"Is there anything I can do, Father
Gregorios?"
"Officer Nikolas, tonight you deserve a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, yes, you may help. But tonight you need your rest."
"What do you mean, Father? What is going to happen tomorrow?"
"I only mean there will be difficult times ahead for all of us."
Nikolas examined the priest's face carefully. He dared not question him, but followed his advice to get a good night's sleep in the spartan quarters of the monks.
Although he was exhausted, it was hours before Nikolas was able to fall asleep. Near dawn the sound of something resembling African drums startled him awake.
"What is going on?" he asked the monk passing by who was holding a long plant that looked like the helix of an airplane. It was carved in the center to fit the left palm of the man's tightly closed hand. In his right hand, he held a piece of hard wood, the size of a small baseball bat, and was using it to hit the larger piece, evoking wild, pagan, warlike sounds.
"This is the wake-up call for us to get ready for prayer and church," the monk explained.
"Aren't you allowed to have alarm clocks?" Nikolas asked.
"No sir. This helix is symbolic of Noah calling God's creatures to the ark, calling them to safety before the catastrophic flood," said the monk.
"And when is that going to come?"
Nikolas teased, yawning and rubbing his eyes. "We don't know exactly, sir. But we must be prepared at all times," the young monk patiently answered as he continued making his rounds.
***
Anna and Nikolas met at the refectory before breakfast, in monastic tradition the principal meal of the day. The two lovers were seated separately. Anna looked and felt much better after the antibiotic and a good night's rest. She enjoyed her breakfast of a hard-boiled egg, anthotiro cheese, olives, and crusty bread. The simple meal included wine. Equal proportions of food were given to all the men and women, young and old alike.
A little bell rang at the table where the abbot was sitting. He raised himself from the table. When he walked out of the refectory, everyone followed him. Nikolas had not completed his meal, but he quickly followed.
"You know, my brother, we believe it is not good to be too attached to food or anything materialist," a young monk explained to Nikolas. He went on: "We eat to nourish our bodies, not as a pleasurable experience."
As Father Gregorios walked past Nikolas in strong strides, he looked at the officer and then nodded his head downward. He had on a leather belt today, with a pistol strapped to it. Father Gregorios motioned for Nikolas to follow him.