Son of the Star, born of the Mountain Alexander the Great

She put a difficult wooden table three figurines of silver: Aphrodite, Artemis and Athens. Aphrodite was depicted naked, emerging from a pearl, Artemis with a bow behind her back and with a bear next to her, Athena with a shield in her hand.

“Tell me, neophyte, what these figurines mean, their meaning and meaning,” she said triumphantly and leaned back in her chair,

Nearh began to think, his choice was almost like that of Paris with a golden apple, and there are three goddesses before him, and the choice is true, not so cruel, he recalled the dream of Elicia and the Champs-Elysées, recalled the lessons of Kallifeny, Artemis of Ephesus, and spoke:

– This is all one goddess, the twin of Apollo-Ull, the great Elicia. All one in one person, and this is only its embodiment, rather emanations.

“You answered wisely, and your answer is correct,” said the priestess in a stern voice. “Next question: What is the meaning of the Path of Dionysus and the Path of Apollo?”

– It is simple, Nearh answered, and unwittingly smiled, remembering the night of love with a beautiful girl and her teachings, -The path of Dionysus is the knowledge of the world through feelings, and the path of Apollo is the knowledge of the world through the mind, the spiritual path. The symbol of Apollo is Meander, and Dionysus is a bunch of grapes and curly ivy.

– And Elissia, what are her symbols? – asked another question

“The greatest one, at every Hellenic temple, is, Palmetta, crowning the frieze, as the hope of resurrection,” Nearh readily answered.

“You are one of us, Nearh, the elder priestess spoke in a warm voice, and if in the eyes of all Hellas there is any Cretan sorcerer, then where destiny leads you, you will know the covenants of the gods in the eyes of the ignorant. You are now Couretes, a guardian of God, a coribant, knowing the divine institutions. Take it as a sign of community, and wear it with honor, and handed the young man a ring with a picture of the left swastika.

– I congratulate you, said Diokles, – now not a boy, but the last initiation, smoking, koribant, a wise man, – seriously, though with some kind of squint, he said, “I taught you to kill you with a spear, try to do what Honor, now you have become a courier, a warrior of God.

“You must not cut your hair,” Kallifen sternly remarked. “Remember the instructions, and it’s time for you to go, and I will see you off.”

Nearh went to collect his simple belongings, removed his bed, in fact a pile of straw, and took his old raincoat, and a bag with scrolls. When he returned, a giggle was waiting for them, Kallifen was sitting in a carriage, and on the goats was an elderly temple attendant, Diokles remained at the priest’s house, as always strong reliable,

“Goodbye, guy, and let the luck be with you,” he said to the hierophant, “and follow the correct stand, don’t turn the brush when you strike, and watch the walking, in short, Nearh, don’t let yourself be killed.” And if something goes wrong, I’m always glad to see you here, the assistant will not bother me, he repeated, shaking his shoulders, and he accidentally raised the sleeve of the chiton, and changed his face, turned pale, not from fear, the navigator knew that Mentor is not scare, but by surprise, and pain for the student,

“I didn’t know that everything happened so,” and threw a quick glance at the wagon, but the priestess got distracted and didn’t hear them, “The chosen goddess,” he said already very quietly, “Pray for us,” he repeated, and put his fist to his forehead and bowed easily, – Be careful and do not tell anyone about the sign. Farewell and be happy if it works out, – he said, and Nearhar was already getting into the carriage, the driver pulled the reins, and the travelers set off.

