The Gatekeeper's Sons

Chapter Eight

"Why should I do this?" Hades asked from his jewel encrusted throne. The one beside him was empty because Persephone was gone in the summertime. Her absence made Than's father irritable. This wasn't the best time to ask for favors.

In fact, the cavernous room of golden walls inlaid with precious stones was usually brimming with bustle as Persephone and Hecate discussed the affairs of the Upperworld and of Mount Olympus. With his mother and her assistant gone, the chamber echoed with the silence of slinking shadows caused by sleeping bats that barely moved and would not fly till nightfall. The nearly vacant castle had not even ghosts to move the air, for all the souls were in their proper places, and even the formidable form of Hades could not fill the room. Hades, who now slouched and picked at his beard, would, in a few months' time, with the first chill of autumn, sit erect and commanding and proud like a peacock before his mate. Despondence, however, was his only companion until then.

Than spoke with confidence. "Because I can help the Furies find the killer and bring him to justice."

"They can do it without you. So I say again, why should I do this?" Hades's voice was not ignited. He sounded bored and unmoved. "You know it's impossible for Hypnos to disintegrate between two duties. He'd have to take your place."

Than grasped for ideas. "Hermes at one time conducted the dead."

"He's busy with other duties now. He can't possibly take on your job."

"Humans can go without dreams for a few weeks while Hip escorts the souls."

"Why, Thanatos? Dreams are more important than you seem to realize. Humans need dreams to work through the range of experiences and emotions they deal with during their waking hours. Without dreams, they'd shut down, die early deaths, and that's not how I want to build my kingdom. I want honorable souls. Just souls. The unjust ones can usually learn to be honorable with a series of behavior modification courses, courtesy of your sisters."

"And Sisyphus? Tantalus?"

"Serve to amuse."

"Amuse, Father? Are you amused by their suffering?"

"When it's deserved. I find it both amusing and satisfying."

Than caught on to a glimmer of hope. Hades was known for saying that life wasn't fair, but death was. Over the centuries, Hades had made it his utmost goal to level justice at every soul that crossed his path, complaining that Zeus showed favoritism and that most of humankind suffered for it. "You are just, Father, and it is for this reason you should let me go to earth as a mortal and force my brother to take my place escorting the dead. You know that, of the two of us, my brother got the better lot."

"So it is with me and my brothers. Do you think I chose the Underworld?" He moved his hand above him through the air as if to dismiss the splendid emeralds and diamonds and rubies around him. The golden palace would be a pleasure from which any lesser god would willingly rule, but the open skies and the expansive seas were superior in the eyes of Than's father. "Don't you think I'd prefer the sky or the waters? You must learn to accept your calling. Believe me, you'll be much better off."

"But you have mom, at least for half of the year. Hip has the company of hundreds, thousands of girls. I can think of no other god, save Charon, who is expected to live a lonely existence without end, and even he finds companionship from time to time in Cerberus, who's like a puppy to him. Why shouldn't I have a chance to find a queen? You have the power to grant me this request. You have the authority to make my lot more equal to that of the other gods of my rank. You should do this because you are just and because you can."

At that moment, Hermes entered the room. "Excuse me, Lord Hades. Should I come back later?"

"No. We're finished for now. What do you have?"

"Hello, Than."

Than gave a nod to his cousin but was in no mood for light conversation.

Hermes turned back to Hades. "A message from Poseidon regarding the small colony of white abalone beneath the coast of California. As you may know, the white abalone are headed for extinction, and because this particular colony is underground, Poseidon wants to be sure you stand beside him on his conservation efforts."

"Of course. He knows I support diversity. How dull of him to send you all this way."

"Something's brewing, my lord," Hermes said. "I think he fears your alliance won't last."

"Do you have wind of it?"

"I know nothing yet. I'll report back when I know something."

"Yes. Do that." Hades rubbed at his temple.

Than moved closer to his father as Hermes left the room. "I'm sorry to have burdened you further with my request. I know you have a lot of business to manage."

"You may think I don't care about your happiness, son, but I do, and in this matter, you are right. You deserve a chance to find a queen, and I do have the power to grant you this chance. So be it. You have forty days and no more."

Than's mouth fell open. "Thank you, Father."

"Wait. There is something she must do. Remember, nothing in this world is free."