Mount Olympus is not an impressive mountain. It is the highest mountain in Greece and the second highest mountain in the Balkans. It is located in the Olympus Mountain Range on the border between Thessaly and Macedonia. Mount Olympus has 52 peaks, deep gorges, and exceptional biodiversity. The highest peak rises to 9,573 feet and is one of the highest peaks in Europe. It is on this highest peak that I held court.

Shrouded from the eyes of men, many of the old buildings from antiquity remain, although Zeus’s palace was hammered to dust two millennia ago.

The process was tedious, receiving an Oath of Binding from person after person--over a thousand in all. I sat upon one of the thrones previously occupied by Zeus with the Athenians seated in their proper places upon hard marble benches that screamed ceremony but were uncomfortable to sit on for any length of time.

Helios dressed as he did in days past. He wore a knee-length purple toga and his hair hung loose down his back. He carried a staff with an eagle on the top--his personal heraldic animal symbol. His golden sandals sparkled on his feet and he wore a golden crown that resembled the sun's rays--think Statue of Liberty. Helios Sun God sat on my right.

Ares dressed in a short bright yellow toga - the colors for my army since antiquity. He carried a golden shield, wore a golden helmet with a plume of yellow feathers on top, a golden breastplate that mimicked my own, golden greaves and bracers and a sword with a golden hilt hung from his waist as if he were dressed for battle. Ares hid his hair under the helm. Ares War God sat on my left.

Bill, the newcomer, had yet to define his personal attributes. For this show he dressed in a plain long white toga with a purple cord tied around his waist and brown leather sandals on his feet. William Clarke Townsend sat beside Ares.

Hermes Messenger God wore just a short white loincloth, but his winged sandals were golden, and his helmet had golden wings on each side. He carried his caduceus and his short white cape resembled wings. Hermes sat beside Helios.

Apollo Sun God also dressed in a short white toga however his cord was woven from golden threads. He wore a long golden cape and carried his lyre. Gold sandals covered his feet. Apollo sat beside Hermes.

Artemis Hunter Goddess wore a long white dress with her right shoulder bare. Over the dress was a tunic of purple with silver embroidered moons decorating the collar and hem. She carried a bow and a quiver of silver arrows. Artemis sat beside Apollo.

Metis Good Counsel Goddess wore a royal blue evening gown, tiny blue slippers, and carried a golden book of Titan laws. Her wavy strawberry blonde hair was worn in a tight bun, held in place with a silver and diamond tiara. She sat beside Bill.

Mnemosyne Memory Goddess looked beautiful in her pale yellow gown, her crown of golden acanthus leaves, and golden sandals. Her long blonde braid hung to her knees. She sat beside Metis.

Themis Justice Goddess wore a lavender toga and carried scales of justice as she did in the olden days. She sat beside Metis.

Titan Astronomy God wore a short royal blue toga and a belt of laurels. His feet were clad in brown sandals and his head was encircled by the sapphire and gold crown of the race he ruled. He sat beside Artemis.

Dionysus Wine God was nude except for his purple loincloth and his place was beside Titan. He carried a staff adorned with grapevines and grape leaves circled his head like a crown.

But, what about the queen? Did her dress match the others? I liked to think so. I wore a long royal purple toga and a gold, diamond and amethyst crown that once adorned Zeus’s head and his signet ring was on the middle finger of my right hand. A heavy amethyst and diamond pendant hung from a golden chain and rested in the hollow between my breasts. My hair was tamed by a strawberry blonde braid that hung to my waist. My companion owl of antiquity, the great horned owl I named Bubo who gave his name to the entire genus of great owls, sat on the arm of my throne. Gone were the trappings of battle on this day of ceremony. I was Athena, Queen of the Olympians and Titans. The warrior goddess slipped away into antiquity and the Queen took her place. Athena Vasílissa they called me.

The arena was Zeus’s own. When he pounded the Olympian palace to powder two thousand years previously, the amphitheater remained largely intact. Here, I conducted my ceremony. Onlookers sat on the semicircle of stone benches that surrounded the stage area and watched as one by one people presented themselves to me.

For me, the highlight of the day was when Zeus, himself, approached the throne, took a knee, and gave me an Oath of Binding. The entire room fell silent while he voiced the oath. If any doubts remained as to my leadership status, Zeus dispelled them with his act of obeisance. For the first time, I felt like the Queen of the Athenians. No more we were Titans and Olympians. That day, all of my followers became Athenians.

After the official ceremony concluded, we sat down to a banquet unlike any other in nearly two thousand years. Into the late evening, we ate delicacies from across the globe, drank the finest wine on the planet, and enjoyed live entertainment that made Cirque du Soleil look tame.

More than once, I felt Eli pull energy from me, but I had energy to spare, so I didn't object. He was not as strong as he would have liked, but he soldiered on.

Bill’s mouth looked to be in a perpetual state of shock as one after the other approached the head table to congratulate me during the banquet.

