The Sullen Face of a Forgotten God

CHAPTER ELEVEN

They walked into the forest, for what appeared to be an eternity but if Pericles was complaining, he certainly wasn't showing it. Miriam kept silent as well, brooding, wondering where this woman was leading them. Abruptly, she stopped and Miriam saw that they were standing near a waterfall. Tanith let go of Pericles' arm and clapped her hands three times. She then spoke in a language Miriam had never heard before, a tongue which at once sounded like gentle music but harsh and jarring and then she abruptly stopped. For a moment, nothing happened. Then a great rumbling sound began in the very bowels of the earth it seemed, and a hole appeared in the ground at their feet. Miriam gasped, wondering how the hole could have appeared so abruptly, but Tanith pushed her into it and she felt herself falling, but very slowly as if time itself stood still. She fell onto the soft earth below, but it didn't hurt at all and as she stood up to brush herself off, she noticed Pericles and Tanith fall onto the earth beside her and for some reason was not surprised. As they all stood up, Miriam saw they were standing in some kind of cave. She saw Tanith go to a giant rock, touch it with one hand and watch as it pulled away revealing an entrance to a whole other place.
Tanith turned and smiled at Pericles. "This is where my people live. Come and see my home."
Miriam followed the two and gasped as she saw where they were. The place was a giant open market where exotic items were on sale in stalls and rich perfumes hung in the air. They were outdoors but how could that be? They must have entered on the other side of the island. People were babbling to each other in a foreign tongue but every now and then, she could pick up utterances in her own language, with the same accent that Tanith spoke in.
"Where are we going?" she raced up and touched Tanith's arm to get her attention. Pericles, still staring at Tanith, seemed incapable of speech.
"To see my home, of course," Tanith smiled. You will meet my family. We shall offer you....how you say....hospitality. You will meet my brother Tanos." She laughed again and looked at Pericles. She leaned over and whispered something in his ear and he smiled.
Miriam wanted to scream, I don't want to meet your stupid brother, I want to leave here! But there was nothing for it but follow the happy couple. It was almost as if Tanith were a witch of some sort and had cast a spell on Pericles, making him incapable not only of speech but basic thought.
They continued walking through the market area until they reached a clearing of some sort and then, nothing except the sound of silence. And then the sound of horses' hooves. Without realizing it, Miriam saw two chariots suddenly pull up. One was driven by a man the same age as Tanith who looked just like her. Tanos, obviously. The other had no driver. Did the horses know to drive themselves? How could that be? Both chariots glinted gold in the bright sun. The horses themselves were magnificent creatures, pure white but with a gold mane and there was at once a delicacy and dignity with the way they held their heads as if they knew they were of good stock.
The handsome man in one of the chariots smiled at Miriam. "Welcome, sister. I see you have brought guests. Aren't you going to introduce me?"
Tanith smiled at her brother. "But of course, brother, where are my manners? This is Pericles and Miriam, both travellers in these parts who have agreed to a few days of rest with us before they resume their journey."
Miriam gave an inaudible sigh. She didn't recall agreeing to any such thing.
Tanos laughed in a very similar way to Tanith. "Well, but of course. It is not often we get strangers in these parts." He looked at Miriam. "I see you have an eye for horses, Miriam."
Miriam suddenly felt herself blush. "They are beautiful." She admitted.
Tanos looked proud. "As well they should. The legend proclaims that Zeus himself offered these creatures to us as gifts many years ago as a token of his appreciation. We were favoured by the gods once...." His voice trailed off and a strange expression came over his face. Anger? Hatred? Bitterness? It was hard to tell.
As if to change the subject Tanith smiled up at her brother. "Let us take them to the palace so they could rest and be refreshed." She escorted Pericles into the unoccupied chariot. Miriam looked up at Tanos and he held up his hand. With a firm grip he hoisted her in and soon they set off across the clearing, the horses trotting gently.
"Where are you from Miriam," Tanos asked her. "Your name is most unusual."
"I am from Athens," Miriam stated simply. She didn't want to give too much away. Tanos looked at her.
"You are certainly far from home," he proclaimed.
Miriam smiled. "Yes. One could say I'm a gipsy."
