It was one of the first lessons ever taught to those determined to become a high priest of a god or goddess. A fact which many young initiates obsessed with performing each ritual perfectly often struggled to master.

The truth that sometimes even when all was done according to tradition, a god might choose to intervene directly in a ceremony if he had taken an interest in any of the participants, or something within the sacrifice was contrary to the will of the Moirae.

Alexandros as a young student, who valued tradition and truly desired to serve the gods faithfully, had often frustrated his mentor because he could not see why a god or goddess would refuse to accept a sacrifice or prayer when made in all sincerity.

His old mentor had patiently explained that sometimes the ways of the gods are hard for a mortal even one trained in the reading of omens to comprehend. That sometimes they too find rituals cumbersome ways of expressing what they desire for a specific situation.

Only when Alexandros had finally acknowledged this possibility had his teacher permitted him to move on to the complex portions of his oracular training.

Never had he ever thought a day would come where he would see his mentor's words come true.

But now as a second sacrifice was offered in an attempt to placate Jupiter, Alexandros knew that he was about to see the scenario his mentor had sought to prepare him for be enacted before his eyes. Twice a sacrifice had been offered, and flames had risen to consume it, only to be quenched a moment later as each petition was rejected. To Alexandros the message was clear. Juno approved of the marriage, but her mighty consort did not. He had encouraged Athamas and Semele to once again offer their ritual petitions, in the fragile hope that the thunderer might relent.

But like the first attempt, it had been met with cold silence. And Alexandros knew that he must proceed as he had been trained to so many years ago and stop the wedding altogether. With fear he wondered how his king would react, for all in Thebes knew how much he desired that his difficult daughter be joined to Athamas and thus become someone else's responsibility.

Glancing toward Athamas, Alexandros noticed how he looked at Semele's slender and upright form, with admiration born not of genuine affection or friendship, but with a look one might give a priceless treasure. Then again, the princess had done all she could to keep him at a distance, meeting all of his attempts at friendship with cool indifference mixed with polite but obvious rejection of any romantic overtures.

Ino though, there was a possibility which could well work if given the chance. He had not missed the surreptitious glances she had cast Athamas, whenever he had attended at court, how she had always been the first to greet and engage him in conversation or be seated near him at a feast. Yes, her quiet gentle nature would be far more suitable to Athamas's steady personality than the fiery Semele. Even now, Ino's face was overshadowed with sorrow, so much so that Semele reached out to grasp her sister's hand in a gesture of reassurance and support.

For an instant the eyes of the two sisters met, Ino's held barely restrained sorrow, Semele's concern and deep affection. And Alexandros recognized in that moment the true state of affairs within Cadmus's household. Ino had from the first been drawn to Athamas, and for love of Semele done all she could to conceal her growing interest in Beotia's prince. Had Semele not been so consumed with fury and resentment, she might have noticed her sister's regard for Athamas and spoken to Cadmus asking that Ino be given to him in marriage instead. But perhaps all was not lost, for the gods clearly did not desire this union, and if he took care in how he spoke to Cadmus some good might yet come of this disaster.

Gathering his courage, the priest turned away from the altar of sacrifice to speak to his king.

"Milord, it is not the will of the gods that your daughter be joined to Athamas. I dare not continue with the ceremony lest I incur their wroth or bring destruction down upon your house and your people.

If your majesty will permit me to speak openly, may I suggest searching for another husband for your daughter?"

Had the situation not been so solemn Alexandros would have laughed at the look of dismay and horror his words produced.

"Alexandros, do you know how many suitors I have presented for Semele to choose from? How many feasts and revels I have poured my wealth into so that I might marry her to someone suitable?"

"No my lord, if you'll recall I wasn't asked to many of the court functions except as my role as high priest demanded."

"Athamas is the seventh prince I've asked my daughter to consider. By all rights I shouldn't even ask for her opinion, just choose the most suitable noble and let that be an end to the matter."

Alexandros couldn't resist satisfying his curiosity. "Then why didn't you?"

"Because that girl is so blasted headstrong, so determined to choose her own destiny that even I can't force her to obey my will. You met her when she came to prepare for today's ceremonies; you know what she is like."

Alexandros recalled with pleasure the many hours he had spent in conversation with Semele, her intelligent questions, warmth and sense of humor were a refreshing change from the countless girls who were concerned only with the preparation of their wedding clothes and adornments. For a moment he was tempted to tell Cadmus that if he'd jus taken the time to know his children more, chosen to lay aside his grief over the death of his beloved queen and not sought to control his headstrong daughter so strictly perhaps this situation could have been avoided.

But as in all kingdoms, priests and servants alike dared not address their monarch so bluntly, and so Alexandros sought refuge in diplomatic speech and subtle insinuation.

"My lord, you need not let the feast and entertainment you've ordered prepared be wasted. Return with me now to the palace, and look to the possibility of your daughter Ino being wed instead of your eldest. She is gentle and fair, and I'm sure many princes would be pleased to make her their bride."

