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'Neither shall my heart know the tranquility of night and the leisure of day again...'

It's been seven years, Ithakos, old friend.

The tall warrior places the cyclamen flowers before the white grave marker.

His movements are light and gentle, but several white petals still fall upon the ground.

You're late.

I'm simply passing through, on my way to a burdenbeast ranch with a view.

You can find all the excuses you want, but you know you can't let it go.

Neither can I.

You haven't once visited the Endymion Temple in your five years in Athenius.

The first and last time you came was when you brought Ithakos's bloody chiton.

I don't need the guidance of the heroes.

But you continue to dream the same dream. You blame yourself for sending Ithakos across the river, to the battle where he died.

The river runs only in my dreams now, since the Sargonians built a dam upstream.

It brought the melting snow from Heria's peaks to my homeland, and it brought him...

Ithakos was one of the few true friends that I had, one who was never concerned for who I am or what I can do.

His family was tormented by the fires of war, and his father lived most of his life as a broken man. But he would not accept the same fate. His eyes were bright and eager when he received divine revelation.

Whatever the outcome, he found a friend and a brother in you. Did he ever visit you in your dreams, telling you not to mourn him anymore?

It's your place to interpret dreams, and mine to mourn and remember. I will soothe my rage in my own way.

The war is over. Sargon has signed a non-aggression pact with us, and this visit by the Sargonian mission is a symbol of our new relationship.

I know that. Lydia made a point to put me in my place.

The first Astynomos in Athenian history elected by popular vote, empowered to handle diplomatic matters and certain public issues independent of the council and the priests...

She's caused you a fair share of trouble, hasn't she?

Endymion Temple has not been affected yet, but some fringe clerics and the roles of their temples are being marginalized. Besides...

Kereseira's First Temple is nearing completion. There should be a ceremonial play organized by the priests to call the spirit of Kereseira into the temple and grant Minos her protection.

Now, the play is being organized by the Astynomos' Office.

The Astynomos purported to assent when I discussed this matter with her a few days ago, but she was evasive when it came to the program we'd choose...

To her, the priests and their ceremonies are just props to promote Minoan tourism.

Your insistence on using canonized classical drama will only be seen as an act of aggression by the priesthood.

I understand that reform is inevitable, but...

Some things will not and can not change.

Lydia's little power plays on the administrative side are none of my business, but I won't stand idly by if the Sargonian visitors have ill intent.

I'm no hero, just an ordinary Infected, and I don't need the guidance of divine revelation, but I still dream.

If I tell you that I dreamt of a river running red with blood, as Ithakos did nine years ago...

How would you interpret it?

Xanthos!

Excuse me. I have work to do at the crossing, and an apprentice waiting for me.

You're really too kind, Titi. Not only did you solve our dispute with the fruit farmers, you're also helping us look for Pallas.

It's nothing. Besides, I want to meet the one who came up with the temple project, face-to-face.

This Pallas was last seen at the crossing?

Yes.

She was sitting on the docks, drinking and muttering in the direction of distant Mt. Hymnoi.

She's helped us with so many things since the rebuilding of the temple began. Although she doesn't hold any position in the temples of Athenius, and Kassandra from Endymion Temple is the one in charge of the responsibilities that are above-board...

Pallas was the one who took care of everything behind the scenes, from the division of labor to procurement to smoothing things over with the right people.

I see. It's certainly concerning that someone so reliable would go missing all of a sudden...

Ah, well... it's not the first time.

Almost forgot to ask. What does she look like?

A small Forte lady, always seems like she's half-asleep. She wears a little flower on her head.

A little flower... the kind with two leaves, and petals so red you can't see the wrinkles?

Yes! How did you know?

Does it look like that?

The craftsman turns in the direction that Titi is pointing, to see a small red flower swaying gently in a pile of apples.

Yes, it does... but that's one of the apple farmers' crates, isn't it? What's a flower doing there?

Wait, there's something inside! Duck!

It is as though the crate has just woken up, sending ripe apples pouring across the docks, falling into the clear waters of the Delphi Canal.

A Forte slides out from the bed of fruit, rubbing her eyes at the sudden influx of bright sunlight.

P-Pallas?

Guys! Guys! No need for the boat! We found Pallas!

This is Pallas, the people's hero, the proponent and reliable supervisor of the rebuilding plan?

She's not quite what I imagined...

Titi approaches the young woman on the ground curiously.

She examines the horns for signs of battle, trying to determine her weapon's construction, whether it is able to support unique Originium Arts...

She even has the urge to reach for the mysterious little flower, to see if it is a boon from the Minoan heroes.

But Titi senses nothing unusual, except the sweet scent of apples.

The young woman seems to have woken up. Titi leans in to hear what she is muttering.

Mount... Hymnoi...

The western peak... level it... to let the sunlight...

Tell the farmers and workers... what's missing...

Yes... apple cider should be... shared...

Leveling the peak to solve the sunlight problem? So she came to the same conclusion I did... she's thinking about rebuilding the temple, even in her sleep.

Who says a hero has to be big and brawny? How could I forget that I'm in Minos, not Sargon?

Mm... who are you?

We meet at last, Pallas, first proponent of the rebuilding of Kereseira's First Temple.

I'm Medjehtiqedti Nasutu Mashayer, ambassador from Sargon.

Medj...?

My friends call me Titi.

You got the workers and farmers to calm down by having them arm-wrestle as Heraces did? You are a clever one, Titi.

But you already found the solution last night. You just fell asleep in a pile of apples due to exhaustion.

Shame about the apple cider... you were planning to treat the workers and farmers, and get them to work together after they got a little tipsy, weren't you?

Correct. But it's being put to good use to treat an honored guest.

No better medicine for boat sickness, if you're still feeling it! <i>Yia mas!</i>

<i>Yia mas!</i>

Oh, so sweet—this is good!

Please, tell me honestly... even though we had the same idea, was it perhaps inappropriate for me to interfere with the rebuilding of the First Temple?

Because you're the Sargonian ambassador?

Because Sargon was—

Just answer this question, Titi. Do you think the Whitemane King's conquest of Minos was necessary?

No.

Even though it distracted Sargonians from internal strife?

The empire needs to solve its own issues! Blaming it on innocent neighbors is a sign of incompetence.

Although I probably wouldn't be so frank, back in Sargon...

Fine words, fine words! Have another drink! <i>Yamas!</i>

I didn't think a woman so carefree and whimsical would be so pointed when discussing history.

As long as your answer comes from the heart and not concern for your own safety, I think we'll become very good friends.

Priestess Pallas—

Is this how you address a friend?

Then... Just Pallas. I believe one must not forget oneself, no matter where one goes.

Pepe—a friend of mine back in Sargon—says my train of thought is all over the place and I have no common sense, but that's another matter entirely!

Looks like the Sargon padishahs made a wise choice in picking you to lead the mission...

Don't worry, the workers and farmers are very fond of you. We know a bad egg when we see one, and we don't hate all Sargonians.

Besides, at a time like this, simply participating in the rebuilding of the First Temple is hardly crossing any lines, as long as it helps solve problems.