Read The Mysteries, A Novel of Ancient Eleusis Page 20

CHAPTER 9: A Cloud of Spirits

  That same evening, two Greek exiles serving with Xerxes stood on a hill north of Athens overlooking Eleusis and the bay. While a blood-red sun plunged into the sea to the west, they discussed the impending battle. Behind them lay the abandoned hills and valleys of Attica, now being looted by Persians. Demaratus was the deposed king of Sparta, who'd lost the throne because of questions concerning his parentage. He hoped to be reinstated after a Xerxes victory. His companion was Dicaeus, a well-to-do Athenian of some repute and a man well-versed in the Mysteries. What the two were about to witness, Dicaeus would tell those who would listen all the rest of his life.

  As twilight deepened, Demaratus raised his arm and pointed to a large cloud rising from the vicinity of the Telesterion at Eleusis. The sight visibly shook Dicaeus, and Demaratus questioned him about it.

  Dicaeus said, "Listen."

  The two cupped their ears into the wind, the better to hear the wisp of voices it carried. Gradually the sound swelled and Demaratus remarked that it sounded as though it seemed to come from a chorus of thirty thousand. Dicaeus recognized the song.

  "But who could it be?" asked Demaratus. "All Attica is evacuated and Eleusis has yet to be occupied by the Persians."

  "Sir," Dicaeus answered, "the king's fleet is about to fall to disaster. The voices we hear are clearly divine. They sing of Iakchos."

  As they watched, the cloud drifted south and descended on the Greek fleet harbored at Salamis.

  "And Iakchos?" asked Demaratus.

  "Every fall, Athenians celebrate a festival in honor of the divine Mother and Maid. Anyone who wishes may be initiated into the Mysteries. People come from all over the world, even as far as Egypt. The initiates always sing the Iakchos song. I can't tell you of Iakchos. That is the great secret. To divulge it is punished by death."

  Demaratus was quiet for several minutes. Finally he spoke, "Keep your secret of the Mysteries, but keep another also. Say nothing of the cloud and voices to Xerxes. If you do, you will lose your head and no one in the world could save you."