The Necklace of Goddess Athena

by Effrosyni Moschoudi

  The model flew with amazing speed, performing a series of impressive stunts in the hands of its owner, who clutched the controls and kept turning around to face the model at all times. The model ascended the sky vertically, only to nose-dive next at a tremendous speed. Then, it broke into a series of loops and rolls that caused the bystanders to gasp and shout with admiration, asking its pilot to do it again.

  The man obliged with a wide grin, sending the model high again, then making it nose-dive with its engine shut down this time in a seemingly fatal fall. But then, quite near off the ground, the model bounced up to the sky again as the engine revved with a loud growl, saving it from total destruction. It was now zooming past, high above the spectators once more, its engine shrieking.

  “Cool! That’s awesome!” cried Manos, turning to Ksenia. “Please, can we go see?” His eyes were ablaze, leaving the others with no other option but to oblige him.

  They crossed the main road and entered the wasteland. The hobbyists had parked their cars in a line, the trunks all open in the back. The men jabbered, the spirit of camaraderie strong. The wives had all come together a little further away with the children, sitting in foldable chairs under beach umbrellas. They’d packed snacks, sandwiches, and thermos flasks with ice coffee and cold water.

  Manos, the others trailing behind him, approached a few men huddled together. They were watching someone change the propeller on a WWII model. The youngsters greeted the men and received a warm welcome. Two of the women approached and offered everyone biscuits and fruit juice in plastic cups. The modelers were eager to chat, but one in particular, a moustached, elderly man, was very open to Manos’s questions. The kind modeler showed the boy how the controls worked and invited him to stand with him as he flew his model.

  Sitting under the beach umbrellas with the wives and her friends, Ksenia watched them and gasped when the man handed over the controls to Manos for a few moments. But then, she saw the expression of sheer delight on his face when he handed the controls back to the man. She smiled to herself, thinking how adorable her brother was. She thought how her parents would love him when they came back, and the thought made her heart swell. Phevos then tapped her on the arm and made sounds about leaving so together with Daphne they went to get Manos, who didn’t object. He was just as eager as everyone else to try to find Anna.

  Everyone said their thanks and goodbyes, and strolled back to the main road. Within seconds, they were standing at a crossroads where the coastal road intersected another that carried on uphill into the sparse woodlands of the mountains. On the other side of the intersection, the same road carried on just a few yards, leading to the beach. Everyone looked to Phevos, as always expecting him to lead; an honor he didn’t always handle with confidence, and this was one of those moments.

  Phevos felt lost. In a desperate attempt to find a sign there and then, he took the wand out of his backpack. The sunlight made its aquatic contents shine, but other than that, there was no flash of light. All four of them felt at a loss.

  “Right! I suggest we walk down the coastal road a bit!” piped up Phevos, more for the sake of saying something to encourage them, and less because he thought it might benefit them in the slightest.

  “In which direction?” asked Manos.

  “Well, if I had to choose, I’d say toward Sounio rather than Athens,” replied Phevos.

  “And why are we only considering the coastal road? Why not try this one?” said Daphne pointing to both sides of the street running at right angles to the coastal road. Her suggestion took them all by surprise for some reason.

  “You want us to go to the beach? This may be Poseidon’s kingdom, but I doubt anything will come of it if we were to bathe the wand in there!” said Manos. He knew well that Daphne hadn’t meant to go to the beach, but he could sense that everyone’s spirits had gone low and felt it was time to share some of his perpetual cheerfulness.

  “Of course not! I mean to go in the opposite direction,” replied Daphne pointing to the street that went past the side of the wasteland and uphill through a residential area, toward the imposing mountains in the distance.

  “You want us to go toward the mountain?” asked Ksenia exasperated. She wished they would go anywhere, as long as they moved on and did something, rather than stand in the baking heat, waiting for a miracle.

  “Yes. It makes sense to try the residential area. After all, we are looking for Anna’s house, or am I mistaken?” asked Daphne.

