If I Had Words

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Chapter 75      Chapter 77

Psyche let out a sigh of relief. 

She had done it! She had completed the third task!

Well, almost. 

She was nearly done. 

She just needed to find the nearest temple, notify the oracle she was ready to return to Aphrodite’s palace, wait for the chariot to come and pick her up, and deliver the box, which contained the beauty of the Queen of the Underworld, to Aphrodite.

Okay, so not quite done, but pretty close.   

She had at least passed through the hardest part. She’d completed her journey to the Underworld and had made it back to the land of the living. 

It really hadn’t been that bad. Aside from the River of Lamentation, and the unsettling wailing of the Plains, she hadn’t encountered anything truly terrible. 

Definitely better than the island with those sheep!

Psyche secured the box inside a pocket in her bag and started walking.

There was really no other way to go but down the mountain, so Psyche just followed the lone path for a while. She was grateful that the Queen had saved her the journey back through the Underworld and back up the dark path within the mountain. 

Psyche just wished she had better shoes. 

A little pebble made its way into Psyche’s sandal. She continued walking, trying to ignore it. She adjusted her gait, trying to kick the pebble out. The pebble worked its way under her heel. 

Psyche relented and sat on a large rock, removing her sandal and shaking the pebble out. 

How long would it take to get to the nearest temple? 

Psyche kept walking and wondered whether she could have imagined herself somewhere else? Could the Queen have transported her anywhere she imagined? 

Maybe back to Eros?

Eros. 

He was gorgeous. 

And soon, she would be with him.

She smiled.

She was almost done. 

Her scratches and wounds started to hurt a bit. She removed some of the bandages and noticed most were now red with the beginnings of infection. 

Her stomach rumbled.

Well, at least she could do something about that. She took out the remaining cheese and bread and ate as she walked. The road seemed to go on forever. No towns, no villages came into view.   

She sat down to rest. 

I’m almost done, she said to herself. I’m almost there. Just a temple, any temple. One can’t be very far. 

She kept walking. 

It started growing dark. 

Psyche wasn’t sure what she should do. She’d never built a fire on her own. She’d never slept outside in the wilderness before. 

Everything started to feel heavy. Her feet, her bag. 

Her eyelids. 

It was getting too dark to see. She remembered getting lost in the garden the first evening she’d been with Eros. 

He’d found her and carried her back to the house. 

She couldn’t see the road anymore. 

Psyche decided she might as well lay down close to the road and get a few hours of sleep. 

Psyche dreamed of the mother who’d just lost her baby. Daphne was there to comfort her. That made Psyche happy. Daphne was doing well. Daphne was helping. Psyche dreamed she was walking again. Walking and wandering the endless Plain of the Underworld. She called out for Eros, but he couldn’t hear her. 

“Do you think she’s dead?” a voice said. 

“I doubt it,” another voice said. “Look. She’s breathing.” 

Psyche heard bleating and the scattered tinkling of little bells. 

Psyche squinted up at two shepherds crouched over her. 

The sky was still grey as the sun was just starting to think about making an appearance. 

“See. Told you. Not dead,” the second voice said. 

“Well, she looked dead,” the first voice said. 

“I’m Psyche,” Psyche said, sitting up. “I’m sorry to bother you, but can you point me towards the nearest temple?”

“I’m Orion and this is my son Leon,” the second voice said. “Is there a particular temple you’re looking for?”

Psyche got up, accepting a hand from Orion.

“Any temple will do,” Psyche said, straightening her dress and adjusting the strap of her bag. “Is there one nearby?”

“Not exactly,” Orion said. “The nearest one I can think of is Zeus’s temple. It’s a good ways down and then up and over that hill.”

He indicated a hill in the distance.

“Oh, I bet she’ll be wanting the temple of Artemis, Dad,” Leon said, rolling his eyes. “Zeus’s temple is so old.”

“She asked for the nearest temple,” Orion said.

“I would be more than happy with Zeus’s temple,” Psyche said, hoping to put an end to the debate. “Was it just this way?” 

Psyche started walking. 

The two followed her, scattering some of the sheep as they went. 

“We would be happy to walk a ways with you,”  Orion said. “If you don’t mind.” 

“I would be happy for the company,” Psyche said. 

It had been a while since she’d talked to someone who wasn’t dead — or holy. 

“What brings you all the way out here? And alone?” Orion asked.

“I’m on an errand for the Goddess Aphrodite,” Psyche tried to say causally. 

“Oh, well isn’t that fancy,” Leon said. “What has she asked you to do for her?”

