He stepped towards her. ‘The men are talking. Some are saying they saw two gods fighting on the battlefield. I have done what I can to dispel the rumours and convinced Agamemnon their words were born of battle fever, but you should have taken greater care –’
‘How many Children of Prometheus soldiers died?’
Odysseus grew still.
Danae repeated slowly, ‘How many of my men did we lose?’
‘Over two-thirds,’ murmured Hylas.
She shook her head. ‘So many lives wasted in a battle that did little to further our cause. You ask me why I didn’t tell you about the collar – because something in me knew I could not fully trust you.’ She unfurled her arms. ‘Hermes hasn’t yet revealed why he came alone, but if he divined my presence here through the omphalos shard, we cannot rule outthat the rest of the Olympians know where I am too. Hermes may have merely been a scout, sent to confirm my location. When he does not return, others may follow. So when I leave this tent, I will take what is left of my army and your ship and sail for Olympus. Like I should have done the first day I set foot on Trojan soil.’
‘You’re angry, that is understandable, I am too. My sources have never been wrong before.’ Odysseus’ voice remained low and calm. ‘But we must take stock, see what additional information we can press from Hermes before we make any rash decisions. Even if Metis were here to fight with us, two Titans against nine Olympians might still not be enough.’ Odysseus ran a hand through his hair. ‘As I have said before, there are too many of them to defeat in a direct attack on their palace. Even with the Children of Prometheus soldiers at your side. I have been contemplating alternatives: Achilles and the majority of his Myrmidons survived the battle; if we could convince him to fight with us against the gods –’
‘His fate lies in Troy, mine on Olympus.’ Danae curled her fingers into fists. ‘Metis died so I could fulfil Prometheus’ prophecy. She taught me many things, but I know I cannot do this alone. I wish I had another Titan to fight alongside, a whole band of heroes, or even a beast like Poseidon’s sea-monster, but I don’t. I can only hope the companions I do have left will be enough when the time comes.’
‘This is a setback, but there are still more paths to take.’
‘No, I’m done hiding from my destiny.’
‘Sea-monster …’
Both Danae and Odysseus turned to look at Hylas. He was staring at the map of Troy, deep in thought. Then his gaze snapped up. ‘What of the creatures from the Underworld spotted above ground: the dragon, the giants …’
Odysseus swept the idea away with a wave of his hand. ‘Mysources reported Zeus has already disposed of the dragon. As for the giants, their whereabouts are unknown.’
Danae ignored him, staring at Hylas as his idea ignited a fire within her. She thought of Charon’s loyalty, sparked after years enslaved to a cruel master.
‘Our enemy’s enemy … What if we recruited the giants?’
Hylas nodded. ‘After centuries imprisoned in Tartarus, they will surely desire revenge.’
‘Hylas.’ Odysseus’ voice was barbed with warning. He turned to Danae. ‘Allow me to consult my sources before you take any action. I agree, it is too dangerous for you to remain in the Greek camp, so I suggest staying aboard my ship while I interrogate Hermes. Once we are fully armed with the enemy’s intentions, then we can devise a new plan to whittle down the false gods before you storm Olympus.’ He looked to Hylas for support.
But Hylas moved away from the table and came to stand beside Danae.
‘All this time, you said the most important thing was ensuring the last daughter trusted you. You said our aim would fail if I did not convince her to do what you bade. I never doubted you. Not once.’ He looked at Danae. ‘I’m sorry, I should have put my faith in you.’
Danae’s chest swelled. She turned to face Odysseus.
‘Well, King of Ithaca, will you give me what remains of my army?’
Odysseus’ eyes darted between them. It would have been impossible to divine his discomfort, were it not for the vein pulsing in his temple. Danae matched his wolfish stare, the truth an unspoken blade against his jugular. For all his cunning he was just a man, and she was a Titan.
Finally, he said, ‘I have only ever sought to help you. Everything I have done has been in the service of your destiny.’He paused. ‘The Children of Prometheus are yours to command. I will not stand in your way if you wish to leave.’
Danae stood at the prow of Odysseus’ sleek black penteconter. A sharp westerly wind whipped her cloak and bloated the sail behind her. Ahead, the dark waters of the Aegean swelled before the ship as they sailed out of the mouth of the Bay of Troy. Briefly, she closed her eyes and thought of her father.
We’re sailing together.
Beside her stood Hylas, Telamon and Atalanta, and on the rowing benches sat the remaining three dozen Children of Prometheus soldiers, one man navigating the tiller. Still bound and gagged, Hermes was slumped by the stern deck, his hands tied to a ring beside the cabin door, glowering at Danae through red-rimmed eyes.
She looked at her companions, the three heroes who, despite everything she had done, everything they had lived through, were still standing beside her.
She drank in their faces, the determination blazing in their eyes, then looked to the crew.
‘We sail for Lerna, one of the entrances to the Underworld. That is the mostly likely place the giants will have emerged from. From there, we will track their trail.’ She drew a breath. ‘You have all faced much peril, and there is only more to come. All I can promise you is that we will strive together, always, until the end. While the Olympians fight for themselves, we fight for all mortals. We fight for freedom, for a life lived beyond the tyranny of the gods. Remember, we have fate on our side.When the prophet falls and gold that grows bears no fruit, the–’ She faltered as the men rose to their feet, melding their voices with hers.
‘The last daughter will come. She will end the reign of thunder and become the light that frees mankind.’
