They got into the wagon, and soon they were at the estate of Androtim, Archon Lato. The house was the same as it was before the departure of Nearh, with a narrow stone pavement and a ditch for water, a fence to the height of a man of rough stone, with ivy, easily overcoming it. Fruit trees grew above the fence, and the red tile roof was visible. The young man knocked on the gate with a bronze ring, almost immediately the oak door was opened to him by an oak door, but dressed festively. What happened? Thought to Nearh, I definitely did not inform my relatives when I returned. From the garden came the cry of the father: Who came?
This is me, father, Nearh shouted, and relatives already went to meet him, with guests whom he did not know, but looking at his companion, I realized that she knew them well. At first, his sisters, Hellanik and Berenice, came running to them, and began to ask their brother,
Nearch, are you at all on us? And what about the mountains? And the gifts brought? they vied with each other, and the brother handed gifts to each of the leather embossed belts, similar to not fighting over each other, after that they began to stare at Kallifen and question her:
And who are you? And you for a long time? Are you really a priestess? Do you have a snake? so even the poor girl could not put in the word,
And she is beautiful, really, brother, stated the sly Berenice, and looked at the miracle with honest wide eyes into the eyes of Nearh, and Gellanika laughed loudly, so all the curls laughed with her, so they managed to put the paint and the priestess and curtain into the paint.
Then the father and mother of the navigator approached, and with them the father and mother of Kallifena, mother, Gorgo, took the little laughter in their hands, and took them to the table with refreshments, and Androtim, tightly hugged his son, and Cleon and Rada hugged and kissed Kallifena, his daughter. -Hello, son, Mature, in priestly attire, and went back in time, three months later the ship sailed to Macedonia, will visit to Philip of Macedon and his son Alexander. And Hello to you too, beautiful daughter of my friend Cleon, beautiful as the dawn, no wonder your mothers name is Rada (the Lightbringer). -Sit down at the table and talk, -said Andractim all, and the hosts and guests went to a small garden, with wonderful pear and peach, ivy-covered, with a table in the centre, where sat the devices with food. Had a lot of pickles, but Nearchou was not up to eating, with him planted Kallifena, she smiled happily, and put him on a dish a piece of rabbit, white bread, and watched what he ate. Of course a solved approved Andractim, and he nodded kleon Rada, and Gorgo, who returned from home, put to bed daughters. You, Nearchos, married Kallifena, and dont you dare to contradict me. You know, in Crete we have old traditions and we honor their, the girl chose you, you were not against, and in the name of Aphrodite, youll get married. There is nothing to pull, all finished, with Cleon we discussed it, the wedding is tomorrow, -with these words Kallithea have sardelas and lowered his eyes, and Nearchus did not mind, first, pointless and, secondly for what? Because the girl he liked. -Nearchus, come out from behind the table, a couple of klepser, talk, -said his father, the young man got up and went to follow my father around the corner of the house. -Son, I know youre young, but the priestess agrees to marry you, and you-it is hard going on his shoulders the mighty hands-my son is one and I dont want to think that you will die, and our end of the line and here he smiled, -youre an adult, and Im counting on you. The girl is very beautiful, loves you, from a very influential family, so Im glad that you two are together now. Leave, dont worry you priestly caste, and it is, so its not an insult Yee for her family. Yes, and it Kleon gives a considerable dowry. -I understand, father, and me she the road, ' replied the son, and the father smiled approvingly and patted him on the shoulder and Went to the guests, said Andractim, They got to the companions, and Kallifena was all crimson, but she laughed, Nearchus leaned toward her and quietly asked, -What happened? -Ive taught, she said, and laughed, her smile is very painted, and the gold earrings in crimson leather looked just fine. -Well, its time to diverge, tomorrow will meet at the temple-said the head of the house, and called his servants with torches to conduct you home guests, now relatives. Early in the morning homemade archon was already on his feet, the servants were preparing the refreshments, and the owners of the manor dressed up for the ceremony, Gorgo, the mother of the groom wore a best dress, family jewels, head covered by a rich shawl, Andractim was in the best linen tunic, with a richly embroidered cloak, the groom is also dressed up than the usual, in a linen robe of an Egyptian and finicity cloak, sandals embossed leather, and nurse girls were also dressed very nicely, Hellenica and Bernice wore the best dresses. All went to the temple of Leto, and next to the sanctuary they had expected Kallifena and her family, so solemn, in their best clothes. Everyone shook hands and together walked up the stylobate of the temple doors, already opened priestess, friend of Undertime on that unforgettable day, bright shone the sun dropped its beam on the bride and groom, as if blessing them and wishing happiness, the same bright light fell on upholstered copper door of the sanctuary, reflected in the faces of the guests. The priestess led Kallifena and Nearchus in the temple, as the last dedication, the rest left on the doorstep, so guests and relatives nobody knew that the priestess said to the newlyweds. And it was said a lot. -Come on, Kallithea and Nearchus, youre a girl, chose a difficult path, Niarchos is intended to find a New messenger of the gods, the true Saviour, Kallifena looked at her husband now with anxiety-But, as you say, Alicia looks with favor upon him, and the priestess bared shoulder of the young man, after seeing the Sign and the bracelet, so will pray for you both, and all the will cost You of Nearchus, take a wife older than himself, and the priestess, too, a difficult choice, she will always help you. Bless you in the name of the gods, and be happy, said the priestess with happy smile, and kissed them both. And keep the secret., -she said good-bye. The couple came out of the temple, where they were showered with rose petals, and a happy husband and wife went into the house Undertime, and began to celebrate, the food was ready. In the garden was put up bed for guests, which were few, eight people, all members of the Council of the city of LATO. The food was fine, and the wine is thin and aged, Kallifena was in a dress of dark red color, and Nearchus, and their bed was there, and table was the one on two, the young wife carefully laid her husband with tuna, then moray vines with grapes, then a braised goat kid. The servants gave the guests wreaths of flowers in honor of the young, who with enthusiasm hoisted on their already drunk heads. The whole garden was decorated with flower backing, the divine fragrance filled the evening air, and it was no longer so hot.
For the health of the young! sounded exclamations of joyful guests, Be happy, in the name of all the gods!
Guests lauded treats, wines, and the hospitality of the hosts. Nearh drank quite a bit, as did Kallifen. Soon the guests began to disperse, and everyone went to accompany the young couple to the marital chambers. Nearh took the warm palm of Kallifens and led her into their room now in his fathers house. The corridor was decorated with lamps, garlands of flowers hung on the walls, and the servants sang songs, everyone was joyful, and food and gifts were given to them, the young husband opened the door, and let his wife go, she laughed and stepped on the carpet in front of the bed. He helped the beauty to undress, got ready for bed himself, and they tried not to be disappointed in the plans of the archon Androtim to get grandchildren. So a few months passed, Kallifen served in the temple of Lato, home souls in her did not like, but soon it was necessary to go on a journey. One day, a week before sailing, Kallifen approached Nearh,