It was now past dusk and Professor Vasiliou had still not returned to her house. Obviously she was enjoying her day spent on the yacht. Daniela had returned from her exploration along the wooded creek below the village only one or two hours before. Being exhausted and heavy with perspiration, she treated herself to a long, hot bath once in the house. She also felt free enough to leisurely engage in that new rare pastime she only recently learned to enjoy while bathing. Rather than thinking of it as taboo, as she once had, she now celebrated it as a gift to herself to be savored during special moments when her privacy was ensured.

Though it was the month of April and the light was still quick to vanish in the early evenings, there was a lingering glow to the sky from the west as the professor finally rang the bell, unlocked the front doors and entered the house. Daniela greeted her European style, with a kiss on both cheeks and already had chilled wine ready to pour into glasses on the coffee table. The professor dropped her bag behind the large easy chair and sat down in it looking at a radiant and eager-to-communicate Daniela. She had been musing all afternoon over her promised discussion of the ancient Amazons that evening. She had additionally set out some cut fruit and bread, to which the professor added, via a plastic bag, still hot rolled grilled lamb slices in fresh pita bread with tsatziki. She obviously had stopped in Chora on the way back from the yacht.

"Oh my god. This is a feast," Daniela said, running into the kitchen to bring out plates, forks, and napkins.

"I knew by now you must be starving," professor Vasiliou said, removing the outer waxed papers of the gyros and placing them on the plates.

"Wow. So how was your meeting on the sea?"

"Extremely fun! And also very productive," the professor replied smiling and took a sip of the wine. Deidra is a great friend, a little crazy, but also a very valuable link to the sisterhood. And I'm not just talking about the money she's donated over the years to our projects. She really is very dedicated to the efforts we've all made. She's such an inspiration to all of us."

Daniela had to wonder how anyone could be more inspiring than the professor herself. "How was the new boat, by the way?

"Oh, you know. Once you've been on one of those monstrous things, you've seen them all. Luxurious, for sure."

Daniela was surprised and somewhat impressed by this answer. The professor obviously had other priorities than material extravagances. She herself had this very feeling upon visiting her parent's friends each summer on their yacht in San Francisco Bay.

The professor took out her iPhone as Daniela picked up her plate and sipped the wine.

"Let me just check my last messages before we get to talking." She seemed to be intent on scanning over a number of the calls quickly, as if looking for any correspondences which may have been more critically important.

"OK . . . so how was your day here all alone? Did you enjoy the freedom of it?" She sipped her wine again and took hearty bite of her gyro.

"Yes," Daniela said, lighting up with a contented smile.

"I had a good feeling you would make the best of your solitude here today. Did you take that walk?

"I did. It's so beautiful out there . . . so hidden, and so wild! The flowers are coming out like crazy. It was just perfect, Nefeli!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed the day. I did too. Much progress is being made right now. And totally world-wide, finally. We're getting such good reports. I'm so satisfied. It's taken years, but now we're seeing so much success. Most of the areas of our projects and concentrations are logging in great results."

"Yeah, I learned about some of them through Tec . . .

"Tecmessa. Two five four six?. . . yes. She is a wonderful lady. Over in Delaware. The other side, to you Californians." The professor smiled to herself. "Like so many of us . . . she works so hard. And she's very thorough at what she does."

"Pretty sad what she's finding out though."

"Sad, yes . . . the victimization of so many. But it's also encouraging that we are committed to take it on as a real battle now. And to keep making those changes I speak of."

"Yes. That is important. Never to stop."

"You see, Daniela, we will not rest until we see such crimes against women end. To begin to see those statistics really reverse. That's our first ambition. But we're in this for the long fight. It's always been an eternal war, you see . . . since the beginning of time."

"Yes. I'm sure it has been."

"But listen, don't be depressed by these things you will discover through your work. Like the great Buddha once said, so many thousands of years ago . . . 'We must learn to joyfully participate in the sorrows of the world.'

"Yeah. Nice."

"And we women are now adding a few words to that timeless wisdom."

"Really? Which are?"

"Like . . . Let's get off our asses and change those sorrows!" The professor laughed out loud, seemingly proud of her own addition to the aphorism.

