FanStory.com - Hermes' Questby davisr (Rhonda)

Background
Years after a fire took her parents lives and devastated her home, Echo worked at a small town newspaper. She was rescued from danger by her old friend, Theo, who took her to a new life in his world.

End of Last Post:

"Sparrow has a point," Georgios said. "This battle may well be fought by unusual means. I say we find Apollo and see what insight he gives."

Theo's eyes suddenly lit up. "I have an idea that'll allow us to stay here and prepare troops and find Apollo at the same time. Follow me."

"Hermes," he called out as they walked towards his house. "I've got a job for you."

New Chapter Begins:

Hermes crunched his food. For a moment, he didn't respond to Theo's suggestion. A deep breath later, he looked at those seated at the table.

"What you're saying is that you want me, the guy with a 14-foot wingspan, to go to the outside world and look for Apollo, a god who has chosen to recuse himself from his duties as one of the Twelve, and convince him to join us here in Concord Valley to fight Hades."

"It was your idea to find him."

"No, Theo, it was my idea for you to find him. He doesn't like me very much. There was a little misunderstanding about his former girlfriend and me in a garden."

"Hermes!"

"It was a misunderstanding," he said. "I was merely helping her find a lost kitten or something. It was perfectly innocent. I can't help it if Apollo took exception to my presence. I'm the victim of an erroneous reputation."

"Which we don't have time to discuss."

"Of course we don't, Theo, but, really, I don't see how I can be of much help on this."

"I need you to go find Apollo so Georgios and I can finish preparing the army for battle, and so we can get the citizens of Concorde Valley to a place of safety."

"I can't imagine such a place exists, Cousin," Hermes said. "Hades is the god of the Underworld. There aren't many places to hide he can't find."

"That's true, but we can at least shelter them long enough to give us a chance to fight him."

"It's possible you might pull it off, but why don't you give me the job? I'm very clever at hiding things."

Theo shook his head. "While I don't doubt what you're saying is true, time is, as they say, of the essence. I don't have wings and Georgios is harder to disguise than you are. We need you, buddy."

Hermes put his head in his hands and shook it so hard the table vibrated. With a deep sigh, he looked up.

"You'd think it was enough for me to risk life and limb to deliver your summons. Now, you want me to seek the one person I fear more than Hades."

"You're being dramatic, Hermes."

"Yes, Theo, and you're being unfair."

Echo broke in by clearing her throat. When everyone looked at her, she reached over and patted the reluctant immortal on his hand.

"You don't strike me as the sort to be afraid of much, and if truth be told, I don't buy your story about slipping through Hades' minions undetected to deliver the missive. I've encountered Specters, myself. Not much gets by them."

She ran her fingers across a fresh gash on his arm. "And I recognize their work."

"Investigative reporter, right?"

"Right."

"Not much gets past you, either. Go with me, Echo. Apollo wouldn't think of yelling at me with you there."

Theo's eyes and nostrils flared. "No, Hermes, she's not going anywhere with you."

Hermes laughed and gave Echo's hand a squeeze. "He's probably right. How about Hannah, then? Apollo is sure to like her."

"No, Hermes. You can't use Echo or my little sister as shields. Please go face your brother and come back with him to help."

Hermes stretched his hands out in front of him and cracked his knuckles. "In all seriousness, how about if I take Adam with me? He's 21 and old enough for a trial of his own."

"He doesn't want one. He has no aspirations to be a god of power at all, not even a minor one."

"Sometimes those who don't seek leadership are the ones best suited for it."

"Like you?" Theo asked.

"Exactly," Hermes said. His clear blue eyes sparkled in acknowledgment of the comment, "and in other cases, serious, determined people work out fine, too. So, what's your decision on Adam? I require your permission to take him, as he has not been summoned by the Twelve, or Ten, as it were."

"I give my permission in absence of our father," Theo said. "But whether or not he chooses to go is entirely between you and him. Either way, I'll meet you back here in the garden when you return."

"That works for me. I'll send a message when I'm on my way." Hermes stood up and took his empty plate to the sink. The others stood up with him. "Echo, it's been a pleasure to have met you. I'm sorry the circumstances weren't better. Later, when all the dust has settled, I'd like to get to know you."

"I don't think so," Theo said.

"What? Surely you don't think I was flirting with Echo? Why does everyone always assume I'm up to no good?"

"We don't have time to discuss that topic, either," Theo said.

"You're as boring as my brother." Hermes grinned and winked at Echo. "Work on him while I'm gone, would you?"

"I'll do my best," Echo said. She smiled in spite of herself. Hermes truly was just a little boy in a grown-up body.

Hermes squeezed the back of Georgios' hairy neck. "Take care of them, old friend. And while you're at it, take care of yourself. This will be a clash of Immortals, and I don't need to tell you how perilous it is for all who bear that distinction."

Georgios uttered a sound very like the neigh of a horse.

"Peace be with you, too." Hermes said, then left through the front door. The sound of beating wings, 14-foot by his account, let them know the messenger god had departed.

"As I said earlier, you've now met Hermes," Theo said. "My father once told me that, in spite of his nonchalant attitude, he's one of the most deadly of the gods. He's reported to be an absolute master in archery and can outlift even Zeus in the gym."

"I think he's charming," Echo said, "but don't worry, I prefer the serious, moody type."

Theo squinted his eyes and frowned. "I'm not a bit moody, but the serious part I'll own."

Georgios laughed and shook his head. "Brother, I'll head back to the barracks. Meet me there?"

"Sure. I'm going to show Echo around the house before taking her to Mary's."

Georgios gave her a warm hug and the gentle neigh he had uttered to Hermes.

"Peace be with you, too," Echo said.

She watched as the door closed, then turned to Theo. "I'd love to look around. I'm glad you suggested it. I've already noticed the fine cabinetry in here. Did you do the carvings on them?"

Theo nodded, a smile brightening his face.

"And are those chrysanthemums in the pattern?"

"Yes, they're my favorite flower."

"Mine, too. They've always reminded me of you. You brought me a bunch of them that morning in the clearing. Do you remember?"

"Of course," Theo said. He touched her hair in a light gesture, "and you put a sprig of them right here. I thought you were the prettiest thing alive."

Echo blushed. "Thank you, and I thought you to be the most exciting. In spite of all I'd been through that day, my experience with you was like an oasis in the desert."

"Pretty deep thinking for a five-year-old."

"I've had more time to think about it since."

"I'm flattered you did. Some day, when all this is over, we'll have to revist that day."

"Isn't that why you brought me to Concorde Valley?"

"Partially."

"Why else?"

Theo looked at her fondly, but didn't answer. She already knew there was much he couldn't yet discuss.

"Have you thought any more on your horse name?" he asked.

"Some. I'll figure it all out sooner or later."

"Aren't you curious?"

"I'm an investigative reporter," Echo said. "Curiosity is my normal operating condition. My mind has just been overwhelmed with so much else. For a beautiful valley, I've found little so far that's peaceful."

"You aren't exactly catching us at our best."

"Nor you, me. The funny thing is, we've only known each other when things were out of sorts. Do you think we'll like each other when they're normal?"

"I'm counting on it," Theo said. "Now, let me show you the rest of the house."