Athens - 340 BC Shortly after dawn
Until then the young man was considered a bit 'late, but basically harmless. Many will be in proximity to their homes, gave him food and allowed him to play with kids because he, after all, saw only a child that fate had given the appearance of a man. Had long been left without family and lived and slept where he could.
Yet that morning all that was for sure gave him. To kill the girl. A cut her throat. A smashing his skull.
And what had brought him to the corpse with his desperate cries, had been interpreted as an outright admission of guilt. Alcippo, so called, was now held fast to his arms and legs and the man who was preparing to Serviglio the same fate as his victim was Clitoria, the girl's father, a man so influential and important to find natural take the law itself , on the spot.
around him and his slaves who were holding firm Alcippo, had gathered a large group of people. The news had spread quickly, too quickly. Everyone was waiting, thesis, Clitoria the blow, the silence that weighed on the scene was broken only by sobs that Alcippo like an animal caught in a trap he complained, asked for mercy.
"You're an idiot." Suddenly said a nasal voice, almost shrill, sometimes nasty and it was as if a thunderbolt had fallen upon them suddenly, Clitoria's eyes were bloodshot and certainly if c ' someone was foolish enough to take up the defense of the murderer, he would not hesitate to retaliate on him.
"Who are you!" Clitoria roared in response and had only sudden exclamations of pain for four or five people, hit in the shin, which began to hop on one leg, now on the hour. Clear their embarrassment that ballet inappropriate, but because many of them still continued to be hit once, twice, thrice.
"I said, you're an idiot." Was heard again and finally came out who was getting off in that special way. In the presence of Clitoria came a small figure, thin, barefoot, wrapped in a cloak dirt in which they were entangled twigs and dry leaves. He walked slowly, leaning on a gnarled stick, higher than any of his person, the same he used to smite those who stood before him and move on. At the end drew a smile and still irritating as all things in him, out of place. Only it was not a fool.
was Diogenes.
Many recognized him, but by throwing glances, piercing, but as distracted, we felt that Diogenes, however, knew them all. He clicked his tongue and that sound as if he's brought back from another world in which they were caught smoking in a dream, they saw that there, gathered around the scene of pity, there were all the most eminent men of Athens.
"In a crevice of the rock and thorns." Diogenes said completing the thoughts now and fix them carefully, squinting as if between him and them he had lifted a veil of mist.
"Who has called you? Who was not warned and did not come? Those who were not at all? And maybe you came anyway? Or perhaps you are aware of certain lizards that are very tasty here? "No one knew what to say, but a groan of all Alcippo back to the blade of Clitoria, even against his throat. But no more: he probably had to be realized in the presence of so many of his peers and fellow citizens actually or potentially his opponents.
None of them expected to become nothing but the corpses of three and two murders and to deal with the second, Clitoria, process, perhaps for treason, and to confiscate his property, exile, destroying it. Diogenes thought It is these considerations that they were welcome to do so. The political calculation had the better of the parent and his revenge.
"He killed my daughter." Was all he could say Clitoria
Diogenes smiled at him as more conciliatory and peaceful that could:
"Oh ... but if you really did, you would not be an idiot and instead you are. So may not have killed anyone. My demonstration will convince you? "
A murmur of the bystanders pointed out the extremely offended, as if to encourage this in Clitoria to repair even with blood.
"You would not be able to say even when you saw your daughter the last time." Blew
Diogenes "Instead they are. Before the sunset. Output must be hidden during the night. "
Diogenes seemed more interested in something under their nails, rubbed on the coat:" To meet him? "Said indicating Alcippo. Other
murmur, all had taken the suggestion that there was, and how, in the application of Diogenes.
"What?" Clitoria said, but he silenced the look back in the same direction as the philosopher, who only now saw the corpse of the girl. Could have been wonderful to be alive or may not be, but what he saw now was a mask of fear and death, blood and hair still stuck against the skin and blood on his clothes. The skull was smashed even as you do with an animal. Crushed, broken again and again and along with it part of the face beyond recognition just like that.
