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Were they transferred?

That is unusual. Has Kyría Athopoulou's Oripathy treatment system been implemented already?

Where were they transferred?

Don't bother, Hekádemos. I don't know who they are to you, but not even the Grammateús to the Astynomos is authorized to see inmates on death row.

Death row?!

Sorry, Kyría Athopoulou...

Does Lydia... I mean, does the Astynomos really not have the time?

I heard that Xanthos and his apprentice were arrested for theft.

They're my patients, and in a key stage of treatment, as the Rhodes Island clinic already reported.

Xanthos's Blood Originium-Crystal Density is particularly high, which could potentially lead to an acute attack of Oripathy. I would like to deliver medicine to them...

Look, I don't understand any of the medical jargon you're throwing around.

We are all very grateful to you for returning to Athenius, bringing back medical knowledge that you learned abroad and establishing an Oripathy clinic, but...

I shouldn't talk too much, but you're a good doctor, and the Astynomos' sister. You really should keep your distance from her for a few days at least, if only for the sake of your relationship.

Why?

The official line says the crime was theft, but the Sargonian ambassador came here a few days ago and said the thing that was stolen wasn't the ambassador's personal item, but an important relic for the exchange ceremony.

He put a lot of pressure on Lydia. They're probably going to be publicly charged with treason, once the ceremony is over.

Treason?! But according to Minoan law—

Most of the issues the Astynomos faces cannot be solved through legal procedures.

She wants a new, modern Minos, and she is willing to give everything for it. That's why we're willing to work for her.

Perhaps you're not aware, but she gave up her family inheritance, even chasing her other family out of Athenius after taking office...

She gave up her inheritance?

I thought the business failed...

This exchange of relics is an important part of her administration. There must be no mistake, at least not on the surface... even if it means sacrificing two lives. It's not like they're innocent, after all.

I'm sorry... I have to get back to work.

What is Lydia...?

Well, she wouldn't meet with me, and I doubt I can convince her, even if we did meet.

But Xanthos and Lykeion need to be tried fairly. I can't let Lydia make a mistake like this. What do I do?

Sorry, I was lost in thought—

Kyría Athopoulou?

You've been staring out the window, Astynomos.

Apologies, Hiéreia Kassandra.

Why not let Kyría Athopoulou in? I have to discuss the establishment of an Oripathy treatment system with her anyway.

Oh? I thought you wanted to get extra help to plead the case of the two Infected who were arrested a few days ago.

You know that ferryman, Xanthos, quite well. I believe you were the one who found him the job at the crossing?

The peace officers will deal with this theft. Neither of us need to worry about it.

I'm afraid I don't have that luxury. If this incident affects the trust between us and Sargon, then this incident will become more than a simple theft...

What?

It's my own business. It has nothing to do with a priestess of Endymion Temple.

Back on topic, Hiéreia Kassandra. The opening play for tomorrow's exchange ceremony has been decided. It is to be <i>King Pertheus</i>, a popular classic across Terra.

All the priests need to do is attend. There will be no need for complicated rituals.

A few weeks ago, I came to discuss the priest-directed ceremonial play for the completion of Kereseira's First Temple. I have not seen you at the Astynomos' Office since.

I apologize. My schedule is a busy one. I certainly remember. The exchange ceremony also requires an opening play, and we can kill two fowlbeasts with one stone this way. We need not bother the priests, however.

Excuse me, but the rebuilding of Kereseira's First Temple is a symbol of the people's spirit. Now that it is complete, tradition calls for a proper ceremony to invite the heroes to enter the temple and give Minos their blessings.

The council is not trying to usurp your administrative power, and the exchange ceremony does fall within your responsibility.

However, Minoan drama began as a ritualistic performance.

Every single detail is carefully arranged, from the props to the program to the performers. It's not enough to simply put on a popular play.

'Immortal legend'... 'witness of the oracle'... 'heroic relic'...

Do not think that I am completely ignorant of traditional ceremony, or that I'm one of those radicals who calls for every tradition to be abolished.

But even if you have your choice of the program and control over the troupe, there is still something missing from the traditional ritual that you want, isn't there?

...The Sargonian mission brought Kereseira's harp.

Oh? You <i>do</i> recognize the relic's ritual significance?

...What do you mean?

