by Meghan Ray
The outer area had been full of armed guards and Phil had not been confident that even with his hostage he could have gotten through unharmed. “Well,” he smiled at Cleitus, “it looks like we will have some time to get acquainted.”
The man sneered at him, “You will never escape from this place. The guards know they must sacrifice me to prevent you from leaving. They cannot let you free. Everything is at stake.”
Phil reflected that the man had a point. “Still,” he said mildly, “it doesn’t seem as though I have much to lose in trying, does it?”
The man only scowled.
“Oh, come on, don’t be that way, Cleitus. I think we could at least have a nice chat.”
Cleitus scowled again and turned his head.
Now that they were back in the inner chamber, Phil had to do something with the guards. He tore the cloak into strips, motioning to Cleitus, “Tie them up.”
“No. I’ll do nothing to help you.”
Phil shrugged, “Okay, up to you. That just means I tie you up first is all. You know you could have pretended to help me and then tied loose knots.”
Cleitus reddened but kept silent as Phil bound his wrists and ankles. Next Phil tied the two guards securely and dragged them into the corner of the room.
Then he turned back to Cleitus. He didn’t want to be impatient but the man was beginning to irritate him. He decided to try once more, “If what you say is true and I can’t escape, then there’s no harm in our having a conversation, strictly to pass the time. For example, you could tell me why you killed Critias. I admit, I am curious about that. And what Glaucon has to do with you and your crazy conspiracy. It’s not like him to risk his neck over politics.”
The thin man shook his head and pursed his lips.
Phil sighed and gave the man’s bony arm a sharp twist. “I really prefer not to break anything. I want us to get along.”
Cleitus squirmed a bit but he couldn’t free himself. He didn’t seem like someone who was used to pain. He grimaced and snarled in frustration, “You are so stupid. Critias was stupid too. That was why he had to be killed. We had really hoped that he would handle everything more cleverly. He was supposed to give you the coin in exchange for money, the first day, no questions asked. We anticipated that you would be more amenable. But Critias had to get fancy.”
“So you had him killed?”
“Of course we had him killed. We needed to distract you and we still hoped that you would buy the coin without asking any uncomfortable questions.”
“What made you think I would do that?”
Contempt was written on the man’s face but Phil could tell he was warming to his story. “Well you are a foreigner and not even an initiate of the cult. Why should you ask questions when you could make a quick profit. We thought it was Critias who had fouled things up. That was before we knew you better.” Phil didn’t know whether to be flattered. “So we needed to redirect your attention. We killed Critias to give you Xenodora’s name. I knew that you would be suspicious if the answer came to you too easily. She is a wonderful woman, is she not?” He stopped for breath and a moment of appreciation for Xenodora. Damn, even Cleitus was under her spell. He started again, “She is gifted and ambitious, with amazing powers of persuasion and she’s always anxious to help out the cause, for a profit of course. Unfortunately, you continued trying to keep your distance from the coin.”
“Glaucon is another story. He wanted money and has been willing to sell us his connections to get it, that’s all he cares about. But it didn’t work out as we hoped. We made another mistake using Glaucon with you. We knew of your relationship with him and we thought we could exploit it. We believed that if Glaucon seemed interested enough in the coin, it would clear any doubts concerning its value and you would buy it yourself. We failed to realize he is such a poor actor. Later, when you wouldn’t stop trying to give the coin to Glaucon and we couldn’t have him connected to the real sale of the coin, we realized that we were better off retrieving the coin from you and starting over with someone else. But that proved more difficult than we thought. Not killing you, obviously we could have done that at anytime, but finding you with the coin in you possession at a time when we were prepared to take it was not as easy as you might think. Either you had the coin and we were not ready or we had you but you didn’t have the coin. It has been frustrating.”
Phil broke in again, “So what is your plan. Who’s lined up for your sham government?”
Cleitus started to answer when he looked up, “Listen,” he smiled an evil smile as the sounds of the men outside ramming against the door shattered the quiet of the room, “they are breaking down the door. If you intend to kill me, this is your chance.” And then the door burst open. Phil didn’t kill the little man, it didn’t seem worth it. After that things got hazy.
He woke up sore from head to toe. He was still inside the temple room but this time he had been bound hands to feet and tethered to a ring mounted on the wall. He could barely tell whether it was light or dark outside. After a while, even though he had, in a way, just woken up, he found himself drifting into a light and dreamy sleep. He saw himself walking down street after street, first in Piraeus then in Athens, through lanes lined with dark, stone walls. The way was so narrow he could barely squeeze by. He was looking for something important and he was close to finding it. It was night and there was no moon but he must have been moving fast anyway because he had the impression of the city rushing past him. He was getting closer to the object of his search but he was also being followed. He understood in the dream that he had to find what he was seeking before he was caught. He backed into a doorway to avoid his shadowy pursuer and found himself in a slimy crevice. He tried to go forward but he became stuck fast. He knew then that he would fail, that he would be stuck in this place, but he heard a woman’s voice, maybe from beyond the wall or maybe in his head. She said that he should go back the way he had come. He didn’t think he could get free and he was afraid if he went back he would be caught but the claustrophobia of the dank walls persuaded him. He tried relaxing and breathing out, leaning back until he slipped free and then making his way slowly through the narrow walls until he was miraculously able to move again. He heard something click and he thought he was about to die, but the sound repeated and it woke him.
