"A family reunion would be nice. I really don't get around as
much as I used to. The job, you know. Duties. Responsibilities.
You humans! You just don't understand how vexing it can be,
being a God. Why, every day, day in and day out, I've got to
have the sun rise. No big chore, but it's only one of many."
Zeus shook his head.
"The moon, if I don't watch her, goes wandering off. Messes up
the tides terribly. Disconcerting to young lovers, too!"
He looked, head cocked to the side, at Demo.
"So, what may I ask, do you want here at Olympus?"
For a moment Demo was nonplused.
"Sire, I gathered you had sent for me. I came not of my own
volition. Perhaps some other has need of my services . . . ?"
"Somebody is playing games, and they are surely going to get
themselves into a mess of trouble. Yes! A mess . . . of . . .
trouble!" Zeus glanced around, a thoughtful expression on his
face.
A titter sounded from the inner hallway.
Zeus glanced at Demo to see whether he had noted the sound.
Demo was silent. Best to leave all surmises alone. After all,
he thought, who am I to criticize the dalliances of Zeus.
Zeus smiled.
"Anyway, you are here, so let's get you started on another
exciting excursion. By the way, you've really done remarkably
well, and I am proud of you. Here, let me give you a slight
token."
He thought a moment, smiled once more, and waved his hands
nonchalantly in the air. The medal was large and shiny as Zeus
slipped the supporting chain over Demo's head. Demo took the
medal in his hands, read the legend thereon. Although the words
were difficult to read in an inverted position he managed to
decipher them.
"For Ungodly Support to the Gods."
Zeus kissed him on one cheek, then the other. "I'm never sure
the order in which I'm supposed to do that. Never mind. If I got
it wrong, we'll merely change the ritual."
He glanced rather anxiously toward the hallway.
"Young man, rather quickly now. I want you to drop in on
Poseidon. Lovely fellow, you'll like him. Eh, don't ever discuss
fishing with him. He has a dread of the subject. I was fishing
one day and he nibbled at the bait, and . . . Anyway, a subject
not to be discussed. Where was I . . . ?" Zeus glared at Demo as
though the boy had stolen his train of thought.
"Take this bag with you, and give it into his hands, and his
only. He'll know what to do. By the way, do you own a bathing
suit?"
Zeus, Olympus, and all else seemed to be fading away. Demo
seemed to hear, faintly, Zeus scolding. "Now, you know you
aren't supposed to play with my powers. You just leave that
young man alone, my dear. I'm such an ogre when I'm jealous."
He landed with a splash.
Zeus' aim was plainly off.
Almost always he had landed in his home, the forest. But this?
The middle of a stream, of course. He slipped under the water,
propelled himself upward, glancing quickly around at the height
of his watery leap. A shudder went through him.
No river, this!
Neither shores, nor the green forest, nor the high mountains of
home!
Water, only water! Deep blue water, extending as far as eye
could see. Blue . . . and salty. Surely he had landed in the
ocean!
"Zeus, Oh, Zeus! I do think you may have erred . . . only
slightly, of course. Zeus . . . ?"
"Who dares call on Zeus, when he swims in my domain? How come
you here, earthling? Where is your ship? Do you not fear my
watchdogs, the great sharks that guard my kingdom. And why call
you on Zeus. Poseidon rules these waves!
"I . . . My name is Demo. I was merely doing an errand for
Zeus. And, through some mischance, I landed in these waters.
Perhaps you can direct me to the nearest shore?"
"Mischance, eh? Well, Zeus is putting on the years . . . Odd,
but he may be losing his grip. Oughta spend more time at the
seashore. Relaxing. Yes indeed." The voice seemed to emanate
from a puff-fish, which floated rather nonchalantly at arms
length away.
"The nearest shore. Of course. You earthlings. I would invite
you down for a meal, but you lack the necessary organs to join
me. Toward the setting sun. A small island. I'll race you!"
Demo looked to the west. Water, only water.
"Is it, well, very far?"
"No, no! Just a good swim away. Ah, forgive me. It could be a
bit strenuous for you. I'll take care of it, though." The
puff-fish whistled loudly, popped up above the water to peruse
its surface.
"Here he comes."
Demo followed the puff-fish's gaze. He wished he hadn't!
The shark was approaching at alarming speed. Its fin split the
water's smooth surface, drawing ever closer. Demo's eyes widened.
"Hey, that's a shark!"
"Yes, yes indeed! Actually, merely a minnow as sharks grow.
