United Effort

A group much larger than Calista expected gathers at the village early in the morning. Damon leads them toward Calista, his word of the promise made by her inspiring many to take a chance once more.

“Thank you all for coming. As you’ve heard, our plan is to revive the river. My partner has the necessary plans, it consists of removing the trash we can find and some minor modifications to the shape. As for fear involving the lord of the area.” Calista stops and looks to Mount Olympus. Light envelops the top of the mountain, “A new god is born… so she has taken the seat.”

Those gathered at the village become excited at the sight. A new god could bring great change. Despite taking the chance today, many do hope for a return to times when gods aided in their lives.

“Everyone.” Calista gathers their attention once more. “As much I appreciate your devotion to the gods, it is important that you focus on the task at hand. Gods may be powerful, but I promise that you all are also capable. Thank you.”

After taking a final glance at Mount Olympus, the villagers line up to Nikolas for their task. Most are given a role in removing the trash from the river, but the most able are told to prepare for reshaping part of the river.

“Do you have a preference?” Nikolas asks Calista.

“Oh dear, an Olympian cannot dirty her hands.”

“There are gods of harvest and the hunt.”

“Yes, but they all do so at the snap of a finger. Well, Atalanta may change that perception. Anyhow, there is something I must do. I will not be long.”

Calista leaves in the direction of the ocean, glancing at their steed and realizing she has no chance of commanding it alone.

Some of the villagers ask of Calista and her reasoning for helping with the river. She’s the first Olympian they’ve seen in years, helping them may not aid in the honor of receiving a seat.

“I assure you she means well, though I am curious what she has gone off to do. So be it, for now we must focus here.”

Nikolas begins by aiding in reshaping parts of the river. Their goal is to make access to the river water easier and safer in doing so, much of the land around it made by unstable rocks or slopes. Even with their limited tools, they are successful though much of the work has been done by Nikolas.

Near the center of the river, a group attempts to remove a large tree laying in the river. They lack the strength to do so however, many are discouraged by their lack of progress.

After being gathered and encouraged by Nikolas, the group makes another attempt at the tree. Once again, they manage to inch backwards, their muscles trembling and encouraging words from others keeping them at the struggle for longer than before.

Nikolas joins, heading to the trunk itself and grabbing onto it. “Pull!”

The tree inches back more, each pull a united effort as if the villagers had become one. Nikolas claws into the trunk, taking a large step back with each pull. The weight of the tree pulls it back into the river once more, but Nikolas keeps it from moving too far. Another cry for a final pull rallies the group, their strength exceeding anything they believe possible until at last the tree is free of the river.

“Haha, you must have been a warrior in a past life to bear such strength.” Damon hands Nikolas a drink. He doesn’t drink, refusing to remove his mask.

“Traveling keeps the body strong; you’re in great shape as well Damon.” Nikolas replied.

The group shares a meal after a long day of work, their progress today impressive and well worth the reward of food brought by Nikolas and Calista.

“Damon was a soldier in the war, even at his old age he trains as if he were called into battle tomorrow.”

“Old habits die hard that is.” Damon says as he takes a sip of wine, “Tradesman, were you a soldier?”

“I was, but nothing as impressive as you it seems. I merely steered chariots, the brave men were at my side. I was fortunate to be part of their group.”

“So, you saw the battles? What were they like?” A young kid asks, they hold their share of rations close to their body, keeping them for another day in which they may not be fortunate enough to have food.

Nikolas kneels as more kids gather near him. “The battles shook the land! The horses the finest on the planet, never fearing even the moving land or the thunderous attacks from the gods. The gods were powerful, far more powerful than entire armies, their magic able to send thousands flying, or bring the oceans to fight for them. But our soldiers never lost heart, even in the face of such power they smiled.” Nikolas claps. “Storms and thunder conjured by Zeus, the frightening warriors of the dead brought by Hades, the waves threatening to separate us, those brave man stood together and marched forward!”

“Did you fight? Did you fight?”

“I did! But I was no skilled warrior. I brought weapons and rations as fast as my trusted partner could take me. But when the time came, I too was able to fight thanks to those around me. Their bravery was inspiring, I would recoil at the mere sight of dead man bones after all.”

“Then you must fear me!” Damon said as he tossed a stick at Nikolas.

“Haha, your smile is too kind to be feared.” Nikolas takes his stance, Damon following. They smile, admiring each other’s stances before reenacting a battle for the children. “I watched as they fought Ares, their battle shaking the earth itself. Ares could jump from the end of the horizon and land in striking distance. The other gods were just as powerful.”

“Did you join the fight?” The kids asked as Nikolas swung them through the air as if they were Ares.

“Of course, someone had to carry the supplies.”

The kids laugh at his response.

“All right kids, time for bed.” Damon said. He and Nikolas watch as the kids return home with their families. “Is there a reason you hide your name and face?”

“Not all of our actions in the world were honorable.”

“Indeed, I hope to forgive myself one day. And I hope you will too. You should go look for Ms. Calista, I will oversee everything here.”

“A captain I presume?”

“Once. And you one of them, at least that is what I take from such a stance.”

“Then you must have been an admirable captain, thank you again.”

The ocean side nearest to the villages is an hour walk from the work site. Few travel the distance given the terrain of the path, and the bandits known to live in the area. Despite this, it is often considered a great place to visit because of the clear water and rocks that many use as a challenge to swim to.

Nikolas has no worries as he finds bandits unconscious and with red cheeks, though he would have never let Calista go alone if he knew of them beforehand.

“Calista!”

Nikolas dives into the water and swims for Calista who floats head down in the water. As he picks her up her body jolts,

“Help!” Calista yells as she hits Nikolas’s chest with enough strength to break the bones of most.

“It’s me!” Nikolas yells.

“Tradesman? What are you doing here? I know we are partners at the moment but I haven’t given you permission to lays hands on me.”

“I thought you were drowning.”

“Drowning?! How insulting. I’ll have you know I can hold my breath for ten minutes straight and am a decorated swimmer.”

“My apologies then, I see now that you have the strength of many women as well.” Nikolas says as he lets Calista down to rub his chest.

Calista laughs and pinches his arm. “Consider yourself lucky that I held back, something I can’t say for the others.”

Calista waves her hands in the water, avoiding making eye contact with Nikolas. The only source of light being the moon, it is difficult to make out her image from a distance but Nikolas is certain of what he saw.

“We should get out of the water for now. Kraken are active with the moon.”

“Very well.”

The two sit next to each other and stare into the ocean.

“Were you crying?” Nikolas breaks the silence.

“Of course not. Saltwater is bad for the skin.”

Another moment of silence until Nikolas builds the courage to continue, though he fears a similar fate to the bandits he passed. “If you wish to speak about it then I am always willing to listen.”

“I refuse… how infuriating.” Calista glares at Nikolas as he only smiles her way. “Give me another moment before I speak.”

“As long as you need, sitting next to a beautiful woman is always a treat.”

Calista smiles. “Flattery will get you no favor when I become a god.”

“This is more than enough.”

“Then I will grant you the honor.”