ME-5 Convergence

(Snores)

(Scratches ear)

Medjehtiqedti!

......

As if it wasn't enough that you went off by yourself first thing in the morning, now you're slamming doors and disturbing my nap! Have you repaired the harp, or have you been enjoying Athenius so much you forgot about your job?

There's no use trying to repair the harp...

Giving up so soon? You can't fix a tiny crack like that? What were you doing in all those classes you took in Columbia?

Just filling in the crack and painting over it isn't hard. But it's not just the harp that was damaged—

It was also your fragile bleeding heart?

It was also Sargon's reputation.

What?

Kereseira's harp was one of the best-preserved relics I've ever seen.

Wooden instruments are highly sensitive. The slightest blemish on the body could change its sound.

That was why we were very careful during the appraisal process and avoided any destructive tests...

I've heard it a million times at the museum—

'The ornaments, string materials and lacquer are typical of the Minoan style. Historical records indicate that it very likely belonged to Kereseira herself.'

But something didn't feel right when I was repairing it last night...

The wood chips that fell from the crack indicate that the material was mountain firs, the kind that ancient Minoans often used, but something was off with the cross-section texture.

The weapons of the heroes are made from ancient trees. They'll have some pretty deep texture.

No, it didn't look like the natural texture of wood. It was reminiscent of a certain moisture retention technique developed in Sargon.

I read about it in old books about instrument-making. Minoan plants are rich in moisture, while the climate in Sargon is generally dry.

Wood imported from Minos had to be specially treated to prevent them from cracking due to the dryness.

The cross-section I saw showed signs of such treatment.

You mean this was not Kereseira's original harp, but a replica made by Sargonians using Minoan wood? You sure you're not overthinking it?

I didn't want to believe it, but I just took the wood chips to a lab.

Testing revealed the presence of Sargonian resin, dating back about a hundred years...

Oof...

The harp looked perfect. It was virtually impossible to tell that it was a replica without destructive testing. I doubt Padishah Khery knew anything.

I have to tell the Astynomos. We can't give the Minoans a fake harp under the eyes of Kereseira's statue!

The exchange ceremony must be stopped!

Ambassador Medjehtiqedti's mission was to 'carry out' the exchange ceremony.

Behnui Effendi...

We made an oath to the padishah before we set out. How can you continue to call yourself the ambassador of Sargon, if you fail to retrieve the engineering data from the construction of the Three Poleis?

......

Yes, I have my duties as ambassador. As an archaeologist, however, I can't overlook such a mistake, much less intentionally participate in a lie.

That's why I say you have no political acumen. You see yourself as a museum curator, not a diplomatic envoy.

The important thing about the relic exchange ceremony is not the relic, but the exchange. Who cares if the harp is a replica? It still makes a sound.

You want to offer up a fake harp at the ceremony?

Absolutely not!

And what is your bright idea, Medjehtiqedti, without the authentic harp and a ceremony right around the corner?

In the halls of Menat-Ha'mait, you told Padishah Khery that you loved the legends of Minos, and wanted to see true heroism with your own eyes.

Is your idea of heroism clinging to your obsessions and bringing shame to your country at the very first cultural exchange between Sargon and Minos since the establishment of diplomatic relations?

Are you and your useless father one and the same?

He ruined your family, turned the name Nasutu Mashayer into a high society joke.

In his obsession with literature, he abandoned his duties, even his duty to his daughter, forcing her to chase the shadows of heroes in books, failing to find any heroism in her father.

This has nothing to do with him! I only love Minoan stories because—

'As emissaries of Sargon, our priority is to carry out the exchange ceremony successfully—not our own obsessions and interests.'

Your words, verbatim.

......

I'll find a way, before the ceremony, no matter what it takes. I can't let a fake...

Obstinate fool.

Very well. You can meditate while I act on your behalf and carry out the duty that the Sargonian ambassador was supposed to perform.

It not as if it changes anything. To the Astynomos and the guests, you're nothing more than a curious girl, an enthusiastic volunteer for the temple project while I negotiated with the Astynomos—

I am, for all due intents and purposes, the true ambassador of Sargon.

......

Hello. Maybe you don't remember me, but I've visited this ranch quite a lot lately. The herder, Melitta, knows me.

Please, stop leaning on the fence and let me through.

(Opens sleepy eyes)

It was not my intention to interrupt your nap. Perhaps you will enjoy this grass. The dew is still fresh on it.

......

I also brought some berries.

......

Well, I'm out of bribes. In that case...

Would you like a dream interpretation? Kýrios... maybe kýria.

(Brushes teeth on the fence)

......

Cauliflower is a girl. Berries are too sweet for her, and grass isn't filling enough. You need carrots to draw her attention.

If you find a burdenbeast has a fever and not even its favorite food can coax it to move...

