The heavy wooden door fell shut behind them with a stretched out creak. Just as it closed the final gap the hawk like eyes of the guards vanished as well. The audience hall had been as tense as the strategy camp during a war campaign. The hallways of the palace were drenched in a supreme atmosphere of importance as well, yet in comparison they seemed more like a wide open field of freedom.

Therses pulled away the hand used to cover his mouth and finally allowed himself to exhale. It felt like he had been holding his breath ever since he entered. His heartbeat was still quick and his muscles tense. A young man who barely managed to grow a beard or find his role in society had no way of dealing with the pressure of aristocracy.

Yet there was one just around his age with an even frailer constitution that had been in the center of attention far longer than him. The girl standing at his side was the opposite of him in every regard. Her breathing was calm and regular, her hands firmly pressed on her hips. She exhaled as well, but it was an outlet for exhaustion rather than stress.

“I can’t believe you were the messenger, Eugenia. I had to bite my tongue in there not to shout.” Therses finally pressed out with cold sweat on his brow.

“Sorry.” She apologized with a wry expression and pulled back the hood that had hung deeply into her face. Freeing her long hair from captivity seemed to considerably lighten her burden.

“It is not that I don’t believe it. This explains how you were able to escape the song and save all these people from the forest of enchantment.” He said almost reverently.

“That was just luck.” She walked forward, paying attention to the footsteps of the patrolling guards outside. “Can I tell you a secret?”

“Certainly!”

“I am not actually a messenger of Poseidon.” She revealed quietly.

“…pardon?” He was clearly perplexed.

“I was brought here by Poseidon and…” She hesitated to call her name in these halls. “…the one who saved me. There is no message to be delivered, though. I told you that I am a priestess of Athena, not Poseidon.”

“What? B-But then what you said in there-?” He pointed back at the big doors that had closed behind them.

“I did not lie. I will go to Athens to speak in their name.” She said with a hint of guilt.

“You are daring. Those were the noble elite of Eretria, the highest authority, even above Archons. If they find out that you pretended to be who you are not…”

“I know.” She nodded grimly.

“But you truly were brought here by Poseidon himself?” He asked while rubbing the fuzz under his chin.

“So I was told.” She said with a dry throat.

“Hah. Then all is well. The gods do not do anything without reason. This must be Lady Athena’s wisdom too.” His earnest eyes lost their franticness and he seemed content.

She could not answer his idealistic beliefs right now.

“If we go to Athens I will have to prepare my luggage. I have never stepped beyond the lands surrounding Eretria.” He got rather excited now. “First we need to find the city representatives though. They said they are in the guest wing. Maybe it would have been better if they gave us an escort, this place is huge.” He kept chatting away, but Eugenia barely listened.

Her focus was inward, the thoughts swirling in her mind became painful. In the spur of the moment she had decided to use the misunderstanding surrounding her arrival in the city as a stepping stone towards Sarpedon. Lord Hermes had told her to go to Athens for the sake of a trial. He was well meaning, that much she believed. This trial must have been necessary to return to the place she belonged. Sailing with the fishing boat had been out of the question because of the mysterious attacks, so she had to rely on this ruse.

The aristocrats were vexed by the attacks on their personal smuggling ships and directed their incensed fingers at Athens, the city of wisdom, and the city’s patron herself… Athena.

If these rumors were true, if the attack she had experienced really came from Attican ships, then she felt a certain responsibility to uncover the truth. Yet the only reason she went along with this plan was to satisfy her own selfish wish to sail back to Medusa. Her motives were too impure.

“I think that is the room.” Therses hand pulled her out of her inner world. He firmly placed it on her shoulder to stop her from making another left turn. “We should check up with them and then prepare for the journey. If you wish you can leave the talking to me.” He added with a smile.

It must have been so obvious that she was worried. He was treating her like a hare, scared stiff in front of its predator. The most shameful part was that she felt relief from his offer. She nodded weakly.

“I wonder what kind of officials would travel all that way. They must be stoic and disciplined.” He claimed jovially and then went towards the door. When they closed in their ears picked up a conversation, numbed by the wood, but still intelligible.

