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The World Outside the Valley

Again and again bolders blocked his narrow path and Areus had to climb over fallen branches, trying not to look down into the chasm below. Nobody had taken the southern route since last summer, and in many places the avalanches of winter had changed the trail beyond recognition.

In fact, there were only two land-based ways leaving the valley he called home: To the north, a steep climb closely passed the three thousand foot peak of mount Marantzaki, and here in the south a daring and rarely used climb trailed across a steep mountain face. This was the route he had to travel: A full day to get on top of the mountains, out of sight of the sea, and then two more days through the mountains, until he would hit the sea again and get to the Palace of Pillars, the great emporium of the people of Keft.

Mittentown, together with two other hamlets, was situated in a mellow and fertile valley on the index finger of the Peloponnese, surrounded on three sides with steep rugged rock and mountains several thousand feet high. To the fourth side, a small bay protected its shingle beach from the forces of the Myrtoan Sea.

The valley and the sea offered the people of Mittentown essentially all they needed: They cultivated olives, wine, figs and barley. Down in the valley apple and pear trees grew. Further up, the meadows were full of spices and herbs. Shepherds raised sheep and goats, who provided them with wool, meat, milk and cheese. Fishermen knew how to harvest the riches of the sea. And in fall, the hunting season would provide additional yield from hares, chamois, boars and deer.

Not often did the people of Mittentown leave their valley. So, when at dusk Areus reached level grounds on top of the mountains, he was surprized not to find the isolated farmer's houses he expected, but instead a newly-built fortified village, with a strong fence and a gate, guarded by a tall guardsman holding a lance with a shiny yellow spike of bronze. Only after they had thoroughly examined his identity and the purpose of his journey they admitted him into the village. - "I know your father, and in honour of our old friendship I welcome you in our midst in this troublesome time", said one of the elders, "but what do you seek in Soleway? Those Keftians won't offer you shelter."

The villagers treated him with the customary hospitality, and after he enjoyed food and drink, and his lamb was allowed to drink as well, they told him about Lerna: This proud city in the north with her mighty walls and towers had been sacked and razed to the ground, together with her famous palace. - "Dreadful savage men with thick and scrubby beards. They ride monstrous horses and utter gruesome sounds."

"Who are these savages? Where do they come from", Areus asked, but the villagers were able to tell nothing else but that they terrified the whole Peloponnese by preying the people, burning their houses and snatching their women. - "They make them their slaves and treat them like their horses."

The man who knew Areus' father said: "You want to visit the Keftians in Soleway. Let me advise you. You waste your time. Turn around. Everyone knows that the Keftians never admit anyone to their island. They have always kept their secrets well. Since the savages from the north terrorize the land, they are more repellent than ever. They won't even admit you to their emporium."

When Areus laid down for the night, he remembered that many years ago, his grandfather used to talk about the Pillar Island. Areus was about eight years old and grandpa didn't have teeth. It was so hard to understand him. Areus remembered the light in grandpa's eyes when he talked about Keft. The adults smiled and said forgivingly: "Grandfather is travelling again. Probably he is on a journey to the Kefitans once more. Let us see if they will be less tight-fisted this time." - When grandpa died, everybody was surprized to find a small bronze double axe among his belongings which he had hoarded under his bed. When Grandpa later was buried, they put the axe in his hands.

Next Section : Facing the Rock Turtle