Tanos smiled at her. "An Athenian gipsy, who'd have thought! Well I certainly hope our humble palace can impress such a worldly traveller."
He was staring at her in such an intense way, that after smiling back, Miriam could only look away. She tried to have a look at Tanith and Pericles in the chariot next to them but it was virtually impossible. She contented herself with merely looking straight ahead.
She had a strange feeling about Tanos. It was as if he was trying to read her mind. It was the strangest feeling because she knew he wasn't looking at her but straight ahead, steering the horses. It's your imagination, she told herself but the feeling wouldn't go away.
It wasn't long before she turned to see a great palace in the distance, behind imposing city walls. As she turned her head, she saw how the palace glinted in the sun as if it were made of gold. She drew in her breath and smiled for the first time all day. She turned to look at Tanos. "Is this your city? It is most magnificent."
"So it should be," Tanos laughed. "It is the exact same replica of the city that our ancestors had built on Atlantis centuries ago." He laughed at her expression. "Why do you look at me like that?"
"Did you say Atlantis?" Miriam asked. "But that is just a story!!"
"No, it's not." For a moment Tanos' face grew hard before it softened again. "There was an Atlantis. Plato was speaking the truth when he wrote of it." He sighed. "It was the greatest civilisation in the world....until the gods decided it would exist no more." His face grew hard again. "It's strange how the gods favoured our people and then suddenly turned on them. Perhaps we'll never know why. After the destruction that followed, some people survived and scattered to the four corners of the globe, bringing their wealth of knowledge with them. What you saw back there with the waterfall was only part of that knowledge." He shrugged. "Atlantis was the most wonderful place on earth. A real paradise, my forefathers claim. The people were great philosophers and thinkers and had invented flying machines that could transport one through the sky." His voice lowered. "My people have never forgiven or forgotten what the gods had done to them. To us. Somehow, they will be made to pay."
Miriam turned to look at the other chariot. She saw Tanith and Pericles talking and laughing together. The feeling of foreboding returned and she felt a shiver run down her spine. She forced a laugh. "The gods are powerful immortals. How would you make them pay?"
Tanos didn't reply.
Miriam felt compelled to continue. "What you speak is blasphemy. It's not a good idea to raise the wrath of the gods. Not unless you know how to combat that wrath."
Tanos smiled grimly before replying. "There are many ways of combating their wrath. What you need to understand is that the gods are not as wise as they would have you believe." He sighed. "My people found out a secret of the gods. I don't expect you to understand. It's something we can't speak of.  It is the source of their power and the control they have over the world." His voice dropped to a whisper, so Miriam had to strain to hear. "It is said that there are other worlds beyond this one. Worlds where strange creatures exist. Intelligent beings, as well as other types of animals. Long ago, the gods came from one of those worlds, in a strange flying machine, and arrived here. The people from this world saw them and worshipped them as divine immortals but they're not. They simply have knowledge and machinery that we don't and that's what gives them power over us. They are not divine and they are not immortal." He laughed and Miriam thought she had never heard a more bitter sound. "Our ancestors from Atlantis knew this. Perhaps the gods felt threatened by this. But they will know that one day they will have no choice but to face the twilight. For it is coming." His face had grown grim during this speech but I suddenly brightened. "But enough talk of such things. Behold our great city!"
Miriam had been staring at Tanos the whole time and didn't realize that they had arrived at the city gates. When she did look up at the gates, she had to struggle to control the gasp that threatened to escape her lips. For she had never seen a more beautiful sight.
She had remarked to Tanos on how beautiful the city was but that had been from a distance. From up close it was truly as if the gods themselves resided in such a place. She could have sworn that the palace was made of gold. It shone with such intensity from the glare of the sunlight, one felt as if they should look away or they would go blind. The city streets were paved with gold, one thought. Everywhere people walked, shopping amongst the stalls, entering taverns – men, women and children, It was as if the lifeblood of the city flowed through the people. The people were the life force. They seemed so happy. Miriam couldn't quite put her finger on it. She saw the expressions on the faces of the people. It was beyond happiness. Their expressions seemed to mirror joy, perhaps even ecstasy. Miriam wasn't sure why, but she found their joyful expressions unsettling.