"From the morning of yesterday and until recently, when passing through here when we found the body, poor Alcippo was always with me." His voice had a dark shade, maybe no one noticed.
"You want to make myself understood to have been with him all night?"
"We walked a long time. I sent you to call emergency. "Alcippo that had hitherto been whining and crying, now Diogenes looked incredulous, astonished by what seemed to understand.
"And what would you do with someone like you him? "
" I talked with the smartest man in Athens of course. You would all have much to learn from him and since you are all so easy to jump to another's throats, you'd better ask if by chance there is a hit among the party a jug of wine and another. Time: Take these unfortunate Clitoria and you know that I respect your pain even if you're an idiot ... but in the meantime it looks out for your daughter who was supposed to meet in the middle of the night and if you have not the murderess, someone who might have seen him. But please, do not cut his throat before averglielo asked. Go!
There was a moment of loss, then ordered Clitoria Alcippo was left free the slaves and pushed him off in the wrong way, causing damage to the ground a few steps further. Dented better than dead, he thought Diogenes. Clitoria raised his daughter as a grisly trophy, he wanted to bring it in person, driving the sad procession began to move slowly towards the city. Left alone, Alcippo fell at his feet weeping, incoherent words of Diogenes who wanted to be grateful.
"As ... - Said the philosopher doing raise - .. it was fortunate that I Bazzichi always here. "Alcippo began to fix it and not repeat ... no ...
"I know that you were not with me, I lied, but I know equally well that you would not hurt anyone ... I can still recognize the cries of the innocent ... now how about you help me to catch some of those lizards which I said before? "
during the day
The death of Eudoxia, daughter of Clitoria, was one of the main topics of conversation throughout the city, for days rather not talk on the other. Diogenes, that every ray of sunshine was looking for a comfortable corner to relax, hear everything from gossip to whisper the word suppressed, leaving the sentence in half. Everyone, he thought, they always talk too much and inappropriately. It was thus that he learned how the body of Eudoxia there were oddly shaped scar that ran down the left side, looking strangely flattened and curved that they could remember of the eyes or the leaves. Chewing a root of a bitter very pleasant and stimulating, Diogenes wondered if it was true then. For a few days
thought no more of those facts, until, while waiting in a secluded place that a head of garlic cuocesse very well under the ashes, he was joined by Clitoria. Decked out with all the trappings of his wealth and his position. He checked the garlic ready. He sat down and devoted himself to eat without paying attention to his visitor. What seemed annoyed.
"Diogenes," said he
The burp of Diogenes was long and sound. Clitoria sighed and hoping no one saw him, he sat down beside him on the ground and waited.
"now. - Diogenes said after a moment - then, What do you want? "
" I want the truth! "
" That big word! What do you know you the truth? The truth as I breathe out fragrance of garlic and garlic you, so far, I've always avoided. "
" I need your help ... I can give you everything you want in return! "Diogenes
bit into the last piece of garlic and chewed it a long time, then swallowed with evident satisfaction. Patience began to run out of Clitoria.
"Then you need to Aristotle! - Finally ruled the philosopher as after a long and difficult discussion - I've heard that it intends to put down roots here in Athens ... buy him a palace ... two ... or maybe costruiscigli a temple, but no inputs, so he can spend eternity to wonder what's inside and if there is then really didentro. "
" Diogenes, you say things that do not understand ... "In response to the philosopher raised his eyes to the sky, the weather was nice and relaxed. Clitoria sighed.
"Help for what?" He asked finally
"To find out who killed Eudoxia."
"Why come to me?"
"They found another young man ... like her ... "
" You did not answer my question. "
A moment of silence. Clitoria then said something unintelligible, such as cough, a grunt, a gasp from drowning, not words.
"How?" Have you swallowed a bug or something? "
" Aristotle recommended it to me. "He said, seriously, expecting an outburst of Diogenes, the kind that was popular.
Instead: "And what he would say exactly?"
