Soft notes were strung along with the rhythmic splashing of the waves. The ocean joined in on the innocent melody that floated across it ever so carefree.

“Would ya put down that accursed trinket already and help me with th’se knots?”

Eugenia blinked and realized where she was. She was sitting at the pier where the fishing boats were tied down. As her mind had wandered, she had instinctively played the small harp in the melody of her distracted mind. The village elder glared the instrument down and then turned back to his work. The priestess jumped to his side and helped him with the knots.

“Forgive me.” She said quietly.

“Darn thing’s got you in a spell, huh? Been strummin’ it for weeks now. Where’d ya even get it from?” He asked as he untied the rope and pulled out the oars from the bottom compartment.

“It was a gift… I think.” She set the harp down on a calf-high table.

“Better not been Therses, that good for nothin’ romantic!” He spat out into the sea and then stepped onto the boat. Eugenia followed him as if it was natural.

“It wasn’t from him.” She shook her head earnestly.

“Good. Boy’s got enough to worry about in that city of cowards. Doesn’t have time for women.” The elder said with a disgruntled expression and kicked the boat away from the pier.

Eugenia nodded thoughtfully. It had been three weeks already since she had arrived here, but it felt much longer. Therses had a serious talk with his parents and convinced them to let him go to Eretria to find work there. Having someone inside the city for information gathering was a real boon. They told him not to get into trouble or put his nose into matters that it didn’t belong, but Eugenia could tell that he would do that anyway.

Meanwhile she had been taught sailing by the (self-proclaimed) master fisherman father. The village was quite grateful to her, despite her insistence that she barely did anything. Even now she was not quite certain why Kygnos had relented so easily. There was no time to contemplate this anymore though, as the training she received was rather Spartan.

Every single day they would sail out farther away from the village and throw out fishing nets. While they waited for results the elder taught her various things about boats and sailing with an iron fist. He had no remorse in hitting her head whenever she mixed up terms or held something wrong. He took the profession extremely serious.

Thanks to that Eugenia felt a real sense of accomplishment. She always had a good memory, so she was not failing on the quizzes, but there were certain errors that were unavoidable…

“If I had known you’re blinder than jellyfish I’d not have agreed to this.” He complained as he kept rowing. Realizing that his words might have been too harsh he added. “But ya got a good head on your infant shoulders. Shouldn’t have come this far with your eyes, honestly.”

“There is movement over there!” Eugenia called out and pointed towards the left.

“Gods know how ya tell these things…” He grunted and then moved the sail a little to let the wind let them turn. He had been skeptical of her claims at the beginning, but it turned out that she really did point to good fishing spots. Maybe that was the true reason he still taught her.

“I listen to the currents.” Eugenia replied truthfully. All that got her was a snort.

“Anyways, got the basics down already, but ya will never be able to sail on your own, lass.”

Eugenia fumbled with the net and furrowed her brows.

“Sailors need to look at the sky to navigate. Need to see landmarks. Read sea maps.” He counted down on his fingers. “Just give it up and find a new place.” His rough words were hiding genuine concern, but to the young woman it still sounded like a personal attack.

“I will reach it.”

The elder sighed hoarsely and then helped her throw the net out. They tied it to the side of the boat and got ready. Despite their differences, when it came to moving the net they were in perfect synchronicity.

“Let’s say ya really know where ta take this boat. How far is it? Ya need supplies. Maybe for weeks. We’ve agreed to give ya a hand, but we ain’t got stuff to waste on an aimless Odyssey.” They strongly pulled the net back against the struggling fish.

“I will get the food myself. I will ration myself.” She said quietly.

“What`s waitin’ for ya? What’s got ya so hung up on some island? Family?” He really didn’t seem to understand her. She had once explained what island she was going to and where it should roughly be located, but that was it. Understandably the villagers felt she was going too far for so little.

“She is not my family.” Eugenia shook her head and opened her mouth to elaborate. Yet when she tried to say more, nothing would come. What was Medusa to her? When she had been desperate, she had freely said that it was the place she belonged. But what did that mean? Why was it so hard to put into words?

