Akhill

Chapter 3: HillCity II

The sun now in its zenith, speaking volumes meant for the king of the sky.

"Thetis, are you sure your wolf senses are not damaged from lack of usage. Eh." Lucille, with step a grumpy. "The sun is killing me. Argh!" She paused awhile looking at Thetis whi seem unattentive to her.

"Da scent is getting weaker, He don gone wash himself, but it watching aint thorough yet my—uhm" Thetis felt a sharp prick in her head and touched it as she murmured away, trying to track the next direction the boy she chased went.

"Thetis what, are you stuck?" Lucille quizzed

"Datz wonderful Lus." Thetis reply

"I am going to faint, eh."

"Really, Amma love to see."

"What are you bonkers, I thought we are friends."

"What are ya saying, I con swim well." Thetis reply, her head locked in a position and hand on chin.

"What are you— ohh" Lucille realising that Thetis was no where around the present said

"Thetis."

"Ugh."

"An extra head is growing from you shoulders"

"Thank ya, I would love that also." Lucille chuckled, finding a new way to have fun under the breathtaking sun, continue for minutes non-stop still she had her fill.

"Thetis, I —" A figure ran through with the face of the boy Thetis tracked.

"Blonde hair in how county that is weir—" Lucille struck but the description that Thetis gave her early said hyperventilatively.

"Thetis, Thetis, Thetis." Lucille seem immobile for some reason and could only wave her hand to emphasise the calling of Thetis attention who was still brooding.

"Ugh."

"The boy!!!"

"Where?!" Thetis body reacted the instant the word 'the boy' was mentioned as one who has been expecting.

The wind carried the shout into the eardrum of the boy running who looked towards the direction and saw the unknown woman who had being chasing him.

"What value do they want from me?" He increased his pace. "Who sent them? Do they want to capture me."

"No way, I will return back to the cage. No way." He shook the horror that flashed back his memories and run even faster.

The boy vowed not to be caught ran into a bend that lead into grassy field of Mr Kenneth Hephaestus, the rancher.

"Oi, I see the fly again." An old man sitting under a shade with a toothpick and faced covered with his hat.

The boy crawled through the fence believi g no one saw him, in haste that cost him a reaped cloth.

"Oh my god, Thetis, that child would come out of you a runner, Eh." Lucille catching up with Thetis who stood observing the trail of the boy.

"If ma baby is not ah runner then i doubt she be mine, Lus." Thetis smiled at Lucille then squatted to pick a piece of cloth she spotted to inhale. "Lets go see Hephaest."

"You, you know old Kenneth."

"Ya, for ah long, long time."

"You know a lot of craze people, Thet."

"Not craze, unconventional."

"The same eh."

"Ya all prejudice, amma different from y'all don make me craze." Thetis open the gate to the entrance of Old Kenneth ranch and led Lucille towards the shade that he was, know it was his favourite place at that time of the day.

"Bring out the selected Olympians, for today one would emerge as the new god." Mr Zeus said snapped towards one of the Hermes that stood by.

"Bring them from them from the four winds."

"The four what?" One of the prospect that seem new asked.

"Is this your first visit?"

"Yes, I just amass the financial strenght to be accepted."

"Who was your sacrifi—"

"Shhh, there are almost here." A third prospect whispered.

"The four wind or dimensional plain is the location in every county that Olympus has a branch. Based on your desire." The second prospect explained to the new prospect. "Poseidon ruled the North, Hades the South, Athenna the west and Artemis and Apollo the east."

"Oh but why desire." The steps of Hermes and the ones he ushered in drew closer as some of the prospect were drolling.

"Uhm, Desire, for Hades stores the deadliest thus Cerberus. Poseidon create the most Alluring yet deadly. Most with lustful desire visit his camp. Athena brings the most—"

"Shh, Old man. They are here." The new prospect being explained to shushed the one that explained to him.

"Ungrateful fool." The second prospect said his heart filled with the intent to bashed his head on the table but the rule in Olympus forbades it.

"Here my Lord." One Hermes bowed to report. "The recent gifts from the four county's and the one you picked at dawn.

"Drop the stage where the sun of Olympus might shine from the worthy."

