Ariadne and the Tales of Heroes

Chapter 9: The Fight at the Labyrinth

An hour had passed, and it was getting darker and darker. Ariadne had taken her human form as she stood at the beach ahead of her. She took a light red flare of a dress as her clothing as the wind from the beach pushed and pulled her dress too and fro. It would be a welcoming look for the coming children.

"I will kill my father when this is done," she said to herself. "There is no mercy for his acts. He used me to create a labyrinth of slaughter. He made that first batch of children from Attica come in....they were probably told that we would be treated well."

A faint outline of a small Greek ship showed up in her view. She had some lit torches to help guide its approach. It was getting hard to see it as it came into view. She could see its sail and oars as it closed in. Within a few minutes, it was ready to pull ashore. It was a medium-sized boat capable of holding ten crew members, including its passengers.

She waived at the boat as the boat beached itself on the soft sand. Some of the crew got off the ship and began to help disembark the children. She watched as seven girls and six boys got off the boat. Ariadne was there to make sure that no harm would come to them and that they would not go to her maze of death.

The children had no fear in their hearts. They were perfectly calm as if no harm was coming to them. It was her job to ensure that they remained that way.

"Hello children, my name is Ariadne, princess of Crete. I am here to make sure that you enjoy your time here on the Island of Crete. When my brother arrives, I will have my men escort you to the palace, where you will get to eat, relax, have fun, and stay the night. Whatever they told you before, my word goes over that."

A little girl at the age of seven approached her. She had a smile on her face as she tugged at Ariadne's dress. "Will I get a dress like you are wearing? It is so pretty."

Ariadne smiled at the little girl "I will create a pretty dress for you myself later on tonight, my dear. Where is the seventh boy?"

She looked at the boat, and a man that she recognized jumped off of it. He wore a light bronze armor on his body. Her heart began to flutter as she started to realize his features as he stepped into the light. Finally, she knew it was him.

"Theseus! It is wonderful to see you."

Theseus had a look of surprise and happiness as he recognized her as well from not long ago. He bowed and approached her. "It is good to see you, Princess. We were told to go to a labyrinth not far from here where the children and I would be greeted by your father and aids."

"There has been a change of plans, Prince Theseus. My brother is bringing soldiers from the palace to escort the children to there. I need to have a private talk with you away from the children. It is vital that you know everything that has happened. Do not be alarmed. I do not want the children to worry."

He understood her words, and he nodded.

********

After five minutes had passed, Crateus and a squad of soldiers, along with palace aids, came to the scene.

"Attention soldiers, you are to escort these children to the palace. No harm is to come to these kids. Aids it is your responsibility to feed and provide proper care to the children. They are to be treated well, is that understood?"

The lead soldier saluted the prince, and the aids acknowledged his demands. The kids were rounded up and taken to the palace to be cared for. The boat departed, leaving Ariadne, Crateus, and Theseus to talk alone under torchlight.