Pandora Gets Angry by Carolyn Hennesy Read Free Book Online

fullest. And don’t forget, sweetheart, you’re semi-immortal … so the power of your mind might manifest itself in interesting ways … You’ll ask, you’ll ponder, you’ll learn.”
    Pandy heard her father’s words clearly in her head.
    So instead of telling the captain that she’d drunk the ashes of the evil magician Calchas in an abandoned temple in Egypt, she said respectfully, “I attended an excellent school in … in my native homeland, of Greece. I am Pandora Atheneus Andromaeche Helena of the House of Prometheus. It is, um, well known in Greece, as it is everywhere, that Persian is a beautiful language, but not easily mastered. Therefore, I made it my personal goal to speak it as well as possible. I am honored that you find me …”
    What was the word? She’d heard Iole use it a hundred times!
    â€œâ€¦ adept, sir.”
    â€œI do,” he replied. “Now what is it you wish? Although, I think I already know.”
    â€œOne of my companions is very ill and there is in this camp a physician.”
    â€œNo,” said the captain flatly.
    Pandy took a deep breath and pleaded her case again and again, using various stratagems, fabricating a rich tale of Iole being of great importance, the daughter of a statesman and very wealthy. The captain remained resolute. Finally Pandy, seeing Iole’s life slip from her grasp, stopped the lie. She looked at the captain, a small sag in her shoulders.
    â€œShe is one of only two friends I ever had,” Pandy began. “The other is dead. Please, please don’t let me lose this one, too.”
    The captain, moved by the single tear coursing down her cheek, relented.
    â€œHe will be brought to you in chains and they are not to be removed,” he said. “The dancer’s tent will be surrounded with a man every five paces and two at the entrance. Two will be inside the tent with their backs to the proceedings, as I am aware there may be some examination. If any of you attempts to help the Physician escape, you will regret it. Is all of this understood?”
    â€œYes, yes!” Pandy cried. “Thank you!”
    She and Mahfouza bowed low and ran out of the tent.
    â€œWell done, Pandora!” Mahfouza said.
    â€œIt was the truth that worked. Who knew?” Pandy replied. “And, please, call me Pandy.”
    They burst into Mahfouza’s tent to find Homer, sitting over Iole, fanning her with a small cushion.
    â€œShe’s burning up,” he said.
    â€œDouban is on his way,” said Mahfouza.
    â€œWho’s that?” asked Pandy.
    â€œDouban,” Mahfouza replied, then she looked incredulously at Homer and Pandy. “Douban the Physician? Surely you have heard of him?”
    Pandy and Homer shook their heads.
    â€œHe is the greatest physician in the known world. I cannot believe his fame has not traveled to Greece.”
    â€œWell, we have Apollo,” Pandy replied.
    â€œAt any rate, he will be here soon,” Mahfouza said. “So now we will wait.”
    Settling themselves close to Iole, the group was silent for a long time. Then Pandy looked at the lovely dancer, whose concern for Iole seemed to match her own.
    â€œMahfouza, why are you here? Now? Why aren’t you with Wang Chun Lo? Did something happen? Where are you going?”
    â€œPandy, please,” Mahfouza said, smiling. “Let me answer these questions before you ask any more.”
    â€œOh, sorry,” Pandy said. “I’m just curious.”
    â€œWang Chun Lo’s Caravan of Wonders is doing well, I must assume. Instead of four dancers, they now have only three. I received word of trouble at home, so I have left to be with my family.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Pandy said. “How far are you traveling?”
    â€œTo Baghdad.”
    â€œThat’s where we are going,” Homer cut in.
    â€œI thought you were Arabian,” Pandy