From the roof came a metal bar vertically in succession into the well fitted hole designed for it, creating a center stand a match in line from the left and the right. Afterwards came the roofing closure to seal bars top and finally came a giant door for the entrance for the weak is not graced with an escape.

The bloodthirsty prospect gripped the armrest with such energy as their heart pulp rapidly, as saliva strolled out of the mouth of some like one who has seen a well sauced male garnished with his favourites.

"Father, fa, father, I think my heart would stop any minute from excitement."

"Uh, Me, I don't have a son." The Prospect unknown to him has forgotten he came with his son for the expectation of what would happen next has eaten memories from him.

"I don't know what is going, how long, I can take this anymore." The new prospect covered in sweat in a room conditioned to be chilly, stayed wide-eyed, expecting.

Every single one of the Prospect drunk in their imagination of what is to come next, what are they going to see next, how long are they to wait? Most pronounced was the woman whose desires wasn't bloodshed but lust inclined, for she had sunk her teeth into the glassy material she drank from, causing her to spill blood going "oh, oh i cant waitttttt" Allured by the most gruesome of flirt even a youth should abstain from.

Just as the suspense arrived at the highest, the lights went silent in darkness then came a voice.

"Let get ready for we commence in two nights."

"What!!!" Said the youth as he collapsed laid unconscious from a broken heart of unsatisfied longing.

"I am going to kill someone, if i don't get a reasonable meaning of this." Another said.

"Why the light and excitement provoking beats, if I will be left halfway."

"Zeus, you bastard." The lady prospect with bleed lip mutter. "You have had your fun. Make sure you repay in kind."

The prospect could hear the giggling of Zeus as his footsteps walked out of the room. "Aw, It has been awhile."

Came the wind, whispered the grassroots, chewing the cattles as the window into the barn opened and the hand with a strangers inscription and a wording that all could read.

"Good, good marky, how has been your day." The boy now in the barn gave a calf a hug. The calf responded in kind not enstranged to he boy.

"Mine, Mine, Marky, you've become bigger."

"Where is Jacky?" The calf let out a sound in response looking sad.

"Oh Sorry Marky, Old Hephaest can be without heart sometimes. I know."

The little boy patted the calf as he walked away toward the heap of hay laying on the ground.

"Marky, Shh." The Young boy gave the calf a shushed gesture as he crawled into the stacked hay he built to conceal himself from his pursuers.

The calf stood looking towards the boy's direction till the boy stretched out his left hand and gestured the animal to look away.

Many have said the animals in Mr Kenneth Hephaestus, the Rancher's Ranch are if great intellect, so much they know what not to do in dealing with hygiene.

The calf tilted it head sideways then returned it before facing the other direction to assure the boy his secret was safe.

"Eh, Hephaest, how ya doing."

"Hm." A grumpy voice responded.

"Old Kenneth, how do you do?'

"So, So." The voice replied then let out a yawn.

"Lucille, cam, move away from dare." Thetis moved closer to Mr Kenneth then pulled the hook that held the rocking chair he sat on together.

The chair rocked a bit then the creaking sound grew louder and louder until the the arrival of a pause then—

The hat of Mr Kenneth stayed mid-air as his face dropped out from under it because the chair he sat on, had lost it ability to bear his weight upon it legs that had lost the hook that heard them together.

"Umph."

"Thetis, have some respect for your Elder." Mr Kenneth laying back flat and face up said grumpily.

The hat falling gradual almost as light as a feather was caught with a skill the average eye cant follow by Mr Kenneth then laid back to cover his face on the floor, ignoring the two young ladies that stood beside him.

"Eh, Hephaest, why ya lack dis. We are on a serious pursue."

"Oh, good for ya missy. Leave me be, I need rest in my age." Mr Kenneth replied.

"Please Hephaest, Its an heart burning pursuit."

"How much is it?" Mt Kenneth asked from under his hat.

"Its not a money thing but Life, My friend. Help me friend." Thetis said with plead engraved into her tone.

"Hmm, No, It will be a waste of my old muscles."

"Ya don need to do anything, just whisper direction to me."