“This is a travesty! My body is withering away in this suffocating room. How much longer do they intend to make us wait?” The strong voice of an older man tinged in aggravation bellowed from the keyhole.

“Running in circles is only going to make it even stuffier in here.” A far more indifferent voice replied.

“I tire of this. This is not right for a man of my stature. My mind needs stimulation! Come over here you good for nothing.” The sound of someone being dragged across carpets escaped the door slit.

“You don’t have any intention to stimulate your mind.” The other guy said dryly. “This isn’t the right place for that, Master.”

“You always complain, but I have never witnessed your resistance.” The other man said with a deeper tone.

“How could a mere slave object?” The younger man asked lethargically.

“Then silence that sarcastic mouth of yours and get on your knees.”

The situation seemed to have escalated and both Eugenia and Therses felt incredibly uncomfortable all of a sudden. Just what were these representatives doing in the middle of the day in the palace?

The sound of pleased grunts did not help the situation.

“Mhhm… you are good with your hands, if nothing else.”

“I have some experience by now. Just don’t ask me to use my mouth…”

Eugenia’s face turned as red as the evening sun. To her surprise Therses reacted very passionately… by throwing the door open.

“Have you no shame? There is a priestess at the door!” He shouted and pointed accusingly at the pair.

“And who might you be?” Agapetos asked with a raised brow. He leaned back on the cushioned chair with his feet placed on a small footrest. They were in the care of nimble youthful hands. “Aaaarhg! Not so rough Bion!”

“I can’t help it. There is too much dead skin. Would you prefer if I used a knife?” The ever unimpressed assistant asked without care.

“Never, you fool! Sharp objects do not belong anywhere near there.”

“Should a medico be saying that?” Bion muttered and continued with the massage.

Taken aback and with the wind out of his sails, Therses stood center of the room and just tried to pull back his finger without allowing himself to move. The medico duo seemed to already have forgotten about the newcomers.

“Bion? Agapetos?” Eugenia stepped out of Therses shadow and finally realized who she was facing. Their voices should have been so familiar, yet her confused state had blocked her memory for a moment.

“Eugenia?” Bion immediately rose up and nonchalantly let go of the feet which painfully crashed on the wooden edge of the rest.

Between a yelp of pain Agapetos also turned towards her and hastily put on his sandals. He didn’t seem to care that Therses saw him in a compromising pose, but he could not appear unrefined in front of her.

“She is doing just fine.” Bion said with a smirk. “Told you so, Master.”

“Great Dionysus, calm my nerves. It is so good to see you unblemished.” Agapetos moved past Therses, followed by Bion and they both immediately walked circles around her as if she was an object for study. “I read your letter with a weary heart, my dear! To think a young woman of your importance would set off on her own-”

“He had to explain it to the higher ups. While searching the Medicoriam for you they found our secret stash of-” Bion tried to reveal secrets once again, unprovoked of course, but a hand covered his mouth instantly.

“I am sorry for leaving so suddenly.” Eugenia finally had found an opening to speak. “I didn’t want to rely on your kindness for too long and there was a place I had to go no matter what.” She did feel a twinge of guilt for their troubles.

“It was a pleasure to be your host even for such a miniscule amount of time. I can surely understand the cries of the heart, beautiful freedom of youth. Once upon a time I also set out to accomplish my dream of becoming a world renowned medico. And now this dream is ever closer to becoming reality.”

“As close as Ares is to becoming a pacifist.” Bion said with one hand behind his head, already predicting the inevitable smack.

“Could you two be… the representatives of Eretria?” She asked curiously. Agapetos claim to fame and them being in this particular room could not be a coincidence.

“Indeed, I was chosen for my upstanding reputation and connection to Athens’ scholars.” He said with a pride filled chest.

“And I tag along, because he has no sense of direction.” Bion added sardonically.

Eugenia nodded politely. To think that her comrades on this journey would be so familiar. This really did feel like destiny more and more.

“When we heard that the divine messenger had returned and would spearhead our business in Athens I just knew that you would be involved.” Agapetos said pleased and put a hand into his chiton.

“I had to tell him to relax, because he was so worried.” Bion put a hand on Eugenia’s shoulder and dragged her towards the armchairs. “You can tell us all about your little journey and what we are going to do next. But you can do that sitting down as well.”