The chariots didn't stop until they arrived at the front gates of the palace itself. Tanos lifted her down from the chariot and she saw Pericles get down from the chariot and then offer his hand to let Tanith out. It was then that she saw the great gold palace doors swing open. She took a deep breath and taking the hand that Tanos offered to her, she walked in.
They entered what was obviously the throne room and she gasped, at the ornate decadence of the place. The palace floor was of a gorgeous sea green colour – much like the palace floor in her dream and the walls and ceiling were covered in drawings of great scenes; great battles that had taken place such as the Trojan War and the trials of Hercules. They were quickly led through to another ornate room and Tanith and Tanos both clapped their hands. Servants appeared immediately.
"Bring us food and refreshment," Tanos instructed. "For we have guests and they must be hungry and tired after their long journey." The servants bowed their heads in acknowledgement and quickly left.
"We don't mean to impose," Miriam began but was quickly cut off by Tanith.
"Nonsense," she said with a wave of her hand on which rested gold bangles. They tinkled at the movement. "It is no imposition. My brother and I get so bored and have nothing to do all day, except watch the sea and play together."
Play together, Miriam thought as Tanith continued, "We gladly welcome the arrival of guests. We so very rarely have them." She and Tanos looked at each other as if they were sharing some secret.
Miriam took a deep breath before continuing. "Thank you," she said. "It is very kind of you. We don't mean to stay in your kingdom very long."
Tanith widened her eyes. "Why not?" she asked. "Does our kingdom not please you?"
Miriam was taken aback by the question. How best to answer without causing offence, she though, however she was saved from any awkwardness when Tanos interrupted.
"Come sister, stop pestering our guests with so many endless questions?" A look crossed Tanith's face at the words but then vanished as if it had never been.
"Well of course I didn't mean any offence," she said with a forced laugh. "And now let us dine!"
Miriam and Pericles were led into what was the dining hall, where a grand table sat, laden with all kinds of delicious food and wine. Miriam's stomach rumbled. She hadn't been able to eat anything properly since the ghastly sight of the captain turned monster became a cannibal, apart from the few morsels that she forced down her throat to keep alive. But now, the sight and smell of the food was too much for her to resist. She sat and started eating almost immediately, then realizing her lack of manners, tried to apologise but the amused expressions on the faces of Tanith and Tanos told her that they didn't mind. She sighed contentedly. Once she had eaten her fill, she began to feel an overwhelming desire to lay her head down and promptly fell asleep at the table. It was strange she thought as her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, it was as if the food and wine had been drugged. Or was she merely exhausted from her journey? Her last fleeting thought was of Pericles. How was he? Did the food and wine affect him as well?
When she awoke, she found herself in an bedroom with a balcony overlooking the sea. The bed was enormous and she felt as if she were drowning in the bedclothes. It was something that she was not used to, this luxury. Back in the temple, the beds had been hard and only when it was really cold did the priestesses use blankets. This place however, seemed to be beyond luxury. Of course, she was in a palace and Tanith and Tanos were of noble blood. She supposed such beings would require such luxuries in order to properly exist in the world, she thought with a wry smile. She felt far more refreshed than she had ever felt in months after a sleep. She thought she wanted to stay forever, then checked the thought. She wasn't here for that. This place would be nothing more than a brief respite, then she and Pericles would be continuing their journey. She wasn't sure what she was chasing anymore. Was this stone supposed to be the answer to all her riddles? Would she find her mother? Had everything been nothing more than a dream? And what of Cronos? She was so confused and she wasn't sure if she missed him anymore. She felt so dreadfully lonely and she didn't understand why. Tears began to roll down her cheeks unchecked.
As she went to climb out of the bed, she realized to her shock that she was naked. What had happened to her clothes? Why had they been taken from her? She grabbed the bedclothes and tried to cover herself. It was then that she heard the deep voice behind her, that made her jump and turn around simultaneously. She stumbled as a result of this combined action and saw that Tanos was standing there, in the bedchamber, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. She swallowed hard and tried to look dignified, which considering the fact that she was naked, was no small feat.
"Where are my clothes," she demanded as haughtily as possible. "And I realize that I am a guest but does that give you the right to not allow me at least a small amount of privacy?"
