Read Online Killing Pythagoras (Mediterranean Prize Winner 2015) by Marcos Chicot - Free Book Online

When they had finished, the disciple took the mule away to the stables.
    Alone with the master in his room, Akenon decided to speak frankly.
    “Pythagoras, I didn’t want to leave Magna Graecia without coming to see you. It’s a great pleasure for me to meet you again.”
    The master nodded without replying, assuming that Akenon had more to say.
    “However, I need to take some time off. I’ve been working without respite for many years, and I’ve seen more crimes, suffering, and injustice than I ever wanted to.” Akenon shook his head, sickened. “I’m weary, and have neither the strength nor the desire to investigate more crimes. I’m sorry, but that’s how it is.”
    Pythagoras could see from Akenon’s expression that he was firm in his resolve, but that to some degree his unwillingness was fueled by recent events. With his great knowledge of human nature, he knew that the impact of recent experiences quickly lessens.
    “If you don’t mind,” he placed one hand on Akenon’s shoulder, “we’ll talk about this later. I’ll explain what I’d like to ask of you and the implications of our problem, and then you will be completely free to decide. For now, consider yourself a guest in our community, under no obligation. We don’t have to talk about it today, we can simply enjoy our walk and have a chat.”
    Akenon nodded in silence before replying.
    “Very well.” He had no option but to accept the master’s kind words, though he could tell it was a ruse designed to ultimately secure his co-operation.
    Once alone, Akenon lay on the bed, relaxed, and let his gaze rest on the beams in the ceiling. He didn’t feel like a simple visitor to the compound. He extended his arm and laid a hand on the sturdy wooden chest that contained his treasure.
    As his eyes closed, Ariadne of Croton, daughter of Pythagoras, slipped into his dreams.

 
     
    CHAPTER 12
    April 18 th , 510 B.C.
     
     
    As Akenon slipped into sleep, Ariadne sat on her own bed, just a few steps away from him, leaning against the wall. On her lap was a wooden tablet coated with a layer of wax. Using a stylus, she had drawn some geometric shapes which she now contemplated with a dreamy expression. She frequently drew those shapes. They brought back happy memories.
    A decade earlier, when she was twenty, she had spent every day studying. Her only teacher was her father, who would give her the same frustrating answer more and more often every time she asked.
    “I can’t teach you any more on this subject. The next part is reserved for the grand masters of the brotherhood.”
    Without responding, Ariadne would lower her eyes obediently, but every day his answer was harder to accept.
    “Father,” she said one day, “what do I have to do for you to let me gain deeper knowledge?”
    “Ariadne, dearest daughter.” Her father’s voice, though still deep and resonant, took on a sweeter tone when he spoke to her. “In order to teach you what you ask me, you would have to meet the conditions demanded of every grand master. You need to build up seniority in the School…”
    “I’m your daughter and I’m twenty years old,” Ariadne interrupted, “which means that’s the amount of time I’ve been in the School.”
    Pythagoras smiled at his favorite daughter’s obstinacy. He decided not to mention the fact that a grand master had to demonstrate that he had complied with a set of very stringent moral codes. Ariadne would have assured him that she had complied with them all. It was better to put forward an argument she couldn’t dispute.
    “You must also have completed the masters’ studies in all the disciplines we teach, and you are mainly interested in geometry. You must progress further in astronomy, music…”
    He paused when Ariadne folded her arms and exhaled forcefully, showing her frustration.
    “Do you want to stop for today?”
    “No,” she replied. “What I want is…” She fell silent. An idea had just entered her head. “Very