The Greek Gods

[soliloquy]

Ariadne scooted in to his body and curled up against him. The safety she felt being close to him calmed her a bit. Though she still trembled as she pressed her cheek to his chest, she was certain that he would not betray her to the others.

His body was strong and hard against her more fragile frame. She liked that about him. He was solid, and yet he was soft in face. She saw how his smile was gentle, his words used with care. A man so unlike Theseus, she began to wonder how she had ever fallen in love with him.

Closing her eyes, she listened to Thebus' heart beating under her ear. She felt the rise and fall of his chest. The combination of which began to lull her onwards towards sleep...

 

[cgraven]

Ariadne comes into the cocoon of my arms and the rough sailor’s cloak that serves as our blanket. Her body soft, supple, and so enticing. It would be easy to play the calloused rouge, take advantage of her, no cry could she make for fear of her life, and if lust for her was the only care I had, then I would do so, yet there is more that stirs my heart, love.

As I love her I have pledged my word that I would not betray her, and I will not. The warmth of her body pressed close to mine, the freagr4nce of her hair. her breath warm moist and so exciting on my bare chest. I vow to myself at this moment I will take Ariadne, to be my lover, but only by her consent.

The night is half spent when again we return to the bench for our next four hours at the oars. We pull through the night ever west ward ever towards the test the Olympians have set for Jason the ”Argo ‘ and all that sail in her. Our conversation is light, with the stories sailors tell to while away their watch, to ease the strain as our backs and legs bend to the oars. Stories of wondrous things and calmly maidens. Stories made of truths, half truths, and lies.

What tests, what adventures lay ahead only time will reveal, but what ever they are I will stand face bye Ariadne side.

 

[soliloquy]

Her new alliance strengthened by truth, Ariadne was more confident in her manner. As Aristid, she was fortunate to be able to be a bit naive as a sailor. Persephone had done her well. The work was tiresome, the journey an ongoing juxtaposition of serenity and turbulent waters. But with Thebus by her side, she felt less fear.

Allowing herself to delve into the excitement, she listened to the stories of the more weathered sailors. As Aristid, there were no stories to tell. She merely listened, and observed the way the men treated each other. In moments of panic, or insecurity, she would glance at Thebus. He seemed to know just when she needed a nod, or his intense stare that seemed to say, "It's fine. I will protect you."

She was unsure of what the course of this voyage would be, or what adventures would lie ahead for her. There were only two things that she knew for certain right now. One, that Thebus was her protector and that she could trust him. Two, that she longed for him as she had longed for no other. The latter would udoubtably be the most difficult part of her expedition.

 

[cgraven]

The days passed one after the other, in a series of storms, bending to the oars in the towering seas till you thought your back would break or they would chasing down upon you snuffing out your life in a watery grave. There where other days of bright blue skies, cloudless the sun beating down on you, thirst driving you half mad with the longing of cool spring water.

Ariadne in her guise as Aristid sat by my side for those long hours at the oar. Then at night her soft firm body cuddled against me as she again took on her true maidenly form. In periods of calm we worked on the hundreds of little things that must be done to keep a ship in good working order. Lines to be spliced, Stores to be inventoried,, sails to be mended. The sailors talked about things they had seen or heard about and always Aristid was there listening. One day the west winds died and we where becalmed drifting on the seas. No land in sight. An old sail rigged for a sun shelter and our water running low. Yet for days no word from Jason Our Captain, the men begin to grumble and speak of a cursed voyage.

 

[airborne92]

Jason

I pondered the riddle for many days. It didn't give many clues. I knew we were looking for an old tree in the south, but where. Finally I decided to head towards Egypt and start following the coast. The crew was starting to get restless. I had no idea if any of the Gods or Goddesses were watching over us on this voyage. On the last voyage this ship and her crew were watched over by Hera.

"Thebus, I want you to watch for an albatross over a tree as we follow the coast" I say to the sailor.

 

[cgraven]

"Thebus, I want you to watch for an albatross over a tree as we follow the coast"

Jason words came to me load and clear. I wave a salute to Jason slap Aristid on the back and catch a stay for the main mast. Hand over hand, my feet wrapped around the stay I make my way to the mast head and cross three of the yard. I peer along the coast of Egypt in search for the tree Jason seeks. Yet my thoughts return to Ariadne.

Well Hera and you illustrious of Olympus what have you in mind for this gallant band?

 

[soliloquy]

Ariadne was fighting a battle with herself. She was deathly afraid of what was to become of them, but she had to keep a facade of a modicum of calm. The men grumbled about the what lay in store for them, but Ariadne could hear the apprehension and fear behind the words they masked in anger.

It was hard for her to have Thebus out of reach. She knew that she was being silly, but she felt more courageous when he was close to her.

Now, with his new assigned task, Ariadne was left to her post, alone. The other men had not taken to the young boy, Aristid, as she had hoped, but her closeness to Thebus was most likely the reason for that.

She desperately hoped that Thebus would see the albatross soon. Persephone was their only hope, Ariadne was sure.

