In Athens The end of a busy day by Zushanna       It had been quite a busy day; Zushanna's customers were beginning to come back after staying away during all the mob talk earlier. They all seemed to be subdued, but their moods lifted after a free sample of the Heavenly Brew. All seemed to like it and bought some, especially after she offered the free packet of a fragrant bath blend of their choice. It had been so busy that she hadn't even had time to go over to Zoe's for lunch. She hadn't seen Niobe so she assumed she had been busy today as well. She closed up the shop and decided to walk next door to talk a minute with Zoe. "Zoe?" she called as she walked into the shop. She saw Daphne and Clare sitting upon a shelf in the back and knew that Zoe was probably unpacking more of the items she had brought back from Egypt. She walked toward the back and smiled, as she watched her friend unpacking a very unusual figurine. "How beautiful!"She exclaimed. She could see that she had startled Zoe, who almost dropped the figurine, but put it safely on a shelf. "Zoe, I am sorry that I startled you; didn't mean to scare you like that. I am also sorry we missed lunch, but I know you have been busy and Nasira and I were as well. Nasira wants to know if you would like to come to suppertonight. She has made a special lamb stew and we have some fresh bread from the bakery that she got this morning. Would you like to come and eat with us?" An Invitation by Zoe Xanthippos       So engrossed was I in my work that Zushanna's admiration of the figurine had startled me and I almost dropped the fragile piece. Fortunately I did not and rose to place it carefully on a shelf. Apologizing, Zushanna said she had come to ask me to dinner upstairs. I thought quickly, wondering what Lydia had planned, but knew my housekeeper was used to my not showing up for dinner. "Lamb stew sounds wonderful, Zushanna! I accept with pleasure," I smiled at her. "I'm almost finished here for today. When shall I come up?" Supper Al Fresco by Zushanna       "Isn't this the perfect place to eat," Zushanna sighed as Nasira put the last of the food on the table underneath the shady arbor above Zushanna's shop, "A cooling breeze with a shade. Good food, good company. What more could you ask for?" Zushanna grinned as she heard an indignant yowl from the two cats underneath the table, "Yes, Clare and Daphne, I was including you two in that good company, and Nasira has a very special treat for you two--a platter of fresh shrimp over on that bench." Nasira sat down and the other two did as well, "Well," Nasira said, "here is a toast to good food, good wine, and good company, including Clare and Daphne." The other two laughed and joined in on the toast; on the bench, Clare and Daphne gave a purrr to show they agreed as they dug into the shrimp. Nasira smiled, "The stew is good, if I do say so myself, do eat heaty." Zoe and Zushanna laughed, their laughter spilling out over the sides of the arbor,onto the now quiet agora streets, as they filled their bowls with the stew and broke off hunks of the bread. There would be fruit for dessert, but for now they enjoyed the stew. Zushanna laughed, as she glanced over at Nasira and Zoe, "It is so nice to be able to just sit here, relaxing, after a busy day. Much nicer than sitting inside. I hope that you will be able to join us more often. Nasira loves to cook, but she says that I don't eat enough of her cooking--That it just goes to waste. She would love to have more company." Tonight is the night! by Anias       Anias had spent the afternoon watching the Xanthippos shop. A few customers had wandered in, but they didn't seem to leave with much. How did that woman manage to livng in that big mansion in the fancy suburb? During one long lull, that foreign woman came down and then went back to her shop upstairs. Anais wondered what was going on. It was a good thing he was keeping watch. Finally, at about the time he thought the Xanthippos person would head home, he watched as she left with two cats and headed up the stairs to the herb and spice shop. He waited longer, but she didn't come out. Anias took advantage of the crowds headed home and made his way from his table at the taverna to the building he had had under surveillance. Looking casual, he started up the steps. Over the normal sounds of the Agora, he heard women laughing,... no cackling. ************************************************************************************** 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's own. Other members of the Novel contributed to the story providing background and color. Athens in itself is a mini community with a setting in the time of Ancient Greece - 399 BCE. The Novel is not strictly historical, but rather an alternate fantasy of people and the daily lives of people in Ancient Greece where anything can happen and usually does. Some of the Athens citizens have patron Gods or ghosts who come and go as they will