by Jay Penner
A light layer of blue on top.
Yellow below that.
And then orange-red.
I understood why the Spartans chose this place to build a town. Apart from the strategic advantage of height, it was too beautiful not to!
From where I stood, the Sun was at an angle to my left. This meant that the ridge was towards the South-East. I held Eurydice’s hand as I watched the mesmerizing sunrise, and I let my mind try to put it all together.
Every line from the documents.
Every story I heard.
Every geographic knowledge I had.
Every conversation with captain Meurius and his crew on direction and positions.
They all had to meet and give me an idea of where I would reach land if I went in the general direction pointed by the ridge.
And as the wheels in my head turned, it all began to come together.
he lay his feet on the spine of the fist that fought the disquiet water below, pointed upon the emerald sea, towards the far desert, where a knife’s tip awaits
That was when I knew our next destination. It was going to be a long journey ahead of us. My heart danced in my chest, and my face broke into an idiot’s grin. Eurydice had been watching me without a word, and she finally had enough.
“Can you tell me now?”
I looked to her, still grinning like a fool. “Yes, and I have a lot to tell you.”
I took her to the western slope of the mountain overlooking the arc of the island below. We found a sandy spot that was devoid of grass. I picked a dry twig from one of the shrubs nearby and asked Eurydice to follow me.
My mind was clear, as clear as the morning skies.
“First, let me explain why this is where the king or the priest stood. Thank you for talking about the mountains.”
She beamed with pride.
I told her how the larger mountain could not have been where the King stood, for it did not extend to the sea. And then how the one we were on jutted out as if there was a fist that met the waters beneath.
And how there was a spine that sloped down.
And how this ridge, and the formation below, pointed towards the east.
And how this was on the island that looked like a blind eye.
And how the island was so sparse, and it looked like a fire had burned the rocks. So, I concluded, this had to be the place. Eurydice’s face glowed with anticipation—our harrowing journey was bearing fruit. She had asked me one question, a very astute one, and one that had bothered me a long time, so I had to address that.
“Remember you asked me what if there was a mountain in the center of this arc, but sank beneath the seas? And what if that was the high platform? If so, then were we in the wrong place?”
“Yes, that has bothered me,” she said.
“Well, if that mountain was in the center, then no extension of it would have a spine that dips to the waters below. The details would not match.”
She nodded thoughtfully.
“I do not think there was a mountain in the center at all; there may have been an island, nothing more. This,” I pointed to our location, “is where we need to be.”
She agreed, and I continued.
“Now let me tell you where I think this city is…” I said, and I shook my hips and moved my eyebrows like a Persian dancer and pumped my fists. She laughed.
“You managed to decode that? How?” Rays reflected off the limpid pools of her green eyes.
I pointed a finger to my lips, and she glanced around before leaning forward. It was time to describe the next part of my thinking. “Pay attention.” I drew a circle on the sand, rubbing the twig enough of a visible indentation on the ground. Then I drew sixteen lines dividing the circle as she watched.
I began to explain like she was my student. It was great to bring out the teacher in me. “If I extend each line over the seas, they will end in some distant place, on land, correct?”
“Yes.”
“So, you can imagine this circle and its lines to represent all corners of the land and the direction.”
“Hmm…yes.”
I pointed to the cardinal lines.
“See these big lines? I have drawn them to align with the Sun and the North Star. The line point forward is towards the rising Sun, and the one to our left, the North Star. The spine descends to the sea below is not quite to the east—it points slightly to the right, so the South.”
“South?”
“Well, that is the direction that is opposite to the North Star. West is where the Sun sets.”
She nodded. She had no formal training in philosophy or mathematics, but she was bright enough to grasp the idea.
“We came from Alexandria, through Crete. I remember the Sunrise and sets, the wind directions, and the Captain’s words—we sailed North-West to get here. Is that too hard to understand?”
“Not at all, not at all. When a fine almost bald officer explains,” she said, mimicking Thefeni’s accent and mannerism. I laughed.
“Be serious!”
“I am most serious, of course very serious, sir,” she said and rubbed her palms while arching her eyebrows.
“Eurydice!”
She snorted like a pig, and I returned to my explanation. “That is the direction the Lord pointed to, and he pointed following a landmark—this spine.”
“I understand now.”
“I know from Ptolemy's, Anaximander’s, and Hecataeus’ maps that the South is Egypt and Libya. Somewhere there—" I pointed to the West and North, “are Greece, which long ago was Mycenae, and Macedon.”
I continued, “To our east are Phrygia and Cappadocia, but they are away from the direction of the spine, and there are no deserts there.”
“These details are beyond me.”
“Now let us match this geography with politics. If the Atlanteans wanted to build a second city, and were already at war with the Egyptians, would they try going there?”
“No.”
"They worried about the Mycenaeans—would they go there?"
"No."
“Cappadocia and Phrygia are possible but have no deserts. Libya and Egypt, as I said, are to the South. Where else could they go?”
She gripped my shoulder. “Eurydice demands that you tell her, soldier, for Eurydice has no idea,” she said, mimicking Ptolemy.