  “Good choice,” said Ksenia. “There must be fewer houses along the main road.”

  “You’re right,” said Phevos, “It looks like the main road only has shops and tavernas. Look over there,” he said, pointing toward the establishments that stood side by side along the busy street. Not a single private dwelling in sight.

  “Let’s go then!” said Manos and they set off, following his hurried steps. Looking determined, yet somewhat uncomfortable in the heat, they walked past the wasteland leaving the beach and the carefree swimmers behind. Some of the friends they’d just made noticed them and waved to them. All four returned the gesture, but Phevos was also careful not to let them see the wand.

  Phevos took a newspaper out of his backpack and rolled it around the wand to hide it from view from any passers-by. He didn’t want to put it back in the bag in case it flashed, but at the same time didn’t want to risk raising suspicion among any strangers who might see it. He walked on, glancing at the wand inside the newspaper as often as he could.

  They passed by impressive houses with high balconies, and quaint villas with inviting gardens of freshly mown lawn. These beautiful dwellings were quite a contrast to the shabby weekend homes interspersed among them. Some of them looked old and neglected with chipped wood on the walls and discolored ceramic pots in the weedy, front yards. Their overhead trellises were overgrown, laden with bougainvillea and ivy that begged for the sight of a sharp pair of shears.

  The heat became unbearable as they continued to walk uphill. Phevos was desperate by now for a response from the wand in his hands, and the girls started to complain that they were very thirsty. Only Manos seemed chirpy still. When they reached a church with a whitewashed yard, they all had the same notion. Without saying a word, they walked up to the large plane tree that stood there, drawn by the generous shade of its dense foliage and the serenity of the setting.

  It was a quiet neighborhood, and as they sat on the cool concrete bench under the tree, the only thing that broke the silence was the loud singing from the crickets in the branches. There was a mini market across the road, and Manos volunteered to buy water for everyone. When he returned, he handed the first bottle to his sister. Ksenia patted his head, but there was a tired expression on her face, nothing more than a shadow, and so, no one really noticed as they quenched their thirst.

  They all sat on the bench, fiddling with the empty bottles in their hands, enjoying the cool shade in the stillness, and looking around. These moments allowed some of them to pray in silence. The tiny church stood before them with its door wide open in invitation, like a beacon of hope made of brick, mortar and marble.

  Phevos looked at the wand again. Still no reaction. What now? Where would they go next? Phevos scolded himself silently. He felt guilty for bringing everyone here, for encouraging them, only to disappoint them like this. He hadn’t chosen to be their leader. He’d tried the best he could. He turned to look at them one by one as they stared out into space and felt responsible for the frustration on their faces.

  Ksenia looked upset, about to burst into tears, her head hung low. Phevos reached out and put an arm around her. She didn’t lift her head or speak, and the guilt pricked him inside one more time. He opened his mouth but closed it again finding nothing of use to say. What did he expect? Did he really believe Anna would appear before them just like that? Or perhaps she was about to waltz out of that church right there, holding the other two wands like trophies. No. Phevos scolded himself for the bitter sarcasm, a quality he didn’t pos
sess and wouldn’t allow himself to acquire now.

  “Precious Brother, don’t lose faith!” said Daphne. She’d always had this gift of guessing his thoughts just by looking at him.

  “Oh, Daphne,” he replied as his frustration burst out of his lips. “Look at the wand! Nothing! What was I thinking?” He gave a bitter laugh, shaking his head.

  “But we have Poseidon on our side! You said so!” Daphne reasoned. “I’m sure he has a plan for us. The signs are out there for us to find. Remember what Father said. Don’t you forget!”

  “The signs . . .” whispered Phevos. The thought that they were out there waiting to be found brought with it a glimmer of hope. Yes, he shouldn’t forget his father’s advice. Determined, he raised his head. His eyes were now bright with intention.

