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Hearing the main gate creak open, I pause, “Pandora. Are you here yet?” Ov’s voice rang through the garden. “I brought Kuon!”
For weeks, Ov has been threatening to bring him. Each time we’ve tea, I excitedly hope that today would be the day that Uncle would bring his puppy. Only to be disappointed when he would make up some sort of excuse.
Honestly, I’m more thrilled to see Kuon than Ov.
Excitedly, I rushed out of the closed gate. Ecstatic to meet Ov’s dog. Kuon, the golden hound of Ov, curls in the shade of the great oak tree. The hound reminds me of the hunting dogs from my home. Only much larger. Kuon’s coat is a mixture of rust and gold. “Afternoon Ov!” Shutting the door, I approach the table and chairs, our usual spot.
“Good to see you.” He smiles. “How are you doing? Just so you know, I sent Ganymede to get some tea and pastries already. In town, I found this wonderful tea. Reminds me of a winter day, a mint and lavender blend.”
Leaning over, I whistle.
The dog rushes to me excitedly.
Kuon was so excited that his backside kept flying out ahead of his face. With each wag of his tail, he’d thwack himself like a whip. So much so that Kuon closes his eyes and flinches at his own tail.
Laughing loudly, I look down at the dog. Offering him my hand, I let him sniff before patting his midsection.
Petting him, big dark eyes stare up at me. Long floppy ears framing his face.
Once I stand, he runs off, returning to his place under the tree.
“Sounds delightful.” I returned his grin. Doing my best to relax the forced feel of my smile. “Today has been pretty good. I'm so bored but good news. Apollo has given me permission to wander the palace grounds.”
Uncle chuckles, “See child, my nephew can be stubborn but so are you. You had to wait him out.”
“Haha, I suppose you're right," I murmur as I sip my tea.
Even in the winter, the air almost feels balmy this time of day. Back at home, I would have sat outside, relishing the sunlight.
Tea warms my stomach. The mint and lavender dance along my senses.
The fresh smell reminds me of winter in my home.
Mint floods my senses as I shut my eyes. I feel wet snow heavily falling on me.
Wind whips my hair around my face. Shifting my heels, I sneak into the snow. Water leaking into my slippers. The mountain is covered in snow.
Opening my eyes, I jolted back at the sight of the snowy mountain. The sun of Caelum is gone. The garden disappeared.
Pushing in between the men, I wave. Neither look at me.
“Hello?” I wave at the hunched over man, “Where am I?” Neither acknowledge my presence. They continue to look through me.
A shiver rolls down my spine as another frigid gust blows snow from a nearby elevated area. Neither responded.
“I spoke with the oracles today. Do you know what they told me?” The voice booms like thunder.
A man curled into a ball lay nearly bare in the snow. Threadbare pants are loose on him. His stained shirt is ripped at his core. Poured onto his chest is liquid gold.
Is this how they’re torturing him? By pouring molten metal on him. Each drop scorched his skin. The burning material made it almost look like a god’s ichor spilling out of him. Pouring out onto the ground.
Golden chains are pulled taunt at his wrists. Binding the man to the mountain.
Dad?
No, it can’t be.
Please don’t let it be him.
