Chapter 36

- Isaac! Can I help you? Artemis asked worriedly, seeing how I was trying to pull the canvas alone.

- No need dear ... ha. I myself ...

As a result, after a couple of minutes Artemis could not stand it and still helped me against my will with the canvas.

Here. Now my raft is ready!

"Will you float away now and not come back?" Artemis asked sadly.

I hugged her, she didn't mind. Yes, and I would be surprised if I objected, after spending two weeks together. During this time, she somehow finally changed. Rather, as Diana told me in secret, her old features returned to her, which were even before the birth of Princess Themyscira. And in response to my question, how does she know this, they ignored me.

Well, okay. The question is different. To be honest, I can't just leave my red-haired cutie here on the island like that. I can't stay, but I can't swim away like this.

- I'm sorry, but I have to go back. But I can visit you from time to time, unless of course you mind. Still, you understand that I have a life there and I must return to it. I have a debt. This time she interrupted me with a kiss.

- Mmm. I know honey. - and hugged even tighter, from which it even became difficult for me to breathe. - It's just that I'm worried not even about never seeing you, but about the fact that something might happen to you there ...

"Don't worry, I'm much tighter than you think. - and I smile at her. "Besides, who said I'm floating away right now?"

- Right. She smiled, but already stiffly. - Besides, you have an important match.

- What other match? - I was surprised.

- Into the fool. With Ippolita. She has been preparing for this for a long time and is now ready to recoup the loss of all her subjects. Hee hee. By the way, the winner was promised a prize from the gods.

- That is, as? - I was surprised, really on Olympus everyone is watching this.

- On Olympus they learned from the first days, when you brought this game to us. At first, you were looked after only by Hermes and Ares, and then by the other gods. How many victories do you have, remind me?

- 459 Amazons lost to me. Any kind of card games.

- Here! And Zeus decided to find out if you can defeat the most successful and intelligent woman on Themyscira - her ruler. And the winner will receive a special prize, but this depends on who wins.

- Why don't I know about it?

- I mentioned to you yesterday that Hippolyta will play with you in the late afternoon.

- I see. - I sighed, anticipating a hot game. - Well, in the meantime, we have some time for ...

-… to the GIM! - with enthusiasm she dragged me to the Arena.

Is it me or she wants to wear me out in front of Hippolyta? Although no, it seems ...

The final of the confrontations between the male part of Themyscira (in my face) and the female part (in the person of Ippolita) took place closer to midnight.

To be honest, it was the longest card match in my practice. The game, though banal as a fool, was in several parties, or rather in five. And most importantly, for the first time during my stay here and playing with the Amazons, I felt that I could lose.

And this feeling began when I lost the first game to her. And looking into her eyes, I realized that all this time, while her charges were losing to me, she studied with those who had already played with me. And she trained. It is not good for an Amazon queen to lose to a man. He might not be the asshole they all thought.

She is the Queen!

I began to worry even more when the second batch remained with her. After that, I had a burning desire to turn on berserker mode, in the hope that it would help me win. But the probability was low. And so I concentrated on the game and yet I won the third match. Which made Hippolyta frown.

Another round began and, to my happiness, Hippolyta was too hasty at the beginning and the fourth game in a row ended with my victory.

After that, the finale came. Fifth batch!

We were both tense. Even beads of sweat from my temple rolled down my cheek to my chin.

It was also the longest round. And in the end:

- And these are sixes for your shoulder straps.

Hippolyta was all red with embarrassment, shame and anger. But she was silent.

Then, as if from nowhere, a very pumped-up man in panties, with olive-colored skin and long sleeves appeared to us.

- Well glad, very glad that you won Isaac. - he smiled at me. "I was betting on your victory. And Ares and Zeus too.

- Hermes? - Ippolita exclaimed in surprise and fell to one knee.

The other Amazons followed her. I was the only one standing. What about? I'm not a believer at all. Even if there are crap like the pantheons of gods, but they are on my side.

- Stand up the gallant warriors of Themyscira. - the voice of Hermes, pleasant to hearing, was heard. "I'm only here for a short time. Although I would like to stay here for a longer time, I cannot. Therefore ... - and a light came out of his hand and the beam rushed towards me.

This whitest ray was at a distance of about ten centimeters from my eyes and I almost went blind, but fortunately it quickly went out and in its place I saw a simple ring, it seems made of copper.

- This is the ring of the mind. - said still smiling Hermes - It is worth a lot. Athena has customized it specifically for you. Thanks to this ring, you will be able to mentally communicate with any intelligent person with whom you are personally acquainted, at a distance equal to the diameter of the Earth. But be careful not to abuse it too much, otherwise you can go crazy. This is a very ancient artifact forged by Hephaestus, and enchanted by Athena and Aphrodite.

"So ... telepathically?"

- Yes. That is what you call this power, it seems. - I took this ring and put it on my ring finger. "Why did I do what I had to and expressed my respect for you mortal. And now I'm off. Our goddesses owe us a lot after this dispute.

Attention, achievement!

You were able to earn the sincere respect of the gods of Olympus with your skills and luck.

After that, he disappeared.