Naked Warrior

PART SIXTEEN

PART SIXTEEN

 
The next morning, Daria left the temple to make sure Marcus, Megan and the others were doing alright. She found Marcus at the town stables. He had already got the owner to give him a job there.

"Good morning, Daria! It sure is a lovely day, isn't it?"

"Good morning, Marcus. Why, yes it is!"

Actually, it was overcast and slightly chilly at the time. But for the folks who had escaped Novick's manor, they could only see sunshine. They were, once again, free people.

"I see you've already adapted to life back in Greece, Marcus."

"Yes, I have. Lyman, over there, hired me on this morning." He pointed to the man, around the same age as Marcus, who was busy pounding out a horseshoe. He didn't notice them looking his way. "He also offered me a room to rent, so I think I'll be hanging around this area for a while, since I don't have any family to speak of."

"Well, that's great, Marcus. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you. Daria, are you free this afternoon? Me and the others would like to get together with you at Athena's temple so we can say thank you."

"Marcus, you don't have to thank me. Really."

"Well, maybe you don't need to hear it, but some of us really need to tell you. I don't think you realize the change you've brought about in our lives. Please come. It would really mean a lot to us."

Daria put her hand on Marcus' shoulder. "Of course, I'll be there, Marcus."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That afternoon Daria entered the temple of Athena and found the others waiting for her.
They greeted her with warm smiles and hugs, repeating their words of gratitude for her help in freeing them.

Athena's priestesses had prepared a lavish meal for the group in the beautiful surroundings of the temple. Each place setting was darned with gold flatware, gold goblets, and rare china sitting upon a fine linen tablecloth. The temple walls were inlayed with gold and silver and jewels. The marble floor was polished to perfection and one could see their reflection in it.

They sat down to the meal and Marcus lead a prayer of thanks to the Goddess Athena for delivering them to freedom through Daria.

The meal was filled with fellowship and joy as everyone ate to their heart's content. After a couple of hours of the social event, Daria stood and announced to everyone that she had to be leaving. She couldn't wait to get out of Athena's temple and back in Ares arms. She came today only because her friends had asked her to. Otherwise, she couldn't have been drug anywhere near the place. She was highly upset that Athena had taken her from Ares' camp and placed her right in the midst of trouble. The kind of trouble she has worked so hard to stay out of. She wanted nothing to do with the goddess.

She was saying her good-byes to Marcus and Megan when there was a flash of golden light. Athena, herself, had manifested in front of the group. Everyone, except Daria, had dropped to their knees, bowing to the goddess and giving praise.

"Rise, my devoted ones," she told them. "You have been faithful and loyal servants and I give you all my blessings for prosperity."

Daria felt like a third wheel. She turned and quietly started to leave the temple.

"Daria," Athena called to her. "Please, come forward. I wish to express my gratitude to you for your bravery in leading my people to freedom."

"Your thanks is not necessary, my Goddess. But, really, I must be going."

"Please, Daria. I have something I woulde toe to give you."

Daria reluctantly walked over and stood in front of Athena. The last thing she wanted to do was be polite and respectful to the woman. But she cared too much about her friends, and knew how they felt about their Goddess, to disrespect her in front of them. She stared blankly in the face of the god.

"Daria, you are a true daughter of Greece. Kindness and love is the foundation from which you draw your strength. You are truly the Small, Great One who westiestined to deliver my people from the bondage of slavery. For that I am eternally grateful to you. As a show of my appreciation, I wish to make you high priestess of my temple. You need only an offering of a small gift , kneel and pledge your life in service to me, and may accept your place by my side. Together we will set the entire nation free."

The crowd cheered and clapped enthusiastically. They were excited for Daria. Daria, however, was insulted.

"No, thanks. I must gracefully decline your offer, Athena," Daria said softly.

Athena was shocked at being turned down. No mortal has ever passed up an offer of status among the Gods.

"Excuse me? Are you saying that you do not wish to accept the position?"

"That's EXACTLY what I'm saying, Athena. Thank you, but no. Now, if you'll excuse me, I really . . ."

