The Minoan Rhapsody

Elderberries

Myrina walked south east of Poliochne, obsessed over Ari and her strange husband, Kourai. Knowing everything about every Lemnian was her one source of influence in the island. Ari and her family vanished and now suddenly she shows up, married and with child. She could not get over the feeling she had in the presence of Kourai. He felt like a god, but he didn't smell like one. She found the olive grove. Well, I'll be... This is Andronikh's grove, back from the dead. I haven't been here since I was a child. She knew she was close, so she slowed down her pace and her thoughts. It was cold and dawn was near. Her hands and feet were wet from the morning dew resting on the trees and soil. She wiped her hands dry on her green chiton. Daylight crept up the horizon, the sky turning to shades of purple and blue. Myrina raised her eyebrows and looked around in astonishment, as everything on and around her began to shine. The trees, the ground, her hands, feet and clothes, a crystalline powder suspended in the dew sparkled like silver dust. "Hmm." She looked at her hands. "Magic?" She heard faint voices up ahead. She kept on forward, stealthily. She pressed her lips and narrowed her eyes when she saw Arindraai speaking with a very tall man. She could barely hear their conversation but dared not to get closer.

"Were will you go?" Ari asked her brother as he gathered sacks and copper bars on a cart.

"Mosychlos."

That's one of her brothers, but how did he get that tall? Myrina thought.

"You know you don't have to do this, don't you?"

"Pi dideru. Dawa paito dawa mina waduna kikina."

What is he saying? Myrina wrinkled her forehead. Take me to the crows. She risked getting closer to better hear them.

Daylight finally was upon them. Myrina's eyes were locked on what was happening in front of her. She didn't notice the crystalline dust was no longer shining.

Hephaestus walked up to the Sintian. He wore a white, linen chiton that ran short up his knees.

Myrina looked at her forearm as her skin crawled. Her eyes opened wide as she looked back at the man. Is that... That's a metal leg! Bronze?

"Are you sure you don't need my help carrying things?" The Fallen One brought a heavy pithos to the Sintian.

So much for being mute!

The Sintian grabbed the pithos and secured it to the cart. He went to Hephaestus and answered, "Qarawo, dawa re adu. Ju ataro adu."

What is that tongue?

Hephaestus smiled back. "Be well too my friend. We'll see each other soon."

The Sintian hugged Hephaestus.

Myrina raised her eyebrows. "You make my skin crawl; you have a bronze leg and you hug men. Whatever you are, you're no man, that's for sure.

Ari and her brother embraced. "I'll miss you. Promise me you will be careful."

"Itinisa qerau. So tna siduminakumi. So ataro adu."

"I know we'll be fine. Just don't hesitate to return. Even for a meal." She squeezed his hands.

"Parane!" The Sintian smiled while rubbing his belly. He grabbed the cart handles and pulled it away.

Ari and Hephaestus placed their arms around each other's back as they watched him leave. "You should have given him the donkey to pull the cart."

"We need it more than he will. He'll be fine," he answered as they held hands and walked back to their house.

Myrina pressed her lips and narrowed her eyebrows. "Hmm." Her mind raced with countless thoughts on her way back to Poliochne.