Interlude - Thera 1500 BC
Spring winds brought the fresh smell of salt air off the ocean as Cyrene wound her way towards the busy marketplace. It seemed like everyone had appeared for one of Akrotiri's rare market days, the Gods were surely sharing their happiness with one and all. Shifting the heavy load of fresh bread and oil hitched up on her hip Cyrene smiled and nodded as she passed her elderly neighbour Actis and his look alike son Aeneas returning home with their wares.
"Hoy! 'Rene!" Aeneas bellowed a bright smile lifting his features, "Better hurry with that load…I could have sworn I heard Thalia's stomach growling across the square. If she doesn't eat soon she'll start casting the evil eye on all your customers."
"Then why aren't you bringing food to your sister?" Cyrene lifted a dark eyebrow in question; Thalia was her mother's other apprentice and between the three of them they couldn't keep up with the demand for their embroidered cloth. They had been stuck in the booth since dawn without a break when Cyrene had rushed off to get their midday meal. Business was booming by this time next year it would be time for Cyrene's younger sister Proclea to join the older girls at the loom.
Aeneas puffed up his chest and lifted the barrel of fish he was porting his words passing by at a mile a minute, "Wish I could have really…such a shame Father needed me. You know how I love spending time with you girls."
"Enough gabbing Boy," Actis shook his white head in his good-naturedly grumpy way; "Once you finish helping me you can go back to Niobe's booth for the girls. Take a bottle of my wine with you."
"Father!" the boy looked chagrined much to Cyrene's pleasure-his ego had grown exponentially since Actis had agreed to let him join the army on the mainland.
Nodding again Cyrene hurried down the hill and towards the market and her mother's busy booth. Even from her poor vantage point Cyrene could see Thalia moving around like a whirling dervish, her dark hair and eyes bright as she tried to interest two matrons in the green backed cloth wreathed with garlands of flowers. Ducking her head and moving through the throng Cyrene made her way towards her childhood friend.
"About time you showed up…" Thalia nearly growled out of the side of her mouth as the ladies passed a bolt of cloth under their servant's arm, "Your mother took 'Clea to see the exhibitions near the wharf."
"How many times did you threaten to tie her tongue in a knot?" Cyrene smiled at her friend setting out a large hunk of bread and drizzling it with a bit of oil before cutting off a piece of cheese.
Thalia shrugged her shoulders-she had inherited her father's temper along with her late mother's reputation as a witch. Many people gave a wide berth much to her delight, while exclaiming that the fabrics she made were gifts directly from Athena. Neither she, Cyrene nor most importantly Niobe were willing to dissuade them of that notion. "Did you see my father and the worthless sack of bones I've been told is my brother?"
"They passed me on the way here," Cyrene shook her head still marvelling at the animosity the twins could hold against each other and still be the best of friends, "Your father is sending Aeneas down with a flagon of wine."
Her dark locks drifted into Thalia's eyes as she smiled, "Excellent then maybe we can leave him here to help your mother and see a few sights ourselves."
"I suppose there's no way she can say no to that," Cyrene laughed but sobered quickly as some movement towards the booth caught her eye, "Get ready…that one looks determined."
The girls turned placing wide sincere smiles on their faces as a small golden haired girl approached them with the marital march of a bride to be. She was young but her body showed that Hera would visit her soon, Cyrene sighed looking down at her plain green dress and rough sandals-she was very beautiful. The girl pulled herself to a stop in front of the booth and narrowed her eyes carefully as if sizing up the proprietors, "Are you the ones who weave and embroider as if Athena herself had taught you?"
"I don't see anyone else here," Thalia snapped under her breath earning a sharp look from Cyrene.
Quick to cover her friend's shortness Cyrene smiled brightly and nodded lifting one small roll from the rack above her head, "We are…I do the weaving and Thalia here embroiders. Can we interest you in anything? Some of this lovely red Aphrodite? It would make a wonderful wedding veil."
"How did you know I was getting married?" She blushed her eyes widening.