  “Of course, Phevos! The signs!” exclaimed Ksenia jolting upright like a coiled spring. The others were startled, as they watched her trot away from them. For a moment they thought she was going into the church, but then she stopped and turned around. She stared at them with fury in her eyes, as she began to stride toward them, gesticulating frantically. Her eyes softened somewhat when she neared them. They looked sorrowful now, which made the smile on her face confusing.

  “How could you ever forget about the signs, Phevos?” she cried, “God forbid if we did anything sane these days instead of looking for immaculately disguised, artfully concealed, God-awful signs!” she spat out trembling all over with emotion. Her eyes were enormous now, and her arms were spread out. She stopped in front of Phevos. “And you! Yes, I’m talking to you!” she continued, pointing at him with a shaky finger. “You’ve traveled through the centuries to come here! You’ve made sense of strange dreams! You’ve dug up my garden to discover a wand that responds to words! And yet, you lose your courage? You doubt where we are going? If you, the strongest, the most gifted of us all, forget about the signs, then what are we going to do, I ask you? What?” she shrieked and then let her arms fall limply to her sides.

  Ksenia hung her head and sighed. The others watched her, aghast, but by the time she looked up again, her eyes pooling with tears, Phevos was already there to take her into his arms and comfort her. He knew his Ksenia was one of those rivers that seem serene on the surface, allowing no one to see the currents that run in the depths, the currents of sorrow, of frustration, and pain.

  Ksenia had had to keep up appearances all her life in order to be strong for the weak, to take the place of the missing ones, and to do a job well done at the end of the day, regardless of what lay beneath. And because Phevos understood all that, he knew she was already feeling sorry for her sudden outburst when she sat back down on the bench crying like a child in his arms, letting it all out.

  And that was a lot, since nothing had been let out for nearly eleven years. Having to be a surrogate mother and a sister to Manos, she’d never allowed herself to feel weak even when she was alone. As Phevos held her, wiping the tears from her face and kissing her hair as she leaned against him, now calm again, his eyes fell on the lamppost next to the church’s entrance like an arrow that hits the bull’s-eye.

  His gaze had wandered in that direction earlier on, when deep in thought, he’d been contemplating the next step forward. He had noticed the intricate designs of the metal work on the lamppost but not the poster on it. He couldn’t read the writing because of the distance, but the title was in large print, and his strong eyesight allowed him to read it now. The word resounded in his head like angel music, and yet, it was an aquatic song, for the word was ‘Poseidon’.

  Startled by his cry of enthusiasm, they all rushed behind him as he walked up to it. The full title read ‘Poseidon Grill Restaurant’, and it was an announcement for its opening that evening. They all agreed it had to be a sign, especially because the day of the opening coincided with their visit to the town. According to the poster, the restaurant was situated on the coastal road, and they all agreed to go there at once. By the time they picked up their bags from the bench, their spirits had lifted.

  Ksenia was still embarrassed and kept apologizing for her outburst, but by the time they returned to the main coastal road, her face was one of bright sunshine, showing no trace of the thundering cloud that had fleeted past it.

  They asked a local at the intersection and found the restaurant two hundred yards or so along the road to Sounio. It was on the beach and had a humble, pale yellow façade. A small restaurant sign was mounted above the entrance and a white banner hung across the wall announcing the opening that night. On either side of the entrance, large pots full of yellow, red and pink geraniums added splashes of vibrant color. There were no tables on the pavement outside, but that was no surprise. On their way there, just before turning the last corner along the windy road, they’d seen the restaurant from afar. On its other side that looked out to sea, it had a large balcony that extended over the water. That was the restaurant’s external sitting area, and it looked extremely inviting. It was as if it were sailing on the sea, a ship deck of antique-style lanterns, festive garlands and pot plants.

  As they stood outside the entrance, they hesitated for a while, feeling unsure about their rudimentary plan. They had decided to go in and ask to see the menu, hoping to find Anna among the staff. Should Ksenia recognize her, all she’d have to do is look at Phevos and he’d know. He could read her face like an open book.

