Harmonia listened as Philotes talked, perhaps a bit too eagerly. It wasn't Olympian happenings or talk of Harm's family, but it was connection to a world outside of Thebes. It was more than she had gotten in months and even though it wasn't much, it lifted her spirits just a bit to hear of the outside world.
“I don't know,” she answered the question about the baskets. “I have people who keep track of those things for me. I don't really know where anything is anymore.” Harmonia sighed. “Can you go ask the girl who is probably pacing outside the door looking for something to do? I don't like shouting at them and I don't want to walk all the way over there to walk all the way back here and wait.”
Moving over to the shelf Lottie had gotten the dish of pins from, she continued, “If I'm going to go outside, I should at least put some jewelry on. Right?” Or at least, in her mind, look the position she held. Which she did with a couple bracelets, a ring and some relatively modest earrings. It was still more than many women in her city could afford and she knew that.
Minutes later, basket in hand, they moved slowly through the corridors, down the stairs and out into the square much to the surprise of many of the palace attendants and guards. “We have to pass through the market... I think.” Harmonia turned her head to look at her dear friend. Really, she had no idea. The farthest she'd ever ventured, other than when she had been led into the City for her wedding, was the first few stalls of the market.
She started to step forward again when another round of fussing started in her belly and her hand went to it. Looking around, she saw that every mortal that could see her was staring at her. Some were whispering. Her breathing quickened and panic started to set in. They were whispering about her, weren't they? Harmonia's hand left her belly and grasped for Lottie. “What do I do?” She started to ask when the sound of someone coming up behind them started, followed by a male voice who asked, “everything alright, My Queen?”
Harmonia stiffened, then swallowed and finally looked over her shoulder. “Yes, Echion, everything is fine. Philotes is taking me to go pick flowers. We do not need an escort.” He was one of the Spartoi, the warriors who had sprung from the sown teeth of her father's dead serpent. One of the five who survived and helped found the city alongside her husband. “Actually, do you know the best place to go for that?”
He studied her for a moment, unsure since she rarely left her bedchamber let alone the palace. Then answered, “Through the market, to the crossroads and take a left.”
“Thank you,” she said and shifted her gaze to her best friend. “Ready?” The sooner she got away from all the staring people, the better.