“Phoenicia. Anywhere from the entrance to Egypt to Tyre, Sidon, or even a little further North. That is the only place that remains, and we can most certainly eliminate the vast regions of Libya.”
“Are there no islands from here to the land?”
“There is Cyprus. But it does not have deserts, canyons, and nothing seven days from the sea.”
Then she realized something. “We came through Phoenicia!”
“Yes, but of course we had no idea. The descriptions tell us the rest. They land near a desert, which is how that region is. And then they walked seven days until they meet big hills.”
“There are so many hills there.”
“But there is one that I recollect the locals called the knife’s tip, based on an ancient term.”
I grabbed her hands and had her slap me.
“Why did we not check it when we were there?" she asked, pulling her hands back.
I turned and saw some inquisitive morning walkers. A child ran to us and stared at the circle I had drawn until his mother admonished him to come back.
“Because that term is not uncommon. Remember what the tribal chiefs said? There are many called "Knife's tip." It refers to jagged hills that sharply narrow at the end. I had little to make much of it.”
“And our mission was first to reach the Regent—"
I nodded. The bright orange rising in the sky hurt our eyes, and we moved to sit beneath an olive tree. Lost in thought, we spoke nothing for a long time, only looking to the sea, the people, and time to time at each other.
“Now that we have a start, a path, and an end, it is time to get out of here,” I said, as reality
sunk in.
There was a presence behind me.
“The mornings here are like god’s paintings, are they not, sir?” said the man, impeccably dressed in a crisp white tunic, well-groomed hair, and very Greek in his demeanor.
Theocratis told us that he was a merchant who traded with Egypt, Crete, Cyprus, and Phoenicia. He said he was a protégé of Cleomenes until Ptolemy put the man to death. He said he was here on behalf of Ptolemy’s navy to see if they could set up a trading post and a small garrison here. I was alarmed, but it soon became plain that he was here on other business.
I called myself Demodocus, and Eurydice said she was Alexis. We said we were travelers and that I was a cook before I left to tend to fields. I said I had recently left Alexandria after working as a farm hand.
“I heard that there were two travelers on the island and sought company. I find it difficult to understand the way these people speak,” he said, jerking his thumb at the town.
“It is an accent, typical of people who settled here long ago from Sparta.”
“Very interesting. You look Macedonian, and your—” he looked at Eurydice, who surprised me this time by saying she was my wife.
“Ah, yes. Where is she from?”
“I met her during my campaigns with Alexander.”
“You were with the great King Alexander?”
“I was. I fed the army all the way to India and back.”
“I am honored to meet you, sir. There are many men in Governor Ptolemy’s forces like you. Very impressive, honorable men.”
I shook my head, “I was only a cook, but I accept the compliments,” I said, and then remarked on Ptolemy. “I thought he was Pharaoh now.”
Theocratis sniggered. “Well, he decided not to take the title. He calls himself the Governor. I wish I could meet the great man, but he is busy these days.”
“Why did he send a merchant on military work?” I asked.
“I am a merchant, sir, but I did spend time in the military under Cleomenes. I am familiar with the Aegean.”
“Why here? There is not much--"
“Ah, you land warriors know so little of the sea!” he exclaimed. His eyes darted to Eurydice as if to say look how dumb your man is. I must admit I felt a pang of jealousy for Theocratis was a handsome, young, wealthy man—everything I was not. Perfect blond hair fell on his bright eyes, and he wore expensive garments and gold rings.
Even the embroidered footwear seemed exquisite.
I worried he might even seduce Eurydice.
“Please educate me,” I said, with mock diffidence.
“This is a strategic island in the Aegean at the intersection of several trade routes. Have you not heard? Antigonus is flexing muscles in Greece and Phrygia. Ptolemy wishes to hold Egypt—so the control of the Aegean is critical. Ptolemy hopes to establish control here and deter foolish adventures from Athens.”
“I am a cook and a farmer, Theocratis. The ways of our leaders escape me.”
“Why don’t you two join my men and me for lunch? It would be an honor to have Alexander’s man with us,” he said, as he gestured towards the town.
A free lunch, who would say no? Though it seemed strange that a wealthy merchant would care about a cook and a farmer. Or Alexander’s name carried such reverence to those who never had a chance to ride with his army.
We dined with Theocratis’ crew—five well built, Macedonian soldiers and an Egyptian. He said there were two galley masters who led the oarsmen, but they were on the ship. The made-up tent had a long rickety table at the center, and we sat on borrowed stools.
Theocratis said they would soon sail once a supporting vessel arrived to set up a basic army post.
The conversation was boisterous, and each man tried his best to impress the only woman at the table. Eurydice enjoyed herself but spoke little. No matter the reasons, it was still vital that we guard our secrets. The salty smell of the seas mixed with the aroma of local herbs, bread, olives, dates, lentil soup, and cooked fish.
“What is your plan, Demodocus? Are you both going to settle on this beautiful island?” asked Theocratis as he chewed on his food.
“No. We wish to move on. Somewhere East.”
“How? Few trade ships these days.”
“What do you mean? I thought grain ships still moved around.”
