Aramé and the Golden Apple

As they walked across the square it suddenly occurred to Aramé that Cadmus had betrayed him. What had he told Cadmus the night before? He drank wine. He couldn’t remember. Had he mentioned something about the forbidden Golden Apple Tree? And where was Cadmus? He said that he would be here, and he’s not. The next thought shot through him like a bolt of lightning, “I’m being arrested!” He thought. Aramé stopped dead in his tracks, turned right around. He began walking the other way. The guards were at first confused and remained standing languidly in the hot Sun, but Aramé continued walking straight the way he had come. One guard whistled at him and beckoned with his arm for him to return, but all Aramé could think to do was wave back and smile acting as if he agreed to whatever it was the guard intended and continue walking towards the entrance at a quicker and quicker pace. The guards started to walk after him now and so Aramé broke out running at his fastest speed for the vestibule through which he had just entered. He heard a whistle blow and even ran faster. As he dashed into the vestibule that received him just a moment ago as a welcomed guest, guards came from every direction and encircled him. The captain then appeared and demanded to know what the problem was, to which the guards knew not what to say, except that he just bolted. The orders were specific, the captain declared. Have Aramé delivered to his majesty’s audience hall immediately upon his arrival at the gate. He ordered the guards to take him by force, which was done swiftly, and he augmented the detail which meant that now instead of two guards Aramé would have six. Aramé with a guard at each side was hoisted into the air, as well as two more leading and two others in the rear. He wriggled his body in vain, legs flailing in the air and his head a tussle, and was carted back across the open sun drenched square in the same direction he had so confidently taken moments before. It wasn’t until the guards were well within the Royal Audience Hall and standing before the King that they finally released him, and in so doing Aramé fell to the floor disoriented and stunned, not only by how smooth and cool the marble floor felt, for he had never seen such rock laid out so flat, but also by the fact that before him sat Cadmus dressed in elegant robes, decorated with precious gems and with a crown upon his head!