‘That is a great loss. For all of us. My father raised me on stories of Metis and Prometheus, true Titans who stood against Zeus’ tyranny. I never believed she would call for my bloodline in my lifetime, but I hoped, and when that gull flew to my ship, the medallion around its neck …’
‘Prometheus too is gone.’
Odysseus’ gaze sharpened.
‘I spoke with him atop the Caucasus Mountains, before Hera attacked, slaying him.’
‘What did he tell you?’ breathed Odysseus.
‘Things I suspect you already know.’ She wondered how much of the truth he, Hylas and the rest of his men knew. Manto had only been privy to a fraction of the twisted history of the gods, yet Odysseus did not seem surprised by Danae’s words.
He regarded her for a moment, then said, ‘You and your companions must come with me, Daeira.’
She winced at the use of her false, Argonaut name. ‘My name is Danae.’
Again, she caught a flicker of feeling dart across Hylas’ face. This time he did not hide it so well. It looked an awful lot like anger.
‘We have a long journey back to Troy,’ continued Odysseus. ‘And much to discuss on our way.’
‘We’re not going to Troy.’
Odysseus blinked. ‘Where, might I ask, are you going?’
Danae shifted her feet on the oiled deck, widening her stance. ‘If you know who I am, then you know what I am destined to do. Where I must go.’
‘Surely you do not mean to sail for Olympus inthat.’ He glanced down at the rowing boat.
‘We will change vessels at Myconos.’
Odysseus’ eyes swept over Telamon and Atalanta. ‘Your army is currently rather small.’
‘Size isn’t everything,’ quipped Atalanta.
Odysseus’ lip curled. ‘Do you really believe the three of you will successfully storm Mount Olympus and defeat the most powerful god in the Pantheon? And what of the rest of them? Prometheus’ prophecy foretells that you will end Zeus’ reign. It says nothing of the other Olympians. If youare not careful, you might kill Zeus only for a new King or Queen of Heaven to be crowned in his stead.’
There was a pause before Telamon murmured, ‘He has a point.’
‘All of us here have spent our lives in the service of the Children of Prometheus, at great personal risk, all in aid of ensuring your victory against the false gods,’ Odysseus pressed, an idea igniting behind his eyes. ‘I know for certain several of the younger gods plan to watch the coming battle for Troy. With my men at your side, we could kill them. Thin the herd, clearing your path to take Olympus.’
Danae looked at the crew. They were still kneeling between the benches, gazing at her like she was salvation incarnate.
Odysseus drew close enough to whisper in her ear, ‘I too know the extent of the gods’ lies. I have been to the Underworld. I have seen that the dead do not live beneath the earth.’
A chill shuddered through her limbs. Her scalp prickled, as though bony fingers were tracing through her hair.
She glanced once more at the men on the mid-deck. ‘You only have around forty soldiers here.’
‘There are a hundred more loyal Children of Prometheus men waiting at Troy,’ Odysseus said swiftly. ‘Your very own army.’
‘Come with us, Danae,’ said Hylas.
For a moment she allowed herself to imagine what it would feel like to have an army beside her, her old companions reunited. No more lies souring the bond between them.
‘My lord,’ called one of the soldiers from the mid-deck. ‘The sun has set – would you have us land at Delos for the night?’
‘No.’ Odysseus tilted his head to the west. ‘Sail forMyconos.’ He looked back at Danae. ‘We can at least bear you that far?’
She took them all in; the strangers who looked at her with wonder, her companions, the friend she thought had left this world. Hope was the cruellest blade of all. Hers had been dashed too many times; she did not know if she had the strength to let it live within her again.