Just scoop some water with a leaf and spray it on its horn to cool it down!

You really know your burdenbeasts, Melitta. I didn't know there were so many tricks to getting a burdenbeast to move.

Of course. They're not like beckbeasts, which are used to taking commands. A herder needs a hundred tricks to coax burdenbeasts into doing what you need them to.

It's this understanding that builds a bond between burdenbeast and herder.

Am I right, Cauliflower?

(Sways tail)

(Gets up and leaves)

......

Maybe it's a talent, to know one more way to get burdenbeasts to move than other herders.

Thanks for getting Cauliflower to move, Melitta.

No problem.

The priestess of Endymion Temple gracing us with her presence means that this place is blessed by the heroes. We couldn't be happier.

As long as it doesn't cause any trouble for you.

Of course not! All you do is admire the sights and look at the fence.

A little while back, I was concerned that a foal could slip through the cracks in the fences. A few days later, you filled the gaps with strong threads.

Just doing my part.

It was a very kind deed. I won't disturb you anymore; I have a few hooves to trim.

......

Of course it wouldn't make a sound. Not even a burdenbeast running into it did...

There isn't much time. When will you sing again?

I know what you're here for, Kýrios Behnui.

Rest assured that the relationship between our two nations is the highest priority. A little incident will not be allowed to affect it.

A little incident?

Xanthos came to Athenius five years ago, working as ferryman and manager of the crossing. He took in an apprentice, Lykeion, a former priest school student.

They are accused of attempting to steal from the room of Ambassador Medjehtiqedti. They are being held in custody, pending trial in accordance with the law.

Since the ambassador has elected not to press charges—

A justification to comfort the ignorant people by a naive girl moonlighting as supervisor of the rebuilding of the First Temple, not the decision of the honored ambassador of Sargon.

I see your views differ from Kyría Mashayer's.

I will, of course, take full responsibility for this matter as Astynomos. However, I would ask that the two of you come to an agreement as to how we deal with it.

You know what I mean, Astynomos. My view is that of the Sargonian delegation.

This tragedy, the theft and destruction of the harp, would never have happened if the exchange ceremony was not repeatedly delayed.

I have reason to suspect that you have intentions other than promoting the relationship between our two nations, that you have intentionally delayed the ceremony, and everything that took place did so on your orders.

I hear the position of Astynomos was newly created following the administrative reform of Athenius, and you were rewarded with the role because of your contributions to said reforms.

If something goes wrong with the first cultural exchange between our two nations since the establishment of diplomatic relations...

Then I congratulate you on being the only Astynomos who the people of Athenius will never forget.

......

The exchange ceremony is certainly my most important task. I admit I was negligent for not arriving at the scene promptly due to a busy schedule.

In that case, how would you define this incident... this 'theft and destruction of the harp'?

The brutal, barbaric, ignorant, baseless hatred of the perpetrators... the robbery and destruction of this symbol of friendship between Sargon and Minos was a most despicable act.

In my thirty years overseeing culture in Menat-Ha'mait, Sargon has received many letters from Minos requesting the return of the cultural artifacts that were removed during the occupation.

Shouldn't these plunderers of Minos's national treasure be severely punished, if you Minoans truly value it so much?

They will be tried according to Minoan law. As far as the punishment is concerned, though...

I have no intention of leaving the impression that Sargon is trying to bully the people of Athenius. We are emissaries of peace, after all.

This is a most sensitive time, however. Just because Sargon and Minos signed a truce five years ago doesn't mean that all is peaceful and well.

The padishahs are used to solving problems with force of arms. I would not give them a reason to get angry, if I were you.

......

Xanthos and Lykeion conspired to steal and deface a national treasure and sabotage the exchange ceremony...

Their actions are tantamount to treason.

......

They will be put on death row immediately.

Thank you, Astynomos. I look forward to the exchange ceremony in a few days.

Get in.

What's going on? It's not normal to transfer prisoners so suddenly, before we're officially sentenced.

I'm just following orders. Move quietly and behave yourselves... maybe there'll be a chance for clemency.

......

You really believed the Sargonian ambassador would protect the Minoans who tried to steal the harp.

We heard what she said to the officer. It would have been easiest to make the accusations while everyone was watching. But she didn't do it.

You can never tell what someone is thinking. Submit an official assessment of the damage, put pressure on the Astynomos and peace officers... there are many things that the Sargonian delegate can do.

Death row, eh? We're getting the royal treatment.

You should regret it, Lykeion. Destroying a hotel kitchen is nothing compared to the charges we now face.

All the more reason we had to take what's ours back from the bandits. The harp of Kereseira sings only for the stories of heroes. It will not, and must not, sing for a false peace.

I know your past, Master Xanthos. I may not have experienced war for myself, but I respect your decision. I couldn't let you risk everything by yourself, having known about your plan.

