Quest of a Goddess

Chapter 2

At the sound of a warm feminine chuckle, Agathon’s attention snapped back to the present.  Shocked, he stared as Athena got her mirth under control.  He had seen the Olympians in wrath, in majesty, and in pride, he had never imagined seeing one in the throes of simple mirth.  Something of his shock must have shown on his face, because Athena smiled and asked if he had really thought simple mirth was beyond the gods.  Wisely, he simply kept his tongue tucked behind his teeth and shook his head.  The moment passed swiftly and then the goddess spoke again this time in a clear and somber voice. “The path the fates have woven for you and Athenais is long, dark, and dangerous.  It has twists and turns in it that even I cannot see.  At the end of it, is happiness, glory, and peace or despair, loneliness, and death.”  “Which is it?” he demanded before he remembered that was not the tone of voice one took with an immortal.  Athena seemed willing to overlook it and simply replied that even Zeus Thunder could not clearly see the future spun by the fates.  “Since it's a long journey I am to make,” he said, “I had better get started.  Can you at least tell me where to begin?”  “I can do better,” replied the goddess who pointed to a pile that had suddenly appeared on the cave floor behind her.  Stepping to it, Agathon saw it was composed of a pack, travel rations, silver, clothing, and arms/armor both in the Greek rather than the Trojan style.  He figured that the style meant that he would have to travel extensively in lands ruled by the Greeks and thought that such travel would not be easily made by an obvious Trojan.  Looking back at Athena, Agathon saw her smiling in approval.  “As I said before, you are as clever as my Odysseus,” she said.  “You will need to begin your journey in the island kingdom of Ithaca.  It is there that you will find the clues that will lead you on the next stage of your quest. I will help you when I may, but for the most part you will be on your own.  Zeus is still insisting that the Olympians keep out of mortal affairs for the most part at this time.”  Agathon bowed deeply to her in respect, reverence, and thanks.  When he raised his head from his bow, Athena was gone.

With the help that the goddess had given and promised to give, he at least had a chance.  The chance was slim, but it was there nevertheless.  Deep in his soul, he knew that even without the aid and charge of the goddess he still would have gone searching for Athenais.  Had he been dead, he would have waited for her on the banks of Styx.  Alive, he would wander the world until he found her or her final resting place.  Having admitted this to himself, he rolled into his blankets and sought the bliss of sleep.  He had a feeling that he would need to store up as much rest and strength as possible for the ordeals to come. 

In the morning, he donned his new garments, strapped on his weapons, and hoisted his pack, armor and shield upon his back.  He then left the cave and started striding towards the west, the sea, and his goal.  His face set in grim lines, his stride purposeful, he covered nearly 25 miles before he was ready to camp for the night.

I apologize for the delay in updating and for the brevity of this update.  The next one should be longer, faster, and will be in Athenais' viewpoint.