“Don’t break your li’l head over it.” He said after an agonizingly long silence. “If I’d be shipwrecked in some strange place, I’d wanna go back to my wife no matter what too.” He admitted while rubbing his scars embarrassedly.

“What about Therses?” Eugenia asked with a small smirk.

“The boy can look out for himself!” The elder protested and then dragged the net into the boat. Lots of flopping fish were panicking in the dry air. “I’d wanna see him again…” He admitted with voice too low to perceive by normal ears.

Eugenia smiled.

Swish!

Out of nowhere an arrow suddenly cut through the net in their hands, which made the fish break out of their confines and spread all over the small boat. In the confusion Eugenia and the elder turned all around, but where surprised by several more arrows hailing down on them!

“Duck!” He pushed Eugenia down and was grazed by a few arrows. The cuts were shallow, but the problems only started now. A low sizzling became much louder fast. The sail was on fire! “Burning arrows?! Ya cowards! Come fight me like men!!” He shouted over the edge of the boat, towards the attackers in the distance.

“W-Who-?” Eugenia pulled herself up at the mast and was promptly tackled out of the way again. The archers were still not satisfied.

“Put out the fire lass! I’ll get the oars.” He rolled across the deck and got the oars to move them out of the way of fire.

Meanwhile Eugenia grabbed a bucket and filled it with water. Next, she splashed it against the burning sail, but it was far too late to be salvaged. Her mind was racing in fear and reflection. The villagers had told her about the constant attacks from strangers that they assumed came from Eretria. They had not made a move in the last few weeks, but now they were attacking full force. Just as they had gone out farther on the ocean than ever before. Was this a calculated move? Out here there would be no ships coming by to help them.

As she realized that, she heard the air being cut by more arrows and pulled up a wooden plank to shield herself. The arrow tips bored through and halted right in front of her face. They were not even aiming for her though, but the elder who was rowing madly.

“The boat is on fire!” She shouted while shielding him with another plank. “I can’t extinguish all of it!”

“Poseidon’s wrath be on them!” He cursed and let go of the oars. “Hope ya can swim lass.” He said gravely and then pushed her off the boat.

“Waaah!” She shrieked and then fell into the cold depth of the ocean. When she surfaced in a panic, she felt several large pieces of the boat floating around her so she held on to them. Her clothes had been soaked full instantly and felt incredibly heavy. She spat out water and tried to focus her senses, but the only thing she heard was the crackling fire and the shouts of men in the distance.

The heavy smoke entered her nose and lungs and made her nauseous. It gave her flashbacks of the destruction of the Greenhouse. A horrible feeling of loss spread in her heart and she felt heavier by the second.

Was the elder fine…?

The rain of arrows created dozens of small impacts on the ocean’s surface.

He must have jumped off too, right?

In that moment she suddenly felt the struggling of a man inside the water and paddled over. He was struggling to keep afloat! Apparently he couldn’t swim either. With all her strength she pulled him above the surface and dragged his arms and head onto the floating wreckage. He coughed loudly and then his head sank onto the wood.

“You must hold on! Grab more pieces-” She tried to tell him what to do, but he did not respond. In fear of the worst she held her hand against his mouth, but he was still breathing luckily. He had passed out while clutching to the wreckage. Soon she realized the reason for this. An arrow was sticking out of his shoulder and another one was stuck in his leg.

The situation was catastrophic. If their attackers decided to come closer now to search for them, they would easily be able to finish them off. Eugenia gritted her teeth and held on to the elder so he wouldn’t let go of the last lifeline.

All she could do right now was to lay low and hold on for dear life…

A few minutes (hours?) later she concluded that they had left. There had been no more attacks. That didn’t mean they were saved now. They were still floating in the middle of the ocean with no help in sight.

Eugenia’s lower body was freezing. Despite the heavy sunlight above, no perhaps because of exactly that, her submerged body parts were starting to get stiff and cold while her face and arms felt scorching hot. Holding on to the wood was already getting tiring, not made easier by the fact that she also held the elder in place. No matter what she attempted to wake him up, he would not react.

It all seemed hopeless.

“Not here…” She pressed out. She could not fail here of all places. Not here, before she had even begun her journey. The very idea of drowning here made her furious. If Athena was watching her right now, what would she think? Perhaps this was fine with her. She had helped Eugenia so much already that this foolish end was more than justified.

