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Gods above.
“Fine!” I roll my eyes playfully. “I promise that I'll not start training for a marathon or the Olympics. Though I guess, I wouldn’t be allowed to even attend.” Though I can’t make the same promise for gardening. After all, gardening is a low impact activity, I justify.
The centaur asked curiously, “And why is that?”
“Strictly speaking, women weren’t allowed at the games as far as I know. Competing would be completely out of the question,” I elaborate.
“Ahhh yes. That’s the mortal interpretation of the games. In the divine world, gender isn’t a qualifying factor for the games,” Chiron chuckled. “In fact, seeing Athena boxing Ares was one of the most thrilling matches I have ever seen. The two gods of war each fought so differently. Athena, cool, calm, and collected. Full of strategy as she strikes out at her opponents. Ares was the opposite. Brute force and strength. He lashes out with the grace of a bull.”
My brain flashes with images of Athena fighting another seasoned warrior.
No, not a fighter, a god. “Who won?” I question excitedly.
“Athena.” He grins. “Though Ares still claims foul to this day. Personally though, I think it’s hard to make such a claim when you're knocked unconscious by an opponent but hey, what do I know.” The centaur shrugs keeping his tone matter of fact, but a smile is still contained in his eyes.
I make a mental note to ask Athena about this later on. Maybe if I appeal to her through her pride, then she'll finally let me in.
“Now, back to your orders. Please take it easy and rest. I'll request that Artemis bring you a selection of books. Perhaps a busy mind will keep you out of trouble.” He smiles down at me but the grin doesn’t reach his eyes.
Fiddling with my medicine under my neck, I think about telling Chiron. Asking him if he has ever heard of it. Or knows what it is… Or even better, what its purpose is.
Taking a deep breath, I state, “Wait, Chiron. Before you leave, I have a question for you. Have you ever heard about a medicine that’s taken daily? Silver in color. Made of honey and lavender among other things. My dad used to make it for me at home. I'm starting to run low.”
Contemplating for several moments, Chiron paused before replying, “Not off the top of my head. The only silver liquid that I'm aware of is highly poisonous and that would not make any sense. You’d have been driven mad long ago at such consistent usage. Perhaps, I can check for anything in my books, but I doubt I'll be able to find anything. Do you’ve any chronic conditions?”
“I used to believe it would block visions, but I don’t think so. My gut tells me that I'm missing something,” I babble.
Part of me used to think that it blocked Ari. Though even that never happened in entirety. She and I would still chatter back and forth even when she wasn’t able to hold a corporeal form.
“Without the medicine, it would nearly be impossible to run tests,” He gives me a comforting look. Chiron knitted his brows as he looked down at me.
I contort my lips into a thin line. Pulling my medicine from around my neck, I gestured to Chiron, urging him to take it. “No problem.” My heart rate quickens. “Here it is.”
Stepping over to me, the centaur looks down at the liquid. Pulling it to a light, he rolls the liquid around, swirling it lightly in the bottle. A look of concern is fixed on his place. “You said your dad made you this?”
I nod.
Popping the cork, he spills it onto his workstation. “Just as I thought.”
Pulling the wheeled cart over to my bedside. “What do you see?”
The liquid is dropped into perfect little spheres onto the countertop. Moving the table, the liquid rolls across the counter.
“It is forming droplets,” I state, trying to figure out what I'm looking at.
“Yes, and now look.” He pours most of my medicine bottle out onto the table.
I flinch at the wasting of my potion.
But watching the liquid, it seems to collect and adhere together.
“What’s it?”
Gravely, Chiron replies, “Mercury. More commonly known as quicksilver.”
Furrowing my brow, I cock my head to the side.
“Pandy, this is highly poisonous,” he pressed. “I can’t imagine a father giving this to his daughter. Nor can I think of any non-poisonous purposes. Even to gods, it’s called the God Killer.”
