"You asked for an audience, you have it. Now tell me,
where do you belong?" Hades' voice was deep, emotionless.
Ariston swallowed. "Athens." He met Hades' gaze, but the
God revealed nothing to him.
"Why? You died with honor and glory. Is that not what
every soldier wants?"
"My wife..." His voice wavered.
Hades brow lifted slightly. "Lives. You do not."
"She is in danger."
"Earthly danger. She is no longer your concern, Ariston."
"The danger she faces is not earthly, but far from it..."
Ariston's voice was hoarse, his desperation mounting. He
took a wavering breath before he began again. "She is
everything to me. I am proud of my death, but it means
nothing if she is in peril. I must know." Ariston
kneeled. "I beg you. I beg you to return me to Athens."
Ariston waited, willing himself to be strong.
"Who is this wife?" Hades asked.
"Medusa of Athens." He paused. "Now of Rhodes."
Hades was silent, his dark blue eyes regarding him
steadily.
"When I die—" Ariston began.
"You are dead," Hades assured him.
"When I return...die again, I would serve as guardian to
Tartarus. I am a skilled warrior, a skill I might offer
you." He spoke with confidence.
"You vex me," Hades muttered, the slightest crease
appearing between his eyes. "You offer this to me for a
woman?"
Ariston nodded. "She is worthy."
Hades was silent again, his eyes shifting to the
blue–white flames in the massive
fireplace.
"My words do not...adequately express the love I have for
this woman. But I cannot leave her. She is at risk. I must
return." The words came without thought. How could he
justify such emotion to a God who reviled affection or
companionship? "As Olympus has my arm and sword, she has
my heart – a mortal, and perhaps weak, heart."
The room was silent for too long. He would have to fight
his way out...
"It is a weakness not reserved for mortals alone, Ariston
of Rhodes." Hades' words were so soft Ariston feared
they'd not been spoken. But Hades continued, strong and
clear. "I will return you to your ship so that you may
lead your men to victory. Too many have fallen from this
war and I would see it end. When that is done, you may go
to your wife." He paused then added, "When you return to
my realm, I will have your fealty."
The God of the Underworld, Lord of Death, gave him mercy?
Mayhap there was one God he might serve with honor.
Ariston vowed, "You have it."