Daniela looked up in mid-bite, surprised at the radiant woman's sudden levity.

"So. Daniela. Where did you develop this fascination with our more ancient sisters? In school, studying art?"

She suddenly felt the old anxiety rising, not wishing to reveal why she had come there.

"Well . . . yes, there . . . and even now, out of university. . . I've come across the Amazons again. I've made it a point to really look at them . . . to really analyse those images we have of them through history. Maybe differently . . . or more closely than others, I suppose. There's just something about their strength . . . and that haunting silence they show that speaks to me."

"Yes, I agree."

"And. . . Well . . . just being here in Greece now. I've felt my curiosity increase like . . . ten times. I want to know so much more . . . and I have so many questions.

"Great."

"I'm even more fascinated now, through your work . . . and of course . . . all this which you've generously shared with me. It's just so amazing what's going on."

The professor was strangely quiet, making direct eye contact with her and nodding while listening.

"I just would never have believed this whole world you are a part of is . . . is really happening . . . and everywhere now, as you say. And yet . . . it all came from women . . . so far away in time. Women who . . . the world knows so little about, actually. I don't know. It's just all pretty incredible."

The professor smiled and casually took another bite of the food.

She finally spoke softly. "Many times, Daniela, before I left my post in Athens as Professor of Archaeology and Ancient History, I was asked to speak about the Amazons as both a mythological, and also a historical reality."

"Yes?"

"The archaeological evidence at that time was just pointing to the fact that they may have actually existed. My colleagues and I, as you understand now, have learned so much more since that time through our own private efforts. Yet, whether I was lecturing to my students or speaking publicly anywhere in the world, my audience was least aware of a third very fundamental reality these nomadic women possessed and projected across time."

"What was that?"

"How they have always acted as a lightning rod, as you Americans say. A catalyst to people's strongest perceptions about women."

"Yes. That's very interesting. And true."

"As women in such times, behaving independently from men . . . never marrying, not occupying homes or villages . . . and in fact, presenting a real physical threat to them instead. You know the ancient Greek mind conceptualized the Amazons with great fear and aversion. They were the complete antithesis to what their own civilized and institutionalized idea of women should be. And yet, the public adored them."

"Yeah?"

"And through this image of exotic danger . . . which was by the way, continually perpetuated by the Greeks, they were demonized by most civic-minded, agriculturally-centered societies. Especially the Greeks, who were the first real foreigners to encounter them."

"I see."

"And surprisingly, among both men and women, there was additionally this mystique about these warrior women which few could resist in art and myth."

"Well I can see why. . ."

"The ancient Greek artists specifically could not resist but to hold them paradoxically in this field of attraction."

"Yes, you can sense that in all the art I've seen which features them. . . " Daniela suddenly held her breath, thinking she might have revealed too much.

"And this was especially during the Classical and Hellenistic periods. That's when they were most celebrated as being these. . . 'mythical beings from the very edge of the world.' And as such, they were so wonderfully featured in the decorative arts and sculptural works of the day.

"I can just picture how that happened."

"And yet, they were the complete embodiment of all taboos women should avoid in a civilized society. Perceived more as creature enemies than humans."

"Wow. A really strong reaction. But they're just so . . . gorgeous!"

"Beautiful? Yes. And even though they were purposely eroticized in those popular images you find in our Greek art, they were still ambiguously looked upon through that culture."

"But from the male perspective? They must have seen that sexy attraction they have."

"Exactly. But always tempered by the fact that they were still vicious opponents. Capable of destroying them. And that ambivalence was powerful to men. Extra attractive, you might say."

"Yeah . . . I see."

"Irresistible. Hypnotic to some. Characters you can't take your eyes off. Like the phenomenal smile on the Mona Lisa. It's an inviting smile but at the same time a sobering expression."

"Yes. Yes! That's really it! Their mystery."

"So consequently, due to their great danger to men, they could not be allowed to win."

"How do you mean?"

"Not in any battle when pitted against them. Especially involving the iconic Greek heroes, whom we see frequently killing them on those vases and plates which exist today. It would have been literally an act of anarchy or sedition to paint any such scene depicting victorious Amazon warriors. Especially in the overall 'battle of the sexes.' Which is what that art additionally represents . . . as a greater metaphor."

