The Minoan Rhapsody

Spectators

"Minos. May I call you Minos, or must I crown you King every time I talk to you?" King Aeëtes scoffed.

"Minos will be fine."

Inside the main palace at Avaris, the three youngsters, two kings and a pure blood Egyptian prince sat at the edge of a balcony. Older children, almost men, but children nonetheless, they swung leisurely their legs which hung over the edge. The ruckus below ignored their watchful eyes from above.

Exotic dancers and acrobats entertained the men and women who were draped in flower wreaths. Tables offered fowl, geese, fish, and goats along with bread, beans and cucumbers. The guests, Keiftu, Mycenaeans, Hittites, Colchians, Naharin and Metani sat on benches, drinking beer and wine.

Pharaoh Khamudi, called for the gathering of the most influential leaders of kingdoms near and far. Surrounded by opulence, they discussed with the Pharaoh matters of trading, border settlements, while renewing agreements.

"I don't know what troubles you," Aeëtes continued addressing Minos. "You only have two brothers to worry about. I've got 18 tribes who ignore me. All they do is fight amongst themselves and fornicate. They can never agree on anything but one thing: to never pay me respect. The only reason they haven't kill me yet is because they are afraid of retaliation from Ares."

Minos looked at him out of the corner of his eyes and pressed his lips.

"Yes!" Aeëtes frowned back and nodded. "Ares made me king, and like you, I am without rule. Am I bitter about it? No. I just take what the Gods give me and move on. I don't ask questions, and I don't ponder on possibilities that are beyond me. I also like to collect glittering things on my spare time, which is most, if not all of my time.''

"You are odd," Ahmose giggled.

"Can't you imagine what the Colchians might become under one rule: your rule?" Minos asked.

"Listen, if my people decided to stop fighting over pastures and ponds, there would be no one who could withstand the edge of our rhompias. But it will take a few lifetimes to unify my people. I only have one."

"Your life might be short, but your name can become immortal," Minos countered.

"If you give your people prosperity, they will align behind you," Ahmose said while Minos nodded.

The Colchian turned his head towards the Egyptian. "I am listening."

"All three of us desire the power to rule as meant by the Gods," Ahmose explained. "Although you claim you don't care, you can't deny that the thought appeals you. Yet we all know that not one of us can obtain this by ourselves. If we unite, our collective strength would be unstoppable."

"What strength do we have?" Aeëtes asked.

"Minos, you said to me you want to bring immeasurable wealth and prosperity to your people – drown them in wonders beyond imagination. Egypt can offer you the wealth you need to make this happen.

"Aeëtes, the influence you would gain with the Egyptians and Keiftu by your side would make you potent beyond the defiance of the Colchian tribes. No one would dare to raise their voice in your defiance."

"And what would you have to gain in all of this?" Minos asked the Egyptian.

"I would finish what my father started: reclaiming our independence. I would make the Aamu scum our slaves for generations to come. I would restore Egyptian pride."

"I know there is always tension between the Aamu and the Egyptians," the Keiftu said. "But if I know my history right, you all welcomed them with open arms. You gave them the throne without raising a single voice. It's been so long since then, the memory of Egyptian Pharaoh rule has faded. Your people aren't doing so bad either. They are comfortably numbed."