Martin Millar - The Goddess of Buttercups and Daisies

I’ll travel to the land of Erechtheus,

to live with Aegeus, son of Pandion.

‘Which reminds me, Idomeneus, I’d like to go to the theatre.’

‘The theatre? What for?’

‘I’m a cultured woman.’

‘Are you planning on spreading some reckless folly around?’

‘That depends on whether or not I like the plays.’

On Mount Olympus, the Goddess Athena was impatient. She took a cup of wine from an attendant, but held it in front of her without drinking.

‘What’s keeping Bremusa? She should have reported by now.’

The goddess was monitoring one of the altars in her mansion. It was directly connected to the small shrine near the harbour in Athens.

‘There’s someone entering the shrine now,’ said her attendant. As they watched, the door to the rather small, dark space opened.

‘Finally,’ said the goddess. ‘Open it up so Bremusa can see me through the altar there.’

The figure lit a candle.

‘It’s not Bremusa!’ cried the goddess. ‘It’s that idiotic young poet! Quickly, close it down! Don’t let him see me.’

The attendant hurriedly spoke a few words, lowering a mystical barrier, ensuring that Luxos could not see all the way to Olympus. Unaware that he was being observed by Athena, Luxos faced the altar in front of him and bowed to the small statue of the goddess.

On Mount Olympus, Athena frowned. ‘I hope this doesn’t go on too long. I want to talk to Bremusa.’

Luxos was talking quite animatedly. ‘… and I wrote this great piece of lyric poetry which would fit right into the final scene of Aristophanes’ play but he won’t even listen to it! And then I asked if I could read some of my poetry before his play starts, because that’s a really good spot, the whole of Athens would hear me. I’ve got some new metrical innovations which would really shake things up. I could revolutionise poetry in Athens! But Aristophanes says that spot is reserved for a well-known poet so he’s giving it to Isidoros. I’d be much better than him! And then I asked if I could come to his drinking party because all these wealthy people will be there that might want to sponsor me but he says I can’t come. Aristophanes is really mean… He could help me get my poetry heard if he wanted.’

There was a pause.

‘But that’s not really why I came to talk to you tonight, Goddess.’

‘There’s more?’ sighed Athena.

‘I met this wonderful girl! She’s beautiful and nice and friendly and she likes my poetry and everything! But of course I didn’t have any money to buy her food or anything, because I’m so poor. But she didn’t seem to mind. She was so lovely. I was wondering if you could help me find her again, and maybe put in a good word for me? I think she might be some sort of nymph. Well, she was good at making daisies anyway. I really need to find her again.’

At that moment, as the goddess and her attendant watched, Bremusa poked her head into the shrine.

‘Are you going to be in there all night? Other people want to pray, you know!’

‘Hey,’ cried Luxos. ‘Don’t interrupt other people’s prayers. It’s impious. Oh, wait, you’re the woman that was with Metris! Are you her friend? Is she here now? Wow, I’ve never had a prayer answered so quickly!’

Luxos turned eagerly back towards the altar. ‘You brought her here already! Thank you, Goddess Athena. Look, I brought you some daisies!’

With that Luxos rushed from the small shrine. Back on Mount Olympus, Athena’s attendant was raising an eyebrow.

‘Daisies?’

‘It’s all he can afford,’ said the goddess, rather stiffly.

‘No chance of him roasting an ox, I suppose.’

Inside the shrine, Bremusa was looking a little flustered. She hadn’t expected Luxos to be there, and wasn’t sure if the goddess was in attendance or not. Suddenly Athena’s face appeared in the altar.

‘Goddess, you’re here.’

‘Yes, I saw you come in. But I was hiding from Luxos. I couldn’t let him see me, of course.’

‘Of course,’ agreed Bremusa. ‘For a mortal to see a goddess directly is terrible impiety.’

‘I was thinking more of the tedium I might suffer if he started reciting his poetry. But yes, it’s impiety too. I’d have been obliged to turn him into a tree or something. So, tell me what’s happening. Did Metris help you find Laet?’

Bremusa looked disgusted. ‘Metris couldn’t find the sea if you took her to the beach. She lied about having powers.’

‘Really? Can’t she dispel Laet’s negative influence?’

‘She can’t do anything except make daisies and buttercups. I’ve never encountered a more useless nymph.’

Unexpectedly, the goddess smiled. ‘I presume she’s the one with whom Luxos has fallen in love?’

‘Apparently. Isn’t Athens meant to be full of intellectual giants and great artists? How come I keep tripping over this ridiculous young poet?’

‘Have you heard any of his poetry?’

‘No. Metris likes it so must be bad.’

The shrine was so small that Bremusa’s sword touched the wall, making a small metallic sound.

‘However, finding Laet is not really such a problem, Goddess. Just go where everyone is making bad decisions. You should have heard the arguments in the agora after she walked through this afternoon. Everyone was buying useless junk and then trying to get their money back, the place was in chaos. The woman’s a plague. She’ll ruin the peace conference for sure. I don’t know how I’m going to thwart her. Do you have any suggestions?’

The Goddess Athena admitted that she didn’t. ‘Perhaps I’ll find some inspiration soon. Meanwhile, try not to let Laet destroy the city. And protect Aristophanes.’

Bremusa was startled. ‘Aristophanes? Why?’

‘Reports reach me from other worshippers that his play about peace might be influential in making up people’s minds.’

Bremusa nodded. ‘I see. There might be something in that. I have heard people talking about the play.’ She shook her head. ‘I hate the theatre. Particularly these ridiculous Athenian comedies.’

‘It’s good to laugh on occasion, Bremusa.’

‘Athenian comedies aren’t very respectful to the gods.’

‘It’s the Dionysia. They have licence to make fun of us.’

‘I don’t like it.’

‘Well, blame Dionysos. What else are you upset about?’

‘Nothing.’

‘Yes you are. I can tell. I can see that little frown line between your eyebrows.’

Bremusa tried to smooth her forehead, but realised she couldn’t fool the goddess about her moods.

‘I met Idomeneus,’ she muttered.

‘Idomeneus? Not Idomeneus of Crete? Isn’t he the one —’

Bremusa the Amazon nodded. Much as she hated to admit it, Idomeneus was the one who would have killed her if Athena hadn’t intervened, all those centuries ago.

‘How can he possibly still be alive?’

‘He’s employed as Laet’s bodyguard, so it must be her doing. She’s kept him alive for centuries. I didn’t realise she was so powerful.’

‘Neither did I,’ admitted Athena. ‘I’d no idea Idomeneus was still around. The glory of Crete has long since faded. I don’t want you to fight him, Bremusa.’

‘We already fought. He attacked me. Laet stopped it because she was bored and had a headache. We’ll meet again, I expect.’

‘You’re not to let your desire for revenge interfere with your mission,’ said the goddess.

Bremusa, not willing to argue with Athena but knowing quite well that she wasn’t going to back down from a fight with Idomeneus, remained silent.