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above the law of mortals. The fool did not bother to consider that even he was subject to the laws of Death.” Her hiss was one of clear disdain. “He lured travelers and visitors deep within his Palace and killed them.”
         Persephone gasped softly. “Why?”
         “Pride. He thought himself above the laws of hospitality. He cleverly hid the bodies and even fed their meat to his guests, saving his own animals for himself. He wove a web of lies, and tried to deceive even the gods themselves. But his own cleverness was his undoing. And even in death he refused to face the truth.”
         “And the punishment?”
         “He accomplished much in life. Despite his faults, he was an intelligent man.” Kampe's lips twisted into a fanged smile, “Down here, his skilled mind serves no purpose. See the boulder? His task is to push the boulder up the hill. If he stops, the shades are there to poke and whip him along. And when it nears the top of the hill, it rolls down. And he must start all over, for eternity.”
         Persephone smirked. She could easily imagine how menial and mind-numbing such a task was, especially to an intelligent person. To have to repeat it over and over and over , with no results or success...
         “Did you think of that punishment?” Persephone asked. Kampe nodded.
         “How fitting that Sisyphus had his punishment decided by someone more clever than he.” She wasn't trying to flatter Kampe – it was clear that the guardian of Tartarus cared little for honeyed words – but she could see that her comment pleased the serpentine deity immensely.
         “Are there any other prisoners you would like to show me?” Persephone asked, making it clear that she trusted Kampe's decision.
         “Yes. Follow me.” As she slithered off, Hades shot another grin at his young bride. She smiled back and took his proffered hand.
         “You look like you are enjoying yourself,” he whispered.
         “Yes. Immensely so.”
         “Tartarus is not a place for enjoyment,” he shot back lightly.
         “I do not enjoy this in the same way that... I enjoy the gardens. It is just... I find this place interesting and educational. Kind of like your library.”
         “I was afraid that this place would be too frightening for you,” he admitted.
         “Yes. I did not like seeing the gore. But I appreciate you being honest with me and not hiding anything from me.”
         Hades was tempted to remind her of the fact that she still refused to eat his food, but didn't want to spoil a pleasant moment.
         They came to a pond, its waters dark and clear. At the edge stood a large tree bearing several varieties of fruit, most of its branches hanging over the pond. Several shades hovered around the edge of the pond, and it became apparent why. There was a naked man in the water, the pond level with his waist. Near the pond, the air felt rather hot and oppressive, even worse than the hottest summer day on the surface world.
         “This man was once a great king. Zeus sometimes invites kings to Olympus to share his Council with them, to impress them and learn from them.” Kampe said, gesturing towards the man.
         “He must have angered Zeus...”
         “The fact that he had been invited to Olympus filled him with arrogance. He stole ambrosia, using it to extend his own lifespan. That in itself might have been forgiven in due time. But when Zeus invited him back, he had already become so arrogant, falling to the same faults as Sisyphus. He murdered his own little son and brought the meat to the table of the gods, disguising it as animal meat, having his cooks prepare it with spices. He presented the remains of his son to Zeus.”
         Persephone knew that mortals could be capable of wicked deeds. Murder, thievery, rape, but she had never imagined this kind of depravity!
         “The meat was cleverly prepared, but