Ares was at a loss on how to answer. His wide eyes and open mouth declared his
surprise at Athena’s declaration.
“Hear my judgment, Ares Enualios and Erethizo, son of Eris.
Athena turned to the fearful youth.
"Son of Eris. For disobeying the dictates of the gods, you are hereby banished to the
house of your mother for a period of three years, there to remain a mortal for the same
period, and not leave until your sentence is done.”
“No! Not that!” cried Erithizo as he disappeared in a flash of light.
“Ares Enualios. You have violated one of the oldest covenants entered into between the
pantheons. You have dishonored yourself by attacking the mortal hero responsible for
Ymir’s defeat. You have outdone yourself by being fooled by Erithizo. And in doing so,
you have meddled in matters beyond your ken.”
“What? This mortal? A hero? And you choose you to take his side? Instead of your
brother’s?”
“Half-brother. You have your uses, Ares Enualios. This is not one of those times. Hear
the sentence of Zeus, our father, as rendered through me. You are hereby forbidden
from leaving Hellas for three years. You are forbidden from taking any divine action
against the mortal and his companions. And by way of recompense, you will give the
mortal your divine ring.”
“My divine ring? It will take Hephaestus a year to make a new one for me! And you
know what he thinks of me!”
“Your problem, not ours. The sentence having been declared, now let it be done.”
“That mortal shall pay for this! Mark my words, Athena! He shall pay!”
Ares disappeared. And in his place, a ring lay on the marble floor.
Athena looked at Odin.
“My lord, your thoughts?”
“Oh, I am not worried about our young mage there, despite the threats of Ares. With
that ring, he can handle Ares just fine. What concerns me is what will he be at the end
of his journey?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to deal with him right now?”
“No. I have thought about it at first but didn’t choose that path. On hindsight, it was
the right decision. You saw the creature in the Gap. No god can control or defeat it. We
don’t know if it resides in our mage or if, by being alive, holds it in check. In this
matter, a single mistake will destroy us all.”
“The unknown always pose the worst problems.”
“My worry is that knowledge about him may spread to the other pantheons and the
hidden ones. If that happens...”
“Then we best make sure it doesn’t happen.”
“But Dori is not the best place for him right now. Nor bringing him back to Skaney. The
web of fate is being written and I hesitate to interfere more than I have done so far.”
“We do have to try to steer him to a path in our favor.”
“True. But I will leave them in your capable hands. This is Hellas, anyway.”
“There is a city not so far away. Dedicated to me. Though I have not visited it in a
while. I will move them there, away from the worshipers of Ares.”
“Don’t forget the ring. He needs it. That I foresee.”
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CHAPTER LORE:
Eisagogi - Greek. Meaning "introduction," or "insertion."
Ekdromos - Greek. Ancient Greek light hoplite.
Document Outline
COVER PAGE
Author's Notes
Prologue
Chapter I Wet Beginnings
Chapter II Inside Joke
Chapter III Dysfunctional Children
Chapter IV Mischief in Person
Chapter VI An Old Man"s Ring
Chapter VII A Dokkalfr Welcome
Chapter VIII Fossegrim Hal
Chapter IX Magic!
Chapter X Monsters and Coffee
Chapter XI Greeks, Gods, and Gifts
Chapter XII Para Bellum
Chapter XIII Unwelcome Guests
Chapter XIV Cry Havoc!
Chapter XV Rumpr
Chapter XVI When Mountains Talk
Chapter XVII A Method in Madness
Chapter XVIII Aftermath
Chapter XIX Of Gods and Plans
Chapter XX When Greeks Come Calling
Introduction to Book II
