Page 16 of Meduso
I would need to find the right time to inquire about it. But right now, out here on the sea with Dictys was probably not the most ideal of circumstances to ask him.
Perseus shot up from his seat. “Let’s take a look to see what we got.” He pulled the net up. Low and behold, there were at least twenty fish trapped within the confines of the net.
“Well, what do you know!? And on the first grab of the day!?” Dictys cried out. “This is indeed a blessing from Poseidon! And I have a feeling it has something to do with our new-comer here!”
I grinned at Dictys’s remark but doubted this was the case.
“I’m not so sure about that.” I stated with cynicism.
“Keep him by your side, Perseus. He’s a good luck charm!” Dictys further stated.
Now I was completely blushing. The thought of someone sharing the idea of Perseus being with me at all times was enough to leave me sheepish.
But what stunned me even more was Perseus’s response to Dictys.
“I don’t plan on letting him go anytime soon.”
After our fishing excursion came to an end, we arrived back on the shore. Dictys lined the fish and carried them over his back. “Why don’t you boys come over for dinner later? And invite your mother, Perseus. We have plenty of fish to go around.”
“I will do that,” Perseus confirmed.
“Alright. You boys have fun. Don’t get into any trouble!”
“No promises there, Dictys!” Perseus jokingly stated.
The old man roared with laughter, before heading into town, leaving Perseus and me to ourselves.
“Alright. It’s your turn,” Perseus announced.
“My turn for what?”
“To teach me something. Come on. I know there must be some neat trick or skill you learned deep in the ocean that none of us mortals know of.”
I smiled at him, and then came up with an idea.
“Is there a lake or small body of water on the island anywhere?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yes. There is a spring closer to the opposite end of the island from us. The Naiad nymphs were said to have presided over it.”
“Perfect! Will you show it to me?”
“Of course. Just follow me.”
Perseus and I trekked around the island to the spring. He recommended we take the long way around and walk the sands of the beaches to get there, rather than cut through the forests. Now that we were alone, I felt now was a good a time as ever to press him about his past.
“So, when are you going to fill me in?” I asked him.
“Fill you in on what?”
“You, and everything there is to know about you. Don’t think I didn’t pick up on the conversation we had with your mother last night when you stopped her from sharing the whereabouts of your father.”
“Fine. I don’t usually discuss this story with anyone, so do you promise it will remain strictly between us?” he requested.
“Of course, Perseus. I told you this last night. You have my trust and my loyalty. Forever,” I stated, to pacify any fear he may have had.
“Okay. Well, only my mother, Dictys, and now, you will know. My mother is the daughter of the King of Argos,” he shared.
Argos. I recalled the city on several map scrolls I studied. It was west of Athens. A city with a long line of succession of kings throughout history.