Stamping on Thalia's foot to prevent another impolitic remark Cyrene poured on the charm as she had so often seen her mother do, "Well you glow brighter than any of the Goddesses…it's not hard to spot a woman in love."
The girl let her twinkling bell laugh out and fingered the cloth reverently, "I suppose not. My name is Lycia…I made my fiancé bring me from the main land when I heard about your cloth. I only want the best at my wedding."
"And we'll be happy to provide it," Cyrene found herself liking the girl even if she was just a little on the haughty side, "I'm Cyrene and this is Thalia. You fiancé sounds like a wonderful man you're quite lucky."
"I am aren't I?" Lycia straightened her shoulders and smiled blindingly, "Ooooh why don't you tell me here he comes."
Cyrene was ready to protest when the small girl pulled a tall young man towards the booth, he looked as interested in this side trip as the girls would have been at an armourer's. It was plain to see that like Lycia he was of noble rank so Cyrene respectfully lowered her eyes when he approached, it was a little surprising that the girl was marrying someone so close to her own age. Men usually didn't settle down till well into their thirties. "What have you got here Lycia?" his voice was soft and musical when he spoke.
Despite her intentions Cyrene's eyes snapped up and met his; something lurched in the pit of her soul. She hadn't noticed just how startlingly beautiful he was-from his long dark hair, and classical profile to the most incredible pair of smouldering dark eyes she had ever seen. Cyrene drew in a rapid breath trying not to pull back from his intent gaze. Her heart was pounding rapidly and heat flooded her face-why was he looking at her like that? In the back of her mind Cyrene was certain she had seen those eyes before.
Romis surveyed the small coastal town with a smirk; he still didn't know why he had given in when Lycia had begged to be brought here for the market. There were larger fairs held on the mainland, they had more to offer than this almost sedate gathering of wares. It had taken only ten minutes of a tirade about only the best being acceptable for their wedding before he had given in. If it hadn't been for Romis' pride he would have agreed once the first syllables had left Lycia's bowed little mouth.
Unfortunately he was under strict instructions not to disabuse the girl of her illusions tat their union was wholly a match made of love. Romis didn't doubt for a second that she loved him with all her heart-why wouldn't she? He was young, rich, attractive and related to three Kings. Romis knew he was quite a catch. He also knew he should have been happy to marry the beautiful only daughter of his father's long time enemy. If he loved her at all he would have been. But Romis certainly didn't love Lycia.
All his life he had known his destiny lay with her but he couldn't shake the feeling that there would be another. One who made his heart trip like a hammer on the forge. A woman he couldn't imagine living without. Romis hadn't found that girl despite all his searching and was almost certain now it had just been a childish fantasy. It was clear his duty was to keep Lycia happy, provide her with children and quietly inherit her father's rich lands when the time came.
One step on that path was coming to Thera with her so she could attend the Akrotiri market and find the weavers who were becoming quite popular amongst Lycia's royal cousins. He had tuned it all out when his beloved fiancé had begun comparing their skills to that of Athena herself-Romis wasn't about to anger the Gods any more than he already was by marrying Lycia. But it wasn't like Zeus was faithful to Hera either so he figured the father of the Gods would forgive his lies even if the Goddess of Marriage wouldn't.
Frowning Romis tried to find Lycia in the crowd-she had run ahead of him the minute they had entered the market area. He had to admire her single-minded determination to find the best cloth for her wedding veil. Besides coming along was a very real way of showing her that the words he whispered to her were more than words. Even if that wasn't true.
Finally finding her Romis moved through the crowd like water; the booth was in good shape and if the rolls on display were any standard for the quality of the cloth there Lycia was right about it being the best. He could see both girls in the booth had lowered their eyes, the darker of the two even inclined her head while the one with sun kissed streaks kept her back ramrod straight. Lycia said something to them then pulled him forward babbling a mile a minute about something or other. Assuming his normal nearly bored court expression Romis drawled, "What have you got here Lycia?"
