In the Shadow of the Bull by Eleanor Kuhns

Author:Eleanor Kuhns [Kuhns, Eleanor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2023-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-SEVEN

Two days passed. I visited the harbor each day after my training with Geos, but there was still no sign of the ships. On the third morning, as I prepared to slip out, I ran into my mother. Despite the early hour, she also was leaving the apartments.

‘Where are you going?’ I asked.

‘To the funeral of that poor girl,’ Mother said. She managed a smile. ‘I know the mother won’t be glad to see me, but I feel I must …’ Her voice trailed away.

‘I want to come.’

‘I don’t think that’s a good idea,’ she said. I regarded my mother in a rebellious silence. Nephele sighed. ‘I fear for you. You are so determined to do exactly as you wish. Anyway,’ she continued, casting a reproving eye over my shabby skirt and linen tunic, ‘you aren’t properly dressed.’

‘I’ll change,’ I said, running to my chamber. I combed my hair and changed into a newer skirt and matching jacket as rapidly as I could. Even then I feared my mother would leave without me.

But no, she was still waiting in the hall when I came out of my room. She straightened the folds of my skirt and adjusted the jacket. She ran her fingers around the tight sleeves, so tight I couldn’t raise my brawny arms, muscular from acrobatics. ‘We’ll have to see about some new jackets,’ Mother said. ‘You’ve grown out of these. And none of your sisters’ things will fit you.’

I shrugged away my mother’s hands. ‘Let’s go,’ I said with some impatience. ‘You were in a hurry, remember?’

By the time we reached the Sacred Grove, the terracotta coffin had already been lifted to the shoulders of the dead girl’s father, brothers, and fiancé. My mother and I fell into step with the people at the back as they followed the coffin down the hill to the graveyard.

Spring was changing into the dry summer, and dust from the path puffed up from the feet of the bereaved in a thick cloud. Some of the leaves on the trees were already browned around the edges. If this summer progressed like most, no rain would come for another two or three months more. Wheat had been harvested but other crops such as grapes were still to come.

Opis and Pylas had left for home this morning. Opis had lingered as long as she dared, waiting for Nuia’s return. But Pylas could wait no longer; now was an important time for the vineyards. They required almost constant labor so the harvest would be a good one. Thinking about grapes led me to reflect upon the fall and the harvest festival and then, once again, Tinos. At least there were only a few weeks to wait before his trial and then everyone would know his fate. I couldn’t repress a shiver of apprehension.

Was anyone else worried about Tinos?

‘Stop daydreaming,’ Mother said as I stumbled. ‘Pay attention.’

As we neared the graveyard, Nephele began pushing her way through the crowd, dragging me by the hand. I

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