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Baltic's
Book
Zeus and Europa, part 3
Chapter
4
Oracle
was rather unclear about Cydonia, but the words "fields and forests
are not the only things to be found there" were enough to start
furious debates about what will happen when they land at Crete.
Some took it to be confirmation that Europa lives on this island,
some interpreted the words as warning that they will find their
death there. This was probably what captain of the supply ship thought,
because his ship with all supplies set aside for a new colony disappeared
on her way. Rumors were that the captain Syracos sailed in the opposite
direction and founded a new city on Sicily, but it may be just a
myth. Sure is, that colonists were stranded on Crete without any
supplies. Allies and parent city leader heard about the problem
and tried to help, but unfortunately sent goods that were of no
use at the moment - money, oil and bronze - while food was needed
badly. Balticos changed his plans and decided to create just the
basic structure of a city, stockpile some wood and wine, return
home and leave Cydonia in hands of his reliable governor Phuadas.
 Travellers
built a large housing block and immediately started farming the
lowland extensively. Only later they cared for the basic necessities
like maintenance and healing. Everything was to be built in the
area near sea, because Talos soon appeared on the plateau and marched
around - but he seemed to patrol certain area and never went too
far from it. Slopes of the hill nearest to city were converted into
vineyards, lumberjacks made sure that the forests will yield lots
of quality wood. In less than two years everything was ready, goods
for Thebes set aside. Just before leaving, Balticos decided to check
on the strange behavior of Talos, guarding seemingly barren land,
and to his surprise he found a small house in the wood, where Europa
lived. While group of his friends managed to trick Talos into pursuing
them, Balticos sneaked into the house, explained the situation quickly
to Europa and brought her away to the ship. Talos soon found out,
but heroes were already on their way to Thebes. He tried to pursue
them, but it was too late - maybe he just managed to sink the ship
with bronze that Balticos ordered to be brought to Thebes, because
it never arrived.
Chapter
5
Arriving
back to Thebes, Balticos found little has changed over the time
of his absence. Soon, wine from Cydonia arrived and Thebes developed
a nice residential area - but Talos tracked the ship and appeared
in the city. For some reason, he chose the area near quarry. Theban
engineers built a wall quickly, so that at least the blocks of marble
that were just being cut in the quarry could be safely transported
to masonry shops, and as soon as the last of them arrived, pulled
down the bridge. That left Talos stranded on a piece of land where
he could do no damage - although he managed to come over the sea
from Crete recently, he didn't cross the river.
But
that was not a solution, because it meant that no more marble can
be quarried. Fortunately, city had ample supplies of it in storehouses,
as well as of statues - and Cydonia was paying wood as a tribute.
So, with occasional import of a few planks from Cydonia or Libya,
nothing would hinder quick construction of sanctuary to Artemis.
Of course, no one likes monster in his backyard, so it was time
to call for some assistance first. Jason is the right man when it
comes to Talos, but his requirements are outrageous. One would think
that he is sailing for the Golden fleece every time when one wants
to call him! To support the growing industry, a new block of houses
was built, along with more wheat farms (wheat was needed to feed
horses in the 2 ranches as well). When Balticos ordered census to
be performed in the end of 1136 BC, it revealed that Thebes have
over 5000 citizens. A group of goatherds arrived recently and settled
at the confluence of two rivers, near stonecutter camp. One and
a half years later, 3 triremes were anchored at city wharves, 2
horseman companies were ready to fight and storehouses had lots
of wine. The only things city lacked before Jason would arrive were
a few horses and some more food. At this moment, construction of
sanctuary to Artemis started. Agave, leader of Mt. Cithaeron, tried
the patience and courage of Balticos by demanding wine for festival,
but had to leave with bare hands. After Jason arrived and killed
Talos, king Minos of Knossos himself acknowledged the supremacy
of Thebes and became their vassal, paying olive oil as tribute.
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