The second girl's head snapped upwards and Romis' heart gave a lurch. How had he never found such a beauty as this in all his wanderings? Her cheeks were round and rosy, her skin fair and shape ample but it was her eyes that captured Romis-they were the deep green of forests. He was certain they could see straight into his soul. Romis wanted to laugh at the irony of it all-only minutes ago he had been tempting the Gods with his thoughts of finding real love. Now they had struck him down in answer.
Taking a deep breath to still his rushing pulse Romis smiled at the girl, "Ahhh the weavers I've heard so much about. I can see why people rave about your talent."
"Thank you." The second girl smiled faintly and turned her attention back to Lycia causing a stab of pain to run through Romis-she didn't even notice him!
He tried in vain to pull his attention away from her as his fiancé haggled with her friend over the price of the cloth. It seemed to take forever for the women to agree on a price but eventually the sound of clinking gold brought Romis out of his fantasy about seeing the creator in one of her sheerer creations. Lycia grabbed his arm once more and pulled Romis back towards the rest of the market mentioning something about seeing everything else the town had to offer before returning home later that night.
Romis didn't pay attention; he had found everything he had ever wanted at the weaver's booth.
Try as she might Cyrene couldn't get the young nobleman out of her mind, long after he had left with his fiancé her thoughts were stubbornly returning to the way he had gazed at her. Her alone. As if nothing and no one else existed in the world. In the end it had been a blessing when Aeneas had appeared with the wine only minutes after Niobe's return. Now she and Thalia were free to see the market for an hour before going to work again.
All Cyrene hoped was that she would loose her silly infatuation once she sat down at her loom once more-it was no place to daydream about handsome faces and dark eyes. A light punch on her shoulder brought Cyrene out of her reverie; Thalia was drawing back her hand for another blow, "Haven't you heard a word I've said?"
"No," Cyrene blushed, "I'm sorry…I was thinking about trying a new weave…"
"I was asking what you thought of that princess's fiancé?" Thalia's dark eyes glowed, "That was one attractive man…makes me wish father would find one like that for me."
The blush deepened as Cyrene tried to act disinterested, "Was he that handsome? I didn't think so…"
"Liar!" this time the punch in the arm was meant in jest, "Even Artemis would think that one a find."
Rolling her eyes Cyrene laughed shakily-internally she agreed wholeheartedly, "I'll take your word for it."
"Beast! He was staring right at you the whole time like you were Aphrodite come to life." Thalia grinned at her friend's red cheeks and drew the girl near one of the close built houses that lined the lane, "You lucky thing."
"How lucky is a girl when a nearly married man looks at her like that?" Cyrene asked anger rising now that she thought of it, "All he's looking for is another mistress to prove he's Zeus on earth. I would never give my honour for that."
Thalia noticed the vehemence in the reply and wisely let the topic drop when the earth below their feet gave a lurch sending the girls stumbling into the wall, "What was that?"
Another mighty shove swept them off their feet and both shot eyes to the peak of the mountain that was the center of their island. Before their astonished eyes the peak blew into the air sending flames shooting into the sky as the ground continued to rumble.
"Mother!" All thoughts fled Cyrene's mind as she took off unsteadily towards the booth that housed her mother and younger sister-she had to find them. Her scream was muted by the roar of the mountain.
Head down she ploughed through the crowds hysterically making their way to the coast and away from the wall of flame descending from the Gods. Moving against the flow was hard work and Cyrene quickly moved off into a small alley to take the back way.
It was a sign that the Gods hadn't completely deserted him when Romis was able to get Lycia on the first ship off of the Island of Thera only moments after the mountain had exploded. She had begged him to go with her but Romis knew he had to help these people-HER people. The very thought that the Gods would claim the woman of his dreams the day he found her at long last. Not while he had breath in his body.
Deciding it would be best to start at the weaver's booth Romis pushed and shoved through the mass of frightened people, he found himself praying he would find her before the fire would. Tired of fighting the panicked masses Romis slipped into an alley and began to run as fast as his long legs would carry him. Taking a corner at full speed he hadn't thought that others would have the same idea he had and ran straight into someone.
He bit back his angry shout when he realized just who he had met-it was her. "Come on…there are ships leaving you can get out of here!"