"I have never heard of a mortal who refused such a position. You are aware that with this title comes many benefits? Wealth, eternal youth, respect. . ."

Daria interrupted the goddess. "Athena, is there someplace we can speak in private?"

Athena looked puzzled at her request but answered yes and led her to another room attached to the main throne room.

When they were alone, Athena turned to Daria. "What is it, my child? What is on your mind? Tell your Goddess."

"Well, first off, you're not my goddess. And second, I cannot dedicate my life in service to you."

"And why is this? You have not yet vowed to another God."

"Operative word being 'yet', Athena. I have already decided to give myself to another."

"Ares," she whispered, with an angry look in her eyes.

"Besides I could never dedicate my life to one as fake as you, Athena."

Athena glared at Daria for the insult.

"Oh, you appear to be caring and loving. You have all those people out there fooled into thinking that you are without hate and deceit in your heart. But I know this is not true. I could never serve a god I couldn't trust. How dare you to have plucked me out of my life and throw me into the lion's den. You had no right to interfere with my life. And then to tell your people that you sent me to them. If it's true that it was my destiny, then nothing truly happened by your hand, and yet you take credit for it. You disgust me, Athena."

Athena was flaring at the nostrils. How dare this mortal talk to her this way.

"Oh, so your going to pledge yourself to Ares? Ha! He is the manifestation of hate."

"That is true, Athena. But at least Ares doesn't try to hide it. He lays it all out in the open. He's honest about darkdark side."

"Ha," Athena laughed. "He'll never show you love, you foolish girl. He can't. So, go then. Go be with the Prince of Darkness."

There was a flash of blue and white light and the handsome, leather encased God of War made his entrance.

"Did somebody call my name?" he said smugly, throwing a smirk in Athena's direction.

"Oh, Athena. You couldn't be more wrong. Ares is a complexity of emotions, some good, some bad. But those who have truly opened their hearts to him, can see through the callused and hard exterior, and understand the true meaning of his actions. He does thing that appear to be in no one's interest but his own, but if you look deeper, you'll find he does what he does because he cares."

"Shhhhh, Daria. You're going to ruin my reputation," Ares joked.

Athena glared at her brother. "This isn't over yet, Ares." Then she looked to Daria. "There is still time to change your mind, my child. Please reconsider."

"Never," Daria spat. She turned to the God of War. "I'm glad you're here, Ares. Let's put an end to this, right now."

She knelt in front of the War God and bowed her head.

"My Lord, Ares. God of War. I wish to offer my life to you as your loyal and faithful servant. Will you accept me, however imperfect I may be? Will you be my God and my Lord for all eternity?"

Ares placed his hand on Daria's head. "I thought you would never ask. Absolutely! Nothing would please me more," he answered.

Athena laughed. "This little display means nothing, Ares. You know the rules. She must have an offering to bind the gesture. She doesn't have anything to give you now"

"I think what she gave me last night was more than enough," he said slyly, knowing the thought of them together would turn his sister's stomach.

"Wait," Daria interjected. "I have an offering." She reached under her tunic and pulled out Novick's dagger.

"It can't just be anything. You must offer something of importance. Something meaningful to you."

Daria held the dagger in both hands and offered it to Ares. "Oh, this has meaning. Ares knows exactly what is represents to me."

Ares looked down at Daria and smiled knowingly. He reached for the knife and took it out of her hands. "Yes, I know, my love. Everything that is you, who you are today, your essence, is signified by this dagger. I will cherish it always, Daria. Stand up and rejoice. For you are mine now and forever."

Daria stood. Athena "humphed" in frustration, slapping her hands against her thighs and disappeared in a golden puff. Her voice echoed behind.

"You may have won this battle, dear brother, but the war is far from over!"

Ares snickered at her upset. He put his arms around Daria and kissed her.

"So tell me, my love. Where are these cses ses on my posterior you referred to?"

She laughed. "Exterior, not posterior, silly!" she answered as they disappeared.

 
THE END