BANE: avenge

Chapter 9

After they left, I collapsed into a chair.

No one said aught.

We sat, in our shock, & tried to make sense of it all.

For hours, we sat.

When it began getting dark, Pippin finally broke the silence.

" I have no say over what you do, but I am hungry."

He rose, & bowed. I followed suit, because despite the awful news, I had to admit I was quite hungry.

Suddenly, Elle spoke in an odd voice.

" You must carry out the law, dear sister."

I shuddered at the chill carried in her voice & rushed out of the room after Pippin.

" Pippin... What do I do? Surely there must be some way out of this mess!"

" I do not know, but while we were sitting there, I had an idea. I shall elaborate over a meal."

We arrive in the kitchen, & Tilly is sitting with a grand meal, confused.

" Oh! Finally someone appears! What 'appened?"

I sighed & told the whole thing to her. When I finished, she shook her head.

" I might have an answer to that last part. A way you can figure out for sure. As far as I know, the gods imposed the law upon us. Therefore, if you go to ask Apollo's Oracle in London, I'd say you ought to get a definite answer."

I probably looked like I had had a photon globe turn on in my head.

" Thanks, Matilda."

He grabbed a dish & pulled me outside & into my room, setting the plate upon the table, & sitting down.

" So what was the big idea?"

" Alright. I am going on a trip, Pippin."

" You are going to the Oracle?"

" Yes. Originally, I had just planned on running away, but now I have something to do while we are at it."

" So when do we leave?"

" We?"

" Yeah! When do we leave?"

" Pippin... Why do you volunteer for something like this without thinking it over?"

" You are like my little sister! How could I not go?"

" Elle wouldn't come, & I am actually her younger sister."

" Elle is not me."

" Pippin, you would throw your life away! Think about it! If you came along, what would you do? Who would ever give their daughter in marriage to you? What would you do after the excitement wore off? How would you eat?"

" I could tell my father I'm going on a trip. I'm sure he would provide sufficient for us both to live on for a while."

" I couldn't continue taking money from your parents. They have already done more than enough for me."

" ...& from me?"

I was silent.

" Would you take the money if I gave it to you?"

I was still silent.

" Answer me, Ollie."

I couldn't keep myself from breaking a smile out at my nickname used in such a moment.

" You know me too well, Pippin."

" So I can come along?"

" Yes."

" Hooray!"

" Now, now, it's only for your monetary talents that I have said yes."

" Yeah, right. I am quite positive that's not the only reason. I mean, who could resist such a charming fellow?"

A toothy grin spread over his lips.

" Shall I write a list?"

" By all means!"

I groaned. I had only meant it in jest, not literally.

" I know you were joking, Ollie, don't worry about it."

He ruffled my hair.

" I had better go talk to my father. Work my talents."

He winked & strode out, carrying the empty plate.

I sighed & started packing my trunk.

After I finished, I sat on the bed to get some rest.

There was knocking on the door.

Thinking it was Pippin, I told them to come in.

" Gadaranine, dear, I have a present for you!"

I looked up, bewildered. I had thought it was Pippin, not Elle. Then, I gasped as I saw what she had in her hand, & fainted.

The dagger was in my hand, & I studied it closely. Upon it, there were runes. Greek runes. I could not read them, but, somehow, I knew what the dagger said upon it. "The Avenger of the Banes of Atreus," it said. I had seen the dagger before, somewhere. Where? Ah! The dream from when I was little! I had the dagger in my hand then. hence it was again.

I looked at the Greek columns & noticed something odd. My hands were manly, not the slender thing they truly are. I looked down to see I was wearing armour. Ancient Greek armour, to be specific. I looked at the dagger once more, & heard a airy voice in my head.

" Take it, Olesya!"

Then, I woke up. I dazedly looked around, & saw Elle still handing me the dagger, & her expression not having changed. She did not know I had fainted & had a dream.

Surely it takes longer than a few seconds to fall into a sleep so deep that one has a dream? perchance I have had a vision? I had never heard of anyone but the insane having visions.

" Gadaranine, it's yours, take it."

It ended up in my hand somehow, & upon it were the Greek runes I had seen in my dream. How did she have something that came from my dream?

" Where did you get this, Elle? Where did it come from? Why is it hence? Why me?"

" It says your name upon it, Olesya."

" Where did you find it?"

" It is from Ancient Greece. It is a family heirloom. You are descended from ancient Greek royalty."

She was trance-like, saying the words slowly & plainly.

" Elle?"

" I am not Elle."

" Ellektra?!"

" I am not Ellektra."

" Who are you?"

" You shall know who I am in due time, Olesya."

" Where is my sister?"

" I overpowered her IEMP. She is still in hence. I will release her now, & she will drop to the floor. Take her to bed, & she will wake up in the morning. She will recall nothing."

Then, my sister's body dropped on the ground.

Pippin was in the doorway with his jaw slacked.

" You know Greek?"

" No, I don't know Greek..."

" Why were you talking in Greek with your sister, then?"

" I was?"

" Nevermind that, we should get her to bed, & get ourselves to bed. We have to rise & shine early tomorrow."

& we did just that.