Aliandra: nymph: Book 1 The Nymph chronicles (25 page)

Zeus nearly choked on his cocktail as he began to laugh hard. As Hera walked in scantily dressed Zeus waved her over. "This is my lovely wife, Hera." Then to Hera "This is the most entertaining of guests and the smithing prodigy, Aliandra. You already know her escort, Prometheus." Aliandra and Prometheus bowed and the formal introductions were done.

"Aliandra, you must tell me who your chef was for your little do. I too want to move away from the ordinary fare we usually serve" said Hera.

"The chef is a friend of mine. He really knows how to cook but I gave him the instructions about the theme and the direction I wanted him to follow in regards to the food. He experimented a lot with his team before making the final decisions on the dishes to be served and how to plate them. Any chef could manage it with the right attitude and instructions. I chose the words dark, exciting and spooky to reflect the impact I wanted to make. We worked together and we got the right impact for the launch. I chose all the cocktails and invented a few myself, it was so much fun" said Ali.

"You must help me with my next little soiree" demanded Hera.

"I would love to. Have you thought about the theme?" asked Ali as she retrieved a champagne cocktail from a passing tray. "Is the soiree a special occasion?"

"It is my naming day celebration" said Hera.

"Then it needs to be a theme beginning with an H to reflect your name. Perhaps, Hera's Horns and Halos name celebration. That sounds like fun. The food, drinks and entertainment could be planned around that theme easily. We can have two main rooms, one set up with a heavenly theme and the other set up with a hellish theme. I could bring in the people who helped me on my venue, they are very inventive and original. I found it too difficult working with the regular room dressers because they all pushed the standard looks. The standard things are so boring, instead of the fun and exciting effect we need for an really impressive party that guests will be excited about. What do you think of that idea?" asked Ali.

"Heaven and hell, horns and halos. H theme. Yes, I like that. I will have a horns and halos name celebration and you will help me to plan it" Hera declared.

"I would enjoy that, Hera" said Ali
Schmooze, schmooze, schmooze.

"We will go to dine and you can sit next to me." said Hera

Oh, joy!
"How very kind of you" said Ali sounding very sincere.

"Come" said Hera as she swept out the room to enter the dining room. "Aliandra will be seated next to me with her escort, adjust the seating" ordered Hera to her butler.

A quick change of name tags and everyone stood at their assigned places at the table then waited for Zeus and Hera to be seated. Zeus staggered in with a large cocktail in hand and seated himself, then Hera sat down very regally. Everyone else took their seats.

Zeus then leaned over to Ali "This cocktail, I had it at your little party. I liked it so much I had to get it put in a bigger glass" he slurred.

"So glad you discovered something you like so much" said Ali smilingly.

The courses came and went and Ali and Hera discussed her favorite parties and dinners. Ali looked around at the guests and saw most of them were naked and the rest almost so. Ali complimented Hera on her almost-dress and said it was most becoming on her. Hera asked Ali about her dress and Ali commented "In my humble opinion, I always thought gifts were always more exciting when they were beautifully wrapped and I carry that idea into my choice of fashion. I believe it adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding the person."

"Yes, I see" said Hera thoughtfully as she looked from her dress to a naked, drunken Zeus scoffing down his food next to her.

Whenever Ali mentioned the word 'exciting' Hera's ears perked up. Ali deduced that underneath all that pomp and ceremony, Hera was completely and utterly bored with her life. Bored out of her tiny mind. Many centuries with the same people at the same sorts of parties had led Hera to this point. She was desperate for excitement, innovation, surprises, challenges and new experiences to break the unrelenting monotony of her life. Ali planned to do just that.

"Hera, have you ever ridden a steed?" asked Ali.

"No, there is no need we teleport everywhere" answered Hera.

"You can ride steeds just for fun. It was my favorite thing to do when I was growing up. It is really exciting to ride fast through the forest and jump your steed over fallen logs and obstacles. Would you like me to teach you? Although it has some degree of danger; if you fall off it would hurt, so if you are frightened I understand entirely" said Ali.

"I will ride with you tomorrow morning. Bring your steeds" instructed Hera.

"Do you have a riding habit?"

"I will arrange one" said Hera.

"Let them know you will be riding astride. What time tomorrow would you like to start?"

"After breakfast, at 10." said Hera.

"I will be here" promised Ali.

Chapter 47

Ali showed up at ten am with two flawless steeds that were turned out to perfection. Hera turned up at eleven wearing her new riding habit.

"I love your riding habit, it looks so smart on you" assured Ali. "Let us take the steeds over to this field and then we can mount up."

Ali instructed Hera on the correct way to mount a steed and Hera heaved herself up.

"Now, if you practise a lot you can learn to vault onto your steed, I will show you." Ali took a small run up and vaulted into the saddle. Hera eyed Ali enviously.

