new eyes, I noticed it had six points
instead of the traditional five.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Nana,
why do you have a Star of David tree topper?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">A
smile stretched across her face, a mixture of joy and sorrow, much
like the memories now decorating her tree. “This was my parents’
star. Papa made it for Mama when they married.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Why
the Star of David?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Papa
fell in love with Mama, but the only way they could marry was for her
to become a Christian. She gave up her religion and people to follow
her heart, but she couldn’t part with her past completely. That was
a few years before the Nazis rounded up Mama’s family and sent them
to concentration camps. Mama escaped to America, made easier by her
marriage to Papa. When they made a home here, Papa turned her Star of
David into a tree topper to remind her of who she was. He always said
Jesus wouldn’t mind since he was a Jew, too.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I
had no idea you were Jewish. Why didn’t you ever mention it
before?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Guess
maybe I forgot myself. Mama didn’t practice, even without the
danger of persecution. Nothing but that tree topper left to remind
us of our own past. Forgetting is what happens when you keep all your
memories locked up in boxes.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">I
place the star on top and step back to take in the whole tree. A
simple evergreen decked out with bits of past belonging to my family.
A past I’ve only begun to discover.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #444444;">At
the top of it all, a Christmas star to remind me of where I come
from.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 150%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i>*This story was originally posted on Pen & Muse's <a href="http://penandmuse.com/12-days-christmas-memories-tree-emily-mckeon/">12 Days of Christmas Author Showcase</a>.</i></span></div>
Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-18118021927527883862014-12-22T07:24:00.000-05:002014-12-22T07:30:09.568-05:00Book Launch News: What The Town KnewIt's official! Saturday, April 18th, 2015 will be the launch of WHAT THE TOWN KNEW. Want to be in on the official reveal? Come on down and party with us!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYhwzxChuOfQTTUB6_ZQ37Cj3pyqdALsDEFn2mOWENxkyGFam8v763Y_Ibaerx24XJPJYW4_MXxgJPup5it6rDvhfgmMn_R50aMsA1l2k7kRfPixyCgngfSwarAv8WNH2d4jTcrrUMhQ/s1600/WTTK+postcard+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYhwzxChuOfQTTUB6_ZQ37Cj3pyqdALsDEFn2mOWENxkyGFam8v763Y_Ibaerx24XJPJYW4_MXxgJPup5it6rDvhfgmMn_R50aMsA1l2k7kRfPixyCgngfSwarAv8WNH2d4jTcrrUMhQ/s1600/WTTK+postcard+front.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></div>
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When: Saturday, April 18th, 2015<br />
Time: 2-4 pm<br />
Where: Booklovers' Gourmet, 55 E. Main Street, Webster, MA<br />
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Make sure you spread the word. People love a good piece of gossip.Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4101553575212625066.post-64078318696824968582014-12-08T10:03:00.000-05:002014-12-08T10:03:17.152-05:00And A Christmas Story for the KiddosAs promised, here's my Christmas picture book pick for the kids.<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10403543_10203002886535687_7423456251592270482_n.jpg?oh=9d922a16a8cddafe45720e5e1569a296&oe=5514842C&__gda__=1427417171_936cb01c6116f045d47f11d4cf3b03a7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10403543_10203002886535687_7423456251592270482_n.jpg?oh=9d922a16a8cddafe45720e5e1569a296&oe=5514842C&__gda__=1427417171_936cb01c6116f045d47f11d4cf3b03a7" width="640" /></a></div>
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This one is by my cousin, Lynn Menatian. Here's the blurb:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i>Charlie escapes again! What happens when a young reindeer has too much energy and excitement before Christmas? He gets into all sorts of mischief and is on the loose...AGAIN!</i></span></div>
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If you want to pick it up, you can purchase it from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Santas-New-Reindeer-Lynn-Menatian/dp/1478727128/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418050590&sr=8-1&keywords=Lynn+Menatian">Amazon</a> OR you can come see her (and me!) at <a href="http://jmslibrary.org/">Jesse Smith Library</a> on Wednesday, December 10th from 6:30-8.<br />
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<br />Emily McKeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10063427212767372372noreply@blogger.com0