You saved my life two years ago.

It was your classmate from priest school, Hekádemos, who carried you down from the archery range after you were injured by an Originium shard.

I just took in a former student who wasn't willing to continue in the priesthood, that's all.

An Infected can never become a priest. It's divine work, communing with the heroes and guiding the way for the people. I couldn't do it.

As for Hekádemos, all he wants is someone to debate him...

Do not fool yourself, Lykeion. It will only make the pain worse, when you finally have to face it.

Master Xanthos?

My friend brought technology from the nomadic cities when he came to my homeland after receiving divine revelation. He built a village in the barren swamps with us.

The people in the village respected him a lot, but he always had a dark look on his face, late at night.

I lied to myself and tried to convince him that the river in his dreams wasn't red with blood; it was red because of iron that the river brought from upstream, and that the revelation was supposed to bring him to us.

But he didn't believe it...

He was prepared to go to war from the beginning. I was fooling myself.

......

River... hah... young people these days are foolish enough to fight the Sargonians to the death because of a dream like that?

And the two of you are here because you stole things from the Sargonians?

The harp of Kereseira belongs to the Minoans.

Even less worth it...

What truly belongs to the Minoans these days, after the Sargonians invaded a hundred years ago?

......

Hey, you're the one who invited me. Say something. I skipped the banquet celebrating the completion of the First Temple for you, you know.

You were a big part of getting the work across the finish line the day before the exchange ceremony. Tradition calls for a full day of celebration. The craftsmen began drinking and reciting poetry in broad daylight.

Not all of them hold their drink well. Guess the peace officers will have their hands full tonight.

Kantia from the moving crew, right? She's really taken to you after you helped her a few times.

Yeah... it's been like a dream, coming to Athenius.

Right you are.

First day in Athenius, you solved the dispute between the fruit farmers and craftsmen. Then you became the supervisor of the final phase of the temple rebuilding project.

And you chased Xanthos over multiple blocks after the harp was stolen.

Way more interesting than just escorting a relic, isn't it?

Yeah.

But my job was to ensure that the exchange ceremony goes smoothly, and promote the friendship between our two nations.

What's the matter, Titi? This isn't like you.

Pallas...

The harp of Kereseira we brought... it's a replica.

What?

I would never have known, if the harp wasn't damaged during my scuffle with Xanthos.

Now, my deputy, Behnui, wants to fulfill the padishah's mission by handing over the fake harp in the exchange ceremony... but I know that's not right.

The ceremony is tomorrow. Do you have a solution?

There's no good way to do this. We'd need a miracle.

I read through every relevant book I could borrow from the Bibliotheka of Athenius. I learned that the harp of Kereseira was lost to war a long time ago, and it hasn't been seen since.

It's likely that the Sargonian craftsmen who made this replica had only seen the blueprints, not the harp itself.

Could the true harp still be in Minos? Or...

Or it was destroyed by the fires of war long ago... I'm sorry.

There's no need for you to apologize.

What do you plan to do, if the true harp is nowhere to be found?

I can't publicly announce in my capacity as Sargonian ambassador that we brought a fake harp. It's more likely to lead to conflict than to reveal the truth.

A very reasonable concern.

And so, I'll have to stop the ceremony in my personal capacity.

What do you mean?

I'm getting rid of the fake harp before the ceremony can start.

You can't go in.

Look, I know a special visitor's permit is required to visit and deliver supplies. I just forgot.

Can you accommodate me this once? My old classmate went in a couple of days ago, all of a sudden. His family asked me to bring him some stuff.

......

Alright, to tell you the truth, he's pretty sick.

The Athenian jail has a doctor and basic medicine, but it's not as effective as the Rhodes Island stuff. He could have an attack while in custody, if he doesn't get proper treatment.

Save your breath, it's no use.

Alright. I didn't want to do this...

Here's my pass. Hekádemos, Grammateús to the Astynomos.

I am authorized to enter detention facilities, even bring in suspects for questioning. Open the door. This is an order. I will file the necessary paperwork later.

......

You want to see the two thieves who came in a few days ago?

Lykeion is not a...

Never mind. Yes.

You can't.

What? Why not?!

You are authorized to see prisoners held at the jail, but the two you're looking for aren't here anymore.

Were they transferred?

That is unusual. Has Kyría Athopoulou's Oripathy treatment system been implemented already?

Where were they transferred?

Don't bother, Hekádemos. I don't know who they are to you, but not even the Grammateús to the Astynomos is authorized to see inmates on death row.

Death row?!

Sorry, Kyría Athopoulou...

Does Lydia... I mean, does the Astynomos really not have the time?

I heard that Xanthos and his apprentice were arrested for theft.

