With her back turned, he silently approached, club in hand and raised to strike.
"Look-out!" Zebra cried in warning.
Meg turned, but had no time to react, Chius was nearly on top of her. Then, his body suddenly went limp, falling at Meg's feet. Astounded to still be alive, Meg looked up into the face of her rescuer, Zebra. With no thought for herself, Zebra had retrieved one of the men's abandoned walking staffs and brought it down swiftly on the back of Chius' skull.
Zebra was shocked, she'd actually attacked someone, and with positive results at that.
"Wow!" Meg expressed, coming to her feet. "That was brilliant!"
Zebra felt a growing swell of pride. "Is this how you feel when you compete? It feels wonderful I almost feel...invincible!"
Meg frowned and grasped Zebra's shoulders, trying to curb her ego. "Hold on tiger, let's not get carried way." She looked back at the gang sprawled-out on the ground. They needed to buy more time, so they could make a clean get-away. No doubtthe travelers would waken soon, and would want to pay back the beating they received. Meg knelt at their feet and unstrung the lace from their leather sandals. "C'mon, help me", she urged Zebra. "Tie their arms and legs together."
Zebra obeyed. She then became distracted, she took notice of a small pouch that hung of Urius' belt. She carefully loosened the tie that secured it shut, and anxiously plunged in an eager hand. Her fingers brushed the fabric until they made contact with a flat, round object. Removing her hand, she pulled it close to her face and examined her prize. Her eyes glittered with excitement as she studied it, coming to the conclusion that it was.....a coin, of some sort. It had the image of an Olive Branch inscribed on either side.
Meg was just finishing-up the last knot on Barabus' ankles when she looked up to see how Zebra was progressing. "What're you doing?!
Zebra jumped at the sternness of her voice.
"Quit messing around! Finish-up with him so we can get out of here."
On Meg's orders, Zebra pocketed the coin and secured her knots tightly.
Upon completion, Meg pushed them forward, determined to put a great distance between them, and their sleeping attackers.
The sun crept further into the western sky as they trudged onward. Meg's skin felt as if it were on fire, she was positive that she was covered in sun-burns. She envisioned herself soon peeling the flaking skin from her body. Sweeping away the sweat, covered bangs, from her forehead, she glanced over to see Zebra fiddling with her new-found trinket. As of yet, Zebra had not revealed the object to her. Her curiosity won over. "So, what did you confiscate from our buddies back there?" She brought herself to ask, trying to sound disinterested, but Zebra knew better.
"It's a coin", she replied, displaying it proudly. "This, almost, confirms my theory of where, perhaps even when we are. To the best of my knowledge, I firmly believe we are, indeed, on the other side of the globe, in Greece. Perhaps in 600 B.C. Meg's skepticism played yet, another dramatic role. "How can you decipher all that, from that itty bitty cent?"
"Drachma", Zebra corrected. "Besides, if you have anything helpful to offer, as to where we are, by all means....."
Meg pouted, she knew she'd been beaten.
They could not say, for certain, how far they had traveled, it didn't seem to matter anymore. Meg smacked her tongue on the roof of her dry, thirsty mouth. They had not seen water since arriving in this strange, new world. The reality of this adventure was suddenly pushing down, upon Zebra. She believed she'd solved the mystery of their location, but how could that help them survive? She bowed her head shamefully, unable to look Meg in the face. She felt responsible for their current sufferings. Biting her lip for courage, Zebra barred herself to apologize for their unfortunate predicament. Then, something fowl entered her nostrils, alerting her senses. She peered toward the ever dense sky, and beheld a particularly dark cloud rising high above the trees, climbing up towards the heavens.
She touched Meg's shoulder to veer her attention skyward. "Does that look like smoke to you?"
Meg peered beyond Zebra's pointed finger and squinted, willing her eyes to see beyond their capacity. Her nose wrinkled as she sniffed the blowing breeze. Zebra saw hope, alight in her features. "I do believe you're right. It's chimney smoke. A good sign of civilization. That's the direction we should head", she said with confidence.
