Page 10 of Meduso
“Yes. It does seem very inviting,” I agreed.
The boy then held his hand out to me. “I’m Perseus, by the way. What do they call you?”
“Meduso.” I wasn’t sure why he held his hand out to me. I had a muddle look expressed on my face, which he must have picked up on, because he reached out to grab my hand with his, and shook them together up and down.
“This is how we greet one another on land,” he explained. “We shake hands, like this.”
Although I was embarrassed by not knowing this traditional standard to say hello, I simply smiled at his generosity in teaching me. His touch also sent a spark throughout my body. It was a peculiar feeling. I’ve never experienced this from being touched by my parents, my sisters, or anyone else, for that matter. There was something soothing, soft, and yet, at the same time, wild and eccentric about his touch. It felt warm, and I secretly wished he never let go of my hand, but he did.
“A pleasure to meet you, Meduso.”
“You as well, Perseus.”
He collected his fishing equipment from off the rock and then turned his back to me. “Come with me,” he directed.
“To where?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Well, there aren’t many places to go around here, but the least I can do is show you the island and where I live.”
I nodded and decided to follow Perseus. I had no other place to go and, at the same time, I was beyond intrigued by him. I wanted to get to know him more. Hopefully, he was willing to want to get to know me as well.
We circled the island and its beaches for the next several hours before he led us more inland to where the stone homes of the island's inhabitants were located. I pointed to a rather large stone structure that stood tall on the peak of the highest mountain on the island.
“What’s that?”
“That’s King Polydectes’s fortress. He is the ruler of Seriphos and lives there. I’ve only ever seen him once, when I was younger. He doesn’t come down to these parts of the island much. Between you and me, I hear he throws long parties often, where the cups are constantly overflowing with wine.”
“And what’s wine like? I’ve only ever heard about it in a few tales, especially those of Dionysus,” I confessed.
Perseus smiled at me. “I’ve only ever tried it once. It makes your mind very fuzzy. Can’t say I enjoyed it as much as I anticipated.”
“Oh. Well, I’d like to try it sometime, especially if it is considered the gift of a god.”
Perseus wrapped his arm around my shoulder. His grip around me was very rough, but I was able to feel the tightness of his muscles against my side. Again, another jolt struck me, feeling his body against mine. I enjoyed his proximity to me.
“I’ll make sure you at least have one cup of wine before you leave this island. How long do you plan on staying, if I may ask?”
“Ummm. I think a year, maybe? My mother, Ceto, stated that I will have one full year to explore the surface before I am summoned back to her palace. Then, I need to prepare to be sent to Athens. I was promised to serve Athena at her temple upon my eighteenth year,” I explained.
“Well, if you plan on staying here for the entire year, I can offer my home to you for your stay, unless you would prefer to seek a place elsewhere?”
I nodded at the cordiality of his proposition. “That would be wonderful.”
“Then it’s decided. Here, let me introduce you to my mother, Danaë, and my tutor, Dictys, before we settle in for the night.”
“Sure.”
We then passed through a steep pebbled trail that broke off, leading to the many stone homes of the island residents. Near the end of the trail, we arrived at the larger of the homes I’ve seen on the island. Perseus led us into it.
As I stepped into the building, I saw a man seated in the corner, fidgeting with some string, wood, and metal, working on a contraption I had never seen before.
“Dictys, this is my new friend, Meduso. Meduso, this is Dictys. He’s a great man and an even better fisherman.”
The tan, white-bearded man rose from his chair and let out a deep belly laugh. “Perseus, you really outdid yourself with that introduction there, boy.”
The old fellow approached and scrutinized me up and down. “A little scrawny, but young. You’ll come into your own soon, son,” he stated.
“Ummm. Thank you?” I wasn’t sure whether or not to be insulted or take this as a compliment. I was willing to give the elder man the benefit of the doubt and believe the latter.