"Hmm, No, It will be a waste of my old brain muscle. Wait I think I have forgotten my name."

"Hephaest." Thetis called holding her ready to bust anger in check. "Hephaest."

"Who, who is that? What is an Hephaest…" Mr Kenneth yawn and readjusted himself on the ground where he laid. "The floor is comfortable eh. Join me for awhile."

"You old, lazy bone, good for one thing, money loving sleepy, farming Old ahhhh!" Thetis unable to keep her frustrated in check, look around and pick up an hay pile to dump at the old man before she stumped out but was stooped by Lucille who read into the suituation beyond the surface.

"Easy now, Girl." Lucille calming Thetis. "I thought you could read suituation.

"I just don get this old man. I drains ma energy everytime."

"Right, Let me handle it. Eh. He remains me of Papa."

"Uhm Mr Kenneth, you seem very tired." Lucille said with a tone sweeten to the mind.The grumpy old man, replied not a word or tone. Lucille squatted beside him.

"It most be lonely be here all by yourself. Even after Lady Kenneth departed."

"Hmm." Mr Kenneth replied by nodding his head.

"Please sit up, Laying on the floor is bad for your health." She stood up and fixed his chair.

Thetis stood looking at how easy Lucille handled Mr Kenneth, how yielded he was to her commune and remembered how she met Mr Kenneth and how he left her exposed to the elements for days without care to invite her in even when he saw she bled.

"Lucille da enchanter." She muttered.

"How can I be of help my daughter." Mr Kenneth said, with no trace of grump.

"There is a bo—"

"What is that noise, The flies are sure noisy today." He interrupted Thetis.

"You old—" Thetis lifted up the brand with her to strike him, knowing he referred to her vut was stopped by Lucille's gaze.

"So my daughter, how can I be of help to you." He placed emphasis on the you so much to inform Thetis who he referred to.

"Uhm, We came looking for a boy about thus tall, with a golden long hair."

"A boy you says, riddule me this my child. Aggression and pregnancy are related or not. What am I?" Lucille giggled asbshe made eye contact with Thetis who seem to have steam flowing out of her ears.

"I believe in this case you are Thet—"

"Wonderful observation but you know a warrior that only wins with his sword is but an imbalance kind but one who wins with his sword sheathed has respect within the enemies rank."

"Come now, the child you speak of, is well in Marky's barn but let him rest abit from the race, while we wait for dusk."

The three discussed as Thetis occasionally desired to strike Mr Kenneth Hephaetus and Lucille calm her down while she commune with him.

So long they discussed and the servants of Mr Kenneth brought them feast because Lucille was announced by Mr Kenneth as his guests.

"Send word to your mother that Zeus' emergence is in two night."

"But father, you said mother would be unhappy if she knew I came with you here."

"Not to worry, I sent word before you that a letter was sent to me from Olympus and I am heading there."

"What should I tell her, if I am to return father."

"Tell her Father said 'Remember the promise.'"

"I shall go then. Keep my reserve Father."

"You two, see that he arrives safe."

"Yes milord."

"Why send your son away, you sly fox." One of the prospect leaned towards him.

"Me, fox no, no. If I don't, I wont have any day to myself. You know he loves his mother than he does me and no matter how I try that boy tells his mother my deeds but lives his deeds own." The prospect who came with his son behind his mother's back rose uo and signalled one of the Hermes. "Get me one Aphrodite ready in my room."

"Of what category, my Lord." The Hermes asked.

"The highest paid Aphrodite." The man reply drunk and legs wobbly.

"Make that for two, get me an Aphroditus of the same class." The lustful woman prospect, also drunk cried out also.

"Yes my lady."

The night of Olympus came earlier that usual and the day ended slower than it norm, for the Hermes made ready the stage prepared for the emergence.

"So why the Child?." Old Kenneth asked, his face stuffed. "I know you care for children but why go the extreme for this one."

"Not me, Thetis." Lucille pointed atbye woman not taking her meal with seriousness.

"Thetis why this Child?" Mr Kenneth asked.

"Oh, am nat a buzzing fly any more eh." Thetis who had sought an opportunity to speak till now. "What would ya care about what a fly does. Hm, Hephaet.