But she would not accept it!

“Hng... huff.” She stretched out her left arm and began moving her legs. With some effort they started to move. Back towards land, back to the place the elder belonged.

Maybe it was impossible to push them all the way back there. Her legs would give out first. Her arm would sink. Her mind would fade. But she would rather sink while trying than succumb to it here!

Each stroke was like fire creeping up her muscles. Legs like lead were too heavy to rise even in the buoyancy of water. She felt herself slipping off more frequently. Keeping the elder in place was a struggle that exceeded even the paddling.

How far had they made it? Several parasangēs? Perhaps just a plethron? It was impossible to tell for her. She figured even if her eyes could see the endless blue ocean, nothing would have changed.

They were drifting across the waves in a deadly circle. The waves were weak right now, but they moved in maelstrom like circles. No way to advance, no way to retreat. They were stuck until they would either lose hold or dehydrate.

Rebellious kicks of her legs were a futile resistance to the inevitable. Her mind didn’t even process the pain anymore.

“I’m… sorry.” Her dry throat pressed out a last apology to the man floating next to her. If she had a choice, she would have liked for at least the elder to be saved. She couldn’t bear the thought of a devastated Therses getting the news.

“I am not certain whether I can accept your apology.” Replied the man floating next to her.

Floating…

Not on water, but on air?!

“After all you have not wronged me.” The familiar voice said teasingly and grabbed her hand.

It couldn’t have been him and yet there was no other explanation.

“Lord-”

“Hermes!?” She yelled into the surprised face of the elder’s wife. The plump, yet sturdy woman had been busy wiping her face with a rag which she now promptly dropped.

“Poseidon’s mercy, you have returned to us!” She clutched Eugenia’s confused looking face and held her in place. “You had me worried.” She said while wiping a tear of joy. Unlike the elder she was always quite open about her true feelings.

“B-Back at… the village?” She asked very disoriented.

“Yes, you two were spilled ashore just hours ago! There was no sign of the boat… that stubborn mule wouldn’t tell us anythin’ except that you saved him.” She made a resigned face when talking about the elder.

“Is your husband alright?” She asked between a few short coughs. Her entire body was covered in woolen blankets to warm her up. Her clothes were hung up to dry.

“Couldn’t be better. Never saw him more alive than when we broke the arrows and pulled them out.” She joked. If she could be this upbeat then there was nothing to worry about. “Now dear, rest as much as ya need. I’ll prepare some hot fish broth for ya right away.”

“Could you, er… leave out the fish?” She asked meekly with red cheeks.

“I see, I see, that’s fine. Gettin’ tired of our sea food?” She laughed loudly at the priestess’ embarrassment. “I’ll find some veggies instead, just for my man’s savior.” She cheerfully threw open the door of the small hut and left for the fireplace outside.

“Savior?” Eugenia rubbed her tired eyes. “I haven’t done anything.” These misunderstandings kept piling up. The one who saved them was-

“Do not belittle yourself. Had you not bravely held on for the both of you I might not have found you in time.” Hermes said encouragingly.

“When did you-?!” She pulled up the blankets to cover herself and spun her head towards the ceiling. The messenger was sitting on top of the wooden roof beam without a care.

“It is so very good to see you again.” He greeted her joyously and angled his arms grandiosely.

“B-But how did nobody notice you?” She pointed at him in confusion. The villagers would have been in uproar already if a god appeared before their eyes!

“Ah, that little trick? This trinket comes in quite handy for such occasions.” He took off a beautiful cap that had been crafted with the finest care. “It conceals my presence from people’s hearts and minds. Useful not only to escape the enamored eyes of young beauties and their ire-stricken fathers.” He chuckled.

Eugenia still knew not how to respond to the joking nature of an Olympian god other than to quietly take it in. Despite her rundown state she wanted to show respect and dignity, but that was already out the window after everything that had happened.

“Thank you for rescuing us.”

“It was no trouble at all.” He smiled.

“Where you simply in the area? It’s a miracle that you would be there to save us just in time.” She could sparsely believe it.

“Oh my, it was nothing short of your prayers for my help that led the way.” He claimed with a hand on his heart.

