“It’s difficult to say for certain, but I think that if I go to the effort of sending a messenger to meet him in Ephesos to explain the circumstances, he will be forgiving.”
“That is an expensive proposition,” Thermiandra said. “Securing a messenger who’s willing to travel to Ionia, and paying for transport there and back will not be cheap. How much coin do you have left?”
“Since I paid nothing for our transport to Athens, I think I have the coin,” Pelephon said. “When do you want to set out for Delphi?”
“It’s been a long day, so I’m willing to wait until tomorrow morning,” Heliodas said.
“Then let’s leave this place and see if we can find our cultist,” Pelephon said.
The trio wandered from establishment to establishment, seeking the Egyptian, but turned up few leads before dark. As the stars came out, the Athenians took to the streets to celebrate a successful Procession, not to mention the unexpected appearance of the goddess herself. Thermiandra suspected that many of them hadn’t completely considered all of the ramifications of that appearance.
Judging by their lack of success so far, she also began to wonder if the Egyptian had changed his mind and left the polis already. The only thing tying him to Heliodas was his word that their journeys were not yet at an end. She mused that the Egyptian seemed to have some strange relationship with time that left him seemingly unanchored. Then a thought occurred to her.
“Archetus has no ties to Athens, does he?”
“None that I know of other than us,” Heliodas said.
“And we’ve checked every tavern and inn within the polis,” Thermiandra said.
“Are you suggesting that he’s left?” Heliodas asked.
“I’m suggesting that he’s in a place where he’s not known as a Titan cultist and is able to move about freely,” she said.
“I’m not sure what you’re implying,” Pelephon said.
“There are brothels in Athens, aren’t there?” she asked.
Heliodas raised an eyebrow and looked at her.
“He’s a man. How could he not be obsessed with sex?” Thermiandra asked. “He’s in a polis where he doesn’t know anyone. I’m assuming that he has coin with him. It makes sense.”
“Why do you assume that all men are willing to pay for sex if they can’t meet a girl on their own?” Pelephon asked.
“My father runs Cyme. He often had to have people tracked down for various reasons, whether they were criminals, guests, or relations. When someone went missing and they had to be found, it was always useful to check the whorehouses. Men could often be found there, and occasionally women too.”
Heliodas sighed. “I know where a couple of them are. It will be an easy enough thing to check.”
“And how is it that you’re so familiar with them?” Thermiandra asked.
“I grew up here. I know where most things are,” Heliodas said with a smile.
Thermiandra found the thought of Heliodas visiting such places unpleasant and she pushed them out of her mind. The only disappointment that she wanted to deal with for the remainder of the day was the fact that she was still saddled with this curse. “Lead the way,” she said.
Heliodas led them to a plain looking building, which could have been an inn, judging from the outside. Stepping in, they found themselves in a waiting room with several couches and benches. Sand colored pillars were set into the corner walls, which meant that they were there to add a touch of class rather than reinforce the structure. The ceiling and walls were covered in filmy crimson fabric, adding to the ambiance. Heliodas also detected a hint of the fragrance of roses in the air.
Six women lounged on the couches wearing revealing peploi. Three of them looked as though they were Athenian, but the other three were from visibly different ethnicities. One of them was olive in color, much like Thermiandra, with a sharp nose and almond eyes. Another had such dark skin that she was almost black, and the last was paler and taller than any woman Thermiandra had ever seen.
A blond haired woman wearing a red peplos approached the three of them. “Good evening,” she said with a smile. “I am Anteola. Are you looking for some group entertainment this evening?”
Pelephon smiled widely. “I only wish that were the case. Unfortunately, we’re looking for a friend, and we think he may have come here.”
“A friend,” said Anteola. “Could you describe him?”
“Large man from Egypt. He’s probably wearing a brown robe,” Pelephon said.
“Ah, Archetus,” she said.
“So you’ve seen him?”
“He came in yesterday and offered to pay for a room and some… entertainment for the next few days. He paid generously up front,” she said.
“We need to talk to him,” Thermiandra said. “Now.”
“Follow me,” said Anteola. She led them down a hallway, up a flight of stairs, and stopped in front of a door. Thermiandra could hear the unmistakable sound of moaning coming from behind the door. Anteola knocked. The activity within stopped and the door opened, revealing two women and Archetus. One had long red hair and the other had shorter black hair. None of them wore a stitch of clothing. Behind them was a small table with a decanter of wine and several half-full wine glasses, as well as some grapes, dates, and cured meat.
Archetus quickly donned his robe and climbed to his feet. “My friends, I was not expecting to see you tonight! Would you like to come in and share in the fun?”
Heliodas coughed and looked at Thermiandra. “That isn’t what brings me here,” he said. “Can we speak somewhere else?” he asked.
“Of course. Ladies, I’ll be back,” Archetus said. The women gave him appreciative nods as he slipped out of the room. He led them down another hallway and past a noisy open room where Heliodas counted at least eight people engaging in a group act.
“This is an interesting choice for an inn,” Thermiandra commented.
Archetus smiled, but said nothing.
As they walked out into the pleasant night air, Heliodas turned toward the cultist. “For some reason, I know that you already know what I’m about to ask of you. I need your help.”