"Not without my mother and sister," she nearly screamed at him when another shockwave sent her stumbling into him.
Unbidden Romis wrapped his arms around her thin body as they fell to the ground from the force of the quake. Flicking his eyes upwards he could see the flames approaching them rapidly. Most of the village was already an inferno. If her family were still at the booth, they were not alive any more. He could feel her tense in his arms, when she moved her head silent tears were making tracks through the dirt on her face.
She buried her face in Romis' chest and let the sobs rack her body. They could have run and might have made it to the waiting ships-if there were any left waiting. But it seemed an unspoken agreement to stay put. His heart beating in his throat as the heat rose around them Romis lifted her chin and brought his lips to hers.
He still didn't know her name, he had spoken fewer than ten words to her and yet Romis was certain he loved her with all his heart and soul. All that mattered was her lips against his, their hearts beating in time. The world around them was ending and they barely noticed. As the flames embraced them; Romis was sure he would love her again.
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Muhhahahaha! How was that little piece of happiness? Am I evil? Hey I let them die together here! Thanks to everyone who sent the b-day wishes…it was appreciated. I'm sorry this will be the last for another week or so…it's a busy time of year for me…I promise to write more when I come back from my weekend vacation. Besides I'm posting as I watch Canadian Idol…man…Andre was ahead of me in line!! So keep busy by guessing who was who here.
The Real Mai – Awwwww…I'm glad you liked her…sorry I had to kill her to make it work but that's the way the cookie crumbles. I was planning on making people cry…it was the point. Only a 10 out of 11? What do I have to do to get an 11?? Come on the guy was Sabertooth…of course he was icky.
Scoobyd0530 – How much do you hate me now? I take it as a compliment that you hate my stuff at times…it means I'm pushing all the right buttons. I don't hate them…they just couldn't be together in that life…or this one. Yay! You spotted John and Piotr as well as Pietro! You get a cookie! I brought a non-Evo character into this one…trust me the others will notice her…and curse my name.
BrowneyedImagination – Glad you liked it…and saw the nessessity of Ashait and Rami dying…I can't have a tragic love story if there's no tragedy. I hope to keep you glued to the screen.
Ishy – Ooopps…I did it again…I killed them off…it was fun…oh Ishy Ishy…damn…that fits with a Britney song…I must chop my fingers off for typing that. Yes, I knew you'd like the PINING. You always do. And there is always a need of evil plotting. Always. I know…I thought it was a nice touch having him just give up on life after loosing her. Well on the bright side there was none of that here. But did you see your favourite blonde there??? Ick Calculus. That sucks. I recovered just fine…my friends were embarrassed by my desire to find out where the transvestite hooker got 'her' shoes on the way home. Apparently, I'm not supposed to strike up conversations with them. I'll have fun for you this weekend too.
Mi – Yay…I feel soo special now. No problem, everyone who bothers to tell me what they think gets a shout out…it's a must with me. Mmmm….all very good ideas…I'll think of something. No hangover…it's all good. And While I'm not doing Troy I'm staying in the classical world for the next part.
DaydreamingImmortal – Oh yes there will be more…lots more…you'll hate me all the way. I promise.
Reality Dreamer – You got it in one…Sobeck was the crocodile headed god that devoured the hearts of people whose hearts couldn't balance the scales against the feather of Ma'at. Apepa was Magneto…his son Apepa the younger was Pietro and Odji was Sabertooth.
Star of Chaos - GOSH no need to sing to me…really. But my cupcake was yummy. Okay…just use it well. And when am I getting more chapters of your stories? I would have taken that as a present….I want blind bitter Rogue making Remy's life miserable.
Plague – Welcome aboard! I was planning an episode in the Old South…the civil war to be exact. And I have a WW2 era planned to with a guest appearance by a kid Magneto. But I have lots of era's to get through before then…stay tuned.
Next up… Theseus and Antiope weren't the only great love story that came out of the Attic Wars. Can an Amazon warrior and a Athenian solider find love? Dundundun!