Episode 19 (479 B.C.):

After the sacking and destruction of the last remnants of the Persian forces in Boeotia, the soldiers returned to their posts. The Plataeans stayed to rebuild their city, and the Athenians marched towards their own with the same goal.

In Salamis, the soldiers were greeted with cheers and praise. The sun shone brightly on the horizon over the charred ruins of the city. Filled with hope, those who fought glimpsed a new future ahead.

However, poor Demosthenes had to wait to return home, as duty called him to another battle in the Chersonese region, even further from Athens than Plataea. There, Eastern armies clung to the last lands they had left. But let's ignore these battles, for this is not a story about Greek-Persian battles. It is one about 7 interesting beings made immortal.

Zenodulos did not march northeast with his former master. For his ambition had always been to enter the politics of his hometown, now under reconstruction. Thanks to his participation in the battle and his efforts supporting the recovery of Athens, he was finally granted the desired citizenship. He would begin working for the demarchos, the magistrate in charge of his suburb.

The city would take time to regain its former splendor, but the efforts of its citizens and the large quantity of valuable objects they took from the invaders served to lift it up again.

Finally, after months, Cleon's son, after the hardship of returning to killing people in such distant lands, was finally discharged and his rather unusual compulsory military training ended. He was now seen as a full-fledged adult, but what mattered to him was rebuilding his house.

So, the Athenian took his armor, sword and shield in a bag on his back and from the rebuilt port of Phalerum he walked to his hometown. A year had passed since Plataea, and the city still had much to do to return to its former self, but everyone seemed to be doing their part to restore Athens to its former glory. Men transported wood and building materials on ramps, slaves helped to hammer and lay foundations, and even several women did what they could to support their husbands, fathers and sons. The social classes had been upset by the war and it was not yet time for them to return to the comfort that the conservative leaders liked so much.

Demosthenes walked to the place where he lived. There were only the foundations of his old home left. With a sigh, he left his belongings to one side of the ruins and looked for someone to give him the subsidy he had been promised for being a soldier to rebuild his house.

He himself helped the workers to rebuild the house as faithfully as possible to the original. Some of his slaves traveled from Troezen to help him, but he did not allow Agatha to return yet, as he did not want to put her to work. However, his love lived on in his letters, perhaps more alive than ever. Several of his battle comrades also contributed their knowledge of architecture and construction to lend a hand to their companion. Thus, between laughter and drinks in their free time, they restored that home.

In his free time, Demosthenes would sometimes seek out Zenodulos to catch up and inquire about the whereabouts of his Persian friend. But when he finally found him, he would excuse himself by saying that he was too busy. Already defeated, he prioritized getting his life back to the way it was before. There would be time to look for Arsames later.

Months passed, and the city was already taking shape. However, the Parthenon, the religious center of the city, would have to wait for another regime to rise before its reconstruction began. Only you will not see it in this book.

Six months after returning from the war, which is the same as about a year after Plataea, Demosthenes' house was rebuilt. Its outer walls stood proudly against the houses that were half-finished and under construction.

A few days later, Agatha and Kharma arrived, accompanied by Apollo, a slave who had been in Cleon's family for many years. Demosthenes thought that he and Kharma should be freed soon.

This Athenian did not agree with the rest of society that slavery was irremediably necessary. For him, these people had had the misfortune of falling into the unfortunate situation of being sold as if they were objects and deserved to be taken in until they were ready to enter Athenian society as metics.

Without a doubt, a noble thought. But let's return to the reunion of wife and husband. At the entrance of the newly renovated house, a small cart rented in Troezen arrived. At the door of his home, Demosthenes waited impatiently to see his wife's face again.

Apolo got out of the cart first, then Kharma, and finally Agatha. When the war veteran saw his partner, his spirits rose like they hadn't in a long time, and he hugged and kissed her immediately. Finally, a bit of normalcy was returning to his life.

The objects that once belonged to that house were taken by Agatha, Demosthenes, and their slaves to their corresponding places.

