A Priestess's Blood

At Home... Sort of

"So, Mom, what's for dinner?" I asked Athena as I came downstairs from the guest room I had just settled into. She had called me down because dinner was finished.

"Just some fish and bread. And chocolate for dessert."

"What is chocolate?" I asked. It was a new word and a new food, and I was a little shy about trying new foods.

"A food from a different continent. Remember, gods are all-knowing, so we can see even in the land of the Aztecs."

"The what?"

"Aztecs. They are a tribe, and are slightly barbaric, but they are quite wise. You like sweet things?"

"Yes."

"Then you will like chocolate."

"Okay. I guess I'll try it."

"Good."

We sat down for dinner, and I immensely enjoyed the fish. "How did you make the fish? It is really good."

"Thank you," Athena replied. "I cooked it in nectar."

Of course. That must have been why I suddenly felt stronger, like all the ailments I'd ever had were being purged from my body.

Suddenly, we heard a loud HOOT!!!!, like Athena's owl, Wise Girl, was being scared off her perch. She came flying in, yelling Hoot! Hoot! Hoot! HOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!

"Oh, no," Athena said. "Not again."

Hermes came marching in, caduceus at his side. George and Martha must have scared Wise Girl. "Hey, Athena. Mind if I borrow Amy for a moment?"

She sighed. "Alright."

"Thanks! Come outside, Amy. I need to talk to you."

"Okay..." I followed him outside warily. Why would he come barging in at dinner?

"I have a favor to ask you."

"Alright. What is it?"

"Could you watch George and Martha for a little while? I, er, have to be somewhere."

"As in, take the whole caduceus?" I asked, startled.

"As in, take the whole caduceus." Hermes replied. He handed me the caduceus.

"Ow!" I yelped, nearly dropping the caduceus.

George! Martha scolded. Don't bite Amy's hand! Do you want to get dropped?

Sorry! George replied. She smells like a rat!

Well, you don't have to bite her! Then, turning to me, Martha said In our language, smelling like a rat is a compliment. Sorry if George offended you.

"That's okay." I replied. I said good-bye to Hermes and walked inside.