Pirate Princess

Chapter 12

I need to get to the sea and find my crew. The only way for a mortal to get to Mount Olympus is to travel to the ends of the Earth and leap over the side into the burning pit of hell. Once there, I’ll need to pay the boat man to take me across the river Styx and sneak into Hades castle. From there I should find a golden door that would lead me into Mount Olympus’ dining room. I don’t know where the jail is, but I’m sure it can’t be that hard to find.

That night, we made camp near a hallow tree just on the outskirts of the woods. I sit around the campfire with Cinder between my legs and Magic grazing on grass nearby. I talk to them about the prophecy I just heard from the Fates and about Ares’ strange encounter. “’She rides upon the dark and the light’…. By her side is a castaway too …Well, I do ride a black and white horse, so that line makes sense and Cinder is a castaway of the gods' three-headed dog.” Cinder barks his agreement and Magic whinnies hers.

“Okay, next line…’It will take two to run this kingdom; one will balance out the other’…That must mean that there are to be two rulers of Pearl Shores and they are better together as one. This next line has me confused, ‘The sea and the land must learn to rule as one.’ Any suggestions?” Cinder and Magic both look at me in confusion. How can these elements rule? My only clue to this line is what the Witch said in my jail cell. She called me the sea. If I am the sea, then who is the land? Michel?

“Alright next line then, ‘Both fates balance on the edge of an arrow tip. If one falls, so shall the kingdom and the other.’ That line is obvious, so let’s move to the next line, ‘The sea must help the land find her, dark, while the land must teach the sea her light.’ Umm, so the sea is evil and the land is good but they must both help each other find the good and bad in themselves… ‘Dark forces monitor seas’ fate, she can feel their interference but she does not know it is them.’ As I think about this one my encounter with Ares comes to mind. He is a dark force and so are most of the Gods. Most of them dislike me for reasons I do not know. “So if I am the sea, and the dark forces are the Gods, then that must mean they are watching my every move and probably trying to manipulate me into doing their bidding.” Cinder and Magic both nod in agreement with that realization.

“’Her eye must see and her heart must be unlocked from where it remains chained.’” How is my heart chained? For this I need to see Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. The last two lines also make some sense, ‘She is of royal blood but also of a thief’s make, trained to be the most ruthless. The other is also of the royal line but lacks her rightful airs.’ But I don’t understand the part about royal blood and thief’s making.” Maybe I should ask Bryan about this if I ever see him again. Oh how I miss my crew.

“Cinder, I must find a dove to carry a message to Bryan. Tomorrow we find Aphrodite’s temple and then head out to pay Hades a visit.” Arff Arff barks Cinder as his bottom starts wiggling like crazy. As I turned to restock the fire, a lady appeared. She is dressed in dear skin and wears antlers on her head. On her back is a quiver full of silver arrows. “Mysteri, I am Artemis Goddess of wild animals. I have come to help you on your journey as a thank you for always being so kind to my animals.”

“How can you help me?”

“You are in need of a pigeon to carry a message to your ship. Sadly, your ship is being held captive by Poseidon. I will lend you a pigeon, but I will also tell you of another way to reach Mount Olympus to save your friend. In return, I only ask you to keep my animals safe, just as you have always done, and to spare me your wrath once you learn who you truly are.”

My wrath… and who I truly am…what is all that about… “Okay, I accept your offer to help.”

“Aw good, here is your pigeon.” And out of her quiver of arrows flies a pure white pigeon with a note attached to its leg. “I have taken the liberty of writing your note for you.” And away the pigeon flies. “Now the second way to reach Mount Olympus is to fallow the setting moon for three days. You will find a white rock mountain. Once there, a black stag will lead you over the mountain and onto the cloudy summit. It is beyond this cloudy summit that you will arrive at the doorstep of Mount Olympus. The black stag will only be with you until the time you reach the clouds. Then, my dear girl, it is up to you, your dog, and your horse to make it safely the rest of the way. I should warn you though, that the Gods have ferocious eyes that continuously watch the mountains for intruders. It will not be easy and, if caught, be prepared for a life no longer worth living. I can’t help you if you are to fail this. The Gods will be mad enough at me as it is once they find out it was I who told you the way. Tata my dear, and may you always have an animal’s heart.” Then Artemis was gone, leaving in her wake a silver bow and a quiver full of silver arrows. On the quiver it read, shot true like a shooting star.

Cinder and Magic just look at me in wonder. “Well that was weird, but at least I know I have one goddess on my side. Let’s get some sleep, for we have a long journey ahead of us.” We slept that night surrounded by Winter Wolves and little did we know we were being viewed by the gods themselves in a crystal ball.