As it had many times before, the sun arose from it's slumber, signifying a new day. But this one seemed different somehow. Gradually, Meg was learning to endure her current situation, taking each day as it came. Though she was far from selling the farm, so to speak, she wasn't about to give up on the prospect of returning home to the modern era. Unfortunately, Zebra didn't appear to share in her enthusiasm. She seemed more at home now, than she ever did elsewhere. But when it came right down to it, if she were given the choice of going home without Zebra, or remaining in the past beside her, her decision would be obvious. She was the only connection to what was real. 'Just grin and bare it girl', Meg replied to herself. 'Grin and bare it.'
A couple weeks had passed, and things were going well. Everyone was pitching in to prepare for Amphitrion's next trip into town. Using a razor sharp scythe, Meg slashed away at the alfalfa plant, to bundle them up tightly for easy travel. Amphitryon brought out a cart to transport the goods to potential buyers, pulled by a tired-looking, donkey named Penelope. As she waited to haul the cargo, the elderly animal, lazily chewed the cud. Zebra approached her and started to stroke her gruff, greying muzzle. She looked to be enjoying the affection, because Penelope leaned into her touch, relishing the attention.
"Awe, she's so cute!" Zebra commented, scratching the creature behind the ear.
Meg considered the animal carefully, and noticed her delicate frame.
"You expect this....donkey, to pull all this...." She pointed out the intended cargo. "All the way into the city?!"
Penelope snorted, seemingly insulted by her remark. Amphitryon came to her defense.
"You don't need to worry about ol' Penelope here." He assured, patting the animal gently on the head. "She may not appear to be so, but she's tough and very reliable." Penelope proudly raised her nose toward the sky.
Meg shrugged, still not convinced. "If you say so." At least SHE didn't have to accompany them. Though, it would probably spare her a great deal of worry over Zebra to join them. It had been Amphitryon's idea for Zebra to come along, on this trek. In doing so, she would be able to inquire about her grandfather with the local villagers. She, also, thought it a good idea to bring along their modern clothing. Perhaps she could trade them and acquire some decent, more fitting, outfits, for the both of them.
Meg pulled Zebra aside, to speak in private. "Are you absolutely sure about this? That, you'll be alright? Do you fail to remember those men we ran into when we first arrived?"
Zebra smiled, appreciating Meg's concern, and placed a comforting hand upon her shoulder. "Don't worry Meg, Amphitryon will be with me, we'll be fine"
Meg closed her eyes, exasperated. "I can just imagine how much protection he could offer you", she blew out with a sigh.
Zebra's smile fell. "Give him some credit Meg. He says he has never had any problems with trail thieves, yet." The word 'yet' hung heavily over Meg's head.
"Don't YOU forget, who also saved your sorry rear-end back there. Besides, you'd only get in the way", She pointed out, bringing the matter home.
Meg's mouth opened and closed, like a fish out of water, unable to counter her argument.
"Alcmene needs you here", Zebra added. Meg bit her lip and nodded. She would do her part, where she was needed. Zebra shook her head, and clasped her friend's shoulders, attempting for the final time, to reassure her.
"We'll be back in a couple days. Everything will be alright." With that, Zebra returned to the wagon, where she found Alcmene and Amphitrion in each other's arms, in a farewell embrace. She stayed back a bit, to give them the privacy they required.
"Have a safe journey dear", Alcmene told her husband. Amphitryon released his wife.
"Thanks love." He helped Zebra onto the rickety, heavily loaded, wagon. Then, carefully, climbed in behind her. Alcmene handed him a pack of provisions she had prepared for them. In thanks, Amphitrion bent down and kissed her forehead. Meg approached, grabbed Zebra's hand and looked sternly into her eyes.
"Be safe!" She whispered firmly.
Zebra gave Meg's fingers a squeeze, confirming that she would, and nodded. Amphitrion flicked the reigns and clicked his tongue, giving Penelope the cue to depart. As they started down the road, Zebra peeked around the tall stacked hay bails, and waved. Meg and Alcmene heartily returned the gesture. And soon, they were out of sight, over the distant hills.
It was still early in the day, and there were plenty of chores to get accomplished. Meg took a deep breath, preparing herself, and exhaled through her nose. "Shall we get started?" She asked Alcmene. Alcmene smiled sweetly and nodded, taking Meg's arm. She led Meg inside the barn, which housed a few scant chickens, and a single cow. Straw covered much of the floor, in favor of the animals that bedded there, among other things. Alcmene retrieved a three-legged stool from the corner near the water trough, and set it before the rusty-red colored animal.
"Have you ever milked before?" Alcmene asked Meg and set out an empty pail.
Meg shook her head. She got her milk the way any modern century women would, at the supermarket, simple and convienent, that was the wave of the future.
"I see. Well it's really quite simple. Here." She sat Meg onto the stool. She sat there dumbly, unsure of her next move, feeling very akward.
"just grasp the udder with both hands, and slide them down, one after the other", Alcmene instructed.
Tentatively, Meg grabbed the hanging udder, that looked like a hot-dog wiener. Startled, the cow moaned a loud 'MOOOO!' And bucked, knocking Meg to the floor. Startled, herself, Meg crawled backward on all fours as the creature gave her an un-friendly glare.
