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The 'New Dawn' party

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The 'New Dawn' party

A lot of things happened to me and with me during my years in Argos. Most of it will not be a part of this story, because it was mostly about small town plotting, and the way I handled it was similar to that Derianda story  I experienced during my last months at the New Pantheon. Nevertheless I developed a lot as a human being. I got over Neario for instance. It took a while, and he is still a bittersweet memory stored in a golden box in one of the inner chambers of my soul.

Then I found new friends and had some lovers. Nothing sparkling or fantastic, more in the way of being cozy and pleasant. Cheiron and I did sleep with each other once "but mostly out of curiosity. I also had a try at being a deity. Not so much as through mortal followers (although I acquired quite a few Argosites when I set out against Ostasus) but more through immortal politics, which eventually took me to the Hyperpantheon. But let's not rush ahead of events.

I learned that I was gifted for another trade. Politics. In a way politics is like war. No less ruthless, no less violent, only that the weapons and the ways of fighting are different. Instead of the sword you use a pen and the machine-gun you trade in for a typewriter (or a computer keyboard for you sons and daughters of today). And you beat and kick with your voice instead of your arms and legs. The politician's martial arts includes fancy words, insults, more or less outright lies, flattering and hard-hitting oneliners. Or the ability to talk a lot without really saying anything. My speciality became answering questions with saying something entirely different. Something that sounded like a good answer, but really wasn't.

So to put it somehow chronologically: I soon found my own place, a three-store villa just outside the city-perimeter (as it was back then). It was a beautiful home and I was lucky to find it. Large south-west sloping garden with high trees and a wall providing me with privacy, a terrace with a swimming pool and the at that time mandatory pillar-portico entrance.

Inside there was a spacious architecture with more pillars, large windows and high ceilings. The former owner had left some chandeliers and big mirrors which I kept and I chose a minimalistic and airy interior decoration, echoing my wish for freedom and openness. And in front of the house I planted some pommegranate-trees, from seed in the fruit I had taken with me from Ningari, offspring to my childhood-tree.

It was actually the first home I decorated on my own. I enjoyed doing so and I still have great memories from that place. Memories of hard work, parties and friends. That white house is still there, for those who are curious, but it's a townhouse now, with several apartments. And there is a brass placket telling something in the style of 'The Goddess Hera lived here in the years of...'.

Then I set out to find and getting in touch with this Ostasus. And the best way of doing so was to announce that there was a new deity in town: Hera from The Last Clash against the Titans. And did I rock the boat in this sleepy town? The journalists came first as always. Then came the curious crowds. And then, when Hera was all over the news, Ostasus finally came.

He checked me out on a rainy (what else, we are talking Argos here) weekday by the end of Harvest Month. Showed up at my door early in the afternoon, a tall, dark-haired man who looked like he had never worked with his hands in his entire life. Not with the sword or anything even remotely physical. He introduced himself as Ostasus of Argos, trying to start power games already from the start. I was not playing along. Or at least, that was the impression I wanted to give him. I wanted to 'tune in' this unknown god a bit first.
"Hera, formerly of Ekarantanni, New Pantheon and the Order of Blue Gold.

"And why former of all this?" was Ostasus's first question as soon as we were done exchanging the mandatory politenesses.
"Because I found out that I'm not content with joining someone else's pantheon. If I want to be in one, it's going to be  - well, mine. Together with the right persons of course. So I decided I'd better go solo than trying to fit in where I don't really want to fit in."
"And what brought you to my town?"

Detested the way he was saying 'my town', but I didn't let that show. "
"Coincidences, I answered. The train stopped here and it seemed like a nice place to get off. "
"You seem to be one to take life light-hearted, Hera. May I ask your age? "
"26. Barely. "

"I see. I'm a bit older. 187 to be exact." With that he was pointing out that I was far too young and inexperienced to come here to challenge him. I deflected that blow with a question:
"187? So how did you fare in the war? Were you up north fighting?"
"I might have been."
"You might know Iris then? (His eyes were blank) Rongatar? Nagtaron? (still blank eyes). Or perhaps you weren't with the Order at all, but with some local guerrilla. "

"What I did in the war is not of any significance anymore. The war is over. Here and now is what counts. "
"Yes, I made sure to end it. I and Zeus and a few other members in the Order. Ten of us went in to Merioly. Six are still around."
"As I said, the war is not of any significance anymore. "
"OK. I'll remember that. But exactly what is it you do here? As a deity, I mean. "

"Why, defending the region of course!"
"From whom?"
"From unknown elements so far. But you never know. There are so many hungry ones out there who'd gladly take a bit of a flowering region like this. "

We duelled like this a bit more, and when he left I wasn't really sure of his strength, but I was certain that I disliked this Ostasus and that it was mutual. I had also seen his face when I dropped Zeus's name the first time. Envy. He envied a younger man who had got rid of the Titan tyrant, and then grabbed the momentum after that to solidify his power.

