ME-1 Work and Hours

I've been dreaming about the guerrillas again, Kassandra.

This is the third time you've come to Endymion Temple to ask for a dream reading, Megas.

You still dream of that night seven years ago?

Yes...

We hid in the forest on that dark night. The Sargonians surrounded the wood, hunting for us.

We could not make a sound, let alone risk a light. We had to disassemble our weapons in pitch darkness.

Screws, springs, Originium components... I tied the parts of my Arts Unit to my clothes and shoes, disguised as accessories.

The fear had me so cold that I did not notice when an Originium component had cut my palm open. I thought the wet stuff was sweat.

When the sun rose, we walked past the Sargonians, disguised as lumberjacks from a nearby village, about a dozen in total. We'd be dead if they saw through our disguise.

They sized us up. For a moment there, I thought the game was up. In my panic, I tripped over a tree root and plunged into the mud, face-first.

A Sargonian laughed and rapped on my shoulder with the hilt of his sword, disdainfully. But I was happy. I knew we were safe.

...

I keep dreaming about it. Do you think...?

You want to know if it's a divine revelation?

Last year, I saw with my own eyes how the heroes spoke their will through you on the Agora.

You are the speaker of the heroes of Minos, and the only priest in Athenius who can tell a divine revelation from a normal dream.

If the gods will that I take up arms again, then I will... no matter how much I fear...

Please sit down. Your legs are trembling and your face is pale.

The heroes of Minos will not force their children back into a nightmare when they have already seen far too much of the horrors of war.

You mean...?

I think you have misinterpreted the revelation.

Wisdom and courage shine upon you and your friends in place of the twin moons who closed their eyes, and delivered you in the morn, just as you woke up from dream to greet the beautiful Athenian dawn...

The virtues of the heroes should be praised, but the pain that has lingered for seven years has blinded you to the beautiful fruit that has ripened on the branches of fate...

Pick it, for it is the heroes' blessing upon you.

A blessing... on an ordinary Minoan like me?

Our gods and heroes were once ordinary Minoans.

Thank you, Kassandra. I'm beginning to understand...

I have come to relieve you, Kassandra.

It's already time? So many visitors to the temple today.

You have so much on your plate, not just with visitors to Endymion Temple, but also acting on behalf of the head priest of Kereseira's First Temple in administrative duties while the position remains vacant.

There's no need to worry about me, Folia. It is my calling to interpret revelation and speak on behalf of the gods.

So, you should know better than I do that the man's dream was mundane, not a divine revelation. To use more Columbian words—

He may have post-traumatic stress disorder. I know.

Why didn't you tell him?

Divine revelation should be an honor for any Minoan, but there were only shame and fear in his eyes.

He wants to receive guidance from the gods, but he fears that the nightmare is truly a revelation that he cannot refuse.

If he believes in my interpretation more than he believes in himself, then I have a responsibility... to make his life a little easier, if nothing else.

...

I'll prepare some herbal tea with a soothing effect for him, and ask a doctor to follow up.

You have the afternoon off, don't you? You should stop spending it on the temple and focus on yourself.

Thank you, Folia. You take so much weight off my shoulders.

I'm so very sorry, Hekádemos.

I dozed off as soon as I reached the hotel. I didn't realize I would make you wait for a full three hours...

There's no need to worry, Kyría Mashayer. Waiting is part of the job for the Astynomos' Grammateús.

You still look weak. Are you sure you want to visit the First Temple right now? You can rest a little longer.

Yes, I'm sure! If anything will bring me back to full strength right now, it's Kereseira's First Temple!

I understand the original site of the temple was where Kereseira, the founding hero of Minos, first received divine revelation in the mountains.

The first temple that she built there became the genesis of Minos.

When Sargon... invaded Minos, they rebuilt the three great poleis as nomadic cities, but Kereseira's war-torn First Temple remained where it was.

Now, after a century, Athenius is rebuilding this temple, giving me the opportunity to see the historical building in its original form! This is incredibly exciting!

You are surprisingly well-versed in Minoan history... and surprisingly honest.

Unfortunately, the original plans of the First Temple have been lost, and thus cannot be perfectly recreated.

However, there's quite a bit of 'classical' tradition in the way that they're building the temple.

What do you mean?

'To revive the Minoan spirit, we must emulate the heroes who built Athenius, and build the temple of our own accord.'

Before the referendum took place, these words by the original proponent moved everyone's hearts, and the vote on rebuilding the temple passed almost unanimously.

No engineering blueprint, no staffing. Kereseira's First Temple shall be built through the passion of the Minoan people, and the veneration of the heroes that flows in their veins.

