Demanding Clio's Release: by Zoe Xanthippos       Elgon did not seem in the least perturbed to see us. In fact he looked glad we had come and even offered to escort us to wherever he was keeping Clio locked up. His show of friendliness rang false with his actions of the morning. I could feel the stares as he led us down a long hall and ordered the guard to unlock the door. He stood smiling as we entered the room and then he turned to go. "Wait just one minute, Kyrios Agis," I said icily. "I don't know what you think you're up to here, but we want to talk to you first. How can you possibly suspect Clio of murdering anyone? We demand that Clio be released from your filthy jail at once!" I could feel my face reddening as my voice rose in anger. The High Priestess put a warning hand on my arm, trying to calm me. Into Clio's Cell: by The High Priestess       "Zoe! Let us check on Clio first, and make sure she has everything she needs. Then we will see what can be done to assist her," I said, sweeping into the small room. Clio was standing rigid against the wall, her hand gripping the bag she carried at her waist. Not wanting the Magistrate to notice, in case she was still in possession of anything which might be of aid or comfort to her, I rushed over to her and embraced her. She relaxed noticably and I stood back, holding her at arms length to examine her. "Are you all right Clio? Have you been mistreated in any way here?" I asked quietly, not caring if the Magistrate heard me or not. "Yes, Lady, I am all right. I am very upset by all that has occurred today, and the food here is horrible," she gave me a weak smile. "Zoe! You must come in and shut the door," Clio said more firmly. "And leave off berating Elgon until I have talked to you." Zoe did as her friend asked, though not without giving the door a hard slam right in the Magistrate's face. I caught a glimpse of his sardonic grin before and wondered what he knew that we did not. We sat together on the stone bench, Zoe and I on either side of Clio, each of us holding one of her hands, waiting for her to speak. With Friends: by Clio Aristocratos       "The worst problem today has been that I have been alone most of the time and have had nothing to do. I am so used to doing something. There is always something that needs to be done when you are a weaver. Here I just sit and think." Clio explained to her friends. "Clio, how can Elgon hold you here. That man has way overstepped his authority" Zoe began to expostulate. "I am going to go right..." Clio laughed and gently squeezed Zoe's hand. "Don't be so harsh on Elgon. He is doing his job, and perhaps..." Clio stopped for a second and looked thoughtful. "Perhaps what?" encouraged the High Priestess. After another moment Clio finished her thought. "Perhaps he is doing the right thing." "WHAT!!" Zoe almost screamed. "How can you say that?" "Zoe, what do you think it would be like for me in my shop today? The city is so upset over the murder. For murder it was. Aren't there all sorts of wild rumors out there? About me? About some type of murderous cult?" Zoe nodded her agreement. Clio continued. "I am probably safer here than I would be at home. I have not been mistreated. I have not even been searched. I just am a little bored. And I would always take a little boredom to be safe." The High Priestess looked at Clio and smiled. "You are a very wise woman, Clio. Even my Hebe had heard or exaggerated the most outlandish tales of murder and mayhem. Zoe, I think Clio is right. She shouldn't be in her shop right now. That does not mean, however, that she should remain here." Zoe interjected. "She can come and stay with me. Lydia would love to fuss over her." "Or" the High Priestess said "I could offer to house her on the safety of the Acropolis. We can talk to Elgon when we leave. Is there anything we can do for you, Clio, until we can get you safely out of here?" "Zoe could you do me a favor?" Clio asked. "Of course! What can I do?' Zoe said. "If you see Daphne, can you make sure she is safe and fed? She was here a while ago, but I don't know where she is now." Just as if that was a cue, the three women heard an insistent Y.O.W.L . They turned and looked at the small open window where they saw two cat faces peering in at them. A Plan: by Zoe Xanthippos       "I have to admit I can understand your reluctance to return to your shop, Clio. The mood of the crowd is certainly ugly today. Perhaps you are right that Elgon is only trying to protect you, though I expect he's trying to protect his job as well," I said caustically. "I will most gladly look after Daphne for you, and I'll see that Cleon and Leander keep an eye on your shop as well, though I suppose Elgon's men are already watching it." A loud YOWWLLL! from the window made us look up. "Now just how did you two find your way into this fortress? Do you suppose we should let Elgon know how weak his defenses are?" I smiled as the pair jumped into the room. Daphne immediately went to Clio, jumping up into her lap and rubbing her head on Clio's chin. Clare started a concentrated circuit of the perimeter of the room, talking loudly to herself. "She was here earlier, you know. Daphne I mean. I guess she went to get Clare's advice on springing me," Clio smiled wanly as she stroked her cat's soft fur. The tension broken, we decided that the High Priestess should be the one to ask Elgon if Clio could be removed to the temple of Athena. It was safer by far than was my oikos and despite the trouble there earlier in the year, most people would think twice about violating its sanctity, and Elgon would be more likely to consider this alternative. We left Clio in the company of the cats who were doing their best to make her feel loved and comforted, and went off in search of the Magistrate. After some delay, we were ushered into Elgon's office. He rose from his seat behind a table piled high with scrolls, though with a wary look on his face. "Elgon! I must apologize for my earlier rudeness. You must realize that I am very upset by today's events. Clio has suggested that you are perhaps only trying to protect her by incarcerating her in this...," I cleared my throat and continued, "in this place. Perhaps another solution to ensure her safety might be found?" I tried to smile sweetly at him. "Kyrios Agis, I would like to offer Clio sanctuary in the Temple of Athena," the High Priestess said quietly. "You know that the sanctuary of any of the temples is respected by the people in the case of criminals, not that Clio is a criminal of course. No one would have to know she was there with me, and she would certainly be a lot more comfortable than she is in that room you've got her locked in." Unable to contain myself, I broke in. "I would also request that you put a guard on her house and shop. All she has in the world is in there and when this trouble is cleared up, she will need to go home and continue to earn her living with her weaving." We stood silently, waiting for Elgon's reply. ************************************************************************************** This story is an effort between several writers of our Athens Novel at PanHistoria. The main characters and writers of this story are Clio Aristocratos, (written by- herself) and Elgon Agis (written by- myself) The story started out to create a background past for Clio, and just developed into a life of it