Gradually I grew thin while the babies grew big, as if a very source of being were transferred from me to them. My strength returned; even my pain disappeared. “Youth is a marvelous healer,” said Olympos after he pronounced me completely recovered. “No, I think it was your skill,” I said. “After all, plenty of young people die.” It occurred to me that the two people who know you best in the world are your physician—who knows all the particulars of your body—and your financial advisor, who knows all the secrets of your bank account. Between them, they have the whole picture. “Luck played a part in it,” he said. “And your basic strength. You are a tough warrior crocodile.” Antony had called me that, too. How strange. “Antony called me a crocodile as well,” I said. “I don’t think it’s a compliment.” He frowned, as he always did, at least in passing, when Antony was mentioned. Which was too bad, since I had a mission for him that involved Antony. “The crocodile has many admirable qualities—I meant it that way.