"Yes. It's all so obvious now in the art I've seen of them. The Amazons never are winning. Yet they're such brave fighters."

"Exactly. And they die with grace and nobility. Heroic warriors to the end. They're stoic. Almost resolved in their own destruction."

"But why is that . . . Nefeli? Where is their pain or anger in these battles? Where is the rage you would expect from them?

"Because, to the male ego . . . anywhere in the world, his opponent must be as fierce, noble and heroic as he is for the victory to be great. She had to be as lethal as himself. The fight must be balanced. Otherwise, it would not be a fair fight. A man just killing a woman. And that would not be complementary to the male hero as the worthy victor. Right?"

"Yes. You're right."

"Remember Daniela, the Greeks showed their greatest victories as a race of people and an invincible culture in their mythology . . . those of their forefathers, in stone on the Parthenon."

"On the Acropolis?"

"Exactly. There are three great battles up there on those carved stones. Permanently displayed on the incomparable temple. And through them, much was intended to be seen. By the entire world and for all eternity. Each of those three super-conflicts defined the Greeks' uniqueness. Their victories in all of them displayed their unsurpassable courage and might."

"Interesting!"

"Yes. The Athenians saw themselves as capable of victory over any of the most formidable of opponents. And each of those machia, or wars, is displayed in the height of combat on the metopes of the Parthenon. They featured three types of opponent which possessed inhuman strengths and supernatural advantages in those marbles. And the message? It would take a most phenomenal culture to overcome these monsters."

"Wow. What were they?"

"The war against the Titans, a super race of giants. The war against the Centaurs, a brilliant and powerful race half-horse men. And the war against the Amazons, our independent, crafty . . .,"

". . . and beautiful . . ."

"Yes, but also lethal race of women."

"Alright! Women as beasts!" Daniela raised both fist in defiance.

"Exactly!" The professor laughed. Then the two of them laughed together, picking up their wine glasses and tapping them recklessly and forcefully together."

"OK. I finally get it," Daniela said, feeling a bit giddy and being so inspired by the professor's private lecture. "So the Amazons throughout those times really were seen as powerful . . . attractive. . . but also . . . unacceptable beings."

"You have it! And it's that fearful perception of them by men, which many overlook today who wish to study them."

"Very cool!"

"It's a dynamic we still don't fully understand. Except, of course, that complete victory over any female challenge in the past, and always will be, essential to men."

"How true."

"Especially those males who wish to hold on to their tradition of dominance and feelings of entitlement over us."

"So right." An image of Mr. Cuomo suddenly and unavoidably entered Daniela's mind.

"So you see, Daniela, our organization, and its aims today will certainly be seen by many . . . mostly males, as a continuation of that threat. But this will not stop us in our efforts to level the playing field out there for women. We will continue with our work to make this world fairer . . . and less harmful to our sisters everywhere."

Daniela nodded and sipped her wine as a gesture of agreement.

"My feeling, Daniela, is that you will join us sincerely in this cause and can be depended upon for support in both small and large ways."

She looked deeply into the professors eyes. She knew she expected some sign of commitment. Her gaze was so powerful. Strangely alluring. Yet it also exuded an amazing sense of calm, of peace and total support. Daniela felt that behind this woman's friendship and assurance, were thousands of women who made up an army of supporters-mothers, sisters, cousins, and friends. They would all be, for the most part, dedicated allies who would never flinch at providing her assistance if ever she needed it. She would never be alone, she realized. Never feel week, and certainly never again feel her life had no particular meaning if she entered this secret society with true determination.

Daniela paused in her response, and then suddenly and unexpectedly spoke up.

"I will support the sisterhood," she said boldly. "Yes, Nefeli . . . you can depend on me. I'll return to California and become active. How ever I can."

The professor put down her glass and plate, as did Daniela, and she reached across the table. She felt the true strength of the professor's grip as Nefeli Vasiliou shook both of her hands firmly. There was a great sentiment of resolve in the air which Daniela felt transferred to her through this gesture, and additionally in the professor's charismatic and time-stopping eyes. They two women stood and embraced, signifying, as women have done for hundreds of millennia, a connection which speaks louder than any language.

* * *