As everyone entered the new house, the footsteps of the Athenian's sandals echoed on the stone path that led from the garden to the entrance of the main building, Agatha followed him with a radiant smile, then Kharma carrying as many things as her small body could, and at the end of the procession, the other servants.

Once within those walls, a ceramic vase with intricate floral designs was gently placed on the dining table. This object had been purchased by Cleon about 15 years ago. Demosthenes nostalgically remembered that his father had enjoyed looking at it very much.

Agatha looked at it with tenderness.

— I worked hard to take care of it, Mister Cleon told me how much he liked it. — She said with a hint of sadness.

Then her gaze got on the ceiling and walls.

— You made it look exactly like the original. Congratulations

— I don't know how many years this house has belonged to our family — Demosthenes replied, taking his wife's hand. — But I couldn't bring myself to remake it any other way.

Satisfied to see the work of Demosthenes and his companions completed, they sat down at the table. Agatha watched her servant Kharma, who was still distracted, scanning the place over and over with her gaze.

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— Kharma —Her mistress said—Bring me three glasses of wine to celebrate our return, please.

Perhaps ignoring that one was for her, she looked at Agatha with distrust.

Perhaps unaware that one was for her, she looked at Agatha with suspicion.

— Yes, my lady, — She whispered, leaving immediately.

Demosthenes noticed the tension.

— Is she still upset about what happened when you escaped? —He asked his wife.

Agatha nodded sadly.

— It's natural, I suppose. She and Zenodulos suffered so much in my father's house, and I separated them. —She said, looking down. —I just... couldn't let the Persians make her suffer like my father did...

—She'll forgive you someday, don't blame yourself for anything. You did the right thing— Demosthenes murmured, stroking his partner's hand. He shared her preference for Kharma over Zenodulos.

— Have you heard anything from Zenodulos lately? —She asked, changing the subject.

— No more than I've already told you in letters— Demosthenes replied. —He's campaigning to be demarchos. It wouldn't surprise me if he won; he's so... charismatic, even more than he was before he became immortal.

Taking a pause to observe his surroundings and make sure none of his slaves were listening, Demosthenes leaned in towards his wife.

—I believe his ability has something to do with it— Whispered the war veteran. —He argued in the midst of the assembly against a king, convinced my superiors to let him enter the war, and now he has full rights.

—His abilities... — Replied Agatha, thoughtful. —It's been a while since we've talked about… our gift. You always avoid that topic in your letters.

—There's always the possibility that they could be read by someone else. — Explained Demosthenes. —Unlike Zenodotus, I want to lead a normal life for as long as possible.

Agatha fell into thought for a moment. Her husband couldn't wait to share with her what his ability was about.

—I don't want there to be any secrets between us, so I'll tell you: My ability is to speak and understand barbarian languages — Said the Athenian. —I tried it during the war; I could understand what were saying those I… killed.

Suddenly his gaze became melancholic. His wife took his hand.

—I'm sorry — She murmured.

Taking a deep breath, Demosthenes slowly calmed down. The souls of those who had fallen under his sword still tormented him in his thoughts and dreams, but remembering his wife and friends, he could forget that pain a little.

—I hope they rebuild one of the temples soon to offer a sacrifice to the gods and ask for their forgiveness— He said.

—Everything is fine now. Don't worry about what you did to defend this city and us— His partner replied. —Hey, now that I know about your ability, it would be unfair if you didn't know about mine.

Cleon's son looked up impatiently.

—My ability is to know what's happening in the world—said Agatha, smiling.

Demosthenes was dumbfounded by such power. He didn't know where to start asking her how it worked and what she saw.

—At first, it was difficult to interpret events that were happening in places I didn't even know existed, —she continued. —They are like whispers that Angra Mainyu whispers in my mind. Sometimes they manifest suddenly, and other times in my dreams, with vivid images. Before, they terrified me, but I've learned to live with it.

—And what have you seen? —asked Demosthenes

Agatha fell silent, recalling those confusing visions.

