“I wouldn’t trust that son of a bitch to speak my weight,” said Liz, looking at the flapping sail. “He’s right, though. Without a favorable wind, undertaking that voyage in this tub is a hopeless cause.”
“What he’s talking about is a visit to the island of Aeolia,” explained Jerry. “You can see the sun gleaming on the ‘unbroken wall of bronze.’ Aeolus is the ‘Warden of the Gales’ in the Odyssey. He gave Odysseus a fair wind for Ithaca and imprisoned the other winds in a sack. In the gospel according to the ever-truthful Odysseus, his foolish men thought it was treasure and let the winds out, which blew them all over the place. Aeolus crops up again in the Aeneid.”
“Lucky old Aeolus,” said Liz sourly.
Jerry’s snort was every bit as sour. “Lucky, my ass. Nobody’s too lucky whenever they run across Odysseus. When Odysseus’ fleet visited him, Aeolus was forced to wine and dine them at his expense. He was foolish enough to let ten ships into his harbor and disgorge their crews before getting the measure of the commander. After a month of that, the keeper of the winds handed over the windsack just to see them out of there. And he was careful not to let them disembark when they came back the second time.”
* * *
It was a superlative natural harbor set in an inlet in the cliff wall that surrounded the island. The island was, however, relatively stark and stony compared to the shores of Thrinicia or Circe’s wooded home.
“Good defensive spot,” said Cruz, giving it a professional once-over.
“According to the book,” said Jerry, “it has Aeolus and his six sons and six daughters on it. That seems a small group to defend an island of this size. But perhaps there were more. It wouldn’t have seemed so, because the six sons were married to the six daughters. That kind of counts out too much other available nobility, although peasants and slaves wouldn’t have been part of that number.”
Liz made a face. “Yuck. Nice people. Founts of modern morality.”
Lamont grinned at Liz. “You don’t know half of it. The ancient Greek gods were always so busy doing something nasty, or screwing around with someone, I’m surprised they had any time for blessing wombs and crops. I was quite shocked by it all.”
Jerry chuckled. “True. Not to mention the Heroes. Anything you can think of from cannibalism to killing their fathers to marry their mothers, eh? But what about this place? Do you think we’ll be attacked, or helped?”
Cruz looked thoughtful. “It’s a good position for defense. But they’re not above the ships. They can’t really attack us, but they could hold out for months. Tough to hold with a handful of men though, especially if they rely on some trading. Like—who do you let in?”
Jerry shrugged. “Yeah. And I don’t know what sort of welcome we’ll get. Odysseus was here with the better part of five hundred men last time.” Jerry looked up at the bronze walls. They appeared impenetrable.
* * *
Aeolus was there to meet them on the shore. He scowled ferociously at Odysseus. But he studied the modern folk with interest.
“Greetings, newcomers. What is it that you have done to get Zeus so spitting mad at you? Hermes has come to tell me that I am ordered to keep you here. Feed you royally and fill you with strong wine, while Olympus prepares to loose its might against you.”
Four young men were staggering down to the stone quay with an enormous leather bag. Aeolus pointed to it. “Stow it carefully and row your way out before the tide changes. I’m not having that damned freebooter inside my walls again,” he said, pointing at Odysseus, “and Zeus doesn’t have much regard for other people’s property when he tosses his thunderbolts. Get you gone. Where do you want a fair wind for?”
“Egypt. Thank you,” said Jerry.
Aeolus smiled. “How fortunate. It is my gift to you. Speed you swiftly, and keep all the contrary winds trapped in the bag. I do not like whatever is afoot with Olympus.”
“What? I mean, what is happening?”