“Very few. Athens wants to squeeze Egypt. Ptolemy, likewise, is holding merchants from leaving our ports.”
My chest palpitated. My fears that hostilities were escalating among Alexander’s successors was coming true.
He continued, “Besides, I am certain that our garrison will prevent any vessels not bound for Egypt.”
“Well, that poses a problem," I said, looking at Eurydice. She furrowed her brows.
“Not if you tell me where you want to go unless that is a great secret,” he said, and his men sniggered.
A server went around the table filling the cups with an awful local brew. She was naked from the waist up and slapped the hand of one of Theocratis’ louts that tried to grab her wrist.
“Could it be that Demodocus is Athens’ spy trying to run from Ptolemy?" One of his men chortled, “The secretive spy couple!”
I had to put an end to that. “We would be the dumbest spies then, dining with officers from Ptolemy’s navy.”
They laughed, and I decided I had to take my chances. “So where are you headed next, Theocratis?” I asked, chewing the hard bread, and sounding as nonchalant as I could.
“It depends,” he said.
“Depends on what?”
“We have planned two potential routes before returning home. One, towards scouting trip towards Phrygia. Other, towards Phoenicia, as Ptolemy wants to control the region. Sidon is likely."
My ears perked up.
Sidon? The gods were finally smiling upon me. “Sidon. Some of my wife’s family are near Gaza.”
"Does your wife have any sisters?" shouted one of the men, and the table howled.
Eurydice responded, "I doubt she will want you. You are too old." At that, his companions rubbed his greying head and mocked him.
Theocratis lifted his hands for everyone to settle down. We had not finished our conversation yet. “We came with another vessel which will return to Alexandria soon. It leaves soon as the winds are favorable in case you want to return to Egypt.”
“I am grateful for your offer, but we do not want to return to Egypt, at least for now. But we would be grateful to join you for the Sidon trip.”
“Excellent! It would be an honor to have you with us. We are yet to decide our next course and will let you know by tomorrow. Where will you go in the meanwhile?” he smiled, gesturing towards the expanse around us.
We watched the island recede. The distinct “fist that fought the disquiet water below” was evident when seen from the sea. I wondered if that was what an escapee long ago saw before his words made their way into the verses. I could not believe our good fortunes, and we both had prayed to our gods for smiling upon us. It was an irony that an Egyptian navy vessel was helping us—only if Ptolemy knew!
Eurydice and I had more than once smirked and sniggered at the turn of events. But we also hoped that Theocratis would not get into trouble for having helped us.
Theocratis was a good host; the only time he frustrated me was when his men tried to persuade us to disarm. This was for all our safety, he said. I refused, saying that we were no pirates and it would make no sense for me to take on them on open seas. They relented, but I decided to keep my belongings, weapons, and my “wife” close until we arrived at Sidon.
The winds favored the journey. The vessel was an impressive modified bireme with twelve oarsmen on either side. A single sail emblazoned with Ptolemy’s insignia of a man with a ram's top powered the boat. The builders had painted a green wolf either side of the hull.
The oarsmen were all Egyptian and Greek slaves. Hiring citizens had become expensive for dangerous sea work. There was plenty of opportunity in booming A
lexandria—it was likely that these men were here on accounts of debt or other crimes. The masters treated the oarsmen well given the importance of their work. They kept to themselves, which was odd, as rambunctious camaraderie was quite common.
The seas were calm for the night, and we sat clustered on the deck for dinner.
“Where from Sidon are your wife’s relatives?” asked Theocratis, as he broke his bread to small pieces before eating.
“Further west, a few days. We hope they are still there.”
“And if not?”
“Then we may come back to Egypt to settle. You could even offer me a job. I am a skilled trainer, and not had with my hands.”
“I could use a skilled hand. I have a feeling you may be back in Egypt even before you think,” he said, grinning at both of us. I did not like him but did not know why.
“Why so?”
“Oh, where would you rather be in this climate? In the uncertain hot sands of the Levant, or the stable, growing cities of Egypt?”
He had a point.
Eurydice and I found a corner on the back end of the vessel, and we took turns sleeping.
My dreams were becoming increasingly unpleasant. In the last few weeks, the end scene always had me holding Eurydice, as my wife and daughter were dragged away—it was as if the gods were telling me that I was building companionship in abandonment of the ones I swore to protect. I often despaired going to sleep, but those images spurred me further to not only prevail but to take this quest to a happy end.
At some point in the night, Eurydice woke me and whispered that we were moving.
I thought we would stay afloat for the night. The moon was behind me, which was a little odd, as I expected it to shine to our left.
I stayed awake, unsure what was nagging me.
Dawn arrived, as did ominous clouds at a distance.
But I did get a glimpse of the rising sun, and instead of piercing our eyes, it was far too much to our left. The crew was navigating South, no doubt. The wind was picking up, and I made my way to the front of the galley, squinting my eyes as water sprayed on to the deck. Theocratis and two of his men stood looking at the dark, rising waves, and I noticed one of the men flinch as I neared them. “The sea is angry,” I yelled over the sounds of the swells and the gust smashing against a rocking boat.
