Chapter One
Cadmus

“Cadmus! Where are you?”

I crouched lower into the reeds, barely able to conceal my amusement. The mud at the edges of the small pond sucked at my bare toes, but I ignored the sensation. My eyes were fixed through the reeds on the small hill rise before me, where I knew the source of the angry voice stood.

“When I get my hands on you, boy, you’ll think twice about running off!”

Biting my lip to keep from laughing, I watched my father’s servant Elek slowly appear over the rise of the hill. He was an old man with white hair, but there was strength in him still. He walked with a cane, but it was used more to strike me when I misbehaved than to move with. His face was red from the exertion of following me all over the valley, and he paused halfway up the hill. I had kept him busy nearly the entire morning, ever since he told me to pasture my father’s herd at sunrise.

“The cows are waiting, boy,” Elek called. “Your sister is finished with them.”

A hiss of a snicker escaped my lips and immediately Elek’s face turned to the reeds in which I hid. I ducked lower into the mud, ignoring the wet feeling on my hands and chin. Elek had once been a soldier in an army my father had defeated, and had never lost his keen hearing or the instincts that had kept him alive. In a few quick steps, he was standing in front of me. I was amazed that he could still move so fast! I held my breath. His foot tapped impatiently before my eyes and his cane slowly was raised from the ground.

With lightning fast thrusts, he stabbed at the reeds, inches away from my head. Reflexively, I curled away from the cane. The movement caught Elek’s eye. Three swift blows to my stomach and I was on my feet, wheezing in pain.

“Come on, Cadmus,” Elek said gruffly, turning away from me.

Breathing hard and clutching my stomach, I stumbled after him. As usual, he ignored my pain.

“Bring the herd to the western pasture,” Elek told me.

“The western one?” I squeaked. “But its halfway up the mountain side!”

Elek turned his head and gave me a withering look that stopped me in my tracks. He held my gaze for several seconds before his gnarled mouth curved into a cruel grin.

“Remember that next time you run from your chores,” Elek said.

He started moving and left me standing, covered with mud by the pond on the easternmost part of our land, as far away from the western pasture as I could possibly be. Grumbling, I followed after him.

Tomorrow, I thought to myself glumly, I’m running in the opposite direction.

*****

My sister, Europa, was waiting for me by the eastern pasture with a smug look on her face. She was only a year or so younger than I, but I always thought of her as a child. We were very close, Europa and I. That was one of the reasons Father had sent us to work on the farm every day, under the close eye of Elek.

Europa was dressed in a simple homespun chiton, which I thought was very unflattering. I was used to seeing her in the fancy clothing worn at our father’s palace, and I found the brown cloth very drab on her fair skin. She had tied back her long, black hair, although strands of it had fallen out of their holding and into her face. She had two buckets full of milk by her feet and the yoke on which she carried them leaning casually against the post. She pushed the few tendrils of hair behind her ears as I approached, her blue eyes twinkling.

“There you are, Cadmus,” she said as if she knew nothing. “Where ever have you been?”

“Stop it,” I grumbled, in no mood for her teasing.

I opened the gate and the cows all raised their heads. Flicking the closest one with my switch to start her moving and whistling for our herd dogs, I began to drive them out of the pasture. Europa, however, would not give up so easily.

“Where is Elek sending you this time?” she asked.

“Western pasture,” I replied shortly.

Europa pretended to look shocked, but let a giggle escape her lips. She grabbed my arm and hugged it.

“You shouldn’t anger Elek,” she told me. “Father gets mad whenever you do.”

I grinned, finding her amusement infectious. “It keeps all our lives interesting at least.”

“Always craving adventure, aren’t you Cadmus?” Europa laughed.

I snorted a laugh. “Not much by way of adventure out here. What I want is a real quest, like Perseus or Bellerophon.”

As I followed the herd, who knew their way as well as I, I brandished my switch like a sword. Europa clapped her hands in delight, laughing as I dispatched some imaginary foes.

“Or even like Iason,” I said. “I'd slay the dragon and take the Golden Fleece. Aha!”

“Well done, noble hero,” Europa applauded.

I bowed to her and her eyes flicked to something happening past my bent back. When my eyes met her again, the amused twinkle had returned.

“Oh Iason,” she said in a singsong voice. “Some of your Argonauts are heading the wrong way.”

I spun around quickly and saw two cows moving to the river. Yelling angrily, I chased after them, followed by Europa’s melodious laughter.

*****

The hike down from the mountain pasture was a lot easier than the trek up. The herdsman my father had hired was quite upset that I was so late in bringing up the cattle. He and I argued for quite some time before I left his crude hut and headed back home. My morning chore finally completed, I thought I would find Europa and ask her if she wanted to come with me while I checked my snares before dinner. She normally enjoyed any excuse to leave our mother and her spinning alone.

As I rounded the final corner, past the boulder that marked the joining of the mountain path to the main road home, I saw Europa standing on the path with a thin woven shawl around her shoulders. Assuming she was waiting for me, I raised my hand and opened my mouth to call to her. Before a sound could escape my lips, another figure appeared, materializing as if by magic on the path leading up from the valley. She turned her back to me to greet the stranger, and I hid myself just off the road. Europa was nearly of marriageable age, and I knew Father had many suitors in mind for her. I hated spying on my sister, but I felt it was my duty to protect my father’s interests as well as Europa’s.

Europa and the stranger greeted each other and embraced affectionately. I had been too preoccupied in my own thoughts to catch the strangers name when Europa called to him. Emptying my mind of troublesome worries, I listened carefully.

“But when will you return?” Europa asked, her voice full of emotion.

“It may be a long time, beloved,” the stranger replied, gently brushing my sisters face with the back of his hand. “Maybe forever.”

Europa grabbed both his hands and stared into his eyes. “I’ll come with you, wherever you’re going.”

The stranger laughed once and I felt my anger rising. He lifted her chin with two fingers and kissed her on the mouth. I bit my lower lip to keep from screaming in outrage. Europa, however, melted into his embrace and held it for a very long time. Too long, I thought.

Eventually he released her – or she him – and he turned to leave. Europa watched, her huge blue eyes filled with tears. When he was still in sight but out of earshot, I emerged from my hiding place to confront my lovesick sister.

“Who was that?” I demanded, standing behind her.

Europa jumped and turned to face me. “Cadmus! You scared me to death! What are you doing here?”

“Who was that?” I repeated more slowly, pointing at the retreating back of the stranger.

“Who?” Europa asked innocently, although fire burned in her eyes.

I looked to where I had been pointing, but the stranger was gone. My mouth fell open in shock. Europa stepped closer to my side and firmly closed my jaw herself.

“You saw nothing, Cadmus,” she said. “Now I have to go help Mother with her spinning.”

As she turned to leave I grabbed her by the wrist. She squealed sharply as I tightened my grip and spun her around to face me. She fought, but I was too strong for her.

“Ow!” Europa complained. “Cadmus, let me go!”

“Explain, Europa,” I ordered, “before I tell Father what it looked like to me.”

Europa’s eyes widened in fear and she sighed. Her struggles lessened and I released her wrist. She lowered her eyes.

“Fine, just don’t tell Father. I’ve been seeing him for a few days. He’s a very sweet man, from west of here.”

“Where?” I demanded.

“I don’t know,” Europa snapped. “I didn’t ask him. All he told me was that he was passing through Tyre. He said he didn’t even plan to stay this long until he saw me.”

“What did you do together?” I asked, not certain if I wanted to hear the answer.

Europa blushed furiously and lowered her eyes again. “None of your business, Cadmus,” she said.

That was enough of an answer for me. I grabbed her shoulders and shook her hard. Europa’s eyes widened in surprise and then hardened in anger.

“What was his name?” I cried. “He won’t get away with ravaging my sister!”

“Cadmus, stop!” Europa said sharply, twisting free from my grasp. “He didn’t ravage me. As for his name, it’s - “

Her answer was broken off by a loud clap of thunder. The rain that suddenly poured down was so terrible that I forgot all about the stranger and concentrated instead on getting home. Europa covered her head with her shawl and set off at a run down the road. I was only a stride behind her.

