5 Parthenon

The Parthenon loomed ahead of Calliope, majestic still despite the dark clouds rolling in and the rain that had begun to fall lightly. Though the lighting was poor, the Parthenon seemed to glow in the dim light, a beacon for any travel stupid enough to be walking around in the storm.

Calliope was included in that group of people.

Her steps were well paced and she walked with a sense of assuredness. Her eyes were bright and her stare intense despite the dreariness of the day. There was an air of determination around her that anyone could see and perhaps even feel from a mile away.

She slowed as the climbed the steps leading into the Parthenon. She inclined her head in respect.

A young woman smiled at the Athenian princess as Calliope entered the Parthenon. Calliope offered a smile in return and sat down in the middle of the temple. She closed her eyes and breathed slowly. It took only a moment for the girl to fall into a deep sleep.

...

Calliope dreamed.

She dreamed of a white stallion galloping in a constant gait down a beach, the pound of its hooves rhythmic against the damp sand. A misty drizzle made the horse's pristine coat look grey. Above it, an eagle soared with an olive branch in its talons. The horse picked up its gait and ran faster and the eagle swooped down over the water. Not letting go of the olive branch, it snatched up a fish and soared upward again, winging its way toward the same city the horse ran to.

The cityscape of Athens was clear on the horizon, the horse running to it and the eagle shrieking as it beat its massive wings, also heading to the city. A crack of lightning flashed above the city, illuminating the sky and casting a vivid afterimage, at the same time lighting up the legions marching to the city, each soldier wearing armor and carrying a pilum and a Roman shield. Each soldier had an expression of grim determination, clearly with a mindset for war.

With a loud BANG! of thunder, Calliope jerked awake.