Читать книгу Electra - Kerry Greenwood - Страница 27

Sunlight poured like honey down on Olympus, home of the Gods, but a dark cloud threatened from the east. Zeus, Father of Laws, was concerned.

'The House of Atreus is cursed,' he rumbled.

'Then cleanse the earth of them,' urged Apollo. 'Strike with your lightnings, remove the dreadful Queen and her lover, demonstrate the justice of the Gods.'

'And what is to become of this poor Princess Electra and her brother?' asked Aphrodite, rolling the golden apple along the floor.

'This matter has lasted through many generations,' commented Athena. 'Tantalus, intending to offend the Gods, offered baked child to them and now spends eternity in Hades' kingdom, thirsting, hungering. Then Pelops, his son, restored by your direct orders, Father, killed his father-in-law and married Hippodameia. His sons were Atreus and Thyestes of bitter memory. We helped Atreus' children to reach Troy and the city is obliterated, and many of my heroes are dead. The army that went with him is decimated. Because of the sacrifice of Iphigenia, and her own wickedness, Clytemnestra the Queen has murdered her husband. Now a new revenge-child, strangely conceived, is journeying to another death. Finish the House of Atreus, Zeus Father. I weary of their crime.'

'They are my children,' said a scornful voice. They turned and recoiled.

Hecate, Drinker of Dog's Blood, stroked a hissing snake, pushing it back behind her head-dress. 'The House of Atreus is mine. I have helped your Cassandra escape, Aphrodite, because it pleased me and she called on me. She belongs to me, as the sailor is Poseidon's, and the Asclepid is Apollo's. She is a priestess of the Mother, and I am the Dark Mother aspect of Gaia. I will protect her. The House of Atreus must fall, finally and forever. Mycenae shall lie empty to the crows and the snakes. My Erinyes will punish crimes of blood. To a dark ending, to irreparable guilt and grief, are these pitiful Atreidae travelling.'

She bared pointed teeth, flicking her serpent's tongue. 'Oppose me if you dare.'