We had a sketch of a plan. Nikos would drop us off at the bay of Palatia then go back and organise the other two fishing boats to ferry up the volunteers in the morning. Alessandra would ride her Yammy south to convince Captain Dimitris in Stephanos town of our idea then coming straight back up to the beach - a helluva journey. Dimitris wasn't concerned whether pirating between pirates was legal or not, he was more interested in discussing the implications in sailing the Princess of Stephanos back to Dorini top-heavy. That, and in the mechanics of unloading big crates onto the quay in forecasted squalls. He had some tricks up his sleeve he'd learned from carrying freight so he was by far the best to make an estimate of what would fit where. While Aristethes and his family had lived on the mountain for generations and we'd need their support if we were to reclaim as much as possible from the robbers.
The rest was in the pocket of the gods.
It was windy and the sea was warm. The Delfini pointed her nose sharp to sea and rolled ahead with around a dozen or so yellow-legged gulls hunting beside her like a pack of beagles, low over the waves.
Nikos kept the rugged and desolate coast of northern Stephanos at a safe distance and whenever a wave broke over the bow and showered me with salty balls of foam Alexis would collapse in fits of laughter at my cringing and groaning. He thought it hilarious that he never got wet and mocked and hooted every time I did. We had become good friends and by then I was very pleased for him and Alessandra. Earlier, whilst waiting for the Delfini, I'd confessed I was an old-fashioned dreamy coward who had almost flown away only a few hours earlier but for the last minute flash of awareness that brought me to my senses. Compared to me, he was a hero, a man whose simple life was far from easy but one who'd found peace of mind in that very simplicity.
'Alexi, would you help me develop the skill of happiness?'
He took my head in his hands and kissed my forehead, 'I'd be glad to boss,' then he slapped me on each cheek. 'But only if you promise to work harder.'
'I suppose I have mentioned I'm half Greek?'
'I could tell by the way you have to stand on the seat in the toilet,' his face was creased in smiles. 'I never doubted it for a second.'
Looking back now, none of it seems real. I'm no hero, of that there is no doubt, I could never stand alone but then, together with the village, single-minded, I was convinced we had a chance.
We were all responsible for Faria, she was in our care. We resented the abuse and were ready for the consequences. With patient guidance from Alexis I would spend the night alone at the oracle and maybe then I'd be better equipped for the confrontation in the morning. Alessandra would arrive with Dimitris aboard the Princess with her Yamaha and with any luck, a whole army of champions. Together with the Customs and Excise, we'd be an enthusiastic force by the time we mustered on the beach. And then? Well, we had no idea. Kaliantikos called the tune.
One hour before darkness, Alexis and I stepped off the Delfini at Faria into warm summer rain. We bade our farewells to Nikos and marched up the beach to the hut. At the door, Alexis looked at the sky, 'Fair weather, I think.'
In a few hours I'd undertake the ritual and had to be ready but first was my cleansing and to say I was troubled would be a little genteel. I had this one chance to get it right. I had fasted all day and if there was enough water I was to wash myself in the oracle spring then perform the slow dance to Athena. Alexis had stressed the need to be serious and to hold deep respect for their beliefs in a proper frame of mind.
'Don't worry boss, she is with us,' was all he said, pushing open the door. I wished I had his confidence.
Inside the hut, Alexis signalled for me to be silent and to join him sitting down. After the low hum of murmured prayers he mixed goat's milk and wine in a stone bowl and placed it in the centre of the altar, and from his shoulder bag he took a lime, some incense, a dagger, a wooden comb and a jar of olive oil to placed there as well. In between the candles he stood three time-worn clay figurines then made a careful fire from olive wood, flowers and grain. Finally, he asked me to repeat the words of a short prayer until I knew it by heart.
'That's an awful lot of paraphernalia you've got there, Alexi,' I whispered, indicating all the pieces on the little altar.
'Do you think so? It always looks like a lot of stuff but they come in useful for the rites.'
'So you have done this before?'
'Once. For me.'
'Did it work?'
'Of course. It saved me from the cave. Anyway, we have to be covered. We can't take any chances. Listen now boss, when it's sunset I'll begin the solemn rites asking Athena help us get rid of the looters. I will tell her they insult our ancestors and hold our village to ransom. This dedication will bring success once the contract is made.'