"He said that if this crime is in the middle of someone powerful or protected by powerful, Diogenes is the only man in Athens who will not hesitate to bite him shins. .. "
" Anything else? "
" What everybody in this town enjoys some favor, but there is a favor that can be Diogenes. "
The philosopher smiled:" This then ... "and turned over covered her over the head with his cloak. Clitoria stood up, perhaps their conversation was fake there. Diogenes
yawned, almost a bark:
"I've heard of strange scars on the body of your daughter, right?"
"It is."
"And the young man?"
"too."
"Bring the body into a safe place and let no-one comes close. Then send someone to call me. Now I want to sleep. "
" Thanks. "Clitoria said, but Diogenes of taste was already asleep, snoring.
evening and night
Some time later, Diogenes was awakened by a slave who left from Clitoria and in his heart he was glad to be in better terms than the bundle of rags under his eyes and he was animated and had found that it had head and legs and be a man. The corpse had been laid in the house of Clitoria, Diogenes felt the pain and the smell of tears that his mother and sisters of Eudoxia had not had time to dry before a second death did them a visit. As if now was a habit left, there were too young to watch. He watched the famous scars and were in fact as if she had figured. Asked who was the victim. Son of a man too wealthy and influential.
"It was that Eudoxia was to meet with him?"
"I do not know. Certainly knew each other. For the rest I questioned everyone and I have not dug anything. "
" And your other daughter? "
" What do you mean? "
" Those signs, Eudoxia received them and I think his will when he was still alive. We also have your other daughters? "
" No! "Dry, irritated
" I should check ... "sighed Diogenes already turning to them that frightened huddled against each other
Clitoria him stood before him "He has already done ... you do not need their mother."
"When it's so ... please forgive me and know that these deaths indignation and repulsion. If I could somehow help soothe your pain, I will devote all myself. "Sometimes the figure of Diogenes, from a small and bizarre, could mysteriously become erect and noble, and his voice often scratchy, deep and authoritative. The women were caught in silent awe and then leave in silence with a wave of Clitoria.
"Have you ever seen anything like this?"
"No. - Diogenes answered - but there is no doubt that when we are able to decipher the meaning of these signs, we will hold the key to this matter. "
" What will you do now? "
" First I will talk to the boy's father. "
Clitoria escorted him out, but before they could leave, they were joined by a slave to the great white fright, unable to speak if not grand gestures excitedly.
"made it clear! - Shouted, shaking him violently by the arm Clitoria - Dove? "The slave of the house pointed to another entrance that opens into a lush garden and small was perfectly the idea of \u200b\u200bthe opulence of his master. They ran, but to no avail, because Alcippo would not go anywhere. He, too, with his throat cut and the signs on the body, almost similar to the other except for the blood that still flowed, making them look vibrant, red-hot.
Diogenes remarked that they had struck on the head and face. Perhaps the person responsible, if indeed one, had not had the time.
"By the gods, that's going on!?" Clitoria exploded.
"The death advances ... - Diogenes murmured - Advance ... "
Dionicio was the father of the young Timna, the second victim. Dionicio Diogenes was received with dignity and showed great respect for him. They spoke in a garden, lush as that of Clitoria, but much smaller, perhaps created to private conversations, hidden by dense hedges. Dionicio was known as a man of strict morals and in fact showed that they dress, the absence of any purely decorative in his home. He had never wanted to own slaves and servants was merely an old woman who was has been the nanny of his wife and his personal servant, both loyalists. He had been a long long way from Athens and only recently had returned to settle in the city. Diogenes could also prove the estimate to him, if he had not known - he knew - that money does not run in Athens where a party was not already committed itself to Dionicio, that he had armed more than a friend who is an enemy army and War had obtained its immense wealth, that he was a usurer, blackmailer, corrupt and corrupting and that more than his opponent had been taken away. Never certain of his hand, but always at his command.