"Easy now Thetis, Old Kenneth just want to help.

"Help ma rump, He just want to whet his insatiable appetite."

"But Thetis, He how best hope to succeed."

"True, I just don like his gut sometimes."

"Hey woman, live my gut out of it." Mr Kenneth held his rounded almost looking pregnant gut.

"He remains me of ah story. That's why?"

"What story?"

"Of one who was—"

One of the servant barged in, exasperated. "Jacky escaped again."

"What she es—"

"Uh, Old Jack still lives." Thetis, excited, stood up to follow.

"Yea, Yea, That crazy one refused to part even when her generation had all been wiped out." Mr Kenneth replied, swallowing then stood to follow the ladies.

"True, Old, Old Hephaet." Thetis smiled towards Mr Kenneth. "They just don die, even when tha generation have been wiped." Mr Kenneth knowing Thetis had directed the statement to him.

"Thetis, I might have lived over a century but it is still too soon for me to live, my bad-mouthed friend."

"Right!" Lucille broke in between the two glaring at each other attempting to pull a weapon to slay each other, every single opportunity they have. She put her arm round Thetis and made her walk a bit faster than to catch up with the servant that came in, who now led the way. Truth be told Lucille's intention is to create as much gap as she could between the two, for she thought it insensible as to why the two cant see eye to eye but always appraised each other when one is absent.

"Why, do despise Thetis?" Lucille asks well back.

"No, No, my daughter. Thetis is more of blood to me than I care to admit. I truly respected her resolve since the first day we might." Mr Kenneth reminisced like it was present. "She came the day of my lowest when I prayed for death nor stop but her arrival, resolve and dream, madee chose to live one more day, for I really want to see that dream."

"But why do you not agree on anything? Eh"

"We agree over everything, She is just a rebellious child who doesn't respect the elderly!" Mr Kenneth raised his voice. "Maybe she just chooses to make life interesting for me to save me from boredom." He smiled.

Lucille could also recall Thetis' words as they approached Mr Kenneth while he sat under his shade.

"That Old though treat as an equal, is da only one who believes ma dream when I could have given up. I see him as my father.Though annoying." Thetis smile as Mr Kenneth grumpy face flash n her sight. "He just know how to annoy me in a nother level. No one annoys me higher than him."

Moreso Lucille saw not one but three different occasions when Mr Kenneth gave off his comfort for Thetis without showing a sign of care and Thetis whispered thank you without letting the air hear. "Set of funny two. A father who believe his daughter to a fault yet would not show it and a daughter whose source of strength was her father's belief in her but would not let him know."

"There she is attempting to jump the fence again."

Mr Kenneth servant pointed.

"Why do you kil—" Mr Kenneth glared sternly at the servant, he thought he was in danger for speaking out of line.

"I would rather she sleep and not wake than I inflict harm on her, Gilbert." Mr Kenneth said to the servant as he signalled them all to stay put while he approached.

"But She always escapes her refrain, everytime, why?"

"Come with me, Thetis." Mr Kenneth, spoke with alertness in his voice.

"Behind you already." Lucille a little shocked at the unison if thought this two had, how they understood each other without saying a word.

Thetis walked beside Mr Kenneth as the gap closed between them.

"Come now girl. Thetis came to see you."

"Jacky is way bigger than the last time, Hephaestus."

"Yea, have you seen yourself?" He directed his eye briefly at her rounded belly. "I will become a grandfather soon, so be more careful."

"Ah know, old man. Ah know."

"Jacky Girl, Come now, Thetis misses you also—" The one Mr Kenneth spoke to from a distance, paused, looked at his direction and ran, breaking through the wind, not minding the imbalance of its limbs, for two were missing and were replaced with a metallic mechanism. Thetis a strong woman, seem unbothered by the one that approached with such force, instead in her eye where slights of joy as one who has found a lost friend.

"That's it girl." She instantly paused before Thetis, whose arms were widespread, bowed, then walked into her hand, letting out a sound.

"I missed you too Jacky." Thetis seem to understand the sound.

"Craze old girl, she really misses you." Mr Kenneth with his fingers within his hair locks. "Try to visit often, Jacky always does this every sixth moon dusk."

