Page 147 of Styx

the clouds for one and all it is.’

And a cloud appeared under our feet.

Unlike Boreas’s sturdy cold vessel,

this was a haphazard but warm cloud

that lifted us from the shore and above

until we were travelling through the air.

The infant within my belly

also disliked this means of travel,

and in a few moments, I had to sit.

The cloud held me like a cushion.

Asteria sat next to me

as Pallas looked upon me curiously.

‘Is all well?’ she asked me quietly.

I nodded to her as I heard Zephyrus

say to his uncles, ‘This is the best

way to travel, is it not? Sailing

through the air on a cloud?’

I vehemently and thoroughly disagreed.

A Dark Question

As we rose through the air,

closer and closer to darkness,

Asteria whispered to me,

‘Why did she want it?’

The strange feeling in my womb

kept me deeply preoccupied

and it took me some time before

I could answer her.

‘What do you speak of?’

We watched as the stars cleared

as we travelled along the top