He laughed before replying. "You seemed uncomfortable in those clothes. You looked as if you had been wearing them for a while and needed to take them off." He smirked. "Besides," he added, as if it were an afterthought. "They were starting to smell."
She glared at him. "How dare you!" she snapped. "Now you're just being rude!"
He laughed at her again and shrugged, in mock helplessness. "Your clothes my dear lady are currently being cleaned by servants. In the meantime, I have arranged for you to wear this while you wait for your clothes to be ready." He indicated to a nearby dressing table and chair which sat by the bed. She stared and almost gasped. On the chair lay the most beautiful gown she had ever seen; it was of a shimmering gold colour, fit for a princess and was pleated. Mesmerised, she touched the fabric and it was of the softest finest silk. On the table lay gold hoop earrings and a gold snake bracelet. She chewed her lip. She felt awful about the way she had been so suspicious of these people when they had shown her nothing but kindness, in fact, they were more generous than she could possible have imagined. She needed to start trusting people again. Perhaps it had a lot to do with the fact that since the arrival of Cronos, she had been questioning everyone and everything that had been occurring in her life lately. She felt that the events that had been going on; the discovery of her gift, her sadness and joy at being able to communicate with her mother, though her mother was in another realm. However, the biggest most complicated issues she had to face came in the form of the two beings she had recently made contact with. One mortal and immortal. Cronos. Who was he really? Come to think of it, what was he? He was a type of god, she supposed. One of those bored gods who enjoying toying with the emotions of mortals for their own amusement. She was angry and confused at the mere thought of him, nor did she understand how she was supposed to feel about him. She knew that in many ways she was being used. She could feel it in her bones. He wanted her to find this stone which would somehow save the world. Or was it so he could get back at the gods of Olympus, who had obviously thrown him out of their elite immortal circle. What affair was it of hers anyway? Why couldn't they all just leave her alone, she thought somewhat bitterly and felt tears sting her eyes. She took a deep breath and fought to hold them back. Then her thoughts turned to Pericles. She felt drawn to him but she wasn't sure in what capacity they were supposed to be together. Were they even supposed to be together? Was Pericles also using her? And if so, in what way? Why was Cronos being silent all of a sudden? Where was he? And why were she and Pericles here on this island with these people? Was it merely a coincidence?
"Are you all right, Miriam?" she heard Tanos say. She struggled to return to the present.
"Yes?" she asked, somewhat flustered. She was embarrassed to have been caught daydreaming. "I'm sorry, it must be the exhaustion of the trip. Though I have been asleep, I'm still a little tired."
Tanos smiled indulgently. "Well, I'll allow you to get dressed and then I'll be back to take you on a tour. I'll be back soon." And he left before she could say another word. She wondered if she had offended him and wasn't sure how she was supposed to apologise, or even IF she should apologise. She walked to other room adjoining the bedchamber and found that a bath had bee drawn up for her. As she slowly lowered herself into the heavenly scented water, she took a deep breath and sighed. She decided that she would enjoy these peoples' hospitality. Suspicions only bred doubt and doubt was a cruel friend indeed. The last thing she needed was for doubt to creep into her head and become a part of her. No, she thought to herself, I don't care for all these silly thoughts and doubts. Pericles and I are very lucky that we wound up here. We will stay here for a while and replenish ourselves and then when the time comes, we will leave and continue upon our quest to save the world. The thought made her smile. As she lay back in the bath and closed her eyes, she heard soft tinkling laughter coming from the other side of the wall. She was surprised and at first wondered who it was. It sounded like a woman's laughter. She slowly climbed out of the bath and crept over to where the sound was coming from. There was a doorway and the door had been left ajar. Curiosity enveloped her but for some reason, a feeling of dread accompanied it. She gently pushed the door open and saw the following scene.
Tanith was lying in a large bed and there was a giant plate of fruit, bread and cheeses next to her. She appeared to be naked but it was hard to tell as she was wrapped in the bedclothes. She had a companion in the bed next to her. Miriam couldn't at first see who it was but the figure was obviously a man and it wasn't until he spoke that she realized who it was.
It was Pericles.