“Even more sitting…” Agapetos seemed to feel a horrible itch for being confined in this room for hours. “By the way, who is this quiet lad?” He pointed over his shoulder at the still mostly petrified Therses.

“He is a friend who will come to Athens with us.” She said with a tilted head and patted the seat next to her to signal him that he could join them.

“I am Therses… pleased to make your acquaintance.” Indeed, his voice broke even though he should have passed puberty a while ago.

“This is a nice ship.” Bion said with a hand above his eyes to block the sun.

“I reckon it has seen its best days before the war.” Agapetos was less enthused. His old face was disgruntled and his hairline seemed to recede with each moment it was exposed to the unyielding sun. “To stow away in a mere trading vessel is degrading for Eretria’s envoys, do you not agree?”

“Sure.” Bion didn’t even listen and began to carry their luggage on board. Some sailors with shaved hair and bandanas showed him the way below deck.

“The state of this port is lamentable indeed if even the aristocrats cannot get their hands on better transportation.”

“And that’s why we need to negotiate with the Archons.” Therses agreed and inspected the ship’s bow with his sharp eyes.

“It will be challenging, but nothing I cannot handle.” The medico chuckled confidently and then walked up the plank. “I will have to discuss our lodging with the captain first. It would simply not do for us to sleep next to the freight and rats.” And so he disappeared on his quest for comfort.

Eugenia stayed behind with a forlorn expression. She could hear the soft sway of the ship even from the pier. It made her legs weak like yogurt.

“I don’t think we can make any demands here. Getting to Athens via ship is more than enough.” Therses said loudly.

“Eh? Y-Yes. It’s faster than the land route I heard.” She swallowed.

“Are you nervous about our mission?” He asked with worry. Her comment was so out of place, considering that they were on an island surrounded by the ocean.

“It’s not that…” She muttered.

“I see.” He didn’t see at all. “Do you really want to take the harp with you?” he pointed at the instrument wrapped in white linen cloth. “It might get damaged on our travels.”

“This is my only possession.” The priestess pressed the harp against her chest and felt strangely dour. At first she had not been sure whether to keep it at all, but now they were nearly inseparable.

“You are pretty skilled with it, I’ll say.” He chuckled at her defensive reaction. “Keep it wrapped tightly, the sea air can get to string really easily.”

“T-The sea breeze…” Eugenia’s face was covered in wrinkles.

“Do you have a problem with-?” He wanted to inquire, but was cut off by a sudden call.

“Hey, fisherboy! I could use some help with this stuff.” Bion called Therses informally and waved him towards the deck.

“What did he just call me?” Therses squinted and then walked up without hesitation.

The ship would set sail the moment it was loaded. Eugenia had fairly little time left in Eretria. She turned back to listen to the sounds of the city, the heartbeat of a place still unfamiliar. It had not been long, but she already felt a certain connection to this place from the few weeks she had stayed here. For the sake of her goal she would have to leave it behind. It would not be the last.

“A real beauty, huh?” Bion said right behind her, which made her shriek and drop the harp. He reflexively caught it in one hand.

“Whoa, relax, you are tenser than a corpse.” He said with his usual dull eyes and handed her the harp. “Weren’t you supposed to have good ears?”

“I was distracted!” She said with a pout.

“Haha, now that’s more like it. If you had acted like a lost puppy for one more second I’d have had to take you in. Master would scold me though.”

“You really are an oaf.” She said with a wry smile.

“Was it the beauty comment? I know you can’t see it, but this city has history and culture in every rundown building and every giant hole in the walls.” He said jovially and put a hand on his neck. “Will be interesting to see how Athens compares.”

“Have you ever been to another city?”

“No way. I’ve been housekeeping for Agapetos whenever he went to have fun elsewhere.” He shrugged.

“Isn’t it painful… to be a slave?” Eugenia asked hesitantly.

“Hm, that’s a heavy question. I don’t know any other life.” He replied without disdain or grief. “Master gave me a home, education and food. Even if he doesn’t like how I prepare it.”

“But what about freedom?” Memories of Dankana’s occupation resurfaced. The things said by the general who had taken a battalion of slaves to some aimless freedom.

