*
Melaina regained consciousness lying on the wet ground, her head and shoulders in her mother's lap. She tried to speak but still lacked full control of her tongue. She gradually remembered where she was, and became aware of a whispering crowd gathered about her. Her mother argued with someone Melaina didn't recognize, then realized it was one of their captors. A painful mixture of fear and anger coursed through her. She struggled to her feet but immediately fell to her knees.
As soon as she could walk, the turbaned men led the Hierophant, Myrrhine, and Melaina before a large tent within the grove, where they were told to stand under the shelter of the trees. Their captors were dressed in tiaras, embroidered tunics with sleeves, coats of glistening mail, and baggy breeches. They carried javelins, light wicker shields, and quivers with cane arrows. Swords swung at their sides. Melaina heard her grandfather whisper, "Xerxes' so-called Immortals."
They were ushered into the tent where a man, who appeared Greek yet spoke with an accent, addressed them. Melaina's cloudy mind gradually cleared although she desperately wished to sleep. Her mother remained close.
"My name is Mys," said the seated man before them. "I'm a Carian of Euromus, sent by Mardonius to consult the oracles about the coming land war. We've visited the cave of Trophonius at Lebadia, the oracle of Ismenian Apollo at Thebes, and the oracle at Abae in Phokis. We'd go to Delphi if they'd accept us, but Apollo routed our forces there when we first entered Hellas a year ago."
Another man stepped forward, one with a clubfoot. "I'm Hegesistratus, Mardonius' diviner. We've heard rumors of one amongst you, a maiden, who has the falling sickness. She carries great weight with the gods, stopping earthquakes and enlisting the help of long-dead heroes in battle. Some say she's descended to the Underworld and can tell the future."
Hegesistratus was famous throughout Greece. His was a strange story, having been captured years before by Spartans who had planned to put him to death. They chained him to a post, but during the night, Hegesistratus carefully gauged the size of his foot, and amputated part of it to slip free. Melaina could see that his left foot was now made of gnarled wood.
Hegesistratus continued. "A word from that maid may be worth all the oracles of Hellas. Is she the one we seek?" He pointed at Melaina.
The Hierophant stepped forward. "Suppose she is. You expect her to commit treason?"
"No," replied Mys. "Revealing the future won't change it."
"But one who knows could shift the circumstance to advantage. Otherwise you'd not care to know it."
Hegesistratus responded. "I already know the future. We wish to influence the Hellene generals. Words from the mouth of one of their own seers might help them understand the futility of resisting."
Mys spoke again. "Hellas can never escape the long arm of Xerxes' superhuman forces. Mardonius now commands Xerxes' army, and Hellas will soon lie in ruins in its wake."
"And what god gave this privileged knowledge?" asked the Hierophant.
"The gods of Intelligence and Reason."
Melaina's thoughts had cleared considerably, but she was left with the usual irritability. She spoke from behind the Hierophant's back. "More likely the Persian gods of Arrogance and Conceit."
One of the Immortals pushed her forward so Mys could get a better look at this insolent maiden. Another restrained the Hierophant by pushing him against the tent wall with his shield, dagger at the Hierophant's throat.
Melaina hadn't intended to endanger her grandfather, and she wondered if his life might now hinge on her words. Watching as Mys assessed her, she felt her anger boil again and had to bite her tongue.
Mys's words, initially charged with anger, softened as he spoke. "I've come to prevent a great catastrophe. Mardonius has no desire to destroy Hellas. The generals will find that he's offering excellent terms, but if they don't accept, Hellas will be reduced to a dark world of shades. If you do have insight into the future, reveal it, so your generals may see their folly."
Before meeting Keladeine at the Isthmus, Melaina might have believed him, but the breath of freedom she experienced on that outing taught her what was at stake. Her grandfather started to speak, but one of the Immortals shut him up with a blow to the midsection.
Melaina found courage in her anger. "The gods grant our earthly freedom, and it's not subject to any mortal's dominion. As long as a single Hellene remains alive, no peace with Persia is possible. Such is the love of freedom Zeus planted in our Hellenic hearts."
"Listen to reason!" Mys said, hot anger again thickening his voice. "I'm Hellene also. I come in good faith. I ask only that you consult the gods yourself. Let them reveal the future, so you may enlighten the generals."
Hegesistratus whispered into Mys's ear. Mys spoke again to Melaina. "If you perform your augury by sacrifice, we'll supply the victim."
Melaina stood her ground before both of these great men. She saw the sincerity in Mys's face, his desire for peace. She distrusted clubfooted Hegesistratus and spoke directly to him. "I have no need to filet a beast, spread its entrails upon the earth and examine the shapes and hues. When you came upon us just now, I had a seizure. At times before I fall, I'm allowed to view the world the way the gods see it." Then Melaina turned back to Mys. "This time, I saw great Ares, god of war himself, sitting on your right shoulder, goading you on."
"See! I told you as much," said Mys. "Surely with such a god on our side you must see the inevitability of Xerxes' victory."
Melaina didn't budge. "Such is the god of war's way that he prefers bloodshed to peace. Ares' affection for war makes him poor counsel. And he's no good in a skirmish. Remember Homer? Ares fought with the Trojans and even appeared on the battlefield to participate in the slaughter, but was wounded himself by Athena. He went whimpering to Zeus. Even the mortal Herakles injured him in one-to-one combat. Follow Ares to your ruin. Just now, however, I also saw Athena, Zeus' daughter and guardian of Athens, standing with us and offering her wise council."
Deep lines of concern crossed Mys's face, but he was silent. Hegesistratus stepped back from Melaina.
She continued. "Before I fell just now, the gods revealed the way before us as simultaneous paths to not one, as you envision, but to two great battles. Zeus himself doesn't know the outcome, also being subject to the Fates who have yet to weave the fabric of our future. But the gods revealed to me the death of one man, a Persian. He'll ride a great white horse on the battlefield and be toppled from it, his head crushed by a mighty stone."
Mys was visibly shaken. His face paled.
"You wanted my prophecy," she said. "Now you have it."
"So be it," he said. "You may return then, in all your stubbornness, to your own travels. May the gods be merciful with us all."
Shortly, the Hierophant's little troop was back on the road. A powerful shivering then seized Melaina. She shook so much that she feared another seizure. Myrrhine wrapped her in a blanket and held her close. Gradually, Melaina's shaking subsided. "It's just fear," she said. "I'll be all right."
The slaves along with sacrificial animals, were waiting for them back at the road, although the Persians had confiscated a pig and a goat. "Not a bad price for our lives," said the Hierophant.
Melaina's mother was quiet, eyes still glued on her daughter for any sign of further sickness. The Hierophant, seeing his granddaughter's rapid recovery, was all smiles. "The gods must have let me live to this ripe old age just to witness the antics of this young one."
Hearing more voices, Melaina pulled aside the curtain. They'd arrived at the rain-drenched sanctuary of Asklepios.
The Mysteries, A Novel of Ancient Eleusis Page 43