The palace of our father was situated on the hill in the centre of the town, the acropolis. Our home was more of a fortress than a home since our father was the wanax of the people of Tyre. You might even say he was the king although, on days like today, I certainly didn’t feel like royalty. Our town was a modest size and growing, linking the desert caravan routes of the east with the sea faring merchants of the west. As my father’s youngest son, I knew I could never take his place as wanax after his death. Instead, my father was training me to one day look after our family’s lands and livestock. Not a very prestigious position for a prince, but in our kingdom of trade and business, titles were only fancy hats for special occasions.

As I watched my sister’s slender form running in front of me, I wondered about her fate. Father had stuck her in the fields with me with the hopes of calming her down so she could be married. Mother tried her best to teach her only daughter a woman’s tasks, but Europa was as stubborn as Father and refused to settle down. It was a trait I admired her for, although it caused me insurmountable grief and worry.

We slid on the rain slicked streets and through the gates of our father’s palace. There were servants huddled in shelters around the open courtyard, and a few risked the rain to cover us with blankets. Seeing as how we were already drenched, I waved them away and followed Europa through the large front doors.

Inside, the stone floors were cold and the braziers along the walls of the hall unlit. Europa stood shivering and I put my arm around her shoulders. I was frozen to the bone myself, but whatever warmth remained in me, I gladly shared with her.

“You should go find your handmaiden Agna to light a fire and fetch you some dry clothes,” I suggested.

“I can do it myself,” Europa objected, shrugging off my arm.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re shaking like a leaf, dear sister. I don’t want you to set the whole palace on fire with your trembling hands. Find Agna.”

Europa narrowed her eyes at me. I met her gaze calmly, and she turned on her heel and stamped down the hall, disappearing behind a pillar and down a corridor. I took a deep breath and suppressed a shiver. I thought to follow my own advice and find my slave Corydon to start a fire.

“Cold enough for you, brother?”
I turned to see my elder brother Thasus learning against a pillar, tossing a ball up and down in his hand. Thasus was the third of our father’s four sons. He and I were quite the opposite of one another. While I spent my days in the fields, learning the land and preparing for my future, Thasus was out with his friends racing horses through the countryside. I would play mischievous tricks on Elek and the servants, and Thasus would be the one to tell Father. We even looked like opposites; I with my dark hair and eyes, him with his golden curls. My skin was tough and bronzed from the sun, his was pale and womanly from lounging about indoors.

I scowled at his attempt at humor and walked past him. He caught my arm and, although I could have easily pulled away, I paused.

“Father and Mother were asking about you, Cadmus,” Thasus said softly, leaning forward to speak into my ear. “About our Europa as well.”

I threw off his grip and turned to face him. His mouth was curled into a smile, but his blue eyes were hard. I met his gaze without flinching and held my ground.

“What would Father have to say to Europa and me that would arouse you so, Thasus?” I asked.

His expression changed to one of mock innocence. “Why I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, brother.”

He laughed lightly and tossed his ball again into the air. Quick as a whip, I caught it before it touched his palm, and his eyes flashed briefly with fear. Hiding his anxiety with a laugh, Thasus brushed past me and walked down the hall. I could hear his sandals on the marble echoing after he had left.

I squeezed the leather ball he had been playing with. Sawdust escaped through the stitching of the ball as I replayed my brother’s comments in my head. He was harmless enough – he and I both knew threats would do nothing about our inheritances. Still, his mind was as dubious as mine was mischievous.

I shivered again, suddenly remembering where I was going. Shouting for Corydon, I headed deeper into my father’s house, hoping to change and grab some food before meeting my parents.

*****

Warm, fed, and washed, I was once again in high spirits. I hummed to myself as I walked briskly down the marbled corridors, delighting in the bright coloured walls and floors that surrounded me. I assumed my parents were waiting for me in the megaron, the largest room in the palace with a huge hearth that was always kept burning. When my father entertained guests and visitors, he always did so there. I found it a room of happy childhood memories and delicious food, and I was always content when I was seated there.

As I entered the megaron, I immediately noticed a different feel to the room. It was not the normal joyous air, but one of extreme tension. My father, Agenor, sat on the throne with my mother, Telephassa, seated on a tripod stool on his left.

To his right stood my eldest brother Phoenix, my father’s heir. Phoenix and I always got along well, despite our difference in age. He had my father’s dark hair and my mother’s blue eyes which made him look quite exotic. He wore a cloak dyed a deep purple – a colour the dye-makers of Tyre were famous for – and a white chiton cinched about his waist with a belt of beaten gold.

Agenor’s second son, Cilix, sat next to the roaring hearth. He held, as always, a clay tablet for writing and had a stylus tucked behind his ear. Cilix always seemed very mysterious, even to his family. He spoke rarely, but when he did it was important to pay attention. He was very scholarly and spent most of his time trying to acquire strange scrolls of scratchings he called ‘writing’. For some reason beyond me, Europa found his company absolutely fascinating. When she wasn’t out making mischief with me, I would often see her with Cilix in the gardens, deep in discussion.

I stepped into the light of the hearth, for the sun had set during the fierce storm, and faced my parents. Phoenix smiled at me and Cilix looked up from his tablet as I entered. It was then that I saw Europa, dressed in an elaborate gown, seated next to him. Her face was a mask, but I could tell from her eyes that she was very distressed. Beyond them, in the shadows on the other side of the room, stood Thasus.

“Cadmus, my son,” Agenor greeted me. “We were beginning to worry about you.”

“Forgive me, Father,” I apologized. “I wanted to clean myself up before I came, and Thasus caught me in an intriguing discussion.”

Agenor smiled and I thought I could sense Thasus’ scowl from the other side of the room. My mother cleared her throat and smoothed her skirts. Her gaze flicked up and past my shoulder, and I heard the rustle of Europa’s dress as she rose to her feet. My sister walked past me, her jewelry making tinkling music as she moved, and I caught her eye for a split second. That small amount of time spoke volumes to me. I knew whatever would come next, Europa most definitely did not approve.

Europa stood behind my mother and Telephassa held her daughter’s hand on her shoulder. I was caught by their striking similarities and differences. Both had piercing blue eyes, but my mother’s hair hung in golden ringlets while Europa’s hair was straight and dark as night. They could have been sisters, despite the difference in years. Telephassa smiled at me and I tore my eyes away from the women and back to my father.

“Cadmus, I’m afraid you are the last to hear the news,” Agenor said. “I have found a husband for Europa, a prince of Byblus, a state a few days journey up the coast.”

My eyes widened and I looked sharply at Europa. Her head was downcast and I thought I saw a tear fall from her chin to the marble floor. My mother was beaming with pride and pleasure, and she held Europa’s hand tightly. I stood in shocked silence for several seconds. I could see Cilix staring at me out of the corner of my eye, and I watched my father’s expression become concerned.

“Well, Cadmus? What do you think?” Agenor asked.

“Who is this prince of Byblus?” I demanded more harshly than I intended.

“Calm yourself, brother,” Phoenix said. “She is not being sentenced to death. His name is Galen, and he is a good man. I interviewed him myself.”

“I do not think that is our brother’s concern,” Cilix spoke quietly.

Agenor nodded. “What is your concern, Cadmus?”

I faltered. I had sworn not to reveal my sister’s affair with the strange man. Oh, my poor Europa! How your heart must be breaking at this news. I dared not risk a glance at her, but instead lowered it to my feet.

“I – I’m only concerned with Europa’s happiness,” I stammered.

“Her marriage will bring a great alliance between our city and Byblus,” Telephassa spoke up. “Think of the city, Cadmus. Think of the trade!”

I raised my head and forced a smile. “Of course, Mother,” I said. “How selfish of me. A union between our lands would certainly bring prosperity to both of us.”

