Changes Blogfest Entry

  Thank you again for Elizabeth Mueller for hosting this "Changes" Blogfest. I have another entry over at my alter ego, Scott Noir's lair.

In this scene, from the second installment of the trilogy,  Caenus and Kalliste have both been changed by love.

 ***

Iolkosians filled the streets along the waterfront in celebration as the ships pulled into the inner harbor. Caenus, donning his royal raiment and Kalliste in her white silk robes with crimson trim, stepped into their wedding chariot again and paraded through the stone-paved streets, weaving through each of the grids. As the betrothed serpentined through the crowd, onlookers and well-wishers threw confetti and shouted blessings of prosperity, in some cases, impeding the horses’ progress. Caenus did not mind the frequent stops, however, because these were all his friends and family… and most importantly, Kalliste’s extended family now. In return, the happy couple waved warmly.

            Grasping Kalliste’s hand tightly, feeling the tingle of new love’s warmth emanating through her palm, Caenus reveled in the glory his new bride afforded him. He radiated from within, feeling sweetly suspended in a euphoric state, illuminated by the goddess who stood beside him.  His bride’s beauty stole his breath every time he turned to look at her along the ride.

            And for her part, Kalliste felt as if she had joined her mate of a previous life… as if the gods had somehow placed her back within the land of the living to once again experience all of life’s pleasures. She was not certain of how she could feel so strongly for someone she had known so briefly. From Corinth to this moment had been a whirlwind, sweeping all involved into a pleasant summer’s storm of pain-balanced pleasure.  For, the pain of being forced to marry someone unworthy of her heart’s blessings… and having that ordeal end tragically… only to then fall for the one who felled the man she was to wed… to then nearly perish, herself… and to find out that her truest love nearly perished as well… all the way to the immense pleasure that anticipation affords…  the sweet anticipation of marriage to her truest love… the pleasures of exploration both the night following the wedding and the day after… and the night yet to come… and many more nights to come… Caenus mirrored his bride’s emotions in so many ways, having experienced his own storm of sorts… having been right there beside his sweet girl for much of it all.

            Later in the evening, Helios’ chariot had driven its light below the western horizon as Mount Pelion shadowed the first night back in Iolkos.  After visiting the sanctuary within the palace to receive continued blessings from the gods, Caenus and Kalliste walked to the private bathhouse.

            Once the servants had heated the water sufficiently, Caenus banished them.  Kalliste sat on a marble bench a few feet away from the bath and began to remove her sandals. Caenus walked over and knelt in front of her.  He ran his fingers through her flame-red tresses, looking into her eyes and becoming lost once again… lost in the moment between divinity and mortality… lost in the moment between whether the mind registers pain or pleasure… lost in the moment between lightning and its accompanying thunder.

            He unpinned her chiton and slowly removed her silk robes, laying the finely constructed garments on the smooth marble beside her.  He then allowed her to disrobe him, his cloak hitting the floor in a heap. Hand-in-hand they descended the stairs into the in-ground bath.

            “How is it that I have been so blessed?” Kalliste cooed, running her hands over Caenus’ muscular shoulders and arms.

            “Are you the only one so blessed, my sweet?” Caenus responded, with a wink.

            “It is amazing, is it not? How the gods guided us together across this great pond we call the Aegean… how we fit together so tightly as puzzle pieces.  I press my heart against yours, chest-to-chest now… do they not beat in unison? Do you not feel that? How peculiar a sensation that is?”

            “Neither the muses nor the fates could ever have written the intertwining of our lives any better,” Caenus responded. “But, let us be careful not to squander this moment with the words created by mortals to describe this event conjured by the gods. For it is, you know… tonight, and every other night that I can embrace you, is a night afforded us by the gods.”

Caenus and Kalliste: A New Beginning

As most of you who follow me know, I am re-writing Caenus and The Quiver of Artemis. Hell, it may even have a new name by the time it's done. What it will also have is more intense action and more developed relationships. And... more romance. Oh, rest assured, it's still PG-13 on the romance front. But their love is more intense. (I do have an alter ego Scott Noir... but he's not touching this story!)

