"Now, my boy," Zeus began with a friendly smile and a pat on
the shoulder. "Now, you see, I have this problem. Nothing to
tumble Olympus, of course. Still, a problem. And you are going
to have the privilege of resolving it. It may well be your claim
to fame. No, just joking! It's really minor." He glanced around,
lowered his voice.
"My boy, it involves women. Now, I'm not a misogynist - eh, the
dictionary is on that stand over there. In spite of being . .
." He halted, glanced carefully around once more. "In spite of
being married to Hera, I do love and respect beautiful women."
"However, I am Zeus! I am master of the heavens, of earth - and
if Pluto would fight fair, of even the nether world! And in
spite of that these three - Women! - are flaunting their power
as though I were impotent. Powerless!"
The clouds were forming one on top of another over Olympus.
Suddenly Hera entered, and angry look on her face. "Not over my
flower bed. You've already washed away two of them. Stop it!
Right now!"
Zeus blinked. "Yes, of course, my dear. Merely explaining a few
things to the boy here." He took a deep breath, let it out
slowly while watching the clouds with anxious eye. They slowly
began to dissipate. Zeus smiled a wan smile.
"Lovely woman. A little impetuous at times. Loves that garden."
"Let me see. We were talking about this little task. Well, what
I'd really like for you to do is to bring me some items. It's
kind of a game, really. Yes, a game. A scavenger hunt!"
"And you, my boy, you will undoubtedly be successful. Three
items. Simple little items. Nothing controversial. No indeed.
Wouldn't think of it."
"Have you ever been on a scavenger hunt?"
"No. No, sir. Never."
"Really great fun. I recall when I and this bevy of Naiads . .
. Well, no need to trouble your mind over that . . ." Zeus was
silent for a moment, a slight smile on his lips as he reminisced.
"On a scavenger hunt you go out and locate the items you have
been told to bring back. And you bring them back, and you win.
That simple. So be on your way, now. Don't slam the door."
"Yes, sir. I mean, no sir. The items, sir?"
"Oh, of course. A pair of scissors. I told you, nothing rare or
controversial. Thread. Yes, plain, ordinary old thread. And a
spinning wheel. A little large and awkward. But, I assure you,
not too much so for a youth of strength and stamina. Three
items. I think you'll enjoy this scavenger hunt. I really do."
"There are those - you'll find this unbelievable, but have
faith - There are those who believe they have the power of life
and death. Well, I'll have you know it lies in my hands. Do you
doubt? Shall I demonstrate?" Zeus face was reddening, and clouds
were once more forming above Olympus.
In fact, he noted them. "Ah, well, yes, have to watch that.
Let's not become perturbed. Oh, Heavens no. My boy, enjoy your
scavenger hunt." He waved grandly.
"Oh, let me help you a little. Three sisters, and I'll not tell
you their names, have the very objects for which you search.
Lovely ladies, and I'm sure they'll do all they can to bring
your search to a quick end. Very quick."
He found himself in the midst of a glade. And well it was, for
rain was beginning to fall, and the trees protected him from the
cold drops. Scissors, thread, and a spinning wheel. Why, he
thought, I can get those from Mother.
Suddenly a shudder ran through him. He did not move. He knew.
The unseen companion was there. Waiting, waiting - waiting for
what? What event would trigger the inhuman hatred radiated by
this strange creature. Always there. Never fully seen.
He rose slowly, glanced fearfully around the glade. "Come out,
if you dare. I await your pleasure."
He thought he heard the rustle of leaves. Quickly he glanced
upward. The leaves were indeed moving. This time they were
stirred by a vagrant breeze. He shook his head.
He knew - though he knew not how - that the scissors, thread,
and spinning wheel of his mother would not serve. These must
come from the three sisters. The lovely ladies mentioned by
Zeus. In the back of his mind he thought of stories he had
heard. Perhaps, at some early age, he had heard of the three
sisters. Sadly, he could not remember. Who are they, and where
do they dwell?
Startled, he looked up. The leaves were again moving. This
time, no breeze caused this disturbance.
A large bird, perhaps a white owl, flew rapidly through the
forest and in its wake soft white down marked a trail. A trail
he knew he must follow.
The skies darkened as he stalked deeper and deeper into the
forest. In time the wooded vales grew even darker, and the sky
no longer came to view. A thought formed in his mind, he knew
not how. He knew for whom he searched.
The thought brought sweat to his brow. The Sisters of Night!
How often had he heard the legends, the strange tales. How often
had they spun the thread, how often cut it! It must be they. The
Sisters of Night!