I turned to my sister, whose eyes showed her confusion and anger at me for not defending her. “Congratulations, sister.”

She said nothing, but fled from the hall. Cilix rose as she ran off, a cry hovering unuttered on his lips. I watched, but did nothing. I felt helpless, overcome with grief. I would be losing my sister to a strange man I knew she did not love. A hand clasped down on my shoulder and I looked up to see Phoenix’s somber face.

“It is for the best, brother,” he assured me. “She will be happy eventually.”

“You don’t understand,” I told him as I ran after my sister.

*****

I found Europa sobbing in her bedroom in the women’s quarters of the palace. She had dismissed all her servants, although I saw Agna hovering in the shadows, waiting for her mistress’ command. As I entered, I motioned silently for her to leave. She hesitated for a second before quietly slipping out the door, closing it behind her.

I moved over to the bed and sat next to my sister. The feeling of helplessness swept over me again and, thinking I could do nothing else, I put my hand on her back to comfort her. In one swift movement, she was sitting up and sobbing in my arms. I could feel her tears down my arms and I could see the strange colouring women wore around their eyes melting onto my chiton. As she cried, her shaking body caused her jewelry to play a sad song of mourning.

“I don’t want to be married,” Europa gasped between her tears. “I don’t want to leave Tyre.”

“Hush,” I soothed. “I don’t want you to leave either.”

“What if he comes for me?” Europa continued. “What if he returns here and finds out I’m somewhere else and married? Cadmus, I love him!”

I knew she walk referring to the nameless stranger she had met with that afternoon. I could think of no solution to her situation, and so I held her tightly as her cosmetics stained my clothes, and wished I was a god so I could change the world for her.

*****

Europa eventually cried herself to sleep and I left her on her bed. Agna was waiting outside, and I told her to undress her mistress and let her sleep as much as she needed. No one was to disturb her. Agna nodded in understanding and slipped through the wooden door. I watched it close behind her and sighed. Looking down at my chiton, I saw it was a mess of colour. With a frustrated sigh, I began to walk down the hallway when I heard a voice behind me.

“How is she?”

My heart felt as if it had stopped and I whirled around in fright. Cilix was standing a little ways down the hall, as silent as a spirit. He looked at me with his large eyes and I realized it had been his voice I heard.

“She’s asleep,” I answered. “Crying tired her out.”

Cilix nodded and gazed sadly at the closed wooden door. He gripped his tablet more tightly and bit his lower lip.

“I hate to see her upset,” he said.

“I as well,” I agreed. “She doesn’t want to leave us yet, especially to a man she has never met and does not love.”

“Love rarely has anything to do with marriage,” Cilix observed. His brown eyes moved from the door to focus on me. I felt as if they were penetrating my soul. “But you knew that.”

My heart raced. How much did my brother know about Europa’s secret lover? I took a step backwards down the hall, not knowing what to say next.

“I have to go,” I stammered. “Father will want to hear my report from the western lands and I have to change my clothes.”

Cilix smiled, and in that smile I thought I caught a glimpse of a joke only he understood. “Good night, brother.”

He turned and headed back the way he had come. I watched his retreating back for a few seconds, before I turned as well and moved very quickly back to my room.

*****

I woke the next morning before the sun rose. I had been plagued by dreams all night, scenes of Europa disappearing and a cow grazing in my father’s throne room. As I sat in my bed, I wondered if the gods were trying to tell me something; a warning perhaps of my sisters upcoming nuptials. Shaking my head to free my mind of the dream, I rose from my bed and headed to the window.

The world was still dark, except for the faint light of the moon. I could hear the sound of the waves crashing into the shore. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the window ledge, and looked down the one story drop to the courtyard below. I wondered, not for the first time, what lay across the vast expanse of water. I knew there were people, for I had spoken to some of them when they came to trade, but I wondered about their lands. The strange Keftiu - the Sea Peoples - who traveled from across the ocean to trade, spoke a strange language and dressed in strange clothes. When I was young, I had heard Cilix speaking to their leader in their language, and I had asked him to teach me a few words. My elder brother had been very patient as I struggled through their language, but now I could follow their conversation quite well, although Cilix often pointed out that my accent needed work.

I head my door creak open and I turned. Corydon was standing in the doorway with a torch in his hand, looking as if he had just woken up. I paused for a moment to look at the man who had been with me for as long as I could remember. He was not a very tall man, or very young, but he was strong and loyal with brown hair and green eyes. I found myself unable to think of my life without him, as his observant eyes scanned the shadows of my room for hidden dangers.

“I’m sorry, Master,” he apologized. “I thought I heard movement in here.”

“Just me,” I said. “I have a lot on my mind.”

Corydon nodded. “I know. You shouldn’t let it worry you so much.”

I shook my head and turned back to the window. The sun was making its appearance from the eastern side of the palace, slowly lengthening the shadows before me and lighting the world. Suddenly, an idea struck me.

“I won’t let Europa leave without spending a whole day with her, as we used to when we were children,” I said to myself, although I knew Corydon overheard. “We will do all the things we will never have a chance to do again.”

I turned again and saw that a fresh chiton had already been placed on my bed, the torch in its holder, and the door closed. I smiled. Corydon knew me almost as well as I knew myself.

I dressed in a hurry and ran down the hall, across the ‘bridge’ that split the two open courtyards below me, and into the women’s section of the palace. Several young slave girls were moving about, and they pushed themselves against the walls to get out of my way. I stopped at Europa’s door, only to find Agna standing in front of it with a fearful expression on her face.

“Open the door,” I ordered.

“I’m sorry, Master, but my mistress isn’t ready yet,” Agna protested.

“She’ll be happy to see me,” I objected. “I have a surprise for her. Open the door.”

“She’s still in bed,” Agna said.

I pushed her out of the way and opened the door to my sisters apartments. I looked around only to find the place deserted.

“Europa?” I called.

I heard Agna creep in behind me and close the doors. I moved around the rooms, searching for my sister. Her bed was empty, the linens on the floor in shambles; her bathing room was deserted; the doors to her balcony closed and the balcony empty. I turned to find Agna standing directly behind me.

“Where is she?”

“Forgive me, Master,” Agna sobbed. “She said she didn’t want to be married yet. She said she was too young and in love.”

“Where did she go?” I demanded, grabbing Agna by the shoulders, my eyes trying to search for the truth in hers.

“She left not long ago,” Agna told me. “I don’t know where.”

I let her go and ran out of the room. Calling to Corydon, I headed down to the ground level and out to the stables. One of Father’s horses was missing and I hurried to saddle my own. Corydon was at my side in a few minutes, holding a package of what I guessed to be food and saddling another horse for himself. In minutes we were out of the gates and in pursuit of my fleeing sister.

*****

The sun had risen full in the sky by the time we were completely free of Tyre and into the wild forest beyond its limits. The path we were following led south and then west, away from Tyre and Byblus and towards Europa’s mystery lover. I pushed my horse harder, half-cursing my sister and half-praying that she was still safe. My father and brothers would be awake by now, would have noticed the disappearance of Europa and me. I hoped that Phoenix didn’t do anything foolish, like following us with our small army. I urged my horse harder still, knowing I would have to reach Europa before my father did.

“Master! Over there!” Corydon called.

I reined in my horse and returned to where my faithful servant sat pointing. A horse had gone off the trail here, heading west toward the coast while the path continued south. A cunning move for my sister, but a dangerous one.

“Come on,” I said, turning my horse down the new path.

We were forced to move slowly now. One misstep and either our mounts or ourselves would fall. The forest, I knew, ended at the edge of steep cliffs which fell down into the sea. I wasn’t sure if Europa knew about the sudden drop or not, and so I pressed on.

The sun was nearly all the way overhead when we reached the cliffs, and I realized we had spent the entire morning chasing Europa down the coast. Corydon dismounted to examine the horse tracks we had been following through the forest. They apparently ended at the cliff edge.

