What could you possibly write at Gates of Hades?” Cadmus asked.

“Keep your spirits up.” Lycon sheathed the dagger he’d used to chisel the trunk.

Cadmus shook his head. “Idiot.

Hero,” said Machaon to his sister who was still muttering to her gods. “Please stop. Surely the gods would have heard you by now … let’s try not to annoy them.

You know, Mac,”Cadmus said still looking out the window. “We may have to work on the way we tell our story …apparently it’s not amusing enough.”

“I’ll try to include a joke between ‘he bled to death’and ‘the city burned’.”Machaon responded tersely.

He has been known to devour men.”

“He’s a cannibal?” Cadmus asked in horror.

“Well, not really,” Daemon replied. “He is a Cyclops. He does not eat his own kind — just men and only those who challenge him … he does not hunt them.

Are the legends true?” asked Cadmus. “Of course they are,” replied Pan. “We live in an age of legends.

A freezing cold underground river. A dark cave lit by ghosts. A man too stupid to realize you loved him. This is what you want?"

"All of it. Especially the very stupid man.