He was lost. The trail was no longer marked ahead, and behind
was only darkness. Slowly he inched forward, hoping for a clue.
A simple indication of which way to proceed.
He heard the sound and joy almost made him sing out. She has
returned, he thought, glancing to his right. And then he froze.
Indeed he had heard sound. And indeed was something there.
Something huge and monstrous, too near to be imagination; too
far to be clearly seen. The unseen companion! With him still!
He notched his arrow. It was too late. Even as he moved the
rain fell heavy and he could make out, not even the trees before
him. He waited. Only silence. No further sounds were heard. With
a sigh he returned the arrow to its pouch.
A flash of lightning lit a rocky rise before him, and he noted
the mouth of a huge cave. Slowly he inched up to the opening,
slowing stared into its depth.
Though nothing met his eyes, yet there seemed a light, a small
flickering light, somewhere in its deep within. Cautiously he
moved forward.
"Welcome, Welcome, Young man! We've been waiting. What kept you
so long? Hurry along now, The thread is growing short. Come
along."
He blinked. She wasn't there a moment ago! Waiting for me? I
don't understand!
"Madame, there is a mistake. You couldn't have been waiting for
me. I don't know you. I had no intention of stopping here. I . .
."
She smiled. And though she were old and wrinkled, her eyes
brightened like a happy child's. "Come along. You'll understand
by and by. Come along."
She led him ever deeper into the cavern. The flickering light
grew ever brighter, and seemed to flicker no more. Finally his
companion motioned for him to stop. "Mustn't frighten them.
'Twould be terrible if they made a mistake. Terrible!"
"Clotho, he has arrived. Lachesis, welcome him. Come, my dear."
She led him forward, and he bowed to the ladies who looked up
from their labor, glanced at him without emotion or even
interest.
"Girls, girls, are we that old! Look at him. Isn't he a
handsome one. Ah, how sad. To die so young!"
"Atropos, your were always one to talk too much. Here are your
scissors. Now get on with it!"
Clotho was busy spinning a thread. Her spindle moved slowly at
times, then rapidly. Lachesis, bent forward, examining the
thread, comparing its length to an unseen measuring stick.
"Right about there, sister dear. Oh, give him another inch. No
harm done. He is a handsome young man."
Atropos looked at the scissors handed her, sighed. "I would it
were otherwise, young man. But we are duty bound. Nothing can
stay us from our labor."
Wide-eyed he stood as the scissors opened, approached the
thread. "Wait! Zeus, Zeus, He wants you. You must cease
immediately. He eagerly awaits your company."
"Zeus! Olympus! Parties! Dancing! He wants us. Child, you can't
mean it. 'Twas he who banished us to this cold, dank cave. And
now he wishes our return? Well, he's plainly drunk too much of
that nectar. I knew it would eventually get to him. Clotho, have
you a thread for Zeus?"
"Oh, never. Well, I admit, I tried. After all, it wasn't at all
nice of him to send us here. Anyway, it kept unraveling."
"Lachesis, give the boy another foot or two. Oh, give him an
extra yard. Boy, we'll get dressed as soon as we've put away our
tools. Zeus wants to see us!"
"Eh, please, don't put away your tools. He is extremely
interested in your skills. You must bring them along."
"Learned to appreciate us, has he? My, how many eons has it
taken! Oh, very well."
He led the way and in due time they arrived at Olympus. "Wait
at the gate, I'll announce your coming." He smiled at their
activities.
Clotho was practicing her curtsies, Lachesis her bows. Atropos
smiled a broad smile, then a more reserved one, then tried a
calm yet quiet visage.
"Zeus, sir, I have them. I have them."
"Well done. Amazing. No! Not really. I always knew you had the
right stuff. Of course, to scavenge the items I fear you had to
terminate the owners. It is sad. Still, what can one do? Bring
them in, bring them in. Scissors, thread, and spinning wheel!
Wonderful, wonderful!"
"Oh, no sir. I didn't have to terminate them. In fact, they're
here. Come in ladies, and receive your welcome."
Zeus opened his mouth, closed it. He looked at the three
Sisters of Night. He looked at Demo.
"Yes, brought them with you. Yes, very thoughtful of you. Thank
you, my boy, thank you. Don't call me, I'll call you."
With that Demo found himself in his own home, in his own room,
rolling off his own bed with a thud.
Rough barked joyously, leaped upon him in frantic welcome.
"Ah, that Zeus! I really wish he'd not do it that way," he said
aloud. "Mother, I'm hungry!"