“Her horse reared,” Corydon told me, “but it did not fall. The horse started going back east, toward Tyre. If I’m reading the tracks right, its load was quite a bit lighter.”

“Europa!” I yelled in vain, dismounting and moving over to the cliffs. My voice was barely distinguishable over the roar of the waves below. I fell to my knees and cursed the sea god who had taken my sister from me.

“Cadmus?”

Blinking, I turned to Corydon. His expression showed that he had heard the sound as well. I rose and walked a few steps closer to the edge, looking all around.

“Cadmus? Are you there?”

Kneeling, I peaked over the edge. Down below me was my sister, standing on a narrow ledge that protruded from the cliffs. My heart skipped a beat when I saw her. I thanked the gods that there had been a ledge!

“Europa! What are you doing down there?” I asked.

She yelled something at me that I couldn’t quite make out, yet I knew to be very unladylike. I lay down on my stomach and hung over the edge, reaching down with my arms. Europa pressed herself against the rocks, stretching up to meet my reach. Strain as we might, there was no way we could touch. I sat back up again, biting my lip as I thought.

“Corydon,” I said, turning to my servant. “Use the horses’ girths and reins. We must make a rope.”

Corydon smiled and nodded. As I removed the girths and began lashing them together, he removed the bridle from the horses’ heads and handed me the reins. The horses, knowing themselves to be free of confinement, began to graze on the thick, dry grass which grew along the cliff edge.

When our makeshift rope was completed, I lay back down again and handed it to my sister. Europa grabbed it and tied it about herself. Corydon and I began to pull while Europa tried to climb up the side of the cliff. It was difficult work, but in no time Europa was one again on solid ground.

I ran to her and held her tightly as Corydon tacked the horses again. Europa was crying again, this time out of thankfulness for being saved. We remained motionless for a few minutes, each happy to be alive, the wind whipping through our hair and clothing. Finally, I held Europa at arms length and gazed into her eyes.

“What in the name of Zeus were you thinking? You almost got yourself killed!”

Europa lowered her eyes and bit her lip. “I don’t want to marry Galen. I was trying to escape, to find – “

“I know who you were trying to find,” I snapped. “Do you realize that Father and Phoenix are probably out with an army looking for you? What if you had made it to your lover’s city? Would you have become another Helen?”

Her eyes rose to meet mine and they were filled with tears. “Aren’t you on my side, Cadmus?”

I sighed. “I don’t know whose side to be on, Europa. I love you, but this is foolish. You can’t run away to an unknown city to be with a man who may already be married!”

Europa looked as if she was going to cry again. I held her close, rocking her back and forth.

“Why don’t you talk to Mother,” I suggested. “Try to postpone the wedding for a while. If your mystery man doesn’t return by the festival, forget about him and marry Galen. If he does return, well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Europa looked up at me with her large blue eyes and smiled. She threw her arms around my neck so violently that it knocked both of us over. She kissed both my cheeks and laughed.

“You’re brilliant, Cadmus!” she said. “I don’t deserve a brother as wonderful as you! Come on, let’s go home.”

She stood and headed for my horse, leaving me lying on the grass in confusion. In a split second, she had gone from utterly depressed to deliriously happy. I laughed and sat up. The mind of a woman is a difficult thing to understand, but it become twice as complex when love is involved.

*****

As I predicted, Mother and Father were not pleased when we returned, dusty and dirty from the road. Mother took Europa away to get cleaned up, and probably to give her a stern lecture. This left me alone with my father and with Phoenix, both of whom were looking rather disappointed. I stood in awkward silence between Agenor’s throne and the blazing hearth.

“What was that all about, Cadmus?” my father asked finally.

I raised my eyes to meet his and felt something heavy settle in my stomach. It was impossible to lie to my father; he had a kind of personality which allowed him to discern the truth by looking at you. I swallowed hard and shifted my weight from one foot to another.

“Europa,” I began somewhat hesitantly. “Um, she doesn’t want to get married.”

“What?” Agenor roared, half standing from his throne.

“Not yet,” I amended quickly. “She wants to participate in the festival one more year here before being wed. It is her year to lead the procession this year, a great honour for her.”

Agenor sat back down and I dared a quick look at Phoenix. He seemed relieved, as did I. Agenor sat thoughtfully for a few minutes then nodded.

“I suppose that is acceptable,” he said. “I will have to invite Galen as our guest. Phoenix, send a message. The festival is not far away.”

“Yes, Father,” Phoenix said with a slight bow.

Agenor rose and Phoenix immediately went to his elbow. Agenor brushed him aside irritably and stepped down from his throne.

“Off with you now,” he said. “Both of you. I’m sure you have work to attend to.”

I bowed as my father walked past and Phoenix stopped beside me. When Agenor was out of view, I felt my brother grip my arm tightly. I raised my eyes to meet his.

“We need to talk, brother,” he said sternly. “Now.”

Without waiting for an answer, my much stronger brother dragged me from the hearth room and into one of the more private chambers. Servants scurried about, eager to be out of our way. Phoenix threw me into a small storage room and I landed hard between the large storage pithoi – the jugs which held wine or grain. I scrambled to my feet and tried to move past my brother, but Phoenix barred the way.

“I rode hard all day and didn’t see a sign of either of you,” Phoenix said. “Now, tell me what is going on.”

“Like I told Father,” I began, “Europa wishes to be in the festival one last year.”

Phoenix punched the wall, making the pithos closest to him jump. Instinctively, I stepped backwards as my eldest brother turned to me again.

“The truth, Cadmus.”

Seeing no escape, I sighed. Europa would have to forgive me later.

“Europa is in love,” I said quietly, “with another man. She doesn’t want to marry Galen. She was running off to her lover this morning.”

Phoenix stared at me with wide eyes. I did not quite know how he was going to react. He and Europa were far removed in years, as was he and I. We had always found a common ground to stand on as men, but I believed he thought of Europa more as a daughter than a sister.

“Who is this other man?” Phoenix asked in a low voice.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I only know that Europa is completely smitten by him, and that he lives somewhere to the west.”

“A trader?” Phoenix suggested. “From across the sea? One of the Keftiu?”

I shook my head. “He carries himself too regally to be a trader, and speaks too well.”

“You’ve met him?” Phoenix asked incredulously.

“Seen him,” I said quickly. “He is not Keftiu.”

Phoenix took a deep breath. “Father will not be pleased.”

“Nor will Europa if you tell her,” I added. “Please, Phoenix. I was sworn to secrecy by her. Why else would I not tell Father?”

Phoenix nodded. “I will keep your secret, Cadmus, but I will also see Europa wed to Galen. Tyre needs good relations with Byblus. I would not wish to go to war over Europa’s virtue.”

“I understand,” I said.

Phoenix stared at me for another moment before stepping into the hall and out of view. I sank back against the stone wall of the storage room, trying to calm my beating heart. Two months until the festival. Two more months of secrecy before this would be settled once and for all.

Leaving the storage room, I headed upstairs to find Corydon. It was almost time for the evening meal and I needed to make myself presentable, although I found myself with little appetite.

*****

The time before the festival seemed to fly by. I was performing in it this year, and so the vast majority of my time was used for training. Cilix was preparing a song and dance to be recited by a chorus of young men, and Phoenix was drilling the household guards for the parade to the city. Even my bitter brother Thasus seemed to grow more excited with the passing weeks. He was overseeing the decoration of the city as well as the preparations for the sacrifices and games.

The festival was an annual event dating back to the founding of Tyre. No one remembered how the celebration came about, but our traditions demanded that we participate. It was done in celebration of the gods, especially the thunder-god Zeus. It began with a procession from the sea, where the young virgins would collect sea water in jugs and bring them from the beach to the city gates. At the gates, the rest of the citizenry would join the march, led by the virgins and followed by the priests, the guards, the young men, the sheep and bulls to be sacrificed, and the rest of the people. The procession would end in the central courtyard of the town, which was brightly decorated with painted statues and columns. Then the festival would begin.

