Blind Justice

Chapter 2

Joxer’s recovery was slow, but steady. Within three weeks, he was walking around, learning where everything was. His leg pained him somewhat, but Apollo assured him that it would lessen with time.

He was adjusting to his lack of sight. His hearing sharpened enough to hear the soft tread fall of Ares. All his senses had sharpened. They helped him adjust to his life as a blind man. Learning to walk outside was a challenge. But he found out by using a stick he could ‘feel’ the ground before him. Therefore, he would not stumble as much.

And all the while, Ares watched Joxer.

The God had hardly left the cabin during the weeks that Joxer had been there. The mortal had become less of a klutz, amazingly enough. His movements became graceful. Ares didn’t think that Joxer was aware of the beauty he possessed now. Dressed in brown linen pants and soft silk shirt in a gentle cream colour. His hair longer. His face peaceful. Joxer had stopped hiding behind the facade of ‘Joxer the Mighty’ and come into his own.

As he stood thinking to himself he failed to notice that Joxer had heard him.

***

The wannabe warrior smiled in the direction of the god, golden eyes unseeing. "Hello Ares… "

Joxer wondered how he always seemed to sense when someone was around. It was almost as if he felt the slightly misplacement of air around him. He could sense Ares taking a seat beside him on the bench by the entrance of the caves. He had been sitting there for over an hour now, lapping up the sun, like a cat lapped up cream.

"So, how are you doing, Jox?” Ares’ voice spoke quietly from beside him. Joxer smiled softly.

"I’m fine Ares... merrily enjoying the sun. It seems to be so much more of a pleasure these days." The silence fell again between the two. And they continued to sit, Ares enjoying the long lost pleasure of sunlight upon his face.

Joxer enjoyed the close proximity to the god of war. His thoughts seemed to drift. So it was not surprising that he was spooked by Ares’ next words. "Would you like to get something to eat Joxer?"

The newly blind mortal was startled, jumping slightly before turning towards Ares and nodding.

"That sounds good." Ares took Joxer by the arm and let him inside. Soon they both were sitting at the table. A mixed green salad with goat-cheese, accompanied by a flaky fried fish. Fresh spring water filled their goblets.

Ares studied the man in front of him eating. It had taken Joxer some time to relearn how to eat by himself. But by true, pure stubbornness, the man had done it. From the time that he was well enough to hold the knife himself, he had fed himself.

"Do you remember anything about what happend Joxer?” It was still a mystery how Joxer had come to the valley. The wannabe warrior’s sprits fell a little, reminded that Ares only kept him here to solve the riddle of his ‘being’ here, in the valley. His face reflected his inner emotions.

Ares frowned. What had he said? He wanted to figure out who beat Joxer up that badly. He was one of War’s most loyal followers. He shook his head and waited for the other man to respond.

"No Ares, I don’t. It’s still hazy... like I can’t focus on the memory…" Joxer placed his utensils beside the plate. "Its like it slips between my fingers every time I try to remember." He massaged his temples.

//Flash back//

Joxer heading out of Athens, singing his theme song- "Joxer, Joxer the Mighty!" - The dirt road ahead of him... passing a creek. He hears a sound and he turns to it….

//end flash back//

Joxer gasped softly. Ares was at his side in a heartbeat, thinking the warrior was in pain.

”Joxer, what happened?” He laid a gentle hand on Joxer’s shoulder. Golden eyes looked up at Ares, filled with pain. His voice was faint as he spoke.

"I remember... it was by a creek …” And he passed out.

"That is IT,” he swept up the smaller man in his arms. ”I am taking him to Olympus." Flashing out, Ares reappeared in his temple on Olympus, bellowing.

"APOLLO!"

-Tbc-