I sing of Artemis, whose shafts are of gold...Over the shadowy hills and windy peaks she draws her golden bow, rejoicing in the chases, and sends out grievous shafts. The tops of the high mountains tremble and the tangled wood echoes awesomely with the outcry of beasts: earthquakes and the sea also where fishes shoal. But the goddess with a bold heart turns every way destroying the race of wild beasts: and when she is satisfied and has cheered her heart, this huntress who delights in arrows slackens her supple bow…she hangs up her curved bow and her arrows, and heads and leads the dances, gracefully arrayed, while all they utter their heavenly voice… --Homer
Chapter 2
The Hunt
17 September, AD 251
Temple of Artemis
Nuray had patiently awaited the rotation of the moon, desiring the extra light and the fullness of its power to give her strength. Her legs felt weak, but her conviction more than compensated for them.
The marketplace hummed as the artisans and traders gathered the remainder of their goods together before heading home. The corner of the temple that her father’s canopy once occupied was now vacant.
Nuray wandered the grounds. She couldn’t tell if she actually felt her father’s presence, or if her memories lived so strongly inside her that she found herself living the moment in parallel times. She searched the grounds as though she would see her father’s spirit wandering among the crowd.
“Nuray,” a voice emerged from the crowd.
As Nuray turned toward the voice, she saw her cousin approaching. “Melek,” she called, waving her hand above her head, forcing a smile.
Please don’t bring your friends with you, Nuray thought. She wasn’t in the mood--not tonight. But Melek could not bare the thought of being alone. Like a succulent flower, she was always surrounded with her own little hive of bees.
“What are you doing at the temple? Why would you bring such pain and sorrow to yourself? You choose to spend the first full moon after your father’s death amongst the traders and artisan? Surely Hakan would have greater desires for you.”
Melek had a cutting tongue. In spite of their relationship, Nuray always felt that Melek took such great delight at finding just the right moment to cut into her. She knew that Nuray would not retaliate. She was the daughter of her uncle, the kindest and most gentle man in the village. His brother, Melek’s father, was not so kind. The brother’s different character traits passed on to their children, had often managed to divide the cousins.
The group giggled at Nuray’s expense, but she held her tongue. She knew it wouldn’t do any good to say anything. Melek would always come back with something more hurtful. Nuray had always thought that Melek and her friends were childish and to encourage their taunting would be meaningless--especially tonight.
Nuray folded her arms across her chest and rubbed her upper arms. “I’m a bit cold, Melek, so if you’ll excuse me….”
The group of girls ceased their laughter and immediately formed a barrier in front of Nuray. Their gaze fixed on Nuray’s as if their eyes alone could keep her hostage.
“Why don’t you join us for a swim, Nuray?” Melek said, breaking the brief silence. “Rafik and his friends have invited us down to the beach for a moonlight swim.”
Melek’s eyes darted across her clan of bees and they all broke into an immediate smile, nodding and raising eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
“Maybe next time,” Nuray said, breaking through the wall of bodies. “I have to get home to help Mother get the young ones to bed.”
“Always the obedient child, Nuray. When will you ever learn to have fun?”
Melek and her friends ran playfully across the temple grounds toward Pamucak Beach. Nuray watched the girls until she was certain that they were far enough away to be interested in which direction she was heading.
This is my only chance, Nuray told herself. Hakan and I are to be married in seven days. I am running out of time. If I don’t make my move now, I will spend my life bound to a man I do not love. The moon has given me light and power, Artemis will give me strength, and father, your love will give me courage, and the wings to make my arrow fly.
Nuray followed the path through the trees to Hakan’s home where she had promised to meet him outside the garden wall. She knew that Hakan would not tell a soul of their improper arrangement. She trusted that he would be there waiting anxiously for her.
She paused briefly beside a large tree, listening for any sounds or indication that she was being followed. Below the tree that she had marked with the sign of an arrow, she quickly brushed aside debris that hid the handcrafted bow and arrow that her father had made for her. Slipping the bow across her shoulder, she cautiously proceeded up the path.
“Oh blessed moon!” Nuray whispered to herself, spotting Hakan hopping the garden wall. Standing motionless, she watched him carefully as he leaned his sturdy frame against the stones. Even from a distance, his strength frightened her enough to send a surge of adrenalin throughout her body.
She knew she must act quickly. The moonlight could also be a curse if it allowed Hakan to see her in the shadows.
Quietly and carefully, she removed the bow from her shoulder. She retrieved the arrow from her side where it had been bound by the sash around her waist. Remembering the many times she had watched her father prepare to shoot game, she placed the arrow between her index and second finger and skillfully brought the arrow and the bow together. Pulling back on the sinew of the bow to her ear, she waited patiently for Hakan to move into a position that would give her that perfect shot. Steady, she remained focused on her target.
Nuray watched Hakan pull his body into an upright position, away from the stone wall. Leaning over, he picked something up from off the ground and began to examine it in the moonlight. Nuray momentarily lost her focus as she struggled to see what had captured Hakan’s interest.
“Focus,” she heard a whisper. “You can’t afford to miss.”
At that moment, Hakan turned toward Nuray.
“Nuray?” he said, taking a step forward.
Quickly, Nuray returned her focus to her target, and with great power, the arrow left her hand speeding past her face.
She waited, listening for any sounds. Hakan’s body appeared to lay motionless. With her heart beating forcefully, Nuray apprehensively approached his body. His eyes were open; staring past her to a world beyond. Trembling, she put her hand to his face, waiting to see if she could feel his breath. There was nothing. Placing her head on his chest, she listened intently for the sound of his heart.