“She needed something from the Underworld,” Psyche said.

“You’ve been to the Underworld?” Orion said in disbelief. 

“I’ve escaped death, myself,” Leon said, hoping to get a reaction from Psyche. 

“I’ve never known anyone to go to the Underworld and come out again.” Orion said.

“I wouldn’t recommend it,” Psyche said.

“I can see,” Orion said, noting Psyche’s appearance. “Would you like something for those?”

Orion pointed at her scratches. 

“Do you have something?” Psyche said, pausing her stride and looking at him. Her wounds were really bothering her. 

Orion reached into a pouch at his waist and pulled out a small pot wrapped in sheepskin.

“We get all kinds of nasty scratches up here sometimes. This helps soothe and heal,” Orion said. “Did you get these in the Underworld?”

“No. I was running away from a sheep, actually,” Psyche said. 

Orion raised an eyebrow as Psyche extended her arm. He began smearing some of the contents of the pot onto the worst of her scratches. 

It smelled of lavender and animal fat. 

“Away from sheep?” Leon said. “Now why would you need to be running from them? All we ever do is chase the dumb beasts.” 

“These were no ordinary sheep,” Psyche said. 

“Sounds like quite the story,” Orion said. 

Psyche thought about all she’d been through. 

“It has been quite the journey,” Psyche said. 

Orion finished attending to the worst of her wounds and was securing the pot back into his pouch. 

Psyche started walking again and the shepherds followed.

“Thank you,” Psyche said. “Where did you learn of such a remedy?”

“My family has always used this balm,” Orion shrugged.

“It really works,” Leon said. “I once got the worst cut trying to help a sheep return from the cliff’s edge. Slipped and sliced my hand. Healed it right up.”

Psyche smiled. 

“Do you like being shepherds?” Psyche asked.

“Oh, it can be rather dull work,” Orion said. “But the sheep are important to the community and it makes for a good-enough living.”

Psyche thought about the cottage version of her home with Eros. While she had been in awe of Eros’s palace, there was something about the simple life that she rather liked. It felt wholesome and good. It was uncomplicated and satisfying in its own way. 

The trio reached a fork in the road. 

“Zeus’s temple is that way,” Orion said, pointing to the path to the left. “It’s still a few hours more of walking, but the path is straight.”

“Thank you,” Psyche said. 

“I don’t know if you have anything to eat or drink, or whether you’ve had enough rest on the road,” Orion said. “But if you take this path, you’ll find our village. Anyone there would be happy to help you.” 

Psyche looked at the path towards the village. A part of her wanted to follow it. She had run out of food and water, hadn’t gotten very much sleep, and needed a proper bath. 

“Thank you,” Psyche said. 

“If you wanted to go to the village, I could even walk with you,” Leon said, hopeful. “My father could go back and tend to the sheep.” 

Psyche wondered. Would it hurt to rest a bit more and have something to eat before continuing? She could always find her way to the temple later that afternoon. 

“Thank you, but I think I’d better continue,” Psyche said. “You’ve both been very helpful. I wish I had something I could give you in return.” 

“There’s no need,” Orion said. “We’re happy to help.” 

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Leon said. 

“Quite sure, thank you,” Psyche said. 

Orion nodded to Psyche and then looked at Leon.

“She’ll be okay,” Orion said, nudging him. “She’s been to the Underworld and back. I’m sure she can handle a little mountain road.”

Leon reluctantly nodded. 

The two shepherds retraced their steps back towards their sheep, and Psyche took the path towards the temple. 

Psyche continued walking for a while, already missing their company. It had been nice having people to talk to. The shepherds reminded her of the villagers. What was it about the simple life that encouraged people to step in and help? They hadn’t hesitated to offer aid. 

Had they been royalty or nobility, they would have likely continued on their way. 

What if she had a disease? 

What if she was a thief?

They would have left her to the will of the gods.

Would the gods have stopped and helped her if they had found her on the side of the road?

She couldn’t imagine Aphrodite stopping to help. 

Everything she had seen from the Goddess indicated that the gods were not much better than the entitled nobles. 

Did Psyche really want a life among them? 

Perhaps — perhaps she could take the path to the village instead. She could put all of this behind her, settle down and start a new life. No one would know her. No one would expect anything from her. 

She could go back to doing good. She could make a difference again, in her own small way.

Psyche was half tempted.

She kept walking towards the temple. 

A simple life would mean a life without Eros. Eros had shown her a glimpse of something more. But her life with him had not been fully explored. He had shown her the power of creation. She had used some of that power to reach her sisters. They had changed significantly after visiting her. 

