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...I see.

Do you believe that the guerrillas can defeat the Sargonians?

Even though we've been losing for a century?

(Nods)

I haven't received any divine revelations, and I can't tell the future. I can't even leave with you.

But I will promise what I can.

I'll protect our village, our houses, our farms and flowerbeds. Perhaps we can go to Athenius, where you came from, once you're victorious.

I'll still be a ferryman, ferrying you to your workplace at the temple on the other side of the city as the sun shines upon the Delphi Canal... I've been imagining the scene ever since you described it to me.

...Are you listening, Ithakos?

Minos is in for a cold winter this year, brother.

(Rows furiously)

The ferryman shakes his head. What was his response to Ithakos?

For many years, he still could not remember.

There you are, Master Xanthos. You're ten minutes late.

I've never been late before, Lykeion. This is the first time.

I saw your chiton by the shore. I thought you might have dropped it yesterday when you left, or a thief might have stolen it only to decide it was too old and ragged to keep. Little could I have imagined that you had gone for a morning swim.

So, out of habit, I folded and stowed your chiton—

You cannot reproach me for it, for you had not informed me of your schedule.

It is I who should reproach you, for the doctor has warned you to be careful...

Thank you, Lykeion. Over the years, I have taught you how to fight and ferry, and you have handled my daily needs wholeheartedly.

I am not reproaching you. I simply have to leave early today, so tardiness weighs heavily on my mind.

You're changing the topic again... wait, are you going to the cemetery to visit...?

Ithakos, my friend.

He was only your age when we bid farewell. I never saw him again.

I should say some words of comfort, but I find them beyond my ability.

You should stay within your abilities. It's rarely your place to go beyond them.

The fruit farmers and workers at the First Temple have been in conflict over boat assignments for days. They're asking the dockmaster—me—to arbitrate. <i>This</i> is what we should be putting our minds to.

Let's go to the main crossing. It will be a busy day.

One moment, Master Xanthos.

The Astynomos 'requests' your presence at this secondary crossing today, to repair the boats that have broken down.

No one in Athenius uses the word 'priority' more than Lydia. What else did she say?

Nothing.

Is the Sargonian mission due to arrive today?

...I think so.

Hmph. Should I be grateful or angry that Lydia still remembers me?

She should pull all the teeth out of my oars, or simply throw me in jail, so that I never get the chance to meet the Sargonian envoys coming to visit their old 'stomping grounds'.

*pant* *pant* Excuse me! Can we get a ride across?

Too many people at the other crossings. We'll be late.

You said your ambassador has been delayed by... certain circumstances?

I mean no offense, as that is precisely the case.

I beg your understanding, Astynomos. The Minoan vistas are beautiful, while Her Excellency is young and curious. She is bound to commit some... youthful indiscretions.

I say again, as deputy chief of mission, and as the man invested with the titles of the Ancient and Exalted Sargonian House of Enshi-Pah, I am equally empowered to act on the Empire's behalf.

Of course. I have the utmost confidence in you, Kýrios Behnui.

When do the Athenians intend to hold the ceremony, then?

What ceremony?

The exchange ceremony.

Our two nations formally established diplomatic relations at the beginning of this year. As part of our cultural exchange, we are repatriating our relics of Kereseira, the founding hero of Minos, to Athenius.

In exchange, we will receive the technical legacy that the Sargonians left behind during the construction of Athenius, Corinia, and Lachedamon... surely you have not forgotten, Honored Astynomos?

Of course not... Your Excellency.

We stand now in the Astynomos' Office, instead of... elsewhere... because of the non-aggression pact that was signed following the last major battle between our two nations in the Minoan borderlands.

Hmph...

Sorry, I have been rather overworked lately. I'm sure you saw the vast construction sites and passionate craftsmen as you passed by the agora by the river when you entered the city.

Yes.

It's the rebuilding of the First Temple. One in five Athenians are involved in the project.