"Sixth moon, ya mean—"

"Yes when you left to save Patroclus."

"Sorry girl, I try to visit more often." The one Thetis hugged seemed to understand and moo-ed loud.

"Craze Cow." Mr Kenneth started walking away."Lead her to that barn over there, the boy you seek is there."

"Hephaet, ya know, ya shade is directly facing that barn, why have ya nat told me since. Why waste ma time."

"Because you needed to help calm Jacky." Mr Kenneth kept walking while looking back.

"That old man has something against me, I feel it."

Thetis mumbled as she led Jacky into the barn Mr Kenneth described.

"Welcome, Welcome." Hermes greeted the influx of arriving Prospect that came at dusk after the invitations were sent.

"Come with me, your chamber is this way."

"Oh, you want the east chamber. There is only one left and high it is in price."

"Can you seat a bit, I need to ask the Chief Hermes."

"What? Right My Lord, this way."

"Yes, Yes, My Lady, the garden flowers at this hour bloom into the moon."

"Not at all, Milord, The carriages are safe and being watched."

"Young Lord, where would you love a chamber for yourself also."

"The north chambers are well suited for the soon to have child."

"Oh no, the games are locked in till after the emergence."

"The flowing stream would be made warm or cold or red. You just need to ask."

The discuss at the arrival hall grew louder and louder as the number of Prospect arrived, some singly, others with wives and some even with child. The height of corruption found in the four counties is nothing compared to the one found in Mr Rook, Sorry Mr Zeus' Olympus. Every desire that man, as grotesque as it may be, is fully expressed there.

The barn's opened, so quiet as Thetis laid the Old Cattle in.

"Who are you?" Thetis asked the young calf that shared the barn with Jacky. ""His he yours?" Thetis looked at Jacky and noticed that the relationship wasn't one of mother and child but of a guardian.

"What is your name?" Thetis approached the calf who moved backwards but of fear but of one blocking a passage. Thetis touched the calf's head and looked at its neck. Mr Kenneth has a habit of inscribing names on his ranch animals neck.

"Marky, hmm. So Marky have you seen any young boy about this tall with blue eye and long golden hair and tanned skin." Thetis spoke to the calf as though to a human and waited for a reply.

"Maybe I don gone craze like Hephaet. Why am I talking to a Cal—" A rumple sound came from behind the Calf, She approached but notice the Calf stood in her away and wondered what was there.

"Please Marky, can I—" Jacky moo-ed aloud and the young calf gave way in such speed that Thetis thought she heard Jacky say to Marky "Get out of there now before I come there myself."

"Jacky, you scary old thing. I see old age does not change some things."

The rumple sounded again but these time it sounded calculated as Thetis' eye met a blue eye hidden behind the haystack, looking at the door.

"Oh, you want to leave." Thetis steps aside to make the way clear enough to run without hindrance but Thetis plans not to lose the child again.

The boy's eye fixed on the entrance, his heart beating from different thoughts and water came briefly upon his face.

"Come on, ya can g—" The boy dived through the little space he had created as a window in the hay stack then rolled and spinned, standing on his feet with no moment of rest and ran towards the door, while watching the distance between himself and Thetis.

Thetis stood amazed by the skillfulness of the child while she processed the best possible way to catch him without inflicting harm in such split seconds.

The boy, almost making it to an escape, looked towards the supposed direction that Thetis stood and noticed she was missing.

"What—" The boy suddenly felt a refrain that pulled him backwards without his feet making contact with the ground. "Leave me—"

"Hmm." Thetis felt a sharp prick and placed her hand covering her eye briefly while holding the boy's left hand.

"Leave me be!" The boy throws a tantrum, snaps Thetis out of her brief reverie and she gazes at the inscription on his hand, especially a word which she can read clearly.

"Argh!" The child screamed in pain. Thetis, who was lost in thought, had held the boy's hand tightly.

"Oh, My apologies." She removed her hands from him by instinct which gave the boy a window of escape, yet Thetis chased him not. The word kept replaying as she muttered.

"Why would one leave a child because his father rejected him?"