The wisps of smoke had already risen from the bonfire in front of the temple, the roasting at sizzling and oozing with oil, its golden hues glistening in the firelight, while the boiling mushroom soup wafted a delicious aroma.
Inside the temple, nine graceful figures sat in two rows, as always, indulging in the post-hunt revelry, playing exquisite music and humming pleasant lodies.
To the left in the temple, there were four:
- Seated and holding a flute was Oute Erpe, her na aning "joy," presiding over lyric poetry and music;
- Standing and holding a cody mask was Thalia, her na aning "prosperity," overseeing cody and pastoral poetry;
- Beside her was Cleo, her na aning "praise," in charge of history;
- The lancholic one snuggling up was Polinnia, her na aning "hymn," responsible for hymns and rhetoric.
To the right in the temple, there were five:
- Seated with a lyre was Terpsichore, her na aning "dance," governing choral music and dance;
- Standing with a wax tablet was Calliope, her na aning "beautiful voice," in charge of epic poetry;
- Holding a mask was lpone, her na aning "song," presiding over tragedy and elegy;
- Beside her was Urania, her na aning "heavenly," overseeing astronomy and astrology;
- The one with her back to the scene, embracing a lyre was Erato, her na aning "lovely," responsible for love poetry and solo songs.
Seeing Artemis, Luo En, and Atalanta approaching, all nine Muse goddesses stood up, cheerily inviting them to join the feast.
As the hunting nymphs brought in the feast, Luo En shared the newly brewed wine.
The goddesses gathered in front of the hunting sanctuary, enjoying the delicacies, drinking the fine wine, and dancing with the lody fostered by the intoxication.
Caught up in the joyous atmosphere, the nymphs linked arms, unleashing their vibrant energies in wild dances.
As the atmosphere beca increasingly exuberant, even the demure Muses gradually mustered up the courage, batting their water-like eyes, extending an invitation to Luo En.
Ti flew, and it had been three years since Apollo's exile.
In the first six months, the nine Muses obediently stayed in the Goddess of the Hearth's temple, close to Luo En, rarely venturing out.
With Athena's care, and Artemis' occasional protection, they managed to fend off covetous gazes and gradually settled into a stable life.
In the process of living together, they increasingly enjoyed their interactions with the God of Wine.
It was not a relationship of subordination, but more like an equal exchange between friends.
Unlike accompanying solely for the poetry of Chief God Apollo, serving as a backdrop to the red flower, this God of Wine was an excellent audience.
Most of the ti, he would take ti to sit quietly in the audience, carefully listening to each of the Muses' works, not only acknowledging their unique talents, but also giving precise evaluations and offering targeted suggestions for improvent.
Whenever inspiration ran dry, the God of Wine would take them to appreciate the nature's landscapes, step into human cities, or drink wine under the setting sun, sparking creativity through diverse experiences and feelings.
Undoubtedly, being with this God of Wine were the most relaxing days in their mories.
— No need to think about how to follow orders; they just needed to be themselves.
So, when alcohol stirred their instincts, overpowering reason, the Muses couldn't help but crowd around, vying for the best audience, imrsing themselves in indulgence, performing their own improvised music.
However, before the nine Muses could determine a winner to seize the chance to dance with the "true love fan," a gentle cough interrupted their dispute.
Artemis swirled her wine cup, looking towards the nine Muse goddesses with a ghostly gaze.
Suddenly, the previously passionate Muses felt a chill, as if plunged into an ice cellar; their blood cooled rapidly, the drunken euphoria inside them dissipated greatly, they hastily retracted their necks, assuming an ostrich-like posture.
Nevertheless, the Goddess of the Hunt's gaze did not shift away from them; instead, it began to reveal a trace of suspicion.
When did they beco so close?
Just as Artemis was about to ask, her hand was suddenly yanked.
"Lady Artemis, since they are sincerely inviting us, you mustn't put on any goddess airs."
Luo En blinked with a smile, then drew Atalanta, who was next to him, towards the Muses by the fire.
Instantly, the nine artistic goddesses took the hint, quickly grabbing Atalanta's and Artemis' hands, forming a circle and dancing lightly around the fire.
