Liberi Reader

I've been dreaming about the guerrillas again, Kassandra.

This is the third time you've come to Endymion Temple to ask for a dream reading, Megas.

You still dream of that night seven years ago?

Yes...

We hid in the forest on that dark night. The Sargonians surrounded the wood, hunting for us.

We could not make a sound, let alone risk a light. We had to disassemble our weapons in pitch darkness.

Screws, springs, Originium components... I tied the parts of my Arts Unit to my clothes and shoes, disguised as accessories.

The fear had me so cold that I did not notice when an Originium component had cut my palm open. I thought the wet stuff was sweat.

When the sun rose, we walked past the Sargonians, disguised as lumberjacks from a nearby village, about a dozen in total. We'd be dead if they saw through our disguise.

They sized us up. For a moment there, I thought the game was up. In my panic, I tripped over a tree root and plunged into the mud, face-first.

A Sargonian laughed and rapped on my shoulder with the hilt of his sword, disdainfully. But I was happy. I knew we were safe.

...

I keep dreaming about it. Do you think...?

You want to know if it's a divine revelation?

Last year, I saw with my own eyes how the heroes spoke their will through you on the Agora.

You are the speaker of the heroes of Minos, and the only priest in Athenius who can tell a divine revelation from a normal dream.

If the gods will that I take up arms again, then I will... no matter how much I fear...

Please sit down. Your legs are trembling and your face is pale.

The heroes of Minos will not force their children back into a nightmare when they have already seen far too much of the horrors of war.

You mean...?

I think you have misinterpreted the revelation.

Wisdom and courage shine upon you and your friends in place of the twin moons who closed their eyes, and delivered you in the morn, just as you woke up from dream to greet the beautiful Athenian dawn...

The virtues of the heroes should be praised, but the pain that has lingered for seven years has blinded you to the beautiful fruit that has ripened on the branches of fate...

Pick it, for it is the heroes' blessing upon you.

A blessing... on an ordinary Minoan like me?

Our gods and heroes were once ordinary Minoans.

Thank you, Kassandra. I'm beginning to understand...

I have come to relieve you, Kassandra.

It's already time? So many visitors to the temple today.

You have so much on your plate, not just with visitors to Endymion Temple, but also acting on behalf of the head priest of Kereseira's First Temple in administrative duties while the position remains vacant.

There's no need to worry about me, Folia. It is my calling to interpret revelation and speak on behalf of the gods.

So, you should know better than I do that the man's dream was mundane, not a divine revelation. To use more Columbian words—

He may have post-traumatic stress disorder. I know.

Why didn't you tell him?

Divine revelation should be an honor for any Minoan, but there were only shame and fear in his eyes.

He wants to receive guidance from the gods, but he fears that the nightmare is truly a revelation that he cannot refuse.

If he believes in my interpretation more than he believes in himself, then I have a responsibility... to make his life a little easier, if nothing else.

...

I'll prepare some herbal tea with a soothing effect for him, and ask a doctor to follow up.

You have the afternoon off, don't you? You should stop spending it on the temple and focus on yourself.

Thank you, Folia. You take so much weight off my shoulders.

I'm so very sorry, Hekádemos.

I dozed off as soon as I reached the hotel. I didn't realize I would make you wait for a full three hours...

There's no need to worry, Kyría Mashayer. Waiting is part of the job for the Astynomos' Grammateús.

You still look weak. Are you sure you want to visit the First Temple right now? You can rest a little longer.

Yes, I'm sure! If anything will bring me back to full strength right now, it's Kereseira's First Temple!

I understand the original site of the temple was where Kereseira, the founding hero of Minos, first received divine revelation in the mountains.

The first temple that she built there became the genesis of Minos.

When Sargon... invaded Minos, they rebuilt the three great poleis as nomadic cities, but Kereseira's war-torn First Temple remained where it was.

Now, after a century, Athenius is rebuilding this temple, giving me the opportunity to see the historical building in its original form! This is incredibly exciting!

You are surprisingly well-versed in Minoan history... and surprisingly honest.

Unfortunately, the original plans of the First Temple have been lost, and thus cannot be perfectly recreated.

However, there's quite a bit of 'classical' tradition in the way that they're building the temple.

What do you mean?

'To revive the Minoan spirit, we must emulate the heroes who built Athenius, and build the temple of our own accord.'