Ali gave Hera instructions as they walked around the field; encouraging and complimenting Hera on how fast she was learning. Ali prepared Hera for a trot with a raft of instructions but when Hera kicked her steed into a trot she bounced all over the saddle. "Grip with your knees, Hera" called out Ali, as Hera started to slip sideways. Ali jumped off her steed and caught Hera before she hit the ground and rolled around laughing on the ground. "That was so funny, Hera. You will get it next time, let's try again."

Hera eventually worked out the trot and Ali praised her. "It needs some more work but you have done so well for just one day" said Ali.

"Bring the steeds tomorrow morning" ordered Hera.

"I will see you tomorrow morning at the same time?" asked Ali.

"Yes. ten" said Hera.

"Would you like to watch me jump those obstacles?" asked Ali.

"Yes" replied Hera.

Ali cantered up to the fences that were set up and jumped her steed over them all easily. She cantered around and then pushed her steed to a gallop before she returned to Hera and said "That was so cool. It really gets the heart pumping hard and an adrenalin rush happening. You see, I told you it was a lot of fun" said Ali as she watched the steely determination form in Hera's eyes.

The next morning Hera was waiting for Ali at ten. The lesson lasted most of the day and Hera was improving at the trot with Ali calling "Up, down, up, down, grip with the knees, heels down. That's it! Good going." Towards the end of the day Ali asked Hera if she would like to try a canter "Yes!" was Hera's immediate response. Ali gave the instructions and they moved from a trot to a gentle canter. Hera beamed widely and insisted on cantering until it was too dark to see.

"Come tomorrow morning with the steeds at eight" said Hera.

The lessons continued every day for months before Ali said Hera might be ready to start on small jumps. Hera was very keen. Ali then met with Zeus and Hera to measure and design their new armor. Riding steeds became the latest fad in the god realm and provided many stories to entertain at their dinner parties. Fashionable gods were seen riding steeds all over Olympus. Ali visited the children as often as she could and would often see Brand helping out and playing with the children. Ali and Hera were increasingly inseparable; Ali was warmly welcomed into the upper echelon of the god's social hierarchy.

Ali planned every detail of Hera's naming day celebration. Hera was thrilled with the results and every party that followed tried to incorporate elements of that party to be declared fashionable. Hera continued to ask Ali to organize her parties and events. Ali was a sought after guest who usually turned up with Rom in tow and Prometheus on her arm. Ali was so relieved the gods were dressing fully now. She was most celebrated for arranging outrageous and innovative costume parties for Hera. The riding lessons continued every day until Hera was taking jumps, riding side-saddle and galloping over the countryside by herself. Hera had her own extensive stable with steeds of every color. The dinner parties that Ali were invited to had Hera raving over the excitement of riding and smart cut of her latest riding habit.

During one party, Zeus asked Ali how the armor manufacturing was going. Ali looked at Hera and confessed she and Hera had been so caught up in arranging the parties, riding steeds and having fun that her progress was very limited. Zeus smiled benevolently at Hera and told her that Aliandra still had her smithing work to do. Hera bowed to Zeus and declared that, even though she would miss her friend enormously, she would endeavor to ensure Ali had more time to make the armor. Unknown to Zeus and Hera, Ali had routinely entered her window to escape the extravagant superficiality of the upper circle and had been working hard on the suits. Many were completed and stored away waiting for the right time to distribute them. Ali had decided to use her free time from the parties to spend with the children.

During a dinner party, Hera told Ali that she should marry and she would help her. Ali swiftly considered her options to distract or dissuade Hera from this scheme.

"I am so very inexperienced and uninformed about marriage and men. Perhaps if we had a party with every senior goddess present, then we could discuss their ideas and experiences in regard to men and marriage. If I listen and learn then I could develop a better idea about the sort of man I should choose for myself. We could call it 'Ladies Night' party and everything would be catered for us women only. Nothing has been done like this before in the god realm, it would take our parties to new heights of innovation and fashion and I would love to arrange it myself. With you, the goddess of women, presiding over it then it would be talked about for centuries as a true turning point in your rule over women."

"Arrange it, Aliandra" instructed Hera. 'Yes, I shall preside over it, it will be my duty and my delight to converse with many that I rule."

Ali invited every senior goddess, including ones that had suffered under Hera. None could refuse an invitation from Hera and risk offending her so they would all assuredly come to the event. Ali booked a very large venue with Dionysius and it was dressed like a vast pink and white themed mortal wedding celebration with wedding cakes and food, champagne, creamy or fruity cocktails, a vast chocolate fountain with fruit to dip, a tonne of satin bows, lace, pink roses and sparkling hearts. Dummies of a bride and groom in front of a priest were carefully placed at an alter. Ali arranged that butterflies and doves were to be released and guests would be transported to and from the venue in steed-drawn pink and white carriages. Ali also ensured there were lethally strong sweet pink jelly shots for her to hand around to the guests as they arrived. Serving and catering staff were also women. Guests were advised the theme was pink and white. It was everything a woman's heart could possibly desire.

