Page 43 of Odette's Vow

She smiled at that. “You’re doing much better than others, I confess.”

“Can I ask a question of you?”

“You may ask.”

The tone was clear. I might not get an answer in return.

“Why, if men are always so brash, do you choose them to be your heroes?”

“Well, they did not question me.”

I clamped my mouth shut at that.

“But, every mortal has their uses. Their strengths and weaknesses. Do you know where my Palladium used to reside, mortal?”

“Pallas Athena?”

“Correct,” she nodded. “And do you know who used to guard Pallas Athena before the war?”

I thought for a moment. “Your priestesses?”

“Correct again. Why do you think I put them in charge of protecting such an important artifact? One that ties the sculptor’s work directly to me? Why not men? Why not heroes?”

I looked back behind me, as if searching for Odysseus in our tent, but he was not there. I turned back to Lady Athena. “Because it drove the men mad?”

Athena smiled. “Indeed. The heroes took the action I instructed them to, and that was recorded in the history books. But, they did not hear their instructions from me directly. Do you know who they heard them from?”

I shook my head.

“From women like you.”

“Women like me?”

“The men who go down in history books are those who know when to take wise counsel from the women at their sides. It is why Achilles listened to his mother, why Diomedes does not sleep with Τ?ιλορ?α, why Odysseus listens to you.”

“What about his wife, Penelope?”

“She is not in this war. She battles her own and must provide wise counsel to another.”

I hesitated to ask my next question, but Athena missed nothing. “Speak, mortal.”

“What happens to women like me? After the war? When we are no longer needed?”

“You will always be needed, child.” Her tone was almost scolding, yet sad, as if I knew nothing. “But if you wish to become indispensable to the man you currently aid, then you will need more than words.”

Another piercing look, and I realised this goddess knew. She knew the vow I had made, and yet she did not seek to strike me down. Why, when my words would have one of her heroes dead?

“Would you?” Athena cocked a tawny eyebrow at me.

“No,” I whispered, knowing what she asked of me. “But I made a vow. I cannot … to reconcile …” Words failed me.

“Would be an act of impiety. You are wise not to perform such a reckless act; your rational thoughts serve you well. If you were lucky, you would find yourself at the River of Lethe if the Judges of the Dead could be persuaded.”

Despair, never-ending despair, free-fell through my stomach. There was no getting out of this nightmare. Either I was to suffer at the hands of Athena’s wrath for her hero now, or I was to suffer divine retribution at the hands of Hera, who had heard my vow.

“But you did not wish my hero dead, child. You willed that he shall never return home, as you might never. I should say that leaves what you mortals might call a loophole.”

“Odette. Odette!”

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