Now that the moment was upon us, my doubts resurfaced and the very presence of all his tokens filled me with apprehension. I hoped there might be another way.
'Look, it's not too late. Let's go back to Sophia and return in the morning, refreshed. There might even be some more news from Athens. This is all a bit chancy. It would be foolish to think we can do anything on our own. And with all due respect Alexi, I'm not so sure that prayers alone will do the trick.'
'Careful. To stop now I've begun would be too dangerous.'
'What do you mean? What might happen?'
'Through the prayers I have named you in the pact with Athena so to withdraw would leave you in a mindless state and recovery is er, unknown. You must stay here tonight, unless you are willing to risk your sanity. Tomorrow you will join me and Alessandra on the rock outside this hut where I will call the name of Athena and she will answer and come to strike out the hearts of these thieves.'
He offered me the milk and wine and I accepted, toasting him and all his crazy plans, but it was so sour I almost spat it out.
'Swallow it all. It will give you strength for the night.' He put an arm across my shoulders either to comfort me or to encourage me. I gagged a couple of times but managed to keep it down. 'Tonight it will be fair, but I will keep a fire at the hut for when you return.'
'Whatever you say, Alexi. I'll follow you. You're the shepherd.'
'Believe me boss, we will defeat these pirates. It is the will of Athena - no problem.'
'Ever heard of David and Goliath?'
'No, boss.'
'Well, I'll tell you about them sometime.' Far from feeling ready, I trudged with Alexis across the beach, past the ruins towards the narrow cut.
'I understand your doubts but have courage. My friend, you'll soon be as mad as me, Either way, I'll see you in the morning.' He turned and walked a few paces then stopped, ‘Boss? Did I tell you? If it all goes wrong you might go mad.’
'I'll be in good company.'
And far too soon, I was left alone to stomp off through the gorge, confident and nervous at the same time. By dusk, the only sounds were the ones made by my feet and the persistent whoo-whoos of an owl from somewhere in the deepening night. Jutting rocks and shingle are treacherous enough in daylight but in the growing dark they seemed to will me damage. Placing my foot down was easy, shifting my weight was not. Slipping on the shiny, smooth worn stoneways made the going almost impossible in the near dark so I kept to the smaller, noisier pebbles in what had been the river bed. At least I was able to press on until the boulders seemed to creep up on me from behind, still warm from the heat of the day.
I peered at deceitful shadows right and left, almost willing something there to break the solitude, then I'd stiffen when the slightest rustle of scree surprised me. Further along, I realised I was not alone with the sound of startled lizards scratching over the rocks and you don't know they're there until they've gone. Each time I stopped for a drink, I did my best to be casual and filled my mind with all sorts of loopy trivia to try to keep my nerves at bay. Such as how the boulders must have fallen where they did when the earth was new; how they'd never moved since. Or by wondering how far sound went and how far the sky goes, or if animals ever get headaches if they're short sighted. I wondered how many people had blundered into these very stones, perhaps fleeing in the dark from pillaging, murderous pirates. I wondered how many of my ancestors had brought me to this moment. My mind was off on unguarded scary rambles and I had to reel it in before the boulders started glowing or whispering to each other - or to me.
Daphne would be taking things with a little more recreational support. Not for her any serious preparations or special tactical considerations, she'd be receiving special attention from her massage therapist, expanding her mind on something exotic, receiving visitors and doing deals, safe on her boat with mindless mercenaries at her beck and call. Come to that, resistance from the village would be furthest from her mind. After all, her goons had been making their presence known for months and her confidence was high. As far as she was concerned she could walk over the village and subdue it by sheer intimidation. There'd be money flashed around and the weaker ones would crumble. The slightest resistance would indeed be squashed - of that she had no doubt.
'I warn you, you will not stop me getting this. Try - and I'll stamp on you like I would an insect.'
It was slow-going. I wasn't as sure-footed as I had thought. Each time I stopped to catch my breath, a great canopy of emerging stars pin-pricked the sky and told me night had come. One or two monsters fluttered by, maybe bats, but I kept going up and up until at last I reached the oracle and sat on a rock, quite flushed with my achievement. It had taken almost an hour and my flask was empty already. But at least there was no rain.
