She was on her way to the island of Lemnos. Sadly she had to go there under her own power, because all temples, available to her for fast transport, on the island, were destroyed or desecrated. And that bothered her greatly since she just found out that her daughter, whom she thought was lost, was still alive and on the island. If she could only go even faster!
But that was impossible. The distance from Olympus, which she had to cover, was not short and it would take her a great many hours to get to her destination. She expected to get to the island of Lemnos at the noon of the next day. Or at dawn at best, if she had favorable weather conditions and backwind.
Still, that was not the case. If anything the opposite was true. And she herself was not able to manipulate weather on such a scale to make herself faster. As a result of her inability, she arrived at the island of Lemnos several hours after dawn. Quickly scouring the whole island for the presence of her daughter, she found nothing. Nothing but one oversized, broken spider leg.
Clenching her fists and drawing some blood, as her nails dug into her palms, she forced herself to calm down. She could be angry later, once finds her daughter. But Arachne must have already left the island. She was not even surprised, that her child had left so soon. Encountering Athena must have been traumatic for her daughter. And even if she was proud of her child's quick thinking, of leaving the island as fast as possible to avoid any retaliation from other Olympians, it hurt her to know that she must have missed her daughter, just by a few moments.
But not everything was lost, she was after all ordered to find the "spider monster" so she was given enough time to and excuses to look for her daughter. And she would find her.
Yet, she had other responsibilities she had to attend to. Argonauts' bodies had to be recovered and sent back to Hades for rejuvenation. It was not the standard procedure, but it only meant that this group of "heroes" must have been on some very important quest, for the Olympus.
Going to the temple of Athena on the island of Lemnos, she found it in complete disarray. Broken, dismantled and most importantly desecrated. A slight smidge of glee seemed to find its way onto her face. Sadly she had to crush it as soon as she noticed because she could absolutely not let anyone doubt her. It could lead to her true allegiance being exposed. And as Aphrodite told her, just the two of them were not strong enough to deal with all the Olympians.
There in the ruined temple, lays a great number of broken bodies of mostly young men, and several severed limbs here and there. The walls were painted with the blood and gore. And if she was not uplifted, but a mortal, she would not be able to bear sighs on such a horrendous scene. Still, her human self was greatly repulsed by what she saw and she had to do everything she could, just to squash those human feelings. She could not let them influence her now, since she needed a clear mind.
In several moments, most of the dead broken bodies were collected along with all the missing limbs and other scattered parts. With one swift motion, she sends the pile of Argonauts to the Hades. Whatever was to happen to them there was no longer her concern.
Her main concern now was to find Arachne as soon as she could. She would need to find her soon because otherwise, she would not be able to hide her from the wrath of the Olympians. Namely Artemis, that crazy goddess could be already on a warpath and would burn down the whole Greece, if it was not for Athena getting hurt and thus presumably needing care. But once Artemis was unleashed...
Better not weighting her might with such a grim future, as there was still time. So she went and asked locals, what they did know about the spider monster's whereabouts. She hated calling her daughter that, but she needed to pose to be an obedient lackey of Zeus and Athena.
Yet the local people did not seem to be united in their claims. Some said that Arachne went south, some that she went east, some even said that she went west and there were one or two who claimed that the spider lady took several of their people and went north. She soon realized what was going on here. Most of the island women seemed to be covering for Arachne and some seethed through their teeth and just pointed her in general direction. Looks like the local population was not exactly much fan of the Olympians. And with how the Olympians acted towards mortals, she was not even surprised.
Alas, this did not help her at all. Now she might have a brilliant excuse for not finding the "spider monster", but at the same time, she had no idea where to look for her daughter. And the longer she did not find her, the higher the chance of Artemis unleashing calamity on the world of mortals. And worst of all, the mad goddess could hurt her child.
"Arachne, where are you?"
"Ares honey, you are back so soon?"
"Yeah! I got my dudes... Well, not exactly dudes. I ran out of dudes... But I send my gals to go get that spider monster. Cool right?"
"Ah, very cool? But what gals did you send?"
"The amazing Amazons! Haha,"
"Amazons?"
"Yes? Amazons,"
"Didn't they all die?"
"Oh! Yes, those were the original ones, that Herc killed. But I made some new Amazons on my own and I even made them better!"
"Cool..."
"Right?!"
They were searching for their lady for a third day. A second day after finding ruins of her boat. But so far they had no luck in discovering anything new. Rather the opposite. All that they found was just the sea and more sea. Nothing of the notion. The atmosphere of disappointment and gloom spread among all of them. They felt like there was no more hope left. And yet they could not, would not give up until they found their lady. Or die trying! Such was their duty!
But with the supplies running out, it would not take so long, before they departed this world forever. Yet, was it not better, not to exist in such a cruel world, where their lady might no longer reside? None dared to say so out loud, such heretical thoughts! And so the search continued.
Suddenly one of the acolytes on the lookout spotted something in the distance. Something on the sea, or maybe above the sea! A person! Could it be? The Weaver, leader of this expedition, almost not dared to hope, but immediately ordered their ship to change the course to the person standing over the sea in the distance.
They raced after the mirage, but when they finally got closer, it got away. But then it was spotted again and they changed their course to follow. Wherever this mirage was leading them, they would go. For they must find their lady. And he, the Weaver was certain that this was their lady's divine sign.
