Wine and Poison Chapter 3 - Requiem

Inside the royal palace at Thebes.

 

The melodious tune of the lyre floated through the room, light and lively as a live bird. 

 

The hot midday sun poured in from the large windows in all directions but was blocked by the awning, which only barely covered the tops of the feet.

 

Inashan, half lying on an elongated purple daybed, picking at a large, plump purple grape, listened with half-closed eyes. 

 

Her face wore the relaxed expression of someone who had lived a noble and wealthy life. 

 

She was not alone, a young man with soft golden hair that cascaded down to his shoulders, strumming a lyre, and a middle-aged man sipping aromatic wine, soaking up the languid afternoon.

 

If the citizens of Athens, the people who rise to the Agora to speak out for justice, to work hard, to teach someone, had seen them, they might have shouted. ‘Here are a bunch of fat, lazy cats!’ 

 

And the citizens of Thebes would boo and jeer, laughing at their lack of leisure and praising the god of wine.

 

Compared to the stately palaces of Athens, the royal palace of Thebes was a place of luxury, music, and wine.

 

As the languid playing slowly died down, Inashan raised her eyes and smiled approvingly at her son.

 

“You seem to be getting better, Theraon. Your music teacher is quite good at teaching you. I was afraid you were too young for your reputation as the son of Apollon.”

 

“Yes. And nowadays, my elder brother is also watching me play, and so is my teacher, but my elder brother has a good ear and helps me solve many mistakes.”

 

“What is it about your brother that makes him like a working ant?”

 

“I’m the one who keeps him busy, but he can’t say no when he’s asked. He’s hard on the outside, but his heart is as soft as an unripe grape.”

 

Theraon, who had curly hair like his mother’s, chimed in a cute voice. When the King and Queen chuckled at the fitting comparison, he smiled with pride, knowing he had accomplished his goal.

 

“You asked for my help, I gave it, and now you’re telling my mother how I look?”

 

The three men turned their heads.

 

Through the wide-open door, Thekion strode in, a scowl on his face.

 

Resembling the stubborn and obstinate king of Thebes compared to the free-spirited Inashan and Theraon, Thekion’s hair was not even curly. 

 

His blond hair barely reached below his ears, and his silver-rimmed glasses made him look smart but boring. 

 

As it turns out, he’s not very flexible.

 

“Thekion. You’re here.”

 

“Yes, Father. I would not have disturbed your rest, but I have an item to check on for trade with Athens.”

 

“No need to interrupt. Of course, you’ll come if you need to. What is it?”

 

“Among the treasures of Athens…”

 

Theraon and Inashan shook their heads as they watched him discuss business with his father.

 

“Don’t live such a boring life, my son, or you’ll regret it when you die. Theraon’s improved so much, why don’t you come and watch?”

 

“I don’t need to hear it, he’s been visiting me like a ghost every time I take a break, and besides, if I don’t work myself to death here, sooner or later I’m going to have to get someone from Athens to watch over my court affairs.”

 

“Well, working hard to make extra money is for poorer cities. We can work a little, play a little, and live a little.”

 

Like other cities in Greece, Thebes grew wine and olives, and the wide open plains were used for herding and farming, but as it was not a large city, it did not have a significant harvest to trade.

 

What made Thebes richer than its neighbors was its wine, which was said to be blessed by the gods. 

 

Even Athens could make wine, but it was Thebes that was famous for its wine. The wine of Thebes was exceptional.

 

For the city was favored by the god of wine.

 

It was also the most frequented destination of his drunken followers. The wines they made were better than those carefully crafted in ordinary breweries.

 

As a result, Thebes had a higher proportion of alcoholics than other cities, as well as those who abandoned their work in favor of pleasure. Even when Thekion, the court official, pointed this out, the royals shrugged it off.

 

It’s fine if there are fewer hard workers and a higher proportion of debauchery than in other cities. Thebes has plenty of riches to support them.

 

Once, the royal family was all gathered together for a moment of solidarity, and the king of Thebes, sensing a void, asked.

 

“Is the youngest still in his room?”

 

“Don’t tell me. He’s been so mean to the maids about his sore leg, I can’t help but smack him when I see him.”

 

At the mention of the troublesome youngest child, the stern Thekion winced. Inashan, on the other hand, grimaced.

 

“Don’t you even feel sorry for him? He can’t even move, he’s stuck in bed.”

 

“He’s old enough to start a family. His mother is a bit of a pushover. He injured his leg in the first place because he couldn’t control his curiosities. Mount Cithearon is dangerous, and I warned him not to venture there.”

 

“Well, in that case, the problem lies with that witch on Mount Cithearon, not Lancion!”

 

“You mean the excuse Lancion made up to avoid being reprimanded?” Thekion snorted sharply. 

 

Thekion, the stubborn one, and Lancion, the most frivolous of the three brothers, were from the same boat, but they had opposite temperaments.

 

“No, it is true that there are witches on Mount Cithaeron.”

 

The King of Thebes spoke gravely, and Thekion looked surprised. 

 

If it came from his father, not his mother, it was credible. His demeanor became drastically sterner.

 

“The guards have told Lancion that there is a herbalist in the book who claims to have met the witch of Mount Cithearon, and his description matches Lancion’s.”

 

“So?”

 

“We’ve sent soldiers.”

 

“Oh, about that whole sending soldiers thing…”

 

Thekion looked at the King curiously.

 

The king of Thebes’ face darkened.

 

“There was no result. The soldiers were lost in the mountains for a long time before they returned.”

 

“It’s not because Mount Cithearon is dangerous…”

 

Thekion muttered, seeing the King’s expression.

 

“I hope not.”

 

“I know. If word spreads that we’re indeed searching for a witch when the people are already in a panic over the appearance of a witch. It would be a shame to have the royal family convince them that the rumors are true… The condition of the soldiers who returned is unbelievable. It’s a mountain that never ends, no matter how far you walk. They’re saying that even though we sent only soldiers who are familiar with the forest.”

 

Thekion thought for a moment, then nodded.

 

“I’ll be careful not to let useless words get out of hand. Let’s leave Mount Cithearon alone for the time being. Even if there is a witch, she hasn’t harmed Thebes yet.”