Monsters of Greek Mythology, Volume One Read Online Free PDF

grew from the stones cast by Pyrrha. Twelve men and twelve women, full of wonder and hope and ignorance. And from these twelve men and women were born a new generation.
    Bebrycos grew too small for them. The young ones built boats and sailed away, found other islands, and settled there. Found a mainland and settled there.
    Generation followed generation, and Zeus sent no more floods. For without people to worship him, he decided, it was hard for him to know that he was a god.
    Now, hundreds of years later, as Amycus was plowing the Middle Sea toward Bebrycos, Athena took a journey. She traveled down to Tartarus, to the ebony and fire-ruby castle of her uncle, Hades.
    â€œWelcome, Niece,” he said. “It is centuries since you have honored our gloomy precincts with your presence.”
    â€œI have come to ask a favor, great Hades.”
    â€œOf course,” he said. “Why else would anyone come down here who didn’t have to? Speak. What is it I can do for you?”
    â€œYou will remember, Uncle, that the Great Flood swallowed fifty miles of the Trinacrian coast, including a mountain called Bebrycos, whose highest peaks now form an island. But since it was once a mountain, the roots of this island are still anchored here in Tartarus. And these roots are hollow shafts of rock leading straight up into the caves of the island.”
    â€œI hear ancient history and some bits of geology,” said Hades. “What do they have to do with the favor you are asking?”
    â€œPatience, my lord. I was describing a natural passageway from your realm to Bebrycos. What I want is to borrow some of your creatures for a hundred years or so. They can climb up through the shafts of rock onto this island, and serve my purpose there. I mean our purpose.”
    â€œ Our ?” asked Hades. “What possible interest of mine can be served by my creatures above ground?”
    â€œIf what you lend me are fearful enough, they will create a horde of fresh corpses, and send new shades thronging down to enlarge your kingdom.”
    â€œInteresting …” murmured Hades. “Let’s see what I can spare. The choices are limited. No Harpies; I need them here. No roasting-pit demons, nor those who wield the fire-flick or the marrow-log; they’re all fully employed. I can let you have some general-torment fiends.”
    â€œWhat are they?”
    Hades clapped his hands and whistled thrice. Into the throne room shuffled a thing that looked like a wingless dragon. It walked on two legs and stood about eight feet tall. Had green mottled skin as hard as armor, a ridged tail, and crocodile jaws.
    â€œFire!” barked Hades.
    The creature opened its jaws and spat flame.
    â€œExcellent!” cried Athena. “Even better than I imagined. Oh, thank you, Uncle, thank you. How many can I have?”
    â€œTwenty,” said Hades. “That’s the very best I can do.”
    â€œOh, marvelous!”
    â€œI must warn you,” said Hades. “They are witless. They can take no initiative. They must be fully instructed as to whom to kill and how many.”
    â€œSuits my purpose exactly,” said Athena. “I mean to supply them with a leader, even more murderous, and very intelligent.”
    â€œVery well,” said Hades. “And when can I be expecting a batch of corpses from Bebrycos?”
    â€œSoon … soon …” said Athena, and departed, very pleased.
    Thus it was that when Amycus swam to shore, he found twenty wingless dragons waiting on the beach. He lowered his head, preparing to fight, but a huge owl dived out of the sky, crying, “No, Amycus, do not attack! These creatures are as useful as they are ugly. They are sent here to serve you and help you to become king of this island.”
    â€œWho are you?”
    â€œI serve Athena, the goddess who guides your destiny.”
    â€œAnd I am to be king of this place?”
    â€œAnd much more. A terror