Still, it was not the grandeur
of the scene that held his attention.
In the midst of the burning mass a dark object stood, arms
folded, eyes focused in deadly hatred on Demo.
The unseen companion!
With a shudder Demo closed his eyes, opened them once more. The
vision was gone. Only the angry red lava remained. He shook his
head, turned once more to the job at hand.
"Proteus, I am sent by Poseidon to reason with you."
The tentacles suddenly coiled spasmodically. The creature moved
cautiously away, halted, then approached once more.
"Poseidon knows full well why I have left his service. I served
him well as herdsman, and in reward the Golden Isles were to be
mine. They have gone to another, Glaucus, who is only a
trespasser in these watery depths."
"Glaucus, he who was transformed from human form to one such as
I?"
"Indeed! He whom I would drive from these waters with all good
will."
Demo was silent. Suddenly a spume of molten lava shot from the
peek of the volcano. The explosive eruption drove them back,
even as the red liquid followed a steamy path, lighting the
depths around them. Only Proteus observed nature's fury with
equanimity.
With a shudder Demo ignored the roiled waters. "Proteus, let me
deal with Glaucus. Should I convince him to return to the land
from whence he came, can you in your wisdom return him once more
to human form?"
"Willingly, willingly. I tell you, though, I know his kind.
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