The Gorgon

Author notes



The Gorgon is a long novel that has a foreward and extra parts to it that go with the novel but at are extras at the end, including some more detailed descriptions etc. The story is broken up into two parts Part I and Part II. Part I contains life as a Priestess, and 'The Beginning'. Part II contains The Last Tapestry & Life as a Gorgon. Here is a short excerpt about 7 pages, it's called priestess (which is sorta the prologue).



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In the depths of the mirror, a reflection of a young woman stared with dark eyes that greeted her with a strange sadness.1



She had long, luxurious dark hair twisted and curled in such a natural way around her face, draping down her neck. Her hair held such a wild and captivating beauty, it was often suggested that once her hair was a plethora of writhing snakes that hissed and snarled at any attempt to comb through it.2



The woman's eyes drifted down to her lips. Rose coloured lips against caramel skin. Yes, the woman admitted to herself within her thoughts. Sometimes she felt a strange pleasure that she could make any man or woman shiver, or freeze in their tracks, as if into stone. An expression of awe imprinted upon their faces, with just a gaze, a glance in their direction.3



But the feeling of pleasure was only temporary. Because someone in a hushed tone would say in a blasphemous manner, that her beauty surpassed even Athena the Patron Deity of Athens. These words filled the woman with rage and shame. The mere suggestion of it, which there was no doubt could have been true, but only in their opinion.4



It was these whispers that often filled the woman with sadness, especially since she had devoted her life to Athena. She would admit she was beautiful, but she could not will the thought that she was more beautiful than her own Goddess without guilt.5



She slumped down in her chair, propping her elbows on the dresser before her, she placed her head in her hand and let out a sigh.6



She lifted her eyes as a gentle tap was heard at the door.7



"Medusa," spoke a woman's voice. "There are some gifts for the Goddess Athena here."8



Medusa nodded her head. The sound of soft footsteps followed by the warmth of someone behind her placing gentle hands upon her shoulders.9



"Sister, what ails you?" Medusa raised her head, and stood as her white robes dropped around her ankles. She shook her head turning to the woman who stood behind her with dark sea blue eyes. Her honey coloured hair filled with long braids against olive skin.10



"Oh, nothing Euryale. Just tired that's all." Medusa smiled lightly at her sister. She was just as beautiful, Medusa thought. She didn't see why people made a fuss over her, when she had other sisters with equivalent beauty. It had to be the hair. 11



"Oh." Euryale answered uncertainly. She examined Medusa's expression as she emptied her face of sadness and walked out and into the city of Athens where another woman awaited. She had shoulder length hair, the colour of muddy earth, with silky locks that resembled seaweed.12



Her eyes flashed as the light hit them. They were a luminescent sea green, showing her excitement as they fell upon both Medusa and Euryale. She stood holding a partially opened bundle in her arms, which held jars, breads, and fruits. 13



As usual the three were greeted by the people in the streets, with friendly hellos, nods of the heads, and respect, while making way for the priestesses.14



Medusa bowed her head slightly acknowledging the people around her, but avoiding their gaping stares as some of them stopped mid-work just to stare at the three of them, but more intensely upon Medusa. 15



"Well," Stheno answered. Medusa raised her eyes towards her. She had forgotten that she had even asked a question. "There are some jars filled with honey, and some bread, olive fruits and some flowers--gifts given to us from a young girl."16



"If they are to us, why do we give them to Athena?" Euryale asked.17



"Because the offerings were meant for Athena." Medusa's eyes caught sight of a small boy running through the streets almost into a horse drawn cart riding nearby. She grabbed hold of his shoulders as he brushed passed her. "You forget Euryale, that many people forget that we are just the servants of Athena—not her. And the idea that she may speak through us excites them, and can confuse them easily as to who they should give their offerings to."18



Medusa released the boy's shoulder still walking she gave him a gentle shove towards the side of the street. He stood gaping at what had just happened.19



Medusa continued. "We are priestesses, not the Goddess."20



"She is right." Stheno spoke, as the little boy ran up, followed by two other children a boy and girl.21



"Medusa, Medusa!" cried the boy.22



Medusa gave the boy half of a true smile, as they followed her, skipping and prancing.23



"Are you going to the altar of Athena?"24



"We are." answered Euryale.25



The girl with the darker skin spoke. "Euryale, I thought you never left the temple."26



"Only to eat and sleep." mocked Stheno, as Euryale blushed.27



"And why aren't you in doors? Don't you have work to do? Your parents will kill you children when they find you away from your duties--and so dirty." Euryale ran a finger down the girls face, and motioned to the dirt it left on her finger.28



"We are free of chores, and so here we play." answered the boy to Euryale.29



Stheno scoffed. "It is the girl she speaks of. Shouldn't you be baking and sewing?"30



