Or, at least, a power I didn't have at my beck and call.Or, at least, a power I didn't have at my beck and call. "Now then, little godling, do you know who I am?" I thought for a second, trying to remember who Reah was. "The Titan Reah, mother of Zeus." She smiled. "You are correct. You are threatening to take one of my children offworld without her knowing the full import of her acts." "Reah, she's going to die if I don't." "Maybe that is her destiny." "Really?" I said. "Is that what your prophecy says, Reah?" I pointed to Oenone. "Is the skill you gave her so small you can't tell? That is your particular skill, isn't it, Reah? Prophecy?" "Do not meddle with me, Kennet Shardik. I have learned much about you from your meddlesome clockwork." I grinned. 'Clockwork' was anachronistic for Reah; she shouldn't have known it as a word. 'Clocks' didn't exist in ancient Greece. "I asked her to come of her own free will, and she does so with what knowledge I have given her. Is that so wrong? Did I lie to her?" "We are not meant for the stars." "I've been there, Reah. I've been there and back. Oenone wishes to get away from this little ball of rock. Mine is much less prettier right now, but that will change with time. She can help me. Tell me, Reah, how much of your pantheon is built on use? How much of life is built on how 'useful' Artemis is, or Eris, or yourself? Can't Oenone offer something just as useful, just as beautiful, to my world and my people as you do to yours?" Reah seemed thoughtful. She looked over at Oenone, then crossed the deck to lift Oenone's face up to look at her. Something passed between them, but if I could find words to express it I would. It was simply ineffable. Then she turned to me. "Kennet Shardik, I am warning you. I taught Oenone one-third of her skills out of love. She is a child of mine. My grandson abused her body, and a man my son admired abused her spirit and her love. She has nothing that is unbruised. So listen, young godling. Your powers are vast, vaster even then my whole pantheon, because they are backed by your dream, a plan so audacious there is no mind in this era that could hold it. |