Just as the feast was winding down, the door opened. In walked a young woman in a toga flanked by two guards. Thanks to my encounter with Leon, just the sight of the guards set my pulse pounding.
The young woman cleared her throat, commanding the attention of the room.
“Lords and ladies of Mount Olympus. I come bearing a message from Councilman Cranus and Judge Themis. It’s come to our attention that Lady Helen is residing in the Gods’ Quarters,” she said. “As a key witness, this is in clear contravention of the Dikastian Code.”
Athena jumped to her feet. “Are you suggesting that I, Athena, goddess of justice, would break Mount Olympian law?” Her voice boomed around the room. Even the messenger looked shaken for a split second.
What was going on? And what was this code all about? I didn’t want to ask what it was and betray my ignorance.
“The gods must not be seen to favour anyone on trial. Especially if they are kin. Judge Themis has ruled that it would be inappropriate for Lady Helen to share quarters with the gods during this trial.”
They were tearing me away from my family before the trial was even over.
“We have prepared lodgings in the basement, several floors away from the Gods’ Quarters,” the messenger continued.
“Unacceptable!” Athena said in a clipped tone, the scariest I had ever heard her. “A daughter of Zeus cannot sleep in the basement.”
“Lady Athena, may we remind you that no one is above the law,” the messenger said. Then she turned to me. “The basement is a much more suitable alternative, and guarantees fairness. Lady Helen, you will remain in your new lodgings until the trial tomorrow.”
Wait, what? “Athena, can they do this?” I said, running towards her.
My heart was pounding. I hated the thought of being alone. This could be my last night with my family. And I was going to spend it in a dingy basement cell under the courthouse.
Athena nodded. “Cranus is right. It’s written into our code. But it’s just one night. We’ll see you bright and early tomorrow for the trial.” She squeezed my hand gently.
I looked back at the gods, frozen at the dinner table. Their faces were blank slates, but I could have sworn that Dad’s eyes flashed bright as lightning for a second.
Two guards shuffled me out of the dining hall before anyone had a chance to see my tears.
The guards escorted me down a stone staircase slick with damp, down into the belly of the courthouse. It was dark and deathly silent, like a medieval dungeon.
Was this a glimpse into my future? If I was found guilty the next day, would I be imprisoned somewhere like this?
Being a daughter of Zeus didn’t stop me from being harassed by a guard or from spending the night in a prison cell. How much worse would it be for me if I didn’t have that status? What if the gods were stripped of their powers? A life in Mount Olympus with no one looking out for me seemed unbearably grim.
The guards stopped outside a wooden door. The one in front of me unlocked it with a key from a brass ring shaking with dozens of other keys. How many people were down here?
“Your new lodgings, my lady,” the guard said. I could hear the laugh in his voice. He was enjoying this.
The door creaked open. My eyes adjusted to the darkness as I stepped shivering into the cube of grey stone. Flame lamps lining the wall flickered into life, illuminating the room. A narrow cot-like bed sat in the corner. And absolutely nothing else. I’d seen rabbit hutches more welcoming. I couldn’t have imagined a more dank and depressing place.
I hated Cranus and his meddling. If it wasn’t for him, I’d be in the Gods’ Quarters. I’d probably have hot, running water, a soft bed, and a few more precious hours with my family.
“We will be outside, Lady Helen,” the other guard said. “As instructed, you will be released in time for your trial at sunup.”
“Wait!” I shrieked. “Can I get some hot water or a book or … something!” I couldn’t be alone with my thoughts all night. It would drive me crazy.
But the guards ignored me. The wooden door slammed shut and I heard the clack of metal bolts.
I’d never felt more alone.
My cotton toga was no match for the icebox cell. The stone walls radiated cold. I climbed in the bed, bringing the rough hemp-like sheets up to my shoulders. It felt itchy, but I was a bit warmer at least.
To be alone at a time like this felt unbelievably cruel. I wished more than ever that I could speak to Mum.
Dear Mum, I thought. I know I messed up. But I don’t deserve this. Why is my life so unfair? I can’t think about that, or else it’ll lead to a downward spiral of despair.
And the gods, my family, have it much worse really. Whatever happens tomorrow, I’ll live. I might be alone and banished to Mount Olympus. But I’ll be alive.
They could be stripped of their powers. It would be a death sentence.
Mum, I’m so scared about tomorrow’s verdict. The Council have to find us innocent. They have to. I won’t survive otherwise. How much heartache and loss can one person take?
The emotional exhaustion of the day seeped into my bones. Every sinew of muscle ached with fatigue. I was too tired to even cry.
I fell asleep with the next day weighing heavily on my mind. What other tricks could Cranus have up his sleeve?
FORTY-ONE
I woke up with a pain in my shoulder after a tense sleep on the narrow bed. The rough hemp sheet was tangled around my waist.
I sat up straight. My trial would start any moment.
The toga I wore yesterday clung to my skin. Gross. Did I have to testify in front of an entire courtroom wearing this? I looked around. The room seemed less dark and dim, somehow. I knew that morning was near. Then I noticed a table in the opposite corner of the cell. On it was a large basin, cloth, jars and a brush.
That wasn’t there last night.
I climbed out of bed and peered into the basin. The water was hot! Perfumed steam rose from the surface, scenting the room with lavender. I splashed my face, wiped it clean with a cloth and felt a million times better.
I turned around and noticed a fresh robe laid on my bed. That definitely wasn’t there last night. The objects must have arrived there courtesy of the gods. That was a much nicer thought than a guard creeping in while I slept.
I inspected the robe. On the inside, barely-there silver stitching glinted in the light. It read: May the scales of justice tip in your favour.
I smiled. It sounded like something Athena would say.
A guard unlocked my cell door and escorted me up to the courtroom. My eyes adjusted to the late morning sun pouring through the windows. Was it this bright yesterday?
The courtroom was just as crowded as the day before. The crowd even cheered when I made it to the stage. Their applause made my stomach turn. My fate was their entertainment.
My heart leapt to see the gods all seated in the front row. They smiled weakly and waved as the guards steered me towards a single throne-like chair on the stage.
Just like yesterday, the guards followed with huge terracotta pots of soil. Once activated by the handful of ash, the Bough of Demeter snapped into life. After a few moments, I was trapped by a network of stalks and leaves. The Council soon shuffled on to the benches in their monochrome robes.
Judge Themis took her spot on the podium. “Welcome, citizens of Mount Olympus. I won’t waste any time. Today we will hear about the second offence of the trial,” she said. “As you may know, Lady Helen broke our cardinal rule. She revealed her family’s immortal heritage to a mortal.”