Pegasus and the Origins of Olympus Read Free

smile. ‘Of course, of course, come in!’
    Since the events at Area 51, where Emily had been forced to challenge Jupiter for the protection of Earth, they had grown closer. It frightened everyone to realize how near they had come to fighting over the fate of the world. They now talked often and Jupiter, Pluto and Neptune had become more like beloved grandfathers than the most powerful leaders of Olympus.
    ‘What may I do for you?’ Jupiter asked as he put his arm around Emily.
    Before anyone could speak, Pegasus started to whinny.
    Jupiter’s smile faded. ‘You have been having bad dreams?’
    Emily described the recurring dream. As she spoke of the jungle world, the other council members crowded around her. When she finished, Vesta turned to Jupiter. ‘I believe it is time we showed her what we have found.’
    ‘Indeed,’ Jupiter agreed. He swept his arm wide to include everyone. ‘All of you, come with me.’
    Jupiter led them through a second set of doors into an even larger marble chamber. It was filled with artifacts. Strange items sat on tables and on the floor. But it was the large slate chalkboard in the centre of the room that immediately caught Emily’s attention. The board was filled with strange writing and symbols.
    ‘There are millions of worlds along the Solar Stream,’ Jupiter began, ‘though we have only catalogued a small number of them. But recently, thanks to Emily sending both Pegasus and Alexis there, we have discovered a world at the very start of the Solar Stream.’
    Chiron stepped forward, his horse’s hooves clicking on the marble floor. ‘Until now, we never knew the Solar Stream had a starting point. This is a very exciting time for us. We have much to discover.’
    ‘Are you talking about the jungle world?’ Emily asked.
    ‘Indeed we are,’ Jupiter said. ‘Around this room are just a few of the artifacts we have found there. But among the most interesting was a stone slate mounted on the wall of a large temple.’
    Jupiter invited Emily forward to get a closer view. ‘We have transcribed the words from that stone slate here. I’ve had my best scholars trying to decipher it, but as yet, they have failed.’
    Emily studied the chalkboard. There was something familiar about the symbols. As she stared at the strange writing, the symbols seemed to blur and swim before her eyes. Suddenly dizziness overwhelmed her and she started to stagger back.
    Joel was at her side in an instant. He put his arm around her and steadied her. ‘You OK, Em?’
    Emily leaned heavily into him. ‘I – I’m fine,’ she said. ‘It’s just that …’ When she looked back at the chalkboard, she sucked in her breath. ‘I know this writing!’
    ‘What?’ her father gasped.
    Emily approached the board. ‘I can understand it. All of it.’ She pointed to each symbol and started to read aloud.
     
    Gentle travellers –
    Welcome to Xanadu.
    We ask only that you venture here with peace in your hearts and respect in your minds. For ours is the oldest world and much beloved. Yet we offer it to you as refuge. That which is ours is now yours. But be mindful of our home and honour our laws.
    •  Xanadu must be respected. It will feed you, if you do not abuse it .
    •  Our ways are the ways of peace. Do not break that peace or we will defend our home .
    •  All life is precious. You will not kill anything here or you will be for ever cast out.
    We are the Xan, creators of the Solar Stream.
    Guardians of the universe.
    Xanadu is sanctuary.
     
    Emily turned back to Jupiter. The leader of Olympus had his hand over his mouth and his eyes were the widest she’d ever seen them. He looked at her like he was seeing a ghost.
    Vesta looked from the chalkboard back to Emily in shock.
    ‘Xanadu,’ Diana and Apollo both breathed reverently.
    ‘Is it possible?’ Chiron asked softly. His golden eyes were huge and filled with admiration. ‘After all this time, we have finally found it?’ The centaur