“I didn’t pray to you.” Eugenia flatly denied him.

“A-Ah? It may be hard to recollect, but I assure you that deep in your heart you called out to me!”

“I didn’t call for you.” Her expression was completely deadpan.

“You do not have to deny it so strongly…” His head sank down in disappointment. “To sate your brimming curiosity, I was indeed just passing by on a delivery. My ever vigilant sister had her eyes elsewhere today, so I took the liberty of giving you a hand in her place.”

“The great and wise Athena shouldn’t waste her time on me.” Eugenia said understandingly.

Hermes looked at her with an unreadable expression and then jumped down from the beam. He seemingly pulled a staff out of thin air and leaned it over his shoulders. It was the famous Caduceus staff with the winding snakes and wings.

“Athena has her priorities and you would surely be surprised where you are on that list.” He said while playfully spinning his staff in place. “The task on hand was simply that important to her.”

Eugenia nodded slowly. For the goddess of wisdom and war there were never-ending duties and events awaiting in this world. Yet the way Hermes had put it was rather unsettling. He could not have been talking about that…

“Lord Hermes, do you know something about-”

“Careful there. Asking me for details on the affairs of the gods may have rather profound consequences.” He interrupted her by lightly tapping his staff’s tip against her forehead. The winding snake carvings seemed to wriggle around it somehow, yet that must have been an auditory illusion. After seeing her guilty expression, he pulled back and relaxed. “I merely jest. A simple messenger like me has little in the way of knowledge about the others’ interests. If there is anything I can share with you, I would be willing to do so.”

“Do you know what happened on Sarpedon?” She asked curtly. The fact that he had not been the least bit surprised to find her here made her believe that he was far better informed than he would let on.

“Your confrontation with the scholar, yes? I have heard some bits and pieces. I am relieved to see that you recovered from your wounds.” His genuine tone was somewhat embarrassing her.

“Please, tell me, what happened to Medusa?” She leaned forward and pressed her hands on her legs.

Hermes squinted his eyes a little and noted her shaking arms. Then he hopped over and landed softly on the bed. He sat at her feet with his legs stretched into the room and the staff placed on top of his knees. Then he leaned his head on one hand and sighed.

“I do not want you to blame yourself for this.” He said softly.

“What happened?” Eugenia repeated.

“The Gorgon – no, Medusa – made a choice. The consequences are hers to bear. It was a selfless deed. I have a better opinion of her now.” His words were carefully picked.

“Please don’t dodge the question.” Eugenia could hardly bear it any longer. This seemed to convince him to give it to her straight.

“Her punishment was executed by Poseidon. Imprisonment in the darkest depth of the sea. It is said that once the sun fell off Helios’ chariot and submerged deep into the sea. It burned a hole into the ocean floor and created an ever melting and steaming hole between the two plains of the Underworld and the ocean. Now there is a cave below the eyes of any creature, closer to Tartaros than to the human world. Medusa is held prisoner in this pit for her crime and will only be released once her flesh has burned for 60 days and nights.”

Eugenia covered her mouth and had to suppress her gag reflex.

“For trespassing into the world that she was denied, she is now forced to the edge of the world itself. That was the decision made by Athena and Poseidon.” He closed his eyes and then put a hand on Eugenia’s head. “She is strong. Far stronger than you believe. Such punishment is hardly going to break her. Before long she will return to Sarpedon and reclaim her exile.”

“This isn’t right.” Eugenia said with a pain filled voice. “Then I should have been punished as well!”

“Sarpedon was never your exile. Passing through the barrier is no crime for a human.” He flicked his staff a little.

“But she did it for me. It’s all because of me...” She clutched the blankets tightly.

“Indeed it is. What a wonderful thing!” He said with a sly grin.

“W-What?”

“You are fortunate to have the likes of her care for your well-being.” He declared. “She cares. And so do you. Bonds such as this are valuable, far more than any offering provided to us I would reckon.”

Eugenia listened to his words with increasing irritation. Here he was talking about the suffering of others as if it was some amusing tale. What happened to the wise and insightful god she had talked to back on Sarpedon? Her mind drifted back to that place again.