-10-
It was the key and the latch thrown back and that woke him from his dream. He looked up to see Leonidas, his face drawn and tense in the dim light that was just coming through the high window. “Come on, we don’t have much time.“
“I can’t.”
“You can’t, Zeus, don’t tell me you can’t walk.”
“I probably could but I’m all tied up.”
In answer, Leonidas drew his knife and swiftly cut through the ropes that bound Phil’s hands and feet. “Enough chatter, let’s go. Can you walk?”
“Sure, run I don’t know, but walk, you bet.”
The two proceeded toward the closed court of the outer temple hall. Leonidas was drawing Phil along for in spite of his assurances he was slow and unsteady. It was almost dawn and the hall was illuminated by a misty half-light. They made their way out of the temple building and across the court, both crouching slightly as if expecting an attack. None came. They left the courtyard through a side door and Leonidas heaved Phil into a cart he had waiting. “I wasn’t sure how I’d find you,” he said by way of explanation as he tossed Phil over the side of the cart and drew a canvas over him. The cart didn’t speed its way across the city but it didn’t linger either. They pulled up in front of some house Phil had never seen before.
Phil nodded his approval, “I’m glad we didn’t go to your house. It shows that you’re starting to take things seriously.” Leonidas looked at Phil and shook his head and whistled, “Man, you don’t know how serious things are.” Phil rubbed the bruises on his wrists pointedly but refrained from comment.
Leonidas opened the street door himself and the two went inside the house. Le
onidas barred the door behind them and gestured for Phil to follow. They made their way across the courtyard and into the andron of the building. Once they sat down, Phil felt himself go weak with fatigue and relief. “Zeus, that was close. Thank-you.”
“Let’s figure that you owe me one. Actually, you owe me quite a bit. I had to bribe the night guards and they weren’t cheap,” Leonidas smiled but his eyes were worried. “I am sending the family up to the farm in Oinythus. I think they’ll be better off out of Athens for a while.”
Phil frowned, “I think that is the right idea but I think that you should to go with them, Leonidas. They might need you and if you weren’t there…” Phil let the unfinished sentence hang between them.
Leonidas shook his head, “I am not sure that I can leave. Not with things as they are. I told you before this is my city and I care what happens here. What are they planning, Phil? And who’s involved? This isn’t just about the cult treasury. Do you know the morning after I started asking questions, and I was very discreet, I assure you, a messenger came to my house to inform me that one of the family farms was to be confiscated. I mean, the very next morning. Not that I minded losing that place, a few shriveled olives are all I ever get from it, but it shows you the power of the people involved. What is going on?”
Phil was quiet for a minute, organizing his thoughts, “It seems we have an oligarchic coup going on, right here in our own little town. Not that I mean oligarchs aren’t always around. The government of Sparta certainly has always had its admirers here, and ever since the Spartan’s installed their puppet Thirty in Athens, certain people have been longing for a return to the good old days, especially those who got rich from it. But things are different this time. These aren’t just some Spartan lackeys wanting to get rich. These people are organized and about to be very well funded indeed. You know that they are using the Athenian cult of Demeter as a base of operations and using the goddess’ treasury as their coffers.”
Leonidas nodded for Phil to go on. “Well, it seems that they plan to use the proceeds from their theft for bribery and to raise a mercenary force to back up their new government. I admit I’m surprised by their boldness and also that they have enough support to have gotten this far. But the news isn’t all bad. They are fighting among themselves now and their leader seems more like a crackpot fanatic than a visionary. All things considered, I’m pretty optimistic that they can still be stopped. What I am saying is… I don’t think you should bother to stay in Athens. There isn’t that much left to do.”
Leonidas took the opportunity to snort out loud, “Come on Phil, you don’t have to be the lonely hero here. I’ll stay and do what I can. That’s all there is to it. I mean not to put too fine a point on it but didn’t I just fish you out of jail?”
“I know but let me finish, I am not planning on trying anything especially brave. The conspirators are still at the bribery stage and they need more time before they’ll be ready. If I can talk to someone in authority, someone who can wake up the democratic government, someone that is who will take me seriously, then I can just let them know about the danger, drop a few names and places, incite the powers that be to action and call it a day. I think that will probably be enough to stop the conspirators. They don’t seem especially brave or well organized either. Well,” Phil amended, acknowledging Leonidas’ skeptical look, “it will stop them for the moment anyway.”
“Alright, Phil, have your way. I will go with the family and stay out of your way, leaving all the credit and glory to you- as usual. But where is the coin now? You keep avoiding the subject. Do you still have it?”
“No, I returned it up in Eleusis. It’s back with the cult now, as it should be.” Leonidas stared at Phil for a minute with a strange expression and then smiled, “Do you think that was wise. You might need it to prove your case. I know how you operate, all theatrics and solo performances.”
