A Visit from Daedalus

To say anyone expected a visit from Daedaulus would be untrue. The man rarely left Knossos, therefore wherefore would anyone had expected him to have come to Malia?

When he arrived at Malia, Niall was the first to notice. His fur stood on end, his ears flattened, he arched his back and narrowed his eyes while Art and Thebe sat together in the garden, Gann in the latter's arms. Growling, the feline stared at the entrance to the garden before the Inventor even appeared. When he had, Niall let out a loud hiss that caused the Young Gael and the Athenian Girl to look up from their infant son.

Standing up, Art approached Daedalus and looked him over. He looked the exact same as when he first met the Inventor, though the Young Gael couldn't help but feel that there was something different about Daedalus. He just couldn't put his finger on what.

"What brings you here, Daedalus?" inquired Art, partially curious, partially unfriendly.

Stroking his beard, Daedalus looked over at Thebe and the baby boy in her arms. "I had heard your child had been born. I wished to come and see before Minos did."

"Wherefore?" asked Art. "You could have simply come when he did."

"Yes, well, I don't really like being part of an entourage." Answered Daedalus. "What are they?"

"A son." Art stated, keeping his mismatched eyes on the Inventor.

"So, you have a son just as I do. I hope he will be better than my own. I do love Icarus, but it is not to the point of ignoring his flaws. I do fear that those flaws may be the death of him one day." Clearing his throat, Daedalus turned his head to once more look at Art. "I told Argus you were here on Crete, but never did I give him your exact location."

"Wherefore do you come here to say this, Daedalus?" asked Art.

"I am a child-killer, but that child was not an infant." The Inventor replied. "You three must leave Crete. It will only be a matter of time until Argus finds you. I have arranged for a ship to take you away from here. You are a Gael, a descendant of Goidel Glas, who was born of the Egyptian princess Scota. Take your family and go forth to Egypt! It is a land undivided, not like Achaea and Ramesses the Great will offer you better safety!"

"Does Minos know of this?"

"He does not, Art. I will tell him later."

"What if Argus doesn't find us?" asked Art. "What if Argus leaves Crete completely?"

"What if Asterion breaks loose and comes this way?" Daedalus cracked a small smile, believing he had won the argument with this change of danger. "Crete is not a safe place. First the Bull, now the Minotaur and with Argus having come here, do you really want to risk the lives of your wife, son, cat and that Corinthian friend of yours?"

"The world is filled with danger, Daedalus." Art stated. "Beauty and danger, there cannot be one without the other. No doubt there would be danger in Egypt as well. What if the Hittites attack again?"

"Neither side would dare violate the treaty!" exclaimed Daedalus. "Egypt is perfectly safe, safer than here."

Changing the subject, Art asked: "Why did you send word to Argus telling him that Thebe and I were here on Crete?"

The Inventor shrugged. "I was bored and curious as to what would happen, wanted to hear of a fight, some killing, things like that."

Staring in disbelief, Art asked: "What manner of a man are you?"

"A Cretan." Daedalus answered. "A false Athenian as well, a genius, an inventor, a child-killer, a charlatan, I am many things."

"You forgot an imprisoner of monsters."

Chuckling, the Cretan Inventor placed a hand on the Young Gael's shoulder. "Lets wait for the Labyrinth to be finished before we add that to the long list of what I am." Looking once more over at Thebe, cradling the infant in her arms, Daedalus inquired: "What is his appellation?"

"Gann." Art answered.

"A barbarian appellation!" The Inventor growled. "I do not like it!"

"Pleasing you was no aim of ours when it came to naming our child!" Thebe replied.

Taken aback, Daedalus stared at Art with wide eyes and mouth hanging open. The Young Gael could do naught but smirk at the Cretan Inventor.

Once he had found his voice, Daedalus uttered: "That is quite the tongue your wife has, Art."

Smiling, Art looked skyward and commented: "Yes, indeed." Then once more looking at Daedalus, he inquired: "Would you have anything else you'd like to speak about Daedalus?"

"No, no." The Inventor shook his head. "I must return to Knossos. The Labyrinth needs building, the Minotaur needs imprisoning." Art felt that unnatural abomination needed slaying, but he doubted there was one alive who could so such a deed, but who? A Gael such as himself? A true Athenian like Thebe? An Egyptian? Who could say?