—OOO—
Chapter 8.
'Pergamum'
Pergamum. At last, Pergamum. Worth both the journey and the struggle.
The city itself lay sprawling across the wide flat floor of an extensive valley surrounded by high rolling grass-covered mountains. And on the slopes of the nearest mountain, towering over the city—the Acropolis; greater even than Athens, some said.
Unlike Athens however the Acropolis of Pergamum sprawled up the side of the mountain on several levels. On the lower slope was a retaining wall, like the defensive fortification encircling a city; brutally strong, and cut with deep niches as if made to receive the gigantic statues of gigantic Gods. Then, slightly higher, was the Theatre, with its steep rising tiers of benches in a wide oval. The spectators, in their seats, having an unobstructed view out over the rolling valley and city below.
Above all this, on the pinnacle of the mountain, rose the Temple of Athena; whilst off to its left hand were the various other buildings of the complex, lesser Temples, bureaucratic and public offices of various kinds. And the whole complex was thick with crowds, mingling and intermingling in groups of various sizes as they wandered throughout the maze of structures. On a lower slope, just above and to one side of the Theatre, was the greatest architectural feat of the Greek State, the Altar of Zeus.
Xena and Gabrielle had left Autolycus down at the Inn where they had taken rooms and walked up to the Acropolis, where they soon found themselves on a wide square in front of the impressive Altar facade. Gabrielle was full of amazement.
"It's not an altar at all." She gazed at the mighty edifice in awe. "It's a Palace!"
"Yep, looks that way." Xena glanced at the crowds milling around them. "Seems a popular place. The altar's in a courtyard behind the main block, I think. This is only the front, y'know."
Where they stood, off to the right-hand side, they had a perfect view of the colossal nature of the facade. The Altar wasn't merely a columned Temple portico with a small altar in front; it was a mighty building in its own right. At ground level a huge wide flight of stairs rose steeply some thirty feet in height. On either hand of which were towering marble-walled substructures which also rose the full thirty feet, giving high vertical walls on each side of the stair. These supported a single story building faced with a row of columns, which also ran along the whole width of the top of the stairs, so connecting the wings. This was actually a columned colonnade; a walkway roofed and open on both sides, supported by columns. It was through the colonnade at the top of the mighty stairway that the actual Altar of Zeus sat, in an open courtyard of its own; again surrounded by a four-square columned colonnade. The greyish-white marble of the edifice glowed with light in the morning sun.
Where Xena and Gabrielle now stood they also had a good view of the carved frieze-panels which adorned the flat frontages of the two opposing wings on either side of the staircase. These showed larger-than-life representations of Gods and Goddesses doing battle and taking postures of appropriate God-like strength and power. The whole structure was built of a slightly grey marble and presented an aura of massive strength, energy, and beauty.
Now, on the second day after their arrival, Xena and Gabrielle were the centre of attention. The Senators and Priests had already previously put together a plan for the advent of the sacred relic, whose imminent appearance they had received news of through secret Athenian messages. So, with the coming of Xena and Gabrielle, a well-oiled bureaucracy had swung into action. The crowds of sight-seers had been corralled behind ropes to either side of the grand stair. On the flat terrace before the steps were gathered a formidable group of the high and the mighty of Pergamum aristocracy and Priesthood. This was a big event, and they meant to honour it with the best they could offer.
Gabrielle held a leather bag in her hands; the straps falling to either side as she embraced it tightly in her arms; the heavy contents making it quite a struggle to hold for any length of time. A large, well-fed balding man in the red-lined toga of a senator separated himself from a group of high-ups and came across to meet the women.
"Greetings, I am Quintus Acilius Lepidus, Senator and Priest of Zeus." He nodded affably at the women, seeming proud of his part in the unfolding ceremony. "I shall have the honour of accompanying you both to the Altar of Zeus, and the High Priest. We shall have to climb the stair and enter through the colonnade above. Please follow me."
At this point Gabrielle noticed for the first time that the stair, bounded on either hand by high walls formed by the projecting wings of the building, was lined with yellow-clad female acolytes, one on each step. They wore linen chitons which fell to their feet in flowing lines. At the top of the steep stair Gabrielle could now see a further line of women, dressed similarly, awaiting their arrival.