Could she use the same power in other ways? What could she do with her life among the gods? 

Perhaps there was a way to take her talents and inspire more harmony in the mortal world. Help the world be at peace with itself and its flaws. Help it work towards something greater.

Like the Queen of the Underworld. 

Persephone was so beautiful. She possessed a beauty that was everything Psyche wished for. It included love and appreciation for every living thing. It bloomed and spread light to all of the unseen places. 

Psyche sighed in admiration. 

Why would Aphrodite want Persephone’s beauty? Their beauties were nothing alike. 

If anything, Aphrodite’s beauty would consume Persephone’s. The gentle loveliness would be dragged down, buried under the weight of her heavy hair and piles of fabric. 

It seemed a shame to waste something so precious.

Psyche felt sorry that the world didn’t fully understand the beauty of the Underworld. The world seemed more eager to worship an Aphrodite than a Persephone. 

Like her sisters.

If only people could see and feel the difference. 

She’d waited her whole life to have a beauty to aspire to. Finally, she had found it. If she could only learn how to be like Persephone. 

Maybe — 

Maybe that’s what she could do with her new life with Eros. She could study and learn from Persephone how to be more like her. 

That would be something worth doing. That would be preferred to all of the choices placed before her. 

Choices. 

Had she really ever had a choice? 

The choice to be princess? The choice to be worshipped? The choice to marry a monster? She had accepted all of those things, but she hadn’t chosen them for herself. 

Psyche was getting tired. 

She reached a large rock under the shade of a tree and sat down

Psyche breathed in the fresh air and looked up at the sky. It was clear and beautiful.

She was almost done. 

This was almost over. 

Would she feel a sense of belonging among the gods? Would they be as welcoming as the villagers? 

Definitely not.

Though, at least not all of them were like Aphrodite. 

Psyche examined her sandals. They had been created for beauty, not function. They had already been through more than they were designed to endure.

Psyche removed her shoes. They could probably use a rest too. 

Psyche took out the box from her bag and looked at it. 

Such beauty. Such possibilities. 

She would have never considered anything like that for herself. 

How could she?

She was a mortal. 

A weak and puny mortal. 

A mortal who had married a god. 

A moral who had been worshipped by her entire kingdom and surrounding regions. 

A shrine had been built to her name. People had prayed to her, looked to her for comfort in their hour of need. 

She had never been able to answer them. She’d always been limited by her mortal frame. 

To be like Persphone. To be able to help and answer every prayer. To be a balm to any wounded heart. 

To have such power. 

Psyche gently lifted the lid just a crack. 

From the box flowed a tiny bit of the glowing beauty of the Queen of the Underworld. 

Psyche quickly replaced the lid. She shouldn’t have even allowed that small amount to escape, but she was sure plenty remained in the box. Surely enough to satisfy Aphrodite.

The small glow of beauty which had escaped continued to slowly move on the air. It moved towards her and Psyche watched it gently touch her. 

At its touch, Psyche smiled. 

She felt weightless, peaceful. Every burden was lifted, every concern resolved. 

Her life, all of her desires and the compilation of choices, appeared in her mind

It was true she had never wanted to be a princess, never sought to be worshipped, but with her power and position she had inspired many. She saw images of attendants, nobles, and villagers, all who had chosen a higher path because of Psyche. 

So many faces filled her mind. She was surprised by the magnitude. There were many people she knew well; but so many more she didn’t recognize. 

Her sisters stood among those she had helped. Their lives had changed considerably after accepting what Psyche had offered them. Aglaura had softened her wisdom to consider the efforts of others. Cydippe was willing to share and celebrate the talents of others. 

Psyche felt overwhelming satisfaction. 

More images came. 

Chloe, Iris, Phoebe, Adonis, Cora, Theo, Damian, Sophia, Lyra, even Madame Calissa and other nobles, were continuing her work. People continued to inspire each other. Little Psyches were growing to live up to their namesake. People helped lift each other’s burdens and made them easier to bear. 

She could see Eros watching her, admiring her, learning from her. He was better and kinder with his powers of love and desire because of her. 

Finally, Psyche saw herself. 

She was beautiful. Her beauty already reflected the kind of beauty she admired so much. 

Psyche smiled and closed her eyes. She embraced the weightlessness. 

Peace, joy, and satisfaction filled her. 

She had used her powers for good. She had inspired others and now they would continue her work. 

Her task was complete.

She had done well. 

Psyche let out one final, contented sigh. 

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