  As they hovered outside trying to work up the courage, Phevos looked up and noticed the terrace on the upper floor was full of pots with herbs, flowers, and even vegetables. There seemed to be a private dwelling up there. Old vines had crept up the front wall over the years, framing the entrance with dark fruit and delicate leaves that rustled in the sea breeze.

  Phevos’s affinity for gardening made him admire the pretty picture a little longer while the others discussed who should do the talking. Of course, they elected Phevos. Just as they were about to get his attention, a cheerful voice echoed from behind them.

  “I don’t believe it! Hello there!”

  When they turned around, the elderly lady from the bus was still smiling. “We’re opening tonight. Are you coming?”

  “Oh! Is this your restaurant?” asked Ksenia.

  “No, my darling, I’m just the cook. Not permanent staff, though. I’m only helping for tonight. We’re expecting a lot of people.”

  “Oh, that’s nice,” said Ksenia.

  “Why don’t you come inside? Let me treat you to some cold juice! The owner is a friend of mine. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to meet you.”

  “That’s very kind, thank you,” said Phevos, thinking how peculiar it was that they’d met on the bus someone connected to this place. And what timing to meet outside!

  “Yes, we’ll just have a quick look and then we’ll be on our way. I’m sure the lady who owns the restaurant will be very busy this morning,” said Ksenia, concerned about the possibility of becoming a nuisance on a busy day. She knew how it was in Pallada when she ran headless with a million things to do. She didn’t need any interruptions or unexpected arrivals on those days.

  “Nonsense!” replied the lady. “What are you talking about? She’ll be thrilled to meet you! She appreciates good manners as much as I do. When you work with people you tend to see a lot, and Anna and I have seen it all! Believe me, not all youngsters are like you. There’s rudeness, there’s shouting, and some make such a spectacle of themselves . . .”

  The lady continued speaking, but now, none of the others could hear her any more. They were all looking at each other but mostly at Phevos. He was looking ahead, his eyes distant, his hands balled into fists. All four of them had been astonished to hear the name ‘Anna’ from her lips. Was she the owner? Was she the same Anna they were looking for?

  When the lady stopped talking, Phevos snapped out of his trance and gave her a confident smile, his fingertips fiddling with the straps of his backpack. The wand was safely hidden in there, and he wondered if it had glowed at all at the mention of that name. Surprising all
the others with his relaxed manner, he motioned to the lady to enter the restaurant first and then watched as the others followed before going in last.

  The interior felt cool. A pleasant sea breeze was coming through the open glass doors that led to the balcony outside. Strings of fairy lights hung across the glass partition that separated the two spaces. There were many tables indoors too, covered with plain, white linen. On the wall to the left, a stone archway led to the kitchen and on the far corner, an old-style fireplace was also decked in stone.

  Framed seascapes, mainly of large ships from various historical periods, decorated the walls all around. On the wall to the right, a large copperplate depicted another seascape that had in its midst, none other than Poseidon. He was standing on a foamy wave holding his trident. His long, rich beard was blowing in the wind. Under his feet in the water, there were dolphins and whales, fish and octopus, and even a small fishing boat with open nets that looked like spider webs.

  “How lovely it is in here!” said Daphne, and the others agreed, although their enthusiasm was far better concealed. Phevos was lost in his thoughts while Manos and Ksenia were so worried about meeting the owner that they were unable to manage more than one word at a time.

  The lady led them through the glass doors to the balcony where the sea breeze welcomed them, awakening their senses after the torturing heat they’d had to endure outside. Manos went to the railing and called the others to see the school of black fish that swam in the water underneath. The lady laughed and informed Manos the fish had grown accustomed to humans and expected to have food thrown in the water all day long. Manos took a pack of crackers from his backpack to try out the lady’s theory and, indeed, the fish devoured in seconds the pieces he threw in. Thrilled, Manos threw some more. The tops of the fishes’ heads emerged from under the water every now and then as they gnawed at the food in a race against each other, making daisy-like formations around each piece as they circled it, carrying it along the surface of the water until it vanished altogether.