Ever since I was a child, I had been training for the bull dance. It was very dangerous, but my brothers had done it before me and I had been determined since youth to do it as well. When the procession to the town ended, the virgins would pour the sea water around the courtyard and on the altar in honour of Zeus. Two sheep were sacrificed and the priests would read the omens for the city. Then a large bull was brought into the courtyard and the people watched from the safety of balconies and roofs as the young men approached. We would be dressed in simple loin clothes and our hair would be braided and pulled away from our faces. The younger boys would stand around the edge of the courtyard with drums to frighten the bull away from the city streets. I had seen young boys be gored more than once because of a rampaging bull. The city guard would stand behind the boys with spears and arrows incase a bull got loose.

The older boys would dance, three at a time. The music would play from the balconies and we would sway and jump around the enraged bull, taunting it with our songs and with the music. When the bull became angry enough, it would charge at one of us with its horns lowered. The dancer would anticipate this movement and grab onto the bulls horns. The furious bull would toss its head back and the dancer would vault off the bulls back and land safely behind it. The other two dancers would distract the bull long enough for the first dancer to make it to safety before the dance would begin again. That was the bull dance, and this year would be my first year without a drum.

The excitement of the upcoming festival pushed thoughts of Europa’s nuptials out of everyone’s memory. It would be the first and the last year that Europa would lead the procession of virgins from the shores of the sea to the city gates. Mother was so proud of her and Europa seemed to be taking the role very seriously. At night I would see her walking down the hall at a stately pace with a water jug in her hands. I always hid before she could see me, biting down my laughter as I returned to my room.

*****

Two weeks before the festival, Galen came from Byblus and I saw him for the first time. He rode up to the gates of my father’s palace while I was walking inside from training, still dressed in the dancer’s kilt, with Corydon close behind me. Galen arrived with an entourage of bodyguards and servants. He stopped before me, barely acknowledging my presence by flicking his eyes down to look at me. In disgust, he curled his lip at me and looked straight ahead.

“You, boy,” he said, although he was barely older than I, “alert your Master that Galen has arrived. He will no doubt reward you for the news.”

I looked up at him and blinked, taking in the appearance of my sister’s future husband. He had pale skin and fair hair with green eyes. He had an arrogance about him that reminded me of Thasus. I decided right away that I did not like him. He looked down at me again and motioned with a nod to a guard who sat on his horse beside him. The guard wore a boars tusk helmet, a sign of great wealth. I thought this must not be an ordinary guard, but a noble friend of Galen.

“Are you stupid, boy? Fetch your Master,” the noble said.

“He cannot understand us,” Galen concluded. “He must be simple. We will ride on unannounced.”

“I can understand you perfectly,” I said, “and I am neither simple nor stupid. I merely chose not to respond to such rudeness in my own city.”

“I am Galen of Byblus,” Galen said pompously.

“And I am Cadmus of Tyre,” I replied, “son of Agenor and prince of this city.”

The boars tusk noble’s eyes flashed with fear and he moved his horse back to his original position next to Galen. Galen of Byblus looked down at me and smiled.

“Well then, Cadmus of Tyre,” he said with false politeness, “would you tell your father that his future son-in-law is here?”

I took a deep breath and resisted the urge to knock the man from his horse. I turned to Corydon, who had been standing silently behind me.

“Find a servant to inform Father that Galen is here,” I told him. “Then draw me a bath so I can be ready for dinner.”

Corydon bowed once and ran off. I turned back to Galen.

“Leave your horses with the stable hands,” I said. “A servant will bring you inside to meet Agenor.”

Galen inclined his head to me. “A pleasure to meet you, Cadmus.”

I stepped clear as his entourage marched past. When the last of them had entered my father’s palace, I followed but headed straight to my rooms. Shaking my head, I compared Galen to Europa’s stranger and decided that I would do whatever I could to ensure my sister’s happiness.

*****

The first dinner with Galen was unpleasant. He sat next to Phoenix and my father, laughing and joking as if he had been born in Tyre. I sat a few seats away with Cilix and, when I caught his eye, he would give me disapproving glances. I knew Cilix felt as I did about Europa’s husband-to-be. Father, on the other hand, was enjoying himself. He laughed and slapped Galen on the back amicably. Phoenix kept a tight smile on his own lips, and also kept an eye on Galen’s soldiers who were reclining on the other side of the hearth. Thasus took in the whole situation with his normal cynical demeanor, silently deciding which side would better play to his advantage. I saw Europa only once, when she was brought in by Mother to be stared at by Galen. She met with his approval, which I did not doubt for an instant. I thought I could bring Galen a goat with jewels on it and he would approve.

I said little all evening and finally excused myself from the feast, saying I needed to rise early to train for the dance. Father waved me away and I left the hearth room as quickly as I could, thinking I would find Europa and see if we could contact her stranger.

“Cadmus.”

The unexpected voice behind me tore me from my thoughts. I turned to see Cilix standing in the hall, as silent as a ghost.

“The night is wearing thin on you as well, brother?” I asked.

Cilix smiled. “Perhaps.”

I felt awkward in the following silence. Cilix did not speak or move to leave, so I thought to make an excuse and continue on my way.

“I’m off to say good night to Europa,” I said, “then to bed.”

Cilix nodded. “I will say good night to you then, brother. The festival is rapidly approaching and with it, a strange new tide will come.”

Cilix turned and walked down the hall. I watched his retreating back in confusion, wondering what he meant by a strange new tide. With a shrug, I stifled a yawn and headed up the stairs. I would save my mischief for tomorrow after training, when Europa and I could talk at greater lengths.

******

My training intensified the following morning, leaving me with no time to do anything else. I saw my family infrequently and my sister even less. Galen had monopolized all of her time, trying to woo her and make her a willing bride. I had Corydon spy on them while I was in the arena. The thought of the arrogant prince of Byblus alone with my sister made my skin crawl, and my distraction nearly cost me my role in the dance.

We practiced in the small arena to the east of the palace, myself and the other young men from the city. There were twelve of us in total to participate in the dance three at a time. Our instructor was a veteran of the dance, having performed in the festival for six years. He had been injured many times, which was expected, but had survived. His name was Iason.

We trained ourselves by vaulting over a stationary box which was roughly the shape and size of a bull. In fact, at one point in time, someone had painted angry eyes on the box and had dipped the false horns in red paint. It gave the box a comical appearance, but Iason warned us on the first day that the living bull would be anything but amusing.

“Cadmus,” Iason called. “You’re up.”

I was hardly paying attention to Iason when my name was called. One of my fellow dancers gave me a shove and I sprinted towards the box. My mind’s eye kept picturing Galen with his hands on Europa, his lips near her cheek, buying her baubles to impress her. It made me furious.

“Cadmus!” Iason yelled.

I vaulted over the box with such force that I had missed the back of the bull entirely and landed on my rear directly behind it. Iason ran up to me and struck me in the back with a wooden stick, causing me to fall forward and gasp for breath.

“If this had been the festival,” Iason told me, “that tap I gave you would have been from the bull, and you would have landed somewhere outside the courtyard. Your approach was off as well and you didn’t even touch the bull’s back. He would have gored you with his horns in midair.”

I pushed myself to a sitting position and nodded, still trying to breath properly. The rage was fading from my mind and I realized Iason stood in front of me with the other dancers around us in a rough circle.

“This close to the festival, Cadmus, you should be at your best,” Iason continued, “not making mistakes like a beginner. I should pull you out of the dance for your own safety.”

“No!” I managed to gasp, rising to my feet. “I’m sorry, Iason. I was distracted by something else. It won’t happen again.”

Iason looked me up and down, his eyes full of disappointment. Iason was a good man and I liked him in spite of his discipline. He knew how much this dance meant to me and he sighed.

“Vault the box again Cadmus,” he ordered. “If you do it right this time, I’ll forget about your mishap. If you don’t do it perfectly, you’re out.”

