Pandora Gets Angry Read Online Free PDF Page B

to—,” Hera began.
    â€œName?” the official cut in.
    â€œOh, yes, of course. Hera. Wife of—”
    â€œExcuse me?” the official said, now gazing up at her. “What was that?”
    Hera was caught off guard and did what she normally did when caught off guard: she became impatient and even more imperious.
    â€œI said , ‘Hera, wife of—’ ”
    â€œZeus?” asked the official. “King of the Gods of Greece?”
    â€œNaturally you heard of him—and me.”
    The official began to chuckle softly.
    â€œOh, we’ve heard of you,” the official said, then he called off to his left. “Haven’t we, Saad?”
    â€œHaven’t we what?” Saad called back.
    â€œHaven’t we heard of Hera, wife of Zeus?”
    â€œYou’re kidding?” Saad said, ignoring his own visa petitioner for a moment. “Don’t tell me she’s …”
    â€œStanding right in front of me, big as life. Bigger!” said the official.
    â€œI find it impolite to talk about—,” Hera said.
    â€œFirst of all, you’re gonna lose the attitude . Let’s not forget why you’re here, Hera . Do we know you? I should say we do, wife of Zeus. Queen of Heaven.”
    The official left his stool and walked back a few paces to a wall with several portraits drawn on papyrus sheets hanging on it. Never taking his eyes off of her, he tapped at a decidedly unflattering charcoal sketch of Hera hanging in between a sketch of Loki, the Norse trickster, and the Hindu goddess Kali, the murderous destroyer.
    â€œChosen One,” he continued as he moved back to the counter, rattling off Hera’s other nicknames in a voice that sounded as if he had crushed, dried leaves in the back of his throat. “Cow-eyed, Big-eyed, Peacock Lady, Pea-brain, Bird-brain .”
    â€œNo one would venture to call me that! How do you dare … ,” Hera cried.
    â€œNo attitude! Now, around here, we have another name for you. Can you read what it says underneath your picture? No? I’ll tell you. It says: ‘ WARNING! Hera aka Queen of the Gods, wanted in Egypt for questioning in connection with misuse of immortal powers regarding the setting of traps, deadfalls, pits, and other assorted schemes without permission from the local deistic authorities.’ ”
    â€œWhat?” asked Hera, trying her best to act innocent.
    â€œOh, you’re fun, you are, Sandtrap. That’s what we call you around here. And now you’re actually applying for a permit? Well, this is gonna take some time. Lots of paperwork. We have a special room for difficult customers. Follow me.”

CHAPTER SIX

The Caravan
    â€œWhat are they doing?” Pandy asked softly, staring at the crest of the large dune as she untied the length of rope from her waist and slipped it into her pouch.
    â€œThey’re studying us,” Homer said. “Seeing if we’re dangerous.”
    â€œAs if,” Pandy said, echoing one of Alcie’s favorite phrases.
    The five men, three on camels, two on horseback, had not moved for a long time. Snippets of conversation had been carried on a light wind down the dune, but neither Pandy nor Homer could understand what was being said. Suddenly, the three men on camelback and one on a horse broke away and began galloping toward them down the dune.
    â€œHomer?” Pandy’s whispered voice shot up in pitch. “ Homer? ”
    â€œDon’t move,” Homer said firmly. “Stand still.”
    Dido barked ferociously.
    â€œDido! Sit!” Pandy ordered. “Not another sound!”
    He looked at her, panting, but remained silent.
    â€œWhy aren’t they all coming?” Pandy asked.
    â€œThey’re leaving one as a marker,” Homer said. “So they’ll know where they came from.”
    There was absolute silence from the men, all dressed alike, with neatly trimmed black beards, each