Afternoon sun warmed the mountain path to the estate. Olive trees cast dappled shadows on the gravel. The distant Scamander River shimmered silver under the midday sun. A breeze carried the fresh scent of lemon verbena from the roadside. Aeneas led the group at a stroll. He pointed out features of the landscape.
Then, a golden shape in the sky caught everyone's eye.
The magnificent golden eagle, Eye of Zeus, circled gracefully above Dido. Its powerful form blazed in the sunlight. Bronze-gold feathers shone like metal. Its sharp eyes scanned the surroundings. Each beat of its wings radiated authority.
"A divine bird! Only one blessed by the gods could tame such a raptor," old men by the roadside whispered. Their eyes held awe. Children ran after the eagle's shadow, laughing with delight.
Melanippe looked up at the sky. The Amazon princess felt a pang of envy. Such a magnificent eagle! Even the Amazon's ancient beast-taming arts can't master hawks. How does this merchant woman possess such a skill? A flicker of longing crossed her eyes.
Ninsarina walked elegantly beside Dido. Her amber-gold eyes studied the eagle. No ordinary merchant's pet. Is this Phoenician woman a princess? Of Phoenicia? Or Alasiya? She pondered this.
Aeneas chatted as they walked. He pointed out local sights to his three distinguished guests. "Over there, our olive groves. Good harvest this year. Behind that hill lies a ridge covered in maple trees. Maple Ridge. The temple to my mother, Aphrodite, is there..."
Before he could finish, the eagle let out a clear cry. It beat its wings, flying toward the estate.
Dido smiled in explanation. "Eye of Zeus always scouts the path ahead for me." Her gaze followed the eagle's departing form. Her deep auburn hair lifted in the breeze.
******
In the estate dining hall, a long wooden table was spread with a white linen cloth. Silver utensils and clay wine jugs gleamed in the sunlight. A wool tapestry on the wall depicted the legend of Ilion's founding. Sunlight pouring through the tall windows gilded the room.
The feast was astonishingly lavish. A whole roast lamb with rosemary smelled divine. Honey-glazed fish was golden and crisp. There was also a modern dish Aeneas had taught the cooks—tender lamb chops cooked gently in a wine sauce. Juicy and succulent. It amazed all present.
In a corner of the hall, Eye of Zeus had its own small table. It feasted on a large platter of raw lamb strips. The eagle ate with a wild, elegant dignity. It looked up occasionally. Watching its mistress, Dido.
Aeneas had felt a nagging sense of familiarity with Dido. He finally asked, "Miss Dido, I have this feeling... that I've known you before. Have we met somewhere?"
Clatter. Dido's silver spoon fell onto the table. She bowed her head in silence. Her deep auburn hair curtained her face. Her fingers trembled slightly.
So... you've truly forgotten me. Was it just a childhood interlude to you? But I've thought of that boy who gave me hope every single day... Dido's heart ached in silence. Seven years of longing became a soundless sigh.
Ninsarina sensed the delicate shift in mood. She lifted her wine cup elegantly. Her amber-gold eyes moved between Aeneas and Dido.
An awkward silence fell over the dining hall. Then Eye of Zeus, who had been quietly eating its raw meat in the corner, suddenly took flight toward Aeneas. The eagle's wings spanned nearly two meters. The gust made the candle flames on the table waver.
"Look out!" Melanippe cried out, her hand going to her short sword. Everyone thought the raptor was attacking. But the eagle performed an elegant mid-air roll right before Aeneas. Then it swept past Dido like a golden flash.
Its sharp talons precisely snatched the silk amulet from Dido's neck. A quick tear of its claws. Shredded silk and a large, pristine white swan feather drifted down. Like snow.
Aeneas's pupils contracted sharply. Memory flooded back. Seven years ago... Ilion... the slave market... that silent girl my own age! I secretly bought her freedom. My sister Hippodamia scolded me for being reckless...
Just then, the young maid Terani gasped. Her round face lit up with realization. "That golden eagle that went to find help for the young master back then... Could it have been Eye of Zeus? No wonder I always felt... hmm... a golden eagle... I'd heard something..." The clever girl's mind worked hard to piece it together.
Lady Aresya chuckled softly. Shook her head. Her honey-gold curls swayed. "It took the silly girl this long to realize?"
Aeneas watched the torn amulet cloth float down. That was... silk? Extremely rare in the Greek world now.
The discovery clicked into place like a final puzzle piece. The mysterious rescuer after the boar had thrown him from the cliff... It had been Dido.
Dido stared blankly at the falling swan feather. Tears finally welled in her eyes, unable to be held back. Seven years of longing overflowed. Her shoulders trembled slightly.
Aeneas's memory grew clearer. No matter how I, just a boy, tried to cheer up that silent girl, she never spoke... Until I sneaked that beautiful swan feather from my mother's temple at Maple Ridge. A offering to Aphrodite...
In his memory, a young Aeneas offered the swan feather to the little slave girl. Said mysteriously, "This is from my mother, the goddess Aphrodite's sacred bird. Keep it. The goddess will protect you."
After receiving the feather, the girl's silence finally broke. She told her story. From Alasiya, a distant island. Her home destroyed by the Hittites. Taken as a slave. Her family's fate unknown...
Aeneas understood at last. I scrambled to redirect domain resources back then... Let's be honest, I embezzled funds! Hmm... to send that girl home... That frail little girl was Dido!