But Cadmus, like Semele was known for his stubbornness, and once he had an idea fixed in his mind nothing could sway him from his course. In that respect they were strikingly alike. Alexandros saw at once by the firm set of his king's jaw, that all his efforts at persuasion would come to nothing if he could not convince Cadmus to abandon this ridiculous idea that Semele should be queen of Beotia. In fact he reflected it would take a miracle to make this obstinate king come to his senses.

"At the risk of offending the gods high priest, I respectfully request that you proceed."

"Sire I cannot. Every sacrifice has been rejected, and it is obvious that your daughter is not meant to marry this prince." Silently the priest added, obvious to everyone accept you.

Semele had been close enough to overhear Alexandros's last remark, and could not resist casting her father a look of triumphant satisfaction. Glaring at her Cadmus gestured to the procession to depart, silently asking himself if anything else could possibly go wrong. Still he thought, Alexandros's advice was sound and perhaps all was not lost if he made this situation work to his advantage. And the priest was right, he need not let the wedding feast and entertainment go to waste.

Alexandros followed the procession past the temple gates, using all of his considerable skills in diplomacy to calm Cadmus's fury. He had just begun to suggest that perhaps the princess Ino might be a better match for Athamas, when he paused mid sentence; as he felt his gift stir. Few times as high priest had he been privileged to sense the gods at work in a powerful way, but what he was sensing now was unmistakable. Ancient and wild, born of storm and lightning the power of Jupiter himself was about to be revealed to all assembled.

He had no time to draw breath to announce what was about to come, before all witnessed something straight out of legend. The sign was unmistakable, known to rich and poor alike as the ancient symbol of a god's favor. It was said to have once rested upon the head of the child Iulus on the night of Ilium's destruction. Formed at the bidding of the thunderer, as a symbol of kingship and that the gods would bless the efforts of Aeneas to establish and restore the glories of Troy. And now on this morning in high summer, all assembled in the temple courtyard were frozen in awe and astonishment as divine fire crowned Cadmus's eldest daughter.

It was one of the most awesome displays of power he had ever witnessed.

"Gods." The exclamation came from Ino, who was walking next to her sister, spoken with the deepest reverence and the slightest trace of fear.

It was a crown unlike anything fashioned by mortal artisans, formed not of gold or silver, but of pure azure fire. The flames did not flicker as one might expect, but burned steady and clear. No jewels adorned this wonder; Ino often thought afterwards that they would have somehow diminished the beauty of this symbol of divine favor. So mesmerizing were the flames, that Ino was tempted to reach out and touch them, to revel in this moment where she could for an instant savor divine glory.

Nor did it help that she, like Alexandros, had felt the stirring of raw power long before the circlet of flame had appeared. The gift which had awakened after she had heard the tale of Troy from the lips of Jupiter himself, now stirred with a strength she had never known before.

And she knew that this event was what she had glimpsed the evening before, when she had sought out her sister both to receive and give comfort.

She stared at her sister in awe, for the flames seemed to lend her a dignity and poise which any queen would be proud to wear. This was sacred fire, shaped into the semblance of a crown by a god's will, so that all might know that Semele was to be honored.

Semele stood frozen with awe, fierce joy filling her as she realized that her prayer had been heard and granted. She felt no heat from the fire encircling her brow, and yet she knew that it must be hotter than any mortal flame. It caressed her raven tresses with the greatest care and gentleness, in a way which could only be described as playful.

The Theban court was so intent on this miraculous turn of events that they didn't notice another approaching wonder. Swifter than lightning, it descended to earth with a speed no ordinary eagle could ever hope to match. All eyes were drawn to the bird as it drew ever closer. Larger than its mortal kin, its feathers were a deep and rich purple. The beak was the color of gold as it was lifted from the forge, and the eyes reflected the crystal fire of starlight. They met Semele's curious look with one of mingled amusement and stern command. And she knew in that instant who it was before her, no longer the quiet soldier she had met at Thebes's gate at twilight 3 years before, but a true king among immortals who was offering her the escape she had sought for so long.

No words filled her thoughts, they were not needed.

In one swift arc of grace and power, the eagle descended to earth, its talons closing on Semele before taking flight. The grip held strength both terrible and reassuring, for the princess knew that she had nothing to fear because the one who bore her to her destiny was master of the heavens. She looked back only once, and saw not the shocked faces of her father or Athamas, but the knowing gaze of her gentle sister. And as she soared upwards, she unclasped her mother's necklace, and in one fluid movement let it fall hoping that Ino would be able to claim it.

It fell to earth in a flashing arc; and Ino smiling caught it casting a look of triumph and defiance at Cadmus.

Total silence reigned amongst the assembled courtiers and guests, broken at last as Alexandros stepped forward and spoke in a confident authoritative voice. Power, ancient and wild filled him, and he spoke as directed by Jupiter, words of hope and reassurance meant to calm a king's wroth and allay a sister's fears.

