Liberi Reader

'And so Kereseira, the singer of epics, the gentlest hero of Agamem, hung her harp upon the branches of the laurel tree—'

'Its body made from the tallest firs atop Mount Hymnoi, its strings made from the bravest burdenbeast that roamed the Agnes Plains;'

'When it played, all things in the Land of Heroes sang together, riding upon the winds in freedom.'

No wonder you came up with the idea of holding the exchange ceremony on the temple square when you saw the completed statue of Kereseira.

You brought Kereseira's true harp, the one that used to be displayed in the First Temple of Old Athenius?

Yes!

Legend has it that Kereseira was inspired to carve a massive harp from mountain rocks and firs after hearing the mountains tell their stories beneath Mt. Hymnoi.

It was a blessed harp that only sang on important occasions, or when played by a great hero like Kereseira, offering a song that touches the people's hearts.

The First Temple was destroyed when the Sargonians invaded Old Athenius.

Grieving the tragedy, the harp sang no more, and afterwards went missing.

Until Padishah Khery found it in his collection.

I don't know how it ended up in Sargon—perhaps a Sargonian soldier looted it from Old Athenius and sold it to the padishah's ancestor.

I don't think anyone alive in Athenius has ever seen the original harp.

The only people who would know anything about the harp are a few priests well-versed with ancient texts, or oribenders like Kassandra who directly communicate with the heroes.

Does it still make a sound?

Yes.

We performed an inspection on the strings. They're a little aged, but still in playing condition.

I see. Perhaps the silence of the harp was simply a metaphor, as is often the case in Minoan stories...

Where are the ferrymen?

We pay these outrageous rents to be by the canal and get fresh fins!

The goods are here, keeper.

Finally! Any more delays, and we won't be ready for the diplomatic delegation!

Should I unload the goods for you?

Hey, why is the boat docked so far today? People will be falling into the water trying to unload stuff.

Bring the boat closer, please. As close to the kitchen as you can.

......

Okay.

Thank you. Why are you the one delivering today, by the way? It's usually Xanthos who does it.

I apologize. Master Xanthos had business.

Well, it's no problem. As long as the food gets here and the kitchen can get to work.

You've been with Xanthos for a few years, haven't you? He must have his reasons for planning it this way. Not concerned at all.

......

Sorry, Pallas. Everyone in the temple has their hands full today. I simply can't free up anyone from the moving crew.

I wanted to get the harp into the First Temple ahead of time to see if how it fits Kereseira's statue.

I should have had someone big and strong to help with carrying the harp, though. It's just the two of us...

Kereseira was not particularly tall according to historical records. People took particular note of the contrast when she stood next to her harp.

Maybe I could even do it myself—

Oof... it's heavy. Is this box full of lead or something?

Well, we entered Athenius by the ancient route, which is pretty rough. We couldn't risk any damage to the relic.

I had the museum staff prepare a packaging that's fireproof, waterproof, shockproof, and impact-proof, which unfortunately added a ton of weight to it.

On the other hand, it wouldn't get a scratch on it, even if an earthquake suddenly shook a whole house down onto it!

I can see you take great care of your museum and collection.

I went to Columbia to study museology because I was curious about everything, and ended up working in a museum when I went back to Sargon.

But my father died young, and my family's a far cry from its past glory... honestly, I'm not sure why the padishah picked me to lead the diplomatic mission...

But it's my job now, and I want to do it right!

Did I ever tell you that you—

What happened?! Everything okay, Titi?

Don't worry, the harp's unharmed!

I was asking about YOU!

Speaking of earthquakes... good thing the relic is well-protected.

What's all the commotion downstairs?

Looks like a boat rammed straight into the hotel kitchen.

It's over... it's all over...

What kind of a ferryman are you?! Full sails from five meters away? On a windy day like this? You knew your boat would go even faster than Hermes the Messenger!

You wanted the boat as close to the kitchen as possible.

......

I didn't mean INSIDE the kitchen!

Make way, make way.

Peace officer's already dispersing onlookers. Don't crowd around like this. I need to see what happened.

Lykeion?

......

You'll uphold justice, won't you, Grammateús?

I just wanted the boat bringing the ingredients to be closer to the kitchen, but this kid rammed it right into the place!

I'm sorry. I... don't know how to operate a boat.

Who do you think you're fooling? You've been studying with Xanthos at the crossing every day for years!

Theoretical knowledge does not equal practical skill.

Why you—!

Enough!

I can testify that this man never passed a single chariot racing test back in priest school.

Doesn't explain how he didn't see this huge stop sign, does it? The boat ran right through the fence!

Didn't see...?

(Has Oripathy spread to his perceptual system? Is that why Lena made a home visit the other day?)

Lykeion...

Why do you look like you think I'm going to die soon—

No, no, no! Don't say that! Even if it's true...

Excuse me, Grammateús. I know the two of you used to be classmates, but you're here as an official, and my kitchen has suffered significant damage.

Here.

This is... your coin purse?

I'll pay for the damage. Take what you need.

Who's telling you to pay for me?

You never got a proper job since you left priest school. I know Xanthos takes care of your room and board, but I doubt you have much money saved.

Don't worry about it. Spend your money on treatment. Don't forget you still owe me a debate.

I'm fine, really... *cough* *cough*

The coughing... an acute attack? Doctor! I need a doctor over here!

It's just the smoke, you idiot! Go get someone to fight the fire, Grammateús!

The fire is getting stronger. Looks like the boat hit the kitchen stove... *cough* What's with all the smoke?

We need to get out, get away from the smoke. But the harp...

The harp's well-protected. I see the officers are already organizing people to fight the fire. It should be under control soon.

Besides, the stairs are too narrow. The harp would get in the way of other people evacuating. Besides... *cough*—

Are you alright, Pallas?

You're right. We need to leave. We can come back when the smoke's gone. Let's go.

A fire? Oh no, oh no! My luggage is still in my room!

Don't worry, the fire's in the first-floor kitchen. It's not going to spread to the guestrooms upstairs. Just wait for them to put out the fire and the smoke to disperse.

Stop crowding and clear the area around the door! There are still people coming down from upstairs—

Sir! Now's not the time to go inside!

......

Feeling better, Pallas?

I'm fine. I just inhaled some smoke.

We should be good to go back to the room in ten minutes. I'll help you take the harp to the First Temple, just in case anything else happens.

Thanks.

Oh, sorry. It's so crowded here.

......

Hey, Pallas, did that guy look familiar to you?

Who?

Did you hear? That kid at the crossing was the one who rammed the boat into the kitchen. He usually looks pretty smart, but I guess he's as dumb as it gets when it comes to piloting a boat.

Where was Xanthos? He's the one who usually delivers the goods.

Too busy, maybe? But it's not like him to let an inexperienced apprentice get into trouble on his own.

True.

...I remember now. It was Xanthos, the ferryman, who ran into me just now.

Xanthos? Are you sure?

If he had the time to come to the hotel, why would he let an inexperienced apprentice steer the boat and cause an accident? Wait a second...

I have a bad feeling about this.

As do I.