—I have seen lands no Greek has ever set foot on and glimpsed things I could not even imagine if I had not witnessed them with this ability, —She began in a grave voice. —There are peoples who live ignorant that there is something beyond their seas. I have seen nomadic hunters fighting in tribal battles, peoples performing sacrifices to bloodthirsty gods, and political games in faraway lands, even beyond Persia. Their buildings are imposing.

Demosthenes' eyes widened in astonishment. It was almost divine what they could do: understand languages, observe distant events, control people with the gift of speech...

His thoughts were interrupted by Kharma, who made her presence known with the sound of clay bowls clinking together and in her hands three overflowing cups of wine.

—Thank you very much, Kharma, —Agatha said with a radiant smile— Sit with us, will you?

—C... Can I? — The servant hesitated, her dark eye full of shyness.

—Of course you can, —Demosthenes replied. It was not normal to drink with slaves, but he didn't care, that girl was almost part of the family.

Kharma sat down carefully, taking one of the cups with trembling hands. She brought the wine to her lips and took a small sip.

Seeing his servant, Demosthenes couldn't contain his curiosity.

—And what is your ability, Kharma? —he asked, leaning towards her.

Surprised by the sudden question, she put her cup down on the table. Then she smiled, raising her right hand and opening it. From the palm of her skin emerged a small piece of metal, as sharp as a razor. The metal gleamed under the dim candlelight, reflecting the astonishment in Demosthenes' eyes. The girl took the object with her other hand.

—It's perfect for defending myself from bad men, —said the servant, with a defiant look in her eyes.

—Is that a threat? —Demosthenes asked, with a mixture of irony and curiosity.

Kharma chuckled.

—No, my lord. You are one of the few good men I have ever met.

She put the knife down on the table, and the wounds on her palm healed instantly, as if they had never existed. Demosthenes, impressed once again, stared at the small metal object.

—Incredible, Kharma.

She only responded by laughing embarrassingly, she seemed not to be used to compliments. So the Athenian made a mental note to praise her more often.

A minute of silence ensued as the three drank wine, looking into each other's eyes, pondering the direction the conversation would take. Finally, Kharma spoke:

—May I ask something, my lord?

—Go ahead, —Demosthenes said.

—What do you know about Zenodulos?

Demosthenes took a moment to reflect before answering. He didn't like talking about that man, but he understood why the girls were so eager to know about him, as they had cared for him during his coma. Additionally, they didn't know what he had seen.

—I've heard he's running for political office — He finally replied.

A spark of interest lit up Kharma's eye.

—We should look for him, —the girl whispered.

"Without a doubt, he will talk to her," her master thought. It was the perfect opportunity to find out more about Arsames.

—You have my permission —he said.

Hopeful, Kharma gulped down the wine in one gulp and took the cup without asking her masters if they were done. She left the room stumbling and zigzagging, to the entertainment of the married couple. Demosthenes got up and poured himself and his wife another cup.

The next few hours slipped by between conversations and laughter. In the intimacy of the room, Demosthenes and Agatha let themselves be carried away by passion, fueled by the long time they had been apart, and consummated their desire to conceive a new child, a longing they both shared. However, what they were unaware of was Agatha's infertility, although she already suspected it. She had unsuccessfully tried countless natural and supernatural remedies.

Later, reclining on the bed, they were both tossing around names for their future son. Demosthenes had suggested Cleon, in honor of his father. Agatha, excited, chose names of heroes from legends like Heracles, Achilles, and Perseus.

Suddenly, a sharp knock on the door alerted them. Kharma burst into the room with a serious tone in her voice:

—I'm here — she said with a mixture of embarrassment and disgust on her face.

Demosthenes got up and covered his private parts with the sheet.

— We didn't think you'd be here so soon— He apologized, embarrassed.

— Zenodulos was elected Demarchos fifteen days ago— Their servant announced abruptly.

— Really? — Agatha exclaimed from the bed, covering herself with another sheet.

Kharma nodded.

—I'm surprised you didn't know, sir.

— I have been busy putting the finishing touches on the house, I honestly haven't heard any of the street rumors in a while.

With some mockery and without waiting to tell them what was on her mind, the servant smiled.

— Also, I have more news— She said. — We are all invited to a banquet at his house tonight.