Chapter Two

The summer had been kind to the fields, and everywhere one looked, sheets of golden corn and ripening produce bloomed. The stalks were high, reaching to worship the Goddess who had blessed them, waving gracefully in the light breeze.

Celebrations were already in process in the village. Offerings of ale and bread left on the altars near the ocean and the in the glades for the Gods.

Wine ran like running water. The grapes plumper and more juicy than before are perfect for fermenting. Not to mention feasting upon.

Demetrius had finished for the morning. The sun was high in the sky and shining fiercely, bringing a shimmer of sweat to his fair skin, plastering the black locks to the nape of his neck.

He had inherited the beauty of his mother. The flawless skin that glowed radiantly and seemed to reject any sign of wear and tear. Added, was the strength and hardiness of his father, a great boon in the fields as he seldom seemed to tire and worked with little complaint.

A cool wind blew from near the shore, and Demetrius straightened, dropping his head back to allow the air to take the moisture from his skin, breathing in the subtle scent of kelp and brine.

Nearby, a basket full to the brim of golden corn rested. His last for the day but a reminder of how much more there was to do.

"It won't rot in a just a few hours," Demetrius gazed over the waving wilderness of shimmering yellow and amber. "Not unless the Goddess is truly affronted. And that has never been the case before, and certainly not after a harvest like this. We've pleased her, peace be with her."

He picked up the basket with ease, despite the weight and carried it to the edge of the field where three others sat in the shade, waiting for another man to come and collect them with a small cart drawn by a placid tempered pony.

Placing it down he stretched, revelling in the pull of his taut muscles.

"I'll be glad to get back," he sighed to himself. "My arms will be aching for days. And longer. I can't rest yet."

He hummed as he wandered back into the towering golden stalks, enjoying the breeze that swept through. It was a jaunty tune; one he'd heard the evening before when drinking with the others.

It was then when the new melodic chords joined his own tunes. Soft as first, then growing in both volume and beauty.

‘While you live, shine

have no grief at all

life exists only for a short while

and time demands its toll. ’

The words needed no music. No harp, no kithara. could match the sweet tone of the voice.

'Oh Gods, having come upon the setting of the sun, having seen the light of the evening,

We pray for your mercy.

While we live, you live, but breath cannot last.

And time will reap your reward.'

"Glory, oh, glory," Demetrius muttered with a degree of sarcasm, his eyes narrowing. "A strange thing for them to sing of, especially since they spurn the right of the Gods to decree our end."

He moved forward, silently as a predator but each step, he knew, would sound like thunder from the heavens to the sharp ears of the samodiva.

The song sent shivers down his spine, the tune so unearthly, and even with the blood of a non-human, his heart was tingling. He had enough to resist the deathly call, but still it enveloped him.

The song led him to the narrow river that wound through the trees and eventually reached the shore. The hollows of the trees were an ideal haven for both natural and supernatural beings.

The song became louder and soon he was met with a sight that would set the loins of mortal men aflame.

An ethereal maiden, her hair long and loose, sat on the bank of the flowing water, dangling her bare feet into the coolness.

A white gown, embellished with feathers, concealed her slender form, but the outline was visible, the swell of her breasts prominent.

She turned at his approach and her beauty was diminished somewhat as her eyes glimmered with malicious flame, despite the smile on her face.

"Be gone with you." Demetrius averted his eyes. He knew the wiles of the creature, and even if she failed to ignite the primitive urges of manhood, he didn't want to acknowledge her. To give her the satisfaction of seeing a single sign of weakness to her charm. "I know what destroys you, and I am prepared to try and do so."

"Would a brother turn upon his sister?" The lilting voice flowed like the stream. "Fie! What a world this is becoming! You have the blood of the unearthly within you, of Al. Diluting that of Adam. Why do you treat me so?"

"You are mistaken." Demetrius heard her get up, feeling her approach. A chilly hand clasped at his forearm. He pulled away, still refusing to look.

"I am never mistaken. You drew me, half breed. Your skill in the fields. How tempting it would be to wilt those crops, to drain the energy and water from those virile roots. I hesitated only because I sensed you were different."

"Be gone with you."

"Make me, mutt." The samodiva's face twisted into an ugly smirk. "Could you even catch me? I think not."

"Wretched slut..."

Demetrius lunged for her but was met with air and the soft tickle of a fallen feather as the woman dodged him with an airy laugh, hoovering a few inches about the ground.

She swung her hips alluringly and swept away, stopping near a group of saplings.

"Is that the best you can do? My word! I would expect a full mortal to do better! Perhaps my voice gives power, a power that you cannot harness!"

Her taunting words made him bristle.

She delighted in any chase. Even one that would not end with her claiming energy or a new soul. She darted with ease over the protruding roots, about the strong trunks, all the time taunting her pursuer to keep his interest. That was new, she seldom had to work to keep their eyes upon her.

