Part 31

I grow old, my limbs puny.

He is young, strong. My enemy shall be his enemy.

And for that enemy his name shall be Nemesis!

8. The Minotaur

"Being a well-educated earthling," Zeus began, a slight touch of sarcasm in his voice, "You are undoubtedly familiar with the legends of the Minotaur?"

"I have been told the legend by my mother, sire."

"Ah, a wise woman. And proud, I am sure, to have such a stalwart, handsome offspring."

"At times she has expressed doubts. However, it is but a motherly quirk, or so I believe."

"Fine, fine." Zeus seemed weary of the conversation, and yawned loudly.

"Pardon me, my son. It isn't that you aren't a brilliant conversationalist. I could listen to your childish prattle - eh - to your exploits for hours on end. Shameful, I have so little time for such pleasures. I must attend to my chores, you know. Have to give the globe another kick before long, keep it spinning." He paused long enough to sip at his nectar.

"Poor year, this. Lousy flavor. Must force myself to drink it, I suppose." He took a large draught from the flask, smacked his lips.

"Well, the annual circus is scheduled for later this spring. I've decided that we shall have some unusual creatures to entertain the Gods. They grow listless and tired with dull repetitive acts. Dragons, unicorns - you know, all old hat. So I thought I'd surprise them this time. A jolly old minotaur may well jolt them a little. Yes it should." He mused aloud.

"Bring one back. Oh, don't hurt it, please. Want it in good shape. And find out what it eats, will you? Hate to have it starve on us. I suppose we could feed it nectar and mead. Might not drink the nectar. This year's nectar is really poor. Not fit for a minotaur." He took another draught, licked his lips, then took an additional one.

"Where . . . ?" Demo started to ask, only to find himself sitting on the ground in his front yard, addressing the air.

"Yes, dear?" his mother queried.

"Nothing. Mother, do you recall telling me of the minotaur?"

"Why, isn't that strange. They had a special on TV just last night on the very subject. The nasty creature has wandered away from the maze. No one knows to where. Frightful creature. I certainly hope it doesn't come near here. I'd give it such a whack."

She brandished her broom in the air, brought it down within inches of Demo's foot.

He scrambled backward.

"No one knows where it is?"

"No, sonny. But you stay away from the woods for a while. It may well be wandering out there. It could be very hungry. And no one knows what it eats. It really has a nasty temper, or so they say. I wonder why it has a nasty temper?"

Drat! Wandered off from the maze. Poor security, I'd say. Where would I wander if I were a minotaur? He sat in quiet thought.

Food, of course, it must find food. No keepers to feed it now. And water, certainly. The body of a bull, the upper torso of a man. Boy, I bet it has a strange diet!

I could go over and look at the maze. Might be a clue or two there. And I better talk to the keepers. They should have a handle on its feeding habits.

And if I find it? What then? How does one capture a minotaur? Or keep oneself from being devoured by it? Ahh, and I was so happy as a simple hunter!

"Mother, I'm off again tomorrow."

"Oh, I wish Zeus would quit sending you on these silly errands. And you should forget about that Athena. I hear she has a vicious temper. Now Theresa, she is such a lovely girl. And so docile. You'd make such a handsome couple," she finished wistfully.

"Yes, mother. Do tell dear Theresa hello for me."