Departure

The wagon was very shaky on the bumps, and the road was not at all very even, but Nearh settled down well on the mattresses, and he was almost conveniently, Kallifen also sat on pillows, and felt pretty good, but covered herself with a bedcloth so as not to attract other people’s eyes, and so that the dust would not clog up in the face and hair. The wagon was covered by an umbrella from the sun, so that its rays were fried not too mercilessly. Of course, we drove slowly, and watched the fields and gardens passing by, closer to the evening, we were going to stop at the inn. From time to time Kallifen spoke to her fellow traveler:

– So your father Androtim means? My father knows your father, he also sits in the Council of Lato,

Here, Nearh, who nestled comfortably on the pillows, choked, imagining his father’s reaction to a new acquaintance, because he wasn’t even an epheb, but Dad had a sharp temper, and with age he didn’t become quieter. Niarchu more than once fell for having sailed on the boat alone, or for diving too deep, trying to find the ring of Minos in the famous Voulesmeni lake. He looked again at the priestess who smiled sweetly at him, sitting beside him, and he felt the warmth of her thigh through the fabric, already understanding what she was getting at, but he pretended to be uncomprehending.

– Great, that’s good. How can I not remember you at all? We would be familiar.

“I was given very little to the temple, and I am rarely at home.

“Sadly without relatives?” Asked the young man, thinking of something else, that she is five years older than him, although she is very beautiful and intelligent, but knowing the critical order, and if she speaks to his mother, then they will marry him and will be ashamed that still stubborn and does not appreciate his happiness.

“But I cook well, and I know how to do housekeeping, and we have seven of them very influential,” she said carefully looking at the reaction of Nearh,

The young man liked the priestess very much, but did not like being forced to something. Although here, you will not change anything, so it was destined.

We spent the night in an inn, and even fleas were not there, which is strange. Little by little they were approaching their beloved city, and at the inn, next to the gate, Kallifen ordered to stop, and went into the room of the hostess to disguise herself. She came out of the already written beauty, in clothes costing a fortune, in a silk chiton, with the same silk coat, in beautiful sandals from embossed leather, ears were tied off with earrings in the form of snakes, gold beads around her neck, gold temporal on her head rings, hair, and laid down in a wave, Nearh could not take his eyes off the beauty.

– Do you like, Nearh? – He looked at him and smiled slyly.

“You can’t take your eyes off,” the slightly lost young man replied. “Why so?

– I cann’t your parents anyhow seem like a mess, what a girl said

They got into the wagon, and soon they were at the estate of Androtim, Archon Lato. The house was the same as it was before the departure of Nearh, with a narrow stone pavement and a ditch for water, a fence to the height of a man of rough stone, with ivy, easily overcoming it. Fruit trees grew above the fence, and the red tile roof was visible. The young man knocked on the gate with a bronze ring, almost immediately the oak door was opened to him by an oak door, but dressed festively. “What happened? Thought to Nearh, I definitely did not inform my relatives when I returned.” From the garden came the cry of the father: “Who came?”

“This is me, father,” Nearh shouted, and relatives already went to meet him, with guests whom he did not know, but looking at his companion, I realized that she knew them well. At first, his sisters, Hellanik and Berenice, came running to them, and began to ask their brother,

– Nearch, are you at all on us? And what about the mountains? And the gifts brought? – they vied with each other, and the brother handed gifts to each of the leather embossed belts, similar to not fighting over each other, after that they began to stare at Kallifen and question her:

– And who are you? And you for a long time? Are you really a priestess? Do you have a snake? so even the poor girl could not put in the word,

“And she is beautiful, really, brother,” stated the sly Berenice, and looked at the miracle with honest wide eyes into the eyes of Nearh, and Gellanika laughed loudly, so all the curls laughed with her, so they managed to put the paint and the priestess and curtain into the paint.

