by Nike Azoros
‘The leprosy can now be controlled but the sad truth is the damage that has already been done to people like you cannot be undone.’
Nikos sighed, ‘I didn’t expect that. But this must mean we can leave Spinalonga?’
‘Eventually, yes. For the more severe cases like you there will be transfers arranged to Athens. This news will change the life of everyone here. I told you first so you can decide when to let the others know.’
‘I understand you doctor. You do not want to cause any heartache, any yearning, but your news will give us something we have not had in years. Hope. I will not deprive them of that. We have gone through so much together I cannot keep this from them for one more minute.’
‘I understand Nikos. Would you like me to make an announcement on the speaker system to assemble here at the infirmary for a meeting?’
Nikos thought for a moment about what would be the best way to handle sharing the news. He was weaker now, walking around was still something he did everyday with relative ease but it wore him out a lot more quickly.
‘I have a better idea. How about we make the announcement together, tomorrow at my wedding?’
‘As your koumbaro it would be my honor.’
‘Good, now what about you and the staff of the infirmary?’
‘Angela and I will stay here until we know where every single one of you will go. Some are still in the early stages of the disease so it might be possible they be cured completely, without significant damage to their nervous systems. Some like you are more damaged and although you will be cured of the disease you will still require ongoing care because of the damage to your body. I’m sorry.’
‘I am not alone anymore Doctor, I have a family now. I will be just fine. I am still in communication with Thanos and Minister Kontos. In every letter he tells me that if I ever was to leave Spinalonga he would have me on his team. Let’s see if he really means it.’
‘Something tells me he does. There is a very good infectious diseases hospital in Athens, Saint Barbara. I have had talks with them. They are the ones giving me all this information and when the medicines do become available they will be sent to us from there. When the time comes for you to leave that is where you will be taken first, all of you.’
They were interrupted by the ring of the telephone. Angela came in, ‘Lukas, it’s Saint Barbara’s hospital for you.’ Within a couple of minutes Lukas returned. ‘They have them Nikos. The medicines have arrived and they are on the way.’
Nikos’s voice trembled slightly, ‘Do you think that when I get to Athens I could be taken to visit Plato’s academy and Delphi?’ The doctor wiped away his tears as he walked up to Nikos and put his hand on his shoulder. ‘My friend, I promise you I will take you there myself.’
Nikos was not aware he was also in tears.
‘To be off Spinalonga and walking in the footsteps of Plato, two dreams come true.’ Nikos returned home and told his family what happened during his meeting with Doctor Lukas. ‘My Nikos, tomorrow my dream comes true too. I get to see you go to church as a bridegroom.’ Theodora and Athena beamed at each other. Athena had become as close to her as any daughter. They had spent the last week finalizing all the wedding preparations. Theodora had made her a beautiful gown and little Theodora had her bridesmaid’s dress hanging up ready for the big day.
All of Spinalonga were present to see their own eagle wed his true love.
‘Congratulations to Nikos and Athena,’ cheered the crowd. Ikaros called out, ‘Hey Nikos how is it we only dream of goddesses yet you get to have two?’ Even Artemis was present at the wedding feast. She sat like a haughty mother of the bride on a temporary perch built just for the occasion, a large white tulle bow decorated her leash. At Nikos’s insistence Theodora even got out of her traditional black garb and wore a flattering suit in a rich chestnut color the same as her hair. Doctor Lukas proposed the toast. ‘To our very own eagle, but ours is an eagle without wings. To the eagle of Spinalonga.’
‘The eagle of Spinalonga,’ repeated all present. Nikos leaned in close to his new bride and whispered into her ear. ‘My glorious goddess, here is to our new life together. I hope you are pleased with your choice. Eagles mate for life.’
Chapter 24: The Departure
‘The ship will be here tomorrow, I can barely believe it. Manoussos, all the packing up is done but you and I still have one more job to do. You were with me when we caught Artemis you must be with me when we set her free.’
‘A noble sentiment Nikos but I am not going with you.’
‘What are you saying Manoussos? You can’t stay here alone.’
‘I can and I will. I cannot go. I cannot leave the souls here unattended.’
‘But everyone is leaving. There are no souls to attend to anymore.’
‘Yes there are, the ones that died here. I must stay and carry out the traditions and rituals of the memorial services for each of them. The Church requires they be done every year for five years. We only buried Stella yesterday. She died from choking on a chicken bone. The disease took her friend a week earlier.’
‘You know tomorrow is the one year memorial of Lyras.’
‘I know. What a sweet death he had to die in his sleep next to Maria’s grave. The doctor says he had a bad heart, that’s why he was always so pale. At least he is with Maria.’
‘As I was saying, when the last memorial is done is five years time. I will leave then.’ Nikos knew there was to be no dissuading him.
‘Then you will need some company. I was going to release Artemis today but kept holding off for some reason, now I know why. We do have one big advantage. Artemis already knows you.’
‘It will be an honor to take over the as the eagle hunter of Spinalonga.’
‘You are an eagle too Manoussos. Some people are born to soar and you are one of them. Just make sure you always give her the best and juiciest pieces of meat.’
Theodora came to sit with them and all three of them watched Athena and little Theodora playing catch with a ball in the middle of the square.
‘How do you feel my child about leaving Maria here?’
Theodora sighed heavily, ‘I was hoping nobody would ask. I feel terrible of course, but the truth is this is where she belongs. She fell in love here, and the man she loved lies next to her. She wed here. Her baby was born here. She and Lyras and Xanthus are together on the place where they found true happiness. I now belong with her child. How do I feel Father? The bitter things life fed me make the sweet things even sweeter. I feel blessed to be alive and with what remains of my family.’
Athena joined them while little Theodora played on. ‘I need to sit down, I feel quite dizzy, Nikos, please pass me your glass of water.’
‘Of course, have you developed something?’
‘I certainly hope so,’ she said as she patted her belly.
Manoussos led the congratulatory toast. ‘To that grand and mysterious wonder, the cycle of life.’
1962 – Five Years Later
The boatman moored at Dante’s Gate and for the very first time, walked through it. He entered the tunnel, the famous tunnel, the infamous tunnel, that so many had walked through and not known how they could face another day of life. He shuddered for them. He found his way to the church where he found Father Manoussos standing there, his bags all packed and a magnificent eagle perched on his wrist.
‘I have a canary myself.’
‘Very funny.’
‘You ready to go now or have you gone crazy after five years here on your own, just you and the eagle?’
‘Kapetan, this is Artemis. She has helped to feed many people over the last few years. Nikos caught her.’
The boatman was suitably impressed, ‘Nikos caught her! Why I am not surprised? Eagles belong with eagles.’
After everything was loaded on board they took off, with Artemis still on the wrist of Manoussos. He looked up at the sky, his favorite phenomena was taking place. The sky was full of sunburst rays. God’s fi
ngers Nikos used to call them. Manoussos held his arm up high and whispered goodbye to Artemis. He took off her hood for the last time and with a subtle flick of his wrist Artemis extended her colossal wings and flew up higher and higher until she disappeared into the place she had come from, the hand of God.
