“We have a problem,” said the one called Athena.
“Yes,” said Aphrodite. “We were at a banquet for a few friends of ours. . . .”
Varian wanted to interrupt them, to ask from where they came, whose banquet, by what means had they come here. . . ? But he could say nothing. It was as though they were exerting some influence over him.
“And there was a special delivery,” said Hera, reaching into the folds of her gown, producing an exquisite piece of sculpture—a golden apple. Varian, being the perceptive observer that he was, was as much entranced by the perfection of the golden sculpture as he was by Hera’s seeming magic: she had been carrying that apple somewhere in her gown, but it was so sheer, and filmy, and clinging . . . where had she hidden it?
“Special delivery?” he finally said.
“Yes,” said Athena, her dark hair falling sensuously across her face. “It was left with a small message attached which instructed the piece to be given to the most beautiful woman at the banquet.”
“Actually,” said Aphrodite, “it read for the Fairest, and everyone vied for its possession, until the choice was narrowed down to us three.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand all this,” said Varian, still clutching his sidearm. He was reluctant to put it away, since he quite frankly did not trust the women’s story, and suspected them of being several of the Guardian’s homologs. “Could you please tell me what banquet this was, and where you have come from? I was not expecting anyone else to be here, you see. . . .”
Hera smiled. “It is the banquet of King Peleus and Thetis. It was held on Olympus, of course. Now, please, we have not much time and we wish your help.”
“Yes, we do,” said Athena and Aphrodite together. Varian was confused and somehow intimidated by the women. He had never heard of the King, his companion, nor Olympus, but his mind was not focusing on these things. He found himself hanging on Hera’s last words, that they needed his help. “What can I do for you?”
“It’s fairly obvious, isn’t?” asked Athena. “We want you to be the judge. We want you to choose which one of us is the most beautiful. . . .”
“That’s correct,” said the other two.
Something reeled in his mind. The thought of choosing between the three women was almost inconceivable, and he wondered if he was at all capable of it. Each one, in her own way, was so singularly exotic, mysteriously attractive . . . it was not a choice any man would anticipate.
“I don’t know if I can do it.”
“Oh, you can do it,” said Athena.
“But you will probably need some time to think about it,” said Aphrodite. “We understand that.”
“And so,” said Athena, “we shall leave you for a while, then return for your decision.”
Before Varian could object, all three women turned and glided quickly through a break in the grove of trees. He jumped to follow, to catch up with them, and found that they had vanished completely. There was no sound, no evidence of their ever having been there. He was a man who had fought duels, ambushes, taken part in sea raids and other military actions, but he had never felt the cold bolt of fear that now shot through him.
There was a sound behind him.
Whirling quickly, he turned to face the enigmatic Hera, standing alone before him. She smiled at him coyly, her auburn hair falling naturally about her shoulders.
“Don’t be alarmed,” she said. “I’ve come to offer you a bargain.”
“What?” Varian was very confused now.
“It’s quite simple, really. If you choose me, I am prepared to give you political control of the entire World. Don’t ask how I can do it, just believe me when I say that I can. Simple, see? Pick me, and you are the Emperor of the World.”
“It’s not possible. . . . You—”
“I am serious,” said Hera, and her voice cut through him like a blade. She carried the authority and haughty bearing of someone who was accustomed to power and its many uses. For some reason, unexplainable at the time, Varian believed her.
“I will have to consider it,” said Varian.
“Of course.” Hera smiled knowingly and walked into the forest.
Before he could follow her, to see how she effected her mysterious exit, there was another sound behind him. Someone was calling his name.
He turned and was only half surprised to see Athena, dark, sultry Athena, standing close to him, one bare leg extended through a slit in her gown and her hips canted at a provocative angle.
“I also have a bargain,” she said.
“I’m somehow not surprised.”
Athena laughed. It was like a series of musical notes, hypnotic and extremely pleasing. “No, Varian. Not what you may think it is.”
“Go on then. If I choose you, I get what?”
“It’s very simple. You will get what you came here for. The secret of the Citadel. The knowledge of the Guardian and a true history of the First Age.”
His heart jumped, a physical reaction which characterized the impact the words made upon his mind. How could she know what he wanted? How could she give it to him?
“There is no questioning my ability to give you what you want,” she said, as though she knew his thoughts. “I’ve heard that somewhere else, I think.”
“Nevertheless, you must choose.”
“I’ll have to think about this if you don’t mind.” Athena smiled and stepped backward, blending into the lush colors of the forest. In an instant she was gone. He was still staring at the place where she had disappeared when he heard his name once more.
Turning slowly this time, Varian was not at all surprised to see the lovely Aphrodite standing several paces away from him.
“I’ve been expecting you,” he said, smiling sardonically.
“Have you?”
“Let’s keep things short and simple. If I choose you, what do I get?”
Aphrodite giggled. “You are quite pragmatic, aren’t you?”
“When the