"No," the girl frowned. "I want to become a priestess like you, or--" she said as Medusa raised an eyebrow.31



"Or what?" she asked.32



"A warrior!" she kicked a stick from the ground lifting it up with her foot to her hand. The boys snickered as she charged at an invisible opponent.33



"A warrior--that is for men." The boys laughed, and Medusa nodded.34



"It's true," she spoke. "It is a mans world here--unless you had been born in Sparta, or perhaps joined the amazons."35



The girl slumped. "Mother says the Spartans are for barbarians, and that the amazons are just the same."36



"Then be a priestess." suggested Stheno.37



The girl shrugged her shoulders limply. She dropped the stick. "I can't become a priestess."38



Medusa looked up, the crowd of people had dissipated. They were now walking along a dirt road surrounded by grass and meadow.39



She took the girls chin lifting it, examining her. She stopped walking and turned to Stheno and Euryale.40



"Go on without me."41



Stheno and Euryale nodded and continued, the two boys looked at Medusa.42



"You two go with them." they both nodded obediently following Euryale and Stheno.43



"Why would you want to be a warrior?" Medusa asked looking back to the girl.44



"Well, if I can't be a priestess to Athena, I could be a warrior just like her, and fight for her city." Medusa searched the girl's eyes before releasing her chin. They continued their walk.45



"Yes, you could be a warrior like Athena were you born a male." the girl's eyes watered. "But I wasn't born a male."46



"You could bear sons, mighty sons who would defend Athens. What would Athens be without the women to produce the strong males to defend it?" she wiped the girls tears. "You could serve your city Athens in that way."47



She shook her head grimly. "I don't want to marry and bear children." Medusa stopped walking again, and the girl stopped with her.48



"Well, there is one thing."49



"What?" she asked eagerly. Medusa shook her head. "No it wouldn't work."50



"What is it?" the girl tugged on Medusa's hand.51



"How old are you?" Medusa asked thoughtfully.52



"12 years."53



Medusa's eyes frowned. "No it wouldn't work." the girl slumped again.54



"For one you are too young to be a priestess, and for the other it's a decision you should think very carefully on."55



Medusa shrugged as they walked on. "You could be my apprentice. My adopted daughter, and then you could become a priestess through inheritance."56



The girl's eyes lit up. "An apprentice to you?"57



"Yes, if you are truly up to what it means to be a priestess."58



She skipped around Medusa, as they climbed up a hill where Medusa could see the two young boys coming down with Euryale and Stheno.59



"Yes, if you're serious, of course."60



"Medusa!" Euryale began. "We thought something had happened to you."61



"And yet here I am, all in one piece." Medusa smiled at Euryale, and then the little girl bouncing up and down spoke.62



"Medusa says I can be an apprentice to her!" 63



Stheno furrowed her eyes with concern, whereas Euryale's eyes sparkled with amusement.64



"A joke." Euryale laughed.65



"Have you known me to joke?" asked Medusa.66



Stheno took Medusa's arm. "Are you sure you can handle an apprentice?"67



Medusa looked at them surprised. "Why couldn't I? I take care of children just fine."68



"But as an apprentice, one who eats, sleeps, and bathes with you...don't you think..." Euryale stopped herself. Medusa's eyes fell upon the girls own. They were bright and eager to learn.69



"I have told you what I think."70



'No you haven't." Stheno frowned. "You have only admitted to saying you would let the girl be apprentice to you."71



"And what more do you need to know?"72



Stheno clenched her jaw when Euryale interrupted glancing at the children.73



"Well, Medusa has given her word, she won't go back on that. What's done is done."74



"I suppose you're right." Stheno answered unconvinced.75



"Well these children should be getting home now," Euryale patted the boy's shoulder. "It's getting late."76



Medusa nodded in agreement. "Well I am going to the temple. Go home without me."77



The boy Medusa had saved held out a hand full of olive branches with leaves. "I picked these for you, for saving my life."78



Medusa smiled warmly. "Thank you." she took them from his hand. Leaving behind her sisters she walked up the rocky hill, and stopped as she reached the temple of Athena.79



It was a simple temple, located in the center of the Acropolis. Medusa stepped inside the entrance where she was greeted by a wooden statute depicting Athena in the helmet and armour her Mother had made for her long ago.80



Medusa reached over to some incense resting on the altar and placed it over a candle lighting it. She placed the incense down into a golden incense holder, and then reached over running her hand across the Goddess Athena's own.81



"Goddess, I met a young girl today. She is young and believes she is ready for the life of a priestess. She is young, a bit older than I when I made my decision...she has the heart for it."82



Medusa sighed, there was something more on her mind. "To live as a mortal and to die for you as such is a great honour. But to live and serve you forever--to serve you, even through death."83