“So I heard,” Archetus said. “Everybody was talking about you today.”
“I’m leaving in the morning. Are you coming with me?”
“Of course. I told you that our travels together were not at an end, did I not?” Archetus asked.
“You did,” Heliodas said. “And you were right. I face a quest given to me by Athena herself, which means that it’s probably going to be dangerous. I know that having you with us will increase our chances of success.”
“And survival! It will be my pleasure to continue sharing your journey,” Archetus said. “The threads of fate surround you in the great tapestry, and I am enjoying seeing the way the world is changed by your passage through it.”
They began walking toward Heliodas’ house, which was when he realized that he had not been there since his return to the polis. He realized that he should be tired, and that thought alone brought on a yawn. He was looking forward to experiencing his own bed again, even if it was only for one night.
As they walked down the street, a man wearing a leather cuirass neared from the direction they were walking and approached them. “Greetings,” he said.
“Hello,” Heliodas said with a yawn.
“Forgive me for interrupting you, but I think we should speak before you leave the polis. My name is Telarchos of Thebes.”
“I am Heliodas.”
“I know. I saw what happened at the Parthenon today,” the man said. “I know that you are about to embark upon a heroic quest, and I would like to accompany you.”
“Why?” Heliodas asked.
“I’m a soldier and a scribe. I’ve penned a few tales of valor in my time, but I have never seen a tale played out on such a great stage before. Regardless of how the quest is completed, I’d be honored to record your tale and share it with the world.”
“I’m
not sure that we need anyone else with us,” Thermiandra said.
In truth, Heliodas was surprised that nobody else had offered to help before now. His conversation with Athena had played out in front of half the polis. He knew that additional people would create additional problems, such as the need for more food, and there was the possibility that even though the man could wield a sword, he might not be as skilled with it as Pelephon or himself.
“I’m not sure that we need a chronicler, myself,” Heliodas agreed. “The only reason we’d be interested in picking up an additional person is if they’re skilled with the sword.”
“I am that as well,” said Telarchos.
“Prove it to us,” said Heliodas.
Telarchos unsheathed his sword and raised it into a guard position. “How shall we do this? Fight until one of us lands the first hit?”
The people on the street saw steel, and they quickly formed a circle around them in anticipation of a fight, but allowed enough room on the street for them to maneuver.
Silence ensued, then Pelephon said, “Fight Heliodas and me. Prove your worth by scoring a hit on both of us before we can score one on you.”
“Is that fair?” Heliodas asked.
“I’m not interested in fair,” said Pelephon. “I want to know that he’s exceptional. If he is, we’ll bring him. If not, we leave him behind.”
“I think that’s reasonable,” Heliodas said. “Do you agree?” he asked Thermiandra.
“I honestly don’t like the idea,” she said. “But I can see the value in having additional muscle with us.”
“And you?” Heliodas asked Archetus.
The Egyptian shrugged. “There’s uncertainty surrounding this one,” he said. “We should be cautious with the travel companions that we choose.”
“I’m confident in my abilities,” said Telarchos. “Let’s begin and then you can make your decision.”
“Very well,” said Heliodas as he unsheathed his spatha and made his first attack in a single fluid motion.
Just as he did that, Pelephon sprang to attack. Telarchos knocked Heliodas’ blade to the side, then he ducked back to avoid Pelephon’s blade. Before the big man could recover his balance, Telarchos’ blade shot out and nicked the big Macedonian’s leather cuirass.
“The first hit is mine,” Telarchos said triumphantly. Pelephon moved to the side, out of the contest already.
Heliodas ignored this proclamation and launched a series of quick slashes, all of which Telarchos batted quickly to the side. Heliodas wondered why he wasn’t attempting to counter-attack.
“Heliodas, back off. He’s trying to wear you out,” Thermiandra said.
He decided to take her advice. He slowed down his attacks, then took a step back. He smiled and moved his spatha to the side and looked at Telarchos expectantly. “So you give up?” he asked.
“I’m not even begun,” said Telarchos. The warrior led with a thrust, which Heliodas batted wide, and then tested him with several feints. Heliodas was smart enough to recognize them and not expend much effort handling the feints. Even though he recognized them for what they were, he was forced to remain on defensive footing or risk his opponent’s blade slipping inside his defenses.
Heliodas couldn’t help but notice that despite his opponents’ continued attacks, the economy of Telarchos’ movements was such that he was likely not wasting much energy. Heliodas knew that he was exerting far more effort in his attacks, while Telarchos’ movements seemed to be far more precise and refined. Their fighting styles were completely different.
Heliodas went on the offense by batting Telarchos’ blade to the side with more force than was necessary to simply move the blade aside, then took a swing at his opponent. The other swordsman seemed to wobble for a moment, and Heliodas took that opportunity to swing at the other man’s leg. Telarchos stepped quickly to the side, avoiding the blow by only inches.
“A worthy attempt,” Telarchos said.