They're my patients, and in a key stage of treatment, as the Rhodes Island clinic already reported.

Xanthos's Blood Originium-Crystal Density is particularly high, which could potentially lead to an acute attack of Oripathy. I would like to deliver medicine to them...

Look, I don't understand any of the medical jargon you're throwing around.

We are all very grateful to you for returning to Athenius, bringing back medical knowledge that you learned abroad and establishing an Oripathy clinic, but...

I shouldn't talk too much, but you're a good doctor, and the Astynomos' sister. You really should keep your distance from her for a few days at least, if only for the sake of your relationship.

Why?

The official line says the crime was theft, but the Sargonian ambassador came here a few days ago and said the thing that was stolen wasn't the ambassador's personal item, but an important relic for the exchange ceremony.

He put a lot of pressure on Lydia. They're probably going to be publicly charged with treason, once the ceremony is over.

Treason?! But according to Minoan law—

Most of the issues the Astynomos faces cannot be solved through legal procedures.

She wants a new, modern Minos, and she is willing to give everything for it. That's why we're willing to work for her.

Perhaps you're not aware, but she gave up her family inheritance, even chasing her other family out of Athenius after taking office...

She gave up her inheritance?

I thought the business failed...

This exchange of relics is an important part of her administration. There must be no mistake, at least not on the surface... even if it means sacrificing two lives. It's not like they're innocent, after all.

......

I'm sorry... I have to get back to work.

What is Lydia...?

Well, she wouldn't meet with me, and I doubt I can convince her, even if we did meet.

But Xanthos and Lykeion need to be tried fairly. I can't let Lydia make a mistake like this. What do I do?

Sorry, I was lost in thought—

Kyría Athopoulou?

You've been staring out the window, Astynomos.

Apologies, Hiéreia Kassandra.

Why not let Kyría Athopoulou in? I have to discuss the establishment of an Oripathy treatment system with her anyway.

Oh? I thought you wanted to get extra help to plead the case of the two Infected who were arrested a few days ago.

You know that ferryman, Xanthos, quite well. I believe you were the one who found him the job at the crossing?

The peace officers will deal with this theft. Neither of us need to worry about it.

I'm afraid I don't have that luxury. If this incident affects the trust between us and Sargon, then this incident will become more than a simple theft...

What?

It's my own business. It has nothing to do with a priestess of Endymion Temple.

Back on topic, Hiéreia Kassandra. The opening play for tomorrow's exchange ceremony has been decided. It is to be King Pertheus, a popular classic across Terra.

All the priests need to do is attend. There will be no need for complicated rituals.

......

A few weeks ago, I came to discuss the priest-directed ceremonial play for the completion of Kereseira's First Temple. I have not seen you at the Astynomos' Office since.

I apologize. My schedule is a busy one. I certainly remember. The exchange ceremony also requires an opening play, and we can kill two fowlbeasts with one stone this way. We need not bother the priests, however.

Excuse me, but the rebuilding of Kereseira's First Temple is a symbol of the people's spirit. Now that it is complete, tradition calls for a proper ceremony to invite the heroes to enter the temple and give Minos their blessings.

The council is not trying to usurp your administrative power, and the exchange ceremony does fall within your responsibility.

However, Minoan drama began as a ritualistic performance.

Every single detail is carefully arranged, from the props to the program to the performers. It's not enough to simply put on a popular play.

'Immortal legend'... 'witness of the oracle'... 'heroic relic'...

Do not think that I am completely ignorant of traditional ceremony, or that I'm one of those radicals who calls for every tradition to be abolished.

But even if you have your choice of the program and control over the troupe, there is still something missing from the traditional ritual that you want, isn't there?

...The Sargonian mission brought Kereseira's harp.

Oh? You do recognize the relic's ritual significance?

...What do you mean?

I'm neither an archaeologist nor a historian. As Astynomos, however, I understand every priest who sits on the council, including you.

You are the head priestess of Endymion Temple, and endowed with the divine gift of speaking on behalf of the heroes. Your knowledge of heroic epics puts most scholars to shame.

Yet you showed no interest about the harp of Kereseira that the Sargonian mission brought with them. You didn't even ask to see it.

I don't know why exactly, but I can tell that the harp the Sargonian mission brought was not the heroic relic that you knew.

The ceremonial play could not have been performed to begin with.

No, I already...

I have nothing against the council, Hiéreia Kassandra. If you present a legitimate heroic relic for the ceremony, I would be more than happy to give the choice of play back to you.

For the past century, however, the temples have mostly used crude replicas in place of true relics for your ceremonies. I don't need to tell you that the link between us and the heroes is weakening.

As a modern state, Minos can no longer rely on ancient legends to unite our people's spirit. No need to worry, however. The temples and priests will continue to exist.

You can continue to contribute to historical research and tourism.

......