Medusa opened her eyes to see the image of Athena before her upon the altar. She sat with her brown hair tied back into one long braid, beneath her golden helmet. Her brown eyes were strong, her skin dark. Her armour shimmered in the dim light.84



A soft smile spread across Athena's lips. "Medusa." she stepped down from the altar and sat besides her. "Do you really think because you were born a mortal your value to me is less?"85



Medusa opened her hands and examined them. "Sometimes, yes."86



"I think it means more that you can die in the name of Athena."87



"More than those who don't have to fear death." Medusa shrugged her shoulders lightly.88



"That means a lot coming from you Goddess, but--being Mortal is my weakness." she clenched her fists. "I am the daughter of the sea Gods Phorcys and Ceto, and yet--two immortals, and born of them was me a mere mortal."89



Athena stroked Medusa's cheek, and smiled lovingly. "Not many mortals are blessed with your beauty, let alone the Gods."90



Medusa blushed. "Beauty is only a state of mind, an opinion."91



"But when many people share that opinion--" Athena stopped seeing Medusa's tears.92



Athena pulled a cloth from inside her robes, and dabbed them at Medusa's eyes, drying them. She placed the handkerchief back into her robes.93



"Mortal or Immortal, Medusa, you're value means no less to me." Athena's image shimmered away.94



"Thank you Goddess." she stood leaving the temple.95



"You're so modest." A mans voice spoke. A voice that sounded like beneath it rested rumbling oceans and crashing waves.96



Medusa turned to the voice, a tall man with a golden crown and with white hair which draped down his back and over his shoulders stood leaning against one of Athena's olive trees, eating the fruit. His ocean blue eyes followed Medusa.97



"Those fruits are not for you Poseidon." Medusa turned away heading down the path towards home.98



Poseidon appeared besides her. "Shouldn't you have more respect for the God of the seas?"99



"I do respect you Poseidon, I just don't worship you." Medusa frowned as Poseidon followed her.100



"You are my people. You were born of two lesser sea gods and yet you choose to follow the woman who stole my favourite city."101



"She won your favourite city, Poseidon the sea does not own me. I love your creations, it is the home of my birth, but I am loyal to the Goddess Athena, I love her. And you Poseidon, I have heard of you."102



"Me?" well I would hope so." he said smugly. "What wonderful things have you heard of me?"103



"They were all but wonderful." Medusa's eyes darkened. "You have a history with people, and if you remember a certain sister of mine Scylla."104



A wry smile spread across his face. "Oh that was another merman's doing."105



"That's one story." Medusa spoke indifferently. "But another has something to do with you and Amymone, and then there was Caenis or should I say--Caeneus." 106



"Poseidon cleared his throat. "You hear these things second hand, why not travel to Caeneus himself, and ask him what really happened when he was a woman."107



"You have a thing for beautiful woman Poseidon, specifically women of the Sea. But you mustn't worry Poseidon, I have made a vow to Athena, I will never be swayed by you."108



Poseidon's eyes frowned at Medusa, a charming smile spread across his lips.109



"Give it time and you will be mine." Poseidon shimmered away and Medusa sighed in relief to be home.110



She entered to see Euryale and Stheno sitting at the table with the young girl, who sat eating bread and honey while laughing at something Euryale had said.111



"What is this?" asked Medusa, staring at the sight before her.112



"What is what?" Stheno asked, as if she didn't know. Daring Medusa to mention her distaste of the girl's presence.113



Medusa instead took a different approach, rather than give Stheno the pleasure of victory. "You've all started to eat without me."114



Stheno laughed, and Euryale spoke. "Well you've never cared before."115



"I'm not too deeply wounded." Medusa spoke taking a seat, and some bread, which she dipped into the honey.116



"You don't fool me." Stheno continued to grin.117



Euryale spoke. "Oh, we will do our best to remember not to eat without you."118



Medusa allowed her eyes to stray back to the girl, who had suddenly been reduced to shyness. "Forgive me child, my manners. I haven't asked your name."119



"Euthalia," she spoke with her mouth full of falling crumbs.120



"Euthalia." Medusa repeated her eyes briefly distant. "Such a beautiful name, for such a beautiful girl."121



Euthalia blushed and shook her head, Stheno 'hah'ed'. "Well if you'd wipe that grime off your face, and stopped behaving as a boy. I am sure you could be."122



"Oh stop it." spoke Medusa handing Euthalia a handkerchief to wipe her mouth. "And you say I am unkind."123



"Is to be unkind to speak the truth?" asked Stheno, she nudged Euryale who continued to eat in silence.124



Medusa looked to the child. She now had her head lowered when just a moment before she was filled with excitement.125



"Forgive our manners Euthalia, talking as if you weren't in the room and could not speak for yourself. We so rarely have guests." Medusa stood, finishing her last bit of bread.126