Even if they were scum, like the people they had met there, they had to try. Meg wanted to sprint, race the last few miles between her and their anticipated salvation. But her already fatigued muscles wouldn't allow her to exceed the steady pace they were set on. Although, this new hope provided her with a second wind to carry on. "Let's get going", she insisted, urging Zebra forward into the unknown. "If we sit down now, we may not get back up again." She dared another glance to the sky, to study the sun's position. "At the rate we've been keeping, hopefully we'll reach the source of that smoke by sundown." Zebra nodded, praying that they might find sanctuary at a benefactor's hand.
At dusk, the weary travelers were still trudging onward. Their legs felt like jelly, numbing every step. They kept a constant direction towards the South-East, keeping their heads down, shielding their already reddened faces from the sun's final rays of the day. Zebra felt the urge to observe their progress. She raised her head, shaded her eyes, and smiled. Most of the trees and foliage had fallen behind them in their wake, opening the way before them. On the bottom of a small dipping hole, lay a quaint, little, farm house. Complete with a smoking chimney. A field just beyond the farm house, appeared unkempt and ill-tended. But the house looked......livable.
"Look!" Zebra said pointing, her voice was barely audible due to lack of moisture. "We're....almost there."
Meg gave Zebra a weak smile. "I only hope they're open." Her wry sense of humor still intact. "Or at least give us the stable."
They staggered the last few yards toward the front door, their toes dragging from behind in the dirt, through their dog-eared shoes. Their vision grew blurry from exhaustion and lack of nutrition. A faint light emanated from the gap, underneath the thick, wooden door. Obviously, someone was home. Zebra raised a feeble fist and rapted lightly, twice, against the wood. Movement could be heard, coming from the other side. They waited in anticipation. Their fate, literally, in the hands of whomever came to answer. A latch lifted and the door swung cautiously open, creaking on its hinges. The figure of a plump woman shadowed the fire-light before them. Upon seeing her caller's weakened condition, the woman's brow furrowed with concern and sympathy.
"Oh my, you poor dears. Can I help you?"
Meg licked her dry, chapped lips, trying to form words. "Please....help us", she managed to mumble. The disheveled girls were instantly led inside, and seated themselves upon a wooden bench. The kindly woman fetched a clay pitcher, and they were granted water to quench their parched throats.
Now that they were inside, the friends were able to see their benefactor more clearly. She was an older woman, somewhere in her late 50's, early 60's. Her gray hair was tied atop her head in a bun and covered in a head-cloth. She wore a periwinkle colored tunic. She pulled up a stool and sat across from them. As she settled comfortably in her seat, her kind eyes studied them, considering them carefully.
"Now then, what were you young ladies doing out wandering into the night? It's dangerous to travel alone."
"Tell me about it", Meg commented dryly.
Zebra nudged her to keep her sarcasm to herself. "We came looking for my grandfather, Julius Sanders, and got lost in the process. You haven't heard of such a man, have you?"
The kindly woman brought a hand to her chin, to ponder the question. "I'm sorry. I don't make many trips outside the farm, only to the local Agora, once a month. So, I don't get many opportunities to meet new people."
Disappointed, Zebra bowed her head.
"My husband does a bit of traveling while on trade, so he finagles with many different acquaintances. I'm expecting Amphitrion to return by morning." The woman smacked her hand to her forehead and chuckled, embarrassed. "Forgive me dears, I've hardly introduced myself; My name is, Alcmene."
"I'm Zebra", she then waved a thumb, indicating her companion. "This is.....ummm..." Zebra had to come up with an ancient sounding name for Meg, to avoid suspicion. Or else, she feared, Alcmene wouldn't help them, if they told the truth of their situation. She might think they were crazy and throw them out. Then where would they be? "Megara, but she usually goes by Meg."
Meg's eyes widened and glared at her friend. "What?!" She whispered through her teeth. Zebra merely shrugged.
