The Questioning: by Clio Aristocratos Clio sat huddled on the step to her shop and tried to wrap her mind around what she had seen. Occasional whispers of the crowd reached her ears with words like murderess, and secret life. Niobe and Amitresa had been supportive and Zoe's presence helped as well. Gradually, Clio was beginning to calm down. Zoe kept saying Take deep breaths and that seemed to help. Thankfully Elgon's men were keeping most people away from the shop and some were beginning to leave--undoubtedly to spread their own version of events throughout Athens. Clio took one more deep breath and then stood up. "Thank you Niobe and Amitresa. I don't know what I would have done had you not come. Zoe, as always, you are a rock. Thank you." the weaver took another deep breath. "I need to talk to Elgon. He is going to want to question me." She turned towards the interior of her shop and saw that the magistrate was checking everything carefully. She tried hard not to look at the body that was face down on her bundles. Would she ever be able to use any of those items again without having nightmares? "Elgon, whenever you are ready. I am here to answer your questions." Clio called into the magistrate. His voice boomed out to her. "Wait, but do not talk to anyone until I question you!" Clio turned to her friends. "Please, you need to go to your shops. You have business to do and errands to run. I am fine now. You don't need to stay. Look at the hoplites here. I am safe." She tried to look and sound much braver than she felt. Despite her urgings, her friends didn't and wouldn't leave her. After all they were friends. They protected her from passersby that the hoplites weren't able to control. They kept trying to get Clio's mind off of what she had seen inside her shop. "Clio" Elgon's voice boomed from inside the shop. "Are you ready to be questioned?" The magistrate appeared in the doorway looking very official. Clio took a deep breath and replied "Certainly. I want to help in any way I can." She looked around at the street scene. "Where do you want to go to talk?" Elgon quietly said. "I am afraid I have to ask you to come inside with me." Blanching, Clio nodded and took a step towards the open doorway with Zoe close at her side. "I need to see Kyria Aristocratos alone, Kyria Xanthippos" Elgon said in his most solemn voice. YOU and everyone else must stay outside." Clio took a step inside, looked back at Zoe and tried to smile. Then the door closed behind her. As the door closed behind her like the sound of doom, Elgon quietly said