“Sire, someone here to see you!” A young woman dressed in barely more than a rag rushed into the room on her knees with her head bowed to avoid eye contact with Hades.

Hades glanced up momentarily from his thoughts to look at the girl. The edges of his mouth curled into a smirk at the sight of her shaking. “Come now, child. Out with it! Who is here to see me?” The smirk transformed into a grin as the shaking increased, and the girl’s pallor turned a deep shade of green.

“Sir, it’s…it’s….it’s…” The servant was hyperventilating by this point, and she seemed ready to pass out.

“I said ‘out with it’.” Hades voice held a deadly calm quality, and he simply watched as the girl vomited everywhere. “You can clean that up after you tell me who is here to see me.” He said coldly.

“Hermes.” And with that, she fainted dead away.

Hades simply stepped over the body and continued out of his office to the foyer outside, where Hermes sat. “Have you a message for me?” Hades held out his hand to receive it.

“N-no.” Hermes grimaced at the sight of Hades hand. Hades made sure to tuck it back inside his robe before continuing. Even he hated the sickeningly pale, translucent skin that surrounded the muscles in his hand.

“Then why are you here?” Hades glared at Hermes for a moment.

“Can’t I just….Stop by for a friendly visit?” Hermes spat the last words out like poison.

“No, you can’t. Leave.” Hades turned to leave the room, his shadowed robes whipping about him like a cape.

“Wait! I can’t leave!” Hermes big brown eyes had filled with tears, and he had flown across the room within three feet of Hades.

“What do you mean you can’t leave? Those sandals are obviously working quite well. Get on with it!” Hades opened the door to his office and continued inside, Hermes following. “Did you not understand me? Out. Before I make you leave.” Hades reached for the staff that he kept next to his throne.

“You don’t understand! She’s after us all! She’s gone mad! She’ll come for me, I’m sure! She’s-“

“Enough babbling! And quit crying! Who is she and why should I care?” Hades was growing more and more annoyed with the situation as it carried on. The more annoyed he became, the closer his hand came to his staff.

“Hera. She’s gone mad! She’s after all of Zeus illegitimate children!”

Hades immediately understood. Hermes was one of those children. “And what do you want me to do about it?” Hades began cleaning his dirty fingernails with his teeth.

“Just…Let me stare here. Just until Zeus can find her! Please!” Hermes moved to his knees in an effort to get Hades’ agreement.

“Nobody stays here for free. You’ll have to do your part. In fact, I think I might have the perfect job for you.” A wicked glint entered Hades’ eyes as he stared at Hermes, and Hermes shivered under its intensity.

Cautiously, Hermes accepted the bait. “And what would that job be?”

“Well, I have it on good authority from Elephantears here…”

“Eleftaris, sir!” The youth stepped forward from his sentry post at Hades’ side.

Hades ignored the interruption, though obviously displeased. “Eleftaris here, you see, swears that the servants are ignoring my direct orders. In fact, I’ve just promoted him for his loyalty. We’ve already trapped an old hobbit downstairs. He’s being tortured as I speak.” Hades smiled as Eleftaris stepped forward to show off his shining chainmail. “Anyway, they don’t seem to be listening. And my job for you is a simple one. Keep Persephone secluded. Don’t let her speak to anyone; don’t even speak to her yourself. Is that acceptable?”

“Well, why wouldn’t you want her speaking to anyone? I don’t think I quite understand.” Hermes was wary and confused now. Whatever Hades was doing, it wasn’t good.

“That is for me to know, and you to not know. Trust me it is all part of the master plan.” He patted Hermes awkwardly on the shoulder. “You’d just escort her everywhere. I know how fond you are of her; this should be the perfect tradeoff! Come now, your safety for playing nursemaid. Are we agreed?” Hades extended his disgusting hand in Hermes direction. Hermes took a deep breath, looked Hades in the eye, and shook his hand.

“It’s a deal.”

“Good! Eleftaris here will lead you to the wench’s quarters. Oh! And Hermes, I will expect a briefing on her activities after she falls asleep. Here. In my office. Off you go now!”

Eleftaris grasped Hermes by the elbow, escorting him out and shutting the door behind him. Hades took a quick inventory of the room and smiled smugly to find that the little girl had not only left, but had even taken the time to properly clean up her own vomit. Boy, did Hades love being in charge. Now he had only to deal with one minor detail, and Hades was sure that Hermes would be more than perfect in assisting him. He was scared. And Hades knew how to manipulate fear. He was the god of the underworld, after all.