She was unprepared for the incredible sadness that hit her then. It was as if  she had encountered giant punch to the stomach and for a moment, she felt that she couldn't breathe. Then of course, the tears came. She quickly and quietly pushed the door shut, trying not to make a sound and made her way back to the bedchamber. She wanted to die. She felt somehow that despite everything that had happened to her in the past, nothing could possibly erase the pain that she was experiencing at that very moment. It was then that she fell asleep, as if the tears had completely sapped her energy.
Of course, yet another dream came to her. In it, she was wearing the dress that had been laid out on the bed for her. She was walking down a darkened hallway where hidden chambers and rooms, swamped in darkness sat on either side. Some of those rooms were libraries, some were large bedchambers, some had hidden away throne rooms and yet others contained dungeons where she was sure she could hear the cries of tortured souls. However, she ignored everything and kept walking towards a giant back room, also swamped in darkness, which lay at the end of the hall.
A delicious combination of fear and curiosity drove her to want to explore this mysterious room. When she finally reached the room, she opened the door and entered. The fear seemed to melt away and awe filled her being instead. She stood staring at a mysterious contraption which was all silver and had strange lights winking and blinking in various colours as if somehow powered by a rainbow. But what was most mystifying of all, was the odd being standing next to the ship, staring at her and watching her every move.
She had never seen a creature like it. It appeared to be human in its appearance but she knew that could not possibly be the case. It certainly had a torso, a head, two arms and two legs but that was where the creature's resemblance to a human ended.
She wondered briefly if the odd creature was one of the monsters of the old stories she had heard so much about such as the Medusa, or the Gorgon, or the Minotaur, but unlike those beasts she didn't sense any threat or imminent danger. There was actually a kind of wisdom coming from this creature, or so she felt, a wisdom as old as time or as old as the stars in the heavens. And as she felt her heart pound in her head, and the sweat build up at her temples, as she felt her throat become dry, she wondered what this creature, who was not of this world could want from her. It was as if it wanted to pass on an important message or convey some information, that she felt could change her entire belief system.
Its skin was grey in colour, its arms and legs were impossibly thin, as if there were no flesh on its body whatsoever, as if it couldn't or shouldn't be alive. It had a tiny mouth and impossibly large dark eyes, depthless eyes, which seemed wise and innocent at the same time. There was no hair on its body at all and it was impossible to tell if the creature was a man or a woman or even if this particular race or species thought in these terms. Only the gods can have ageless and deathless life, Miriam thought to herself and realized that though that line came from one of the great dramatists – she couldn't remember which one – she thought it was apt for here. Then she spoke to the creature by uttering a simple question: "Why are you here?"
The creature replied telepathically. "I have been here many of your earth years, as have been others of my kind."
She blinked and saw that the creature no longer stood there but instead it was the goddess Aphrodite. Aphrodite gave a dazzling smile and tossed her beautiful blonde hair over her creamy white shoulder before speaking to Miriam in a sweet voice. "What is the matter child? You look frightened. There is no need to be. All in good time. Isn't that something you like to say?" She gave a soft laugh that sounded like music. Miriam could only gape at her as Aphrodite continued. "I know you expected Athene or Zeus or even Poseidon to be here to answer your questions. I am a lot wiser than you think but everyone, gods and mortals alike, never take me seriously. Being beautiful can be a curse." She sighed as if it were the biggest imposition in the world.
Miriam swallowed before continuing. "Could you answer some of my questions, please?" She knew this couldn't be the appropriate way of addressing a goddess but she felt an old hand at dealing with immortals.
Aphrodite shrugged carelessly. "I'll try."
Miriam took a deep breath and plunged ahead. "Did you see that creature that was there just now?"
Aphrodite's smile faded. "Did it frighten you?"
"Not exactly," Miriam shook her head. "But it surprised me. I've never seen anything like it before. It seemed so wise."
Aphrodite nodded her head. "You would be surprised." She cocked her head to the side and appeared to regard Miriam for a moment, before continuing. "Your questions are many. All in good time. That creature – and there are many just like it – are here to observe and study the creatures of this world. They travelled here in this ship..." Aphrodite pointed to the silver contraption... "from their own home and they suffered greatly during their long and arduous journey. They mean no harm."
