Ariadne's string

Chapter 2 Part 1

We reached the stables, and some maids led us to the only vacant place. There were some blankets and hay bales there, and twelve pillows. "Thanks," I told the maids.

"I'm so sorry. Run while you can, sweet children! He is evil, don't trust him!" The nearest one said. She was quickly chastised by another maid, and they ran off together. I took a deep breath and turned to the children. Running wouldn't do much, there were soldiers everywhere. Besides, I had come here to end this nightmare.

"Hey. We'll be fine. I know you're scared, but we'll get through this. You are all so brave, and I admire every single one of you. Now, get to bed, you'll all need a good night's sleep." I said, looking at the children. They looked worried.

"What's a Minotaur?" A small girl asked, while tugging on my leg.

"I don't know, but I do know that you shouldn't worry about that right now." I tucked them all into makeshift beds, trying not to show them my tears. Once I'd finally put the eldest to bed (an eleven-year-old boy who insisted on staying up as a lookout), I was almost weeping.

I covered my eyes with my hands, sobbing quietly as to not wake the others. My wrists still hurt, my palms were filthy, and my eyes burned, but I didn't care. I was scared of fighting, of failing, and of letting everyone down. I was sitting in a corner of our 'room', my knees up to my chest and my head in my hands. I pressed my palms into my eyes. Gods, I'm pathetic. I've served in many wars, I've fought before, I was a princess for gods' sake. So why was I breaking down now, crying like a little loser?

While I pondered why I sucked so bad, I heard footsteps approaching. I hurriedly wiped my eyes and laid down on my side, pretending to sleep. The hay was coarse, and it scratched against my cheeks. I realised it had almost the same colour as my hair. I could smell the horse droppings around me. It was nauseating. It was a cold night, but there were no blankets left for me to fake-sleep. I heard voices getting nearer, a boy and a girl.

"Theo, we shouldn't be here, this is a bad idea." The girl's voice sounded like a squeak.

"Don't worry, they won't notice we're gone. Just be quiet."

"Why are we even here again?"

"I wanted to see them."

The people were now right in front of me.

"Oh. They're asleep." The boy said.

"Ok, so let's go!"

"No, wait."

The girl sighed.

"Look, that's the princess."
"Wow. She looks pretty."

I smiled a little. They sounded sweet, but I couldn't trust anyone here. I wondered who they were, maybe Minos' children? My heart started beating faster and faster as I heard them walking up to me.

"Yeah, and cold." My skin tingled as I felt someone start to drape a cloak over me. I didn't dare to breathe as I felt their hand on my back. I could feel the warmth of the wool, and my heart filled with gratitude.

"Come on. Let's go."

I knew this was my chance. These people had shown me kindness, and they might have information about tomorrow. I couldn't let this chance go. I quickly stood up, still keeping the cloak around me, and whisper-yelled, "Wait!" It was dark, and I could only see two figures. They stopped and turned around. I wondered if they could see me. I smiled and said, "Um, hi. I'm Ariadne."

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw the same brother and sister from earlier. They both kneeled to the ground, and I asked them why. "You're Ariadne, famous princess of Athens and mighty soldier. Why would we not bow before you?"

I didn't know what to say to that.

"Thank you," I managed. "I'm curious to know who you are, though."

"I am Theseus, this is Phaedra. Our father is King Minos."

I wondered if I also had to kneel. Before I could, Theseus took my hands in his. My heart skipped a beat.

"Why are you here? You must run, go far away from here. No one has ever survived from the Minotaur. Please, I beg you, go."

"No. Thanks for worrying, but I am here to put an end to this. My people shouldn't suffer. I want to kill the Minotaur, even if I may die trying." I looked in his eyes, trying to find that understanding. Without looking away, he said,

"Phaedra, stay here. Stand guard, and warn us if anyone comes." Phaedra nodded enthusiastically. I gave her a small smile, and Theseus and I walked away.

***

We walked along a lake, with the moon as our guide. Theseus led me to a small clearing of rocks, where we hid behind. I still wasn't fully sure if I could trust him, but I was ready to fight if I couldn't. I sat down, with my back against a boulder, my feet almost touching the seemingly black water. He sat down beside me.

"What is the Minotaur? Where did he come from?" I asked. He sighed, fiddling with the grass blades on the ground.

"The Minotaur is a half bull and half human creature. He is my half brother. My father angered the God of the sea. Poseidon took it out on Pasiphae, my mother, making her love a mighty bull. She birthed him, raised him, and named him Asterion, a name long forgotten. She loved him, and I did too, happy that she was finally happy. Then he became too dangerous. Minos wanted to use him as a weapon. Pasiphae refused, but Minos always gets his way. He forced the mastermind Daedalus to construct a labyrinth, and at the center is the Minotaur."