Wow! A living example of the Minoan spontaneousness that has driven so much artistic achievement!

Thank you. I hope it's completed soon...

Rebuilding in the classical style... how interesting! The proponent of the rebuilding must be an ambitious hero beloved by the people!

Uh... how can I describe that Forte lady?

(Why is he taking so much time to think? Did you ask a question you shouldn't have?)

(Even if I did, I'm sure Hekádemos won't mind! He looks so nice, after all. Maybe he's choosing his words carefully, with a Minoan love of poetry.)

Uh...

Give me three seconds, Kyría Mashayer.

O-Okay.

Three, two, one...

Alright!

You've thought of the answer?

No, it's now five o'clock, and my shift is over.

Huh?

I'll answer your question tomorrow, when I'm back at work. Enjoy your visit.

But... we aren't even at the First Temple yet!

See those scaffolds? This street is a stone's throw from the main entrance to the temple. I'm sure you can find your own way.

Wait—

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a drinking engagement with a friend. He'll kill me if I'm late. Goodbye.

...

...

You know, I was worried that the Astynomos' Grammateús would just take me around to see mundane tourist sites, leaving me with nothing to talk about when we get back.

You've got a way of smoothing things over for people, you know that?

If you ask me, I think the deferential-looking Liberi kid just enjoyed a three-hour break!

Well, no need to complain. There's plenty of time. Let's check out the surrounding area.

This is the land of heroes, after all. Maybe we'll walk out the door and straight into a heroic epic!

I knew it! You came looking for adventure!

Rats, I came to you when I left the Grand Bazaar because I wanted a sugar mommy with money. Little did I know you were such a troublemaker...

Hey! Wait for me!

...

Caught you!

Keep your distance.

That's no way to treat your old priest school classmate! I remember you were much more passionate back when we participated in debate competitions at Theros Temple.

Quiet down already. Loudmouth.

Looks like you know that I've come to debate you?

Don't worry, if you lose, I'll sing your defeat through a megaphone in standard hexameter.

Besides, you're the one who gave me the nickname 'Blaring Megaphone'. In return, I called you—

Eloquent Rock! Blaring Megaphone!

So glad the two great Athenian debaters are here! We're saved!

Come with me! The apple farmers are making a scene in the temple, saying that the construction workers are delaying the quarrying to ruin this year's harvest by keeping the apples from sunlight.

What about Pallas? The people may have chosen to build the temple of their own accord, but she was the initial proponent. Why don't you talk to her to resolve your disputes?

Pallas has been crazy busy lately. No one's seen her since last night. Maybe someone else needed her.

When people heard about it, they were all excited to emulate the heroes in building the temple, doing as much or as little work anyone had time for.

Who could have thought that things would get so chaotic, even delaying the city's move to sunnier climes?

Please, find us a solution through debate... or at least find us a loser!

I guess the two of us in a room naturally drives people to think of debate...

That's why I said—keep your distance, and keep quiet.

How was I supposed to know? Just because you're smart doesn't mean you should skip the explanation and go straight to the conclusion!

Actually, no, that's not right. I DID come to debate you. Everything works out!

...

I'm busy.

Always the same excuse after all these years. How on Terra did you win that debate championship with such a bland tongue?

Thank you.

You won't muddle your way out of this. For years, you've been running before I can finish the word 'debate'. Don't forget that there's still a competition we haven't settled!

Come on, who are you arguing for? The fruit farmers or the temple workers?

You've known me long enough to know that I don't lie.

*sigh*... I'm going to the new Oripathy clinic to get medicine. Can you move?

What...?

Oripathy medicine? Didn't he pick up some last Wednesday...? Is he getting worse?

I need to find out.

Hey! Don't go!

The fruit farmers and our guys are about to come to blows! Who's gonna solve our problem? We can't just pull some random soul off the street!

Look, Mio! So many people here in the temple! Looks like the Athenians are really excited to rebuild it! I feel like joining in myself!

Excuse me, sir. Are you looking for someone to help?

Are you moving or not?!

No!

Are you moving or not?!

NO!

Wh-What a passionate debate! I can feel the heroic blood in their voices!

...But they're not actually saying anything.

They're just yelling at the top of their lungs. I don't even know what they're saying.

The dispute over Athenius's route has been brewing between the fruit farmers and the temple builders for ages.

Embarrassing, really, to make a random tourist off the street try to solve our dispute. Heck, even I couldn't tell half of what they're saying...

You said you wanted to know what they're saying...

Stop looking for trouble, Titi.

This 'random tourist off the street' has an idea.