“Do you resent her for it?” He suddenly slipped a question into her distant mind.

“Huh? I- No, why would I-?” She stuttered. “I will never resent her. But...” She swallowed.

“I sense a gaping hole inside your heart. The way your eyebrows clench, the manner your mouth turns, even the position of your hands, they are all like writing on the walls.” His incredible perception became all too clear now. “This frustration has found a channel, yet you doubt it is righteous. It is surely becoming for you to consider everything ardently. However, contemplation over a foregone result is meaningless. Is it not your desire to speak those words to her face?”

“Yes.” She nodded. This was a decision she had already made back at the beach with Bion. Why was she fumbling around basking in self-pity now?

“Hmhm~” Hermes hummed shortly and then leaned on Caduceus. “It was no coincidence that I found you adrift on sea then. You truly wish to sail back to that place.” His smile was twisted in a mesh of amusement and resignation.

“I know it will not be easy. Even if I can’t make it there, I still have to try.” The shaking of her hands had stopped.

“Losing yourself in a suicidal charge is all too human. Admirable, yet unwise.” He suddenly moved his hand forward and pulled Eugenia’s face close to his. His spruce fingers were holding her small chin in place without wiggling room. For the first time she could feel just how strong this athletic man was. “Your hesitation might be your last chance. Embrace it and return to your previous life. Forget about that island and its monstrous inhabitant. Then you shall find peace and security.”

“There is wisdom in what you say, Lord Hermes.” She admitted. “But I never claimed to be wise.” Her response was a tad forced, but the bravado came straight from her heart.

His reaction was unexpected.

“I like you Eugenia. If something I like is hurt, then I will be hurt as well. In that regard all of us are quite alike.”

The ‘us’ he was referring to could only have been the Olympians. Deep desire and possessiveness was a trait common among all of them. His grip was inescapable - confining – a cage of frailty. It would be far too easy to give her soul to this gilded cage… that was the feeling rising inside her.

“Do you understand what I am trying to convey?” He asked in a whisper. For a moment it seemed that the entire village was silenced and only their breathing rang through the hut.

“I can’t return to my old life. Not for you… or for Lady Athena.” Eugenia’s voice was unwavering.

Hermes lips were shut tightly as his forehead touched hers. His skin was warm in an unnaturally temperate way. It felt as if his aura was flowing into her head from where they were connected. Was he reading her mind?

“That is all I needed to hear.” He said jovially and then petted her head like he would a dog’s.

“Huh?” She had braced herself for some harsh repercussions to her defiance, but instead the messenger of the gods simply sighed in relief and fell backwards on her bed.

“It would not do at all if you gave in so soon!” He chuckled. “It takes a thickheaded woman such as yourself to get through to that one. I do not envy either side here.”

“I’m not thickheaded!” Eugenia protested with puffed out cheeks.

“Hahahaha.” His laughter was infectious and for the first time since her arrival in Eretria the priestess felt the weight on her shoulders lighten, if ever so slightly. She forcefully suppressed the instinct to snicker. “There is nothing more lovely than a human with a grand goal. You will make a fine hero yet.”

“I might end up the opposite.” She said with a weak smile.

“As long as you are aware of this I will be able to give you my support.” He said with a flash of mischief. “My duty is to convey other’s messages, but there is an exception to every rule. Listen and listen well. This is advice directly from a messenger’s own experience.”

Eugenia gulped and then nodded seriously. Advice from the gods was invaluable.

“Do not drink the milk. The old cow got sick last night.” He said with a raised finger and then disappeared.

She strained her ears, but his breathing completely disappeared as did the weight on her bed. “What the-”

"I am back dear!” The door was thrown open by the heavy kick of the elder’s wife. In her hands she carried a wooden bowl filled with steaming soup. Under her arm she also carried a large mug filled with lukewarm milk. “A growing girl like you should be able to finish this all on her own.” She basically forced it onto her legs and then handed her some dry bread and a large spoon. “Don’t forget to chug the milk in one go, wouldn’t want to mix the liquids.” She smiled brightly.

“T-Thank you.” She took the mug with a baffled expression and set it down next to her. It smelled just fine, but it was not like her to distrust a god’s warning.

