We walked on. I wasn’t feeling the cold at all now, even though the wind was scattering the clouds above us. I put my arm around her again. I wasn’t sure what any of this meant, but whatever it was, it made me happy.

Thessaly seemed to be simply an old sleeping house, like all the sleeping houses of the old city, with the name carved above the door. The history didn’t show. The door was closed, but the sconce above it was shining brightly, casting out a gold radiance and lighting up the words carved in the flagstones where we were walking: “Read, write, learn.” As we came close, something big swooped over our heads. We both ducked, instinctively. There are no birds on Plato, but of course I’d seen Arete flying, and naturally I assumed it was her, come to Thessaly for her father’s memorial. She didn’t usually fly down so low as to part people’s hair. I looked up, and was amazed to see a young man, naked, with winged sandals and a flat hat. He was looking down at us and grinning. Nobody with half a brain could have been in a moment’s doubt as to who he was.

“I should be going,” I said.

“No, stay with me,” Thetis said, not taking her hand from my arm.

“But…” I indicated Hermes, now settling gracefully to the ground a little way up the street. Also, I was starting to be aware that I was wearing trousers, that well-known mark of barbarians and people who work out of doors in cold weather. I have a kiton for special occasions, but nobody had warned me that this would be one.

“Half my family are gods,” she said.

“Yes, I know, but—” It was different for me, I was going to say, but she didn’t give me time to finish.

“You should think what it’s like growing up being part of the other half of the family. Never let them think you’re inferior. Come on.” She put her hand on the door, but Hermes had stepped up before she opened it.