“Everyone is a slave to something, don’t you think?” He said with a short notion of seriousness.

“Everyone?”

“A man is a slave to his family. A wife is a slave to her husband. Children are slaves to their parent’s will. A priestess is a slave to the gods.” He said with another shrug.

“But I chose to accept the duty.” Eugenia retorted vehemently.

“As I see it, everyone has a choice. But most of the time the alternative isn’t worth the trouble. I could run away, join some shady highwaymen and be ‘free’, but I’d rather massage Master’s stinky feet and learn a profession that helps people from him.” He slicked back his shoulder length hair and then turned away from Eugenia. “Why did you become a priestess? Why’d you accept that duty? I am sure your reasons aren’t too different from mine.”

She could not respond. His words were cutting her unexpectedly deep.

“Heavy, heavy, this talk’s too heavy for an idiot like me. I’ll put something heavy on my shoulders instead. Don’t hurt your head mulling over the details, that’s all there is to it.” He left with such irresponsible words.

“Why did I become a priestess?” She repeated the question with a sad expression.

Any sister could have told her the correct answer in a heartbeat. Lady Akacia would drill it into their heads: ‘To serve the divine.’ or ‘To guide the people.’ Those selfless and pure reasons were the doctrine of the sisterhood and the temples. Girls chosen to become priestesses had to be virgins, pure of heart and obedient. Those were the requirements to be chosen, but what was it that made them accept the duty? Each one must have had their own convictions.

Eugenia knew that she had conviction as well. She had chosen to follow the duty bestowed upon her to honor her late mother. She wanted to repay the kindness shown to her by the great and wise Athena. The duty was something far greater than herself, something to become absorbed into.

So was she simply doing this out of guilt and gratitude? She knew herself better than that. The true reason she had stuck to her painful training and ostracization was far simpler.

She just wanted to be needed.

If that was all there is to it then where would this purpose lead her? Back in Dankana she had felt useless and lonely. She had barely had the chance to act as a true priestess. In Lamia and Athens she was shut out from the social circles because she was special.

Even now she used the image of being ‘special’ to get closer to her goal. The admiration she didn’t deserve and the trust put in her were just tools to abuse. Was that really who she had become? What was worth this horrible feeling?

I do not understand myself yet. There are things that only you can teach me about myself, I have realized that now.

Words spoken in the chaos of a bloody conflict, but more honest than anything she had ever heard her say. Medusa truly needed her.

“Me too.” She whispered. Only now that they were apart she could really understand this. The more she doubted herself, the more she realized that she also needed someone to teach her more about herself. Eugenia of the past would have turned to a source above, but now… now she sought the one farthest away from the frosty mountain tops of Olympus.

Perhaps it was a mistake. Confused and hurt as she was, maybe she had lost all reason. It might have all been an excuse to see her again. But had she not decided to let herself be deceived back then? This was just another string to be pulled. A puppet of her own heart.

The young woman took a brave step forward.

The young woman was curled up in the corner of the quarters and moaned pitifully.

“I don’t understand. How could you be this seasick?” Therses watched her with disbelief. “You have been going to sea with father every day for the last few weeks, haven’t you?” He patted her back as she hurled horrible sounds into her arms.

“Urrrgh… that’s different…” Her face was taking on colors that did not belong on a human.

“I do not see how.” He said with sympathy, but also confusion.

“Being inside the belly of the ship, cut off from the outside air.” Agapetos went over a note he had dug out of his belongings. “Sickness can stem from many such trivialities.”

“Should we drag her on deck then?” Bion suggested while scratching his belly below his leather jerkin.

“We would be bothering the crew.” Therses said regretfully.

“You know your stuff fisherboy.”

“Could you stop calling me that?” He replied annoyed.

“She needs to drink copious amounts of salted water and chew on herbs to cure her upset stomach and mind.” Agapetos declared proudly.

““That will just make her throw up!”” The young men shut him down in perfect sync.

“Uweeeh…” Eugenia buried her face in a sack filled with pelts. In the end they had ended up in a storage room after all.

“Maybe it is the imbalance of sexes.” Therses suggested seriously. “I have read that women should not board ships, for it brings bad luck. If she is surrounded by men the curse might take stronger effect.”

