Subj: Family Life chapter 2
Date: 5/15/00 6:28:46 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Beverly LaCroix and Julianka
Foul plots feared:
Hades bid his children farewell. Reminding them to behave well for their mother so as to be a credit to the family honor and their own standing as young gods. As he took leave of his young and lovely wife, he spoke of the evil look Andreus Petofi Lycaon had directed toward Nicholas. She had scoffed at his fears, citing that the boys were great friends. She had also hinted that perhaps he was jumping at shades, that his fears were of his own imaginings. Descenting back to the nether reigons, Hades entered his throne room to find Hermes lounging idly by the great thrones themselves.
"What are you doing here, Hermes? I am in no mood for your silly gossip." At this moment all Hades wanted to do was to sit in his gloomy chamber and think of his family in the sunlit world above. Hades sometimes wondered how this nephew, a son of Zeus and Maia had ever outsmarted Apollo only hours after he was born. But he had many duties as the messenger of Zeus and the herald of the gods. To him is ascribed the introduction of the sending of embassies to sue for peace. Hermes, the robber and cattle driver, the prince of tricksters, the thief at the gates, the bringer of dreams, the patron of travellers, is also the governor of the tongue and the guide of intelligent speech. And in his kingdom Hermes was known as Psychopompus for being the guide of souls to the Underworld. And it seemed the trickster god should have been the god of whisprs, because if anyone wanted to keep a secret they made sure Hermes was somewhere else. And, quite frankly, he wasn't in the mood for gossip at the moment. Hermes next statement interrupted his idle thoughts, and he was getting impatient.
"Oh, you think not my dark Lord? I beg to differ with you. For the topic I crave to discuss is most dear to your heart."
Hades cast his eyes over his nephew, noting his serious manner. "Speak, then. My mind is on other matters, and my heart is heavy for my loved ones, so this had better be good." the powerful god and ruler of the Underworld whispered in a deadly tone, flames of fire had replaced his dark-colored eyes.
"They are whom I have come to speak of. I would request a private interview, for what I have to say is for your ears alone, ."
With a wave of his imperial hand the great throne room was cleared. "Now, speak. For I grow weary with these hints." he demanded.
"Hera, herself bid me to seek you out. She is concerned that an evil one is plotting revenge against the gods through your son Nicholas."
"Who would dare! My son is inviolable as a god, and whose father is one of the Twelve Enthroned of Olympus, one of the three gods who rule the entire universe, brother of Zeus, king of the gods. If anyone should attempt such a thing, I promise you, I will find a special place in the underworld and a punishment so severe, that no soul has ever yet been condemned to so dire a fate!"
"Listen well then to my Lady's warning. As of yet she has no proof of these allegations and is powerless to act with out it. She advises you to watch well over Nicholas.
Whispers have reached her ear that the cursed King Lycaon is plotting dark deeds against all Olympians for first his sorry state and next because no god or demigod has listened to his pitful pleas for help. She fears that Lycaon, through his son's friendship with Nicholas, has at last found the key to his vengeance."
"By The Torments Of Tartarus! He will wish he had never dreamed of such doings!" thundered Hades, purple faced with rage.
"Ah, but at this moment Lycaon is showing only his repentant face and spouting only pious words begging forgivess for his sins. But behind this show, Hera fears treachery lurks. She has set spies on Lycaon. But no proof has been discovered.
The only warning she can give you is of her trepidations and to bid you protect Nicholas at all costs."
Tremulous with rage, Hades sat steeped in black thoughts of Lycaon and his evil-spawned son.