The Ivory Gate

Chapter 1

Chapter 1Eyes in the dark.

Hera seldom caught sight of those eyes and the glimpses were never more than fleeting. She had felt a gaze upon her that pierced the cosmos. Even in this bodiless state, it made her feel naked.

Zeus was watching.

The goddess stretched out her mind, tracking his presence through the realm of the One. Never again would he strike her. He was cruel; she was strong. With her thoughts, she commanded him to leave this place.

But he was already gone, had fled her domain the moment she discovered him. As usual, the self-styled king of heaven sought shelter on Earth. She was alone once more, had this entire plane to herself. Hera seethed with silent anger. There was no blaming Zeus for maintaining a watchful peace, though she was certain he took pleasure in unnerving her.

Sometimes Hera too was tempted to visit the human world and ensure the devotees in her kingdom flourished. Like any other god, she thrived on prayer. The temptation had been strong, yet she always managed to resist. The feud had long since passed. There was no reason to suspect anything amiss. Once she had clashed with Zeus’s underling Aphrodite, but that time was gone. Her precious Elissa and that boy of Aphrodite’s had sealed the breach. Their union had overturned the prophecies of the knave Apollo. Zeus’s dark empire would never rise, so long as his chosen race and hers remained unified. It was not a perfect solution, but what fool would choose war over peace?

The goddess surrendered herself to the One, absorbed the adoration of her devotees. The prayers flowed sweet as nectar. All was well. No point dirtying her hands digging at the root of the problem.

Yet the calling to return would not cease. She brushed it aside, that transient craving. The idea of taking a human shape again made her sick in the spirit. Even if there were times when she missed being able to make power dance from her fingertips. A guilty pleasure, but undeniable. Once more the impulse clawed at her, refused to be dismissed. Where did it come from? She stilled her mind, allowed the energies of thought and spirit to flow through her.

The calling had a voice. A female voice, distant and familiar. ‘Come to me, Hera, queen of the gods.’

Athena. Of all the Twelve, why would the goddess of wisdom seek an audience?

Hera detested the idea of plunging back into that lower plane, though she saw little choice. There would be no contentment until her curiosity had been sated. And surely there would be no harm in having a taste of supremacy again. She gathered herself, sought the tiny gap between realms. All things became a flurry of light and colour as she slipped through.

Solid shapes materialised from the aether and Hera’s senses became stiflingly finite. This plane was alien territory, foreign. And yet familiar. A sweetness she had almost forgotten. Here she could shatter bones and snuff out lives with no more than a thought. Not something she enjoyed, naturally, and yet … She permitted herself a deep breath and felt the power course through her limbs. The rush might have brought a smile to her face.

‘Queen Hera. You should not have delayed.’ Athena held her nose in the air, a trait she had inherited from Zeus. As ever, Athena bedecked herself with the trappings of battle—a plumed helmet, a golden breastplate, a glistening spear. ‘It is agreeable to see you.’

‘And you.’ Hera knew the hall, though the chamber was filled with the gloom of neglect. The torch brackets were empty and the air was thick with mildew and old cobwebs. ‘I swore I would never return to Olympus.’

Athena shrugged. ‘My father would not think to look for you in his own hall, it has been so long since the last council.’ She motioned toward the long rectangular table and twelve chairs clothed in dust. ‘Time grows short. I have information for you.’

‘Why would you give it to me?’

Athena smiled, her lips thin. ‘Let us say my reasons are strategic.’

‘Speak on.’

Athena looked up and her grey eyes flashed. ‘War is stirring. The spirits whisper. The trees know it. The rivers and the waves rise against you. Already your enemies are moving.’

Hera scoffed. ‘You deceive me. Aphrodite would not dream it.’

Athena laughed and it gave Hera shivers. A strange sensation, not altogether pleasurable. ‘Of course she wouldn’t. My sister never lies, does she? Only three days ago she visited my uncle’s abode.’

‘Poseidon? She could have a thousand reasons to see him, she is so flighty.’

‘This was no ordinary visit. Aphrodite begged him to calm the Middle Sea, allow the Trojans safe passage.’

Hera forced herself to keep her face blank. Poseidon had betrayed her once before. He had saved that wretch Aeneas when he should have drowned. ‘His answer?’

‘The boy never gave offerings in return for his life. Poseidon has demanded a human sacrifice.’

Hera almost gagged. There was no offering so base and vile as human life.

Athena continued: ‘Somebody whose death will tear the Trojans apart and Aeneas doesn’t even know it.’ The war goddess’s knuckles tightened around the spear. ‘The sea god’s wrath is not easily quelled. I should know.’

‘Oh?’

Athena shook her head. ‘No matter now, my Odysseus is safe enough. The same cannot be said for your daughter.’

‘Elissa? What of her?’

‘You still call her that? Most know her as Dido. She cannot outrun prophecy, Hera.’

Hera’s eyes hardened. Long ago, Apollo had warned her that Aeneas would bring about Elissa’s demise. Despite all Hera’s efforts, he had survived. But she had saved Elissa from that doom. ‘The prophecy was false.’

‘Was it?’

Hera gripped the back of a chair. ‘I would know if anything happened to Elissa.’

‘And when did you last see her?’ Athena c****d her head. ‘Seven years, Hera. Seven years have passed in this world.’

The queen of heaven hoped her astonishment did not show. ‘Seven years?’

Athena’s smile widened. ‘How swiftly time passes in the realm of the One. Did you not think to look upon her?’

Power flared within Hera. She raised a glowing hand. ‘How dare you!’

Athena did not flinch. ‘See for yourself. Go to Karkhedon, if you think it will change anything. But perhaps you will regret the delay. Remember who warned you, when the time comes. Troy was just the beginning. This war will shake the world.’

Hera bent her thought upon her daughter’s city and Athena’s laughing face dissolved into nothing.