Actually, he was the only one in the area, so I flagged him
down. Oh, taxi, right this way."
The shark circled slowly, at times rising to the surface, its
cold eyes regarding Demo with hungry interest.
"None of that, now! Just come over here and let him ride upon
your back. Over to the island, and be quick about it. I don't
care to wait. And I do so enjoy shark steaks."
The shark stopped dead, then slowly swam alongside Demo, who
clambered aboard.
The trip was indeed swiftly completed. Though it ended swiftly,
not swiftly enough. Not before the shark, perhaps to show its
displeasure, several times dived deep.
Coughing and spewing saltwater, Demo suffered the torments
with little grace. As they reached the shallows off the island
he quickly dismounted, swam toward the waiting beach.
The shark swam with him, circling ahead and behind, and
occasionally taking a playful nip at Demo's heels. Amazing how
playful nips at one's heels improves one's swimming skills!
As he waded toward the shore a sudden wave roared in. Massive
torrents of water tore over him, knocked him to his knees. When
he groggily arose he saw before him, in all his oceanic
splendor, a figure of majestic proportions.
"You are on an errand for Zeus, are you shipmate? And may I
inquire to what port ye are bound? I may well give thee
favorable winds and gentle seas, if it so please me."
"Sire, I seek the master of the deeps, Poseidon himself. I have
this missive to convey to him."
"Well, now, you've laid your course well, and have made already
landfall. Lower your sails, matey, for I be Poseidon, he whom
you seek. Let me look upon this important missive. My, my, from
Zeus himself!"
Demo proffered the missive, astonished at his good luck in so
quickly completing his task.
Poseidon opened the package, pulled out a long roll of papyrus.
"Well, a letter from Zeus! I didn't know he could write!"
He read the Zeus' letter, looked contemplatively out to sea,
then read it once more. "Have you read this missive, my good
lad?"
"Oh, no, Sire. It would not do, you know!"
The calm look on Poseidon's face had disappeared. Anger seemed
to be mounting, and his face grew first red, then purple as an
angry sea.
"Then let me tell you what this is. This is a bill. And not an
ordinary bill. Our good Zeus says, says he: 'Your past bills for
the water I have supplied you have not been paid. Your rates are
therefore doubled, and the present bill also includes a penalty
for late payment and excess water usage. Return payment in full
with the boy, or suffer the consequences."
"How dare he! To send such a bill to Poseidon! I rule the waves
and all the water under them! Penalties! I am somewhat annoyed
by your missive, shipmate. Have you heard the term, keelhaul?
It's an old custom to keelhaul those who arouse the ire of
Poseidon. And, in the absence of Zeus, mayhap we shall keelhaul
his emissary."
Demo looked around. He saw no sign of emissary, none to serve
for the aforementioned keelhauling.
Demo shivered.
"Eh, Sire, he seems not to have an emissary handy. Should I
see such an emissary, I shall most certainly direct him to you,
so that he may participate in the keelhauling. Anyway, now my
mission is complete, and I must report back to Zeus."
"Oh, no! I wouldn't think of such a thing. Come aboard, come
aboard! Ho the dinghy, we'll be going directly to the ship. Look
lively, now!"
Demo followed Poseidon's gaze. Where the sea had been empty now
floated a three master, its sails furled. And on the beach a
dinghy, manned by a scurvy looking crew of ill-clothed sailors.
"Yes, indeed. I can see you are impressed by her lines. Only
wait 'til you are on board. We shall have a sumptuous feast in
your honor. Ah, you haven't eaten until you've partaken of the
food from my galley. Come along!"
Demo examined, surreptitiously, the oarsmen. Though they rowed
with vigor, their faces remained expressionless, their eyes
empty. He felt as though he were looking on the spirits of
drowned sailors, condemned to these chores for eternity.
"Quickly, now, laddie! Up the ladder. Hold her steady, boys. I
wouldn't have the youngster get wet, not yet."
Somehow the last two words disturbed Demo. He wasn't exactly
sure why.
"Keelhauling, I didn't explain it to you, did I. Well, it's a
sport we indulge in at times. Gives the lads a chance to get in
their exercise. The way it works is, we take a . . . eh, a
volunteer. We tie his hands behind him, wrap a hawser around
him, and toss off the bow. The boys pull the hawser from stem to
stern, from starboard to larboard, all around the good ship back
to the bow once more. Jolly good fun!"
Demo listened wide-eyed and speechless.
