AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Seems like a good plan to me,” she agrees.
The petals appear withered. Like it has seen many days in the sun without enough water.
We take care to prep an area, plant the seeds, and clean up where the old patches once were. As the evening moved even later into the night, I can’t help but grin at the feeling of the cool air around me.
I start to water each set of flowers. Taking several trips, I fill the bucket in the nearby pond. Lugging the bucket, I pull the water and bring it close.
Surveying the area, I puff my chest with pride at the progress. “Maybe this garden can be our home away from home, right Arista?”
A soft chuckle fills the clearing. But it’s much deeper than Ari’s. Swirling backward, I squint my eyes, peering into the darkness of the now open gate which leads to the main garden.
I feel breathless. My fear is bleeding into my words. Should I have listened to Apollo? “Who's there?
A dark figure looms at the door.
Grasping at the water bucket in my hand, I ready myself to throw it at the figure. “Who are you?”
Uncle Ov steps into the light.
“OV! You nearly scared me to Hades!” I sigh in exasperation.
His booming laugh fills the clearing. “Apologies Pandora. I was taking my nightly stroll and happened to hear you.” Entering the garden he surveys my progress. “Look at all the work you’ve completed in the garden. Great work. You seem to be blessed with the green thumb of Demeter herself.”
I grin proudly. “Aww thanks. I have been craving to come back ever since our tea chat.”
“It is great to see life return to this garden. It used to be the most beautiful in all of Olympus.” Memories flash across his eyes. “Now I'll need to take my leave. Tomorrow is the Dekate. A day when citizens from all over the court come to pay their taxes to the kingdom. I'll need all my energy for a day as strenuous as what tomorrow will be. Good night, dearie.”
“Oh well it sounds like it will be busy tomorrow. Good night, Ov.”
“Good night, my dear.” He smiles before latching the gate shut.
A busy and crowded castle. Perhaps this is my chance to flee. Blending into the waves of people entering and exiting the city. Fading away into the streets.
“No. You can’t leave Artemis,” Ari whispers.
“Arista, but even Artemis, Apollo’s own twin, is bullied by the man. I don’t think I have ever seen someone so harsh.” I mutter under my breath, “Plus, weren’t you the one who was telling me how awful this place was?”
“But… Artemis.” Murmurs a forlorn Ari.
She didn’t need to tell me. I knew it. My soul hurts to even consider leaving my friend but I’m not sure what choice I have.
Walking to the back corner where the ivy meets the walls, I pull the vines back and enter the servant hallways. Heading back upstairs to bed.
I know that tomorrow is my chance, my day to escape this land.
The gates are already thrown open and people are making their way to the palace. Crowds of citizens are flooding the streets.
The Dekate is underway.
Sitting in my room, I listen for the guards to switch shifts. Watching my sundial, I hold my breath as it reaches its mark.
The guards' steps are loud and thundering as they head down the hallway.
Perfect.
Scooping up my vanity chair, I wedge it under the hand of the doors to my room.
Softly, I stand up, gathering my packed get-the-heck-out-of-here bag. Little was packed in there. Some clothes and food from the kitchen.
