Pandora Gets Angry by Carolyn Hennesy Page A

that high peak, forcing him to hold the heavens for eternity. Therefore, your Sky-Lord must have some sort of power trade with the other gods or spirits of that land, and the enchantments of other Greek gods would still be in effect. We have also heard of your adventures in Egypt. I am certain there must be an arrangement with those gods as well.”
    Pandy thought of the enchanted rope and understood the reason it was behaving so strangely.
    â€œBut wait! Dido ate this food,” Pandy said with a sudden realization. “He’s smaller than Iole. Kinda.”
    â€œThe unclean can eat anything,” Douban said.
    Dido raised his head.
    â€œEx- cuse me?” Pandy said, dropping her voice.
    â€œI am sorry,” Douban said. “I did not mean to offend. It is simply custom to call a dog—”
    â€œFather,” interrupted his son, “if I may. In this part of the world, there are those who still cling to backward thinking. Dogs are considered unclean and some of the lowest of the low.”
    Dido cocked his head to one side.
    â€œHowever,” the young man continued, “there are others, such as myself, who understand that dogs are wonderful and loving companions. I know my father agrees; it was simply a slip of the tongue. And your dog, if I may say so, not only looks remarkable but seems to be a wonderful animal.”
    The younger Douban looked at Pandy and smiled. Pandy felt her stomach drop toward the floor.
    â€œHe is,” she answered, quickly shifting her gaze back to Iole.
    â€œHow were you able to tell this food was bad just by sniffing it?” asked Homer.
    â€œThat is a gift I have been given,” Douban said, smiling wistfully.
    â€œHe is the greatest physician in the known world!” Mahfouza exclaimed, startling everyone.
    â€œFor the moment,” Douban said sadly.
    â€œThen why did you say you have to give it up?” Pandy asked. Then she became bolder. “And why are you, um, a prisoner?”
    Again, Douban stared at her for a long time. So long that she became uncomfortable and was about to speak, when he suddenly shifted against the cushion.
    â€œI shall tell you my story,” he said. “I think there will be much benefit for you in it. But first let me tell you, Pandora, that you are to be greatly admired. Word of your quest has reached scholarly ears far and wide; you and your friends are much discussed in the libraries, senate halls, throne rooms, and, yes, even the gambling dens. Wagers on your success or failure are placed almost every moment.”
    â€œFor or against?” asked Homer.
    â€œThe majority against, I’m afraid.”
    Pandy was silent. It was so much better when she thought that her quest was a big secret almost no one knew about. Now, to find out that most of the whole world already believed she was going to fail … Suddenly she felt very, very small. Smaller than she’d ever felt in her entire, miserable life.
    â€œI don’t seem to be saying the right things to you, do I, my dear?” Douban asked, reading Pandy’s face. “Very well, then let me tell you a tale that might be of great interest.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Mahfouza said, pulling a small pillow to her side. “But this story makes me so mad that if I have to hear it again, I need to hit something.”
    Pandy could not imagine what it was that Douban had to say.
    â€œThe current ruler of Baghdad,” Douban began, “Prince Camaralzaman, contracted leprosy several months ago. He tried every remedy at his disposal: baths, salves, burning the affected areas, freezing, but no cure could he find. The case was so severe that at last, having heard of my skill, he sent for me. When I arrived, the prince was close to death, but by means of various potions and herbs, cloth bandages soaked in special oils and the like, I was able to cure him completely. He was initially so grateful that he gave me wealth