Aphrodite because of that business with Hephaestus, while Athena was my daughter by – well, not Hera, so let us leave it at that. I could not possibly be the judge, could I? So, I appointed Paris, a mortal, to do the honors.
Unfortunately, Paris was a lascivious womanizer although, I must admit, he was no one’s fool. He inspected these three beauties and then declared that he could not make up his mind which one was the most beautiful because of the way they were dressed. To this little problem, Paris had a brilliantly simple, and peculiarly lascivious, solution: he asked them all to remove their clothes – every last stitch – which they all did without hesitation. Oh, dear, greed and ambition are such dangerous bedfellows, don’t you agree?
And yet, what a wondrous sight! Three of the most beautiful women in the immortal world, and the mortal world come to that, standing next to each other stark naked. Amazingly, or cunningly, Paris still dithered, and that is when these three gorgeous women attempted to bribe him. Hera offered to make him king of Asia and Europe. Athena promised him wisdom and invincibility in war, while Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world: Helen of Troy, wife of the Greek king, Menelaus. No contest! Paris awarded Aphrodite the golden apple, took Helen, and thus began the Trojan War because the Greeks were royally jerked-off and badly wanted their Helen back.
The Trojan war lasted ten years and caused a major rift between us Olympian gods. Apollo, Artemis, Ares, and Aphrodite joined forces with the Trojans, while Hera and Athena, who both hated Paris for choosing Aphrodite over them, naturally aligned themselves with the Greeks as did Poseidon, Hermes, and Hephaestus. I, as supreme god of gods, tried to remain impartial although I did end up in bed with Hera, but that’s another story.
After Persephone, Athena was possibly my favorite daughter, yet, given our history, I was apprehensive as to how she would react to me. I needn’t have worried. As soon as she had gotten over her initial surprise and dressed in one of those flimsy short and delightfully revealing garments that the beauties of the mountain preferred, she raced over to me, her beautiful face all lit up, and flung her arms about me. I was glad she no longer wore that silly warrior’s helmet she was famous for, but which I has always found so unbecoming on such a beautiful woman.
‘Uncle Posey said you were sure to come and see me,’ she said eventually.
‘You have talked to Poseidon?’ I asked.
‘Oh, yes. He talked of you and Demeter in glowing terms and explained the enormous task you have set yourselves in the mortal world. Your plans sound most impressive and highly ambitious. And, I imagine, are not without considerable risk.’
‘You are so right there. Did Posey say why he is here?’ I asked.
‘Yes. He said he was worried about you and thought that you might need some support here on the mountain.’
‘That sounds as if he is on my side...’
‘Yes, of course he is. Do you doubt him?
‘Things have gotten very complicated,’ I said, and quickly told her about Demeter and Persephone’s disappearance, and Hephaestus’s claim that someone or group wanted to kill us.
She linked her arm in mine and led me to a divan near the window. KK guarded the door.
Athena was the next-best thing to Demeter’s calming and knowledgeable influence that I could wish for.
‘I think you must trust Posey...’
‘Yes, I will. Do you know where he is? I asked.
‘No, he didn’t tell me where he was going. I’m sure he will be in touch with you soon. If I see him, I’ll tell him to contact you, of course. But you are the supreme god of gods, don’t you know where everyone is?’ she asked, with a teasing twinkle in her eye.
I had to laugh.
‘You know very well that Poseidon has his own domain in the oceans and waters of the world. I don’t know what he gets up to there...’
‘But you can visit him?’ she asked.
‘Of course.”
‘Then why don’t you?’
‘Because finding Demeter and your half-sister, Persephone, is my absolute priority. That’s one of the reasons I came to you first. I thought Perse might have contacted you.’
‘No, she hasn’t,’ she said and then placed her hand reassuringly on my arm. ‘Look, you do have enemies here now, as Hephaestus warned you. Hera is one, of course. She hates Demeter for taking you from her, and Hera would certainly like to put a sizeable wedge between you and Demeter. However, I don’t think Hera would risk a direct conflict with you unless she had some pretty solid support.’
‘Have you someone in mind?’ I asked.
‘Ares would be top of my list. He has hated me since the Trojan war and would love to get even with me by destroying the great Zeus because he sees you as my protector...’
‘And I hope I am,’ I said.
She affectionately squeezed my arm.
‘I see the Trojan sympathizers, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, and Aphrodite, as your likely foes,’ she said. ‘My advice is that you should avoid them and Hera until you have linked up with Poseidon. Hermes and Hephaestus will also support you although I doubt they will be of much use.’
I knew that Hephaestus had once unsuccessfully tried to rape Athena. She had every right to despise him, and yet she was far too generous spirited to hold a grudge. I loved her dearly for that. It is that generosity of spirit that is generally so lacking in the modern mortal world. There are exceptions, of course. There always are. Hephaestus had a lot to answer for. After his assault on her virtue, Athena chose to remain a virgin and became known as Athena Parthenos, Athena the Virgin – a rather exaggerated statement of her lifestyle, I have to say.
‘Whatever you decide to do, do not forget your immortal abilities here on Olympus. Many are saying that you have lost your godly touch. You must show them that they are wrong. Their antagonism will soon fade in the light of mighty Zeus’s powers. And watch your back with Hera. She may want to make a trade with Demeter’s life; Hera cannot be trusted.’
‘You think she has Demeter?’ I asked.
‘I doubt it, but she will certainly have something to do with it.’
‘Will you become a mortal and join Demeter, Perse and me?’ I asked.
‘Why?’ she asked suspiciously.
‘Because the United States badly needs people with your moral integrity, intelligence, trustworthiness, and ability to think strategically and compassionately.’
‘Thanks for that,’ she said, laughing and affectionately squeezing my arm again. ‘I’ll think about it,’ she added.
‘You are with me in this, aren’t you? I asked.
‘Of course, I am,’ she said.
KK growled, which disturbed me, and by now you should realize why it did.
Yet it was what she said next that really sent shivers up and down my spine.
‘Did Perse enjoy the chocolates?’
Chapter 9
Mary Themison could see that her husband was deeply troubled. He had recently been to confession, and it was a long time since he had done that. She took hold of his hand and squeezed it gently.
‘Even if Posey does know about your…’ she paused, not sure how to continue, ‘…your little indiscretion with Eve Até, it was a long time ago and there is nothing he can do because I know all about it…and so does God,’ she added eventually.
‘That’s true,’ Adam said and patted her hand. ‘And you are the only one that matters to me. Even so, he could force my resignation.’
‘Sometimes I wonder if