Then the father and mother of the navigator approached, and with them the father and mother of Kallifena, mother, Gorgo, took the little laughter in their hands, and took them to the table with refreshments, and Androtim, tightly hugged his son, and Cleon and Rada hugged and kissed Kallifena, his daughter. -Hello, son, Mature, in priestly attire, and went back in time, three months later the ship sailed to Macedonia, will visit to Philip of Macedon and his son Alexander. And Hello to you too, beautiful daughter of my friend Cleon, beautiful as the dawn, no wonder your mother’s name is Rada (the Lightbringer). -Sit down at the table and talk, -said Andractim all, and the hosts and guests went to a small garden, with wonderful pear and peach, ivy-covered, with a table in the centre, where sat the devices with food. Had a lot of pickles, but Nearchou was not up to eating, with him planted Kallifena, she smiled happily, and put him on a dish a piece of rabbit, white bread, and watched what he ate. Of course a solved – approved Andractim, and he nodded kleon Rada, and Gorgo, who returned from home, put to bed daughters. – You, Nearchos, married Kallifena, and don’t you dare to contradict me. You know, in Crete we have old traditions and we honor their, the girl chose you, you were not against, and in the name of Aphrodite, you’ll get married. There is nothing to pull, all finished, with Cleon we discussed it, the wedding is tomorrow, -with these words Kallithea have sardelas and lowered his eyes, and Nearchus did not mind, first, pointless and, secondly for what? Because the girl he liked. -Nearchus, come out from behind the table, a couple of klepser, talk, -said his father, the young man got up and went to follow my father around the corner of the house. -Son, I know you’re young, but the priestess agrees to marry you, and you-it is hard going on his shoulders the mighty hands-my son is one and I don’t want to think that you will die, and our end of the line – and here he smiled, -you’re an adult, and I’m counting on you. The girl is very beautiful, loves you, from a very influential family, so I’m glad that you two are together now. Leave, don’t worry – you priestly caste, and it is, so it’s not an insult Yee for her family. Yes, and it Kleon gives a considerable dowry. -I understand, father, and me she the road, ' replied the son, and the father smiled approvingly and patted him on the shoulder and Went to the guests, said Andractim, They got to the companions, and Kallifena was all crimson, but she laughed, Nearchus leaned toward her and quietly asked, -What happened? -I’ve taught, she said, and laughed, her smile is very painted, and the gold earrings in crimson leather looked just fine. -Well, it’s time to diverge, tomorrow will meet at the temple-said the head of the house, and called his servants with torches to conduct you home guests, now relatives. Early in the morning homemade archon was already on his feet, the servants were preparing the refreshments, and the owners of the manor dressed up for the ceremony, Gorgo, the mother of the groom wore a best dress, family jewels, head covered by a rich shawl, Andractim was in the best linen tunic, with a richly embroidered cloak, the groom is also dressed up than the usual, in a linen robe of an Egyptian and finicity cloak, sandals embossed leather, and nurse girls were also dressed very nicely, Hellenica and Bernice wore the best dresses. All went to the temple of Leto, and next to the sanctuary they had expected Kallifena and her family, so solemn, in their best clothes. Everyone shook hands and together walked up the stylobate of the temple doors, already opened priestess, friend of Undertime on that unforgettable day, bright shone the sun dropped its beam on the bride and groom, as if blessing them and wishing happiness, the same bright light fell on upholstered copper door of the sanctuary, reflected in the faces of the guests. The priestess led Kallifena and Nearchus in the temple, as the last dedication, the rest left on the doorstep, so guests and relatives nobody knew that the priestess said to the newlyweds. And it was said a lot. -Come on, Kallithea and Nearchus, you’re a girl, chose a difficult path, Niarchos is intended to find a New messenger of the gods, the true Saviour, Kallifena looked at her husband now with anxiety-But, as you say, Alicia looks with favor upon him, and the priestess bared shoulder of the young man, after seeing the Sign and the bracelet, so will pray for you both, and all the will cost You of Nearchus, take a wife older than himself, and the priestess, too, a difficult choice, she will always help you. Bless you in the name of the gods, and be happy, – said the priestess with happy smile, and kissed them both. And keep the secret., -she said good-bye. The couple came out of the temple, where they were showered with rose petals, and a happy husband and wife went into the house Undertime, and began to celebrate, the food was ready. In the garden was put up bed for guests, which were few, eight people, all members of the Council of the city of LATO. The food was fine, and the wine is thin and aged, Kallifena was in a dress of dark red color, and Nearchus, and their bed was there, and table was the one on two, the young wife carefully laid her husband with tuna, then moray vines with grapes, then a braised goat kid. The servants gave the guests wreaths of flowers in honor of the young, who with enthusiasm hoisted on their already drunk heads. The whole garden was decorated with flower backing, the divine fragrance filled the evening air, and it was no longer so hot.

