As they passed through the portal into Zeus Square he felt Chara tense and her arms gripped him a little tighter. He tried to see the place how she might be after so many centuries locked inside a temple with the Oracle. Thousands of creatures of all shapes and sizes filled the vast square, some who knew him doing a double-take at the woman on his back, centaurs did not carry anyone on their backs, least of all Captain Myron. He was always a solitary creature, a friend to all but not seeking companionship from anyone. Ignoring their questioning looks, and keeping hold of her hands he picked up the pace to trot towards his closed forge. He knew news of him returning with a woman would spread like wildfire and he wanted her safely behind his door before too many creatures could come to stare. He still remembered the day Gabriel had first brought Kaia to the square, she had been like a sideshow attraction.

As he reached his forge he left the huge double doors at the front closed and went to a smaller door at the back that led straight into his humble home. As he opened it he wondered briefly what she'd make of it. It was built around his height and four legs. Would she find it comfortable? He did have a sofa and chairs for when Cadmus or other guests called by and a huge soft bed, easily big enough for them both. Hopefully, she would find it homely and comfortable, but if she didn't he had a fortune saved and would let her spend it all to make the home as comfortable as she wanted.

Chara was surprised by Myron's home when he opened the door and her eye scanned the interior. She'd half expected a stable of some kind, but it was a warm and cosy-looking home inside. Near the door were a sofa and two armchairs arranged in a U shape looking into the room. Opposite those was a kitchen, complete with a range oven and polished stone worktops.

Gently the centaur picked her up off his back and placed her on the floor. He didn't let go of her waist until she had her crutch in place and could stand unaided. He watched her as her eyes scanned his home wondering what she was thinking. He let his own eyes scan the room trying to see it from her point of view with its forest green walls and brown sofa and armchairs. He looked over at his kitchen and realised it would be too tall for her to comfortably reach the white marble worktops, making a mental note to do something about it if she chose to stay.

Chara felt her face redden as her eyes roamed around the corner of the l-shaped home and found the biggest bed she'd ever seen. She didn't realise the centaur would have one, she'd assumed he slept standing as a horse would. But there, set back from the main of the home was a huge bed with crisp white sheets and pillowcases and a deep green velvet comforter on top.

Myron watched her face colour slightly as she looked at the bed and couldn't help picturing her in it for a moment. Even with her scars and missing leg she had an incredible figure and the most beautiful face he'd ever seen. As she turned her head he watched her lock eyes with her reflection in the huge mirror that hung above his fireplace. She looked shocked then limped closer to it, her hand coming up to trace the craters that had once been her beautiful horns. The hand travelled down to the raised white line that ran through her eye where the sword which had scared his own hand had taken her eye.

Chara had never thought of herself as vain but seeing herself clearly for the first time in her life she was shocked. She'd never seen a reflection as clear as this before and what she looked like shocked her. From the puckered indents left from her horns to the bright white scar across her eye. She looked battered and beaten. Her eyes shot to her scarred fingertips where she'd removed her nails so the creatures that held her Mistress captive wouldn't know she was a hind, not an amazon. Or was it to hide from Zeus? The Oracle had never actually said.

She looked down at her rag-clad body. The misshapen tattered sack that had been her clothes for so long and at the stump of her missing leg. Myron was a beautiful man. His long back hair, warm mahogany-coloured skin and black glossy horse's body came together to create a strong and powerful-looking creature. She looked weak and pitiful, like one of the human wretches who'd lined the road to the temple begging for a coin or crust of bread to keep them alive for one more wretched day.

Looking back up at the mirror she took a deep breath and fought back all but one tear that escaped her eye and ran down her cheek.

Myron's calloused hand stroked her cheek as he caught the tear and moved to stand before her, towering over her, his warm gaze full of concern.

"Chara?"

"I need to go."

"Go?"

"Yes." She started towards the door but her shuffling limp barely carried her two paces before the horse was in front of her again.

"Chara? What happened? You wanted to come."

"And now I want to leave." He gazed at her with his eye full of pain.