Alcmene quickly came to her aid. "Are you alright dear?" She took her hand and helped her gain her feet. "Well no wonder she rejected you", she commented. "Your hands are freezing. Clio doesn't appreciate cold fingers while milking her." She approached the cranky animal and stroked her velvet back. "Now Clio, Meg is unaccustomed to this work and your preferences. So, you'll have to be patient with her." Clio seemed to understand, cause she nodded at her master's request. Alcmene waved Meg forward, once again. "Come on now, try it again."
Understandably apprehensive, Meg cautiously sat before her task, taking more time to get settled. Those udders seemed much larger and more intimidating than before. She looked to Alcmene for encouragement, and she nodded. Meg wiped her hands on her make-shift skirt, and slowly reached for the milk swelled muscle. She squeezed gently, and was delighted and relieved to see cream-colored liquid, spill into the pail. As she repeated the motion, the easier and more comfortable it became. She beamed a smile and looked up at Alcmene, who returned her smile, mentally communicating a: 'Well done!
When all work was complete, Meg sank into a chair. She slouched, making herself more comfortable, and relaxed. She was exhausted but satisfied by what they'd accomplished. Under normal circumstances, it would have taken twice as much time for Alcmene to do the same amount of work. She was truly grateful to have such fine young ladies helping her and her husband. Her son rarely had time to visit, let alone help with chores. Sure, he would stop by and help whenever he could. But she never blamed him. His part in the world was of much greater importance. Still, on the occasion when he would visit, he seemed so....troubled, so distant. Perhaps he needed a distraction from his everyday cares? Instinctively, Alcmene turned to gaze at the girl that lay snug in her chair, fast asleep. She smiled. The poor thing had worn herself out. Deciding she couldn't leave Meg to sleep slumped in a chair, she took her hand and slung it over her own shoulder, carrying Meg's weight. Groggily, Meg shuffled her feet alongside Alcmene, still in a sleep filled trance. "Come along dear, let's get you to bed." Meg's only response was a low moan. Alcmene led her to the bedroom and slowly lowered into bed. She folded her blanket across her body, and brushed the hair from her moonlit face. Again, she smiled and turned toward window, her thoughts turning to that of her husband. She knew she needn't worry about him while Zebra was with him, but that didn't take away the anxiety of it all. Sighing, she decided she needed sleep as well and retired to the bedroom her and her husband shared.
The trip through the Arcadian wilderness was quite unpleasant. It was bumpy and slow. And since the Fall season was upon them, it didn't provide them much daylight hours to travel by. Before the sun expired for that day, Amphitryon suggested that they make camp. He and Zebra layed out their bedrolls and set to build a fire. Using a flint, a fire soon blazed, chasing away any nightly shadows that slinked past. Zebra un-packed the food and started in preparing a meal for two. When it was hot and ready, she handed Amphirtion a bowl of leftover stew. "It's good to have a bit of company on the road", he commented, accepting the stew. Penelope snorted, insulted, knowing that she had accompanied him on every single trip. Amphitrion laughed and patted the donkey's head reassuringly. "You know what I mean."
Zebra giggled. They sipped their soup silently, until Amphitrion couldn't withhold his curiosity. "You and Megara have had let quite an unique life, haven't you?" Zebra shrugged. "I suppose"
"How far have you traveled? What I mean is, neither of you appear to be Greek. What is your origin? Who were your ancestors?"
Uh oh. How was she suppost to explain her way around that?! But to be honest, she wasn't really sure of her their origins. She'd never really thought to dig into her genealogy. She could have had German or English blood pulsing through her veins, or a bit of both.
"Um, well.....for a while, we resided in a province called, Pennsylvania"
"Pens...al...banya? Never heard of such a land. Is it beyond the Aegean Sea?"
"P.e.n.n.s.y.l.v.a.n.i.a", Zebra corrected. "It resides on the coast, very far from here"
Amphitryon nodded thoughtfully. "You've traveled quite a distance searching for your grandfather. Do you think we'll find him where we're going"
Zebra shook her head, unknowing. "I don't know. All evidence points to this area. We just need to pick-up his trail"
Amphitrion stifled a yawn and sunk into the blanket. "Well, tomorrow will be a long day, regardless. We'd better take watched throughout the night. Here...." He tossed her a small dagger with a simple wooden hilt. "You take the first few hours, and I'll take the remaining. I doubt we'll have any trouble, but it never hurts to be prepared." Zebra watched warily as Amhphitrion drifted off to sleep. She stared at the dagger, sitting innocently in her lap, it's blade reflecting the firelight, revealing its deadly sharp edge. Her heart began to thump at a radical pace. Wondering, if the time ever came, would she be able to use it? She lay beside Penelope, gaining comfort the animal's presence. To her relief, nothing out of the ordinary occurred all night. And soon, she was able to sleep as Amphitrion took his shift.
Morning came soon enough. As Zebra awoke, the sunshine warming her golden skin, she found Amphitryon preparing a modest breakfast, consisting of; nuts and berries. Zebra splashed cold water on her face from the stream, to help her fully gain consciousness. She shook off the access chill, and set to help pack-up camp. After hitching Penelope onto the wagon, they found themselves setting down the dusty path, once again.
Meg got an early start the next morning. Figuring; a head start would lead to an early end. With hoe in hand, she chopped and plowed, tilling the soil, until the dirt was evenly mixed with the fertilizer. Though the fall chill was crisp, sweat still broke across her brow, as the blood pumped faster through her veins. It didn't seem that too long ago it was summer. Where did the time go? She stopped to catch her breath and gazed at the sun, making it's way higher into the sky, wondering what Zebra was doing at that moment, and praying she was safe.