Atalanta

by Jennifer Saint

‘Tell me about Calydon,’ I asked Meleager as we set off. I found myself interested to know what it was like, the place where he had been born and lived his life. Now that I knew a tiny piece of the world beyond the edges of my forest, I wanted to be able to picture more of it. ‘It’s ruled by my father, King Oeneus,’ he said. ‘Rich in vines, which thrive in our soil. My father says they’re a gift from Dionysus, that he came to Calydon and, in thanks for my father’s hospitality, gave them to us so we would always have plentiful wine.’ ‘Dionysus stayed in your father’s palace?’ ‘He did.’ ‘And?’ I could tell there was more to this story. He sighed. ‘My mother is very beautiful. She has borne my father many children . . . but when Dionysus honoured my father with his presence, it was obvious that he was very taken with my mother’s beauty. When my father realised this, he went away for a night, claiming that he had to perform some sacred rites, leaving the god with his wife.’ I raised an eyebrow. ‘My sister, Deianira, was born nine moons later.’

Oh my