"I take it, you girls need a place to stay while you seek out this man that is your grandfather." Alcmene concluded, oblivious to their small disagreement.
Meg nodded eagerly.
"That's awfully kind of you", Zebra gushed. "But we wouldn't want to be a bother."
Alcmene put a hand up to silence Zebra. "I insist. We have plenty of room, you could take my son's old room. But first, let's take care of those vicious sun-burns etched upon your skin.
She led them into the barn. Using a large tin tub, Alcmene heated up some water and prepared them a bath, with special concoctions of her own making, to soothe their discomforts. Meg and Zebra sank deep beneath the steaming bubbles, determined not to emerge until well pruned. After the water had worked it's magic, they wrapped-up in a sheet to dry off. And, to complete the spa-like treatment, lotion with aloe, was smoothed onto their skin.
"I know these won't fit", said Alcmene, offering them some of her old tunics to wear.(from her more thinner years) "But they'll have to do."
She then prepared a simple meal of hot bread and cheese, with fresh milk. Considering how little the girls had eaten that day, it was a veritable feast. They ate greedily, barely coming up for breath. Alcmene was pleased to see how much they were enjoying it.
Remembering her manners, Zebra dabbed the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, and cleared her throat to speak. "So, Alcmene, you mentioned earlier you have a son?"
A bit of sadness and pride, spoke behind Alcmene's kind eyes. She seemed to be remembering a time long passed. "Yes, my only child. He left us some time ago to pursue his dream." She considered the girls sitting before her. "You two look about his age. Are either of you betrothed or taken?"
During this time, Meg had been guzzling her milk, qppreciating the taste, when the meaning of Alcmene's words penetrated and traveled through her ears. She nearly choked.
Zebra blushed and gave Meg gentle pats on the back, to help relieve the congestion. "No Ma'am"
Alcmene smiled. "Perhaps, one day, you'll have the opportunity to meet him."
Zebra nodded politely, then nudged Meg to do the same. Parents could be funny about such things; they set-up or put pressure on their offspring to find an ideal mate. And, once that happens, they pester for grandchildren. Meg rolled her eyes at this concept.
"Yes, well it's getting late, let's go and prepare you're sleeping quarters." Alcmene returned from the barn with straw-filled mattressesfor Meg and Zebra to sleep upon. She layed them on opposite sides of the spare room. The girls entered behind her. They couldn't believe she was being so nice, to give them so much.
"We truly appreciate all you're doing for us." Zebra expressed.
Alcmene waved this off. "Think nothing of it dear. We have plenty of room, and it's quite refreshing to have such lovely, young visitors. Sleep well, dears."
The moon shown bright through the open window. Zebra lay awake, wondering how they were going to find her grandfather. As she was thus pondering, she tilted her head to look upon Meg's sleeping form. "Meg.....?" No response came. "Meg are you asleep?"
Meg groaned and rolled over to face the wall. "Apparently not", she moaned, rubbing her eyes.
Ignoring Meg's little tantrum, Zebra expressed what lay heavily on her mind. "I've been thinking; Alcmene's so kind, she looks as though she might need some help around here."
Meg nodded her agreement. "I think you're right. By the looks of that field, they probably haven't been able to produce a good crop for some time." A light silence spread between them. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Zebra composed.
"I do believe I am", Meg confirmed.
Together, they decided that while they took residence in Alcmene's home, they would offer their service to complete the unfinished, daily chores.
With that out of the way, Meg questioned the name Zebra had placed her with; "Megara? What kind of a name is that?!"
Zebra knew this was coming. "It was all I could come up with on such short notice", she confessed. "I didn't want to arouse any suspicion of our origin. I remember reading of it somewhere. Besides, I think it's a lovely name."
Meg scoffed, "Whatever." She rolled onto her side, and her body went still.
With her conscience cleared, Zebra was able to drift off to sleep. She sighed, peacefully, and snuggled into her woolen blanket. Outside, the crickets chirped softly, singing their soothing lullaby.