"I see you are impressed! And so you should be. I've a very
good mind to let you volunteer. Give you a chance to show off
your mettle. Yes, I just may give you the chance." Poseidon's
voice held a tone of anger to match his angry face.
"And the sea is of like mind. Have you ever seen such waves!
Keelhauling today would indeed be great sport!"
"Sire, I fear I would provide poor sport indeed. With hands
free I swim like a rock. With them tied I fear I would never
surface at all."
"Well, don't fret. That happens all the time. Ruins the fun, of
course. Keep in mind, though, that we always give the volunteer
a solemn burial at sea. A very impressive ceremony. You would
truly appreciate it."
The prospect of participating in a keelhauling - in fact, of
being the keelhaulee - grew less and less desirable as Poseidon
explained the term.
"But, first, a good meal. We'll start with some bacon and eggs.
Delicious bacon, and the eggs are cooked in the bacon grease. A
delightful meal. And you probably thought we'd be dining on
cockles and mussels and nought from the dry land. No, no! We
feed our guests well. Yes, indeed!"
The rolling of the ship as the waves struck, the thought of the
greasy bacon and greasy eggs - the very idea of eating -
nauseated Demo.
With a sigh he stared out at the watery scene.
The sea, which had been so blue and calm early in the day, now
frowned with graygreen surface and waves that reached, at times,
the foot of the crowsnest. The wind blew with a sonorous tone,
reminiscent of the dirges played at village funerals. And above
all the sky looked down with a gray visage, pockmarked with
black clouds.
From these, more and more frequently, lightning flashed to
better display the scene.
Flying fish swam deep, and dolphins sported not. Gulls and
terns were not to be seen.
And yet . . . .
And yet a bird flew. Battered by the wind, drenched by falling
rain, its powerful wings brought it ever closer to the ship. A
huge white bird . . . .
Demo eyes brightened. Could it be her? Here, in this dreadful
storm!
Indeed it was.
She landed beside them, assumed the form of a goddess.
"Well, uncle, you sail rough seas this day. I've come to ask of
you a favor, for I am in love and what Cupid cannot grant, the
mighty Poseidon may well provide."
"Ah, little niece, delightful to have you on board. The boy and
I were discussing some manly sport for later in the day. Perhaps
you can stay. It should be amusing."
"Come, Uncle, let us go forward to where the bow leaps from the
depths. I want to feel the force of the waves, the blast of the
windy gusts. No fair weather sailor I. Boy, stay! We shall
return."
With anxious mien Demo awaited their return. He was sure his
own fate was being discussed. Could she control even the power
of Poseidon? A shiver went through him, whether from the cold
rain and wind or from his own fears, he knew not.
"My boy, forgive me. I knew not your qualities. Athena, my
dearest niece, has told me of your exploits. My, you are much
too shy and retiring. If I had done the deeds she attributes to
you, I would blare them out for the world to hear. Come, join
Athena and myself at a table set to honor you."
The attitude of Poseidon had changed indeed. And the smile of
Athena erased all fear and doubt from Demo's mind. Even the sea
now grew calm, and the winds died to mere gentle breezes. Demo
thought, 'The wonder of a woman!'
"Before you return to Zeus - with a message I wish to dispatch
- I would have you assist me with a problem. I'm sure it will
take but a little of your time, and you shall certainly be
rewarded well."
"Sire, I would willingly serve, but . . . "
"Good, good! Then it's settled. Have you, perchance, heard of
Oceanus, and of my henchman Proteus!"
"Vaguely, I recall the names."
"Eh, you shall get to know them well. Perhaps you will know
them better than you would care to. I think so. Well, enough for
now. Let us enjoy the feast." Poseidon smiled.
They dined well. The wealth of the sea contributed to
Poseidon's table. Yet were missing the flesh of the sea calves,
a delicacy for which his table was famed. Amphitrite, Poseidon's
wife, commented on the lapse.
"Proteus, long our herdsman for the sea calves, has left us to
follow Oceanus. For Oceanus has returned, and attempts to
reclaim these watery regions from the rightful authority of my
beloved Poseidon. It is sad, for only strife can result, and the
death of heroes."
Poseidon glanced at her, then addressed Demo.
"I had intended to delay this conversation until after our
repast. However, since the subject is broached, let me appeal to
you." He sat silently for a moment, a slight frown on his face.
"These domains were passed to me from Oceanus, in the early
times when the Old Gods lost their powers. Even as Zeus was
given the heavens, and Pluto the netherworld, so received I the
raging waters, the ocean depths, and all creatures who take to
the sea. And the Titans, who had long held power, were exiled to
Tartarus."