“We sent for Therses right after you dragged the stubborn mule to the shore. He should be returnin’ home by sundown. You need to get back the color in your face to reassure him that everything’s fine. The boy is a real worrywart.”

Eugenia laughed nervously and took a sip of the soup. It was a bit bland, but the heat filled her body and made her relax.

“Take yer time. I’ll be sewing my cryin’ husband’s wounds for the remainder.” She sighed and then left the hut again.

Eugenia ate her soup thoughtfully. Now that she was reminded of what had happened she had new worries. Who were the attackers on sea? How could she make it to Sarpedon if she couldn’t sail from Eretria's coast? Was it too callous to only think of her own issues right now?

“A real shame about the milk. It would have made these pieces of granite slightly more edible.” Hermes muttered as he bit into the stale bread. She could have sworn that his teeth made a cracking noise.

“WAH!” She almost tumbled out of bed and only the god’s swift reflexes prevented the soup from finding an untimely end on the floor. “Could you stop that!?”

“Stop what?” He asked curiously while sipping on the soup.

“The disappearing and reappearing thing!” She hastily covered herself with the blanket again. Still naked below. She kept forgetting.

“I never left.” He said with one eye closed and tapped his invisibility cap.

“Ugh.” She groaned and snatched the bowl out of his hand. Her entire perception of the messenger was crumbling at blinding speed.

“Oh what a familiar sound. Indeed, I felt the presence of the Gorgon through it.” He lamented playfully and handed her the bread.

“I don’t really sound like her, right?” She asked the soup quietly as she slurped it up.

“Fill yourself and rest well. You will have fairly little time for leisure soon.”

“Another bit of advice?” She asked snappishly and then soaked the bread in the soup.

“Yes, yes. The milk was a bonus. It would not do to have the hero die of a stomachache.” He chuckled and then leaned his head out the window to soak in the evening air.

“I am not good at solving riddles. If you gave me a mathematical equation I would be more useful.” She said as patiently as she could.

“Is that so? Then I count five fingers that will move to three more. In the last step we subtract seven.”

“That leaves one.”

“And that one will be you in Athens.”

“You dropped the equation already?!”

“I am not very good at mathematics it seems.” He smiled.

“Why do you want me to go to Athens?” She asked with furrowed brows as she scraped the bowl’s ground with the spoon.

Hermes sat on top of the windowsill and stretched his leg alongside the frame. His head was leaned back tiredly. He showed a rare moment of sobriety.

“I will see you make good on your previous words. Athens is the place of your trial. That is all I can tell you.”

She listened to the lively outside that lay beyond the window which Hermes frame blocked out. The laughter of a child mixed with the exclamations of pain from the elder as he was treated. The ambivalence of the world was never more palpable than now. The man with the most freedom was the most shackled and the girl with the least power was the one who had the freedom to make her choice.

“I understand. Then I will accept that advice gratefully.” She said, set the bowl aside and bowed in front of him.

“Are you not just smearing honey around my lips?” He asked with a tilted head, but did not face her.

“I want to believe in you.”

“Your faith is limitless, hm?”

“I am a priestess after all.” She smiled genuinely. “And I did give you an offering already, so it is only fair to take your advice.” She added while putting the empty bowl aside.

“I will just claim that smile as the offering, because that soup does not count!” He insisted with a wry smile and then jumped out the window. Except he never landed. There was only the wind.

Eugenia tried to turn down her lips, but it seemed impossible.

“Father!”

“Poseidon’s hooves deafen my ears, so I won’t hafta hear this shriekin’ anymore.” The elder held his head as his son shouted in concern.

“Are you alright? Did they cripple you?” Therses was clutching his father by the shoulder and shaking him violently.

“He’s doin’ just fine dear.” The unapologetically entertained wife hugged her son and then smacked the elder on the back where he was bandaged up.

“Rrrrgh!” He bit his lip as so not to cry out again. Apparently he couldn’t allow himself to show weakness in front of his son.

“It’s about time you told everyone what happened. Eugenia saved yer sorry ass from drownin’, where’s the thanks?” The villagers had gathered around the main family and even Eugenia had joined them. The clothes had finally dried, so she didn’t have to cover herself in blankets anymore.

