8 WAVE LIKE A MISS
Glax watched the fireworks exploding in the sky, thinking that, despite the somewhat archaic garments, they had more knowledge than the history books said the Greeks had.
He cleared his throat and salt water from his face, looking up at the sky. Teen boys dressed like him paddled the boat that transported him to the bigger island, Temnos.
When Glax had reached the bell on the island's small pier, he found six more warriors waiting for him. He was the last to arrive.
Rasmus had grinned at his sight, relieved.
Men in white clothes and pointed beards painted in black or blue had received the remaining warriors from the Battle Royale.
They removed the necklaces from Glax's neck and locked them in a box. The key was with a man in blue clothes, who had all the other keys. The box stayed with Glax, and his name was written on it in blue ink.
Only standing warriors who managed to reach the bell within an hour after the bell was rung would be evaluated.
He was unable to speak to Rasmus or any other warrior. They received some potions and first aid, and Glax felt much better after it.
They boarded decorated boats. The trip took about an hour, and Glax could see how exhausted the boys were from paddling against the raging sea. The weather was mild but there was no sun. He could see the other boats gliding on the waves next to his.
Glax was bringing the vial with him, in a makeshift bag. That's why he took so long. The greatest treasure of that island was the ruins and the machinery that existed there. And that was falling behind. He still didn't know what to do with that information or that vial, but he was determined to find out more about it.
The port of Temnos was packed with people curious to see the winners. Colorful flags, with designs that didn't say much to Glax, fluttered in the wind. Loud, high-pitched music added to the crowd's excitement. High standards in red and white, and a ram's head design, were repeated in the highest places.
The six winners and the seventh man who wouldn't have a bride got off the boats. And were acclaimed to golden carts pulled by beautiful horses saddled with golden metals. Like the others, Glax never took his eyes off the box he was carrying.
He didn't expect the euphoria of their reception at Temnos to make him euphoric too.
But he couldn't deny that being treated like a hero, and seeing men, women and children waving at him was cool. Rasmus, in his carriage, seemed very comfortable with the idea of being an acclaimed hero, and waved enthusiastically back.
Proctius, however, just stood there, undaunted and pompously looking at the horizon, ignoring the crowd. Many threw flowers when they passed.
He paid attention to the buildings around him, and to the people celebrating the end of the Armoric Games.
There were older and imposing buildings, and these were the ones that most closely resembled what he believed to be the classical Greek style. Huge headless or partially broken statues shadowed the spiral path towards the hilltop building - a kind of temple, Glax supposed.
But there were also new buildings with their own architecture, no doubt inspired by the past, but with their own style.
As for people, they generally looked like one single folk. They were mostly tall and thin, and many had big, clear eyes, just like Rasmus.
It was possible to see the social gap observing the clothing. Men wore shorter, more revealing clothes than women. Often a short tunic with or without sleeves, with a belt, or skirts up to the knees and sometimes a kind of fabric folded and fastened with brooches and belts, like a blouse.
Only the men who had their beards painted had what Glax thought was a long robe. It seemed that they were some kind of priests or actors, as they acted as if they followed an intricate protocol for this ceremony.
'Damn it. I just want to know when I'm going to eat… 'His stomach kept growling and protesting and asking for attention, especially with the aroma of fried food and roasts coming from everywhere.
Finally, they arrived at the large building, in the old style, whose majestic ivory columns were at least 15 meters high. Its grandeur caused quite an impression.
Men and women holding branches of plants - Glax sucked at botany - lined up to receive them. They were divided into trios.
That's how Glax managed to reunite with Rasmus, and another bald guy who could barely hide his expression of pain, and limped. His name was Titheus.
Glax had suffered no more than a few scratches and blows, unlike the others. Even Rasmus and Proctius had unpleasant wounds to look at.
But then the trio was taken to a large sauna, or shower room! There were several swimming pools and attendants bringing towels and whatever was needed. They were all boys or men, and Glax wondered if they were free men or not.
A little apprehensive, he realized that he would have no privacy to remove his mask, however much he wanted to. The place was more like a locker room, full of conversation and movement, but he had already realized that he was the one who called the most attention.
Rasmus indicated a small pool at the bottom, for him, "You can relax there, Glax. It looks shallow enough…!" He laughed at his own bad joke.
It didn't look like his partner was just mocking, and Glax accepted the suggestion, as it was also the furthest place. On the wall, a faceless stone triton held a pot from which cool water poured into the pool.
The assistants brought cleaning products with strong aromas of resin and flowers, but efficient. Glax managed to take a nice shower and relax as much as he wanted in the pool. He imagined he had managed not to expose his scar, staying a long time under the stream of water.
Meanwhile, he heard Rasmus asking questions after questions, and so he learned that:
during the evening ceremony, the contents of the boxes would be revealed
The name of the big winner was inscribed in the Hall of Heroes
It was customary for brides, ranked according to the social importance of their families, to pick their grooms.
That year, they were:
- Megara, the daughter of the 'Archigeos' - Great Chief - of the Echelians
- Chriseis, the daughter of the Great General Nikandros
- Jolla, second priestess of the Temple of the Ascents in Echelion.
- Lydia, daughter of the great General Camila
- Ione, Augurer of the city of Stapolis
- Nyssa, daughter of the commander of Fortress Albion.
He had forgotten the fact the grand prize involved winning a wife and a noble surname for himself!
The funny part was that, since they arrived, they were receiving gifts, such as saddlebags, buckles and pins sent by 'Kratosia Saddlery', 'Dorika' jewelry, 'Madame Atlassia' tunics and robes, exotic food, smoked fish, and wines from the 'Old Blind Man of Ilion', and other sponsored items.
But what really brought a smile off his face was when 'Nike' sandals came to them.
He started to laugh until tears came out of his eyes because of the coincidence. Nike sandals were comfortable and stylish, and came to the knees.
Rasmus asked what he was laughing at. The man who proudly showed him the sandals was astonished and concerned.
"Nothing. It's just… I always wanted Nike sandals."
At least he was able to eat and drink while people representing these 'companies' came to offer gifts and blessings from the Great Ones and the gifts from the Old Invisible.
Rasmus and Titheus were called to be seen by an iatromancer, that is, a priest who was also a doctor. Glax didn't need any of that and was happy that he didn't have to deal with some kind of dubious shamanic healing.
He, his box and his gifts were finally taken to a small room, whose walls painted with country scenes were relaxing ... except for a bloody part with a boar hunt. EEk!
There, in addition to a narrow bed on which he could rest until late afternoon, there was a mirror. A mirror as good as a modern mirror, to his surprise. He realized that this alternative reality, and this realm called Stygia, had many peculiarities.
He finally could see what Glax looked like.