Miriam stared at the silver contraption. "I have never seen anything like it," she said. "How does such a ship travel among the waves?"
"It doesn't," Aphrodite stated. Her voice lowered somewhat. "It travels amongst the stars." Her smile was now sad and she looked at Miriam with tears in her large beautiful eyes. "Those creatures are us," she whispered. "The gods of Mount Olympus. Perhaps one day we will have to return to our home. But for the moment, your people really need us. That is why we choose to stay." She brightened again and it was as if a magical hand had wiped away the sadness. "Now child, I must go and brighten some pathetic man's dreams. Perhaps I could treat him to a vision of me naked. Bye!" And she, as well as the silver contraption, vanished, leaving Miriam alone in the darkness.
Miriam woke up.
She felt wiser and stronger somehow. The grief of just a few minutes ago had passed. She needed to concentrate on the task at hand and stop being distracted. She needed to find that stone. Hopefully, everything else could fall into place. At least she hoped so.
She rose from the bed and began to slowly dress. She delighted in the feel of the silk fabric of the dress against her skin. Somehow, it was a perfect fit. She wasn't surprised, somehow. Once she finished dressing she sat and stared at herself in front of the mirror that stood near the bed. She touched the mirror's surface and saw it ripple. Instead of being frightened, she smiled as if she had discovered a secret.
Upon leaving the room, she wandered down to the gardens, which reminded her of a paradise. Surely, it was a paradise that the gods themselves envied. She inhaled the perfume of the flowers and felt a gladness in her heart that hadn't previously been there and she couldn't explain it.
"Miriam, you look beautiful." She turned around at the sound of the voice and found herself looking into Pericles' eyes. Some of the joy left her and she felt a pang as she remembered him in bed with Tanith. How could he? Instead of thanking him or even acknowledging him at all, she glared at him once before turning away, leaving him to stare after her.
Seeing Tanos, she walked towards him and offered him a smile. "I'm not sure if I made myself clear to you earlier, but I wanted to thank you for your hospitality. Your sister, too." She tried to keep the sarcasm out of her voice and wondered briefly if she succeeded or not.
Tanos smiled at her and bowed. "My sister and I wish to thank you and your companion also for coming and being our honoured guests. Though life here is grand, it can be dull at times." And without any further warning, he leaned close and kissed her lips.
She started in surprise and looked at him curiously. She wasn't sure how she should feel. Outraged, perhaps? She knew he was being awfully familiar with her and it made her uncomfortable, but then she remembered Pericles and Tanith and decided she didn't care. She cleared her throat and continued the conversation as if nothing had happened. "I hope myself and Pericles have been able to make things better for you. We were in great danger before we made it to you beautiful home. We...." She cut herself off and sighed, shaking her head. Tanos smiled then and took her hand. "Let us go my dear, into the palace." They walked past Pericles without acknowledging him but one look into his eyes dimmed the triumph in Miriam's heart. A wave of sadness washed over her. If I could go back and change things, she thought to herself, would I? And how?
Many days passed in much the same manner, Miriam found herself musing. Nothing much really happened and instead of feeling comforted, she began to feel more and more restless. It was strange, really. Though the place seemed peaceful, there was an undercurrent of something else going on, the she couldn't quite put her finger on. It was as if the very palace walls held some closely guarded secret. As he days appeared to crawl by, she knew that she had to be on her way. She wasn't sure how Pericles felt as they hadn't spoken to each other since that day in the garden. If Pericles wanted to stay here in this strange paradise that was his concern. But she knew she needed to leave.
She thought it only fair, however, to let him know of her intentions and have him make up his own mind as to what he wanted to know. She approached him one day, as he sat on own, once again in that beautiful garden. He spent a long time talking to Tanith, she saw, but finally, after what seemed an eternity, Tanith walked away, leaving Pericles on his own. She took a deep breath and feeling giant butterflies in her stomach and her heart hammering in her chest, she walked towards him.
"Pericles, I'm planning to leave this island very soon," she stated as clearly as she possibly could. "Would you know whether you are planning to come with me or not?" I must focus on the task at hand, she thought to herself. I must focus on getting the stone and bringing it back. Remembering, her mother's dire warnings of Cronos, she wasn't sure who she would be bringing the stone back for her. Without thinking, she found herself fingering the Jewel of the Sea that lay around her neck on is gold chain.