I smiled at him and slapped his shoulder in thanks. Iason rolled his eyes and headed back to the sidelines as I prepared my second approach of the bull. During the actual dance, we would each have one vault, then move aside for the next trilogy of dancers. I focused all my energy and shoved the thoughts of Galen and Europa from my mind. I executed a perfect jump, landing well out of kicking range on my feet. The other eleven dancers applauded and I turned to Iason with a triumphant smile on my face.

“Good enough,” he said. “I need twelve dancers and it’s too late to get someone new. Just don’t make me explain your death to the wanax.”

Taking his comment as a compliment, I gave him a mock salute and took my place at the end of the line. Iason glared at me and signaled for the next dancer.

*****

It seemed like I fell asleep that night after practice only to awaken the next morning and have it be festival day. I woke up to find Corydon holding my bull dancers kilt in his hand and a small chest in the other. He smiled at me as I got out of bed.

“Happy festival day, Master,” he said.

“Happy festival day, Corydon,” I replied. “What will you do today?”

Corydon helped me out of my sleeping chiton and set the small chest on the bed as I dressed in my kilt. He turned back to me holding golden bracelets and necklaces in his hands.

“I will be watching you at the dance,” Corydon said, and I thought I heard pride in his voice. “I’m excited to see you perform.”

I selected the jewelry that I would wear during the festival and sat down while Corydon braided my hair. The golden metal felt cool, and I absently rubbed my arm where it dug into my skin. I was unused to such adornments, but the dancers needed to look their best for the crowd.

“What of Europa?” I asked. I realized that I had never found time to formulate an escape plan with her and now time had run out. I bit my lower lip in frustration at not being able to save my sister, but perhaps we could buy ourselves more time after the festival.

“She is getting ready for the procession,” Corydon told me. “She spent yesterday with Galen in the market, buying Egyptian linen and Keftiu beads. Galen had the courtesy to pay for it, at least.”

Perhaps she’s falling in love with him after all, I thought. Perhaps the stranger is finally out of her mind.

“Good for her,” I said aloud. As much as I disliked Galen, Europa becoming a willing bride would solve a lot of problems.

Corydon finished my braids and I stood to admire my reflection in a bronze mirror he had brought with him. I looked just like a bull jumper, although my skin still needed to be oiled and my eyes circled with black kohl. Someone would help me with that later. I nodded approvingly at Corydon and gave him his freedom for this one day. It was not necessary to allow slaves the day to themselves, but Corydon served me faithfully and I could think of no better way to reward him.

As Corydon left, I thought I would visit Europa and see if she was ready to come downstairs to eat. The meals of festival day were always elaborate. Mother and Thasus has spent long nights together planning the meals, and the feast after the sacrifices to Zeus was the best of all. The entire city gathered together to eat the meat of the sacrifice, and Father would bring out some of his wine to share with his people. My mouth watered with the thought of the food as I knocked on Europa’s door.

She opened it herself, and I saw she was already dressed for the procession. She wore a long, colourful skirt down to her ankles and had a small silver anklet with bells that ringed when she walked. A heavy looking leather belt studded with beads and gems was cinched around her waist making her hips seem larger than they were and her waist very narrow. She wore an embroidered bodice with short sleeves that left her two breasts bare and had a gauzy shawl with crocus flowers embroidered on it around her shoulders. Her long black hair had been braided and was arranged in an elaborate looping pattern at the top of her head, held back from her forehead with a silver diadem. She wore numerous necklaces and bracelets and long earrings shaped like crocus blossoms.

“Happy festival day,” she greeted me.

I stared in shock. My sister looked like a goddess. She stared at me in confusion, her brow furrowing as I said nothing. She looked me up and down, taking in my costume as I had taken in hers.

“Nice skirt,” she remarked.

The comment snapped me back. “It’s a kilt,” I said angrily.

She smiled playfully. “Now that you’re paying attention, happy festival day.”

I blushed. “Happy festival day to you, too.”

She brushed past me, her jewelry and anklet tinkling and the cloth of her skirt swaying. She took a few steps, then turned to face me again.

“Are you coming to eat?” she asked.

Dumbfounded, I nodded and followed her downstairs. I could not believe how grown up Europa was and how gorgeous she looked dressed as a priestess. I thought there would be no way that Galen would be able to take his eyes off of her, which would make our escape more difficult if she still wished to go through with it. I shook my head, forcing myself to focus. I would worry about Europa after the festival. Until then, she would have to take care of herself.

*****

Europa left before the rest of us were done eating. As I had thought, Galen had barely touched the sumptuous feast, his eyes riveted on my sister. I glared at him angrily and noticed that Phoenix also frowned in disapproval. Cilix said nothing, as usual, but his normally cheerful eyes seemed lined with worry. Thasus smiled coolly from his seat, watching without comment.

We left the morning meal and headed to the gates where Europa would be leading the procession of virgins from the ocean, laden with sea water. Father and Mother stood proudly among the citizens as Europa came into view. I could only spare a moment to watch before I had to be at the town square to prepare for my own role in the festival. I saw Europa moving with stately grace, holding the jug in front of her, her right hand gripping the handle and her left holding it from the bottom. She moved fluidly and not a drop was spilt along the way. I left quickly to beat the procession, knowing Iason would be furious if I was late.

While the altars and courtyard were purified by the sea water, I was sitting in someone’s house being slathered in oil and gold dust. The citizens had graciously allowed us to use their homes to prepare ourselves while they watched the sacrifice. My hair was re-braided more tightly and my eyes were lined with black as I listened to Iason give us last minute pointers. Finally, when the noise of the sacrifices had died down, Iason signaled for the drummer boys to go out and encircle the courtyard. We followed shortly after them.

I was amazed at how bright the sun shone and how loud the crowd cheered as we presented ourselves to the city. My family sat on a balcony overlooking the centre of the courtyard and we bowed to them formally. Then, the bull was brought in and nine of us moved off to the side. I was to dance the second round with two men who had been with me as drummer boys. As we watched Iason’s group perform, Alix was standing to my right, biting his lower lip nervously. Our other partner, Hylas, stood to my left and was staring intently at Iason’s dance. I smiled at Alix to try and alleviate his fear, then turned my attention back to the bull.

The bull was huge, far larger than I think I had ever seen. He had two long, pointed horns protruding from his head and his eyes were red. He was roan coloured with black hooves and black hair on his back. He seemed angry from the moment he was brought into the courtyard, making the drummer boys all but useless.

Iason’s group each performed their vault, to the confusion and annoyance of the bull. The crowed cheered wildly as the trio of dancers took their bows and retreated to the safety of the house. Iason clapped me on the shoulder as he passed.

“Watch your dismount,” he told me. “This one is angry.”

I nodded and elbowed Alix to get him moving. Hylas was already nearly in the arena, although the three of us were supposed to enter together. We had established the order of our dance – Hylas first, then Alix, and then me. The music changed and the bull whirled around to look at us. Alix and I began to dance, weaving circles around the bull and taunting it as best we could. The bull watched us with beady eyes before focusing in on Hylas and charging. Alix and I stayed clear as Hylas gripped the bull’s horns. In one swift motion, the bull tossed its head backward and Hylas did a flip in mid air, landing on his hands on the bull’s back for a split second before pushing off and executing a perfect landing. Alix and I hurried to distract the bull as Hylas danced clear.

“Off you go,” I whispered to Alix.

He smiled nervously and took a deep breath. He did several spinning jumps away from me and Hylas took his place at my side. I smiled at Hylas to congratulate him, but he was far too absorbed in the dance to notice.

The bull was already furious at missing the chance to gore Hylas, and the pounding of the drums must have pushed him further. The crowd yelled and cheered as the bull charged Alix. As terrified of the dance as he was, Alix executed a perfect vault. He ran over to Hylas and I, and I risked a look up at my family’s balcony as I prepared for my turn. I was disappointed to see that Europa had not yet joined our parents to watch the dance. Pushing the thought aside, I steadied my nerves and faced the enraged bull.

