Hyanthidas waited for me to recover. ‘So what’s kept you so busy today?’
‘Shall we sit down?’ I led the way back to the shady side of the temple. There isn’t a colonnade running all the way around the inner sanctum, but there are steps on the three faces of the broad portico, so we could perch there, facing the back of the stage.
I sipped my wine as I explained what we had learned from Thallos, and what Kallinos and I had done about it. By the time I was finished, my cup was long since empty, and Hyanthidas’ eyes were wide with consternation.
‘No wonder you couldn’t get here any sooner.’
‘Thanks.’ I only hoped Zosime would be as understanding. Thinking of her, I glanced at my friend, and tried to work out how to ask him how she seemed to be feeling. If she had said anything about my thoughtlessness yesterday.
Hyanthidas’ thoughts were elsewhere. ‘This gets worse and worse. How many more innocents will die if this killer isn’t caught?’
‘I hate to think.’ I looked over towards Dionysos’ altar. ‘Should we be offering a fuller sacrifice to him? If he can inspire frenzied bloodlust, do you suppose he can curb it as well?’
‘You should appeal to Aphrodite,’ Hyanthidas said firmly. ‘She intervened to save Thallos. This murderer might be claiming to act out of love, but this bloodshed and grief profanes everything that delights our laughter-loving goddess.’
I wasn’t going to argue with a Corinthian about that, when his city has the greatest temple that’s dedicated to Aphrodite anywhere. Still, here in Athens, she has an impressive altar and a glorious statue in the agora. I would go and make an offering first thing tomorrow.
Or perhaps I’d do it today, and add a heartfelt plea on my own account, if Zosime was still cross with me when she and Telesilla came to join us. I tried a second time to work out how to broach that sensitive subject with Hyanthidas.
‘Do you think—?’
He turned to me, frowning. ‘Do you know when each of these poets arrived in Athens?’
I shook my head. ‘No. Why?’
‘This woman didn’t wait for the festival, to run away while the household was distracted with comings and goings,’ the Corinthian pointed out. ‘The Boeotian was murdered the day before yesterday. So she must have fled with her lover before that. That means one of the poets who was already here in the city must be the guilty man, if he carried her off from her home, and whoever was her guardian has been hunting them both since then.’
‘Of course.’ Now he’d said that, it was obvious. Perhaps I could recall a few details of who had arrived on what day, if I gave it some thought. That must have come up in some of my conversations. Then there were the poets with homes in Athens. We should take a closer look at them. My hand went to my belt before I remembered I had given those lists I’d made to Dados, to pass on to Lydis.
‘I will let Aristarchos’ secretary know first thing tomorrow. He can make those enquiries while we enjoy the athletics.’ While I really would make every effort to put this wretched business aside, I told myself firmly.
‘Let’s hope that sets the Scythians on the killer’s trail.’ Hyanthidas was looking towards the back of the stage building. He stood up. ‘Well, that’s the musical competitions over with.’
I saw people streaming out of the theatre along the paths leading away to east and west. ‘I’m so sorry.’ I was stricken with guilt. ‘You’ve missed the rest of the pipers.’
Hyanthidas laughed. ‘I don’t need to hear them. As long as I know I did my best, I’m content.’
From his unfurrowed brow, it seemed he really was. I was pleased for him, though I didn’t understand how he could be so calm. I’m like a mouse surrounded by ferrets while I wait for a drama competition’s results.
I was nearly as nervous about seeing Zosime. ‘Where are we meeting the others?’
‘Here.’ He grinned. ‘I knew I’d need a drink after playing at the Great Panathenaia.’
Perhaps that strong half-cupful explained his serenity. I tried to emulate his mood. When I couldn’t, I gathered up our empty cups and took them back to the wine-seller, who was serving a lengthening queue of thirsty customers. This sacred space behind the stage was filling up, with chatter and laughter rising as competitors greeted their families.
As I headed back to the temple steps, I saw Menkaure, recognisable thanks to his height and dark complexion. Even at a Great Panathenaia, there aren’t so very many visitors from the far south of Egypt. He was with Zosime and Telesilla, and I altered my path to cut across their own. Zosime saw me coming, and she smiled briefly, though her eyes were shadowed.
I held out a hand as soon as we were close enough for her to hear me. ‘I’m so sorry.’ I hoped she could see I was apologising for yesterday and for last night, as well as for being so late today.
She shrugged by way of an answer, and I couldn’t work out what that meant. She took my hand though, so my spirits rose a little.
Menkaure wasn’t smiling. ‘What delayed you so badly?’
Before I could decide how to answer him, Telesilla spoke up.
‘Let’s go and find somewhere to eat before the taverns get too busy.’
I saw her glance from me to Zosime, and wry amusement teased the Corinthian woman’s full lips. Then she winked at me, so it seemed she was on my side.
‘Good idea.’ Oblivious to all this, Hyanthidas slipped his arm around his beloved’s shoulders and smiled cheerily.
We