Seeing the blonde woman's interest Quintus paused to turn and smile at his visitors. He didn't seem in any hurry to continue the ceremony.
"They are young priestesses of the Cult." He raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Xena. "For the first five years they wear yellow chitons, then change to white. There is quite a waiting-list for new entrants, I may tell you. While we are here may I point out the view. From these steps you have a wide panorama of the valley and city beneath us. Quite spectacular. Come, let us proceed."
The Senator was not joking. Gabrielle had turned to gaze out over the terrain below, and it was indeed wonderful. The entire city of Pergamum was laid out like a model far below, with the rolling grassy mountains forming a stunning backdrop. But there was no time to drink it in, the Senator was now three steps above them and moving like a chariot at full speed. Obviously his bulk hid an athlete's staying power. Gabrielle jumped the intervening steps in a couple of strides, rejoining Xena who merely gave her a snide glance, with arched eyebrows, as they carried on at the Senator's side.
Then they passed through the waiting line of acolytes and stood on the pavement before the columned colonnade. Now they could pause to get their breath, and fully admire the view across the valley. To their right were the curving ranks of the theatre and its seats, built into the side of the mountain. To their left were a few small buildings, and in front was the most spectacular view yet of the valley and city.
But behind them; defended by the intervening colonnade, was their goal—the Altar. Following Quintus through this roofed entrance they found themselves in an open courtyard surrounded on all sides by the encircling colonnade. The floor was flat and paved with large marble slabs, free of structures except in the centre where a rectangular altar stood. It was made of grey marble, about seven feet in height, and twelve feet long. There were wreaths of flowers leaning all along its sides, and before the near short side was a golden brazier giving off clouds of incense. Three men stood in postures of grave contemplation around this, one of whom now strode across to stand in front of the women.
"May I introduce Gnaeus Cornelius Bassus, High Priest of Zeus." Quintus was in his element, lowering his voice to a deep baritone for the occasion. "He will be over-seeing the rest of the ceremony. You both may kiss the hem of his tunic."
Xena gave Quintus a cold blank look. Quintus hurriedly turned to Gabrielle who also favoured him with one of her less appealing frowns. Quintus got the message.
"Aah! Perhaps we may dispense with unnecessary elements." The women watched his face gradually turn from red to pink to pale white as he glanced at the High Priest. "Yes indeed, we must, er, press on with the ceremony. High Priest Gnaeus will be glad to take the Helmet now, and consecrate it at the Altar."
Having been the recipient of a knowing look from Quintus, the High Priest though obviously less than pleased played his part manfully and made a sign for his lesser priests and acolytes to proceed with the ceremony.
"It is now time for you to give the Helmet to the High Priest." Quintus nodded expectantly at Gabrielle.
"Oh! Ah! Right!" The Amazon fumbled slightly with the bag she gripped; then after a quick glance at Xena, who simply stood with raised eyebrows and a considering expression, Gabrielle placed the bag on the ground and delved into its interior. "Here we are. Who wants it? Gnaeus? Right!"
Gnaeus could see the growing propensity for things to slip into farce, but his years of expertise came to the fore. He stood back a couple of paces, bowed deeply; then stepped forward with outstretched hands in an unmistakable gesture of acceptance. Gabrielle leaned forward and gave him the heavy Helmet.
The rest of the ceremony was taken up with gesticulations, hymns to Zeus, rhythmic gyrations on the part of the yellow-clad acolytes, and some general singing by everyone present. Most of this went over the heads of Xena and Gabrielle, but they could see that everyone seemed more than pleased with the ceremony.
Finally it all came to an end with the High Priest escorting the valuable Helmet across the courtyard, through the colonnade, and into some dim corner of the building which surrounded the Altar. The ceremony was over. Now came the banqueting.
For this most important aspect of the whole affair a large hall, somewhere to the rear of the main public buildings, had been brought into play. The interior was a huge single room; the building being two stories high with no second floor, so the raftered roof was visible to those sitting at the many couches and tables laid out on its extensive floor-space. The kitchens must have been nearby, for great platters of meats, stews, pastries, and pies were being brought through side-doors by a series of servants as Xena and Gabrielle made their way to their places beside Quintus.
"Gods, I've never seen so much food in one place before!" Gabrielle was impressed, as they sat together at a long table.