– For the health of the young! – sounded exclamations of joyful guests, – Be happy, in the name of all the gods!

Guests lauded treats, wines, and the hospitality of the hosts. Nearh drank quite a bit, as did Kallifen. Soon the guests began to disperse, and everyone went to accompany the young couple to the marital chambers. Nearh took the warm palm of Kallifens and led her into their room now in his father’s house. The corridor was decorated with lamps, garlands of flowers hung on the walls, and the servants sang songs, everyone was joyful, and food and gifts were given to them, the young husband opened the door, and let his wife go, she laughed and stepped on the carpet in front of the bed. He helped the beauty to undress, got ready for bed himself, and they tried not to be disappointed in the plans of the archon Androtim to get grandchildren. So a few months passed, Kallifen served in the temple of Lato, home souls in her did not like, but soon it was necessary to go on a journey. One day, a week before sailing, Kallifen approached Nearh,

“My husband, I have become unmarried,” she said with a blush on her cheeks,

The young man hugged her and kissed her

“Very good, and I am guilty before you, I will soon leave you,” he said bitterly

– There is no one’s fault, fate, the will of the gods, and I am glad that I met you. Ordinary men are afraid of priestesses, and they could not marry me, she said, shaking her head, “We are happy, what more could you want?” She spread her arms and hugged him and kissed him tightly.

– We have to tell the father and mother,

– Yes, and my parents too, – my wife agreed. – Let’s go, breakfast time.

They came, everyone had already gathered for a meal, and Kallifena said this news to Androtim in his ear, he brightened and exclaimed, raising his hands: “Glory to the gods!” Gorgo asked: “What is the matter?”.

“Then, then,” the archon replied, “Lato didn’t leave us, takes something, but also rewards.”

A week passed in gathering, Nearh turned out to be an impressive pack of good, and he accompanied his father’s goods to Macedonia-oil, saffron, Egyptian flax, and the ship was his father, he had a monthly voyage on the sea, from island to island, right up to Amphipolis. captured by Philip Port on the Strymon River. The ship was well equipped, it was a merchant ship, sailing, and stood in Lato’s harbor. When Nearch and Kallifena were boating on the island of Voulismeni, named after Ulla defender, they saw this vessel. Wife, priestess, but she was a true Cretan girl, and she loved the sea and the ships, and when it was possible, before the pregnancy, she and the young men loved to swim in the sea, then she seemed to Almostarchus almost nude, beautiful, with flowing long curly hair.

So the sad day of farewell came, the Lord’s luggage was carried away by the servants to the ship, and one of them went with him to Macedonia, because it is inappropriate for a noble person to travel alone. All the family accompanied him to the ship, Androtim and Gorgo walked in front, and behind them walked hand under the arm of Kallifen with Nearh, who from time to time looked into his eyes, as if trying to remember better. They walked along a street paved with hewn stone, until the heat descended on the proud, the sun had just risen over the endless sea, and its golden rays illuminated the endless expanses of the kingdom of Poseidon.

“Well, goodbye, son,” said Androtim, hugging him, the goddess chose you, and you have to do what is necessary,

“Come back soon,” Gorgo told her son, crying and swallowing tears, not trying to hide them, just wiping them with a handkerchief, “We will take care of the child,” she repeated, hugging him, and kissing him good-bye.

– Mother, let go of your son, smiling father remarked, -Let him and his wife say goodbye, he does not forever swim away.

“Good luck, I know you will not die there, come back to me soon,” Kallifen told him, also wiping her tears,

“Don’t cry,” Nearhs whispered in her ear, “Everything will be fine, and in a year you will take you to Amphipolis,