"Will your lover leave with you?" Pericles snapped. His voice was filled with bitter sarcasm. She couldn't help thinking how bitter he sounded and her own voice broke free, venting her own frustrations. "He is not my lover!" she snarled at him. "And who are you to talk. I SAW you with her!"
He turned and looked at her in confusion and she found tears running down her cheeks. Without expecting, she felt sobs start coming out of her, sobs that she'd held in for what felt like an eternity. After seeing the confusion on his face, she found herself wondering why he didn't appear to be more ashamed of himself. I hate you! She wanted to yell at him but instead, she sat down next to him and started to cry. She felt him put his arm around her shoulder but shook it off angrily and looked up at him angrily, tears still streaming down her face. "I saw you", she repeated a lot more quietly.
Pericles merely looked at her and then shook his head. "Saw me with Tanith?" He looked surprised and then merely confused. Then, it was as if a light had gone on his head and he turned to look at her more closely. "I thought perhaps I had been dreaming but obviously not. He stared at her yet again. "She gave me something when we'd been eating. It tasted like wine but there seemed to be something in it and made me drowsy...."
Miriam looked at him. "Go on," she almost whispered.
"When I woke up, I was in bed, and it did seem as if she was there with me and I didn't seem to be wearing any clothes and I didn't understand." He looked at her uncertainly. "What exactly did you see?"
Miriam cast her eyes back to what she had seen. Tanith's naked back had been to her and she tried to remember the look on Pericles' face. "You were lying in the bed." She chewed her lip. She's been so outraged that she hadn't looked properly but was starting to wonder whether Pericles was innocent. Perhaps he WAS. Or perhaps she just wasn't sure what to believe anymore. But somehow, she felt her instincts become right again. It was as if she knew that Tanith was truly innocent and she hadn't realized it before. Had Tanith only wanted her to see that. She knew that at this point, it didn't seem to matter. The only thing that did seem to matter was the fact that she and Pericles had been manipulated somehow. She knew it and had sensed it from the very beginning. Tanith and Tanos were not to be trusted.
"That kiss," she whispered to Pericles without answering his question, " was completely unexpected. I think Tanos and Tanith want to keep us apart. I don't know why but I do know this. Pericles, we've got to get off this island. It isn't safe for us anymore."
Pericles merely looked at her and began to stroke her hair. "I don't know what to think," he said softly. "But perhaps you're right. We have overstayed our welcome."
In a far room of the palace, Tanos and Tanith turned and looked at each other, whilst holding hands. They had been scrying by using water and through the use of their own talents had overheard the conversation. Tanith turned to look at her brother, before kissing his hand. "Do you think they suspect?" was all she asked.
Tanos sighed. "I don't think so, beyond what they have already discussed. Strange how they don't, considering the girl's talents. Such odd people, in a lot of ways. The boy is also talented in some way, but who knows how or why that is the case." He shook his head. "You seem more convinced of this than I am, sister dear. Are you sure they are the True Ones?"
Tanith nodded her head, emphatically, as if completely convinced of the fact and knowing that there was no other way of doing things. "I travelled through time, and spoke to the old witch. Remember? We have had this discussion for many moons now. I don't want to do this either but the deed has already been written in blood, It is the only way. Besides, it is not such a terrible thing. It will be quick for them and then oh the glory! I almost envy them." She smiled at Tanos and leaned over to kiss his lips before continuing. "You know that the dear children are perfect. So why are you still fighting me on this?"
Tanos shook his head. "I'm not fighting you on anything," he said and he seemed to struggle for a minute to keep his voice even, as if he didn't want to give into some emotion that even he couldn't understand. "These children, despite their talents, are still innocent and they may not understand the glory that is waiting for them." He shook his head and sighed. "Don't you sometimes wish that things could be a little more different?"
Tanith nodded her head. Tears had filled her eyes. "Yes I do," she sighed as well. "It is a terrible burden that you and I face. I'm just not sure that there is any other way. I hope they understand."
Tanos looked hard at her before looking away. "So do I," he said wearily.