He gazed deeply at Dido. His confusion melted into pure joy. "It was you... I see you found your family!"
Tears welled in Dido's eyes. Her voice was thick with emotion, yet happy. "All these years, I thought of you every day. Wondering how I could ever repay your kindness. As my ships sailed the seas, I always dreamed of returning here one day. To tell you that little girl is doing well now."
The golden eagle, Eye of Zeus, had already returned to its perch. It resumed eating its strips of raw meat with elegance. As if the dramatic scene had nothing to do with it.
The quiet mood in the hall didn't last. The lively Terani, pulling little Talia along, surrounded Dido like a pair of sparrows. They bombarded her with questions.
"Lady Dido, your eagle is amazing! Does it understand speech?"
"Your hair is so pretty! What do you use to dye it?"
"Have you been to lots of places? Are there monsters in the sea?"
The overwhelming enthusiasm flustered Dido. She smiled, answering each question. But the rapid-fire barrage was too much.
Aeneas saw her struggle. He stepped in. Gently herded the two chattering girls toward his mother, Aresya.
"Mother, these two little troublemakers are yours," he said with a wink. Then turned to Dido. "Let's talk somewhere quieter."
He led her to the southwest corner of the estate's main hall. An arched window there overlooked the maple groves behind the estate. Pots of herbs on the windowsill gave off a fresh scent.
From this relatively secluded spot, they could see the white roof of Aphrodite's temple in the distance. Bathed in the afternoon sun, the view was stunning. Perfect for a computer wallpaper.
Aeneas looked at Dido with concern. His voice was gentle. "These years... were you well? How did you become a merchant? This wasn't your first time back to the Dardan lands, was it? Why didn't you come to the estate?"
Dido let out a soft sigh. Finally revealed the truth. "Actually... I am a princess of Alasiya. Seven years ago, my home was overrun by the Hittites. They stormed the palace. I was separated from my father and the others in the chaos. Then I was taken..."
"You're a princess? Wow!" Aeneas's eyes widened comically. "Your kingdom's guards must be... pretty useless... to lose a little princess..."
Dido couldn't help a small laugh. "Don't say that. The Hittite soldiers were terrifying. So many of them. Their weapons were all iron. Our soldiers truly couldn't hold them off."
Aeneas nodded with a grin. "Well, if the little princess forgives them, I suppose they're pardoned! But if your palace was stormed, how is Alasiya not wiped off the map?"
Dido shook her head with a slight sigh. "Luck, I suppose? At the time, Alasiya was practically finished!
My father had fled to the coast, ready to board a ship and escape. But then several Hittite border cities fell. Attacked by remnants of Mitanni. The Assyrians seemed to be behind it. The Hittite king recalled his armies urgently. That's how my father managed to regain control."
Aeneas sighed in sympathy. "I see... The Hittites are indeed a powerful and aggressive nation... But why are you traveling with a merchant fleet yourself?"
Dido smiled. "The kingdom needs funds. Alasiya was actually founded by Phoenicians. We're skilled sailors too! I had some seafaring experience. And I happened to have a whole ship's crew, gifted by a certain kind young lord. So I started helping with trade. To earn money. The profits grew. So did the fleet."
Aeneas laughed with understanding. "So I'm the reason you became a seafaring princess! Ha! But that means you're really talented! Wait..." His smile faded. His expression turned serious. "If you're such a sharp merchant, why open a trade route to the Dardan lands? Selling grain and copper at stable prices? There's no profit in that... Unless..." He grew more suspicious as he spoke. His eyes fixed on Dido.
Dido's face flushed crimson. Her fingers twisted the fabric of her dress unconsciously. She stammered, "It's... it's fine... We didn't lose much... It was only three ships. The rest of the fleet earns plenty..."
Aeneas felt a warmth spread through his chest. His voice softened. "I see! You... you were specifically bringing us the supplies we needed. Weren't you?"
Dido looked down, shy. She hemmed and hawed, avoiding a direct answer. But the red tips of her ears said everything.
Aeneas took a deep breath. He pushed down the tender feeling her gesture inspired. Switched to an enthusiastic tone. "Hey! The Dardan lands have some interesting goods now! You've tried the 'Nectar of the Gods'. What did you think? Should sell well, right?"
"And the meal earlier. Didn't you notice the flavor? No bitter aftertaste. Our estate produces a refined salt. It looks clean. Has no bitterness at all. Should fetch a high price." He promoted them like prized treasures.
In this era, a few nobles knew solar evaporation techniques. But none had proper filtration. The refined salt was truly a Dardan exclusive.
Aeneas sincerely took Dido's hands. "I'll keep developing more special items. Would you represent all Dardan specialties for Mediterranean trade from now on? Let us form an alliance. Please?"
Dido's face was flushed with happiness. Joyful tears shone in her eyes. She nodded happily in agreement.
Not far away, Melanippe and Thaleia exchanged a complicated look. Melanippe sighed quietly. "Another one." Her voice held resignation. A touch of defeat.
Thaleia silently clenched the napkin in her hand. Bit her lower lip. A flash of resolve crossed her deep brown eyes. She seemed to have made a radical decision.
At the other end of the hall, Ninsarina observed it all quietly. Her eyes were lowered. Deep in thought...