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The Gorgon's Daughter

#14

I blinked, unsure of a polite response to such an inquiry. “I, er, sir-“

The intricately dressed man cut me off, “-That was intended as a statement.” He moved closer, and I could see that he had paint on his face making symbols I didn’t comprehend. He also smelled strangely, like the bizarre foodstuffs traders sometimes brought through the area. “I can see easily what you really want, at the core of whatever has brought you here. An unattainable heart!”

He sat down with a flourish, perhaps meant to indicate he was done with me. But I was a merchant’s son, and I knew the best way to renew another man’s waning interest. I reached in my pocket and pulled out a gold piece. “No, I came here seeking answers, and I’m willing to pay well for them.”

The spindly man stood back up and took the gold piece from my hand, then bit it just as I had. Satisfied, it disappeared into his sleeve. “Tell me, my son, exactly what ails you, be as specific as you can. I will impart the wisdom of the gods regardless, but the more guidance, the better the result, generally, hmm.”

And thus, after we had both taken a seat, I did. I explained that the famed beast in the caves that stood in the forest to the south was my newfound friend, that she was no monster at heart. I told him (Y/N)’s family story, and then how we hoped to journey together to get justice, to confront Athena.

When I was done, the lanky man rearranged his robes fussily before commenting. “It’s clear to me that two paths lie before you. The easier of the two may well yield the very same result as the more arduous path, you know. There’s no shame in doing the sensible thing-“

I didn’t understand what he was saying, “-I don’t mind hard work, I just want to free (Y/N) from her isolation-“

I grew irritated when he interrupted me again, “-That’s not all you want, son. You reek of new love, the smell is worse than spoilt milk!”

Agitated, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a second gold piece. “Give me some advice I can use! Where do we start?”

The skinny man tested the gold piece between his teeth before that, too, vanished into his sleeve. “So you are intent on the hard road. Very well.”

He appeared to be muttering to himself for a moment, and I sat patiently, curious. Eventually he raised his head, “The gods of our people lack the power to enact the change you seek, but perhaps they will help, if you beseech them in the right way. I suggest you request the favor of the local deities of vengeance.”

I watched him sit in silence, appearing to think, for some time. “Lugh the Many Skilled may be able to aid you. He has a temple not far from here, further north, just along the main road.”

He nodded to himself. “Arawn, a god of the underworld, he may see fit to help you, but his nearest temple is many days’ journey from here, in Wales.”

I didn’t like the idea of only one feasible option. “Are there no other deities nearby that might see fit to aid us?”

The springy man made a face. “Aye, there is one more, but you must deal with her carefully, my son. She is a goddess of women, not of men. The Specter Queen, the Morrigu. Perhaps she would help your friend, but I would not approach her alone, as a man. She has a place of worship a day’s journey south from your own village.”

Morrigan! The great, white goddess! Indeed, I would seek her counsel the very last, given what I had heard of her.

I presented the seer with one more gold coin, as thanks for the information, but in response, he grabbed my wrist firmly, “Remember what I said, young man! The journey you resolve to undertake may well be unnecessary! The solution to your woes could already be within your reach!”

Confused, I shook him off gently. “Thank you, sir, but given that I cannot see what that might be, I feel I have no choice but to undertake this mission.”

I turned to take my leave, and just heard him mumbling, “Spoken like a man in love.” I felt my face heat up as I left the hut, the cool chill of the night air a stark contrast against my face.

Notes



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Comments

Loved it

YAY New chapter! I love their rising tension... :)

Merelan Merelan
5/3/19

@SmuttyPariah
You deserve sweetness, a lot of it. You deserve all the love of the world!!!!

@Underworld's Heiress

Aww, you are so sweet to me! <3

SmuttyPariah SmuttyPariah
1/30/19

This is fox gif is sooo cuteeeee!!! Have I told you that I love your writing? Can I say it again? I will say it again. I LOVE YOUR WRITING!!!!!!!!