Silence sent a surge of fire through her veins. Bringing herself to her feet, she dropped her bow. Nuray placed her sandaled foot on Hakan’s chest, and with both hands, carefully pulled on the arrow with powerful strength. Turning on her heels, she ran swiftly back down the path toward the beach.
Chapter 2
The Hunt
17 September, AD 251
Temple of Artemis
Nuray had patiently awaited the rotation of the moon, desiring the extra light and the fullness of its power to give her strength. Her legs felt weak, but her conviction more than compensated for them.
The marketplace hummed as the artisans and traders gathered the remainder of their goods together before heading home. The corner of the temple that her father’s canopy once occupied was now vacant.
Nuray wandered the grounds. She couldn’t tell if she actually felt her father’s presence, or if her memories lived so strongly inside her that she found herself living the moment in parallel times. She searched the grounds as though she would see her father’s spirit wandering among the crowd.
“Nuray,” a voice emerged from the crowd.
As Nuray turned toward the voice, she saw her cousin approaching. “Melek,” she called, waving her hand above her head, forcing a smile.
Please don’t bring your friends with you, Nuray thought. She wasn’t in the mood--not tonight. But Melek could not bare the thought of being alone. Like a succulent flower, she was always surrounded with her own little hive of bees.
“What are you doing at the temple? Why would you bring such pain and sorrow to yourself? You choose to spend the first full moon after your father’s death amongst the traders and artisan? Surely Hakan would have greater desires for you.”
Melek had a cutting tongue. In spite of their relationship, Nuray always felt that Melek took such great delight at finding just the right moment to cut into her. She knew that Nuray would not retaliate. She was the daughter of her uncle, the kindest and most gentle man in the village. His brother, Melek’s father, was not so kind. The brother’s different character traits passed on to their children, had often managed to divide the cousins.
The group giggled at Nuray’s expense, but she held her tongue. She knew it wouldn’t do any good to say anything. Melek would always come back with something more hurtful. Nuray had always thought that Melek and her friends were childish and to encourage their taunting would be meaningless--especially tonight.
Nuray folded her arms across her chest and rubbed her upper arms. “I’m a bit cold, Melek, so if you’ll excuse me….”
The group of girls ceased their laughter and immediately formed a barrier in front of Nuray. Their gaze fixed on Nuray’s as if their eyes alone could keep her hostage.
“Why don’t you join us for a swim, Nuray?” Melek said, breaking the brief silence. “Rafik and his friends have invited us down to the beach for a moonlight swim.”
Melek’s eyes darted across her clan of bees and they all broke into an immediate smile, nodding and raising eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
“Maybe next time,” Nuray said, breaking through the wall of bodies. “I have to get home to help Mother get the young ones to bed.”
“Always the obedient child, Nuray. When will you ever learn to have fun?”
Melek and her friends ran playfully across the temple grounds toward Pamucak Beach. Nuray watched the girls until she was certain that they were far enough away to be interested in which direction she was heading.
This is my only chance, Nuray told herself. Hakan and I are to be married in seven days. I am running out of time. If I don’t make my move now, I will spend my life bound to a man I do not love. The moon has given me light and power, Artemis will give me strength, and father, your love will give me courage, and the wings to make my arrow fly.
Nuray followed the path through the trees to Hakan’s home where she had promised to meet him outside the garden wall. She knew that Hakan would not tell a soul of their improper arrangement. She trusted that he would be there waiting anxiously for her.
She paused briefly beside a large tree, listening for any sounds or indication that she was being followed. Below the tree that she had marked with the sign of an arrow, she quickly brushed aside debris that hid the handcrafted bow and arrow that her father had made for her. Slipping the bow across her shoulder, she cautiously proceeded up the path.
“Oh blessed moon!” Nuray whispered to herself, spotting Hakan hopping the garden wall. Standing motionless, she watched him carefully as he leaned his sturdy frame against the stones. Even from a distance, his strength frightened her enough to send a surge of adrenalin throughout her body.
She knew she must act quickly. The moonlight could also be a curse if it allowed Hakan to see her in the shadows.
Quietly and carefully, she removed the bow from her shoulder. She retrieved the arrow from her side where it had been bound by the sash around her waist. Remembering the many times she had watched her father prepare to shoot game, she placed the arrow between her index and second finger and skillfully brought the arrow and the bow together. Pulling back on the sinew of the bow to her ear, she waited patiently for Hakan to move into a position that would give her that perfect shot. Steady, she remained focused on her target.
Nuray watched Hakan pull his body into an upright position, away from the stone wall. Leaning over, he picked something up from off the ground and began to examine it in the moonlight. Nuray momentarily lost her focus as she struggled to see what had captured Hakan’s interest.
“Focus,” she heard a whisper. “You can’t afford to miss.”
At that moment, Hakan turned toward Nuray.
“Nuray?” he said, taking a step forward.
Quickly, Nuray returned her focus to her target, and with great power, the arrow left her hand speeding past her face.
She waited, listening for any sounds. Hakan’s body appeared to lay motionless. With her heart beating forcefully, Nuray apprehensively approached his body. His eyes were open; staring past her to a world beyond. Trembling, she put her hand to his face, waiting to see if she could feel his breath. There was nothing. Placing her head on his chest, she listened intently for the sound of his heart.
Silence sent a surge of fire through her veins. Bringing herself to her feet, she dropped her bow. Nuray placed her sandaled foot on Hakan’s chest, and with both hands, carefully pulled on the arrow with powerful strength. Turning on her heels, she ran swiftly back down the path toward the beach.
