Atalanta felt utterly baffled by Morpheus. A meal, a song, or a dance as payment? Was that really a price?!
If learning magic were that easy, the world would be swarming with people chasing such opportunities!
Even without innate talent, the cost was so low it was worth a try.
Yet, despite Morpheus's words, Atalanta couldn't shake her unease. Frowning, she said, "If you can't raise the price, I really can't learn magic from you."
"Feeling uneasy?" Morpheus asked.
Seeing her nod, he fell into thought. Finally, he shrugged. "Honestly, I can't think of anything you could offer that I need."
Atalanta raised an eyebrow. Though likely true, his bluntness was almost offensive.
It was as if he were saying, "You're too weak to help me," dismissing her entirely... not just her strength, but even her appeal as a woman.
"Oh, is that so?" Her tone grew stiff.
"Don't be upset," Morpheus said. "I spoke from a place of reason, free of improper thoughts. Your charm as a woman is undeniable... no question there. I'm not denying that."
Atalanta met his gaze. His smile was unreadable, his pale blue eyes captivating, almost like Mystic Eyes piercing her heart.
"Forget what I said earlier; let's pretend we didn't have that talk," Morpheus continued with a laugh. "Your strengths lie in a different path from mine, so I truly don't need what you can offer. It's not just you... few in this world can help me where I need it. In the extreme, maybe no one can.
"Don't misinterpret. I mean on my path of magic. No one can offer me knowledge or the like. At best, I'd get opinions based on others' experiences, but those might be useless. My magic is just too unique."
His words sounded arrogant to Atalanta, yet his demeanor put her at ease. She couldn't help but laugh. "You talk like even the gods can't help you."
Morpheus smiled faintly. "Do you think my words excluded the gods?"
Atalanta opened her mouth, wanting to say "no," but his question implied only one answer.
He'd included the gods in his statement!
Such audacity, claiming even the gods couldn't aid his path!
"Imagine two people," Morpheus said. "One's a master farmer, unmatched in skill. The other's a decent hunter, still learning. The farmer's expertise can't teach the hunter how to hunt... he doesn't know how.
"That's my relationship with the world. The gods are like master farmers, while I'm a novice hunter. To improve, I can only rely on myself."
Morpheus likened his magic to a realm untouched by the gods. Though odd, Atalanta grasped his meaning.
"So, you're saying your magic treads a path the gods haven't explored?"
"Exactly," Morpheus nodded. "So I really don't know what price to ask. If a meal feels too cheap for the magic I'd teach, how about this…"
Recalling a scene from an old drama, he said, "If I need your help someday, you'll assist me once, and I promise it won't go against your will."
"Won't go against my will?"
"It won't be anything that makes you deeply uncomfortable. Without limits, it'd feel like coercion." Morpheus even suggested, "We can have the gods witness to ensure the agreement's validity."
"That's acceptable…" Atalanta murmured, noting his courtesy and thoughtfulness... leagues above the violent men she'd encountered.
Still, she shook her head. "But I need to consult the great Lady Artemis first. If she disapproves, I won't agree."
Morpheus nodded. "Of course. I said we could have the gods witness. If you think Artemis is suitable, let her oversee it."
The maiden corrected him again. "The great Lady Artemis!"
"Right, right, the great Lady Artemis," Morpheus said, his tone still lacking reverence.
Frowning at his nonchalance, Atalanta asked, "Why don't you show respect for the gods?"
"I do respect them. I like Artemis a lot!" Morpheus replied instantly, his sincerity so genuine it showed no trace of a lie.
…
Jason found Castor with his sister.
Castor glanced at him curiously. "Not with your lovely queen?"
"Hypsipyle's the queen; she has duties to attend to during the day," Jason said, unsure how to broach his question.
Kindly, Castor asked, "What's on your mind?"
"I wanted to ask… do you know of the Guiding Star?"
"The Guiding Star?" Castor echoed, a faint smile appearing. "It's been a while since I heard that name."
He knows! Jason's heart leapt. "Who is the Guiding Star?"
"An ancient god, the light guiding ships through darkness, a twin deity," Castor said, then asked, "Why bring it up? Where'd you hear the name?"
Jason hesitated. "You don't know?"
"I know of the god but not much else. Why ask?"
Seeing Castor's curious eyes and Pollux casually eating fruit, Jason wavered but didn't share his thoughts. "Nothing. Thanks for the info."
Castor suddenly said, "Everyone seems happy. Why not stay a few more days?"
"You're right. A good rest is nice. We might not find another place like this," Jason nodded, then left.
Watching him go, Castor sighed in relief, pulling out his hidden stone tablet and resuming his carving.
"Your suggestion was to keep Jason from leaving?" Pollux asked.
"He probably wouldn't leave, but just in case. He clearly likes Hypsipyle and doesn't want to go, but he needs a reason. Now, with everyone needing rest, he'll stay longer," Castor said, pausing his work. "Done!"
He handed the tablet to his sister, beaming. "Check it. Any issues?"
The siblings reviewed the story etched on the tablet several times, ensuring it was flawless, then relaxed.
"It's good."
"Spread this, and you'll be inseparable twins, gods by birth. The brother, made human by mortal prayers, is truly a god, not a man."
A voice interrupted. They turned to see Morpheus.
"Such strength!"
"Worthy of the one who slew Typhon!"
The twins were shocked by his silent approach. Morpheus studied the tablet, even offering critiques.
Pointing to a section, he said, "This part could use a tweak. You're human now... that's fixed. We can work with that."
Castor eagerly asked, "How should I revise it, Mr. Morpheus?"
His respect for Morpheus was absolute.
"Write that Castor became human due to mortal prayers, but he remains a god. His divinity is eternal, unstrippable. If he chooses, he can restore it. He wanders the world as a human by preference."
Morpheus looked at Castor. "What do you think?"
The revision was better, reducing conflict with his human state and potentially granting freedom to shift between man and god... a higher success rate than the original.
Castor grew curious. How could Morpheus, a magus, so precisely grasp these nuances and craft such a narrative?
***
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