His face grew grim.
"I have ruled well this maritime kingdom. The fisherman takes
his catch, the traveler sojourns on peaceful seas, the water
nymphs sing along the quiet streams. Yet Proteus, when still he
served me, prognosticated of evil times. In words strange and
cryptic he warned of a usurper who would wrest from me my very
throne."
Amphitrite patted his hand, and for a moment he smiled.
"Athena has told me of your services to Zeus, of your courage
and your deeds. I now am in dire stress, and would send you on a
task. A task to thwart the avarice of Oceanus, and end this
madness."
"My dolphin, my sea chariot, and my horses are at your
disposal. I have little guidance to provide, little help to
offer. You should know this. When Oceanus ruled these waves the
seas were wild and no ship dared sail. Under my rule calm seas
have greeted the sailor, and steady winds have filled his sail.
I would keep it so."
"Tomorrow, at break of day, my chariot and steeds shall be at
your disposal. My dolphin shall act as a guardian, to warn you
in times of danger, and protect as best he can. As for the rest,
it is left with you."
After the meal they went on deck. The seas were calm, sparkling
with strange luminescent lights where played the flying fish.
The moon rose, its light reflected from the water's surface.
Demo and Athena stood quietly at the bow of the ship, enthralled
even as we by the beauty and majesty of the sea.
Poseidon and Amphitrite watched the couple for a moment, then
looked at each other with a smile. "I think she chooses well,"
Amphitrite voiced quietly.
Poseidon nodded.
Demo walked with his hand in that of Athena, bathed in her
smile. Strange that Zeus did not interfere!
Premonitions occupied his mind, and even as he pressed the
warmth of her against him he shivered. Waiting for him, he knew,
was the unseen companion. And a destiny he could not fathom.
She sensed his mood, touched his cheek lightly with her hand.
"Would I could remove this curse from you. Understand that it is
not given even to me to see the final scene. Yet my love will be
with you. Ah, 'tis time. The moon is sinking into the sea, and I
must be a-wing ere it fade from sight. Fare the well, my
wanderer. Return safely to me."
He looked at the moon, now half hidden by the horizon. Turning
he found her gone. The beat of wings above the ship, and the
silhouette of an owl against the moon, marked her going.
Demo stood, disconsolate, listening to the quiet lap of the
waves against the bow, the groan of taut hawsers, the gentle
flap of furled sails in a light breeze. Tomorrow a different
adventure - one from which he might not return. Well, morning
comes swiftly. He sought his bunk, slept well, rocked by the
gentle swells of the vast ocean.
The chariot rode smoothly and swiftly over the surface of the
sea, pulled by a brace of stallions even a warrior might ride
eagerly. Led by the dolphin they raced he knew not where. To
search for Oceanus, whom he had never seen; to look for Proteus,
who changed form at will - what strange adventure this. Perhaps,
what hopeless adventure.
Yet they pressed on. The sun rose and lightened a glistening
sea, deep blue mirroring the blue of the sky. And as far as
sight could see, nothing. Only the endless surface, stretching
from horizon to horizon.
Still on the dolphin sped, close followed by the steeds. Never
had he ridden with such speed, never had he seen an ocean
without end. Sun overhead, he felt the warmth of its rays, even
though the cool ocean breeze gentled its beams and he felt only
comfort.
They came upon the shore so quickly that he was surprised. The
mighty stream rushed into the sea, a current that stretched even
beyond the sight of land. They had approached from the side.
Suddenly the dolphin leaped into the air, twisting sideward, and
swam slowly in a circle. The team slowed, halted the chariot at
land's edge.
What was he to find here? He recognized nothing. Beyond the
mouth of the river the trees grew profusely, hiding the upper
reaches from his view. The near shore was rock strewn, but
marked with wide sandy stretches. Inland the land rose slowly,
then reached a escarpment, a huge vertical stone wall.
He waded to the shore, looked for edible plants near the
river's brink. Strange plants grew in scattered clumps, but
nothing that he recognized. He sat down, gazed out to sea. On
the far horizon white cumulus clouds were forming. Finally he
picked some of the native plants, examined them carefully.
Perhaps they had some food value. They might serve for greens,
or even a salad. Reluctantly he munched on a leaf.
The taste was bland. Still, there seemed to be little else with
which to satisfy his appetite. At least, it would fill his
stomach.
