CHAPTER 38: A Final Word to the Generals
Melaina couldn't stop the flurry of activity surrounding her. She'd already given voice to pains that had begun before leaving Mykale, so the women of Samos would allow her no peace. Chera swept her up at the first mention of discomfort, took her to the birthing chamber beside the temple, and sent for the midwife. Now women surrounded her, those from all over Samos as well as the few Athenian women saved from the Persians.
Melaina knew the child wasn't coming, yet the chamber reeked of pennyroyal, apples, and quinces to bring her back to her senses should the pain overcome her. Nearby, a fire-driven cauldron belched steam. Stacked about were wool cloths, linens, pillows, sea sponges, bandages for swaddling the newborn. The interrogating midwife was forever anointing her own hands with warm olive oil and probed Melaina's privates while frowning at the undilated uterus.
Melaina kept Anaktoria close, holding her hand and hugging her, unable to get enough of this human treasure retrieved from the Persians. Anaktoria cried frequently, lapsed into silent dejection and wouldn't talk. Her mother mourned the death of her child of less than a year while in enemy hands. Melaina worried about her grandfather. She'd sent Keladeine to snoop on the generals who'd been in council since their return to Samos. She'd heard Leotychides had already declared Ionia indefensible against Xerxes in the long term.
Melaina felt uncomfortable on Samos and desperately needed her mother. This troublesome pregnancy now caused her to feel as if she were again a child. She had faced the might of Persia, but cowered before birthing pains.
Keladeine returned, saying that the Spartans were dead set on relocating all Ionia to Attica, which greatly offended Ionians and Athenians alike. Melaina realized her labor was not progressing, so she sent for Kallias. The women scurried out except for Anaktoria, whom Melaina wouldn't let leave. Melaina stood to greet her husband, knees shaking.
"I must speak to the generals," she said, "a last word, Lord Kallias, to fulfill my commitments to the fleet and the gods. I realize the trouble I cause, but I must return to Eleusis. My mother should know that her father lives, and these other women from Attica should return to their families. A single boat, please."
Kallias said nothing but assisted her to the generals' council. It was a much smaller affair than those of the past: Leotychides and Xanthippus, the generals of Corinth, Sikyon, and Troezen, plus the three Samians who'd been at Delos. A handful set hard to the task of determining the future of Ionia. Kimon stood in a corner with Keladeine alongside.
They all fell silent and rose as she entered.
"I realize that for me to voice an opinion concerning the future of Ionia is against custom, but both Athena and Artemis, daughters of Olympian Zeus, came to me, concerned over your wavering. It would be a grievous insult not to tell you their will. This is what they've ordained. If you should give up Ionia and relocate its citizens, realize you forfeit Rhodes, Athena's birthplace; Ephesus, Artemis' greatest temple; and Samos, Hera's birthplace. Also, Manto, Teiresias' daughter, at the direction of Delphi, founded Colophon. The rocky island of Chios was home to Homer, favorite of the Muses. Several centuries ago, Immortal Zeus command all these places settled." Melaina stared at Leotychides until he dropped his eyes. "To even discuss abandoning them to Persia is blasphemy."
Her audience sat silent in the aftermath of her history lesson. Melaina felt tired and disillusioned, believing her words meant nothing to them. They'll find the path to greatest conflict and follow it, she thought. She turned to Kallias. "Please, I must go home."
Kallias said a few words supporting Melaina's position, then took his leave. "I'm escorting the women and injured back to the mainland," he said.
Melaina and Kallias left the council amid the rumbling of voices and sharp shouts from Xanthippus directed at Leotychides. "You'll turn all Olympus against Hellas with your isolationist attitude," he said.
At midnight, Kallias, Melaina and the other women boarded The Tragodia. Melaina balked when she saw the name, a tight grip of fear seizing her, but she gave herself and her child up to fate and stepped aboard. The physician and Hygieiadora accompanied them. Kimon also boarded and sought out Keladeine. The ship's lanterns created an eerie mix of shadow and golden light as Melaina said goodbye to Deiphonus, who stood on the dock looking up at her at the ship's rail, his face aglow with success.
"From now on, you can divine without worry. You have a reputation."
"Still, I could be found out."
Melaina smiled, thinking that this man's self-image was irreparable. "You're not a fraud. Study the craft, kind Deiphonus, and remember that each seer's art is unique."
"All my life I've wanted to be a diviner."
"Ancient Teiresias didn't think it a boon, and considered anyone who foretold the future a fool disdained by those who seek him. Even Agamemnon hated Kalchas for his divining."
"Everyone seems to appreciate your gift."
Kallias gave the order to disembark, and Melaina turned to her husband. "First travel along the coast of Asia to Ephesus, Lord Kallias. Apollo has ordered Keladeine there, and we can but deliver her."
Kallias spoke not a word of protest but motioned the helmsman north instead of west, the breeze billowing the white-linen sails. The oarsmen let the sleek pine rest in the tholepins, and the wind did the work for them.
Melaina looked at Keladeine, who was talking to Kimon. He was subdued, his voice reduced to gentle tones. He'd assumed a noble bearing, a tender look. Could it be that love inspired him? Melaina thought he was well worth the gaze of those initiated into Aphrodite's mysteries.
Not far up the coast, the trireme entered a quiet bay, light from the oil lamps of Ephesus aglow in the distance. Soon the ship entered the slip before a brilliantly lit temple, the most beautiful Melaina had ever seen, and so large that it dwarfed the Telesterion at Eleusis.
"You'll be in good hands," she told Keladeine. "I've simply been an instrument to get you here. What a magnificent temple! You'll have a life filled with purpose."
"I'll always feel empty without you beside me."
"Artemis will fill the void," Melaina said. "Mortals can't imagine the miracles worked by the divine."
"Come with me! Artemis could use you more than me."
"Insatiable necessity compels me forward, however bitter it is to leave you." Melaina then bent to pat the wolf. "Care well for your mistress, Lykos. She is truly one of the world's marvels."
Keladeine had a final word. "The great trireme will bear you home, lady, to the ashen ruins of Eleusis. Follow the ever-circling stars, and perhaps someday the gods' decrees will blow you my way again."
At the last moment, Kimon also stepped off, walking behind Keladeine and Lykos, Aphrodite in firm control of his heart and ever tempting the young priestess.
The warship finally set sail, following the stars' path west. Melaina and the rest of the women spent the remaining darkness below deck slumbering. With the sun, Melaina could no longer stay below. She left Anaktoria and went topside to care for the wounded. The slack sail billowed as though she'd brought along a bag of winds. One badly wounded warrior she held in her lap and eased him into his death. All day and night, the fresh wind bore the ship on, sleek trireme slicing silent through purple water.
The Mysteries, A Novel of Ancient Eleusis Page 84