Hey! Don't just wander in there! Things could get rough!

Hey, who brought this girl to the temple? This is no place for children.

See, you're so unreasonable, even an outlander is embarrassed. You're a disgrace to Athenius!

Stop adding fuel to the fire!

Listen, girl, this is Minoan business. We don't need some foreigner telling us how to make up.

Who said anything about making up?

Whuh?

The only way to solve a problem is to face it directly. How long do you think the peace would last, even if you made up here and now?

Besides, when in Minos, do as the Minoans do. The heroic epics and fantastical stories of Minos are full of ancient wisdom. You don't need me to tell you how to solve your problems.

They say the mere mention of Heraces, the greatest Minoan warrior, sent enemies fleeing in terror.

But he never raised a hand against his fellow Minoans. If someone insulted him, he would challenge them to arm-wrestling.

Settle it with a contest of strength, eh? Sounds good! Spares us a sore throat.

I'm not done yet.

There is another legend about a silent hero, who was once a bold and passionate youth, surrounded by flowers and adoration.

As fate would have it, he learned a forbidden secret, knowledge that no one should possess, so he kept silent for thirty years.

Wait, we know the legend of Heraces, but who's this 'silent hero'? Did you just make him up on the spot?

Oh, it's a Minoan tale that my father used to tell me. It's rather obscure, but it's a really good parable—

Ahem. Anyway, I propose that you follow in the footsteps of ancient Minoans, and settle this with an arm-wrestling match.

But with one extra condition—you only get to talk if you win, no matter how pissed you might be.

Never heard that rule before.

Are you poor with words, or weak of limb?

Enough talk. Let's do it.

Alright! The inaugural First Temple Arm-Wrestling Tournament is on. Ready, set—

Go!

Well, well, well! The militiaman looks lean, but he's got skill, and he takes round one when the big guy loses focus for a second!

You—

Shut it! Loser doesn't get to talk!

New apples can't get out with all the stone piled up at the crossing! The orchards are all in the mountain's shadow, and the apples that haven't ripened yet don't get any sun! The whole harvest's going to the dumps at this rate!

One-nil. Round two.

Hey, all those muscles ain't for nothing! Looks like hauling marble is good exercise!

We can't move the stone until the apples are out of the way! Besides, the building of the First Temple was inspired by the Minoan heroes! Who's gonna take responsibility if the work's delayed? You?

One-all. Next!

Apple harvesting and hauling stone... I see.

Minoans sure are fun to watch! But things will get less interesting when they start getting tired...

Hey, why did they stop?

They've realized the arm-wrestling isn't about determining a victor, but giving them an opportunity to hear each other out.

When you're angry, your ears stop working, and even simple things become complicated, much less long-standing disputes.

You're more thoughtful than you look.

But how do you solve the core problem, now that you've gotten emotion out of the way?

*pant*... *pant*...

*pant*... *pant*...

Looks like a draw.

Young lady...

Call me Titi.

It's not like we screwed the fruit farmers on purpose, Titi.

We've got a lot of hands in the rebuilding, but they only quarry stone when they please, where they please. I brought fifteen tons of marble down the mountain by myself yesterday, and it's still far from enough.

Look, we understand. But the apples don't care.

Increasing quarrying efficiency, while getting enough sun for the apples... why don't we meet in the middle, then?

What do you mean?

Just remove the peak that's blocking the sunlight.

...

...

Hahahaha! Some 'middle'! That's the craziest thing I've ever heard!

It is intriguing, though.

Out of personal curiosity, I studied the urban planning and natural environment of Athenius on my way here.

The peak that's in the way of the sunlight is only a secondary peak, with soft soil at the top and a large marble layer underneath—it would make an excellent quarry.

You mean we can get sunlight to the orchards by leveling the peak, without having to change the city's route? Is that even possible?

The fruit farmers must join the quarriers.

Adding more hands is the quickest way to increase efficiency. We'll also need to get the craftsmen scattered across the mountains together.

If you can carry fifteen tons of marble a day all by yourself...

Then leveling the peak is not impossible.

The rebuilding of the temple was the collective decision of the citizens of Athenius. We certainly won't complain, if we can solve the sunlight problem at the same time.

I'll go talk to the farmers!

Problem solved!

All thanks to you, Titi.

Don't mention it.

It looks amazing, even in its incomplete state... Now, I'm even more curious about the one running this project.

Speaking of which, we still have a problem.

What is it?

The original proponent of the First Temple project, Pallas, went missing last night.

'...Our joy was for both of us, but now eternal peace is yours alone.'