Phil looked at Leonidas thinking, then waited a second too long before answering, “Leonidas, don’t be that way, you know I always give you credit for your hard work. This time especially.” He rubbed his sore wrists again with feeling.
“So,” he said to change the subject, “whose house is this and can I stay here for a while?”
Leonidas was lost in thought and looked up when Phil repeated his name. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Phil repeated the question.
“It belongs to Autoclys and he is out of town at the moment. He is an old friend and a long-standing member of the cult of Eleusis. I am sure he has no idea about the new political policies of our religion. So all things considered, I think he wouldn’t mind lending you his house for a good cause.”
“Okay then, give my love to the family. And try not to worry.”
Leonidas walked toward the door, “Easier said than done I’m afraid. Take care Phil, I mean it.” After Leonidas left Phil found himself in an empty room full of couches. He went over to one, lay down and promptly fell asleep.
Phil woke up with the sun streaming in the high windows, casting long narrow shadows across the room. He felt much better. Leonidas had left some provisions so he helped himself to some bread, olives, cheese and wine. He sipped the wine slowly enjoying the flavor, the way only someone who has recently gone without is able. Then he washed up in the small washroom off the courtyard and dried himself off briskly. Having satisfied some basic needs he decided to get on with the business at hand. He left the house and started over toward the Agora and the council house. There would be someone there. Every tribe was on duty for thirty-six days, and they sat in shifts so there were seventeen members on duty day and night.
He walked down narrow streets that were almost empty in the mid-day sun. Phil approached the Agora cautiously. He was about to step out of the side street into the wide avenue leading to the council building when he stopped. He noticed some men loitering meaningfully just past where the road opened out to the market area. They looked like thugs, thugs who were waiting for someone. Well why take a chance? He retraced his steps and tried another route to the Agora with the same result, same kind of thugs, same kind of waiting. He went around a little farther but by this time Phil was pretty sure that the market was surrounded, and he was betting that they knew who he was and had orders to keep him away from the council. It was only a theory of his, true but he wasn’t in any shape at the moment to test it out, just to prove himself right.
So, if the direct approach was out, he would have to find another way but right then he was out of ideas. He went back to the house feeling tired and sick. He ate some more of the food and drank some more of the wine. His wrists and ankles were swollen and sore and the abrasions were starting to look ugly. He tried to formulate a plan but the wine made him drowsy and without meaning to he fell asleep. Pounding on the outer door woke him. It took him a minute to figure out where he was. After taking a second to appreciate not being tied to anything, he made his way, still stupid with sleep, through the courtyard to the door. Outside were Themis and Xanthius.
-11-
When Phil opened the door she said, “About time,” as she pushed past him into the courtyard. She was apparently in no mood for small talk and in a hurry to get off the street. Phil knew just how she felt. He stepped aside to give Xanthius room to pass and then bolted the door behind them. He led them into the andron, sat them down on couches and gave them each a krater of watered wine from the now half empty amphora.
“Zeus, Phil, you look awful.”
“Thanks, I’ve been better and that’s the truth.”
Themis was looking him over carefully. She came close to him and lifted his arm to examine his wrist. “Phil, you can’t ignore this, it’s infected. Unless you want to lose the hand…” She shook her head, half angry, “Do you want to lose your hand?” She was raising her voice as she spoke, “and feet?” she added as she looked down. She put her hand to his forehead, “You’re feverish.”
She turned to Xanthius, “Go to the physician Machaon and buy some o
f his herbal salve and some clean bandages and poppy juice.” Xanthius nodded in his taciturn way and rose without speaking. Themis walked with him across the courtyard, speaking in a low voice as she went. After she had let Xanthius out, she went searching through the house. She came back with a bowl of water and a small brazier that she lit and then used to warm the water. While she worked she was quiet but every once in a while she would look up and shake her head. Once the water was heated, she bathed the wounds and asked him how he felt.
Phil looked at her affectionately, “I feel better. Thanks.” And he was surprised to find that he did feel better.
Xanthius returned with the supplies and Themis applied salve to his wounds and bound them securely. She did a good job and Phil was pleased as he flexed his wrists and ankles. He got up and moved across the room. “So how’s Meno?” He almost didn’t ask, not sure he wanted the answer.
But Themis smiled as she answered, “He is much better. That worthless doctor predicts dire things but he is much better already and he seems to improve every day. He recognizes me now and he can drink by himself and he had a little clear soup. Personally, I think if he were going to die, he wouldn’t bother with the soup. What do you think?”
Phil couldn’t tell if she was serious, “I don’t really care for clear soup so I suppose if I were a dying man, I would probably wouldn’t bother with it either.” Phil looked at Xanthius, “Do you agree?”
Xanthius just looked back at him, stony faced and silent.
Phil leaned against the door and watched them for a while. “Okay, no opinion on soup, I get that. Well, if Meno is better, god’s be praised, then what is it that has brought you all here?”
Themis sat up a little, “Leonidas told me where you were.”
“Yeah, I figured it was him but what possessed him to do it, I do not understand. Not that I don’t appreciate the help,” he said seeing Themis’ hurt look, “but he knows that it’s dangerous for you to be here and I am surprised he would put you at risk.”