If Ares or Hermes balked at the new notoriety, they kept silent. They smiled and engaged in small talk with many of my new followers. The Twelve stayed close to me, ready to receive my new guests or ready to assist me with anything I requested. Yes, I know the Twelve includes me but saying The Eleven sounded stupid to me, so I decided to not belabor the point.

After the banquet, most of my new followers left to go back to their respective dwellings, but I felt the pull of each of them as if I suddenly sprouted twine out of my palms that connected me to them.

About a dozen of the newcomers chose to join me on Olympia, among them, Zeus. He didn't say, but I had the feeling he came to me to hide from Hera and Poseidon. I didn’t object because long years had transpired since I spent any amount of time in my father’s company.

Memory transported us back to my island, when the last guest left the banquet.

Although I attended the banquet, I ate very little because I talked to a thousand people. Consequently, I was starving by the time we reached Olympia.

Sunrise on my island. I took enough time to watch Helios in his morning commune with the rising sun over the Sea of Japan. He stood facing the dawn, dressed in his toga and looking perfect. His long hair danced in the icy breeze. The sky was cloudless that morning, but the air was cold. Helios didn’t seem to feel it.

Nearly an hour passed before he came back into our bedroom. His skin felt cold, but his cheeks were ruddy. I pulled him into a close embrace. Helios laughed and released me when he felt my shiver. “Your skin is like ice,” I told him.

“But, I feel more like myself, now.” Helios pulled on a pair of brown leather pants and a red long-sleeved tshirt. Over the shirt, he put on an Aran fisherman’s sweater knitted in creamy wool. His comfortable brown riding boots completed his ensemble.

I dressed in a maxi dress in blue plaid wool over dark blue leggings and pulled on a cozy blue sweater. My blue suede boots kept some of the chill at bay.

The island felt cold and wet in the stiff wind that steadily blew, churning up waves and sending spray into the air. Every time a door opened, more icy air poured into the house. Perhaps an upgraded heating system was in order.

Helios and I walked out of the bedroom together and went into the kitchen for breakfast where Zeus was telling Bill a hilarious and very dirty joke. Zeus laughed and clapped Bill on the back. Bill reciprocated by telling Zeus an equally dirty joke. I wrapped my arms around my dad and asked him, “How old are you? Fourteen?”

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“No respect from my offspring,” Zeus replied. “Just having some fun with Bill. Sheesh.”

“You look younger than the last time I saw you here on Olympia,” I told him.

“I feel younger. The weight of office has been lifted at long last. Your dainty shoulders will start to bow in a short time, I think.” Then, to Helios, “How are you faring?”

“Very well, now that I am back with my fellows.”

I rounded the bar and poured coffee into my favorite mug. Metis, still in her finery, gave me a platter of pancakes and another platter of sausages. I placed these on the bar and slid into a seat next to Dad. Memory gave me a clean plate, which I filled with food. I reached for the syrup and poured it over the pancakes.

“Our daughter has a wicked appetite,” Metis commented to Zeus.

“I am replacing spent energy. Bouncing across time zones, battling witches, rescuing hostages all takes a toll,” I said between bites of pancake. “Not to mention metaphysically binding a thousand individuals to me. If you look closely, you will see my husband, my brother Ares, my brother Hermes and our Bill are matching me bite for bite.”

Another terribly domestic scene that drew me closer to those I loved the most.

“Tell me, Dad, where are you hiding these days?” I asked.

“Right now, here at Olympia,” Zeus replied.

“Cute answer. Where did you go when you left Olympia after dropping your version of the Hiroshima bomb on me?”

“Hither and yon.”

“You aren’t going to tell me? Your Queen to whom you pledged loyalty this very day?”

“Doesn’t look that way,” Zeus said, giving me a grin. He turned his back on me to face Ares. “What are you doing these days?”

“Mostly keeping Athena out of trouble,” Ares answered. “Which is a full-time job.”

“He is my conscience and not a welcome conscience,” I said.

“Somebody has to be,” Ares replied.

“What role has Bill taken,” Zeus asked.

“Champion of truth, justice, and the Athenian Way,” Ares said.

“For lack of a better term,” Bill added. “Mostly I stand around with my mouth hanging open in awe.”

“Helios is the royal consort, of course, and Hermes is your messenger.” Zeus looked thoughtful for a few moments. “Athena, you have been at this new job of yours for a few days. What do you think about it, now?”

I didn’t hesitate. “I don't like it any better than I did before. This is not what I wanted, but I don't want to leave everyone without leadership.” I paused and said, “When Circe killed those people in my Highrise, she declared war and I will take the battle to her. It is my intent to rid the world of her darkness and anyone who follows her.”

“Cleaning house, as it were?” My father asked.

“Yes. And why not? You told me to get rid of my enemies while I had the chance. Circe is my enemy.”

Zeus nodded and then asked, “What say you, Helios?”

“Circe needs to be destroyed. I have no familial feelings left for her.” The tone in his voice chilled me to my bones.

“So, what next, your majesty?” Ares asked me. I am happy to note some things never change around me.

“Today, we rest and recharge. Perhaps later we will seek Circe’s darkness. So, eat, take a nap or two and be ready.” I actually sounded like a leader. I was rather pleased with myself. “Dad, are you sticking around?”