Before the referendum took place, these words by the original proponent moved everyone's hearts, and the vote on rebuilding the temple passed almost unanimously.

No engineering blueprint, no staffing. Kereseira's First Temple shall be built through the passion of the Minoan people, and the veneration of the heroes that flows in their veins.

Wow! A living example of the Minoan spontaneousness that has driven so much artistic achievement!

Thank you. I hope it's completed soon...

Rebuilding in the classical style... how interesting! The proponent of the rebuilding must be an ambitious hero beloved by the people!

Uh... how can I describe that Forte lady?

(Why is he taking so much time to think? Did you ask a question you shouldn't have?)

(Even if I did, I'm sure Hekádemos won't mind! He looks so nice, after all. Maybe he's choosing his words carefully, with a Minoan love of poetry.)

Uh...

Give me three seconds, Kyría Mashayer.

O-Okay.

Three, two, one...

Alright!

You've thought of the answer?

No, it's now five o'clock, and my shift is over.

Huh?

I'll answer your question tomorrow, when I'm back at work. Enjoy your visit.

But... we aren't even at the First Temple yet!

See those scaffolds? This street is a stone's throw from the main entrance to the temple. I'm sure you can find your own way.

Wait—

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a drinking engagement with a friend. He'll kill me if I'm late. Goodbye.

...

...

You know, I was worried that the Astynomos' Grammateús would just take me around to see mundane tourist sites, leaving me with nothing to talk about when we get back.

You've got a way of smoothing things over for people, you know that?

If you ask me, I think the deferential-looking Liberi kid just enjoyed a three-hour break!

Well, no need to complain. There's plenty of time. Let's check out the surrounding area.

This is the land of heroes, after all. Maybe we'll walk out the door and straight into a heroic epic!

I knew it! You came looking for adventure!

Rats, I came to you when I left the Grand Bazaar because I wanted a sugar mommy with money. Little did I know you were such a troublemaker...

Hey! Wait for me!

...

Caught you!

Keep your distance.

That's no way to treat your old priest school classmate! I remember you were much more passionate back when we participated in debate competitions at Theros Temple.

Quiet down already. Loudmouth.

Looks like you know that I've come to debate you?

Don't worry, if you lose, I'll sing your defeat through a megaphone in standard hexameter.

Besides, you're the one who gave me the nickname 'Blaring Megaphone'. In return, I called you—

Eloquent Rock! Blaring Megaphone!

So glad the two great Athenian debaters are here! We're saved!

Come with me! The apple farmers are making a scene in the temple, saying that the construction workers are delaying the quarrying to ruin this year's harvest by keeping the apples from sunlight.

What about Pallas? The people may have chosen to build the temple of their own accord, but she was the initial proponent. Why don't you talk to her to resolve your disputes?

Pallas has been crazy busy lately. No one's seen her since last night. Maybe someone else needed her.

When people heard about it, they were all excited to emulate the heroes in building the temple, doing as much or as little work anyone had time for.

Who could have thought that things would get so chaotic, even delaying the city's move to sunnier climes?

Please, find us a solution through debate... or at least find us a loser!

I guess the two of us in a room naturally drives people to think of debate...

That's why I said—keep your distance, and keep quiet.

How was I supposed to know? Just because you're smart doesn't mean you should skip the explanation and go straight to the conclusion!

Actually, no, that's not right. I DID come to debate you. Everything works out!

...

I'm busy.

Always the same excuse after all these years. How on Terra did you win that debate championship with such a bland tongue?

Thank you.

You won't muddle your way out of this. For years, you've been running before I can finish the word 'debate'. Don't forget that there's still a competition we haven't settled!

Come on, who are you arguing for? The fruit farmers or the temple workers?

You've known me long enough to know that I don't lie.

*sigh*... I'm going to the new Oripathy clinic to get medicine. Can you move?

What...?

Oripathy medicine? Didn't he pick up some last Wednesday...? Is he getting worse?

I need to find out.

Hey! Don't go!

The fruit farmers and our guys are about to come to blows! Who's gonna solve our problem? We can't just pull some random soul off the street!

Look, Mio! So many people here in the temple! Looks like the Athenians are really excited to rebuild it! I feel like joining in myself!

Excuse me, sir. Are you looking for someone to help?