I cleared some level ground on the dry side of the tree and made camp, unfolding the blanket ready for my sleep. I made sure I had the flowers and the seeds for the fire. All I had to do was collect some kindling and wipe the sticky cobwebs from my face. When I was young and had homework to do, I'd look for any number of distractions before surrendering and getting stuck in. It was the same that night. I knew as soon as I stopped faffing, I'd just have to get on with my instructions and take the consequences. But what if the chanting and the fire attracted unwelcome visitors? What then? Alexis had been strict in his instructions: light the fire, refresh your body in the water from the spring; every hour make the dance and do the chant - in that order. Only give in to sleep when tiredness is irresistible.
The fire spluttered and sizzled and crackled the grain like tiny fireworks. I filled my flask and let the water trickle down between my shoulder blades. I shuddered. After some concentrated breathing, I straightened my back to begin the slow dance. At first I kept tripping and losing my balance by thinking too much about what I was doing, so I stopped for a moment until I was ready to start all over again. I remembered my dream, the one with the floorboards and stars and so let my feet pace out the steps without to much thinking. I let go, not caring if I stumbled or not, watching the stars, a smile in my heart for Athena. I felt the dirt between my toes and the pain from the small sharper stones, but the murmuring of the chant was flowing and I was making the slow dance at last, a fervent conviction, a celebration.
'In between dances you will listen to your energy and speak to your consciousness. If you are sincere it will answer. When the energy is right you have to make the last dance of all then lie down and rest and let thoughts come and go - and be confident.'
So I lay flat on my back in the comfortable dark and listened to my breathing thinking it would soon be time for the last dance then at some point I must have begun humming because I found myself pacing out just like Alexis had shown me. My body made the steps and my heart and soul became part of the now quickening dance in a positive, streaming intention. I began to sense the power of Alexis, of Alessandra, Nikos, Maria, dear Manolis …and Athena. I began to feel the energy of the universe. I danced with my fellow villagers. I knew their presence. I danced with myself, the son of Pantelis Lambrakis and screamed out loud, 'Godfrey Lambrakis!' with all my heart and threw it right out of my body and felt it echo round the rocks. I made faces and smiled like an idiot into the nothingness and at anything else I couldn't see.
Godfrey Lambrakis was part of all energy.
I threw some water in my face and lay down. I had the clear sensation we are a fundamental ingredient in the structure of the cosmos, or something close to it. Wave after wave of flickering colours entertained me on the wheel of half-asleep with echoes of some dream. Even Mikri came and smeared my face with his little wet nose and went to sleep between my feet. I thought I heard Pani murmuring my name, but it might have been the wind. In fact, I raised my hand and asked it to let me sleep. I needed all my wits for the morning. Then I heard its doubts, back and forth, back and forth, in the crannies and out again, but they were too late, they couldn't scare me now. I told them to go to sea.
At one point I squinted at the fire and could have sworn I saw something like frogspawn drifting through the air in front of me. I blinked and it was still there, jerking about. I raised myself to focus and realised there were floaters on my eyeballs. I chuckled. But I must have fallen into a light sleep because although I was aware of the smoke from the embers, and the waft of a breeze on my face, I seemed to be climbing shiny metallic steps and walking through a small doorway. There was no sound. Someone sat in front of me behind a wide desk, encouraging me towards them, and filling my mind with thoughts that came one after the other,
'Life is much more than a superficial scanning mechanism called “consciousness”. We are the energy of the universe. We are everything.'
Then sudden utter darkness and the sensation of immeasurable speed; no real change of awareness, like when you wake up from sleeping, just a sense of one thing following another, as natural as day following night but with smooth, incredible speed and a great sense of optimism and purpose and me smiling and knowing I was drifting deeper into myself.
A muffled noise, a cascade of pebbles then three or four footfalls and silence. It came again - but this time closer, then heavy breathing. I stared into the darkness, feeling for protection from some stone or stick but my fingers just found grit. And there it was again. Something moving closer. I looked to the side and straight into the face of Maska, Manolis' dog!
'Uh, hullo Godfrey. Everything alright? You look half scared to death,' two clear eyes behind a black wet nose. I swallowed and let out a deep breath.
'Crikey Maska, so would you be if I materialised in front of you out of the ether. What are you doing here?'
'Just came to say things are proceeding as they should.'
I woke sometime later having dreamed it was daylight, looked up at the stars, sighed and went back to sleep.