I didn't really say anything about New Pantheon and the Thessalian Nexus or that Zeus's tries at uniting the different mortal tribes, nations and city-states were slowly but steadily succeeding. Almost all of the area around the Central Ocean was uniting now, and so were the archipelagos. And negotiations were also going on in major cities on the Southern Continent as well as in faraway nations as Argolis and Raeiadia. Ekarantanni was slowly but steadily becoming a real power centre. But all that would have to be for Ostasus to find out for himself.

The Argos region hadn't shown any interest in joining this new Union, but people here recognised Zeus's lordship even if they didn't know him. I saw newly risen temples in his name, as well as old structures belonging to dead gods being converted into Temples of Zeus. That was the first step in accepting that there was a new dynasty forming instead of the Titan one.

Even if I missed being a part of the international buzz that took place in Ekarantanni at that moment I believed that I fared better a bit off the main core at the moment. I had to build a base on my own if I was to return to Ekarantanni one day. I had to be Hera, not 'of the New Pantheon', but 'Hera of [something that was mine]'.

My next step was feeling this town on its pulse. Most of the mortals were content, 'busy minding their own business', as Iris would have said, and not many cared that much for the outer world:
"Well, there's trains going to Larissa, Ekar-whatsitsname and Thebes."
"Train takes two days to Thebes. "
"I have a cousin living in Karenzia".
"What is there really to see out there?"


Or Ostasus:
"Oh, the god, well we give him what he demands on holidays. "
"But we have never had problems with bandits or plagues here since he came."
"Since the Chron-police's gone it's been rather cool anyway. "
"I've never seen him around, I think he should show himself more. "


But Cheiron had been right about one thing. They feared Zeus:
"Don't anger him, he throws thunderbolts at you."
"He's got an awful amount of power, like you can't imagine. And when he rages the whole world shivers."
"I'm glad if he stays in Thessalia. We don't need another divine ruler."
"We're gotta need someone strong to defend us if he comes here. I hope I'll not live to see that day. "


I wondered if this fear of Zeus was Ostasus's work, and to what purpose. Was he dreaming of going up against Zeus backed by this region? Then he was way too late, the Union was growing in strength every day. It was even easier to see from outside. Or did Ostasus hope to tempt Zeus into coming here for some kind of duel the former would never stand a chance in the realms of winning.

I'm glad Zeus didn't bother though. This was going to be my private little campaign. I wanted Argos to join the Union in spite of Ostasus. And I realised I had to turn Argos from a backwater nomansland into something that was actually interesting for the Union (and thus strengthen my own position). Argos was to become a region that could negotiate with the Union instead of having to come on its knees pleading 'let us in please!'. To achieve that I needed power around here. So I started to gather mortal followers. I felt a bit like Hestia must have felt in Derianda, only that Ostasus and I did not share a pantheon with a mutual leader who could straighten out quarrels between us.

To get what I wanted I formed a mortal political force, The New Dawn Party. The idea was that this party was going to branch of into an immortal leg later, and thus helping me reaching the Hyperpantheon the day Garanaro became a part of the Union.

We started off rather humble, by replacing the mayor of Argos. This was not pleasing Ostasus. Algaranon Zetella was one of the deity's faithful followers. Zetella had been sitting in his office since even before the war was over, and he had pledged loyalty to Ostasus the very first day Ostasus showed himself some five years ago. Our candidate was no-one less than Cheiron, using his mortal disguise as Cheiron Phalou. A safe card to start with.

***

It was at this moment I let Hestia know where I was. And her answer was simply:
" I'm coming."

Four days later I met her at the train station of Argos. I had asked her to travel incognito, and thus not flying, just as I had done when I left Ekarantanni. I had done it to hide my energy signature from Zeus and other curious people. In Hestia's case it was about not alerting Ostasus that more immortals were coming into town.

I went down to the station, disguised as a mortal (Hera was a rather well"known deity in Argos these days). For once it wasn't raining, although it has been doing so this morning. The sun was actually shining, glittering in the puddles on the platform. I watched the train steaming up the hill, like a tired old dragon. The big black engine might have been an old one, but was well taken care of, and so was the red painted coaches.