As the bull charged, I saw Europa moving through the crowd, heading toward the city gates. I would not have known it was her if Agna had not been leading her, but I recognized the cloak she wore as she pushed her way through the people. Every so often, her eyes flicked to the courtyard where I was about to vault. I had no time to wonder what she was doing. The bull was nearly upon me.

The horns came at me and I grabbed them. They were smoother than the wooden horns of the box, but I held on tightly. Suddenly, I was in the air, much to the delight of the crowd. I waited for the perfect moment to release myself from the horns and begin my descent. I did a perfect summersault in mid air and landed on my hands on the sweat soaked back of the bull. The hair was slippery and my hands slid as I pushed off of the bull. As a result, my landing was off and I found myself standing directly behind the beast. Desperately, Alix and Hylas waved at the bull, trying to force its attention to them so I might escape. Time seemed to slow down for me as the bull turned his massive head to glare at me. I could swear he almost smiled as he kicked. The force of his hooves caught me full in the chest and I felt myself become airborne again. Time returned to normal as I struck a wall with a resounding crack and plummeted into darkness.

*****

“Cadmus.”

I fought for air. My chest felt heavy, as if someone had piled rocks on top of me. My first thought was that I was dead and the rocks were from my tomb. The god of the dead was summoning me. It was dark all around me and I tried to move my head but found I could not. I tried to breath again and managed to suck in a small quantity of air. I was not dead after all.

“Cadmus.”

I felt something soft beneath me and thought I must be lying on sheepskin. The wooly texture felt rough against my back. I inhaled again, a little more this time than the last and my body rejoiced at the air. I was alive, I could feel, but still I was surrounded by darkness. I could have laughed aloud when I realized my eyes were still closed, but it would have been too painful. Instead, I cracked open my eyes slowly and was nearly blinded by the light.

“Cadmus.”

I heard my name. The flurry of colours swam before my eyes and I thought I was blind. Slowly, the flurry began to settle into shapes, and the shapes into objects, until finally I could see who was speaking. It was my brother, Cilix, who knelt over me as I lay on the floor of a stranger’s house. As I looked up at him, he smiled at me and raised his head to speak to an unseen person behind me.

“He’s alive and awake. A nasty kick, but he will survive.”

I heard a cheer from outside and I knew the bull dance continued without me. It was not the first time a dancer had nearly been killed and it would not be the last. The festival with its traditions would continue no matter how many dancers perished.

“Europa?” I croaked, surprised at the sound of my own voice.

Cilix’ gaze returned to mine. He seemed sad, somehow. I blinked in confusion.

“Rest now, brother,” Cilix told me.

I closed my eyes but did not drift to sleep right away. I heard Cilix rise and move away from my side.

“His chest is crushed and his skull bleeds,” I heard my brother say someone else. “He should not move until he can breath properly again.”

Sleep claimed me before I could hear the response of the person in the room.

*****

The next time I opened my eyes, I was in my bedroom in my father’s palace. I blinked, staring at the ceiling for a few moments, before I turned my head slightly to look around. Corydon sat next to the door, dozing lightly as he sat on a stool. I took a deep breath and noticed that, except for a wheezing sound, I was able to breath again. I lifted my arms and found I could not raise them very high. I felt weak, like a baby.

The sound of my movement woke Corydon from his doze and he came to my side in an instant.

“Master!” he exclaimed. “You’re awake!”

“Corydon,” I mumbled. I cleared my throat and winced as pain coursed through my chest. “How long did I sleep?”

“Many days,” he replied in a serious voice. “Master Cilix came every day and every night to check on you, but you kept sleeping. I fed you like he told me to so you’d stay alive. He said your head needed time to sort things out again before you woke up.”

I smiled at my slave. He always talked a great deal when he was excited or nervous. I found myself relived that I had lived to hear his chatter again.

“Where’s Europa?” I asked, interrupting his flow of words. “Did she come to see me, too?”

Corydon’s face fell and he lowered his eyes. I knew I was not going to like the answer to my questions.

“The Mistress didn’t come, Master,” Corydon told me. “Her maid, Agna, came every evening in desperation to see if you were awake. Shall I fetch her?”

“What time is it now?” I asked.

“Nearly midday.”

“Go and fetch Agna. I would like to know where my sister is.”

Corydon rose and nodded. As he opened the door, he revealed Cilix standing on the other side, holding a bowl. My brother moved aside as Corydon slipped out and came into the room, closing the door behind him.

“You’re awake,” he said. “Good.”

He came over to my bedside and placed the bowl down on a small table. He brought Corydon’s stool over and sat beside me.

“Can you move?” he asked.

I lifted my arm and waved at him. He smiled, mildly amused, and nodded.

“Can you help me sit up?” I said. “I feel as weak as a newborn.”

Again, Cilix nodded and moved me to a sitting position. My back rested against the cold stone of the wall behind my bed and I gasped as the frigidness touched my skin.

“Your breathing has improved,” Cilix observed. He reached over to the table and picked up the bowl. “Eat this. Mother made it for you.”

Suddenly ravenous, I took the bowl and began to eat. Cilix watched me wordlessly, but I had not expected anything different. We were silent for several minute when someone knocked shyly on the door. I called for them to enter, and Agna stepped in, looking very afraid.

“You summoned me, Master?” she asked.

I noticed Corydon stood in the hall behind her and I motioned for him to close the door and wait outside. He seemed hesitant but did as he was ordered. The room was empty except for Agna, Cilix, and myself.

“Corydon tells me you wanted to talk to me,” I said to the slave girl.

Agna bit her lower lip, her eyes moving to Cilix. My elder brother stood silently and took the empty bowl from my hands. Without a word, he left the room, closing the door silently behind him. I waited a few more seconds for him to move down the hallway before I motioned for Agna to continue.

“Master, forgive me, but there was nothing I could do!” Agna cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I am a slave and I couldn’t stand up to my Mistress! It’s not my place to tell her what to do.”

“Calm down,” I said, trying to sooth the distraught girl. “Tell me what happened to Europa.”

“She’s gone, Master,” Agna said, suddenly lowering her voice. “She left while you were dancing, during the festival. She said she had to find him, to know for certain whether or not he loved her before she married.”

I felt my remaining strength drain from my body and a dull pounding in my head, behind my left temple. Europa had run off to her mystery man again.

“What did you tell Agenor?” I demanded. “If I have been asleep for days, surely our Father noticed Europa’s disappearance?”

Agna nodded. “I told him what I saw, Master. The Mistress and I went down to the sea shore, where she said her lover would come to her. I was expecting a ship or perhaps some horses over land, but never did I expect what I saw!”

“Agna, please, tell me what happened,” I said impatiently. My chest and head were sore and I was in no mood for long stories.

“A bull,” Agna said. “A white bull came to her from the ocean spray. I begged for her to move away from the beast, but it walked right up to her and knelt beside her, as gentle as a lamb. Europa wreathed its neck in the flowers she had collected and climbed onto its back. I could only stare in shock, Master. The bull rose to its feet and charged back into the ocean, taking the Mistress with him. I yelled for the beast to return, but they were soon lost beneath the waves.”

Agna began to cry, her tears flowing freely as she sank to her knees. “I failed her, Master. As quickly as I could, I came to find you, but you had been injured by the bull. I waited a day before Lord Agenor demanded I speak the truth to him. Prince Galen left Tyre in a rage and Master Phoenix began to organize the army to find her. Only Master Cilix was able to stop them.”

I frowned at the sobbing girl. “How long ago was this?”

“Three days, Master.”

“Corydon!” I called, knowing my slave was waiting in the hallway.

A moment later, the door opened and Corydon was standing there. He went immediately to Agna and knelt beside the weeping girl. Agna collapsed onto his shoulder, and Corydon raised his eyes to me.

“Please, bring Agna to the servant’s quarters. Tell the head slave she is free from duties for today. Then, find my brothers and Father. Tell them I wish to meet with them in the hearth room,” I ordered.

Corydon gently brought Agna to her feet, but his eyes never left my face. “But Master, you are not well enough to move around.”

