Free Monsters of Greek Mythology, Volume One by Bernard Evslin

turned. It was a seal rearing up on the bright grass, flipper raised. “No,” he repeated. “My master, Poseidon, has other plans. You must go voyaging, the three of you, but in a proper ship this time. And other heroes will join the crew. From island to island you shall sail, seeking a magical prize, rescuing maidens as you go, killing monsters, cleansing my master’s sea. Then, Jason, you will be ready for kingship, and all of you shall enter legend.”
    â€œSpooky stuff,” murmured Pollux, grinning. “Let’s go find Castor. He’ll be waiting to hear about the fight.”
    â€œA master builder shall come,” called the seal. “He’ll build you a ship. Wait for him here.”
    And the seal slid into the sea.

ANTEUS

For Cody Clinton,
    our smallest giant

Characters
    Monsters
Anteus
    (an TEE uhs)
A giant, son of Mother Earth

Gobi
    (GO bee)
Giant archer who serves Anteus

Mordo
Giant cudgeller who also serves Anteus

Kell
Third of the giants serving Anteus; a skillful butcher

Hecate
    (HECK uh tee)
Queen of the Harpies

    Gods
Zeus
    (ZOOS)
King of the gods

Hera
    (HEE ruh)
Queen of the gods

Gaia
    (GAY uh or JEE uh)
Mother Earth

Prometheus
    (proh MEE thee uhs)
A Titan, friend to man

    Mortals
Hercules
    (HER ku leez)
Son of Zeus, strongest man in the world

Libyans
    (LIB ih uhns)
Hordes of them

Amaleki
    (uh MAL e ki)
Brave mountaineers

    Others
Sharks, octopi, camels

Phoenix
    (FEE nihx)
A bird who abides in flame and arises from the ashes, unconsumed

1
    Cannibal Stew
    The parched hump of land called Libya was very different in the first days. It wasn’t dry; it was green and wet. In fact, Libya meant “rainfall,” and that spur of Africa was one of the most fertile spots on earth. But its people were not happy, for they were ruled by a monster.
    His name was Anteus. He was the youngest of those dread creatures planted in Mother Earth by the Serpent of Chaos. Half-brother to the gigantic one-eyed Cyclopes and to the Hundred-handed Giants, Anteus was a giant also, and the most brutal of all that brood.
    Many years before, his fancy had been caught by rich green Libya. He had invaded it, and made himself king by destroying everyone who stood in his path. He rapidly enlarged his kingdom, for he exulted in battle. There was nothing he relished more than the crunch of bones and the smell of blood. The shrieks of the wounded and the rattling gasps of the dying were music to his large hairy ears. And in the short intervals of peace, he amused himself by tormenting his subjects.
    His entire court was composed of giants. Courtiers, counsellors, and the officers and men of the Royal Guard were gigantic. When they all reveled, which they did nightly, the mountains rumbled, the earth shook. And when their song was borne on the wind, utter choking fear took those who heard it. For this was the song:
    â€œThe stew, the stew,
    the cannibal stew!
    All you’ve heard is true
    about what
    goes in that pot …
    Not pork, or mutton,
    or costly beef
    but eyes and nose,
    fingers and toes
    of rebel or thief
    or those doing time
    for any crime …
    Into the pot,
    ready or not …
    with pepper and garlic
    onion and thyme …
    To boil and simmer
    until it’s through …
    the stew, the stew,
    the cannibal stew!
    Served from the pot,
    piping hot …
    The stew, the stew,
    the cannibal stew!
    Why feed prisoners,
    who can feed you?”
    Indeed, over a fire-pit dug into the courtyard, a huge iron pot seethed and bubbled. Into this pot, as the song said, were thrown those who had happened to offend the king in some way—or, simply, certain meaty-looking unfortunates who chanced to attract his notice.
    And although there were many, many reasons to fear Anteus, who, in a temper, had been known to trample an entire village underfoot, this steaming iron pot became a special symbol of terror.
    But the people of this unhappy land, like all folk everywhere, were unable