The Last Ballad of Olympus: The Waltz of the Vulture and Owl

The Grapevine's Spoil

"I humbly implore for your pardon, my lady." Vivinna lowered her head while arranging the meal for the morn—ashamed of the early call made by her children towards the resting Athena. "It is not their usual behaviour to wake a guest up."

"Oh, do not worry about it, Vivinna." Athena smiled, accepting the offered plate and placed it neatly in front of her. "Phoebus and Helena were no disturbance. I am glad to help them ease their fears."

"Vultures are truly terrifying. I remember my father's stories about those beasts as the bringer of death. I cannot comprehend why they were here." The pregnant mother said, gazing blankly as the memories of fright sparked inside her head. She remembered how her father narrated the legend about the vulture with command—demanding attention as the story grew darker.

"I understand such sentiments. But those two birds had no intention of harming the children. They wanted me."

Vivinna was revived back into reality upon hearing what her guest revealed. A clear look of shock and a growing question was forming across her face. "They are coming for you?" She huffed. "Do you have enemies who wanted your head, dear Lady?"

"I have those who do not want me—enemies who truly despised me. But these vultures were sent not by the greatest of my foes but were companions of this certain tamable someone." She curved a little smile once more as she did not want any more worry to hover over her hospitable host.

"Please promise me, my lady, to always take care of yourself. I see this sadness in you with all honesty and in good faith. You are beautiful—undeniably so—but there is this withering of your colour. I do not mean to pry but I only pray for sunshine to light upon you."

"You are gracious, Vivinna. Thank you. May your family be blessed."

When the children were awake once more and the day's meal was completely prepared, everyone in the household had their hearty share of the food and savoured every little bit—not wanting to waste such a gift. Yet while sipping from his cup, Phoebus noticed that his dear father was not there, missing the opportunity to share the morn's meal with them."

"Mama, where is father?" He asked.

"He left early, my dear. New goodies arrived from overseas. Knowing your father, he has his eyes only for the best quality."

"Oh—" The little boy murmured.

"Are you going to the vineyard again, mama?" Helena also asked while the youngest of the three repeated the word "vineyard."

"Viyard! Viyard! No, mama!" Little Bion squealed and then pouted, displaying a distinct displeasure with the word as Athena noticed.

"Vineyard?" Athena asked. "What is with the vineyard?"

Sitting back in her seat, Vivinna let out a tired exhale—placing both arms on the table while seemingly contemplating something she only knew what. "Well," she began, "I must work at the vineyard and leave my children to the older women who lived just three houses from us."

"Work? While heavily pregnant? I learned that Hera rested until Hephaestus was born, Aphrodite did not leave her chambers, and some women were even treated with the utmost care until the child was born."

"It is the rules, my lady. If one desires to stay in a comfortable space inside the boat, one or two must work and deliver the exact quota imposed with it."

"I never heard such a law until now."

"But it is the way since we moved and planned to join the exodus. Besides, dear lady, wine is needed for the travel." Vivinna optimistically guaranteed as she finished her meal. "I find the labour understandable."