"Hear now the words of high thundering Jove, king of gods and Ruler of The Skies. Mourn not over the fate of Semele, for she is this day honored above all mortals. She has been chosen by heaven's king and will receive many favors and be given a place among the gods."

It was Ino who shook herself free of the lingering sense of power the priest's words had produced, to lift her voice in words of thanksgiving and praise of the god who had chosen to honor her sister this day. The words poured from her effortlessly, and she silently thanked her tutors for the many hours of instruction they had given, and their insistence that she learn to recite both sacred and ordinary texts according to bardic tradition. Many remarked afterwards, that their youngest princess had surely been blessed by Apollo, for she sang the hymn with a joy and conviction which made even her father lament the fact that she could not pursue training as a bard.

"O Father Jove [Zeus], who shak'st with fiery light the world deep-sounding from thy lofty height:
From thee, proceeds the' ætherial lightning's blaze, flashing around intolerable rays.

Thy sacred thunders shake the blest abodes, the shining regions of the' immortal gods:
Thy pow'r divine, the flaming lightning shrouds, with dark investiture, in fluid clouds.
'Tis thine to brandish thunders strong and dire, to scatter storms, and dreadful darts of fire;

With roaring flames involving all around, and bolts of thunder of tremendous sound.
Thy rapid dart can raise the hair upright, and shake the heart of man with wild afright.
Sudden, unconquer'd, holy, thund'ring god, 'with noise unbounded, flying all abroad;
With all-devouring force, entire and strong, horrid, untam'd, thou roll'st the flames along."

Alexandros took up the hymn, thinking that Ino had certainly chosen an appropriate text with which to honor Jupiter and thank him for his favoring Cadmus's house as in the distant past.

"Thy thunders white, the azure garments tear, and burst the veil of all surrounding air.

And on the tops of mountains be reveal'd, for thy strong arm is not from us conceal'd."

Princess and high priest continued their recitation, and were soon joined by the rest of the procession as they began the return journey to the palace. When the last phrase had been sung, Athamas dropped back to walk with Ino, drawn to this gentle maiden who could quote sacred texts from memory and with a passion and eloquence few priestesses could boast.

It was Ino who broke the silence between them.

"Are you disappointed, that the gods decided to claim my sister?" He considered her question carefully. According to tradition he must always accept the will of the gods, and as Semele had spurned all his attempts he could hardly say that he was sorry that events had taken such a dramatic turn.

"No, I'm not sorry. This match was arranged by your father, and mine gladly gave his consent on my behalf. If it were my choice I'd be content to wait until I find a princess willing to accept me"

Ino glanced at her companion in surprise, perhaps he wasn't as bound by tradition as Semele had thought. .

Even before the procession reached the palace, rumors had already begun to be whispered amongst the slaves. Cadmus immediately took command, instructing a servant to proceed with assisting the guests to their places for the feast. When all was prepared, Athamas turned to Ino.

"Princess, would you honor me by taking the place to my right? I would enjoy your company for this feast."

Ino smiled nervously, hardly able to believe her good fortune. Since his arrival to pay court to Semele, Athamas had scarcely spoken a dozen words to her except as courtesy demanded. As the youngest she was always relegated to a lower place at the table.

To Ino's astonishment Cadmus made no objection, simply nodded for her to acquiesce.

"I thank you prince, we have not had the opportunity to speak at length since your arrival and I would enjoy hearing more of your homeland." Semele would be proud of that speech Ino thought, for even though she was now of marriageable age still she struggled to master the formal speech of the court, preferring instead the direct approach of those not born to wealth and privilege.

Surely the gods were looking with favor upon her family.

I thank you Aphrodite, for blessing my sister and I on this day.

Cadmus glanced around at the assembled courtiers and nobles. Many were talking animatedly of the morning's events, while others looked as if they were still trying to come to terms with what had taken place. This feast would serve as a distraction for both him and his guests, and perhaps he might even follow Alexandros's advice and consider giving Ino to Athamas instead.

Slaves entered the hall with the first course, and Thebes' king set aside his frustration that things had not gone according to plan. After all, even a king did not dare challenge the gods once they had chosen a mortal to favor. As he rose to address his guests, the thought crossed his mind that at least he still had a reason to celebrate.

Note from the authoress: How's that for a dramatic exit? Out of all the versions of Semele's tale I've read, only Handel's opera has her being abducted by Jupiter. Unfortunately you only hear about it in a recitative sung by Cadmus, followed by a chorus of priests rejoicing that Semele has been favored by the gods, and then a truly gorgeous Aria sung by Semele follows one with lots of sensual text and meaning.

So I thought it would be fun to write events from a different perspective, as well as hint at the relationship between Athamas and Ino which is also addressed in the first act.

Ino and Alexandros's quotations are taken from the Orphic hymns to Zeus, I thought they would add more depth to the chapter and the lines were definitely appropriate.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and would love to know what you think in a review.

I've the next part almost finished, so hopefully they're won't be such a long gap between updates.

Thanks for reading.