Dismay and Disbelief: by Cleon       Now that Cleon was back, he found that there were many demands on his business skills, but rather than being happy at his return and the success of his business, he was dismayed by the events of today. Just yesterday they had been at sea, in sight of home, and now home had turned against one of the group. Word of the murder and Clio's arrest had spread throughout Athens--like magic. People who knew the weaver well seemed convinced of her innocence, but too many others were unsure. No one told Cleon to his face that she was guilty, but he had heard mutterings of Death to the Weaver. Some of the men said it was what happened when women were let out of the house and out of the control of men. One elderly man ranted about how it was unnatural for women to exist outside the control of a man--be it their father, brother, husband or son. No male in control would lead to Spartan women or worse-- Amazons. As Cleon made his round and re-established relationships with former clients, he became increasingly dismayed. He couldn't believe some of the rumors that he heard. "Excuse me, aren't you Cleon?" a voice interrupted his thoughts. Cleon turn to see who spoke to him. "My lady! he gasped and wondered if he should bow or show respect in some other way. It was the High Priestess of the Goddess Athena. "You are a friend of Clio, I believe." Her soft voice calmed him as did her serene smile. "Can you separate fact from fiction? Can you tell me what happened?" What is going on?: by The High Priestess       Hebe and I had managed to get to the edge of the crowd around Clio's shop, just in time to see her being led away by the magistrate's men. Shocked, I wished desperately for someone who might be able to explain this to me. I knew better than to ask anyone in the excited rabble, as the snatches of conversation I overheard were much worse than the gossip Hebe had shared with me. Taking my acolyte firmly by the hand I dragged her away from the melee and headed further into the Agora. It wasn't long before I saw a familiar form pushing a laden cart. "Excuse me, aren't you Cleon?" I asked as I stepped near to him. He turned and gasped, "My lady!" clearly wondering what he was supposed to be doing in my presence. It was one of the drawbacks of being High Priestess of Athena. People never reacted to me as they would to a regular person, even though I considered myself just as normal as anyone else. "You are a friend of Clio, I believe." I tried to calm him by speaking softly. "Can you separate fact from fiction? Can you tell me what happened?" "We returned from our trip to Egypt late yesterday and before going home we gathered in the Taverna for a meal, which Elgon the Magistrate even bought for us while being entertained by our travel tales. From what I understand, this morning when Clio went into her shop she discovered a body. She ran outside screaming and calling for help. And now Elgon has arrested her. You and I both know she's not capable of murdering someone. I had thought Elgon would know that too, but apparently the wishes of the crowd, who seem quite happy to find that their gentle weaver is really a killer in disguise, has taken precedence over Elgon's reason," Cleon paused. "Or perhaps not. Maybe he's more interested in his popularity than in seeing that justice is done," he concluded bitterly. I reached out my hand and placed it gently on his shoulder. "Perhaps, Cleon, all is not what it appears to be. I will go to the Polis and see if I can speak to Clio. It is unlikely that they will refuse." I looked at Hebe, wondering what to do with the girl. I did not want to take her with me. "Cleon? Might I ask a great favor of you?" "Anything my Lady." "You must learn to be careful of agreeing to something of which you do not know, young man," I smiled at him. "But in this case, the favor I would ask of you is not a difficult one. This is Hebe, one of my students. I do not want to take her into the polis. Do you know if Zoe is in her shop today?" Cleon nodded at the girl. Before he could speak, Leander rushed up to join us, full of the news of Clio's arrest. His voice faltered when he noticed me and he fell silent, blushing and stammering his apologies for his intrusion. "Leander