'The breeze in the mountains of Heria and the rivers of the Agnes Plains shall shine in your eyes no more.'

'Neither shall my heart know the tranquility of night and the leisure of day again...'

It's been seven years, Ithakos, old friend.

...

You're late.

I'm simply passing through, on my way to a burdenbeast ranch with a view.

You can find all the excuses you want, but you know you can't let it go.

Neither can I.

...

You haven't once visited the Endymion Temple in your five years in Athenius.

The first and last time you came was when you brought Ithakos's bloody chiton.

I don't need the guidance of the heroes.

But you continue to dream the same dream. You blame yourself for sending Ithakos across the river, to the battle where he died.

The river runs only in my dreams now, since the Sargonians built a dam upstream.

It brought the melting snow from Heria's peaks to my homeland, and it brought him...

Ithakos was one of the few true friends that I had, one who was never concerned for who I am or what I can do.

His family was tormented by the fires of war, and his father lived most of his life as a broken man. But he would not accept the same fate. His eyes were bright and eager when he received divine revelation.

Whatever the outcome, he found a friend and a brother in you. Did he ever visit you in your dreams, telling you not to mourn him anymore?

...

It's your place to interpret dreams, and mine to mourn and remember. I will soothe my rage in my own way.

The war is over. Sargon has signed a non-aggression pact with us, and this visit by the Sargonian mission is a symbol of our new relationship.

I know that. Lydia made a point to put me in my place.

The first Astynomos in Athenian history elected by popular vote, empowered to handle diplomatic matters and certain public issues independent of the council and the priests...

She's caused you a fair share of trouble, hasn't she?

Endymion Temple has not been affected yet, but some fringe clerics and the roles of their temples are being marginalized. Besides...

Kereseira's First Temple is nearing completion. There should be a ceremonial play organized by the priests to call the spirit of Kereseira into the temple and grant Minos her protection.

Now, the play is being organized by the Astynomos' Office.

The Astynomos purported to assent when I discussed this matter with her a few days ago, but she was evasive when it came to the program we'd choose...

To her, the priests and their ceremonies are just props to promote Minoan tourism.

Your insistence on using canonized classical drama will only be seen as an act of aggression by the priesthood.

I understand that reform is inevitable, but...

Some things will not and can not change.

Lydia's little power plays on the administrative side are none of my business, but I won't stand idly by if the Sargonian visitors have ill intent.

...

I'm no hero, just an ordinary Infected, and I don't need the guidance of divine revelation, but I still dream.

If I tell you that I dreamt of a river running red with blood, as Ithakos did nine years ago...

How would you interpret it?

Xanthos!

Excuse me. I have work to do at the crossing, and an apprentice waiting for me.

...

You're really too kind, Titi. Not only did you solve our dispute with the fruit farmers, you're also helping us look for Pallas.

It's nothing. Besides, I want to meet the one who came up with the temple project, face-to-face.

This Pallas was last seen at the crossing?

Yes.

She was sitting on the docks, drinking and muttering in the direction of distant Mt. Hymnoi.

She's helped us with so many things since the rebuilding of the temple began. Although she doesn't hold any position in the temples of Athenius, and Kassandra from Endymion Temple is the one in charge of the responsibilities that are above-board...

Pallas was the one who took care of everything behind the scenes, from the division of labor to procurement to smoothing things over with the right people.

I see. It's certainly concerning that someone so reliable would go missing all of a sudden...

Ah, well... it's not the first time.

Almost forgot to ask. What does she look like?

A small Forte lady, always seems like she's half-asleep. She wears a little flower on her head.

A little flower... the kind with two leaves, and petals so red you can't see the wrinkles?

Yes! How did you know?

Does it look like that?

Yes, it does... but that's one of the apple farmers' crates, isn't it? What's a flower doing there?

Wait, there's something inside! Duck!

P-Pallas?

Guys! Guys! No need for the boat! We found Pallas!

This is Pallas, the people's hero, the proponent and reliable supervisor of the rebuilding plan?

She's not quite what I imagined...

Mount... Hymnoi...

The western peak... level it... to let the sunlight...

Tell the farmers and workers... what's missing...

Yes... apple cider should be... shared...

Leveling the peak to solve the sunlight problem? So she came to the same conclusion I did... she's thinking about rebuilding the temple, even in her sleep.

Who says a hero has to be big and brawny? How could I forget that I'm in Minos, not Sargon?

Mm... who are you?

We meet at last, Pallas, first proponent of the rebuilding of Kereseira's First Temple.

I'm Medjehtiqedti Nasutu Mashayer, ambassador from Sargon.

Medj...?

My friends call me Titi.