one?”
“Silence,” she said. She took the bow from his hand and fitted an arrow in it. “Become an actor,” she murmured. “You are bored by my lack of dexterity. You will put your hand on mine as I draw the bow. You will lean against me from behind. You will reproach me loudly. Now.”
The gardeners watched with amusement as the proud young hetaira was reproached by the slave, Thalias, for her clumsiness. They saw his vexation, for Thalias was by nature an actor. He was insulting, even to this most cherished one. None but Aspasia saw his paleness and his trembling hands nor saw the fright in his eyes. She no longer desired him. She only knew that he must be saved. She pushed the purse of gold into his hand, and immediately he dropped it into the pouch at his girdle without even an exclamation.
She whispered, “Do not ask me any questions. But you must flee at once. Do not wait for the night, when the guards are most attentive and pursue even shadows. Stroll down the road idly. They will not suspect, for are you not the pampered darling of Thargelia? I can only tell you that you are in the most desperate danger, and must not delay even another hour. You have much gold. Go to the harbor and take the first ship leaving the port, no matter its destination. You have not been branded as a slave, and gold answers all questions. Be at ease and haughty. In the city purchase a chest and fill it with garments, and induce a beggar to carry it for you to the vessel. It will be thought he is your slave.”
His face was contorted with terror. She pushed his arm. “Array yourself in your finest tunic and sandals, and a cloak. Go at once. There is not a moment to be lost.”
“We have been discovered,” he said through his dry lips.
“Yes,” she said with wild impatience.
Then he said, “But what of you, my sweet nymph?”
In spite of the extremity of her own fear she was touched, and she gazed at him. “Naught will be inflicted on me if you have fled,” she answered.
With an oath he took the bow from her hands and threw it on the ground and the gardeners were more amused. He walked from her as if deeply outraged, muttering to himself. Aspasia looked after him with an air of anger and mortification. Then she stamped her foot and ran back into the house, shaking her hair off her neck and shoulders. It was a cloud of gold in the sunlight.
She returned to her chamber and again sank on her bed. She covered her face with her hands. She did not believe in the gods but she prayed to Aphrodite for Thalias’ and Cleo’s preservation. She had seduced both. They must not suffer for her. Cleo was in less danger now, and would be subjected only to Echion’s rough examinations, which would reveal her virginity. Aspasia sighed out of the extremity of her emotions.
Later, after she had forced herself to attend her classes, she went to the gardens to join the other maidens who were chattering with excitement. Thalias had not appeared. One of the girls wished to run for the overseer of the hall to inform him. Aspasia, knowing that every moment was precious, said with contempt, “He is a mighty eater and drinker. No doubt he is lying in his chamber, drunk.”
“Or in Thargelia’s arms,” one of the girls said, slyly.
The others tittered. ‘Then, of a surety, we must not disturb him,” said Aspasia. “Come, let us practice our archery.”
She had authority, and the girls obeyed her. Cleo was among them, with her innocent child’s face. Seeing her, Aspasia was newly distressed. Nothing must hurt this little one.
The overseer of the hall, wandering out to the portico to watch the delectable sight of the young hetairai romping, noticed the absence of Thalias. He came to the maidens and asked, “Where is that rascal of a Thalias?”
“Thalias?” Aspasia asked, as if in wonder. “Was he not here a moment ago?”
To her dismay one of the maidens answered, “He has not been here at all.”
“Then he is with
“Silence,” she said. She took the bow from his hand and fitted an arrow in it. “Become an actor,” she murmured. “You are bored by my lack of dexterity. You will put your hand on mine as I draw the bow. You will lean against me from behind. You will reproach me loudly. Now.”
The gardeners watched with amusement as the proud young hetaira was reproached by the slave, Thalias, for her clumsiness. They saw his vexation, for Thalias was by nature an actor. He was insulting, even to this most cherished one. None but Aspasia saw his paleness and his trembling hands nor saw the fright in his eyes. She no longer desired him. She only knew that he must be saved. She pushed the purse of gold into his hand, and immediately he dropped it into the pouch at his girdle without even an exclamation.
She whispered, “Do not ask me any questions. But you must flee at once. Do not wait for the night, when the guards are most attentive and pursue even shadows. Stroll down the road idly. They will not suspect, for are you not the pampered darling of Thargelia? I can only tell you that you are in the most desperate danger, and must not delay even another hour. You have much gold. Go to the harbor and take the first ship leaving the port, no matter its destination. You have not been branded as a slave, and gold answers all questions. Be at ease and haughty. In the city purchase a chest and fill it with garments, and induce a beggar to carry it for you to the vessel. It will be thought he is your slave.”
His face was contorted with terror. She pushed his arm. “Array yourself in your finest tunic and sandals, and a cloak. Go at once. There is not a moment to be lost.”
“We have been discovered,” he said through his dry lips.
“Yes,” she said with wild impatience.
Then he said, “But what of you, my sweet nymph?”
In spite of the extremity of her own fear she was touched, and she gazed at him. “Naught will be inflicted on me if you have fled,” she answered.
With an oath he took the bow from her hands and threw it on the ground and the gardeners were more amused. He walked from her as if deeply outraged, muttering to himself. Aspasia looked after him with an air of anger and mortification. Then she stamped her foot and ran back into the house, shaking her hair off her neck and shoulders. It was a cloud of gold in the sunlight.
She returned to her chamber and again sank on her bed. She covered her face with her hands. She did not believe in the gods but she prayed to Aphrodite for Thalias’ and Cleo’s preservation. She had seduced both. They must not suffer for her. Cleo was in less danger now, and would be subjected only to Echion’s rough examinations, which would reveal her virginity. Aspasia sighed out of the extremity of her emotions.
Later, after she had forced herself to attend her classes, she went to the gardens to join the other maidens who were chattering with excitement. Thalias had not appeared. One of the girls wished to run for the overseer of the hall to inform him. Aspasia, knowing that every moment was precious, said with contempt, “He is a mighty eater and drinker. No doubt he is lying in his chamber, drunk.”
“Or in Thargelia’s arms,” one of the girls said, slyly.
The others tittered. ‘Then, of a surety, we must not disturb him,” said Aspasia. “Come, let us practice our archery.”
She had authority, and the girls obeyed her. Cleo was among them, with her innocent child’s face. Seeing her, Aspasia was newly distressed. Nothing must hurt this little one.
The overseer of the hall, wandering out to the portico to watch the delectable sight of the young hetairai romping, noticed the absence of Thalias. He came to the maidens and asked, “Where is that rascal of a Thalias?”
“Thalias?” Aspasia asked, as if in wonder. “Was he not here a moment ago?”
To her dismay one of the maidens answered, “He has not been here at all.”
“Then he is with
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