95 BEaST ADVENTURES (1/2)
Greece, Parthenon 2 weeks later
Shouts echoed around the high walls of the room as the outraged sailors and merchants protested the ruling. \”This is bullshit! That monster has cost me and my men a small fortune not to mention several lives! We can hardly leave Cape Sunium without being sunk!\” One of the outraged sailors yelled.
Theseus held firm to his directive. \”This is the will of the Gods, go against this order and you will be going against the god Zeus himself.\” He rolled out the script that had been tucked snuggly under his arm and began reading. \”The creature, being that of god and one of Zeus's chosen heroes shall not be hunted by none other than the chosen son of Posideon.\” He glanced around him, his eyes stopping shortly on the vailed men at the back of the room. \”This decision was not met lightly and acts against it will not be punished lightly. Hed my words.\” He sat the script down in front of him and raised a hand and waved the men forward. Both men hugged the wall and the dark shadows there as they edged around the room. The larger of the men patted the other on the shoulder as stoped beside the last of the judges.
Orion glanced back at his father, who had insisted on being present for the reading of the orders, before pushing the vail of the heavy robe away from his head letting it fall behind him. He stood large and menacing in front of the crowd. He hadn't needed the council members to tell him the crowd gathered before him was filled with various creatures who had all been either brought before these very courts as criminals themselves or under suspicion. His eyes fell on a particularly disgruntled vampire whose face grew more furious with every word Theseus uttered. This man would surely be trouble for him and this mission. When Theseus stood aside and nodded in Orion's direction, he stepped forward and cleared his throat. \”I will hunt down this creature plaguing you and deal with it properly, you can be assured. I have gone up against many beasts and have yet to be defeated...\” He smiled out at the group. \”Nor have I lost a hunt to another. That record will not be changed now, so best you leave the creature to me.\” He winked out at the crowd making sure the glaring vampires gaze met his. \”I'd hate to lug two heads back to Olympus.\” With that, he crossed his massive arm over his chest and stepped back. He listened as Theseus continued to speak before dismissing the group and Selena finally stood to wave them away.
Orion turned to the council, \”Any parting words of wisdom or helpful advice?\” He asked directing his question to Prometheus.
\”Go to the island of Ogygia it is closest to the banks of Zacynthus, there you will find the creature you search for... but be warned things are not what they seem. Trust no one and take caution of beautiful women and children, for you'll find no others on that island.\” Replied Prometheus.
Orion arched his brow. \”Always riddles with you, ol' man. If that's all then I shall be on my way then.\” He nodded to the other hooded figure still standing at the back of the group of council members. He made his way across the spacious halls and out to the sleek black stallion tethered out front. He quickly mounted the horse. \”To Ogygia.\” He called out to it and the magnificent horse darted into a sprint unmatched by any beast alive.
The hooded man waited patiently for all other members to depart before approaching Prometheus. He didn't bother removing the hood as he spoke. \”Tell me the fortune of my sons. Have I sent them to their death?\”
Prometheus smiled. \”They will each be consumed by the creature and each lose a thing they did not realize they sought...\” He hurried on when he saw the worry and irritation on Posideon's hooded face. \”They will not defeat this beast, not in body at least, only in showing their vulnerability will they find its.\”
Posideon watched as the dust trail his sons had left slowly settled leaving no sight of them. \”I fear vulnerability is one thing neither of them shows often enough.\” His attention turned back to the hand that now rested atop his shoulder.
\”It will not be a short or easy journey for either boy their paths will forever be entwined with the beast from hear on out...\” He smiled as he stepped away, \”And it shall be a very long path.\”
***
Once they were far enough away, Orion dropped the reins and let out a heavy breath. \”This is insane, you realize this right?\”
A snicker came from the horse. \”Of course it is, but you know Father isn't going to miss out on an opportunity to sneak one past our uncle.\”
Orion huffed out a sarcastic laugh, \”And exactly where does that leave us if his 'opportunity' is compromised?\” He sighed, \”Stop here, Arei, I'm tired of riding.\”
The horse laughed but did as Orion asked. \”Fine but you can't very well charge across the see in your form, now can you.\”
Orion arched his brow as he dismounted the beast. \”And it's not going to be very inconspicuous if I ride a shape-shifting horse to shore either. Though you may not be as well-known, I'm sure the second I ride ashore on your back even the dumbest of nymphs will figure it out. I don't know what Father was thinking, sending us here together.\” He shook his head as he stepped out toward the waters. \”We should separate here. Visit later if you must, but give it long enough that the gods won't be suspicious.\”
Arei shook his head, sending his long mane waving majestically through the breeze. \”The gods are always suspicious, brother. What makes you think there is anything to change that? We should stick together and get the job done quickly.\” He pranced out into the water beside Orion. \”Come on, Ry, you heard what Prometheus told Father earlier. We will not meet the wrath of Zeus but face the same fate that most great warrior face but never best nor ever have the desire to...\” He used his head to splash water on his more serious brother. \”Come on you're not the least bit interested to know what the man speaks of?\”
Orion wiped the water from his face. \”Well of course I am, but we shouldn't put both our lives at risk until we know more.\”
Arei rolled his eyes, his large black ears twitched in irritation. \”Fine then, let me give you a ride to shore then I'll leave. I'll come back to check on you in two months and if you still haven't found this creature, we work together... deal?\” He extended his hoof.
Orion narrowed his eyes at his brother's hoof. \”I am not shaking that.\”
Areion laughed loudly, \”Well fine if shaking the hand of a naked man is more agreeable than that of a horse hoof.\” Arei began to shift his form.
\”NO!\” Orion yelled out holding out his hand to block the view of his brother's shift. His eyes traveled to the heavens. \”You will only risk giving us and Father away more by doing so.\” He rolled his eyes when the horse hoof jutted back out toward him. He let out an irritated sigh as he awkwardly took the hoof and shook it.