manipulated.
Helen looked down at the three kings. Why should she give herself meekly to Menelaus, or any other man they could force on her? She was no brood mare to be traded on the whim of kings. She was a daughter of Zeus and had a right to choose her own lover, one who would take her as far away from the confining walls of Sparta as she could get.
Chapter Five
T HE S ACRED P OOL
‘I’ve come to ask the will of the gods,’ Eperitus said. ‘What is their plan for me, and how do I seek out my destiny?’
The Pythoness ran her tongue along her lips and hissed.
‘Ares’s sword has forged a bond that will lead to Olympus. But the hero should beware love, for if she clouds his desires he will fall into the Abyss.’
Those were her last words to them, as with a final hissing laugh she pulled the hood of her robe over her face and lowered her head.
‘The audience is over,’ Thrasios declared. ‘You must leave now.’
‘And the prophecy?’
The priest gave an arrogant sneer.
‘The gods are already moving in your life. A friendship forged in battle may steer you to glory and a name that survives death. But instead love will lead you astray and you will become nothing.’
He announced the last part with satisfaction, as if this was a fitting end for a soldier.
‘That’s a lie!’ Eperitus responded angrily. ‘I’ll never sacrifice glory for love.’
‘Eperitus!’ Odysseus cautioned him, putting his arm about his shoulders and leading him out in the wake of the priest. ‘The oracle only warned you to beware love. That part of your destiny is still in your own hands. I’ve never heard of a man who wasn’t given a choice by the gods. And besides, did you listen to the first part? Glory and a name that will survive death! What more could a warrior ask for?’
The prince was right, Eperitus thought: his destiny was still his own, and what woman could make him surrender his honour? He looked at Odysseus, who was smiling reassuringly at him; surely their new-found friendship was the one spoken of by the Pythoness. If he was permitted to join the small band of warriors, then his promised destiny would hopefully follow, leading inexorably to fame and glory.
Python was nowhere to be seen in the first cave and they were soon outside again, standing beneath a night sky stuck full of stars. It was good to be away from self-important priests, stinking fumes, the snake-priestess and her vile protector. Eperitus breathed the night air deeply and grinned. Life was just beginning.
As they approached the camp, Odysseus took Eperitus to one side.
‘Eperitus, you heard what the Pythoness called me?’
Eperitus frowned, ‘Odysseus of Ithaca, yes.’
Odysseus let the others go on ahead. When they were out of sight he folded his arms and gave the young soldier a searching look.
‘So what are you thinking?’ he asked.
‘That depends on whether you are Castor of Crete, or Odysseus of Ithaca.’
‘My name is Odysseus,’ he answered. ‘Perhaps you’ve heard of me?’
Eperitus shrugged and shook his head apologetically.
‘No matter. Like you, my name is yet to become famous in Greece. I apologize that I was forced to deceive you, though.’ He pointed at the dagger tucked into Eperitus’s belt. ‘That’s a fine weapon. It belonged to my father’s grandfather and I can assure you I didn’t give it lightly, nor as part of a trick. I gave it because I meant what I said, and I want you to keep it as a sign of our continuing friendship.’
‘So why were you forced to deceive me? And how do I know you truly are Odysseus of Ithaca? I don’t even know where Ithaca is.’
Odysseus smiled and for the first time since Eperitus had met him his expression was not guarded. A happy light filled his eyes as for a few moments he forgot the trials of his day.
‘Ithaca is a rocky island off the west coast of Acarnania,’ he began. ‘It isn’t particularly beautiful, but we’re happy there and it’s our
Helen looked down at the three kings. Why should she give herself meekly to Menelaus, or any other man they could force on her? She was no brood mare to be traded on the whim of kings. She was a daughter of Zeus and had a right to choose her own lover, one who would take her as far away from the confining walls of Sparta as she could get.
Chapter Five
T HE S ACRED P OOL
‘I’ve come to ask the will of the gods,’ Eperitus said. ‘What is their plan for me, and how do I seek out my destiny?’
The Pythoness ran her tongue along her lips and hissed.
‘Ares’s sword has forged a bond that will lead to Olympus. But the hero should beware love, for if she clouds his desires he will fall into the Abyss.’
Those were her last words to them, as with a final hissing laugh she pulled the hood of her robe over her face and lowered her head.
‘The audience is over,’ Thrasios declared. ‘You must leave now.’
‘And the prophecy?’
The priest gave an arrogant sneer.
‘The gods are already moving in your life. A friendship forged in battle may steer you to glory and a name that survives death. But instead love will lead you astray and you will become nothing.’
He announced the last part with satisfaction, as if this was a fitting end for a soldier.
‘That’s a lie!’ Eperitus responded angrily. ‘I’ll never sacrifice glory for love.’
‘Eperitus!’ Odysseus cautioned him, putting his arm about his shoulders and leading him out in the wake of the priest. ‘The oracle only warned you to beware love. That part of your destiny is still in your own hands. I’ve never heard of a man who wasn’t given a choice by the gods. And besides, did you listen to the first part? Glory and a name that will survive death! What more could a warrior ask for?’
The prince was right, Eperitus thought: his destiny was still his own, and what woman could make him surrender his honour? He looked at Odysseus, who was smiling reassuringly at him; surely their new-found friendship was the one spoken of by the Pythoness. If he was permitted to join the small band of warriors, then his promised destiny would hopefully follow, leading inexorably to fame and glory.
Python was nowhere to be seen in the first cave and they were soon outside again, standing beneath a night sky stuck full of stars. It was good to be away from self-important priests, stinking fumes, the snake-priestess and her vile protector. Eperitus breathed the night air deeply and grinned. Life was just beginning.
As they approached the camp, Odysseus took Eperitus to one side.
‘Eperitus, you heard what the Pythoness called me?’
Eperitus frowned, ‘Odysseus of Ithaca, yes.’
Odysseus let the others go on ahead. When they were out of sight he folded his arms and gave the young soldier a searching look.
‘So what are you thinking?’ he asked.
‘That depends on whether you are Castor of Crete, or Odysseus of Ithaca.’
‘My name is Odysseus,’ he answered. ‘Perhaps you’ve heard of me?’
Eperitus shrugged and shook his head apologetically.
‘No matter. Like you, my name is yet to become famous in Greece. I apologize that I was forced to deceive you, though.’ He pointed at the dagger tucked into Eperitus’s belt. ‘That’s a fine weapon. It belonged to my father’s grandfather and I can assure you I didn’t give it lightly, nor as part of a trick. I gave it because I meant what I said, and I want you to keep it as a sign of our continuing friendship.’
‘So why were you forced to deceive me? And how do I know you truly are Odysseus of Ithaca? I don’t even know where Ithaca is.’
Odysseus smiled and for the first time since Eperitus had met him his expression was not guarded. A happy light filled his eyes as for a few moments he forgot the trials of his day.
‘Ithaca is a rocky island off the west coast of Acarnania,’ he began. ‘It isn’t particularly beautiful, but we’re happy there and it’s our
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