In Athens Concern by Cleon       Cleon was pleased at how many merchants expressed their pleasure at seeing him on his routes again. Not that his replacement hadn't done a good job, but it was nice to be back at work. Business seemed to be fine. The living quarters in his warehouse were a little dusty, but Cleon thought that he might ask Psyche if Makaria could come by and clean for him. Traveling was nice, but it was true; there was no place like home. However, this morning was unsettling. He was hearing new rumors all over town about Clio and Elgon. He went by the headquarters, but that idiot Anias was spouting off ridiculous stories about Bacchanalian orgies and Bacchae who were out to destroy the men of Athens. Then he caught sight of a familar figure hurrying through the streets, although she seemed to be walking with a slight limp. It was Zoe. "Kyria Xanthippos" the carter called out. "Kyria Xanthippos!!" The second try got her attention. Cleon made his way over to her. "Cleon, how nice to see you!. I will probably need your services in a couple of days, but I have so much to organize right now, I am not sure which end is up." the antiquities dealer greeted him. "Don't worry about needing my services. You know that Leander and I will do whatever you want, when you need it. You were among my first customers, and Leander worships the ground you walk on." Cleon laughed. "Lydia insisted upon that!" He continued. "No, I didn't want to talk to you about work. I wanted to talk to you about Clio. Have you heard any news? There are really wild rumors going around the Agora. What do you know?" Rumors by Zoe Xanthippos       Lost in my plans for the day ahead, it took me a few minutes to register that someone was calling my name. When I stopped and turned, I saw Cleon hurrying toward me. I was glad to see him, as I knew that I would be needing his services in the coming days, and he assured me that either he or Leander, or both of them would be ready to help me when I gave the word. Then Cleon's face turned serious. "But I didn't want to talk to you about work. I wanted to talk to you about Clio. Have you heard any news? There are really wild rumours going around the Agora. What do you know?" "Rumours? What rumours?" I asked sharply, playing for time. I was sure I wasn't supposed to know where Elgon had taken Clio. "I went by Elgon's headquarters early this morning, to check on Clio. That ass of a scribe, Anias, was strutting about like he was in charge of the place, spouting off ridiculous stories about Bacchanalian orgies and Bacchae who were out to destroy the men of Athens. When I asked for Elgon, I was told that he had not come in, and when I asked to see Clio, they said she was no longer there," Cleon frowned. "I knew that Elgon intended to take Clio elsewhere, Cleon, somewhere more comfortable," I said, choosing my words carefully. "It was my impression that he did not suspect her of the murder, but that he only arrested to keep her safe from that bloodthirsty mob we saw yesterday," I paused. "But you mentioned rumours?" "Well, Zoe, they're saying in the marketplace that Elgon and Clio were out on the streets last night and were attacked by Amazons and haven't been seen since. And that's not all! Some of the old women are muttering about a great cloud taking them both away, up to Mount Olympus." My face froze as I remembered my nightmare. "A great cloud you say?" Cleon peered at me intently. "What do you know about any of this Zoe? Tell me!" I walked over to a nearby stone wall and sat down, trying to decide how much to tell Cleon. "You do know something. Tell me! Now!" In light of the rumours, I decided that Cleon should know what I knew. If there really was some trouble, Clio would need all the help she could get. "When the High Priestess and I visited Clio yesterday, we also talked with Elgon. The High Priestess offered Clio the sanctuary of the Temple of Athena, but Elgon turned her down, saying that arrangements had already been made, and that when she was safely away, we'd get to know where she was. But I didn't want to wait for word from the almighty Elgon, so I hid in the bushes near the Polis after dark last night. That oaf Anais tried to attack me, but the cats ripped up his face and he went off screaming about demons and maenads, or some such idiocy," I grinned at Cleon's shocked look. "Anyway, I finally saw Elgon and Clio emerge from a back door and followed them. They were heading toward Daedalidai when attackers came out of the shadows. Elgon managed to thwart whatever plans they had, with the help of Kritias and the rest of the Aristophanes men, who showed up out of nowhere. When the party continued up the hill, I realized that Elgon planned to leave Clio at the Aristophanes villa with Atheena, and all those guards that Kritias keeps around. Feeling very relieved, and very tired, I turned and went on home to bed," I paused to catch my breath. "But I awoke in the middle of the night. I'd had the strangest dream. I dreamt that I was back on the path behind Elgon and Clio when suddenly this huge cloud came down and engulfed them. When the cloud lifted, they both were gone. It was so real! It even seemed like Elgon stared right at me before he disappeared, like he could really see me. It was only a dream. But when you told me about what the old women in the Agora were saying, I felt cold shivers run down my spine." Cleon was staring at me, his mouth open. "Then the rumors are true! They've been captured!" "It was just a dream, Cleon! Perhaps all those women had the same dream? I've heard it happens.." my voice trailed off. "Besides, the Amazons were routed. I saw them run off. The cloud though, well, there was something otherworldly about it, I don't know just what exactly," I said unsure of myself. "But it wasn't real. I wasn't there. It was a dream," I said firmly, trying to convince myself as much as I was trying to convince Cleon. "I just happen to have a delivery for the Aristophanes villa. I'm going to go up there now. Why don't you come with me? It would be natural for you to have met me on the street and decided to stop in for a minute or two before going to your shop. Then we can see just what is what." I couldn't find any flaws in Cleon's suggestion, so I fell into step alongside the cart. Neither of us spoke further until we reached the villa. Cleon told the guards his business, and I stated mine. After a few minutes, we were allowed past the gate. "I usually deliver around back," Cleon explained. "I'll go now, and see if I can find out anything from the staff. You go on up to the door, just like you usually would. I'll wait for you down the road a bit when I finish my job." Cleon headed around to the back with his delivery. I climbed up the steps to the front door and knocked. ************************************************************************************** Credits 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