_____I fell to my knees, released from my emotive extracts. Judging from Hera's chilly calm, I wondered if I would be better to crawl outside with the storm. I opened my mouth to profusely apologize. Nothing further spilled out.
_____Hera spoke, softly, "Thank you, my daughter."
_____As if dialing a number, she started swirling her finger in short repetitive circles. Ivory smoke fogged between us, stretching into sharply linear aspects. "Keep to the road that you must travel. A woman's way is never cloned."
_____Using nooks of the cavern's wall, I helped myself stand. Sure, I could ask Hera hard questions. Getting straight answers was another issue.
_____"Know, I am always with you." She said. "Greater rewards are a matter for other realms."
_____Violet steam poured to the floor from a sleek navy median of a silver blue blade. Hera clapped once bringing a cyan blast. At the base of a blade sat a sleek black handle with sparkling sienna finger grips. Coral vapor joined from the ceiling forging a brief tepee cocoon. As the mist drifted off, a dazzling sapphire blue sword emerged.
_____"Shetuthra." Hera spoke as if in a prayer circle. "Build strong your hearth, your limbs, and learning. When the hour for tasks has arrived, this sword shall speak."
_____Speaking swords? My lips parted beginning to work again. "Can't you just send me home?"
_____"In trade."
_____"What you want?"
_____"The warrior." She said.
_____As the sword floated closer, I sidled a few steps down the incline. "Look at my physique, Mother Hera. Xena I'm not."
_____Hera transformed in a flight of blue electric flame bouncing from place to place like a ricochet bullet. Wry laughter filled the chamber. Unaware of the sword in my hand, I raced out into the rain. A pool of mud filled the ground. Trying to keep from falling on my face, I spread my strides and skidded forward.  NEXT

_ DAMSEL IN THE ROUGH