“That is entirely preposterous! The male presence has a supporting effect on the mind of women.” Agapetos lectured him. “Curses like this are tall seamen tales you hear in taverns past midnight.”

“He is right, ya know?” Bion agreed with his master for once. “If women weren’t allow’d… nghrm… on ships, there would be no female slaves.”

“Are you eating?!” Therses asked in stupor.

“Mhm. Thwese beahns an’t half bwad.” He said with his mouth stuffed to the brim. “Want to try?” He handed him the bowl.

“I am not hungry right now, believe it or not.” The young man growled with squinted eyes.

Mortified groans proclaimed Eugenia’s dissatisfaction as well.

“My medical opinion is that we can do nothing but let her rest right now. You should feel ashamed.” Agapetos stepped between them and then took the bowl out of his apprentice's hands. “Do not stuff your belly before your master is sated!”

“That’s your only issue with him?” Therses was losing his mind.

“Get out of here!” Eugenia’s deeply disturbed voice made them all shiver and back away. A wounded lioness was the most dangerous. “Just let me die in peace…” She pushed her blue face back into the sack.

“We should respect her wishes.” The old medico said while clearing his throat. The others followed him out of the quarters and into the stairway.

Outside they sat down on the steps just before the exit to the deck. The breeze coming through the gaps was intense. It sounded like there was a storm brewing on the ocean. The shaking of the ship would only intensify.

“How long until we arrive?” Therses asked the only experienced traveler among them.

“At least a few more days.” He replied while fondling his silver-white beard.

“I feel for you Eugenia…”

“You seem to be feeling a lot for her.” Bion suddenly said with a glint in his eyes.

“What are you insinuating?” His brown eyes returned the boring gaze.

“Why’d they let some fisherboy tag along? Sounds to me like Eugenia insisted you would come with us.” He pointed out.

“I represent my village and all the other victims of the attacks.” He explained with a slight edge in his voice.

“A clever move. Our benefactors cannot openly discuss their black market involvement, so to make a righteous case in front of the Archons they need a third party. The commoners and merchants who are victimized by these acts of violence.” Agapetos nodded self-satisfied with his brilliant deduction.

“That is the gist of it.” The young fisherman confirmed. “That has nothing to do with my responsibility towards Eugenia, though. I wish to see her reach her goal, because she is the savior of my village as well as a fellow believer in Athena’s wisdom.” He was firm and honest. “I would rather question why some slave assistant is acting so close to her.” He shot back.

“Pah. You wouldn’t get it anyway.” Bion replied already disinterested.

“Do not mind his foolish mouthpiece. I will sew it shut one of these days.” The master intervened and pushed Bion’s head down. “You certainly are well spoken for a young man from a fishing village. Have you received an education?” He was curious now.

“I was taught in the city since childhood.” He nodded.

“What a waste to let a bright and beautiful young man like yourself waste away on a fishing boat!” Agapetos closed in on his personal space like a chariot on a small animal. “Would you like to work for me instead? After this whole fiasco is behind us I would gladly take you into my Medicoriam for a lecture on human anatomy.”

The older man was making Therses back away little by little, but he soon found himself against the wall. He swallowed.

“Y-Your offer is very kind, but-”

“I insist! It would be a boon to my weary soul to have a lively and capable apprentice. Your arms are superiorly toned from your family trade, but your hands are those of a scholar.” He grabbed Therses hands without hesitation.

“Ahaha…” The young fisherman was starting to regret his decision to join this mission.

“Maaaster~” A shadow was expanding behind the back of the man and crawled over his shoulder. “You already have an apprentice. Would you kindly stop your buck hunting? You are too old for this game.” His words were calm, but his smile utterly terrifying.

Did Therses read him right? Was that jealousy?

Before things could escalate further the trapdoor to the deck was pulled open and a scarfed face peeked inside. There was a big scar over the person’s left eye, which was perpetually closed.

“Thought I heard a commotion. Any trouble down there gentlemen?” The sore and coarse voice asked sharply.

“Captain Irvenos! Nothing to report, naturally. We are merely letting our companion rest for a bit.” Agapetos was instantly at an acceptable distance to Therses and completely composed.

