Page 61 of Meduso
Andromeda’s tale was not only bizarre, but completely cruel. For her to have to suffer and sacrifice her life all because of her prideful mother was startling to me. The two of us glanced around to see an onset of townsfolk and warriors approaching. Quickly, Andromeda lunged forward to wrap her arms around me and whispered in my ear. “Please. Do whatever you must, but take me away from here,” she pleaded.
“What? You want to leave your homeland?” As soon as I asked this, even I realized the answer to my own question. Of course, she would want to leave Aethiopia having been completely betrayed by her mother, father, and her people, who left her to die on the side of the cliff.
Before Andromeda could even respond to me, we were bombarded by the loud cheers and chants from those who had just witnessed my bravery. They huddled around me, offering compliments and decencies before escorting me to the king and queen’s castle with Andromeda trailing behind.
I was led through a labyrinth of halls before entering a large set of double doors leading into a massive open space. At the end of the room sat two thrones occupied by a middle-aged man and woman.
I stepped towards them, glancing about the room to see everyone was now on the ground kneeling before them, including Andromeda. Out of courtesy and not wanting to disrupt their customs, I too went down, lowering my head.
A maiden beside the thrones spoke up to make the introduction. “Your highnesses, King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia of Aethiopia. You may rise,” she announced. Everyone rose to their feet.
“Young warrior,” Queen Cassiopeia stood up. “Because of your heroic actions not only is my beautiful daughter alive and well, but you have also saved countless other lives that would have been sacrificed to Poseidon’s sea monster. For that you have our deepest gratitude.”
King Cepheus scrutinized me carefully. “Tell me your name, warrior. Where do you come from?”
“I am Perseus from the Island of Seriphos. I am the son of Zeus, himself,” I revealed. Gasps fell over the crowd in the throne room. Maidens, warriors, and others who stood by were caught in deep whispers, a major distraction to the king and queen.
“Silence!” the queen yelled. A hush fell over the room at her command. “Well then, young demi-god, clearly that explains how you were able to stop that abhorrent beast from threatening our land and people. Only someone with the blood of a god coursing through their veins could attain such a feat. Nevertheless, we are completely in your debt.”
“For your heroic actions, we must honor you with a ceremony. We shall hold a parade and feast in your honor, demi-god,” the king declared.
As down as I was feeling, with thoughts about Meduso, I could only nod and accept their gesture of gratitude. “That would be wonderful.”
Cheer erupted within the room. Everyone was relieved to no longer have to fear the sea monster from terrorizing Aethiopia ever again. Not a single person was in low-spirits, except for me. As the claps and newfound optimism from the people around me seemed contagious, it did nothing for me; for I lowered my head, only able to think about Meduso. How I wished Meduso could be here with me to experience this upcoming festival in my honor. What I would give to be able to be back on the island with Meduso and his sisters right now. To have one more chance to lie with him. To feel his touch, his lips.
A single tear drifted from the corner of my eye, which I quickly wiped, wanting no one to catch sight of my despondence.
Chapter 21
The parade went on as promised. I was amazed by the grand gestures the king and queen made to honor my courage and bravery. Countless warriors, dancers, bards, and animals made their way by us in organized unison, while we sat in the tallest stand overlooking the parade path, draped with white cloth to serve as a tent for us. I sat in a smaller chair beside King Cepheus while Queen Cassiopeia and Andromeda were on the other side of me, admiring the glorious performance that was going on below us.
As grateful as I was for all the trouble the king and queen went through to put on this show for me, I could not find myself to be as elated as the crowd around me. Thoughts of Meduso and the tragedy that unfolded still lingered in my mind. I still missed my lover and knew that nothing would be able to change that.
I watched as Andromeda was lost in conversation with Queen Cassiopeia, but then saw her turn to catch my gaze over her mother’s shoulder. I feared that she became aware of the gloom in my eyes and my sullen demeanor.
That evening, a large feast was held for me. There was enough wine around the room that would even put Dionysus’s parties to shame. The food was abundant, and the drinks were flowing. Still, this did nothing to alleviate me. I stepped out of the banquet hall and onto the balcony for some fresh air.
I leaned over the stone railing overlooking the vast plains below me that disappeared into the distance. Above me, the moon was brilliantly lit. The stars shining ever so brightly, serving as a beacon for all who were lost among the darkened Earth.Katasterismoi, I thought to myself. I recalled the nights Meduso and I spent out on the beach by the fire, staring up at the intricate patterns in the night sky hovering above us.
My endearing memories were interrupted by soft footsteps behind me. I quickly turned around, startled by what seemed like someone sneaking up on me from behind.
“Don’t be frightened. It’s just me,” Andromeda stated.
I let out a deep sigh. “My apologies. You have no idea of how on edge I have been over the years, fearing the potential of someone sneaking up on me, ready to kill me with a single blow.”
Andromeda slowly approached me, softly placing her smooth palm on my shoulder. “You are right. I do not know of all that you have been through. Although, I must say, I know it must have been quite a great deal, given at how depressed you seemed during the earlier ceremonies. I watched you, demi-god. The cords on your heart were being plucked at. I could sense something was amiss. Please tell me, what is it that has caused you such grief?”
I continued to look out into the deep night sky, not daring to look at her as I spoke. “I came here to save you and Aethiopia not of my own free will, but because the gods demanded it.”
“Oh?” Andromeda looked down to the ground, moving her arm from my shoulder to placing it on the ledge, glancing out at the dark scene before us over the horizon. “But if the gods demand you to obey them, it must be in good faith,” she explained. “It must be a blessing to receive such a message from the gods. They should want nothing but to give you good fortune, no? At least that was what I was always taught.”
I turned to my side to look Andromeda in her crystal blue eyes. I could truly understand why her mother bragged about her beauty. “It was both a blessing and a curse,” I explained. “Yes. They revealed a wonderous fate that lay before me, but it was at such a great cost. A cost that I was not willing to make.”
“And what cost could be so worthwhile to hold you back from being a Greek hero?” she asked.
“The loss of a lover. The love of my life had to be sacrificed for me and the rest of the world.”
Andromeda placed her hand over her mouth in disbelief. “I’m so sorry, Perseus. But I am at a loss here. Why didsheneed to be sacrificed in order for you to become a hero of the gods?”