The day arrived and Ali thought Rom looked terrific in his pink and white themed tuxedo; Rom didn't look so sure about it.  When the carriage arrived, Ali and Rom stepped into it and left for the party. Ali soothed nervous guests as they arrived and handed them jelly shots. Lamia looked as though she was about to suffer a nervous collapse and Ali assured her that everything would be fine and to just enjoy the party. Finally Hera arrived and made her way to Ali.

"I see you have invited Lamia" Hera said irritably.

"Yes, as a VIP guest to demonstrate your forgiving nature over those you rule. I have already explained to Lamia, that if our actions are determined by our inherent natures then it is right to forgive and move past any unfortunate history. As you have the peacock as your animal, it is your inherent nature to attack those who approach your mate. My dear friend, Lamia, and I are unfortunate subjects of our own inherent nymph natures that result from the curse of Chaos. It was so regrettable that Zeus happened upon Lamia as she was keening; when we keen we, nymphs, are compelled to mate with the most powerful man nearby. Sadly, for Lamia it was Zeus and we all have become victims of our own nature. We all suffer from the whims of the fates and we learn to rise above our pasts to build better futures" explained Ali.

"The fates are here too. Let us ask them" stated Hera as she summoned the three fates forward. After much explanation and deliberation with the fates Ali summed up.

"If I understand things correctly then all that has happened had to occur for Zeus to ensure he and Hera took their rightful places as our rulers. All that Zeus has done has built a stable foundation that ensures he is able to keep Hera on the pedestal he has built for her. All he has done has eventually benefited his beloved wife and assured her position by his side. Is that correct?" asked Ali.

The three fates looked at each other and nodded dazedly in agreement.

"There you are Hera. That all proves how ardently Zeus loves you, look how he has sacrificed so much for your sake" announced Ali.

"Yes, I am most fortunate to have such a devoted and loving husband" declared Hera. "Lamia will sit by me at the main table and I will assure her that all is forgiven."

"So kind and gracious as usual, Hera. You still amaze me every time" assured Ali.

Every guest stood by their places as Hera approached the main wedding table to take her place at the centre. Lamia was on one side and Ali on the other when Hera sat down looking extremely confident and regal. Everyone sat and as the first courses were served, Hera leaned to Lamia and assured her she had forgiven all that was in the past so they could build a better future together. Ali grinned and tucked into the delicious food. Soon the women were well oiled by the alcohol, so Ali stood and tapped her glass.

"Hera, our goddess of women, would like to welcome each and every one of you ladies to her first women only counsel gathering. For this first discussion, the topic is men and marriage. Hera raised the subject with me and I confessed I am unknowledgeable and inexperienced on both subjects. Every woman present has her own experiences with these subjects and I assure you that every comment made will be valuable to this discussion and debate that we encourage. I am here to listen and learn from those of you who are married and those who have chosen never to marry. Your experiences of men and marriage should prove most instructive to me. I believe only when I am suitably informed will I be in a position to choose the right husband for myself. I now ask Hera to stand and declare the floor is now open to discussion" said Ali and then she took her place and looked around with surprise at the intense interest generated throughout the room.

Hera stood "I now declare the floor is now open for discussion on the topics of men and marriage." Hera took her seat and the room buzzed with conversation as the drinks flowed and more food was served.

"Perhaps I will wander around to every table later to collect the fruits of their wisdom and discussion" suggested Ali.

On one side of Ali, Hera and Lamia were deep in conversation about their respective husbands. On the other side, Hestia and Artemis discussed their preference for the single life and their experiences with men that led them to their choice. By the time Ali stood to make a circuit of the room Hestia was arguing that marriage legitimized the patriarchal ownership of women and, thus, sexual slavery. Artemis nodded firmly in agreement and began citing other feminist critiques of marriage. Everywhere the conversations were lively as Ali wandered around and joined the discussions at each table. As the women became drunker the comments became more explicit, personal and raunchy. Aphrodite was well into her cups when she spoke to Ali.

"Choose a man with a big one, not a little one. That is why Apollo is still single, he has such a small one you need to look close to find it. My husband, Hermes, has one that is big and satisfying. Ares was alright but he shared his around and that was intolerable. It is so very important they know what they are doing in the bedroom and they have the right equipment to tackle the task. Do not underestimate the importance of great sex to keep the marriage healthy and interesting. Such a terrific idea, this party. We must have one every year" declared Aphrodite drunkenly.

"I sincerely thank you for sharing your wisdom, Aphrodite. You are surely the expert to ask on men and marriage since so many men have worshipped and adored you through the years" said Ali with sincerity.

"I do like you, Aliandra. You must come as my special guest to a little party I am arranging. There will be plenty of men to meet and I can advise you on them" said Aphrodite.

"I think that is a fine idea. I would certainly benefit from your wisdom and advice" said Ali.

"I will send the invitation tomorrow" said Aphrodite as she wandered off to top up her drink again.

The party went well into the night. Many of the guests had to be carried into their carriages and then escorted home by the female security staff from the venue. Hera declared the event to be a complete hit, as she had been repeatedly asked by their guests to hold the event annually.