The Dry River

Nikolas escorts Calista to the dry river after leaving the boat by the shores. Past a short forest trail, they reach the dry river side.

“It’s worse than I thought. How long has it been like this?” Calista asked.

“5 years I believe, at least from what I’ve heard. The war affected it but it was a long drought afterward that lead to its death.”

“It must have been devastating.”

“It is. Many families migrated, their farms and livelihoods depended on the river. Those that left to the city were rejected however; I doubt the others who spread in other directions fare much better.”

“They did try a revival effort before leaving? I’m sure with enough people it would have been possible to bring it back to life, even if far from its prime.”

“Did they try? Mortals?”

“Of course, who else?”

Nikolas looks east of the river. “You seem to have a misunderstanding about this realm. May I take you somewhere?”

“I’ll allow it. Be warned, anything suspicious and you will understand the strength of an Olympian, even one as frail looking as I.”

Nikolas laughs. “I wouldn’t dare anger an Olympian anymore than I have already.”

“Already?” What do you-”

Before Calista can finish her question, Nikolas whistles. It echoes through the area and forces Calista to cover her ears. The clouds above trembled, but the whistle is successful in summoning a horse.

“A horse charmer. A skill worth some gold, but I will be seeking restitution for my bleeding eardrums.”

“I shall warn you next time. As for gold, I believe this skill is best used as an escape tool. Now then.”

Helen accepts Nikolas’s hand as he helps her board the horse. Not only did he summon one, but its one of the most impressive horses she has seen. It has great muscle and healthy hair, but she pays it little mind as she grabs Nikolas’s hand.

These injuries… Rough hands filled with calluses come from many lines of work, but the wounds around his arms only from battle. Furthermore, he helps her board the horse with little trouble. Even as light as Calista is, helping another board a horse isn’t as easy as he makes it seem.

“Do all tradesman wear such scars?” Calista asked as she holds onto Nikolas.

“Unfortunately, there are lines of work we must take.”

“For money?”

“For our beliefs.” Nikolas beckons the horse forward.

As Calista believed, the horse summoned by Nikolas is fast and strong. They rush alongside the dry river and jump over impressive gaps in the land.

Much of the mortal realm is as beautiful as the view from above, but more is revealed to Calista as they ride down the riverside.

Poverty ridden villages line the riverside. Weak, starving individuals stare at the duo as they continue to follow the river.

Calista wonders how she never noticed such tragedy. Even from such heights, and the prevailing beauty around them, the villages stand out and are abundant.

The duo stops at one of the villages alongside the river. Like all other settlements beside the river, the village has suffered from the loss of water. Much of it is abandoned, but those who remain show signs of starvation and sickness

“How dare you come here?!”

Calista turns to the yelling man barging at them. He rushes their way, stumbling along with his walking stick and wearing ripped clothes that make many of his bones visible just below the skin.

Calista prepares herself, understanding that many mortals have great hatred for Olympians. After the fall of the gods, the Olympian society collapsed. Rebuilding was a long and difficult process, one in which they ignored the mortals in need of their help.

The man walks past Calista and hits Nikolas with their walking stick. “To have the audacity to show your face! If I had the strength I’d kill you.”

The man rambles on for two minutes about his hatred for Nikolas, ignoring Calista once more as he leaves.

“You must be a terrible tradesman.” Calista said.

Nikolas laughs as he rubs his chest. “My work is known to create disasters, though some hate me more than others.”

Nikolas leads Calista deeper into the village. More people pop their heads from their houses to see the strange visitors, many sneer at them. Calista receives her fair share of angered looks, but it is nothing compared to the hatred for Nikolas.

“Excuse me.” A young girl, no older than eight, approaches Calista.

Calista kneels and smiles at the young girl. She wears a single large shirt, walks barefoot, and carries an old stuffed bear missing an arm. “Yes, dear?”

“Wow, you’re so pretty.”

“Of course, I am Olympian after all.” Calista holds the young girl’s cheek. It calms the young girl, even bringing a brighter glint to her eye, “You are quite pretty yourself, and naturally so. Keep that hope in your eyes, I promise better days are fated. Tradesman, give the young one food.”

Nikolas obliges, handing the young girl rations he carried in his bag. The young girl thanks them and runs off to share with others nearby. Despite her own hunger, she only takes what she considers necessary.

“Well done, I may even consider employing you when I take a seat.”

“Has your confidence returned already? My work surprises even me.”

“Oh please, I was only discouraged for a moment. Even without my confidence, I must help here. Now tell me, what was my misconception… no, I have another question. Even if this task is difficult alone for mortals, why has no Olympian helped?”

“You’ve asked the right question. The answer is simple however, few Olympians leave the main city.”

“I haven’t seen anyone from Olympus alongside the river. It’s not far with our abilities, they must believe this task daunting even for us, how embarrassing.”

“I have seen one or two Olympians venture farther out from this group, but this is a hefty task even for you all.”

“Alone yes, but alongside all those inhabiting the area near the river it should be possible. If it is famine that keeps them from trying, then I will gather enough food for them all. Although, your eyes tell of another reason.”

“It is what they are accustomed to. They have little idea of how to live without the aid of the gods.”

Calista fails to find the words to respond. She never considered the fact. In recent years, the gods of Olympus became involved in most aspects of mortal life, believing it necessary to keep the mortals prosperous. The consequences of such thinking stand before her now.

“Is it like this far beyond this area as well?”

“From what I’ve seen near my home and from my travels I’d say many are, though there are small areas, those with hatred for Olympians for example, that have found ways to prosper. Many have given in to hopelessness however. I like think that when the seats are filled once again then the world can return to better times.”

“Return to better times?” Calista mutters, “Are you a fool? And you call yourself a tradesman? Make yourself of use! Tradesman, you are hereby employed by me. Your compensation will be plentiful, eventually. Until then you will do as I say.”

Nikolas laughs. “You are certainly one of the more interesting Olympians I have met. But I have no reason to help you more than I already have. It’s best if I leave soon as well.”

“My boat.”

“I’m sorry?”

“You lied about a home; you want my boat, don’t you?”

Nikolas smiles. “Is it possible to lie to Olympians?”

“Do you think I am beautiful?”

“I do not.”

Calista smiles and fixes her hair. “Then our deal is in your favor. You get to stand by the most beautiful Olympian, and you will have a boat as a reward when you are done.”

“A difficult deal to let pass. Fine, you have me interested. May I ask, what will we do?”

“Why, we will revive the river of course.”