“And a worthy dodge!” Heliodas said as he brought his blade down in an overhand attack. Telarchos managed to bring his own blade up fast enough so cross swords. They held that position for a moment, testing each others’ strength. Heliodas took a quick step back, and then launched into a flurry of attacks, all of which were either blocked or parried by his opponent.
Heliodas then launched another offensive of swings and chops, this time putting his entire body into the effort. Rather than parry, Telarchos simply relied on speed to step out of the way and keep from being hit. Heliodas was forced to take several steps back when they moved too close to the bystanders watching the duel. At that time Telarchos launched into his own series of thrusts and slashes, all of which Heliodas parried. Heliodas could feel the sweat breaking on his brow as he fought to keep up with the newcomer.
Telarchos then made a bold move, slashing at Heliodas while rushing forward. Heliodas blocked the incoming blade, but failed to take note of the other man’s legs. As he darted forward, Telarchos whipped his sword around for another attack, which Heliodas easily parried, but then the Theban hooked his foot in under Heliodas’ leg, pulling him off balance. As Heliodas started to fall backward, Telarchos whipped his blade back around and drew a faint red line across Heliodas’ face that was barely a scratch.
“A good fight, and I believe that I win,” said the newcomer.
Heliodas wiped his face with the back of his hand and looked at it. It came away clean.
“So you want to fight alongside us?” Heliodas asked. “Very well.”
Chapter 23
The Vote
Demosthenes knew that the night’s hastily called forum was going to be a difficult one for him. Only two days had passed since Athena herself had appeared before the Annual Procession to denounce the course Athens was presently on. What more did his political enemies need in order to oust him from his position as General and usurp his power? He knew that if he were the one seeking power, he would use this to turn the Forum against whoever was standing in his way. It was a simple political matter.
The Forum members were self-selected from the citizens of Athens, and they came together at the amphitheater. More people tended to show up to debate the more contentious issues, but rarely would the venue fill to capacity. The first several rows were unofficially reserved for the members who made it to the forum regularly and were influential orators. As was usually the case, these individuals wore togas while the regular citizens would wear casual clothing. Demosthenes saw that the amphitheater had filled to capacity on this night.
Because he held the rank of General, he sat on one of the marble seats facing the rest of the assembly. The others were inhabited by Milias the Speaker, who officiated the meeting, Phosenias the Treasurer, who was responsible for representing Athenian financial policies, and Odanios who was the official representative from Athens to the Delian League. Demosthenes knew that this last position was redundant since Athens normally encountered no resistance from the League when setting policy. In fact, a number of the various poleis owed their existence to Athens, since the polis would settle new areas by starting with nothing more than small farming villages, build walls around them, and then encourage its citizens to go live there and build. Such poleis would grow stronger while helping Athens spread its influence.
Milias pounded his gavel onto the marble desk in front of him. “This Forum is now in order. This special meeting was called by Diophrastus. You have the floor,” he said, yielding the right to speak to Demosthenes’ rival.
The gaunt Diophrastus stood, walked to the front of the amphitheater, and began projecting his voice so that those seated in the back would be able to hear. “I think we all have a good idea why we’re here tonight, rather than waiting until our usually scheduled meeting time. Yesterday’s Procession was most unusual, and Athena herself graced our fair polis with an appearance. She was most unhappy with the direction of our polis. In fact, she said that because of the path we’re currently on, we’re in danger of being conquered by for
eign powers. I would like to say for the record that this is exactly the outcome I predicted when we made what is now clearly a misguided alliance with Macedonia.”
Demosthenes began to sweat as he listened to the words of his rival. He knew what was to come, but he’d held out some hope that they wouldn’t begin making a case against him as the first order of business. This was a level of boldness that suggested that either Diophrastus was being needlessly reckless with his political career, or he knew that he had the votes to carry a measure against him. He doubted it was the former.
“As we all know, this deal was brokered by the General of Athens, Demosthenes, who took it upon himself not only to form an alliance with our enemies to the north, but to commit the entire Delian League. After making this unilateral decision, he knew that he had no choice but to sell us Athenians on it since changing our minds was not an option. After all, the Macedonians were already in Athens at his behest, expecting warriors to join them for their war to the east. To have reneged at that point would have provoked an invasion. They would have sacked the polis!
“Yesterday Athena warned us about these dangers, and she clearly said that we were on the wrong path. In fact, she tried to kill as many of us as possible by sending a monster against us. This creature masquerades as a woman, but as some of us witnessed, fortunately from behind since to look her in the face was death, the monster was a descendent of Medusa! Fortunately we were warned, but I would like to point out that it was by no other than Demosthenes’ nephew who left Alexander’s army in Ionia without leave and brought this monster to Athens in the first place.”
Demosthenes shook his head. Thanks to Heliodas’ actions, nobody had died. Demosthenes wanted to stand and make that point, but he was prevented by Forum rules from doing so. Diophrastus wasn’t done running his mouth yet.
“My dear Athenians,” Diophrastus said, “what we’re facing is a failure in leadership from the man who has been presiding over this polis as a king, not as an equal citizen. No man has held as much sway over the polis since Pericles, a hundred years ago. As you’ve no doubt learned, it was Pericles who decided not to go to war with Sparta, which is the reason Athena gave for turning against us.
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