The nineteen nymphs also laughed rrily, forming another ring on the outside, joining in the joyous singing and dancing.
So, this was what it ant?
Seeing the smiles on everyone's faces, Artemis had an epiphany. She quietly moved closer to her lover, using the revelry to disguise her restless heart and actions unbecoming of a virgin goddess.
Seeing that the female hunter beside him had dismissed her suspicion, Luo En couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief internally.
That was close, almost got trapped by this group of Muses.
To be safe, better not flaunt myself in front of my own sweetheart.
It's just as well; it's about ti for the next step of the plan to be carried out.
Luo En made up his mind. After a dance beat ended, he pulled Artemis back to their original seats and spoke in a low voice.
"I heard Thessaly has been struck by disaster."
The murmurs by his ear made Artemis start, and she turned to look at her lover beside her. She then bit her lip tightly.
"It's a divine punishnt; Father God will not agree, and I can't leave my duties."
"So, I was thinking to take them down to the Mortal World to have a look..."
Luo En looked in the direction of Thessaly, suggesting sothing.
Artemis, upon hearing this, instantly understood and felt overwheld with emotion.
"What if we are discovered?"
Luo En's eyes were gentle, filled with empathy.
"Don't worry; we have just received an invitation from so mortal City Builders to travel to the Mortal World. Thessaly could be one of the options."
Artemis's eyes brightened with joy and she nodded in agreent.
In this way, it was not just a visit to the serving Apollo but a journey by the way.
However, before setting off, the Goddess of the Hunt was still worried about her lover, who dared to defy the orders of Father God Zeus for her sake.
"Then you need to be careful."
Luo En smiled and nodded; then, at the end of the banquet, he bade farewell to the reluctant Artemis and entrusted the young Atalanta to her care.
With the Goddess of the Hunt out of sight, the cautious Muses sighed in relief, then turned their attention to the God of Wine and asked tentatively.
"What next? Do we return to Olympus?"
"No, to the Mortal World..."
Luo En shook his head and murmured with profound aning.
"To accomplish a great deed."
As he spoke, he raised his hand, snapping a twig to fashion a staff, and his body twisted. His upright form gradually stooped, black hair turning to white, and his eyes that shone like stars beca clouded with gray.
The blind old man then tapped his staff lightly, his lips curling into a contented smile.
"From now on, we shall be known as—Hor..."
The Muses looked at each other in astonishnt, at a loss for words.
~~
Several days later, on Mount Pelion, in a certain valley.
A man with golden hair and green eyes, the upper half of his body humanely handso and gentle, the lower half a sleek brown horse's body, kneeled on the gradual slope outside the cave, on the green grassy land.
Thud, thud, thud, thud...
As the Centaur Deity rhythmically pounded the pestle in the mortar, the crisp sound of grinding dicine wafted into the spacious and airy cave behind him.
"Teacher Horse, I've co to see you."
Hearing that familiar address, the Centaur Deity hooves over, passing a thick, dark green potion to the blind old man at the entrance.
"Teacher Horse, this isn't necessary, I think I'm much better."
Assailed by the pungent sll, the old man's face turned green, and he imdiately laughed awkwardly, trying to decline.
"Don't give up on treatnt. The dicine needs to be washed over and combed through your eye ridians several tis. Maybe it will cure your blindness."
The gentle Centaur healer advised, then paused before adding,
"Also, my na is Chiron..."
"Alright then, Teacher Horse…"
The blind old man, seeing that rejection was futile, blinked and murmured, resigned to accepting the stone bowl and pinching his nose to down the bitter, sour concoction.
Ugh, my na is... never mind...
Chiron took back the empty bowl, shaking his head helplessly at the peculiar nickna. He left behind so wild fruits wrapped in leaves to dispel the aftertaste for the patient, then trotted off,
The old man invited into the cave held the rolled up leaves in his hand, tossing the contained fruit into his mouth to chew, his expression content. Then he tapped his staff and with his gray eyes looked toward the cave's inhabitant with white hair—a lancholic young man—and offered a faint smile.
"Long ti no see, young brother Asclepius..."
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