Atlantis

You're late, and your breath stinks of wine.

I may have stopped by the tavern for one small glass to fortify

myself against the night air. How goes things here? Is all well?

No. All is NOT well. I nearly died of boredom - twice.

Finding boredom in one's work is to be relished.

It means you are being paid for doing nothing. What could be better?

I didn't come to Atlantis to be an errand boy for rich merchants.

Tomorrow, the frankincense will be shipped to Helios

and our work guarding it will be done.

You won't be so sour-faced when you have gold in your purse,

a flagon of wine in one hand, and a beautiful woman in the other.

Two women! You'll need three hands, my friend! Ha-ha!

Three hands!

You should not be here.

I need answers.

That I cannot give.

The man who was cursed to become the Minotaur.

He told me that I have a great destiny. What did he mean?

The images I see are fleeting.

They can be interpreted in many ways.

Well, then how am I supposed to understand them!?

You tell me that I was brought to Atlantis for a reason,

but you cannot tell me what it is?

You tell me that my father is dead, but not how or when he died.

You say that all will become clear, but what am I supposed to do

until then? I don't understand my place in this world!

I don't belong here!

But we have waited so many years for your return.

What do you want from me?

It is not a question of what I want.

Your destiny is already unfolding before you.

How can that be when I feel so lost?

It is only when we accept that we are lost that we find our true path.

I wish I could make it easier.

I will do all I can to help you.

Why do I sense that you're not telling me the whole truth?

Because, above anything,

I must protect you from those who would do you harm.

You must trust in yourself.

With time, all will become clear.

Sophia... Ah!

Urgh!

Ohh!

For the life of me, I cannot understand how it happened.

One minute, the frankincense was there. The next, it was gone.

You got drunk and fell asleep, didn't you?

I'm surprised at you, Pythagoras!

What would lead you to make such an outrageous accusation?

The wine stain on your shirt for a start.

And what is that on your cheek?

It's dried goat's saliva.

Oh, you will kiss anything once you've had a few drinks.

I wasn't kissing a goat.

I wasn't.

We can all stand round here, debating whose fault this is...

There's no debate. It's your fault.

A-ha. But is it?

Yes. Completely.

Or perhaps you will try and blame the goat?

It's the merchant. Don't answer it!

Eventually, he'll get bored and go away.

Look, this is ridiculous.

We'll just have to explain that his frankincense was stolen.

Are you out of your mind? No good has ever come from being honest.

I seek the men who slew the Minotaur.

I came to Atlantis,

searching for my daughter...

Demetria.

It is many years since I last saw her.

I discovered that she'd found work in the palace kitchens.

I went to the palace.

I was overjoyed at the thought of seeing her.

What happened?

I was told that my daughter is missing.

For three days now, she's not been seen.

No-one knows what has happened to her.

I have heard stories of your heroism in defeating the Minotaur.

I was hoping you would find my daughter for me.

You have undoubtedly come to the right place.

Our bravery and skills are unrivalled,

but such skills do not come cheap.

I am not a rich man.

I will give you all that I have.

As much as it saddens me,

unfortunately, on this occasion, we are unable to help you.

I know that I'm not long for this world.

More than anything I hope that I will die knowing

that my daughter is safe, and happy, and loved.

It is my duty as her father.

If I fail her...

..I will take it to my grave.

We will do everything we can to help you find your daughter.

Stay close.

We must hurry.

Korinna?

What are you doing?

Forgive me, my Lady. That doesn't answer my question.

I'm to blame. A young serving girl is missing

and I promised her father I would find out what had happened to her.

It is forbidden for you to be here.

You must go before someone sees you.

I hope you find her.

Thank you.

This is Celandine.

She was the last person to see Demetria before she disappeared.

What more can you tell me?

Demetria was sent to the forest to gather herbs.

That is the last anyone saw of her.

Did anyone search for her?

We are servants.

Our lives are of little value.

Can you take me to where Demetria would have gone

to gather these herbs? I cannot neglect my duties.

I will ensure Princess Ariadne hears of your kindness.

I will meet you by the South Gate when I'm finished here.

Her father will be most grateful for your trouble. As am I.

Hercules, Hercules!

What are you doing? It's Karpos, the merchant. Open up!

What are we going to do?

We will take the only sensible course of action available to us.

I demand you let me in!

Hercules! Come here.

Hercules...

Would Demetria really have come so far to fetch herbs?

Our King does not care how far his servants walk to fetch herbs,

so long as they are fetched.

How much further is it?

We're here.

These woods are rich with herbs...

if you know where to look.

Is this what happened to Demetria?

Did she die at your hand?

Where's Demetria? What have you done with her?

She has not been harmed.

Her god will comfort and provide for her.

Where is she?

She's in a better place.

It's hemlock.

The poison would have killed her in moments.

Why would she take her own life?

This engraving...

It's a thyrsus.

What's a thyrsus?

A fennel staff, tipped with a pine cone.

Is there no limit to your ignorance?

The thyrsus is the symbol of the god, Dionysus.

The cook must have been a maenad.

She would rather die than reveal their secrets to you.

Who are these maenads? They're the female followers of Dionysus.

They have a temple high in the mountains, in the forest of Nysa.

It is said to be a magical realm.

Any man who sets foot there is killed by their satyrs.

Satyrs? The servants of Dionysus.

It's said they feed on human flesh.

But what would these maenads want with Demetria?

They take young girls to initiate into the ways of their cult.

If the maenads have Demetria,

then they will be holding her in their temple.

And that is a place no man should wish to go.

Euoe, brachus aion.

Etoi tauros aion.

E fertatos hoste leonton...

You desired to know the secrets of our rites.

No. Please. I was lost.

I took the wrong path...

Our rites will be revealed to you.

And you will take them to your grave.

No!

We must assume that Demetria has been initiated

into the Cult of Dionysus.

No. I'm truly sorry.

There must be some mistake.

I cannot believe that is to be my daughter's fate.

It cannot be. I won't allow it.

This was not meant to be...

I will make an infusion of magnolia and mimulus.

It will, at least, soothe him.

No. Rest. Rest. You need to regain your strength.

I'm most grateful. You have shown great kindness.

I've done nothing but give you bad news.

You did all you could.

You don't understand what it is to be a father

and know that you will never see your child again.

I know what it is to search for someone you love and not find them.

You don't even know if she's alive! She could well be dead!

And even if she's not dead, she'd be initiated.

She'd be more likely to tear you limb from limb.

I gave Itheus my word that I would try and rescue her.

No man has entered the Forest of Nysa and lived to tell the tale.

I will have no part in this madness!

Why, in the name of the gods, is the old man sleeping in my bed?

He is too weak to return to his home.

And, as you're not coming with us, you can stay here

and you can look after him. Right!

Not only are you risking your lives for a penniless old man,

but you're leaving me to nurse him?

Am I the only one of us with any sanity left?

You are blinded by a foolish sense of duty.

But you are blessed to have such an honourable friend,

because I have decided, against my better judgment, to accompany you.