He had eaten a handful, leaned back to rest, when he noted a
shadow on the sand. Quickly he looked up.
He had felt no alarm. Surely this monstrous creature was not
the unseen companion!
"I came swiftly, yet plainly not swiftly enough. I am sorry.
You have eaten the herb, and the curse of Glaucus is even now
working in your body.
"I pity you, young man. You have eaten of the herbs that
brought me to the state you see. Soon you will feel a mild
desire to enter the water. And if you resist it will grow ever
stronger. At last you will respond, and when you do, your body
will change as did mind. You too suffer the curse of Glaucus!
Demo stared at him in distaste. Yet, fearfully, he knew it was
true. Even now he felt the urge to enter the beckoning sea. His
mind saw visions of deep lagoons populated with swarms of fish,
great manta rays, swimming amidst brilliantly colored coral
reefs. His skin felt dry and sere. He must swim in the warm
ocean, or he would surely die.
Quickly he rose to his feet. Glaucus looked down, did not move.
Demo walked slowly to the beach, looked back at this, his weird
visitor. Finally, closing his eyes, he stepped into the water.
He felt the change begin even as the soft waves touched his
ankle. He rushed forward, threw himself headlong into the soft
waves lapping the shore. He heard a roaring in his ears, his
muscles ached, and for a moment his eyes were sightless.
It was done!
He did not ask. He looked at the scaly hands, the strangely
webbed fingers and toes. The curse of Glaucus. The adventure was
over. Athena was lost to him forever. Now he was but another
denizen of the deep, a strange monster in the ocean's depths.
The dolphin swam near.
"You are one of us, now. I know not whether the process can be
reversed. In any event, in this form I can take you to Proteus,
if it is your will?"
"Proteus? What matters it now. He would set upon me, for I
resemble nothing but a monster of the deep." Yet, reluctantly,
Demo swam with the dolphin through boundless seas 'til night
darkened the eastern sky.
"Down. We must go down. Here Proteus waits, prepares for the
coming of Oceanus. He works busily, his eight great arms ever
assembling the throne on which Oceanus would sit. Come with me
to the depths."
With each moment they swam ever deeper. The blue-green waters
of the surface darkened, took on a purplish tinge, grew ever
more impenetrable by the eye. Yet, far below, a light gleamed
dimly, or lights. And it was toward those lights they made their
way.
At first the fish had swam and played, delighted with their
company. Butterfly fish flitted by, seahorses danced in a
vertical ballet, and in the distance the sharks circled, ever
accompanied by the pilot fish.
With each fathom they penetrated the fish grew ever fewer, even
as did the light. The warm surface waters were no more, replaced
by chill drafts from far below. And colder still the waters as
their passage continued.
The source of light became more evident as they drew nigh. Red
and glowing lava, flowing in an endless stream, lit the massive
peak from which it flowed. The stream near the volcano's mouth
glowed brightly, and lava flow around the peak retained the glow
until the heat was quenched by the frigid waters.
Water and steam and bubbles swirled ever upward above the
melted stone, a seething cylinder of white illuminated by the
light beneath. And there, on the edge of the molten magma,
Proteus worked his work.
His giant squid-shaped body was limned by the magma's red
light. He coiled his tentacles around huge boulders, tore them
from their rest. These he sat in place, building a massive
throne, the throne of Oceanus.
The task progressed. Nevertheless, even as he worked the Gods
of fire struck out against the defilement of their melted
artistry. A belch of white-hot lava erupted, brushed aside the
mighty throne. In hasty retreat Proteus swam quickly, tentacles
drawn in to escape the edge of the crimson river. He drove
across the watery waste, propelled by the force of inky jet
fluids.
His passage brought him to the very spot whereat they waited.
His eyes looked upon them in neither curiosity nor fear. So long
as Demo and his dolphin guide did not interfere with Proteus'
movement they were ignored.
Demo watched the undersea volcano, the fiery eruption with its
steaming seawater, molten stones. 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.
He'll never give up the Golden Isles."
Turning to the dolphin Demo ignored the last remark. "Take me
to the isle where I first assumed this form. There I knew
Glaucus. Perhaps there he still remains."
Lying in the waves Demo gazed anxiously at the shore. There
grew the horrid plants, the occasion of his unhappy condition.
But nowhere was Glaucus to be seen. The waves gently washed upon
the deserted beach, and terns and gulls flew low above them in
search of food. High above white cumulus clouds floated in an
azure sky. Even as he gazed one began to obscure the brilliant
sun, casting a dark and cooling shadow on earth and sea.
