"They are not themselves," she answered finally. "I tried to get the blacks away as quickly as possible, but they could sense the horror of what had happened. They smelled the blood on the grass. That's why I've moved to this track farther down the river, away from the noise and stink of the sanctuary."
She could still picture it, the sword she had grasped in her hands, the deep breath, and the force it had taken to plunge the blade into Adonis so that it was over quickly. She kept her back to Xenophon.
She had not been ready to receive guests; she still wore the sweaty, plain brown chiton that allowed her the most ease of movement. She was training too, and had been working with the horses while Pirro had been at the Oath-Taking.
I hope the Gods have found favour in the Games, she thou