Three times they spotted the person floating over the water. Three times they followed. Three times it disappeared out of their sight. None of the watchers spotted the mirage for the fourth time. Was their hope finally doused? Was there no other sign from their lady? Did their lady abandon them?
"Why did you leave us lady Arachne?" he despaired after the chase bore no fruits.
"Arachne you said?!" said a stern woman's voice from behind him.
He turned in shock! There were no woman on the board of their ship! Only the strongest of the strong men to row as their faith demanded. So who was this voice, and how did she get here in the first place? But before he could even say anything. Before his body could react to sudden movement, he was being held by his clothes in the air.
As his feet left the ship's board, he saw a very beautiful woman, in armor and expensive clothes. The woman did not look so strong, that she could hold him in the air with a single hand. And yet he saw no strain in her muscles. His mouth hung open in awe.
"You said Arachne! How do you know that name?! And speak before my patience runs out!" the beautiful woman ordered.
"L-lady Arachne. She is our savior! Sh-e protects us!" he said with difficulty as his breath was shortening, from the woman's rough handling.
"Savior?" the woman holding him raised her eyebrow.
Yes, their lady Arachne was their savior! Only thanks to her they were free. And only thanks to her they could exist and prosper. And whoever this woman was he would not...
"Speak!" the woman seethed and threw him on the ground.
The Weaver slid several meters across the ship's board until he was stopped by the bodies of some acolytes, who were cowering before the presence of the unknown woman. He ordered the acolytes to help him stand. They all would stand their ground! They would not endanger their lady! They would not speak!
But looking around, he realized that his determination was not shared among all of his people. He could see the fear in their eyes. How dare they cower in fear, when they have their holy duty to find their lady! He would punish them after this woman was dealt with.
The unknown woman looked around their ship. Possibly looking for any sight of weakness. For some weak-minded fool who would spill everything. But instead, the woman loudly exhaled, probably holding down her rage.
"Apologies, this has been uncalled for. I had no intention to scare you as much as I did," she said slightly bowing her head.
"W-What?" the Weaver sputtered surprised at the instant change in woman's demeanor.
"You called her savior, right? Did she free you from slavery? Or did she perhaps though you something that would improve your life?" the now almost calm woman questioned.
"Lady Arachne freed our ancestors from slavery and taught them many great things," he answered surprised at how this woman could know.
For a moment he panicked about how easily he spoke. Not even attempting to hide anything. But looking at, now calm woman, he felt compelled to speak more, somehow.
"That sound's like her," she mused with a look of reminiscence on her face.
"Do-do you know our lady Arachne?" the Weaver dared to question.
"Yes, I know her very well," the woman mused, looking at something very very distant.
"Have you also met her?!" he questioned with renewed hope.
If this woman met their lady, then their Lady must have been alive somewhere. And this woman could lead them to their lady. And the look on her face, he the Weaver was certain that this woman could be trusted. He saw no deception, unlike on the faces of his fellow Weavers.
"Just barely missed her on the island of Lemnos, she left shortly before my arrival. Are you also looking for her?" the woman explained.
"YES!" the Weaver said resoundly and with zeal.
"Hm. Then you should go to the island of Lemnos. Looking at you, some of you might have had better success in asking where she went," the woman said saddened.
"Thank you!" tears running into his eyes.
"Don't thank me yet. Now take this. If you find Arachne, give it to her," the woman explained and handed him a copper-colored feather.
"What is this?" the Weaver questioned.
"It will let me know where to find her," she said.
"Why would you want to find her?" he asked.
"Cannot a mother seek her child?" the woman said looking into the sky.
His eyes widened. But if this was true, what the woman said, that would mean... It certainly made sense. Their lady lived for centuries, so why could not her mother? And should she go with them back to Lesbos, his own position would be strengthened in the cult. If he would not become a Hight Weaver outright.
With that in mind, he attempted to persuade the woman to go with them. But she refused, saying that they would be more successful in finding Lady Arachne separately. And he could do nothing but agree. She then asked him where they were from. And so he explained how their ancestors found Lady Arachne on the island of Lesbos. She thanked him, readying to leave.
"Also, you should prepare your bodies, before you arrive on Lemnos," she said cryptically and left their ship, flying away.
"Where are they? What is taking them so long?" said a person looking clearly nervous.
"Maybe they encountered a bad weather?" said another person.
"Or maybe a monster ate them," added yet another.
"SILENCE, YOU WORMS!" shouted a hooded man wearing a decorated mask.
"Yes, High Weaver," everyone else nodded and silenced themselves.
"They must be traitors! Otherwise, they would have already returned with our lady!" continued with less shouting the High Weaver.
No one dared to say anything. In the past few days, they all learned what sort of person was the new High Weaver. Impatient, brash, rude and very very angry. How could they let someone like that become a High Weaver? But if they did not he would have killed them, so there was nothing they could do. Even if some did not agree with his methods. Even if some felt disgusted with him. They could do nothing.
Not even stop him from abusing the poor girl, he had for a servant. The girl that they forced to spy on Sappho and by proxy on their lady Arachne. They did not stop the High Weaver when he lashed at the girl in anger, kicking her to the ground and not even pretending to stop. After all, if they did intervene, the High Weaver would target them instead. And who would care about some servant anyway?
"So here she lives? Quite a neat place for a cave," a woman mused.