The dolphin grew restless, swimming back and forth to release
its pent-up energy. "Go, search these seas for one such as I.
Tell him that a friend waits here. A friend who may well have a
remedy for this curse from which we suffer."
The dolphin willingly began his search. No lover of indolence
was he.
Diligent though he was, he searched to no avail. Glaucus was
not to be found. Eventually, nigh day's end, the dolphin swam
once more to Demo, confided to him his failure.
"Know you of Scylla? The six headed monster who takes her toll
on those following their trade on the sea? Go where she waits
her prey, and look there for Glaucus. For there was a time,
before Circe in anger molded this hideous creature, that Scylla
was a maiden fair. Yes, a maiden loved of Glaucus. Search for
him near that abode, for he will not wander far from his true
love."
Through the night Demo slept in the gentle tide, washed by warm
waves. The phosphorescent sea stretched as far as eye might
follow, dropping below a distant horizon. Flying fish played
above its surface, and seahorses danced beneath. All was silent,
save for the soft waves caressing the shore.
He dreamed.
Of Athena, of home, of what he had now become.
The roar of incoming waves awoke him. A seafog covered the
shoreline, and heavy waves were forming with the incoming tide.
He dove into the oncoming wave, swam deep to calmer waters.
There played bigeyed butterfly fish, colored with a palette of
white and black and orange. Silversides swam, and among the
floating weeds wanderer crabs creep. Seahorses cavort, and at
times the young were exploded in droves from the fathers pouch.
Shoreward, where rocky outcrops lay, seasnails moved slowly,
devouring the algae on their way.
He sensed, rather than saw, their approach.
They came swiftly. The Dolphin swimming in happy glee, Glaucus
following at a more subdued pace. After explanations Glaucus
willingly accompanied him to Proteus lair.
The pact was sealed. Glaucus would be returned to his prior
form. Proteus was to return once more to Poseidon's service.
"And myself?" Demo queried.
"It shall be as with Glaucus."
Proteus smiled, if one can say a squid smiles. At least, he
grimaced.
"How, then, do we deal with Oceanus? You know of his rekindled
ambition. What can be done to placate one such as he?"
They talked long, examining the problem each from his own
perspective. "It is a problem without solution!" exclaimed
Proteus. "He seems invincible. Yet even he must have some
weakness, some hidden defect that might be his downfall." Demo
spoke with little assurance.
"None. No, there is not niche in his armor. Any weakness in
another is lacking in him. I should know. Weekly, before the
Golden Isles fell to Glaucus, Oceanus and I played round after
round of golf on those shores. I observed him, talked to him,
learned of his history. He opened up to me. I tell you, no,
Oceanus has no weaknesses."
"What, of all things, does Oceanus most enjoy?"
Proteus sat quietly, only the tips of his tentacles wriggling.
"He enjoys thoroughly power. He likes, of course, a round of
golf. And to talk. Little else."
"Ah, let us wend our way to Poseidon. There is much to be done."
Indeed there was. Day after day they worked with Poseidon,
taught him skills foreign to his domain. With Proteus he visited
the Golden Isles, the throne intended for Oceanus, and learned
much along the way.
"Proteus, when comes Oceanus?"
"That I know not. But this I know, the waves shall not be
still, nor the ocean calm, with his coming."
Demo woke with the leaping and bounding of the three-master.
The ship moaned in the throes of an angry sea. The planks bent
and gave, and sea water sloshed in the hold. Above, the wind
tore at the furled sails. The hawsers, stretched taut, groaned
under the torment. Seabirds landed on the deck, sought shelter
from the storm.
"Is it now? Has he come?"
Proteus, now in human form, nodded. "It is surely Oceanus. I
will address him. He will listen to me." Proteus spoke with
little assurance, his eyes watching the ever wilder sea.
"Oceanus, 'tis I, your old friend, Proteus. We would meet with
you, on the Golden Isles. Poseidon is amenable to concessions.
He would negotiate with you. This day we sail for the Golden
Isles."
The words seemed to have little effect. Then, gradually, the
winds died, and the waves grew ever smaller. A light breeze
rose, steady, blowing toward the Golden Isles.
Quickly the sails were unfurled. The ship rode smoothly and
swiftly toward the distant shore. In the bilge sea water
continued to slop, gradually was dumped over the side.
"A gift, Zeus, from Poseidon." Demo handed Zeus a golf club,
handle of gold.