 

[cgraven]

Ariadne looks so small and fragile in her guise as Aristid, pulling at our oar by herself. The muscles in her legs and arms strain with the effort.

” Dear Persephone this little one needs your help, the crew grow restless and sullen, soon they will be bound to discover her secret, have mercy on this daughter of man.”

My entry to Olympus finished I scan the coast for the albatross over a tree, the sign for the next step of the quest., Many hours I stood watch at the fore tops searching the fabled Egyptian coast till at last I saw what we where searching for.

“Jason To points to larboard the albatross over a tree “ I call away the bearing and my finger points to the sign Jason seeks, steady as an arrow it follow the target. The Argo’s

Bow swings to the shore the leads men at the bow in the eyes of the “Argo’s” Swing his lead line calling out the depth of the rising ocean floor till at last the order is given to let the anchor go.

We rest as a strain is taken on the anchor..

I scamper from the rigging clapping Aristid on the back.

“No the adventure truly begins lad………. What matter of mischief do the Gods have planned for us.”

A teasing wink. And the crew turns to or Captain with a thousand questions. I nudge Aristid and we draw off to the side.

“Come I’ll help you with your leather armor make ready to go ashore, don’t forget your shield and javelin.”

 

[airborne92]

As the anchor takes a strain I don my armor. We will need fresh water and food as well as finding the next clue for this journey. As I leave my cabin I grab my sword and shield.

"Aristid, Thebeus, and Klebus come with me to search for the next riddle. The rest are to gather what fresh water and food that can be found" I say to the crew as they perpare to disembark from the Argo.

It will do the crew good to rest for a day or so here. When we have done what we need to I will give them time to rest.

 

[soliloquy]

Thebus helped her don her armor. Suddenly she was very aware of why men went to war rather than women. The armor and sheild were heavy, and the arms of a woman would be far too frail to carry such a load.

Then, they were off with Jason to find the riddle. Ariadne had no doubts that Persephone would have a great adventure in store for them.

Thebus stayed by her side, dutifully, as they followed Jason. Often she felt strange, being in the company of so many men, but lately she found herself catching on to the ways of men, and was more secure in her guise.

She only hoped that it was as evident on the outside as on the inside that she was growing more confident in her role as Aristid. The adventure of it all excited her, and she was sure her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes scanned the terrain eagerly, and once she looked at Thebus, pure joy dancing in her eyes.

 

[cgraven]

Our captain’s voice rings out, orders are given in quick sequence, water detail, food foragers, the watch for ”Argo” A mild grumbling is heard from the lot assigned to guard “ Argo’. I pull the last of the buckles tight that hold the boiled leather armor tight to Ariadne, in the guise of Aristid, form.

I don my own armor, helm of a leopard in place, shield upon my arm, my short thrusting spear in hand. Jason beckons Aristid, myself, and Klebus to him.

“…………..come with me to search for the next riddle. The rest are to gather what fresh water and food that can be found"

I stay close to Aristid to all nothing but a beardless youth out on this first adventure. I stay close and whisper words of encouragement, How to carry her spear, shield, and all the little things a youth of her age should know. And I ponder what those on Olympus have in mind for this little group.

Yet he adventure of it all excites Ariadne, her cheeks flushed, her eyes scanned the terrain eagerly, and they dance with joy. I want her more in that unguarded moment then I have ever could have imagined.

So we search and wait on the pleasures of the gods.

 

[airborne92]

Jason

I lead Klebus, Thebeus, and Aristid over to the tree. I look for any clue from the Gods about the next part of the journey. The riddle was vague at best, I could only guess to look for a tree wiht an albatross flying over it along the Egyptian coast. Hopefully I was right about that much.

 

[cgraven]

We grid our lions our leather armor hot in this dry costal plain the soft tilled soil powdery fine beneath our sandaled feet legs to long confined to the narrow passages of ”Argo” protest the march inland to the towering tree to where the albatross circles.

The orders are given by noble Jason search for clues, a scroll, hieroglyphs, any thing that may lead us to the next leg of our voyage, for any indications of the god’s will. Then as the Albatross comes to light on the highest branches of the tree. I look in wonder.


“Noble Jason have you noticed the tree?”

I stand there pointing to its might edifice.

“Now I am a simple sailor from the lands that lay to the east and mind you no expert in theses matters but is that not one of the mighty cedars of Lebanon?”

I pause as the little company turns at my words.

“I did not know they grew this far south and west.”

 

[airborne92]

I look at the tree itself, Thebeus is right, it is one of the mighty cedars of Lebanon.

"You are right Thebeus. I had heard rumors that some had been taken to Libya, but I thought that it was just rumors" I say to the sailors.

Why were we sent to find this tree? What did the Gods have in store for us? My mind was full of questions.

 

[soliloquy]

As the two men pondered the tree, Ariadne found herself remembering the riddle.

