You will be mine forever."
This travesty on words of love, voiced by a creature totally
devoid of humanity, brought tears to the eyes of the young
maiden.
The final task! Destroy the unseen companion! Pluto! Brother of
Zeus! More powerful than any save Zeus himself!
A tear came to Demo's eye. No mortal could accomplish this
task! Yet, though he die in the struggle, he was committed.
Athena, remember me, for I have loved you!
He was no longer tired. He drew strength from the imminent
danger.
He took a deep breath, drew an arrow from its pouch, notched it
to the string.
"You jest! What power is in your weapons?" once more Pluto
speaks.
"I have followed you far, and your arrows have not found their
mark. Do you not know, that nothing you can do will destroy me.
I am immortal. I dwell in Hades, Master of that infernal region.
Only the waters of the Tarn of Eternity can quench those flames."
He laughed, loud and harshly, without humor.
"Now stand up, tall and brave." he sneered, "I tire of this
childish game, and you are about to die."
As Pluto lifted his huge fist Demo drew the bowstring. A
threshing from the side of the pathway, distracted him.
He paused.
Before either he or Pluto could move another interfered.
From the brush a deep growl was heard, and in a moment Rough
stood in the path of the threatening fiend. He crouched, eyes
blazing.
And sprang!
Caught in mid air by a blow from the monstrous figure, Rough
fell, rolled over, lay quiet.
Pages:
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273