"Yeah. Just remember this banquet'll be about fifteen courses long." Xena gave her companion a wary look. "Don't gorge—nibble."
"My table manners are perfect, thank you very much, lady." The blonde Amazon sniffed with regal reserve. "Oh look! Sturgeon eggs. Hey you! Over here!"
Xena groaned.
—O—
The banquet went off successfully, if finishing in the early hours of the morning can be so described. By great good fortune Xena and Gabrielle, as honoured visitors, were given a suite of rooms in a guest house nearby where they wended their weary way after the feast had broken up. Quintus, more than half-seas over but still gentlemanly, gave them a pleasant farewell as he left them at the door. The rooms were well appointed and comfortable, easily coming up to Gabrielle's stringent requirements, and within a few minutes they were undressed and in the wide curtained bed.
It was about an hour later that the warrior Princess felt the need to communicate.
"You awake, Gab?"
Nothing.
"You awake, Gabs?" Louder.
Nothing.
"You awake, Gab?" With a soft dig in the ribs to the silent form beside her.
"Uuaarh!"
"Oh! You are awake. Say, I was wondering—" A strain of pleading in her tone.
"Waaauuurph!"
"It's like this, darling, I was wondering—say ain't it beautiful tonight?" Xena was a little hesitant about whatever it was she wanted to say—probably as a result of the wine.
Nothing.
"You awake, Gabs?" Another, harder, dig in the side of the motionless form. "The moonlight looks great outside. Wan'na go an' sit on the balcony for a while? It's not cold."
"Aarrmmph!"
"Maybe later, then." The Princess carried on blithely. "I was wondering—hasn't it been just great? Y'know, this whole trek from Athens to Pergamum. Quite an adventure, eh? Just thought I'd tell ya I've enjoyed it all, so far. What I'm sayin' is it wouldn't have been the same with anyone but you, dear. Gods, this is so hard. What I'm sayin' is—Gods, I love ya all to bits, an' I'm glad we're together, an' I never want it to end—ever! So there!"
The warrior Princess, having got this important message off her chest, leaned over, delicately brushed the short blonde hair aside, and gently kissed the neck of the Amazon. Then the warrior quietly lay back, smiled tenderly to herself and closed her eyes. Soon she was sleeping the sleep of the true lover.
Time passed.
"Aauurgh! Wassat?"
The blonde Amazon jerked awake and sat up in bed, the linen sheets falling to her waist. As usual she slept naked, and the moonlight glimmering through the tall open window caressed her form in gentle waves of silver light. Her strong jaw and smooth forehead; hair now bleached to a pale white in the moonlight; shoulders like a marble statue in their square strength; breasts curving in full mounds, half shadowed in the pale light; arms strong and well-muscled; Praxiteles himself would have given his fortune to sculpt her. Gabrielle appeared, in the glowing pale moonlight, as a personification of Beauty itself.
"Uuurph! Gruuaf!" But she was only half awake, if that.
She gazed around, through drooping eyelids, wondering what had woken her. She saw the sleeping form of Xena by her side, comfortably wrapped in the top blanket. Gabrielle immediately grabbed a corner and pulled it back over her side of the bed. The far window was open and letting in the full light of the half-moon. The rest of the room lay in quiet shadow. The minimal part of Gabrielle's mind that was aware decided there was no danger, and switched off again.
"Uurrmph!"
The Amazon lay back down, automatically pulled the warm blanket over her bare chest, gave a contented sigh, and was asleep in seconds.
In the room all was still. The shadows quietly went about their business of making everything look more romantic than chairs with piles of clothes, abandoned boots on the floor, and tables and wardrobes with half-open doors had any right to be. The moonlight swept through the window, shimmered across the floor, and draped itself comfortingly and lovingly over the two sleeping forms: and all was silent and peaceful.
—O—
"It's, er, like this.—" Quintus stopped, clearly embarrassed by what he had to say.
It was the late afternoon of the day after the banquet; which everyone seemed to have survived without visible effect; and now Xena and Gabrielle had been summoned to a meeting in one of the many Public Offices scattered across the Acropolis. It was a small room, with just a few chairs and a central table round which everyone was now seated. The two women, Quintus, and Gnaeus the High Priest—looking much more relaxed and easy-going than he had the previous day.
