The Gorgon Queen

Chapter 22

"That's nonsense." Athena spat, "Who would be following us? Nobody knows that where we're going, except for Calliope but she made it very clear that she wants no part of this."

Athena and I were still huddled behind the tree, wrapped in our blankets. My skin was beginning to form goosebumps, for the cool morning air was slightly chilly.

"It wasn't Calliope." Perseus said as he rummaged through his bag. Orion was glancing between us and the two men who were still unconscious. "It looked like a man." Perseus said as he handed both Athena and I a pair of new clothes.

I stared at the bundle in my hands. These were men clothes.

As if reading my thoughts, Perseus said, "I think it be best if you two wear those. We're about to enter dangerous territory and we have to keep you two safe."

As Athena and I dressed, I found that I quite liked the newfound freedom that these clothes provided. I could actually breathe, for my ribs weren't constricted and as for my legs, well there was so much movement I almost wanted to climb a nearby tree to test my flexibility.

I put the brown vest over my white cotton shirt, buckled the belt around my black pants and pulled on a pair of boots to match. I haven't felt more comfortable in years. I tied my hair in a braid, Athena did the same. We were basically wearing the same outfit, only hers were different color.

"If it wasn't Calliope," Athena said, bringing the subject back up, "Then who was it?"

Perseus sighed, "We don't know, the figure was a great distance away."

Athena pursed her lips, thinking. Sighing, she said, "We better keep our eyes open from now on."

We collected our bags and started north once more. As we past tree after tree, the sun rising to its peak, the hoot of an owl kept bringing our attention upward. It was the same owl that had pecked Kyril's face. It had been following us for some time now, and we were all curious as to why.

"Why does that owl keep following us?" Athena asked. The owl swooped down, as if it heard her voice. It landed on her shoulder, where it rested as if it belonged there.

Which in retrospect, in kind of did.

"I think he likes you, Athena." Perseus said, smiling. Athena stared at the owl, her features going from confused to relaxed. She lifted her finger and rubbed its white belly. The owl made a purring sound and rubbed its head against hers.

"He definitely likes you." Orion said, he too also had a smile on his face.

"What will you name him?" I asked as we continued our walk, the trees were beginning to thin out. Athena was quite for a moment, staring at the owl as if it were a newfound friend.

"I think it's a 'she.'" she said, petting the owls belly still. "Okay," I said, "What will you name her."

A slight smile made itself known upon my friends lips. I could tell she was thinking of the perfect name. I just didn't know that this name would come out of her mouth.

"Metis."

* * *

With a new member in the group, we continued our trek through woods, passing trees and letting the sounds of the river guide us.

Just as the sun was beginning the set, the four of us split a loaf bread. Athena broke of pieces of hers and fed it to Metis, her new companion. I wasn't sure how I felt about the owl, sure she was cute and fluffy, but there were moments where I caught her staring at me.

Her beady little black eyes would latch onto mine for a few minutes, before her head would turn back around, facing forward. I told myself I wouldn't feel intimidated by an owl.

Orion was beside me, whittling a piece of wood. I could hear the scraping noise as each chunk of wood was grazed off.

"Where did you learn to do that?" I asked. Athena and Perseus were a few paces ahead, they couldn't hear me. Orion glanced at me, before resuming his focus back to his task, "My father taught me. He always said that if you're able to make things by hand, you'll be unstoppable." he chuckled, "He kind of thought highly of himself."

I smiled, "I think homemade items have more sentimental value, so I can see what he means. Putting in all that effort for someone to enjoy it for a length of time, and then hopefully they'll pass it on to their kids and so on."

I stopped myself, for Orion was staring at me. I lost all words.

"Here." he said, handing me the stick of wood and blade, "Try it."

I felt my hands begin to shake. I admired homemade items, that didn't mean I knew how to make them. "I don't know how." I said.

Orion mimed, "It's easy, just scrap the surface but angle the blade so that it'll create the point you want."

It sounded simple, but it wasn't. I did as instructed and instead of shaving off wood, I broke the point that was beginning to form. I bite my lower lip, glancing at Orion.

He was smiling, "It takes practice. Keep trying, you'll get it, and in the meantime, I can work on my secret project."

"Secret project?" I questioned. "What's that?"

Orion cocked an eyebrow, "If I tell you, it wouldn't be a secret, now would it?" he flashed me a grin that made my heart flutter.

I continued my whittling, to no avail, when Perseus and Athena stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong?" I asked, looking up.

The two siblings turned to face Orion and I. "We've reached the entrance." Perseus said. I felt Orion tense beside me, "The Valley." he whispered. Perseus nodded.

I looked over his shoulder, I could see the path ahead. It looked like any other path. But as I narrowed my eyes, I could see the darkness beyond, the hints of temptation.

Parnitha was still a great distance, it's shadow miles ahead, looming above us. I gripped the wood in my hands, feeling the anxiety in me rise.

"Let's go."