Archedios and Chara

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Immediately Archedios fell in love and gave chase. The maiden fled swiftly but Archedios was far swifter. In moments he was upon her. She struggled in vain to free her arm from his grasp. “Release me! I will have no man!” She cried. “For I follow Artemis the Huntress.”

“I love you. I will let no harm come to you.” Archedios pleaded.
“You have no love for me. Only a longing to fulfill your own cruel desires.”
“My only desire is to please you.”
“Then please me and follow me no longer.”
“For you to leave me would cause me terrible grief.”
“Show me your love and set me free.”

For a strangling moment Archedios fought himself over his decision.“ If nothing else then let me hear your name.”

“I am Chara.” Archedios loosened his grip and she was gone.

For days Archedios pined in his grief over his lost love. He wandered through the forests lamenting and singing songs of love and sadness. He longed for the one who was always on his lips. “Chara.”

One night, Athena approached Archedios in a dream and spoke in kind words. “Dwell not on your love. You have not lost her forever. Continue your quest lest the world ends from your selfish grief.” Archedios was emboldened by these words and so he returned to his adventure. He journeyed to the labyrinth and faced its perils.

He came upon a dark chamber. At one end were the sandals. He rushed towards them until suddenly he was struck back. A serpent sprung from the shadows and lashed out at him. Archedios fell back. He was unprepared for such an attack. He fought to regain his footing but one quick blow flung him into a wall. The serpent leered at him. It pulled back its head for a final strike.

There was the swish and thunk of an arrow and the beast screamed in pain. Two more arrows followed the first. The serpent writhed on the stone floor. With its last ounce of strength it turned to bring the archer down with it to the dead. At this moment Archedios rose and hewed the creature’s head from its body.

In the following silence Archedios looked to see the identity of his rescuer. It was Chara. His heart leapt with joy at the sight of her. “I am forever in your debt.”

“We are even.” Chara said softly. “You let a bird fly free when all other men would have caged her. You showed true love and now I show it in return.” With that she placed a kiss on his lips. “Let me hear your name.”

“Archedios.”

“Archedios, if ever you have need of me you have only to find me.” Chara kissed him once more then disappeared into the dark.

Archedios, filled with warmth took the winged sandals and sped on to his destiny.