So in the spirit of Valentine's Day and all, I decided to reveal a bit of what I'm re-writing... a teaser if you will. To set it up: Caenus has already met his fire-haired love interest at the Isthmian Games, and felt the bite of her sharp tongue and indifference, as she is over and done with egotistical princes. A few days later, Caenus notices her at a festival and decides to charge the windmill yet again.
 

I present to you... Caenus... and Kalliste (posing as Adriande)

He approached the beauty, who ate with her friends from an over-sized fivefold cup offering wine, cheese, honey, bread, and olive oil. As he approached and opened his mouth to speak, she slowly turned to look at him. Her torch-lit emeralds cast a spell upon him and not a word escaped his parted lips. She smiled broadly, flattered as much by his genuine attraction as by his humility, a trait she found scarce in other young princes.

Her friends both looked at her with arched brows. After a pause, she nodded them away and turned back to the Iolkosian.

"Caenus... is it?"
"Yes M'lady." he fumbled nervously.
"Has my name took leave of you this quickly?"
"No, no, nooo... Adriande... see, I remembered."
"Pretty brave of you to punch that bull in the nose, eh? Were you not afraid of that terrible beast?"
"Survival calls for many tactics," he began. "W-w-wait a moment... you were watching that contest?"
"Yes, I saw a little..."
"What of the race yesterday... did you see that as well?"
"Not much to see really, except the beginning and end..."
"D-d-did you see the end?" he interjected, his voice pitched highly.
"Quite a finish, I must say," she smiled. "You may just win this thing, eh?"
"Well..." Caenus cast his eyes downward. "Makedon... he is a divine warrior it seems."

Adriande rolled her eyes, shifting them furtively from side to side. She paused, chewing her olive oil saturated bread end. After washing it down with a sip of wine, she spoke slowly, "I shall make you a deal. If you can best him... if you can win these games... I shall clasp your hand in marriage."

Caenus' heart stopped, rejecting fully what his ears knew he had heard. The only life he felt was the energy he absorbed from her eyes looking straight into his. The only air he breathed was the air she exhaled before his face. What she had said was that... he could win the crown of laurels, his father's respect, and the hand of the goddess before him? When his heart began again, a trickle of perspiration divided his brow.

"M'lady, I now ha..."
"Please... call me Adriande."
"Adriande... I now have more motivation than should be allowed a single man."
"Indeed you do."

A wry smile brought a twinkle to her eyes as she gazed deeply into his. Detecting no ego, no agenda, and no malice... none of the attributes so loathed in Makedon... she decided that if this goatherder could actually win the games, he would be well worth the trouble that was certain to come. His eyes had invited her into his unguarded core and held her captive. Who was she kidding... win or lose... she was his. He just did not know it yet.

"May the gods favor your victory, Caenus. Fare you well tomorrow." She lightly grazed his muscular upper arm and then turned to rejoin her friends.

Caenus barely breathed in the moments it took her to leave him. A warmth brewed in is soul, fire radiating outward in concentric rings. He had fallen headlong under her spell, yet he still knew frighteningly little about the mystery girl.

Where did she live? Who was her father? And how, as radiant as she looked, did she have no claims against her? Caenus sensed he was being led into a hornet's nest, but he cared not.

Seven Things To Do On Ancient Samos, Greece

“As the Sun God Helios charges his fiery steeds from the eastern horizon, setting the heavens ablaze, Samos is first to feel his glory.” –Anonymous Greek Poet

The Island of Samos, one of Greece’s eastern-most Aegean treasures, was indeed noted as being “first of all cities” by Herodotus. One of the most fertile islands in the Aegean, Samos was known to be rich in natural resources and even richer in intellectual resources. The most famous persons connected with the island were Pythagoras, Epicurus, Aristarchus- the astronomer whom history credits with the first recorded heliocentric solar system model, Theodorus- the great sculptor and inventor, and Aesop (of Aesop’s Fables). Herodotus even called the fair Samos home for a spell.

The first king of Samos was King Ancaeus, who played a role in Jason’s mythical voyage to claim the Golden Fleece. Many centuries later, the mythical tales of Caenus, Son of Kranos, crown prince of Iolkos, are recounted in the novel Caenus and The Quiver of Artemis, Christopher S. Ledbetter’s Greek mythology based novella.

