The Courtyard Scene

A crowd of ninety-some maidens waited eagerly in the courtyard. They had heard of the beautiful, feisty, clever, sharp-tongued Elishat and her endless woes with her brother, but never had they imagined that they would see her with their own eyes, much less hear her address them directly. What she wanted of them they could only speculate, and they did so freely. Elishat emerged from the temple and stood at the top of the steps overlooking the courtyard. She touched her horn moon pendant as a wave of admiration passed through the crowd. The temple maidens fell silent the moment she started to speak. Amaal listened, curious to find out how Elishat would shape her enticement.

“By now you have heard of my journey from Tyre.”

The women nodded, for the story had spread quickly through the halls of the great temple.

“We are going to a new land where we will build a new city. The High Priestess, may the gods bless her, has allowed me to invite you to join me as representatives of the goddess.” The women looked at one another in surprise. Elishat quickly scanned the group, observing where her words had landed hot and cold.

“I would not take any person, even a slave, unwillingly from Kition. You are free to decide, though, frankly, I cannot imagine why anyone would leave this beautiful city.” Amaal thought it odd that Elishat seemed to be dissuading the maidens. A number of them were already shaking their heads, and Elishat made no effort to coax them over to her side. “The way ahead will be as unlike temple life as you can imagine. No one will be pampered. You will have no special privileges. No one will be above the rest. The voyage may be long and possibly dangerous. For a time, we may have to live off the land. We…you…all of us will build the new temple, block by block, with our own hands.”

Allowing the women a moment to discuss what they had heard, Elishat glanced around at the courtyard where a layer of leaves, seeds, sand, and other outdoor detritus had settled across the top overnight. Amaal could see that she was planning something. The temple maidens quieted down except for one who spoke up, saying that she couldn’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to go to sea, found a new city, and build a new temple to the goddess. Several of the others agreed, but many more wobbled. Now Amaal understood: Elishat did not want wobblers.

“One more thing. There will be no turning back. We leave tomorrow morning, and it is possible that you may never return to Kition.” She reiterated that they were free to make the decision. Those who were interested should remain in the courtyard. She dismissed the others, saying, “I wish all happiness to those who have chosen to stay in Kition and hope that someday you will visit our new city where you will be most welcome.”

Thirty-two temple maidens remained in the courtyard. “Now we shall see who among you is fit to go. Your success will earn you a place on the ships.”

The maidens glanced at one another, eager to hear what was coming next. “Tie up your hair,” Elishat ordered.

The maidens twisted their long, dark hair into tight knots at the top of their heads.

“Using only what you have on your person at this very moment, clean the courtyard floor so that a queen can walk across it feeling nothing but smooth paving stone beneath her bare feet: no leaves, no pine needles, not a grain of sand. You may discuss how you wish to complete the task, but any bickering will result in your elimination from the group.”

Six women objected, saying that they wouldn’t do the work of a slave. Elishat dismissed them without judgement. Twenty-six maidens remained. They set to work brushing the leaves away with their fingers, kicking away little pine cones, and blowing sand from the stones, but the courtyard was wide and long, and even as they finished one area, the breeze delivered more dust, pine needles, and dried leaves from the nearby olive trees. The women soon recognized the futility of the task.

“May we use a broom?” one asked.

“Only what is on your person,” Elishat reminded them.

 In an atmosphere of deepening frustration, one called out, “She’s testing us! We can do this!”

At the center of the courtyard, one maiden was silently pulling her gown off over her head. With the garment, she began to swat the flat stones clean. The others turned to watch. Yes, it was working. One by one, they joined her at the center of the courtyard, doffing their garments and mimicking her technique. A wave of delight swept over them. They worked every stone, starting from the center and radiating outward, swatting the debris to the edges of the courtyard and leaving a clean circle in their wake. Within minutes the twenty-six naked temple maidens had the courtyard perfectly clean. They invited Elishat to walk across it, which she did, feeling nothing but the smooth stones beneath her royal feet. The women grinned, wiped the perspiration from their brows, and pulled their dusty gowns on over their heads. Elishat gathered them together.

“What have you learned?” she asked.

“Life will not always give you a slave with a broom!” one maiden shouted. The others laughed and nodded their agreement.

Another said, “Sometimes you must complete the task with only the resources you have on hand.”

A third piped up, “By working together, we can accomplish what we cannot do alone.”

They looked around at one another and were, for the first time in their lives, united by something more powerful than beauty.

“Lastly,” Elishat continued. “You are temple maidens, well-versed in the art of sacred love-making, but be wary of those honey-tongued sailors out there. Don’t let them push you over with their curly beards and their sturdy legs. Let their ardor cool a while before you jump into their arms. Let them work for your affections. Wait until we have found our homeland. The limitations on our life there will open your eyes and make you stronger partners. Ashtart will guide you. She brings out the best in every woman. Now, go, bathe, say your goodbyes, and prepare to travel. In the morning, present yourselves for departure with the Priestess.”

The maidens looked at one another in surprise. “Is the Priestess coming with us?” one asked.

“Indeed, gods be thanked, the Priestess has consented to join our venture as high priestess.” Garbed in dusty robes, their disheveled hair adorned with dried leaves and pine needles, the temple maidens joined hands in a circle and danced at the happy news. Elishat and her entourage withdrew from the courtyard. Amaal followed, impressed by Queen Elishat’s flair for persuasion.

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