“Then you will have to come back here and help me, Corydon,” I snapped, my mind too busy with the current mess to be polite.

My slave bowed and left the room with the blubbering maid. I leaned back against the cool stone wall and thought about Europa. Her disappearance would not do well for relations between Tyre and Byblus, and no doubt Phoenix already wished to wage war. I thanked Zeus for Cilix’ good sense at stopping them.

A few minutes later, Corydon returned. Gently, he helped me stand and supported me as I walked down to the hearth room. I found every step a huge ordeal and had great difficulty breathing as I moved. My head still throbbed, but I knew there was no time to wait for my injuries to heal further. I needed to find Europa before Tyre went to war.

I found my father seated on his throne with Phoenix standing beside him. He looked tired and frustrated, no doubt angry with Europa for running off. Phoenix looked angry as he clenched and unclenched his fists. Thasus lounged next to the hearth, a smile on his pale face as he watched Corydon bring me into the room. Cilix stood in the space between the throne and the hearth, off to the side so he would not block anyone, impassive as always. Corydon brought me to a small, wooden chair set up opposite of where Cilix stood and I sat down heavily. There was a moment of tense silence as I regained my breath.

“Europa is gone,” I began.

“We know that,” Thasus snapped. “Some of us have not been in bed since the festival, you know.”

I dared not exchanged petty insults with my brother in front of my father, but I shot him a withering look. Some of the smugness left his face as he sat back again, popping a date into his mouth.

“Europa is gone,” I repeated, “and no one knows where. If what Agna saw is true, it was the will of the gods that she be taken.”

“The gods!” Phoenix burst out. “What do the gods care if Tyre is at war? What do they have to do with the destruction of two great cities?”

“Galen will not let this insult pass,” Agenor agreed. “We will have to fight for the honour of Tyre.”

The room was silent for a moment as all of us let the realization of war over Europa sink in. I realized in spite of all I had tried to do, Europa would become another Helen after all. I would die for my sister’s honour, as would all her brothers, but I was no warrior. I could handle a spear and sword like any other man, but I preferred peaceful measures to bloodshed. I wondered how I could possibly persuade my father and brothers of an alternate solution when their minds were already firmly set on battle.

“I believe Cadmus has a plan,” Cilix spoke up.

I smiled gratefully at my brother as all eyes in the room turned to me. I thought of Europa’s happiness one last time, and then dismissed it for the cause of the greater good. She would have to relish the few days she had with her stranger and then return to the real world.

“We must find her,” I said. “All of us, searching the lands for her.” I felt the words stick in my throat, but I forced them out. “We will return her to Tyre, and then she can be married as Father sees fit.”

Thasus blinked in surprise, knocking over the bowl of dates. The clay bowl slid across the marble tiles and rattled next to the wall. Cilix nodded slightly. I hated myself for ruining Europa’s only chance for true love, but I would not allow Tyre to fall because of her folly.

“Well said, son,” Agenor complimented me. “It’s an ingenious plan. My sons, you will go out into the world and find your sister.”

“Father,” Thasus interjected calmly, “surely you will not risk all your sons over the whims of a woman. Send Cadmus while we remain here.”

“You will all search out Europa and restore her to her honour,” Agenor said in a powerful voice, “or none of you will return to Tyre again.”

Thasus leapt to his feet and I half expected him to argue with Agenor’s command. Still, our father was the wanax and his word must be obeyed. Thasus stood in front of the throne for a moment, shaking with anger, before he bowed and stalked out of the room. I shivered as he past me and knew I had not heard the last of my ingenious plan.

Phoenix moved to stand in front of our father. “I will draw out routes for us to take, Father. We will find her.”

Agenor nodded. “I pray to Zeus that you do.”

Phoenix bowed and left after Thasus. Cilix said nothing, but bowed to the throne and walked away. I rose unsteadily to my feet, signaling for Corydon to help me, when my father descended from his throne to help me himself. Corydon hesitated a moment then returned to the hall to wait for me. Leaning against my father, we walked out of the hearth room, and I motioned for Corydon to follow us.

“You gave me a scare, Cadmus, when you fell in the dance,” Agenor told me. “I am please to see that you are well.”

“Thank you, Father,” I replied.

“I know you love your sister,” the king continued, “and I know her joy is more important to you than your own. If you succeed in finding her, and she is truly content where she is, forget you saw her and settle down somewhere.”

“But Tyre –“ I objected.

“Tyre will live on with or without you or me, my son,” Agenor interrupted. “Galen can have his war if he chooses, but I think you are destined for greater things, Cadmus. It is a shame you were not born earlier. You would have made a good wanax to the people of Tyre.”

Agenor stopped walked at the staircase leading to the bed chambers. Corydon appeared at my side and my father passed me over to him. I stared into my father’s old brown eyes, and nodded.

“If only you could curb that mischievousness of yours,” Agenor said with a short, barking laugh. “Fare well, Cadmus.”

“Fare well, Father,” I replied.

I watched his retreating back for a moment before Corydon helped me back up the stairs and to my bed. I was amazed at how tired I felt. I knew I would have to rest before the trip, and an excitement bubbled up inside me. I would see the world as the Keftiu did. Still, as a dozed off, a part of me wondered what would become of Tyre once all her princes were gone.

*****

A week passed as Phoenix and Cilix organized our separate trips. I spent the majority of my time recovering from my injury and could now move almost as quickly as I had before, although my chest gave me pains at times. I observed that Thasus spent a lot of time with our mother Telephassa. I joked with Corydon that perhaps Mother was doting on Thasus since he was closer to a daughter than Europa had been. My servant had smiled dutifully and warned me not to make such jokes around the servants. A wrong word in a wrong ear could cause the fragile truce between Thasus and I to severe.

On the night of the seventh day since my proposal had been accepted, Phoenix assembled us all in the hearth room. A messenger had arrived that morning from Byblus demanding the formal surrender of Tyre to Prince Galen. In response, Agenor had beheaded the man and lashed his body to his horse, sending the frightened beast back to Byblus. The head of the messenger was placed on a pike outside the city walls as a symbol of the determination of Tyre. We would not give in.

Phoenix and Cilix had commandeered the four fastest ships in Agenor’s small fleet to take us on our journeys, and had ensured the ships were provisioned enough for several months of travel. We gathered together in the megaron for the final time and prepared to leave our home.

“We know that Europa did not flee east, since her mystery lover told her he lived to the west, and Agna confirmed that by telling me in which direction the while bull carried our sister away,” Phoenix told us as if he was addressing assembled troops. “We will not go east.”

As Phoenix paced in front of us, I dared a look to my right and left. Cilix sat to my right and was watching Phoenix attentively. Occasionally, as Phoenix spoke, I saw Cilix’ lips move in unison and I suppressed a laugh; Cilix had written Phoenix’ speech for him! To my left, Thasus reclined on several cushions. He rolled his eyes and imitated Phoenix as if he were a bored student mimicking a senile teacher. I turned my focus back to Phoenix.

“I will journey south-west, along the coast,” Phoenix said. “Cilix will go the opposite direction of me, toward Egypt. Thasus will cross the Aegean and search to the north-west, and Cadmus will search the Islands and the west. The ships are provisioned and manned. We will leave at sunrise tomorrow.”

I rose stiffly as Phoenix turned to leave. I saw my eldest brother’s gaze linger on the vacant throne of Tyre, the chair which he had hoped to inherit but was instead condemned to leave behind. His gaze lasted for less than a moment before he swept out of the hearth room. Thasus left as well, muttering to himself. Only Cilix and myself remained.

“You seem well now, brother,” Cilix remarked.

“Well enough for the journey ahead,” I replied.

Cilix nodded. “Remember your piety to the gods, Cadmus. It will serve you well.”

He walked past me and out the door before I could question his comment. It seemed a strange parting to a brother he would probably never see again. I shrugged and, calling for Corydon, headed to my room to pack for the voyage.

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