The role of Samos in the tales of Caenus is worth noting. In Book I, Caenus falls for a girl from the enchanted island of Samos who is widely regarded as being the most beautiful in the ancient known world.

“From birth, while she possessed no divine powers, Kalliste always garnered a wealth of attention.  Slender with reddish-blonde hair, and eyes the color of emeralds contrasting her pale skin, her intense beauty and striking physical features drew scornful eyes from even jealous goddesses. One in particular.  And, of those emeralds she looked through, enchanted they were. Their base coloring hued more toward the bluish-gray of storm clouds when at rest or angry. However, when elated or whenever she looked into the sun, that is when her eyes shone a sparkling green. Given her physical attributes, she became regarded as a minor goddess on the island of Samos and began receiving marriage proposals when she turned thirteen years of age, many of which Dimitri dismissed out of hand.” -excerpt from Caenus And The Quiver of Artemis.

In Book II of the trilogy, title not yet released, Caenus makes his first voyage to the island, which becomes the scene for a grand celebration.

Following are Seven Things To Do On The Ancient Island of Samos:

1.Visit the Tunnel built by Eupalinos:The tyrant Polycrates commissioned the engineer Eupalinos to dig a tunnel through Mount Kastro to supply the ancient capital city of Samos (modern Pythagoreio) with fresh water. The tunnel is the second known tunnel that was excavated from both ends, meeting in the middle, quite an engineering feat. As the tunnel was of utmost defensive importance, Polycrates was not likely to allow visitors to enter the tunnel, but you could still admire the engineering wonder from either end.

2. Visit The Royal Family of Samos: The sumptuous royal palace of Samos, surrounded by forty-foot walls, perched solidly on the lush slopes of Mount Ampelos, in the center of the island, provided superior defenses for the royal family. It could, in dire times, also be used as a citadel for the protection of citizens from the port city. Within the royal palace walls, were the most beautiful gardens since Babylon, with exquisitely exotic flowers, both home-harvested and imported.

The royal family did not extend tours to every citizen, but if your standing was high enough, you could at least get through the gates to see the glorious palace. Book II in the Of Kings And Gods trilogy has an event that everyone in the Aegean of noble standing will surely attend.

3. Visit Heraion: The temple honoring Hera, queen of the Greek Gods, was one of the largest sanctuaries in the ancient world. Heraion was located approximately six kilometers west of the capital city of Samos at the end of The Sacred Way, a paved road with statues and other offerings along either side. 356 feet long, 180 feet wide and 82 feet high, the temple was a gargantuan structure by anyone’s measurements. Prepare your offering, for you would definitely want Hera on your side.

4. Go To A Wine Tasting: If there was one thing that Samos was known for, it was her wine. Vineyards covered a great portion of the island. And the combination of the most fertile soil in the Aegean, the Sun God Helios’ brilliance, and the perfect amount of rain contributed to a collection of wines that even Dionysus could be proud of.

Along a side street snaking away from the agora in the capital port city of Samos was a taverna, Kalliste’s Fire, named for the island’s most notable resident. In this establishment on every fourth sunset, was a wine tasting of the most celebrated of Samian wines.

5. Hike To The Summit of Mount Kerkis: This hike was not for the faint of heart. The path wound through heavily wooded areas and encountered rocky, sheer faces. But, to the victor went the spoils. Not only the highest peak on the island, it was also the highest point in the entire Aegean. The summit pierced the heavens at 1,434 metres. It was said that anyone who reached the summit could hear the voice of Zeus, himself.

6. Relax In The Thermes (Roman-Style Baths): In the section of the capital city of Samos, near the athletic facilities, the Thermes greeted one and all. The floors were covered in tiled mosaics and the walls were made of marble. There were cool baths, baths that could be warmed by stoking fires beneath the stone, and an octagonal pool. There was even a domed room that was used like a modern sauna. This was THE place to relax after a hard day’s work.

7. Visit the Waterfalls: West of a small fishing village at the northern edge of the island (modern Karlovasi) a secluded, crescent shaped beach enchanted all who happened upon her. When visiting the beach, make sure to add a walk by the river up to the waterfalls. The walk would have taken you through lush foliage and tree cover and eventually ended at a small lake where you could take a swim… the magnificent falls were then straight ahead.

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