He said then: "You have ordered the murder of the daughter of Clitoria? He retaliated by killing your son and then for both tirarvene out you killed the poor Alcippo to believe that the first two victims were random? You already have combined things like that or am I wrong? "
Dionicio did not answer immediately, if his eyes were red with sorrow for the death of his son, born with immense dignity, Diogenes did not know. Dionicio
sighed and said, in a grave voice: "It was a different man than that. I no longer. I know what I have done in the past. But there I would do anything, ever again, for all the gold in the world. "
" What are those scars on the body of your son? You would not ever notice them. "
were left standing, almost staggering tried Dionicio a stone bench and slumped there.
"I am the last of my mistakes ... but I can not tell you more ... I can not ... even under threat of death. I still have my wife to protect. And the spirit of my son to be preserved. "
" What do you mean? "
Silence" Can you at least tell me what, exactly? Eyes? Perhaps leaves? "
" The End ... "and something fell on Dionicio, like a dark hand that pours out to a body still alive, the cold fear of death. Diogenes went away, Dionicio would not have ruined the sleep or prevented from enjoying the mild night. He walked a bit, 'until a view framed between two trees not teased him so much that he decided to coricarvisi, on nights like that any shelter would have seemed a sacrilege. The full moon was her mantle, and those points of light in the dark the best entertainment to sleep because of Diogenes that nothing leaves nothing and takes up where the Fortune has no power. Free, Diogenes contemplated the sky and the blessed light of the stars ... bright eyes ... surrounded by an immaculate glow in the dark as you draw ... it was then that he yelled. And the only answer was a dog barking in the distance.
Stars. They are stars. Seven Stars.
sprang up because the road was long and perhaps it was also his research. At night, there was many other people whose favorite entertainment.
What he realized he did not like at all. He had stopped a bit 'of people on the street and got his directions so he knew where to find it. It would have done without, but in his being involved in that story, had a decisive part. Finally arrived in Piraeus. Taverns and brothels of Athens is full, but not him, for certain liberties had to get back among the sailors and foreigners, between the scum that was shown for what it was and the great men who love the trivial, incognito. Did not fit into either category, however. He went around asking for brothels and if necessary to prove the strength of his stick on the head of some drunk from the senses numb. Eventually he was given a recess between the carcass of a ship scrapping, and a pile of rope that odor of dead water. She saw him only from behind, it was clear what he was doing.
better.
fled to him.
He was playing like a child with a splash of his urine, but when he noticed the presence of the other busy in the same firm, despite the situation, tried to keep himself in countenance. Diogenes looked sideways at him in the moonlight. He knew everything there was to know about him and often wondered what game play with all the fixers who ruled Athens and had been irretrievably lost. To them he was not a man capable and knowledgeable, but the wood in which the survivor clings desperately grateful, but that does not hesitate to crash once safely to shore.
Diogenes was much higher and had half his age. From time had adopted Greek customs is not as certain of his hats and gaudy gold jewelry in the ears and nose, which now glistened in the moonlight. Her hair was very long and no beard. But despite everything, despite the place smelled better than his.
"Aristotle You know, you smell better than mine." He said, sniffing, the other turned, I nearly urinated on the feet of Diogenes.
"If I could be Diogenes, I willingly accept a worse."
replied, "Do not flatter them that does not stick." Grinned, but perhaps - perhaps - was flattered
"You're not here by accident." was not a question.
"Meet the lands in which it was Dionicio." Nor was this the
"Just what I was told and what I told him, obviously."
He finished: "Tonight I will accept the wine and you talk." He said Diogenes
"He's fine." and proceeded.
Aristotle? "
" Tell me. "
" Put it back inside. "
" Oh. "Diogenes
sat outside the brothel, Aristotle returned shortly with the wine.
