*550
You enter a very fancy stable. There is
clean straw on the floor. The walls are
made of gleaming white marble. There is
no roof. You peer into one of the stalls
and see an enormous white horse. It has
wings folded across its back! A sign on
the door says "Pegasus."
*551
Pegasus looks at you suspiciously. "Good
boy," you say in a soft voice. But every
time you get close to him, he rears up
on his hind legs. His front hooves kick
dangerously. You leave his stall and
look around his fancy stable.
*552
On the floor you see an old saddle. You
look inside a cupboard and find a brush.
You see a beautiful golden harness
hanging on a hook. And, nearby, a bag of
oats is leaning against a wall.
*553
You wonder if you might be able to use
something here to tame Pegasus. Then you
spot a warning that has been carved in
the wall:<
<
      Pegasus flies fast and far.<
   Ride him only if you are prepared<
      to answer to Zeus himself.
*554
You take it into the stall where Pegasus
is standing. But he still won't let you
get close enough to him to use it.
*555
You take the golden harness into
Pegasus' stall. At once he is calm and
gentle. He bows his head to let you put
the harness on. Then he bends down to
let you climb onto his broad back. You
hold his neck tightly. He unfolds his
wings and takes off, soaring straight up
into the sky.
*556
As gently as a butterfly, Pegasus lands
on the mountaintop. You are in front of
a shining palace.<
<
Are you ready to meet Zeus and Hera, and
to answer their questions about the
gods? (Y/N)
*557
You give the golden bridle one gentle
shake. At once, Pegasus soars back into
the air. Over the land and the sea
he flies, landing at last at the stable
in the maze. "Thank you, Pegasus," you
say.  "I will be back when I am ready
to answer all of Zeus and Hera's
questions."
*558
You give his neck a gentle pat, and
Pegasus bends his head down. You slide
down his neck to the ground. Pegasus
nuzzles your arm to say good-bye, and
flies away. You are standing alone
outside the shining palace. You take a
deep breath and climb the palace steps.
*599
There is no more to read.
*1000