I'm neither an archaeologist nor a historian. As Astynomos, however, I understand every priest who sits on the council, including you.

You are the head priestess of Endymion Temple, and endowed with the divine gift of speaking on behalf of the heroes. Your knowledge of heroic epics puts most scholars to shame.

Yet you showed no interest about the harp of Kereseira that the Sargonian mission brought with them. You didn't even ask to see it.

I don't know why exactly, but I can tell that the harp the Sargonian mission brought was not the heroic relic that you knew.

The ceremonial play could not have been performed to begin with.

No, I already...

I have nothing against the council, Hiéreia Kassandra. If you present a legitimate heroic relic for the ceremony, I would be more than happy to give the choice of play back to you.

For the past century, however, the temples have mostly used crude replicas in place of true relics for your ceremonies. I don't need to tell you that the link between us and the heroes is weakening.

As a modern state, Minos can no longer rely on ancient legends to unite our people's spirit. No need to worry, however. The temples and priests will continue to exist.

You can continue to contribute to historical research and tourism.

It's getting late, Pallas. We should split up and make our own preparations.

Are you really sure about this, Titi?

Yes. Ever since Behnui learned the harp was a fake, he's had it under guard by our retinue. He's not letting me get anywhere near it.

He's definitely going to post more guards tonight so nothing unexpected happens, but it'll be a different story tomorrow when the exchange ceremony takes place.

He'll have to leave it exposed in public, which is where we'll find our chance...

Right.

But what comes next?

Next? The Sargonian government will probably give a formal apology about the whole affair, while sending more diplomats to discuss things with the Astynomos in private.

On the outside, it will look like a Sargonian mission taking a Minoan national treasure and fleeing, but the people in charge of both nations will know that all they lost was a fake.

That's not what my question was about, Titi. I want to know what will happen to you.

Me?

I'll take the fake harp and Mio and leave via the ancient route. Can't go back to Menat-Ha'mait, Padishah Khery's guards would definitely chase me across the entire city.

If I really do get caught, then it doesn't matter if it's by Behnui or Padishah Khery. Either one would most likely eliminate any inconvenient evidence, then push the blame onto Minos.

I'll have to keep running. Only then would Sargon's lofty nobles not dare look too deeply into this 'burglary' without authorization. What I will carry away with me is not just a fake harp, but the truth as well.

Titi...

Look, no trying to talk me out of it.

I'm all for better ideas, believe me. I don't really want to carry a big, heavy harp around Terra either.

Go home, Pallas. Let me be alone for a while. I'll see you tomorrow morning.

Fine...

Titi leans against the back of a seat in the plaza, and looks up.

The night sky is always perfectly clear in Minos, a great boon to stargazers. It is this heavenly advantage that caused the ancient Minoans to associate their heroes with the positions of the stars.

When she was young, Titi's father would look up at the stars and tell her the stories of these heroes.

Some you can find in the history books. As for those with no source, perhaps they were simply cooked up by her underachieving bookworm of a father.

Though illness took him from this land prematurely, Titi still remembers clearly every story he told her.

Within those tales, those tales of Minos, will she find one of an exiled hero carrying a fake harp?

Countless stars sparkle silently in the dark sky. Titi does not find her answer.

It's late, I clocked out a long time ago. Whatever it is, it can wait until my shift tomorrow—

It is I, Grammateús.

Kassandra?

Forgive me, I know you are resting at the moment.

Err... May I ask why you have deigned to visit me in the middle of the night?

I wished to know if the Astynomos has told you anything regarding the theft involving Master Xanthos and his apprentice.

I had called upon the Astynomos' office earlier to discuss the ceremonial play with her, and when I mentioned the case from a few days ago, she became evasive.

Ah, the Astynomos most likely has her own concerns. It's the exchange ceremony tomorrow, after all. She not only has to deal with the entire process, but also the Sargonian delegation.

Therein lies my worries.

If the delegation were to ask for the case to be re-examined in the name of bilateral trust, as the Astynomos is in charge of diplomacy, Lydia could hardly refuse.

I could tell she was a little tense while we were talking, and her side desk had piles of Minoan law codices and incident investigation reports.

She most likely is already having her hand twisted by the envoy. This means the charges against Xanthos and his apprentice will only become more severe, and...