"Heed the dictates of your heart." What dictates of
his heart? And if all had been foretold why should he not be
informed of those inevitable results? He gazed at her, started
to ask questions, then reconsidered.
"The Sileni shall return you to your craft. Lie down, in the
bottom. Do not take oar in hand. When darkness descends you
shall once more be on the river Styx. Your mission shall be
quickly done. Tell Zeus that Egeria has opened your eyes."
It transpired as she explained. Zeus, when he delivered her
message, bowed his head. "The Moira draws maps on sandy beaches,
and man and Gods dare not deviate. My boy, believe that I wish
you well. You understand, I cannot intervene in what will be."
Perhaps for the first time Demo felt real fear!
17. Lost in Time
Cronus hiccuped.
It doesn't happen often, and it rarely has much significance.
Only this time, it had significance. This time, Cronus was
busy.
He was adding a slight touch of gray to Demo's hair.
Cronus, to those not knowing, has time as his domain. Even the
gods respond to his wiles, and age even as you and I.
And Cronus was gently aging Demo.
Cronus hiccuped.
He had taken a liking to the boy since they had met on an
earlier task imposed by Zeus on Demo. So Cronus had not acted in
spite. It was only that Cronus is the master of time, and when
he hiccuped he inadvertently sent Demo flying into a time far
removed. Even this would hardly have been a problem, for Cronus
could easily have returned him.
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