The Minoan Rhapsody

The King

"Nonsense! Do not concern yourselves about the lack of coin. Our chambers are full of grain, and there is still time to harvest what's left. People need food so they can focus on the future. Have the farmers return to their fields, the fishermen back to the sea, and the butchers sharpen their knives."

Simura nodded.

"How is the rest of Khaptirus?"

"Knossos was hit the hardest by the quake my King," a councilman named Rusa answered. "The western side of the island was unscathed."

"What about our fleet?"

"Intact," Siram, manager of the Keiftu fleet replied. He was a middle aged, who had a receding hairline, which was rare for a Keiftu. Yet his oiled black curls flowed from the sides of his head, over his shoulders. His skin reflected a seafarer's past who now basked in wealth and opulence. His thin waist screamed his Keiftu identity.

King Minos took a deep breath of relief. "Where is Laksmi?"

"My King." Laksmi was the woman who his brothers and King Kabeiro before them relied upon in matters of the coin. One of the eldest in the King's Council, she was as revered as the highest priestesses. She wore a richly colored flounced skirt with an open dress top which exposed her breasts. Her long, and wavy gray hair undulated down past her slim waist.

"I need to speak with Laksmi and Siram in private," the King told his council. "Please excuse us."

They acknowledged the request and orderly left the balcony leaving them alone.

"I've brought wealth from Egypt. It's more than you can imagine," King Minos told Laksmi. "It was unloaded at Gavdos."

"Why there and not here?" She asked.

"Can you think of any safer place right now?"

"He is right," Siram acknowledged. "That small, southern island might be safer than any place in Khaptirus right now."

"Prepare a dozen ships with skeleton crews," the King instructed Siram. "Load them with cows, about twenty of them."

"Cows my King?" Siram raised his eyebrows.

"We still have cows, don't we?"

"Yes, my King."

"Laksmi, you and Siram will take a separate ship that will take you and lead the rest of the ships to Gavdos. Their purpose will be to go to foreign ports and hire as many workers as can be loaded onto each ship. This is important. When you two disembark, you will see a giant beetle."

Laksmi and Siram exchanged their puzzlement.

"Should be about the size of a dog but don't worry, it won't hurt you. The beetle will take you to the treasure. You will see more beetles there. Laksmi will prepare twelve chests of silver and gold. Enough to pay the workers to board each ship. You will also bring back to Knossos at least five chests for our needs.

"Siram, once the chests are ready, each ship will be beached, and ramps will be brought out. At that point every crewmember must remain below deck. The beetles will do the rest."

"How will the crew know when to set sail?" Siram asked.

"When everything is silent above deck."

"Will they eat the cows?" Laksmi asked.

Minos sighed. "The cows will be fine. There is one more thing. I've reached an accord with Egypt. Siram, you will use half of the entire Keiftu fleet to set supply routes for Egypt. Every kingdom, from Mycenae to Troy, Thrace and beyond the Ionian Sea will see Keiftu ships. We will pay for the goods and take them to Naukratis, the Egyptian port of entry."

"But my King, Naukratis has long been abandoned," Siram said.

"Not for long." He turned his attention to Laksmi. "We will be receiving periodic payments from Egypt. You might want to consider relocating to Gavdos."

"Relocating?"

"You are the one I trust the most on this matter. Whatever you might need or want shall be provided. Think about it."

Alone between giant beetles and cows? No. "Perhaps some of the time. Not permanently."

"Some of the time for now, then. Thank you both," Minos said and exchanged farewells with them.

As Laksmi and Siram left the throne balcony, a familiar face entered, Kekiru.

Minos scoffed. "You're here."

"You've grown up! You should shave. That facial hair dusting you've got going makes you look dirty. Primitive."

"I see you haven't changed."

"Oh, but I have! I'm a family man now."

"Is that so?" Minos turned towards a table and served himself a cup of water.

"Got a son and my wife is with another child."

"You've been busy."

"You did take long to return. What was I supposed to do, sit and wait? But now you're back and so am I."

"Wonderful," Minos said sarcastically. "Come to think about it, there is something I want you to do for me. I want you to take care of a couple of dogs for me. There are also three Athenians you must meet."

"Two dogs and three Athenians? You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

"Do you want to go back to cleaning shit holes?"

"Dogs and Athenians sound wonderful."