"Stheno have we spoken to the girls parents yet about taking her in?"127



Stheno and Euryale both looked at each other, and then back to Medusa.128



"Well you are the one she's apprenticing--we thought you would, and besides, the child is a runaway."129



Medusa frowned, turning her eyes towards the girl. "A runaway what?"130



The girl shrunk back in her chair shamefacedly. "A runaway slave."131



"Ah!" Medusa exclaimed as if finally understanding this stranger for the first time. "Well that makes it all the more easier to take you in."132



She nodded tears had started in her eyes. Medusa took the girls chin into her hand. "There is no need to cry, I will just find your owner and buy you from him." 133



"Yes," Euryale came in. "we can go tomorrow to make arrangements, but you'll have to tell us who he is."134



Euthalia nodded solemnly, "My master is a good Master...I am to call his wife Mother, and him Father."135



"And yet you ran away?" asked Stheno.136



"You are his daughter then. " Medusa said. "Perhaps he adopted you?"137



Euthalia shook her head. "He can not...he says, I belong to someone else."138



Stheno raised her eyebrows. "Tell me then why would such a child like you run away if they treat you well?"139



Euthalia blushed. "Because I remind him of a woman he once knew and loved, because I am her blood.... So I have taken the place of this woman I am not."140



Euryale finished her bread, wiping her mouth with a cloth she shuddered.141



Medusa spoke. "No matter, we will find a place for you to sleep--why don't you share your room with Euryale and Stheno." 142



Stheno guffawed. "Why not you?"143



Medusa looked at the girl who continued to stare at her plate. "Well, I suppose you can share a room with me, come Euthalia, let me show you." Euthalia stood and followed Medusa, out of the room and to her own room, leaving Stheno and Euryale to themselves.144



Medusa looked around her room as Euthalia came to stand by her side. "Forgive me Euthalia, I'm not used to such young company--" Euthalia's eyes wandered over towards Medusa's loom, they widened as she saw the half woven tapestry.145



"It's beautiful." she whispered in awe walking towards it.146



"It's a gift for one of the princesses. I'm helping her sister weave it for her, she doesn't like to weave."147



Euthalia examined the elaborate cloth running her hands across the already weaved figure, there was an owl in the center of it.148



"But why not? I wish I could weave..."149



Medusa walked over to the bed and sat on it watching Euthalia.150



"You can't wish for what will already be done--I will teach you. It comes in handy with the peplos."151



Euthalia turned to Medusa. "Really?" she asked.152



"Of course you're my apprentice."153



Euthalia walked over to Medusa and sat besides her she smiled softly upon Euthalia and then laid her back and tucked her in. "You should sleep Euthalia, I'll be up for a while. Tomorrow we have a big day."154



"Why doesn't the princess like to weave?" Medusa was quiet for a moment, thinking.155



"I tell her frequently--the skill will save her life some day, but Philomela is young--and impressionable, she doesn't see it now, but she listens."156



Euthalia yawned, and Medusa patted her hands. "Now sleep child. Tomorrow awaits us."157



Euthalia smiled her eyes tired. "You remind me of my Mother."158



Medusa's eyes dimmed. "Do I?"159



"Yes, but not my Master's wife Mother...my Mother, my real one."160



"Where is she now, do you know?"161



Euthalia shook her head. "No, I was very young when I was placed into Masters care, but not so young that I can't remember."162



"How do I remind you of her then?"163



Euthalia watched Medusa carefully, examining her features. "My Mother had dark hair and eyes like yours."164



"As do many."165



"I know my Mother loved me. I remember being torn away--the heartbreak, crying."166



"So your Mother was a slave?"167



Euthalia bit her lip. "I can't remember. I was very young, but Kallisto...that's my Master's wife, she told me in secret when she would find me thinking about my Mother, that the Master didn't want me to know but, my Mother would someday come back for me."168



"If she'll come back for you, won't she go to your Master looking for you?"169



Euthalia shrugged her shoulders looking away from Medusa. "If she ever comes for me at all, if she's even still alive and remembers me then...I'm sure Kallisto will be there to tell her."170



"If she's still alive, if your memories are of heartbreak and crying upon departure, I am sure she'll be back for you if she can."171



"You think that maybe she's still out there? If she's okay?" Euthalia asked. "That she still thinks of me?"172



"I don't know Euthalia, perhaps she does...perhaps she doesn't, but there are so many reasons for why either way. For example if she doesn't think of you, it might hurt her too much to remember, and if she does, then it might be what gets her by.173



"Maybe she isn't okay...maybe she is. But until word comes to you, it's just not possible for you to know."174



Euthalia remained thoughtfully silent. Medusa stayed by her side until she drifted into a warm sleep feeling safe in Medusa's presence. She watched her quietly, and then she turned to the loom, staring at the owl, Athena's symbol. She closed her eyes, and breathed in the scent of life.175