Early the next morning, Anna splashed her face with cold water, dressed in Cretan allblack peasant clothing consisting of a long skirt, a long-sleeved cotton shirt, and a kerchief to cover her hair. She then walked to the chapel where Father Gregorios was conducting the morning prayer. Anna stopped in front of the icons of Jesus and that of the Virgin, whispering repeatedly, "Sweet Mother of God, help my Nikolas." After prayers, they adjourned to the refectory, where she hurried through her breakfast of wild honey and bread before rushing to the spring. Father Gregorios, along with Mikis and another woman, quickly joined her.
"Mikis, what happened to the other horse?" asked Anna. He just shrugged his shoulders and looked away.
"I would have liked you to stay longer, Anna ... but you see … "
Anna stopped the priest.
"Thank you for everything, Father."
"There will be a lot of soldiers who will need your help. For many of them your face will be the last thing they see." Father
Gregorios turned away to hide his emotion.
"I am a little afraid, for many reasons, but what you say is true. Oh, God help us all." Anna bent over to kiss his hand respectfully, but he quickly pulled it away, humbled by her gesture.
"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen." The priest cleared his throat. "Dear God, bless these people and protect them on their journey." He then placed his hand on Anna's head and blessed her.
***
Even though her leg had healed quite well, Anna chose not to walk. She rode the horse sidesaddle. After a two-hour journey along the stream and the treacherous coast, they climbed straight up the steep terrain toward Vianos. Mikis decided to take another route to avoid the gorge where Nikolas's horse had fallen. Anna noticed the dozen or so vultures circling the area but did not ask about them nor did the other woman who was traveling with them. Later, when Anna offered her the saddle to ride on, the stranger refused with a smile, pointing to her strong feet and muscular legs.
Anna quietly returned the smile noticing the woman's rather heavy hair on her upper lip, which distracted from her otherwise pretty face. Mikis, a robust and handsome man in his forties and strong as a mule, stroked his long dark mustache and glanced at the two women smiling. Then he quickly lowered his gaze as though he had not seen the curious look on Anna's face.
To tease Irene, for that was the woman's name, Mikis stroked his mustache with one hand and with the other, touched his genitals. Upon seeing Mikis' behavior, Irene jumped on him like an angry tiger. They rolled on the ground and giggled like children.