Chapter 28 � Keeping Secrets
Joxer held his breath, as if that would help him any. Wandering around invisible was a weird feeling all by itself, but doing it where you knew you weren�t supposed to added a little terror to the mix.
The lunch-party had broken up not too long ago, with Aphrodite showing up, shooing her fighting sons back on their way, and collecting Bliss. That seminar of hers had apparently ended early when a genial mob of Grecian gentlemen had wandered in and gotten treated to some quality hands-on workshopping. Which was fine. Joxer had an itch he needed to scratch anyway.
Ever since Hercules and Iolaus had left, a nagging bug had been buzzing in his ear. He wondered if it were more of his godhood trying to manifest or maybe just some leftover mortal nosiness. He�d been accused of being a busybody a few times, though he�d only really been trying to help. Much like now. He knew something was up. He wasn�t sure HOW he knew, but he knew. He�d sneaked back to Olympus and peered into the Hall of War long enough to make sure Ares wasn�t there waiting for him (and frankly, he�d kind of been hoping) and then back down to Athens. The bustle of the midday crowd would provide a good enough cover for what he was up to.
And it did. The noon rush of worshippers into the Temple of Wisdom provided enough distraction and noise around one invisible undedicated god for him to casually stroll up the stairs.
He wasn�t much of a fan of architecture, but there was something unwelcoming about this structure. Probably because there was something unwelcoming about its mistress. Ares� temples were always constructed to look dark and foreboding, but he�d never felt that way in any of them. They�d always been soothing and familiar, probably due to his dedication to his god more than any ecumenical engineering.
Not this temple, though. Constructed in very smooth, delicate lines with beautifully carved archways and columns, to Joxer it was cold and austere. Unforgiving. Uninviting. Unpleasant. He shivered a little as he passed with the crowd through the doorway. This was Athena�s patron city and the people turned out in droves to pay their respects. Though he was loathe to be rude, Joxer had other plans in mind.
Slipping unseen through the throng, the former mortal wound his way around to the altar area of the temple and the milling priestesses making ready for the coming service. Service, Joxer mused. Ares never has a formal service in his temples. At least, not one without giant casks of ale and a few warrior-minstrels around. Seems a little� self-absorbed?
Joxer�s self-conversation was interrupted by another, wafting from the rear door behind the altar. He crept over as silently as he could manage and was able to catch the last bits of it.
"� preparations for the coming festival at Delphi. Though Elysium preserve me, I don�t know why. Those things are always so *sniff* plebian."
"I know, Sister. But this is what our goddess has commanded and that is what we must do. There must be an important reason for her to want to mingle with the rabble � such is not always revealed to humble servants as we. We shall have to be strong in our convictions and obedience�"
//Joxer? Where in Tartarus are you?// Ares� dead-sexy rumble of a voice blocked out the rest of the rhetoric Athena�s priestesses were now regurgitating to each other. He took a deep breath and scrunched his forehead as he thought the answer back to the War God.
//Just checking something out.// Not that it had helped him any. He�d come wondering why Athena, who didn�t seem like much of a Party Girl, was going to make an appearance at a pretty raucous festival. And apparently, her own priestesses were wondering that, too. Hm. Something didn�t feel right about it. And that was without the poking and prodding his godhood was no doubt applying. This was going to take more looking into, he judged. But if her priestesses didn�t know� then who would? The answer didn�t make him happy. The voice that jumped back in his head, however�
