The Mysteries, A Novel of Ancient Eleusis

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The Mysteries, A Novel of Ancient Eleusis Page 81

by David Sheppard

CHAPTER 35: Voyage to a Distant Shore

  Melaina fought through the throbbing pain that gripped her abdomen while watching the constellation of lights from nearby warships that broke the darkness. The armada emerged from the shores about Delos and fell into formation. She held to Keladeine and refused to go below while the violent sea still churned. She wondered if she'd brought the fleet to doom in the pounding surf.

  Kimon had come aboard with them, Aphrodite stalking Keladeine.

  The ships' crews broke into song to bolster spirits, some only whispers on the wings of distant wind, but Melaina's own crew cried loud and strong. "O Paean! Paean, never leave us! Arrogance is the ruin of cities, but brave men stand as their loftiest bulwark. Gods are wrathful with a coward, so may I fly far from that reproach. Courage is ever a tower raised against the foe. Oh joy, Paean! Oh joy! Paean, never leave us!"

  They shouted louder and louder, drowning the sounds of the sea-lashing wind and the creaking sailyard. She'd never been with men going off in defense of country and felt the yoke of comradeship, the call to glory. This was the antithesis of Artemis' euphoric freedom. Gray-eyed Athena, dreadful and mighty goddess, who stirs men to battle and delights in the clash of arms, she has shackled me, Melaina thought. Oh, dear goddess, strengthen my resolve against this contraction-caused pain.

  The roaring bellows of Boreas still raged, and Melaina, refusing Keladeine's attempts to get her below deck, watched as gusts shook shrouds and billowed the fine-linen sail. The oarsmen turned their profitless oars aside ship like the wings of sea birds. As the ship entered open water, Melaina sensed the goddess adding flame to her heart and felt the stab of birth pains lift.

  The helmsman astride his poop-deck seat fought the tiller, a frightfully wild thing in a tempest. Melaina lifted her purple veil, tying it around the man's waist, as had divine Ino to save Odysseus from a harvest of evil winds. Dowels and belly-timbers groaned, holding the ship together.

  Melaina recognized the worry of the troops and prayed directly into the stormy blast. "O goddess Leukothea, mistress of deep-bosomed sea, Ino, who delights in waves but delivers mortals from wretched death in the deep's destructive ire, defend these well-benched ships from old Oceanus' stormy waves and bring upon Poseidon's raging sea a fair stillness. At the end of our voyage we'll work the wrath of the gods who dwell on snowy Olympus."

  The crew had not long to wait. Soon, as the halkyon had prophesied, windless air smoothed the swirling waves and lulled the sea to rest. They dropped sail, trusted in the calm, and mightily at the oarlocks bent to rowing. Their broad blades tossed sea spray threshing, heaven's brightest star finally rising to announce the light of young dawn. Melaina slipped below as the oars bore the ships on, strong stokes slicing silent sea. Not even the storm-footed steeds of Poseidon could have overtaken them. Dawn rose without a breath.

  From under the poop deck where she'd fashioned a resting-place on furs and old clothes, Keladeine ministered her medicines, having brought a bag of herbal remedies from the Isthmus. Melaina rested and gradually gained strength. She felt as safe in this young woman's care as with her mother's, and the baby became quiet inside her abdomen. No longer did it struggle to enter the world. Melaina slept.

  When bright Helios' chariot reached its zenith, Melaina and Keladeine came on deck to watch the gleaming plains of Ikaria, golden-grassed isle, appear to port. Melaina had to raise her voice for Keladeine to hear above the rhythmic patter of oars, the aulete's tune, and the grunts and groans of cursing seamen. As the broad blades broke the water's surface, Melaina saw rainbows in the spray, little phantoms of purple that were glittering symbols of Iris, the winged oathgiver and messenger of Hera.

  As afternoon wore on, the aulete grew tired and clamored for relief, but no one else had the skills to keep a beat. Melaina felt so rested she stepped forward, her own aulos strapped about her neck, and matched his beat. The boatswain then motioned the aulete below for a rest, and Melaina took over to lighten the oarsmen's work. She sat at the mast amidships, her aulos playing a stout measure for the long-stroking oars, now a swift stroke, now a pause for the blade of pine. Leading the mighty formation, they swept forward as she'd seen Kallias' stallions surge under the whip. Apollo sent music-loving dolphins to gambol around the dusky prow as he'd done for Achilles on his way to Troy centuries before. Bewitched by Melaina's aulos music, they leapt for joy while escorting the fleet to the far-off land.

  "Ho!" went up a shout from the bow officer. He'd spotted a column of black smoke trailing skyward in the distance. Hegesistratus looked toward Melaina. She knew he was thinking of her vision of Samos burning. Had she been right?

  A squall overtook them, lightning flashed among dark clouds, and the aulete returned from his rest to relieve Melaina. She and Keladeine went below to the treasured water tun and brought up a glistening cup for each oarsman.

  The ship was long-seasoned and weather-stained, wrinkled, hull black with pitch and tiller handle overlaid with ancient ivory. The reconditioned ship was formed of silver-fir, the cutwater and cathead of manna-ash. At the center prow, Kallias had fitted a creaky beam of old oak from Dodona that now uttered a wordy groan with every roll and jostle. Was it a tree prophet? Melaina thought its voice sounded human. She'd had enough of augury and shuddered against reading the future there.

  As darkness again encroached, the bo'sun lit the ship's three bronze lanterns astern for those following behind, and they cast a glow that glistened on the sweat-streaked cheeks of the oarsmen. Melaina, captured by the aulete's beat, hummed along as she had on her boat ride to Salamis, her clear-ringing voice lofting like wings of high-flying birds. Shortly, Keladeine sat beside Melaina, her lips adding a lily-like maiden voice, and the two hummed an alluring, wordless melody. Their voices were more melting than the zither's note.

  The oarsmen delighted in their song, and each rowed steadily stronger. But a single word raced amongst them, and the oar-beat instantly slacked, their drive stolen. "Sirens!" someone said, flashing fear in every heart.

  "They think we're the clear-voiced daughters of Achelous," said Keladeine.

  "No wonder," said Melaina, "Kore sends Sirens from the Underworld to lure seamen to the land of skulls. They think we'll draw them to their deaths."

  The girls were interrupted by a shout from the bow officer, "Ho, yonder!" The ship floundered instantly, oars held dripping in bright moonlight while all stared out at lantern lights in the distance. "Persians!" shouted Leotychides. "Even in the dark I know their shape. We've lost the element of surprise."

  "Yes," said Kallias, "but they sail away."

  The captain ordered oars in the water again, and the fleet slipped silently forward. Soon, a distant light signified land, the southern coast of Samos. The fleet then fell in behind the lead ship, and all navigated the shore northward.

  Another shout rose up from the bow officer. To starboard were faint lights of ships' lanterns in the distance.

  "The Persian ships are skirting the coast of Asia," said Kallias. "They've retreated as Hegesistratus foresaw."

  A shout of dismay went up from Hegesistratus. "Flames! It's the temple of Hera."

  Melaina stared off to port into the flickering light on shore. As they got closer, flames scintillated, coals glowed. The column of smoke they'd seen earlier in the day had been the first omen. Melaina sensed all eyes turned upon her. Why couldn't I have been wrong, just this once? she wondered.

  The Greek fleet sailed into the deep harbor unmolested, and, dropping the yardarm and stowing it inside the hollow mast crutch, turned outward and rowed violently to drive the ship sternwards to a mooring. Once inside the breakwater, all was quiet. On shore, Melaina saw shadowed shapes run about in the dark, then torches. Archers amassed at the poop deck and fitted arrows to taut strings in case Persian warriors should appear. Melaina heard the softened strains of wind-blown music and saw a band of soldiers moving, moon glittering bright on lance heads.

  Hegesistratus stepped forward. "Ho!" he shouted, "is the
island free of foreign menace?"

  A large, cow-eyed woman stepped from the crowd. "No barbarians here. Nor in the city north."

  "How about the tyrant Theomestor?"

  "All Samians enlisted to fight were taken with the fleet, Theomestor also."

  The fleet coasted into the slips, tied halyards, and lowered gangways. Leotychides called for assembly.

  As Melaina stepped onto the dock, the woman, more beautiful than she'd first appeared, greeted her.

  "I'm priestess of Hera," she said, "Chera, they call me." The widow.

  "I'm from Eleusis," said Melaina.

  "The sacred temple of the Mysteries?"

  "Yes, my mother is priestess of Demeter."

  The woman stopped, her tresses waving in the breeze and her large eyes opening even wider. She wore an excess of bracelets, and her snowy chiton swept wide with every step. Chera was a middle-aged woman, one of great dignity, with braided locks carefully arranged over her breast and shoulders. "I've met your mother," she said. "I was initiated years ago. We ourselves have a temple of Eleusinian Demeter close by, on the coast of Asia below Mt. Mykale. It's nothing compared to that at Eleusis, but still, we cherish it." Chera walked Melaina and Keladeine to the sacred precinct, her purple robe wafting aromas of exotic ointments. "Hera's sanctuary was at one time the largest in Hellas, but is now in ruins." She spoke to her handmaid. "Bear the fire before us. Scorch the air so we breathe heaven's breath free of Persian miasma."

  "So is Eleusis," said Melaina, "burned to the ground."

  Chera stopped again to stare in wonder. The slave woman went before them, carrying the blazing torch close to the ground and passing the hot flame from side to side along their path. She continued her expurgating ritual into the chamber, carefully singeing every corner.

  "Sweep the flame wherever the tread of unclean feet has soiled," said Chera. After the woman had left the walls black with soot, she added, "Quench the torch. You've paid heaven, now bear it back to the hearth."

  The group of generals and other commanders converged on the small building and packed inside. Leotychides spoke, first of their good fortune, then of Persia having abandoned all the Greek islands. "I question proceeding any further," he said. "Why tempt fate? We've liberated Samos. Let's return forthwith and savor our conquest."

  Xanthippus, not yet having found a seat, turned on him. "Don't second-guess your decision at Delos. The task was assigned not here on earth but in Heaven. My friend, why cherish an incomplete victory? Fate beckons with no need of a helmsman to show the way."

  But the commanders milled about, mumbling under their breaths, not wanting to risk the lives of their men so far from home. Some wanted to proceed to the Hellespont, capture Xerxes' cables used to cross into Europe, then return.

  Kimon walked among the generals, speaking insultingly first in the face of one, then another. "Long we've heard Spartans brag of courage, yet all those here would seem cowards. Who amongst you has the legs to finish the task?"

  Leotychides grew red in the face. "Kimon, I warned you about insults. I'll not tolerate them further!"

  Melaina could no longer remain quiet. She rose to her feet and walked out among the generals, searching the eyes of each. She could see the weariness there, but knew the job was not finished. "Wherein lies reverence for the solemn oaths you've taken?" she asked. "Remember the Styx water? Yet, already your capricious hearts cry for release from your vows."

  Kallias fixed her with a stern glance, and Melaina realized she shouldn't invite further shame. Yet her heart was firm. "Zeus demands action!" she shouted.

  "Listen to the girl. What courage!" Kimon cried. "Have our men become women, our women men?"

  "She won't have to face Tigranes," shouted one. "He's the best-looking man in the Persian ranks. Perhaps she covets a look at the general."

  Laughter broke out, and Melaina realized that her woman's opinion carried no weight now. She'd heard much of this Tigranes in the two days past, but not of his good looks.

  Kallias took Melaina by the arm, but Kimon's outrage boiled over onto her. Melaina turned on them again. "You dipped your right hand in blood and made a promise. Though the early path home seems less risky, think you not Zeus ever forgets a promise. Remember the returns of those who sieged Troy then lost the gods' favor. Corpses thronged the great sea highways and piled up on beaches from Asia to Attica." She stopped when Kallias' grip on her arm became painful.

  Then Xanthippus glanced at Kimon. The verbal thrashing Kimon had given him on Delos still seemed to fuel his actions. "A single sea battle will do the job. Let us offload masts, yards, sails, and lines, and make for the coast of Asia."

  Just then, a herald entered the chamber. "Attention!" he shouted. "We've received word from our scouts that the Persians have dismissed the Phoenician contingent of their fleet. We outnumber Persia two to one."

  A great roar rose in favor of battle.

  Leotychides turned to Melaina and Deiphonus, "Perform another augury. I'll not go into battle without favorable omens."

  Melaina remembered the thunderstorms that had passed the fleet earlier in the day. "We'll augur lightning," she said, "read Zeus' will directly."

  She and Deiphonus stepped out into the night and climbed a nearby hill. Melaina selected a stick of old wood and staked out a space on the ground for observations, as she'd seen Udaeüs at Epidaurus. At midnight with clear sky and calm winds, she took up her position. After praying and sacrificing to dedicate the ground, she bid Deiphonus sit praying to the gods for a sign while she scanned the heavens.

  Melaina saw flashes followed by distant rumblings, but wondered how she'd ever decipher them. She recalled Udaeüs' teachings and concentrated on the color of each flash, the quality of sound.

  Deiphonus questioned her about such augury. "Seems lightning arises because clouds bump together. How could that reveal divine will?"

  "I say, clouds bump together to cause lightning, to send Zeus' council."

  "How do you tell which contains a good omen, which bad?"

  "High-thundering Zeus stands on starry Olympus, hurtling any one of three thunderbolts forged for him by a Cyclops. The first he launches on his own, as a warning. These are mostly seen in cloud tops and never touch the ground. The second, both terrifying and dangerous, but of good omen, strike the ground causing no damage. These he throws after deliberation with his twelve counselors. The third, destructive and final, he sends only with the Fates' permission. With this third, Zeus killed Asklepios after he'd raised the dead."

  "Passing strange! Zeus throws the same ones over and over?"

  "Yes, but above all, the favored section of heaven holds the key."

  The generals gathered around but Melaina shooed them beyond her marked sacred ground. She faced north, stretched out her arms. "Look!" she shouted, "to the northeast. Flashes illuminate the clouds closest to heaven. These carry the warning I spoke of, but to the southeast, lightning strikes the ground along the coast where the Persians lie in ambush."

  "What does it mean?" asked Leotychides.

  "Did not Zeus send Agamemnon a lightning bolt on the right as a favorable sign to siege Troy?"

  "Yea, so Homer tells us."

  "What more do you need! Can Zeus be any clearer?"

  Still, the generals milled about mumbling. What was she to do? She heard an owl's haunting hoots, saw it fly east into the darkness. Then remembered blind Teiresias' bird observatory at Thebes. "There!" she said, "an owl, a favorable omen from Athena, daughter of Metis most wise of all immortals. It cuts a course east toward Asia into the lightening."

  Deiphonus asked, "Is there no difference in these signs, the lightning and the owl?"

  "Much difference, Lord Deiphonus. The lightning was a requested sign, granted in response to your prayer. The owl is an offered sign, a call to fulfill divine will. Amazing! Since Athena, Zeus' war-loving daughter, is protector of Athens, we can but follow. I've never seen such favorable portents." Melaina turned on Leotychides.
"You rebuff Zeus, fail to heed such omens, and we'll suffer divine wrath. If you want to make it home, your path leads only through Asia."

  Many voices raised in favor of fighting. She'd spoken well.

  Xanthippus glanced toward Kimon, pushed Leotychides aside. "Are we to spend an eternity groveling our fate? Back to the ships!" he cried. "Clear the decks of masts and sails. Bring up the boarding bridges. Weigh anchors. You heard it from the Maid. Death to the barbarians!"

 

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