Twisted Mythology: Ariadne Read Free Page B

crown of ivy on his head.  This had
to be Dionysus!
    The stories she had head of this new god spoke of a merry
god, but now he looked anything but happy.  He looked as though he had just
worst news a person had ever gotten.  Ariadne felt her heart sink at the
sight.  He looked in need of consoling.  It should be her brightening his evening. 
She was certain she could bring a smile to his face given the chance.  But how
could she get to Naxos?  Despite the freedom she had, she was still closely
watched, and her duties would go undone if she abandoned Crete.  What would
become of the monster if she followed her heart to Naxos and Dionysus?
    A servant pressing a hand into her shoulder brought Ariadne
awake.  She opened her eyes to see the taller of the two servants smiling down
at her.  She pushed herself into a sitting position when the servant let go of
her.  The woman quickly helped her to her feet and into a clean dress.
    “Where would you like to take your morning meal this day, my
lady?” the woman asked as she combed the knots out of Ariadne’s hair. 
“Privately or with the King’s guests?”
    “With my father’s guests,” she replied.
    If she were to discover what the tributes knew of Theseus’
plans, it would be best to get them to like her.  They would tell her nothing
if they did not think her a friend.  Showing them the weaving on her loom crossed
her thoughts, but she had yet to finish her latest project.  She doubted she
would earn their trust if they saw a weaving of a tribute being sent down to
the Minotaur.  Perhaps she could ask for a second loom to be set up in the
shrine.  Could she hope that her father would approve the request this time?
    “Any other news to report?” she asked.
    “Seven wooden swords have been delivered to the shrine,” the
servant told her.  “A guard delivered them to the courtyard only moments before
I came to your side.”
    Theseus would be pleased to hear that his request had been
fulfilled in part, Ariadne was certain.  With her hair properly fixed for the
day, she excused the servant and found her way to the dormitory.  Several but
not all the tributes had come down to the main floor, Theseus among them.  He
stood near the rear wall where he could see anyone who walked inside or down
the staircase.  The other tributes stayed away from him.  Were they more scared
of this youth than of the Minotaur?
    Ariadne took a seat at a table where three maidens had gathered. 
She smiled at them as she reminded them of her name.  They whispered their own
to her under the glare of Theseus.  A few moments later, the servants arrived
with platters of food and drink, and as the last platter was set on the table
closest to where Theseus stood, the remaining tributes drifted down the stairs
to join the rest.  Theseus did not join them and when she could eat and drink
no more, she came to the youth’s side.
    “My father refused to send over a tutor to instruct you with
weapons,” she said, loud enough to be heard across the room, “but he did have
wooden swords sent over so you may practice amongst yourselves.”
    The tall Athenian youth nodded.  “I suspected I was asking
much but this courtesy is appreciated.”
    She smiled, watching the youths rise from their seats and
make the short journey to the courtyard.  Theseus followed behind them, weaving
in between tables to grab the bits of uneaten food that had been left behind. 
Ariadne approached the maidens she had not spoken with upon her arrival and
introduced herself once more.  They murmured their names under their breaths. 
    She sighed.  Never before had she been required to make
friends.  She grabbed a chair the youths had vacated and sat down close to the
maidens.  How could she possibly get these maidens to like her?  Not knowing
where to start, she decided to recite what she remembered of the last new tale
she had heard regarding Dionysus.  The longer she spoke, the closer the