*250
You hear a great clashing of metal as
you enter a dimly lit room. You can
just make out two forms fighting with
spears and shields. One looks very
tall and strong, while the other
appears much smaller. The smaller
fighter is taking quite a beating.
*251
"Stop! Stop!" you yell, running
between the two fighters. The shaft
of a spear strikes you on the head,
and you fall to the floor.
*252
You wake up slowly. A handsome face is
looking at you angrily. "How dare you
interrupt my battle practice! I am Ares,
the god of war," he says, waving his
spear. "When there is no war for me to
join, I sharpen my skills by practicing
with Eris. She is the spirit of strife."
*253
"She enjoys any kind of argument or
fight.  And although she is no match for
me, I also love a battle of any kind."
*254
Ares aims his spear at you. "You have
no right to take my spear by force,"
he says. "This means war!"<
<
"Uh, sorry," you say, making a slight
bow as you back out the door. "Maybe we
could talk this over sometime...but not
right now.  Good-bye."
*255
"Do you start wars yourself?" you ask.<
<
"I just help them along," Ares
replies. "It's not hard. Come! Eris and
I will show you how it's done."
*256
"I don't really want--" you start to
protest. But before you can finish,
Ares mounts a black horse and swings
you and Eris onto the saddle behind
him. All three of you ride off into
the gloom.
*257
At last you are outdoors, under a
sunny sky. Ares stops in front of a
white palace. A party is going on.
"Today, young king Peleus is marrying
Thetis, one of the sea goddesses,"
Ares explains.
*258
"All the gods and goddesses will be here
to celebrate. Everyone is happy." As
Ares talks and you watch, little Eris
joins the party.
*259
"Watch this!" Ares says.<
<
Eris holds up a beautiful golden apple.
"The loveliest of the goddesses shall
have this golden apple," Eris announces,
and she throws the golden apple into the
crowd.
*260
At once, the goddesses Hera, Athena, and
Aphrodite all rush to take the apple. "I
am the loveliest. It is mine," Hera
declares. "No, I am the loveliest," says
Athena. "Step aside. The apple is mine!"
Aphrodite shouts, trying to grab the
apple.
*261
Ares and Eris laugh. "Well done, Eris,"
Ares says happily. "The Apple of Discord
should cause a fine afternoon's quarrel!
It may not be a war, but it's a start!"<
<
"That is terrible," you say.
*262
"Terrible?" Ares scoffs. "You mortals
argue over sillier things every day. But
the three goddesses will soon make up,
and that is boring. Let us return you to
the maze."
*263
Ares cracks his whip and his team of
black horses speeds the chariot over
land and sea, back to the dark room
in the maze.
*264
You hop down from the chariot and start
to leave. But Ares holds a spear in your
path. "Well, [name]," Ares says
scornfully, "since you do not approve of
war and strife, you probably will not
appreciate what a fine spear this is.
But take it if you wish. Otherwise, go
on your way."
*265
"Good-bye, Ares," you say. "Peace!" you
add, hurrying out of the room before
Ares can reply.
*299
There is no more to read.
*1000







 