The Fates

Part XIX: Marcus' Letter

I opened the mini carry-on and inside was an oblong, parchment toned object beneath my filthy clothes and trainers. I pushed aside the shoes and found two books stacked beneath. One book entitled Heidi and the other called Beowulf. I opened Beowulf and wondered who had put these books in my bag.

What if Marcus searched for it or his brothers accused me of petty theft. An ivory envelope fell from the book. I stared at it before picking it off the chipped tiles. It had a black and ruby insignia that was V-shaped, formed from two long, white stripes, a sword and a shield.

My name was written whimsically; letters conjoining, after and innumerable loops and fanciful spirals finishing off the lettering. The calligraphy was penned in black ink, which turned purple if angled correctly to the side. I pouted.

Was this from Marcus? I made a move to rip it open but then l decided to carefully thumb it open; it could be his last gift to me. I may never see his face again or hear his mellow voice speak.

Castello di Volterra

Volterra, Italy

Sunday, 9th April,2007

Dear Makayla

I am greatly saddened by your departure, but I know it was to be the obdurate path of your journey, chosen by the Moirai. We shall meet again and then we shall converse, I am certain, of many subjects.

Despite your insistence that I not, I once more apologise for my brothers' impoliteness and the distress you experienced through the hands of your guide and I personally; we shall have Ms. Bianchi properly dealt with, I assure you.

Then there is the matter of my staff's denigration of your person, that too I must apologise for. I realised I never disciplined this disgraceful act all my life in the Castle, but now I have reason to. Renata informed me of your discomfort due to staying in my chambers and I sincerely hope you can pardon my thoughtlessness.

I neglected to ascertain your culture on the issue of a lady in the chamber of an unrelated man. I have no clue what other horrors you faced due to Aro's eccentricities or my staff's appalling misconduct, but I give you my word, as a gentleman it will not occur to another, as prepossessing as yourself.

I am unsure of when this post shall reach the shores of the Americas from Europe. Benjamin has reassured me that within twenty-four hours you would have seen it. I trust both men's work ethic and know it shall be in your hands as I desired.

Finally, I hope you enjoyed your flight and the chef's refreshments were in order. I pray you and your loved ones have a pleasant Easter, as is celebrated by your religion.

I have informed Demetri to post this letter along with the books, and my narration of the myth of Psyche you had not yet heard nor read before travelling.

Consider, it a token of my appreciation for your company and legitimacy. My best wishes to you in the studies you partake in and the peregrination life entails to you.

Yours faithfully

Marcus

The Labours of Psyche: A Quest for a Love Lost

Eros, after his great divulge to his wife, returned for a period of convalescence in his mother's mansion. Aphrodite was at a loss to why her beloved son took ill, and how he had sustained his injuries. She soon understood how this occurred when Psyche appeared at her doorstep. This only made enraged Aphrodite, for Eros had disobeyed her and she schemed to part the two forever.

The Cyprian assigned four labours to her unwanted daughter-in-law to test her love for her son. Psyche was always kept unaware that Eros was in one of the bed chambers of the palace. Psyche prayed to both and Hera, and whilst the goddesses heard her prayers, they were unable to interfere against the actions of another Olympian goddess.

The tasks given to Psyche were impossible for a mortal to complete. The first labour was to separate a mixed heap of barley grain, flax seed, lentils and wheat into unmixed piles before dawn. Psyche was near breaking point when a colony of ants assisted her. The second labour was to collect a fleece from the Golden Ram belonging to Helios, the sun-bearer. The ram had maimed and eaten many a traveller, that had strayed from his path. Aphrodite assumed that either Psyche would drown in the river, or else be killed by the sheep. Achelous, the river god, advised her to collect the golden wool from brambles during midday when the animal sought refuge from the unrelenting heat. She got the fleece and presented it to the love goddess, who was aghast she could ever accomplish such a feat, that even the greatest heroes could not.

When Aphrodite found her two impossible tasks completed, the goddess decided to allocate more deadly tasks. The third task was to collect a chalice of the purest spring water from the river Styx, but it was on a lofty mountain. An eagle descended and helped her gather the water. Aphrodite was certain she did not accomplish this alone.

Her anger continued to grow with each completed task, Then the fourth task was given. She was to journey to the underworld and fetch a drop of beauty from Persephone. Persephone was sympathetic to her cause and gave her a box with some of her beauty in it. On the road to Aphrodite's palace she was stricken by curiosity, so she opened the box. The box had sleep in it and not beauty. She fell unconscious. Eros and Zeus had been intervening all the while in her journey but they had been unable to predict Venus' treacherous act against the mortal. Eros, healed of his wounds, attended to his sleeping wife, who was heavily pregnant.

He took away the spell of Hypnos and sealed it in the box. Realising that Aphrodite's persecution of Psyche was to be unending; Eros goes to Zeus and begs for his help.

Zeus taken with Psyche's plight, helps her become immortal by allowing Eros to feed her the food of the gods, nectar and ambrosia. She becomes the Goddess of the Soul.

Aphrodite was not best pleased with the turn of events, but she had no allies amongst the Olympian gods to go against the decree of Zeus. A wedding feast is held in the couple's honour with Apollo playing his lyre, Pan on his syrinx, and the entertaining.

Psyche gives birth on Olympus to the god of pleasure, Hedone.