I didn't see Hestia immediately when the train started to let off passengers. First after a while I spotted her. She had been travelling gold card class (so much for incognito) farthest back in the train. And she looked fabulous. I had seen so few immortals over the last few years, that I had actually forgotten their beauty. She was clad in a green travelling dress, carried her long, blond hair in six braids treaded with red ribbons and wore a tasteful make"up. It was great to meet her again! To receive one of her heartily and strong hugs.

" Hera! I'm so glad to see you! After all this time! How have you been doing out here in the wilderness?"
" Oh, just fine, my urban friend. So what's Ekarantanni like these days."
" Growing. Expanding. Wherever you look there's construction sites. Hera, there's so much to tell you. I guess you've heard about the House of Olympos? "

" The House of what?"
" You mean, you haven't even heard that?! What kind of news do you get here?"
" About lone and lingering Titans being taken out. Mostly by yours truly to be honest. "
" Well, that's the new name for the pantheon that... I guess we shall not talk about these things here," she said and glanced at a middle"aged mortal man paying intense attention to Hestia's appearance.
" No, you're right. There is a lot to talk about, but let's do that in my humble home instead. And tomorrow you are to meet Cheiron."
" Who?"
" You'll see. "

At my place Hestia got a chance to freshen up after the trip (no matter where you sit in a train, the smoke from the steam engine gets in your hair and everywhere only after a few hours) and then we ate. And exchanged stories. I told her all about what I had been up to and Hestia filled me in on the latest development of the Union. That was the minor part. It was growing, now including regions like Attika, Egarnathon, Angresidor and Earaxxes. And Thanigra and Ilaouda on the Southern continent were applying.
" With their approval the Union will be a bi"continental phenomena.

Then came the major part. The New Pantheon.
" That name is history now."
" Really?"
" It really never was more than a working name anyhow. Now it's House of Olympos. "
" Yeah, you mentioned that name. So what about it, and who's in? "

" Zeus is leading it of course. Then there's Demeter, Eurynome, Leto, Helios, Poseidon, Hyperion, Astraios, Eos, Iris and I. And Eurynome's sister Metis and her son Irdonan, who joined after you'd left. And then there's the twins. Leto's little kids. Cutest toddlers you'd ever seen. "
" Are they... Zeus's?"

" Of course. Apollon, the boy, he's a spitting image of his dad, while Artemis, the girl, looks like she picked the best genes out of the pool her parents provided her with. Dark hair, big blue eyes. But come on, you know they are Zeus's children. Leto told me that you didn't want to get off her back until she let you know who the father was. She almost thought you were jealous, that you had a thing for Zeus. "

" I was just itching with curiosity. And Themis? "
" She's left. In fact Zeus and she divorced a little bit more than two years ago. You might think it was a terrible fight, but they actually separated as friends. They decided that their marriage had been a mistake from start, and that they were better off separated. So Themis left and a short while after Krios took off too. And now they are a couple. Living in Egarnathon, so she's not that out of the loop anyhow. "

I poured more wine and Hestia went on:
" Iapetos is officially out of the Olympos because he is now the Chair Lord of the Union Nexus, and he has a penthouse flat in downtown Ekarantanni where he "lives". But he spends more time up home than down there. He's been having an affair with Eurynome, but I don't know how serious that one really is. His daugther Pleione on the other hand, she fell madly and irrevocably in love with Atlas of all people, on one of his visits. Now she lives with him in Agonagaros in Thanigra and they have a little daughter, Maia. Thuridos is also gone. Zeus kicked him out. "
" Why?"
" Because Thuridos tried to rape Iris. Bastard! Hestia spat."

" And Zeus, enjoying his newly found bachelor life?"
" Not the way you think. He has calmed down quite a bit over the years. Matured. I guess the hubbub around Leto getting pregnant and the way you took off shook him quite a bit. Now he's mostly working himself to pieces tailoring together The Union. Or rising his kids. They come first now. He really loves the little fairies. "

Hestia told me that the Pantheon had moved out of their Ekarantannian palace, after it was beginning to become invaded by mortals seeking their gods, and relocated itself to a mountain top near the city. The mountain carried a half"forgotten name that was revived " Olympos " and in connection with the move New Pantheon was renamed into Olympos Pantheon. Hestia also told me about all my old friends, how they were faring, what they were up to. That evening I really felt that I was missing them all. Including Zeus. But I could not go back. Not now. Maybe not ever.

