Olympian Daughters series: Daughter of Wisdom

Daughter of Wisdom Part 3

Chapter 3

It was early morning and Anya decided to go for a stroll in the gardens and even though she didn't like this place, she had to admit that it had a breath taking garden.

As she was walking she saw something coming out of the bushes and out of fright she yelped and jumped back a view paces, it was a three headed dog that could have been Cerberus, it was much bigger than your average Rottweiler, but it was not big enough to be the Cerberus from the myths.

The three headed dog came closer and the middle head started sniffing Anya; "Easy doggy." She said in a calm voice, she slowly reached for the dagger that was strapped to her thigh.

"I'll take that." She heard a guy's voice say then she felt his hands around her weapon.

She spun around and saw Shane standing behind her; "What are you doing, he could be dangerous."

"She is not dangerous," he assured her. She was about to ask him how did he know that but he beat her to it; "I know because I've had her since she was a puppy."

She relaxed and smiled "What is she?"

"Cerberus's daughter, Ceria."

"How did that happen?"

"Cerberus sort of got a crush on one of the hell hounds and Hades made her bigger to keep Cerberus company and she had a puppy, so Hades dumped her on me, not that I'm complaining."

"Only one, don't dogs usually have more puppies?"

"Yeah, I guess that immortal creatures don't need that many offspring."

"That doesn't stop Zeus."

Shane grinned; "Good one."

"Thank you I'll be here for the rest of my life." I said grimly.

"Come on it's not that bad here."

"I don't see how it couldn't be; we are all abandoned here by our so called divine parents."

"You should really give Athena a break."

"Why should I?" She couldn't believe that he was defending Athena.

"Because she didn't abandon you, most of the kids here aren't abandoned, the gods come every month and take their demigods where ever the children want to go and you especially should be grateful to you mother."

"And why is that?"

"Because she personally came down to earth to get and bring you here, usually Hermes would be sent down to pick up the kid like a package and dropped off here, don't you see Athena went through that extra trouble all for you. Now if anyone is abandoned it's me, Hades never comes when the others do and I'm stuck here with the cleaning nymphs while everyone is out having fun with their parent."

Anya got a sinking feeling in her heart; she'd been so busy focusing on the negative things that she couldn't see that Athena was really trying her best to be a good mother; "Shane I have to talk to her."

"I'll take you to her temple; there you can call to her."

"Do think that she'll answer me, even after the way I treated her, after all in the myth she isn't known as the forgiving type?"

"You're her daughter; of course she will forgive you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Thanks."

"Follow me." He led her half way across the oases to a place that looked like a smaller version of the Parthenon, "This is it."

"What do I do when I get inside, is there some kind of ritual or something."

He grinned; "No, all you have to do is call out to her."

"Oh." She said a little embarrassed and then she entered the temple.

"Hey Athena, I really need to talk to you, if it's not too much trouble because I know you're busy." She felt kind of silly talking out loud when no one is in the room.

"I would never be too busy for you Anya." Said Athena, appearing out of nowhere.

"I wanted to apologize for acting like a brat yesterday; I was too busy being negative to realize that you were actually trying."

"It is alright, I do not blame you, your whole life changed in one day after all, and you were just scared and hurt."

"That is no excuse the way I acted was irrational and unjust."

"Anya, don't let it bother you, you said sorry and I forgive you, now forget about it, my child."

"Thank you... mom." For a second she wondered if it was ok to call a goddess that, even if she is you mother, but Athena smiled.

"Just remember that I always loved you and will never change."

"I will." She didn't know what else to say because she wasn't use to having a mother.

"Unfortunately I must leave you now, Zeus and Poseidon are having a argument about who what and they need a little logic to stop them from declaring war, they can act like such children at times."

"Good luck with that."

"Thank you, I hope that you will enjoy it here and I will see you the next full moon."

"Good bye."

"Oh yes, one other thing; as you might know you have a sister here, I appreciate if you could go to her and introduce yourself."

"I promise I will."

"Good bye Anya."

"Good bye mother." With that Athena left as suddenly as she appeared and Anya joined Shane outside.

"So how did it go?" He asked.

"Good, she's actually pretty cool."

"Told you."

"So what are we going to do now?"

"We could always get on Ceria and go scare the border guards out of their wits."

"Sounds like fun."

"Just a minute," he brought two fingers to his mouth and whistled. After a series of tremors Ceria came running out of the bushed and Shane got on her, but Anya hesitated; "It's ok, despite her appearance she is actually friendly." He assured her and held out his hand for her.

"Ok if you're sure." She took his hand and lifted her onto Ceria.

"Hold on tight."

She did as she was instructed, Ceria ran off in the guard's direction and for the first time since Anya got here did she feel like she could be happy here and belong.