“Yes, as long as you will have me.”

“Memory,” I said, “See to it Zeus has a place to sleep as I have taken his former bedroom.”

She smiled and nodded.

“Athena, will you join me in the garden?” Zeus asked.

“You realize it is freaking cold out there?” I responded.

“Wear a coat,” Zeus said over his shoulder as he walked toward the door to the bonsai garden. I followed him. I didn't invite my associates because I knew Zeus wanted a private conference. Metis put a thick woolen shawl over my shoulders right before I stepped into the garden. I rewarded her thoughtfulness with a quick hug and a kiss on her cheek.

“How is your hunt for Circe?” Zeus asked me as he sat at the table in the center of the garden. A cigar appeared in his hand as if by magic. He took a few puffs of the foul smelling weed.

Before answering his question, I commanded, “You will only smoke outside if you must poison the air around yourself with that bad habit of yours.”

“Bite me,” he replied. He grinned and then added, “Your wish is my command, Athena Vasilissa.”

I joined him, sitting opposite him and pulling the warm folds of the shawl closer to me. “As for Circe, she continually moves. I battled with her when we rescued Helios, but she escaped, again.”

Zeus nodded and said, “She is very good at covering her tracks. Be warned: She allowed you to take Helios back because she isn’t ready to start her show. He was no longer of use to her.”

“I fought her...” I started to say,

“An incredibly simple battle compared to the fight she is capable of. She is playing with you.” Zeus stood and looked over several of the bonsai trees in the garden, blowing clouds of smoke around himself as he progressed. “I will contact my gardener to return to this place so he can care for this garden. It is worth the money he charges.” My father was silent for several minutes then he said, “When you begin your search in earnest, I will join you.” He puffed away like a steam engine.

“Join me? As a combatant?” I asked.

“You will require a sizable army to finally defeat her. When she starts her show, she will not make things easy for you. In the meantime, she will start destroying your followers, one by one by one.”

“How do you know this?” I asked.

“Trust me. I will not mislead you.”

“When she kills someone...”

“You will know it, just like you did when she killed the thirteen in the Highrise,” Zeus said, finishing the sentence for me.

“You are saying, she hasn’t even begun to fight?”

“That’s what I’m saying. For now, I urge patience. The time for war will come soon enough. Use Ares to create your warriors. He has trained some of the finest armies this world has seen. He can do more with a hundred men than others can do with ten thousand.”

“Dad, Ares has put down his sword,” I said.

Zeus shook his head and said, “Put a sword in his hand and he will fight. You are his Queen. Command him. Ares will be a general, again. Allow Bill to be your enforcer, your paladin. The next time you need to beat the crap out of someone, have Bill do it with Eli’s help. You don't need to dirty your hands.”

“And what role do you want? Will you join my power partnership?”

“I will not. I think you will best be served by my role as your court jester.”

“Court jester?” I felt certain he was teasing me.

“Yes. The one person in court who can always speak his mind to one and all and not be held in contempt.”

So, he wasn’t teasing me.

“Alright, then. I will rely on you to always speak your mind.”

“Alright, then,” he said, imitating my tone. “Call your partners.”

Within moments, Ares, Bill, Helios, and Hermes stepped into the garden. “Holy Hannah, this island is cold,” Bill said to me. He pulled his tan winter coat closed over his chest.

“What a sissy,” Ares told him. I noted that Ares also zipped his leather jacket closed over his Aran sweater. When did Bill and Ares start acting like real brothers?

I started my speech. “I told you all earlier I intended to hunt for Circe. The plans have changed. I won’t allow her to lead me on any more wild goose chases. You, Ares, need to build an army that we can take against her.”

“Athena,” he said with a pleading voice. “I can’t do that anymore...”

“You have to. I don’t have anyone else. I need a highly trained army at my disposal and you don’t have forever to accomplish it. You know my followers. Pick out the best ones and get them ready.” I turned to Bill before Ares could whine, again. “Bill, I need you to be my enforcer. That means you will carry out any judicial decisions concerning my followers.”

“You mean I may have to execute...”

“Stop right there, Bill. Execution will always be the very last resort. But this is what you must do.”

“No more standing around with my mouth hanging open, right?”

“No more. As an enforcer, you will be what you have been. A policeman. You will make sure everyone follows the rules and the laws. Themis can help you with that. We have fewer laws than humans do, so it should be easy. Helios will also step into that role as your teacher and fellow enforcer.”

“What Athena didn’t say, Bill and Helios,” Zeus added, “Is that her enforcers will be her constant companions.”

“I am that, anyway,” Helios said.

“And me?” Hermes asked,

“You are my eyes and ears. I know you assisted Zeus with a spy network, and you will do the same for me. You will also serve me as a messenger, as you have been doing already.” Hermes nodded, accepting his new assignment.

Ares scowled, and Bill looked fearful, Helios smiled in my direction.

“You didn't tell them that I am the new court jester,” Zeus said.

“They would have figured it out fairly soon on their own,” I said.