" One more thing, Hestia said before we parted for the night."
" Yes?"
" Zeus asks you for your forgiveness. He says he's sorry about what he did and wonder if you can accept his apologies."
" Hestia, you haven't told him you were visiting me, have you?"
" Why, of course I did! "

" But then he'll find me, just by tracing you!"
" Relax, my friend, he already knows where you are and what's been going on with your life since you left. Most of it at least. You must know he's able to do these things. But I told him to leave you alone and stop spying. He accepted that. "

I sighed. He had known all the time. I didn't know if I was sad or relieved by the fact that he hadn't been in touch.
" He said one more thing. I don't get it but: There is still room on the dancefloor when you feel ready to move to the rhythm."
" I get it," I answered, had to turn away my face so Hestia wouldn't see the tears that were suddenly stinging my eyes. Tell him I accept his excuses, but I don't want to dance.

We said our goodnights and I went to bed but laid awake more than an hour, thinking and rethinking all my friend had told me about my former co"pantheonites.

That night the dream came back. I was at that place called Olympos. All was dizzy and there were just clouds and blue skies to be seen all over. First I was alone, walking down a shining floor, then suddenly I was in a big bed. Zeus was there too, kissing me and touching me all over, filling me with feverish excitement. But I couldn't see him. I only knew it was him. And there was all that blinding light all over the place. Then I woke up, sun shining right in my eyes and I was wet between my legs.

I felt so ashamed I blushed. I thought those dreams had left me. I had had them from time to time the first years after leaving Ekarantanni, but now it had been 15 months since the last one. Apparently it took only a little bit talk about my former friend and it all came back. What had he done to me?

o*o*o

As I expected, it was a pleasant surprise for both Hestia and Cheiron to meet each other again. They were both these easygoing persons not bothering much with prestige and protocol. (Sometimes I wish I could be more like that too, instead of being so conscious of myself all the time.) And it brought back a lot of memories of "old times". But we did not dwell there. Instead I told Hestia about the New Dawn Party and my plans to bring the Argos region into the Union.

" That's the first step. The next step is me in the Hyperpantheon Assembley. What advice can you offer us, you who have seen Union politics from inside?"
" Don't wait too long! There are several tribes, city"states, nations and regions lining up now. Argos is not on any priority list. "
" But how do I deal with this Ostasus? "

" Just run him over! That might sound dangerous, but Hera, Cheiron, people are still very much aware of the Titanic suppression, but that will fade quickly. The mortals who remember die away and the new generations will take peace and liberty for granted. Use that lingering awareness to promote the Union. Tell them that the Union and the House of  Olympos is a guarantee against another tyrant."
" They fear Zeus is of the same kind."
" Then prove he's not. Have him come here!"

" I can't do that. I..."
" You must forget the old disagreements you've had and do what's best for you " and for Argos " in the long term."
" It's not about that. This is my race! I'll not come running to Zeus as soon as I get into obstacles."
" Hera is right, Cheiron supported me. Zeus is still too much of an unknown factor for the mortals here. If we bring him here we might risk alienating ourselves and the Union"idea instead of promoting it."
" OK, I'm buying that argument, said Hestia. But I'm still saying: Don't wait a day! Start tomorrow! "

So we did. From one day to the other the "New Dawn Party" and the "Join the Union""campaign were all over Argos. I got several mortals working on my case. And even more joining our party. Our symbol, the peacock, was seen everywhere these days.

Ostasus fought back. Mostly with aiming at people's xenophobia and the unknown factor the Union represented.
" Why should we join something we don't need? Why should we fix something that isn't broken. Here comes this immortal Hera and her Peacock Party. She has been here less than five years. And she's alredy trying to change Argos into something that isn't us. What do we know about her? How can we know that she has not been sent out by this Thessalian thunder"maker to eliminate our self"rule and forcing us into his power"sphere?"

He was good, I had to admit that. And I got back with:
" Argos is a great city. But what we in Argos risk by not joining the Union is stagnation. And stagnation means a slowing down economy. It means young people leaving, seeking new opportunities elsewhere. Already the regions and the cities around us are joining the Union. What will happen if we end up the sole area outside this new commonwealth? Will we be regarded at all? Will we still have trains stopping here in another generation? "

" And to you who fear Zeus I want to say this: He brought down Chronos. He got sick of dictatorship. That's not the world he wants. He wants justice. Is there anything remotely like the Chronos police around anymore? Is there terror and suppression? No, immortals like Ostasus and I can show ourselves to the world again and even have an argument like this. That was impossible only ten years ago."

Then something pleasant as well as entirely unexpected happened. I was seeked out by an immortal called Neyta. She came from Kergandar, north of Argos, and she wanted to form her own branch of the New Dawn.
" We are also outside the Union. Strong forces are keeping us outside. I'm up against a newly formed pantheon here. Since we share a common interest, Hera, I believe we could have use for each other."
The memoirs of Hera part 14
© 2010 - 2024 omicronia
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