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handful of times, and each time she counted it, she felt ridiculous. She could not even fathom the amount that Orestes must have paid, because the share that Gaia gave her was more than Kalliope could even dream of earning. It was at least five years of wages - without a cut for a brothel owner.
    Kalliope usually just checked on the small pouch to make sure it was still in its safe place.
    At the moment, Kalliope was sitting on the cot again, eating a handful of dried nuts and she wiped her hands off before carefully untying the tissue paper. As gently as she could, she pulled out the three magnificent gowns that Thea Gaia had given her. Even after studying them every day for the past week, Kalliope was still in awe each time she pulled them out. The colors were so rich and vibrant, the fabric was so subtle and fine, and the cuts were an absolute dream.  The Gods themselves couldn’t have designed better dresses.
    A loud noise on the deck above distracted Kalliope and she quickly stowed her belongings. She snuck out of her room and discreetly made her way onto the deck. She peered out over the water and she couldn’t help but gasp.
    Straight ahead was land and she could just make out a city in the distance. Though she had never laid eyes on it before, Kalliope felt with certainty that the city was Athens.
    The next hour was a blur as Kalliope hurried back downstairs to get her things and was then escorted off by Orestes. The soldiers began to go their separate ways but Orestes kept Kalliope close. She realized that a horse was waiting for her for the remainder of the journey.
    The countryside blew by and Kalliope watched with wide eyes, as the city of Athens loomed larger and larger. The buildings were tall and white and Kalliope shielded the sun from her eyes to get a better look.
    “We must go in a different way,” Orestes said, as he pulled on the reigns to direct the horse away from the city.
    “Why?” Kalliope couldn’t help asking.
    “All will be revealed soon enough.”
    The horse moved along the outskirts of town, until it came to an old building that was situated on the edge of the city. Orestes jumped off and opened the large wooden doors attached to the structure. Curious, Kalliope craned her neck but she could only see darkness inside. Orestes jumped back on and they traveled into the building.
    The building itself seemed to veer to the right, but once they entered, Kalliope noticed the ground slope down into a tunnel. Orestes followed the sloping ground down and Kalliope’s stomach flipped nervously as they descended under the city.
    “Don’t be frightened,” Orestes reassured her.
    Kalliope realized how tightly she had been holding on to him. “I am taking you the Hera Selene. It is an underground structure.”
    “A brothel?”
    “It is not like any brothel you have ever known. Brothel is a crude word that you have come accustomed to in your village. You will live in Hera Selene as a courtesan. You will find their ways very, ah, unusual.”
    Kalliope shifted nervously on the horse. Orestes made her sound like an uneducated peasant.
    Which she supposed she was compared to the cosmopolitan women of Athens.
    They stopped and Orestes helped her down. They began to travel on foot down the hall. A soft noise was rousing from the end of the hall as they approached a heavy door. Orestes paused to look at her, winking slightly, and then he opened it.
    Kalliope stood frozen as she took in her surroundings.
    Though they were underground, the room was filled with light from an oculus high in the ceiling. The room was large and the walls were a bright white and covered with fine material. The floor was littered with large, brightly colored pillows and beautiful women lounged on the pillows, dressed in gorgeous gowns, some in quiet conversations with handsome men.
    Yet there was an air of intrigue, mystery and most of all, sex.
    Kalliope looked carefully at the men, and she realized that none looked like the