The First Temple...?

As you said yourself, Kereseira is the founding hero of Minos. Perhaps you've heard of her deeds.

At the very beginning, she led refugees from scattered tribes out of war and plague, and brought them to a garden encircled by mountains.

Those who followed Kereseira built the First Temple of Minos here, and thus began the bloodline of heroes.

After that came Athenius, and the land of a thousand poleis.

That First Temple was lost to the fires of war. Now, it is being rebuilt by the people of Athenius themselves... I'm sure the significance is not lost on you.

...I understand.

To obtain the stone needed to rebuild the temple, however, we've kept Athenius by Mt. Hymnoi for an entire week.

And it's apple season. Fresh apples need to be ferried out through the crossings, while unripe fruits need plenty of sunlight.

The quality of the apples will be compromised if the city does not move to an area with more sunlight soon. I'm sure you saw the fruit farmers gathered at the crossing.

Yes, I did.

The people need to commemorate their heroes. The farmers need to ensure that their harvest is not ruined. You understand that an Astynomos does not have all that much power in the Minoan administrative system.

I need the priests' approval for everything.

I confess that I am rather overwhelmed right now.

Perhaps looking for excuses has eaten up too much of your time.

Your Excellency misunderstands.

I'm of the younger generation myself. At a time when all the centrum powers are actively seeking change, I believe smaller nations like ours must keep up with the times.

The exchange of Kereseira's relics for the data from the Three Poleis has been at least six months in the making.

It is an honor to play a small part in facilitating the new friendship between Sargon and Minos after years of conflict.

Hmph. We'll see about that.

I suggest you and your mission take some time to see the city. The Athenian sights are spectacular, and I'm sure you'll find it well worth your time.

Perhaps you could even visit the site of the First Temple's rebuilding... after all, it is Kereseira's relics that you are returning. Maybe this was ordained by fate.

Minoans love drama and philosophy. We enjoy the rigor of preparation and logical deduction, but we also hope for pleasant surprises.

As for the exchange, we will hold a formal ceremony in a couple of days.

By Minoan tradition, ceremonial occasions begin with a play directed by the priests, imploring the heroes to bless the occasion and ensure that everything goes smoothly.

However, Athenius created the post of Astynomos two years ago to reduce the burden on the priests and simplify procedures. Therefore, I've already assigned someone to begin preparations.

My trusty aide and Grammateús here will make comprehensive arrangements for you during your stay. Seek him out if you have any issues... Hekádemos!

Here.

Hekádemos, Nobody of Minos, the Blaring Megaphone, at your service... during working hours.

I have no use for some pretty boy.

I mean, it's been a long journey and I am tired. I will wait at the hotel until the arrangements for the exchange ceremony are made.

As for visiting the First Temple rebuilding site, I will leave the opportunity to Her Excellency the Ambassador. She is a museologist, full of energy. I'm sure she'll be very interested.

I see. I will have Hekádemos speak to Ambassador Medjehtiqedti directly.

I look forward to what 'pleasant surprise' you have to offer, Astynomos.

But—I hope I don't learn you are stalling for time, or hiding some ulterior motive.

I could say the same to you, Kýrios Behnui.

Look out the window. The morning mist on the Delphi Canal is just beginning to dissipate. This peace wasn't easy to win. I hope we can all be honest with each other.

What a shame that I didn't have the opportunity to see Kyría Mashayer today. Young and promising, yet mercurial... what is she like?

Ugh—

Oh, purr-lease. You've only just put one foot on the boat. Look at you.

(Whisper) It's tipping!

It's a boat. It's supposed to do that.

Didn't you say you signed up for the yacht club when you studied in Max D.C.?

(Whisper) I-I was too busy with my studies. Most of my time was spent either in the restoration room, or at archaeological sites... I only ended up going there twice.

So you're from Columbia. I had thought, by your garb, that you were...

Master Xanthos.