"I can change the house if you hate it." She stopped and looked at him.

"Your home is beautiful. You are beautiful." He took her free hand in his.

"Then why did you need to leave?"

"I don't belong here."

"You belong with me."

"No. I belong alone. Away from everyone."

"I'll go wherever you want us to go." She looked up at him baffled by the pain on his face and the desperation in his voice.

"I'm a monster. I look pitiful and broken. You don't want me here."

"You're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"Even if that was true. What good am I? I was a warrior. Kaia showed me, I went down in history as Chara the protector of the Oracle. Now, look at me. I have no purpose. The Oracle has real protectors now and I am a lame monster. If I tried to raise my sword now, one blow to my crutch and I'd be on the floor. I am useless."

He looked to the mirror and back to the hind as he realised what was happening, she hadn't seen herself before.

"I will craft you a new leg and weapons you can use." She shook her head trying to sort the mess of thoughts in her head. Then relaxed and let herself shift into a deer for the first time in centuries. It felt so good to change, she didn't dare when the demons held them in case they caught her and discovered the truth. Her hoofs flared with pain as she looked down and the raw stumps that had once been glittering brass hooves. Her head felt unbalanced without her magnificent antlers. She moved to run only to be caught about her torso by Myron as she lost her balance. She hadn't been in her deer form since before she lost her leg and hadn't taken it into account when she tried to run.

Myron's heart broke as he looked down into his hinds eye and saw the pain and upset there. Scooping the delicate creature into his muscled arms he carried her over to the bed and laid her on it. Then retrieved the tattered rags of her dress and laid them next to her.

"When you're ready, change back. I won't look." He turned his face so his eye wasn't on her and moved towards the kitchen to get her some food. His mind raced, how had her mood changed so quickly? Had she not known how scarred she was? Did she really think it made a difference to how he felt? She was his fated one and he didn't care if she had scars. She was beautiful to him. He cut up some fruits for her and glancing over saw she was still a doe, but now she was curled up peacefully sleeping. The sight of her like that on his bed made his heart sing. She might be upset still, but she was comfortable enough to sleep in his home, on his bed. Silently he placed the plate of fruits near her on the bed and made for the door. Pausing only to pick up his coin purse from the side and left her to sleep.

As he left his door he saw Cadmus race across the street to him. Not waiting for the satyr to catch up he turned and started across the square.

"Myron? Myron?" The half-goat caught up to him and trotted quickly alongside him to keep up.

"Is it true? Did you find her?"

"Yes." He replied curtly as he navigated his way around the usual crowds of creatures on the square.

"Yes? That's it? After centuries of searching? You find her and all I get is a yes?"

"Yes."

"Where are you going?"

"Sisoa's."

"Gifts. You're buying her gifts? That's good. Women like gifts."

"I'm buying her clothes. She doesn't have any."

"None? Where's she been all this time not to have clothes?"

"Captive."

"Myron?" His friend jumped and caught his arm to tug him. He could have knocked the creature straight over but he stopped and looked down at his oldest friend.

"Cadmus?"

"Who is she? Who had her captive."

"Chara the protector. His father is my guess." He said pointing a thumb at Lucius' club that had a queue to enter all hours of the day and night.

He started again towards the goblin's clothing store as his friend processed what he'd just said, then raced to catch up again as he pushed open the door.

"Chara the protector? As in Chara and hind? The Oracle's personal guard." The centaur didn't answer as the gobliness appeared through a curtain.

"Myron? You've never entered my humble premises before. Whatever can I do for you?" She asked with a huge fake smile on her face.

"You'll know the gossip by now. Let's not pretend. Show me your clothes and things. I don't have long." She smiled at him again as she held aside the curtain she'd just appeared through.

"I can show you our ready-to-wear items and she is welcome to come herself for anything made to measure." He nodded to the goblin as he passed her and Cadmus rushed after him.

"You have to...."

"Not now Cadmus." Myron looked at the satyr, then pointedly at Sisoa in her rather over-the-top red gown and ornate powdered wig.