Zeus 25 - Praxis

26 - Delos Again

After firstmeal, a small party from Apollo's Guild made their way to Athena's. Apollo's master mage led and made good his promised introduction.

When Eudora arrived, she recognized Zeus and Origen and was clearly startled, but said nothing when she noticed their green adept's belts. She turned her attention to Izador. "Hello, Master. How is life in the House of Fire and Light?"

"So news of my promotion has made it all the way to the Hook?"

"I has, Master. I am still grateful for your help in freeing me."

"It's been a long time since the Argosian Games," he said.

"Yes, I never expected to see you again. Shall we take a stroll on the practice grounds."

"If you like," he said and was followed by Zeus and Origen.

Outside, the practice grounds were empty as Eudora probably knew. Zeus was sure she had maneuvered them there so as not to be overheard by others.

"Why are you here?" she said to Zeus, confronting him directly for the first time.

"I heard you'd returned."

"You came all the way from Mount Olympus to check on me?"

"I happened to be in Lamium when I heard."

"Let me guess, no one but me knows Zeus 25 is in Kamiros right now?"

"That's right, and I'd like to keep it that way. Lord Jason 5 would enjoy finding me so far from the power of Mount Olympus and the protection of my armies. In fact, a Punisher of Jason's tried to assassinate me last night."

"And why are you so far away and so unprotected?"

"He's going back to Delos for Spyro," Origen offered up into the following silence.

"Truly?" Eudora asked Origen.

He nodded.

"Then I'm going with you," Eudora said.

"You haven't been invited," Zeus said.

"I wasn't invited the first time either. Crossing Atlantis via Delos was my only way back here. You were forced by Izador to take me along."

"You still can't come now. If we find Spyro, we'll let you know," Zeus said.

"That's not good enough. My presence might make a difference. I'll contribute three of my best archers to hold off the wild warrah."

"That tempts me," Zeus admitted. He noticed Eudora still wore her peach-pit iron necklace and was still as beautiful as he remembered.

"It will be like old times," she added.

"I doubt that," he said, softening to her proposal. "They say you returned here using the Star Word. How was AvoDar and Shambhala?"

"I never met AvoDar."

"But you came here using a Red Orb of Travel?"

"I did, but I did not learn the Star Word."

"Well, since you know our purpose, it'll be safer having you and your adepts with us. I accept your offer."

The next day, Korinna, Diantha, and Eudora's youngest apprentice, Maia, joined the expedition. They journeyed back to Lamium with Zeus and his party Where they located a silk merchant willing to transport them to Delos, and who agreed to return to pick them up later. Once again, Zeus's golden drachmas made all objections disappear.

#

After an uneventful sea voyage and night at anchor off Delos, Zeus was ready to disembark at dawn. Their old estuary was too small for the merchant vessel, so Korrina, Diantha, and Maia worked with the crew to lower a skiff that could row six at a time to shore. The archers also helped stear and row to land Eudora and half their gear. Then stayed with her while the merchant's crew rowed back for Zeus, Origen, and Izador and the remainder of their supplies.