She slowed only when her bare feet touched the soft sand, the feeling alien and pushing her from her comfort zone. To hide her disconcertion, she giggled, stepping towards the rolling tide, foaming as the waves broke.

Demetrius slackened his pace, breathing heavily and shook his head. "This is ridiculous. I don't know why I'm bothering with you! With this charade!" He folded his arms. "Just stay away from our crops and livestock if you know what's good for you."

"Oh, don't worry, I'm hardly interested right now." The samodiva said airily. "I was simply guiding you, as you'd not come if I asked. Nor could those who wish to see you ask themselves."

The comment caused a brief loss of words and Demetrius blinked stupidly, eventually gathering himself enough to speak.

"I don't know anyone outside the village. At least none who would not come calling themselves."

This was simply another trick, he was certain of it, and turned to wander back home, feeling rather foolish for even beginning this folly.

"You don't know us. But we know you. Or at least someone close to you."

Demetrius span around to see the sneering face of Pasha, lounging on the shale in the shade of the tall rocks.

"You've grown up into a handsome youth. Your mother would be proud."

All too aware of his background, Demetrius faced Pasha with the indifference one would any new acquaintance, only half noticing as the samodiva slipped away to fade into the trees again.

"I might thank you. But I'm afraid it's a compliment given for your own gain." Demetrius ambled closed and sat nearby, tracing a pattern in the sand. "What is it you want?"

He knew he should leave, but his curiosity had gotten the better of him.

"Knowledge. And sparkling trinkets, what else?" Pasha laughed. "And I want your help to get them. You will receive recompense, of course!" She leaned forward, seeing his interest waning and doubt rise. "It could help your village. Please the Goddess more...?"

Demetrius tilted his head. "Go on..."

"Lord Karanos...he has a glut of wealth, lost to the sea, and knowledge beyond what one can dream of," Pasha scooted forward, her breath increasing at the mere thought of it. "I am more intrigued by the jewels. But I know you humans value knowledge that will further you. We cannot dare there; we would be obvious...but you..."

"You want me to steal from the Lord of the dead seafarers?" Demetrius jumped to his feet, laughing in disbelief. "You must be mad. He'd have me boiled alive, or something as painful. What sinks to the depths stays there. It would be like robbing a grave."

"You wouldn't have to breach his domain," Ceto interjected, appearing from the waters. "Only the outside. If you go at the time we say, you'd not encounter any danger from there."

"Absolutely not." Demetrius started away.

"Not even to discover a gem that can be enchanted to heal?" Pasha called, causing him to pause mid-step. "The last drought took many lives, did it not?

Demetrius bit his lip, bringing the blood to the surface. His thought back of the season some years prior. The drought had parched the crops and lack of food had brought disease.

The cattle had died where they fell in the fields, the farmers too weak to retrieve the body. Their own following into the eternal sleep not long after.

Even he had been sick. The stench of rot and death enough to bring down even the mightiest of Gods.

Every night, he had prayed, wished he could heal those in the grip of suffering.

Now, he had the opportunity to learn. But the cost, or risk, was high.

'Only if I get caught.' He mused. 'I'm not careless. They've told me I move like a cat, that I have more tact and grace than most normal humans. Not that it's a surprise when you see the state of them after an evening drinking.'

Illusions of grandeur flashed before him. Endless good health and well-earned, overdue, admiration from all. The ideas inflated his ego, always eager to have it stoked more.

"I suppose," he said eventually. "Although, I am not doing anything unless you can guarantee safety. As much as you can, anyway. You'll tell me the times that the waters are at their calmest, and when the creatures beneath are past feeding."

"We can do that," Pasha smiled, hiding her excitement behind it. Her eyes brightened in subdued victory, already mulling over what jewels and trinkets would adorn her.

"Well...if it benefits others," he said carefully, his own mind imagining the benefit to himself, or at least his ego. "I could try. But, why are you so averse?"

"Ceto caught the eye of Lord Karanos," Pasha said frankly, ignoring the furious glare from her companion. "It's a long story and it hardly matters."

Ceto looked away, feeling Demetrius stare at her. She arched her back, allowing her hair to fall from her chest, her breasts sparkling with droplets, sliding sensually down her skin.

His gaze moved, cheeks flushing.

"Can you meet us this evening?" She asked, fluttering her eyes. "Near the midnight hour? Things are calm and danger is elsewhere and not staying near where it dwells."

"If I can wake myself up," Demetrius laughed weakly. "But I should be able to."

He was hoping beyond hope. He was a heavy sleeper and seldom woke until someone prodded him into consciousness. That being said, when urgency called, he could be relied upon.

"Good..." Pasha beamed broadly. "Until the cover of darkness shrouds us...be safe, mutt!"

With the final insult, she plunged into the waters, followed by her friend. The ripples faded and within seconds, stillness reigned once more, as if nothing had ever been amiss.

(Al- In some religious stories, Al was Adam's companion before Eve. He was made of fire and wasn't compatible due to this and gender. So, Al departed and Eve came.)