"So? What's the problem?" Xena, in these circumstances knew it was always best to cut to the action. "Ya want us to do something for you?"
"Er, yes."
"Well, spit it out. We won't bite. At least, not without reason." Xena had a habit of saying things, which she immediately countered by some off-hand remark that sent shivers down the spines of her listeners.
"Aurumph! The thing is—" Quintus, taking his life in both hands bravely carried on. "We are all most grateful for the efforts you have both made in transporting the Helmet from Athens to Pergamum. Most kind of you. Except—we wonder—that is—"
"You want us to do something more for you. Is that it?" Gabrielle, who couldn't abide dithering, pinpointed the crux of the matter. "OK. What is it? We're on a schedule, y'know."
"There is a further task, involving the Helmet, which we feel you are both extremely well-qualified to undertake." Gnaeus showed himself far more forthright than his subordinate. Now he sat forward, fixed the women with a steely gaze, and finally came to the point. "You have brought the Helmet to Pergamum, at great personal danger—which we are all very grateful to you for. But Pergamum is not the true home of the Helmet, that lies in the Temple of Athena at Assos."
The women sat silent for an appreciable time, drinking in the possibilities of this remark. It was Gabrielle who stepped up to the line first.
"Assos! That's parasangs away." The Amazon mused for a moment. "Across the bay, on that pinnacle of rock—mountain-top. Has a wonderful view, so I'm told; though we've never been there."
"It has a great view of Lesbos, just over the Bay." The warrior Princess put her obol's worth in. "I have been there."
"Oh! You didn't tell me." The Amazon gave her partner a forlorn look, then broke into a wide smile again. "Lesbos, eh. How far away?"
"A pentekontor could take us there in, say two hours." The Princess drank in the sparkle of light that reflected from those gorgeous green eyes. "Dump the Helmet in the morning; be on Lesbos in the afternoon."
"It's a deal." Gabrielle had turned to Gnaeus and nodded her blonde locks with all the authority of she who made the decisions. Xena merely gazed at the ceiling non-committally.
—O—
They both stood on the wide stone-paved wharf of the minor coastal town of Dikili once more. Three days had passed by and here they were again, on the shore of the sea. Gabrielle held the leather bag with the Helmet, groaning every now and then with its weight. The warrior ignored her.
"So, we're going to have that splendid liburnian all to ourselves, courtesy of Gnaeus? That's sweet of him." Gabrielle stood, rather uncertainly, gazing at the low swift-looking boat tied up beside them. "Um!"
"Fifty oarsmen; wind spot on for direction and just the right strength; waves calm and smooth. Nice tall mast and wide sail." Xena knew what worried her friend and tried, in her own way, to calm the lithe blonde. "Yup! I should say we'll be across the Bay in a day's sail. Nothing to it."
"You're ignoring something, O wise one!" The Amazon turned to look at the leather-clad warrior. "Tros!"
"Ah! Tros!"
"That's his name. Glad you haven't totally forgotten the fool." Gabrielle's tone now became cutting. "Lem'me see, points to remember about Tros—he's a cunning bastard; he knows how to run a ship; he has a one-track mind; he despises you, Xena; he wants that Helmet come Hades or high water; an' he's waiting in his personal trireme somewhere out in that Bay there, for the first sighting of any suspicious boat. That liburnian there, Xena, is a suspicious boat! He'll be on our trail before we've made a couple of parasangs over the Bay, an' you know it."
For answer the warrior Princess turned to the Amazon, and slowly bared her teeth in a wide vicious grin guaranteed to freeze the blood of anyone on the receiving end—except Gabrielle, of course!
"Oh Gods! The Princess has a plan!" The Amazon stepped onto the two angled planks giving access to the boat and strode aboard. "I knew it! I just knew it! I did!"
"Move that beautiful ass, babe." The Princess sniffed disdainfully. "Behold! The Queen of the Seas is coming aboard! If Tros chases us, he'll be history!"
"Oh, Aphrodite's Pearls!"
—O—
Notes:—
1. The Altar of Zeus, or at least the entire frontage including the staircase, side-wings, friezes, and the columned colonnade above, all survive intact. The renovated building has been moved and is now on public show in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin, Germany.
—OOO—