I

I needed sympathy and human comfort, both things he wasn't likely to expend on a bio-engineered creature like me. Of course, I hadn't made a secret of my identity. My ring was there, for all to see. However, judging from the way he'd played up to me, his accomplice looks, his smiles, I couldn't believe he'd seen it.
Once he saw it, he was likely to demand I guide him and never mind if I died in the process, dragging myself down the dark, smelly hallways. Freed artifacts were protected from murder by law. But causing their death from neglect probably would bring no penalty. Judges were natural-born.
No matter. We had to get out. We had to. And I had no time for pride, no patience to wheedle sympathy form this pretty, spoiled nat. Even if I had to crawl out of here, I refused to die. I'd survive. I always survived.
Sunken dark rings surrounded Pol's aqua-marine eyes and he had gone so pale that his lips looked grey. Nats were fragile. He needed a doctor.
I would have to tell him of my nature and of my talent. "We can get out," I said. "I was created with a sense of direction. For my work."
He nodded. His eyes widened slightly. His generous lips tightened into a line. "All right, then," he said. "I help you out and you guide us, right?" He bent and offered me his good hand, to help me stand.
Either he hadn't heard what I'd said, or he was unusual indeed. He would help me out? He was still willing to touch me after knowing I'd been created?
I gave him a sidelong glance and sighed. Maybe he was just a practical man. He knew I'd take much too long to crawl out of here.
I sighed. Think of mythology enough, and you might find yourself living it. Just like my mythical namesake, I'd get to guide handsome Theseus out. And at the islet of Zeus, or some other convenient purlieu, he could leave me asleep and go on to his glorious destiny.
His companion had looked rich. He'd inherit. She would have made provisions. And, if not, there would be some other natural human hungry for beauty and company who would take him in a heartbeat, and provide him with all his heart's desire.
Something I could never do, on my professor's salary.
He helped me up.
"We turn left here," I told him. "And the next one is right, but I'll have to get there before I sense exactly which doorway it is."
My leg hurt like the blazes.