Without thinking, she blurted the riddle out to the two men, who stared at her as she spoke it word for word:

"A vessel of wood to hold a great treasure
From lands in the west to lands in the south
A vessel to carry a party of sailors
To a vessel to hold a treasure so fine.
To where ever the journey may take these companions
And whatever the perils such a voyage shall bring.
From a tree of deep roots and with branches that shade
the stuff that this vessel of wonder is made.
Away with you now you brave hearted sailors
for the waters that heave and the strong winds that swirl
On the great sea of life where your destinys beckon
Cast off your moorings and let your main sails unfurl"

"A vessel of wood. Would not a tree be a vessel of wood? Could it perhaps hold a treasure? Or perhaps be made to hold a treasure?"

They stared at her blankly. They had all assumed the vessel was their seacraft, but suddenly the riddle took on a different meaning, perhaps.

 

[airborne92]

Jason

I look at the tree as Aristid speaks.

'A vessel of wood. Would not a tree be a vessel of wood? Could it perhaps hold a treasure? Or perhaps be made to hold a treasure?' Aristid says.

"Let us see if it holds a treasure first. If it doesn't we must then figure out what kind of vessel we need to make from this tree" I say to the sailors.

 

[cgraven]

All stand and marvel at this giant of the high mountains flourishing along the coast so far from home. A wonder I itself surely a sign from Olympus.

Then Aristid speaks taking all by surprise, his voice small and meek suiting the guise that Ariadne has taken, that of a callow youth on his 1st adventure.

'A vessel of wood. Would not a tree be a vessel of wood? Could it perhaps hold a treasure? Or perhaps be made to hold a treasure?'.

"Let us see if it holds a treasure first. If it doesn't we must then figure out what kind of vessel we need to make from this tree" noble Jason comments.

Now we lay to and search around this giant so far from home, around its roots that sink deep into the earth supporting its mighty heights I reach for the lowest of the limbs swing up into the branches. Holding on with one arm I extend my hand to Aristid a teasing grin cresses my face.

“Come lad let us search the branches.”

 

[soliloquy]

Ariadne swung up into an opposite branch and they began to search. What they were looking for, exactly, was unknown to her, but she knew that if she found it, she was assured a safe passage on this journey. While she was enjoying the life of men, there were moments which she hid away in the dark recesses of her mind, in which she wished to have met Thebeus under different circumstances.

He was everything that she could have wanted in a man. Yes, it had crossed her mind that she was in love with the man, but under such circumstances, there was little she could do about it.

As they climbed and searched, she noticed that he found moments to touch her, not in an overtly sexual manner, but enough to remind her that he knew her secret. Somehow, it made the quest more exciting, and more bearable.

She saw a hole in the trunk of the tree. "Thebeus, come quick. There might be something in here."

 

[dragonhearted]

OOC: I just love dealing with gods...lmao

 

[Blarneystoned]

And Olympus shook.....

Zeus threw his thunderbolts into the air....Mount Olympus shook with anger....

Meanwhile in mortal land...Alexander the Great was in need of calvary...his footshoulders were decimated from his skirmishes with Persia and the young general sent out the word for recruits..

From the foothills of the Danube..came the painted ones...blue gliphs shining on their skin and limestone flittering through their hair, riding bareback on the flanks of fiery steeds they came. With weapons and armors from many lands they came to Alexander...

Alexander asked "What do you fear?" to their leader (thinking that their answer would be him). Jumping off his horse. The Celt chieftain replied simply.."We fear only that the earth split and swallow us..or the sky fall down upon us !"

And so the calvary of Alexander was born...while Zeus shook in rage on Olympus crying .."Alex, you stupid fool..those Celts are crazier than you !!"

And so it was that Alexander fell at the age of 33...and the Celtic empire spawned a rival dark age of clans and war that grew until Julius met them on the plains of Gaul.


Just a little bedtime story for all you Greeks...haha

Blarneystoned

 

[dragonhearted]

*ahem*

BUMP (for the actual roleplayers!!!)

 

[cgraven]

The climbing the searching the not so innocent brushes and touches as the search continues on our quest.

"Thebeus, come quick. There might be something in here."


There is an excitement in Ariadne’s voice the his / her eyes wide with wonder and anticipation as she points to a hidden crevice high up in the crotch of the branches.

“Shall I place my hand in to see what is awaits there or do you wish to?”

I tease, yet before Ariadne can answer I start to work my hand into the depression down deep into the dark recesses Slowly I with draw a perfect section of hart wood the living soul of this stately giant transplanted here so far from its mountain home of clear air and snow. T await for us on this hot desert plain. The tawny color so rich and alive shimmers in the desert sun I hand this precious gift to Ariadne. My lips are close to her ear my warm, moist, breath stirs the hairs at the nape of her neck, my voice a low husky whisper, meant only for her.

“Nothing but this my sweet friend, a memento of your voyage, perhaps you can make something of it to remind you of “Old Thebus”.

A smile a I kiss her neck just below her ear.

“Noble Jason Nothing here”

Shall we rejoin the others Ariadne? I extend my hand to her and draw her close to my body before we start our decent.