"It is a land far away. - Principle - Where imposing name of a river Ganga or Ganges, I'm not sure, and the vegetation is impenetrable. Worship of other than Greek, and there are magnificent lords who rule the classrooms of huge tall buildings to the sky and completely and finely carved. "Diogenes listened at all fascinated by this part of the story
" abound magnificent gold and gems ... - Aristotle continued - ... but also riots and barbaric rites, some of the oldest of the oldest ... and one of them is incorporated Dionicio. I do not know why he has gone that far, but the fact is, he told me that none of us has ever met the gods ... "
" Well? "
" The worshipers of this But God, preached that he was among them and went with them, everyone could see it if only it were prostrate, humiliated in front of him ... in exchange he would receive all wealth and power over all affairs of men ... and eternal life ... external worlds from which he came. "
" The seven stars? "
Aristotle nodded:" According to their predictions, seven stars fall to earth and destroy the world and only the worshipers of God will be saved ... "
" But ... "
" But Dionicio is Dionicio, stole their treasures, he murdered the priests and escaped. "Diogenes
burst into loud laughter:
" And they are come back for revenge? That's what I want to understand? "
" Things do not always occur in the right order. You need to have the parties according to their order. "
" Dionicio has been misled by this cult ... - Diogenes resumed, shaking his head - and if he was drunk ... maybe he saw this god as well, but why kill the daughter of Clitoria and your son! And the poor Alcippo! But most of all ... - And here pointing a stick - Why do you want me to make accusations that dare not speak? "
" And why would not dare utter? "
" Why did not you come and Athenian accused of having relations with foreigners doubt that's why ... worship from distant lands, the first half to go there you would be ... but then tell me who I blame and get it over with ... then with what evidence? "
" Clitoria Dionicio or it may be, do you think any of them will be worse? They're both the same side. "Aristotle and the wine was finished he got up, imitated by Diogenes.
neither of them would say anything. Aristotle took leave and when he had gone a few steps, Diogenes thought to call it and say something, but the words stopped in his throat. He felt dry.
and mouth mixed.
Sleep would have been sadder
shortly after dawn and Dionicio Clitoria
He found exactly where he thought them to be. In the place where he was killed Eudoxia. His visit was not expected and read it to him in the face. They would not have wanted to be found together. Above all there.
"I hope you are really changed Dionicio ... - Diogenes said - ... and that your child is the last person that you have as enmeshed with the cult in which, in turn, involved the daughter of Clitoria. Correct what I said yesterday: Clitoria killed Eudoxia because you met Timna and Dionicio Timne you killed because you hold him responsible for the deaths of Eudoxia ... you're always in these cruel intentions your new ... Everyone has killed his own son. Then you began to try to act in advance to fall over each other to blame for both murders. Clitoria has been put ahead by Alcippo find the corpse of his house. Anyone would have been fine, but a weakness was better. For you, the weak are always better. For me no and that execution was a rustic comedy staged only for myself. Then you go to both Aristotle and he sent you to me. But only you came Clitoria, because you have no remorse for what you did ... I think that instead Dionicio is arranging things to commit suicide. "
" It is. "Dionicio admitted. Clitoria
's face did not express anything.
"And now that the truth is known, what should we do? Have you already decided your conviction and your salvation. And I have no evidence against any of you two. "
" What do you want then? Cause a scandal? "He said finally Clitoria, but did not have time to listen to the answer of Diogenes because, taking advantage of the distraction offered by the philosopher, Dionicio slipped behind him and with the knife he kept hidden under his tunic, with lethal precision, cut off the throat.
Diogenes stood petrified and the beating of his heart stopped for a moment, the thud of the falling body of Clitoria, dropped to the ground. And he was still unable to move when, in the same place where it was found Eudoxia, Dionicio sat down and practiced two long and deep incisions in the wrist: "There is no place for Diogenes in the affairs of men. - He said - You saved an innocent man by the same hands who then killed him anyway, did you accuse a man who has already decided to punish himself alone and that in turn has done justice staining of another fault ... Diogenes goes away, back to your roots and your dog banquet. Go Away! "Then completely forgot about him and closed his eyes and clenched his teeth, waiting for death.
"Death moves forward." Diogenes murmured, turning toward the city.