The Minoan Rhapsody

The Cretan Bulls

After leaving the company of the Council, Pasiphae and Minos walked along a garden that bordered the east side of the palace. Multi-colored orchids and anemones, poppies and irises gathered under chaste lilac trees.

"You've studied us," Minos said as he picked a pink gladiolus and offered it to Pasiphae.

She accepted the flower and enjoyed its perfume. "It was a long voyage to get here. It gave me plenty of time to get acquainted with the Keiftu. At least what others have written about them. It seemed sensible to get to know the people I'll be spending the rest of my life with."

"You'll find they are resistant when their ways are challenged. Despite our trading ways, we've lived in isolation."

"Which is a contradiction." She stopped in front of a mural depicting swallows kissing each other while hovering above a garden of lilies. "You surround yourself in beauty. You would think such endearment would nurture a more open society."

"Traditionally, we've gone beyond our shores to satisfy our own vanity. We take what we please yet let no one inside."

"But that is not how you envision your ruling. Is it?" She passed her fingers on one of the painted swallows.

"I'm not much for self-indulgence. I believe it to be a waste of effort. Is what we do what matters." He paused when a swallow flew to Pasiphae and perched on the same hand that was touching the painting. His eyebrows narrowed. "Hmm. What a coincidence."

"I'm sorry? She smiled at the bird and gave her the gladiolus she had. The swallow picked it up with its beak and flew off.

"The bird," said Minos. You touched the painted bird, and a real one came to you. What are the chances of that?"

She looked at Minos out of the corner of her eyes while giving him a sly grin. "Well," she kept on. "I think it is important to hold on to traditions. After all we are rooted in our culture and history. It provides identity. Yet it is equally important to embrace diversity. It enriches. And a little self-indulgence is good for the soul." She looked at Minos and gave him a racy smile.

"I would like to show you Khaptirus," said Minos. "Do you ride horses?"

She chuckled. "I'm royalty. Of course, I ride!"

He smiled and bent his elbow letting her put her hand under his arm. They continued their stroll late into the night.

#

Icarus and Iapyx were on horseback, guided by Kekiru. Each of them carried a shoulder bag. They were on a path well-travelled up a hill, more than a half-day travel west of Knossos. It was overcast and drizzling.

"I thought you'd forgotten about us," Icarus complained.

"We must all be accommodating. Everything revolves around King Minos," Kekiru replied.

"I wanted to ask you something for a while. Why do your women dress the way they do?" Icarus asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Their breasts! They expose their breasts shamelessly."

"Why should they be ashamed?" Kekiru asked confused.

Iapyx grinned. "Please forgive my brother," he told Kekiru. "He only knows Athens and Egypt. Your ways are strange to him."

"What are you talking about?" Icarus protested. "You've been to the same places I have."