The Minoan Rhapsody

Daedalus

The Nile rushed towards the sea. It was hot and humid. The air was heavy, difficult to breath. Most were on one side of Ahmose's vessel, standing on its multiple decks, entertained by King Aeëtes attempts to ride on his golden, flying ram.

He fell time and time again: sometimes on the sand, others on the water and a time or two on the hard ground. It was an exercise of persistence and futility.

Meanwhile, servants moved constantly through the ship, distributing food and wine to all onboard. From the portholes at the lowest deck, ebony oars decorated with gold, propelled the vessel in perfect cadence.

King Minos was on the opposite side of the vessel's uppermost deck, alone. His mind was far away. Not even the occasional surfacing of his dolphins moved him. It is finally my time. No one to speak for me or to tell me what to do. True king at last."

"True King indeed!"

Minos, startled, looked to his left and saw a familiar face. A woman with glistening skin dressed in a purple peplos, its fabric billowing in the wind. "Ate, you're back," he acknowledged dejectedly. "I haven't seen you in a long time. Not long enough though."

"Is that a way to treat an old friend?"

"You're no friend. You are a spirit. One I'd rather left me alone."

"You've been busy, getting rid of your brothers. That was a bold step for you."

Minos kept quiet, as if wanting to ignore the unwanted presence.

"My dear, do you think getting rid of all those who stand in front of you will make the Keiftu welcome you? Look at you?! You are different. You know what happens to those who look different."

Belts squeezing my waist, Minos thought. I could never breathe. I hated them.

"Those silly bee-like wastes your people obsessed about..."

They thought I could never do anything.

"You are lying to yourself, aren't you?"

My brothers...

There you go! Ate's thoughts sipped into Minos' head like thick smoke into lungs desperate for air. You could never be like your brothers. They were loved, admired, handsome, strong, and wise.

I was less than a shadow.

And now that you've eclipsed the suns that shone over you, you are not even that. The memory of Sarpedon and Rhadamanthus will persist, leaving no room for you-"

"Minos!" Ahmose yelled, breaking the trance the Keiftu King was in.

Ate's image dissipated from Minos' mind as a harmless, translucent, purplish mist.

"We are here!" Ahmose said enthusiastically.

At Avaris, the Pharaoh's guests were still talking of the death of the Keiftu brothers. However, their attention was quickly drawn when they saw King Aeëtes and his golden, flying ram.

The Colchian King managed to stay on top of the creature by holding on to the animal's golden fleece as it soared through the sky.

Pharaoh Khamudi hastily approached Ahmose's docking ship. His guards made way for him as he ignored the ruckus that surrounded him. The ruler of Egypt was concerned of what might King Minos do, upon receiving news of his brothers' death.

"King Minos, a most horrible event has happened!" the Pharaoh's shaken voice cut through the chatter while boarding the ship accompanied by his escort.