“Womenfolk. Always bad news on sea.” The captain replied with a grunt. His clothes were somewhat ragged, but clearly had been worth quite something once. They must have belonged to some aristocrat who sold them. For a sailor he had a rather frail build, closer to Bion’s then the muscular crew. It was hard to make out his face below all the scarves and the tight cloth wrapped around his head.

“So the tales are true!” Therses pumped his fist.

“’course not. Superstition and alcohol, that.” He replied quietly. “Just don’t let two dozen men get close to a woman during a few weeks of travel. Won’t end well.” He said, laughing hoarsely.

The three representatives all turned serious at his words and seemed very somber. Incidentally they blocked the stairway with their bodies right now.

“I won’t let my men touch any passengers. Just keep her down there till we are in the port.” He said amicably. “We’re in heavy weather soon, so hold on to something. Better be heavy.” He laughed again and closed the trap door.

“Just a few more days.” Therses muttered with concern towards their quarters.

“Please, don’t give up! We already anchored, it’s just a few more steps!” The three men encouraged the skeletal looking priestess with all their positive cheer.

“Haaah…” Eugenia’s body was as white as her milky eyes. It was a miracle that she could even stand on the softly swaying ship. She had probably released more of her insides than she could fill up again, but it was mostly just her senses that seemed to try to kill themselves. Balance? Where was that? Smell? Even a rotting mackerel would not do anything for her. Taste? She was almost glad that had failed her a few days ago.

“There is solid ground right in front of you.” Bion said as he walked backwards down the plank.

“Landlubber never fails to amuse me.” Captain Irvenos said with crossed arms as he watched their little act. “Gotta be more assertive.” And with those words he slapped Eugenia on the back and made her tumble down towards the pier.

“Whoa! Not on top of me!” Bion shouted before he was unceremoniously buried below a bundle of suffering.

“Athens. The pearl of the south. What emotions well up in my breast as I see your enormity and nobility once again!” Agapetos stretched his arms aside theatrically.

“The owl cage’s nothin’ special. Not worth the poetry.” Irvenos said in his coarse voice and then kicked Agapetos down as well. Just a moment later a metal hook tied to a rope flung right past the spot he had been standing. “And someone’s got slippery fingers.” He added with a glare towards one of the crew members.

“Eugenia! Answer me! Has this buffoon hurt you with his heavy body?” Therses crouched above the dizzy girl and shouted at her.

“That’s fine, worry about her, when I’m the one on the bottom.” Bion said emotionlessly with his dull eyes turned towards the sky.

“Ngh. Captain, you have a way with physical communication.” Agapetos rubbed his hurting spine.

“You’re welcome. Look out for the hounds too.” He waved with evil cheer.

“H-Hounds?” A bunch of dogs were approaching, led by guardsmen. They had been expected.

“Are you the envoys of Eretria?” The guard captain asked in a booming voice.

“Indeed, we are them.” Agapetos said with his back straightened and a proud tone. The pile of misery next to him sort of undermined that image.

“By the order of Archon Achaeus, you are to be escorted to the town hall. Do not resist or delay.” He said with one hand on his sword.

Agapetos watched his actions closely. The dogs were showing their teeth and the other guards were equally tense.

“Of course we will come with you. That is our duty.” He said calmly.

“Very well. We were told that there would be five representatives.” He pulled up a small parchment.

“Five?” He asked perplexed. There were just four of them from the start.

“Take care of the ship. Don’t let anyone piss against the bow again.” Irvenos instructed his second mate and then gracefully stepped down the plank. “I’ll be coming with you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Decision comes from my contractor. Lots of coins means I have no reason to object. They didn’t tell you?” He wrapped another layer of scarves around his face and mustered the medico with his one good eye.

“Evidently not.” He conceded.

“I count five representatives. Follow me please.” The guard captain nodded them to come along.

“Can you stand?” Therses pulled Eugenia up who made an unidentifiable sound.

“I’m fine too by the way.” Bion said from below her feet.

The group was led towards the Akropolis, forcing the masses of commoners to part before the armed men and their dogs. It was not too different from a handful of prisoners being shoved towards the dungeon.

The priestess had returned to her city of maturity. The moment she had touched its soil the trial had already begun. All eyes were on her.