<br/>Eirene felt the wave smashing against her frame and pulling her away in less than a second. It was freezing cold and she used every ounce of her strength to keep herself at the water’s surface before another wave pulled her to the side and right into Themistocles’ reaching hand. She didn’t even see him jumping after her, yet she heard Daphne’s heart-shattering cry for her. Eirene clung to him tightly, kicking the water with her legs so that she wouldn’t be a bigger burden than she already was. She was breathing erratically, as if every breath was her last.<br/><br/>“Don’t let go, don’t let go...” she kept saying to the young sailor, keeping close to him. He swam along the current, knowing that it was sheer madness to go against the waves, trying to reach the boat. They had no power against the storming ocean and the waters took them away as easily as drifting wood until finally – praised be the gods – Eirene and Themistocles reached the shore.<br/><br/>Eirene was on her back with Themistocles’ protective arm still hooked around her waist. The chiton clung to her frame, revealing every curve and more. Her whole body was trembling. That was good. That meant she was alive.<br/><br/>She jerked upwards with the violent strength of a man on its last chances and ran to the edge of the shoreline, looking at the sinking ship.<br/><br/>NOOOO!...<br/><br/>Her throaty shout ended in a wail and Eirene burst into silent tears and then into a fit of rage. She was ready to jump back into the water if Themistocles hadn't caught her from behind and forced her back. She fell on her knees, cursing and kicking like a woman possessed by the devil.<br/>Her despair was complete. The ship lost its battle with the rocks of another island and ultimately with the waves, as more than half of it slowly sank into Poseidon's grasp. How many lives were lost? Eirene could not care but for Daphne's and Orion's. The former, one she refused to accept, the latter, one she didn't want to grieve. Yes, Eirene wished Orion was dead and cursed him for taking Daphne away from her, now possibly forever. She cursed herself for allowing her to go. Should she not agree to their union and drive Daphne into his arms, this day would never have come.<br/><br/>She should have kept Daphne in her home and face her parents and the world for that matter. What could they have done? Burn them alive in their own home? So be it, at least they'd die together and not be forced to live without her. Such was the nature of Eirene's grim thoughts aso her agony overflowed all reason and senses.<br/><br/>"Cursed be  he! Cursed be myself!" She cried between violent sobs, not having the power to push Themistocles away, who still held her down.