“He actually saved me first.” Eugenia intervened.

“Pah!” He didn’t seem happy.

“Who attacked you?” Therses asked and wiped his sweat covered brow. He had traveled all the way to the village in half a day.

“Didn’t ask the girl yet?” He grumbled.

“She is blind you oaf.” The wife smacked his head.

“R-Right...” He rubbed the painful spot and slowly spoke up. “Some folks on sailin’ boats. Three. Showered us with arrows till we sunk.”

“Did you see their flags? Emblems? Anything to identify them?”

“Too far away. Not easy to focus on a whole lot when you’re gettin’ charred.” He said sarcastically.

“Curses.” Therses bit his thumb nail.

“All’s well that ends well. We just oughta stop sailing out there.” The villagers seemed to be satisfied with that. They had already given up on fishing at this point. The elder was clearly unhappy, but surprisingly he did not object. Even someone as stubborn as him understood when it was unwinnable.

“Therses, you have a hunch who did it.” Eugenia suddenly approached him and received a surprised look. The young man rubbed his fuzz and then nodded. He signaled her to follow him away from the crowd.

“I have been doing some research in the city.”

She had expected as much. His sense of obligation for the village was strong, so he could not stop himself. She found it admirable.

“It must have been dangerous.”

“Not at all. I was among old friends.” He waved his hand. “Anyway, the acropolis has been acting odd for a while. There are weird stories about a messenger from the sea appearing and then disappearing without a trace. They were searching for them since I arrived there. Because of that the town watch is thinly spread. I could sneak around the temples and palace without much trouble.”

Eugenia coughed nervously and covered her mouth. So they were searching for her in the city.

“Do you need to rest a bit more?” His concern was sweet, which made her feel even guiltier.

“I am fine. Tell me what you found out, if that is okay.”

“Of course. To tell you the truth, my contacts have been trying to figure this mystery out for a while. It turns out that it’s not just our boats that get attacked.” He said with crossed arms. “Several personal ships of the aristocrats smuggling goods across the south Euobean gulf got sunk or seized.”

“The aristocrats’ ships? Who could do something like that?” That completely destroyed the theory that Eretria was the aggressor.

“Some assume pirates who pick easy targets. The Attican ships are too big and well-guarded, so they pick off small game.” He said unconvinced.

“But they didn’t steal anything from us.” She pointed out what was bothering him as well.

“I know. Pirates have no reason to sink fishing boats. Even more suspicious is that none of the ships that harbor in Eretria have ever seen these elusive pirate ships. That’s impossible in such a small gulf.”

“But then how could these attackers do it?”

“That’s what I was trying to find out… but the answer is far worse than I want to believe.” He said with a shadow over his young face. Seeing how Eugenia did not speak up he finally felt compelled to say it. “The only way nobody could notice these attacks is that they are in on it.”

“The trade ships are cooperating with them?!”

“It must be so. The captains are paid to keep quiet about it. They don’t own the ships or the cargo, so they are dependent on their contractors. That means they will not squeal.”

“But who has the power to silence so many ships?”

“The main influx of goods comes from a single city. Our great allies in the south.”

“Athens.” Eugenia realized it with a sense of clarity.

“That’s the only logical conclusion. I didn’t want to believe it either.”

“Why would they do such a thing?” Her heart was hurting from these news. She might have been from Lamia, but Athens was her city of education and maturity. It was the place she had always respected the most. It was where she had met Typhos…

“My guess is that they don’t want to be just allies. They will make us so dependent on them that we basically become a vassal city. The aristocrats here are weak and can’t oppose the Archons in Athens.” He sighed. “Instead of solving these matters they are chasing a made up envoy of the oceans. As if Poseidon had time for our worries.”

An electric current went through Eugenia’s mind and she felt the clarity return. This must have been a sign. Hermes words were indeed wise. She took a deep breath and then grabbed Therses by the sleeve. “Please take me to the acropolis.”

“W-What?”

“I need to speak to the lords. I know where their messenger is.” She said determinedly.

The priestess’ words were the first dice throw in the gamble. There was a path towards the city of enlightenment. A path that would lead her towards conflict, but also closer to the punished Gorgon.