The sun continued to set. The evening shadows raced across the rising waters to the far bank, and then to the village beyond. The water was in its full flow, gurgling as it rushed from the lagoon into the ever widening river mouth. The purpose of the woodpile was now quite obvious. I was attached to it, to a central pole rising well above the pile of timbers all around. Aegea was still speaking: speaking of the evil of men, of a mans certainty to bring destruction to any tribe, of mans one essential function now fulfilled. There were echoes of agreement from some of the Amazons below, and quieter noises of disagreement from the Lesbians. I am Aegea, worshipper of Selenea, alpha female of the Amazon tribe! Who dares to contradict me? Silence descended upon the island. The sound of the making tide was amplified in my ears so that it resounded in the silence like a rushing river. Aegea stood, resplendent and in complete command. I closed my eyes, waiting for the order to light the fire, wondering how long it would take before the flames were lapping at my body.
Suddenly gasps emerged from the crowd below. My eyes opened once more. In the midst of the group of Lesbians, an elderly woman rose. Women around her begged her to sit back down, but she continued to rise, demanding the aid of those nearest to her. She was so affected by age that she could not stand fully straight, and she could walk forward only with the greatest care and the help of a stick. Aegea stood in disbelief as the elderly woman approached.
You dare to challenge me? Aegea demanded of the elderly woman.
More than a minute passed as the elderly woman slowly made her way to the wood pile. Finally, she stopped, turned into a position half facing Aegea and half facing the crowd, and stood up very nearly straight. I do not wish to challenge Aegea, alpha female of the mighty Amazon tribe. You have taught us much about self-defense and weaponry, and although your way of ruling is severe, it is also fair and decent to the native women of this island.
Then why do you dare to stand before me old woman?
I stand here next to you to speak the truth. You condemn this man, as you condemn all men, as is the usual way of the Amazon. As the eldest of the Lesbians, I say to you that this is acceptable. Murmering spread amongst the Amazons and the Lesbians at this. Why was this old woman wasting everyones time with such idle talk? However, continued the old woman there is another master that must be obeyed.
Speak quickly old woman. This man must be sacrificed as the hallowed Selenea rises.
This man has been chosen by the Neiredes! Louder murmuring followed the old womans statement, with constrained outbursts among both groups.
He claims to have been in contact with the Neiredes. Why would you trust the poisonous words of a man? What evidence do we have to support his claims? asked Aegea.
The old woman took a moment to allow the crowd to quiet before she replied: What evidence indeed
Here tonight, on the very night we plan to sacrifice this man, we witness a tide that rises higher than any in recent memory. For the first time people looked around and noticed that indeed, the tide had risen faster and higher than usual. Already most of the other islands and spits of land had disappeared, and still the tide continued to gurgle and make. This tide that rises with unusual force coincides with the fullness of the hallowed moon. On this night both the Neiredes and your hallowed Selenea bless us. What greater sign do you need? This statement was followed by many sounds of agreement from both the Lesbian and Amazon camps.
Nonsense, you foolish old hag. Phoebe, bring me the torch. As Aegea commanded, her able bodied lieutenant Phoebe stepped forward with a flaming torch. Here in my final moment I now learned the name of the woman who so heartlessly used me on that first day. Was she glowing in her complexion? Or was it merely the reflected glow of the torch in the final twilight of dusk. It seemed as if her belly was a bit fuller. Phoebe handed the torch to Aegea, who held it high above her head. Honorable Selenea, please accept this sacrifice as a symbol of the undying loyalty of the Amazon to the goddess of the moon. Rise, oh Selenea and bless us with your soft and gentle glow. At this Aegea threw the torch onto the pile of wood.
I didnt have long now. A stiff breeze had picked up with the setting of the sun. It helped the wood to catch quickly, but it also prevented the flames from rising straight up. Soon enough however, the pile would be fully and properly ablaze, and no breeze would save me from the rising heat and flame. Over the crackling of the wood I could hear the voices of the women in the now fully darkened night. I could see the faces of the women in the shadows reflecting the flames below. Some of the women were not watching however, and their backs were turned. Although it was no longer possible to hear, the water was continuing to rise even now. Some of the women were being forced to stand and relocate to higher ground as the strange tide continued to make. The flames could be seen in the rising tide. It was beautiful. I thought to myself that it was a worthy last vision to have. I closed my eyes and waited for the inevitable pain to begin. Even now I could feel the heat building at my feet to an uncomfortable level.
Now smoke was around me making it difficult to breath. Flames were licking at my feet now, now moving away, my tortuous end was imminent. The sounds of the women were louder now. There were yells and cries. Just as well I thought, I hope they may enjoy this. Something about the sounds was not right however, and the pain I had prepared for had not arrived. In fact the heat was less, the light of the fire less
I opened my eyes to see water - water everywhere. Water rose around the ankles of the crowd, to their shins, to their knees. Water invaded the woodpile; dousing the flames, and carrying some of the hissing wood away beneath me.
Though the flames were doused, another glow remained; a ghostly glow of an eerie whitish green. Everywhere the water of the lagoon was mixing with that of the river, and the mixing caused bright phosphorescence that twisted and turned all around us. Some of the women were afraid of being washed away, but many dropped to their knees in praise and rapture.
The phosphorescent tendrils surrounded and intertwined amongst the women as the tide at long last reached the full. Here there was absolute silence. The water made no sound, the women no sound, as all were entranced by the phosphorescent fingers spiraling and undulating all around. This silent rapture lasted for several minutes, during which time Aegea herself climbed what remained of my woodpile to untie the knots that bound me. As she released the final knot that bound my hands the great full goddess Selenea broke the horizon, larger than I had ever seen her before. Side by side Aegea and I watched Selenea born full from the edge of the sea. The phosphorescent tendrils retreated, slowly at first, then faster and faster with each passing minute. The full moon rose higher and higher above the sea as the sea itself fell lower and lower. The silence gave way to a whisper, and then a gurgle as the incredible tide ebbed more and more.
Women were crying now. Voices could be heard singing prayers to the Neiredes such as: all praise be to the Neiriedes - daughters of the father ocean - granddaughters of mother earth - loyal consorts of Poseidon - protectors of the island of Lesbos . Other prayers were to the moon goddess: all praise to Selenea - giver of nightly light - daughter of the Titans - protector of the Amazons.
It appeared that I was safe once more
For now anyway.