The Oracle of Delphi (Greek Myth Fantasy Series) Read Free Page A

would miss this island, but not the ruler upon it. Once his mother told him of his past, he would say his good-byes to Seriphus forever.
    “I am ready,” he said. “Now please tell me everything.”
    Perseus listened intently as his mother told him between sobs of the prophecy of the Oracle of Delphi. When she relayed the wrath of his grandfather, Perseus could not help but want to kill the man for what he had done to them.
    “The gods have smiled on you, my mother. You need not fear for me.”
    “But you will murder your grandfather if you leave here,” she told him.
    “No, I will not. I know how much he means to you, though he did us wrong. But I will not kill my grandfather, for your sake.”
    “You must be careful, my son. Stay away from Acrisius and stay far away from Argos.”
    “If that is all you fear, your worries are for naught. You don’t need to keep me on this island to stop the oracle’s prophecy from coming true.”
    “But you do not understand, Perseus. There is nothing you can do to change the road of fate.”
    “Then I guess your will to keep me here has not mattered at all, has it?”
    He kissed his mother lightly on the forehead, admiring her strength to endure the trials she’d been through. King Acrisius deserved to die, and he would happily take the man’s life for trying to kill his own daughter. But a promise made to his mother would not be broken.
    “There is more,” she said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Perseus reached out to gently touch her cheek, wiping away a tear with his thumb. “There is a girl. She is the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia. Her name is Princess Andromeda. She will be an important part of your life.”
    “How so?” asked Perseus.
    “It is not for me to guess. The oracle speaks in riddles, and all was not clear. It was said she is the one to help you accomplish a feat, but yet she is also the one who will try to stop you.”
    “Now I know the oracle speaks nonsense. That makes no sense at all. Besides,” he told her with a wink, “never would I let a woman help me, and never would I let one stop me from my goals. None but you, dear Mother.”
    He helped her to her feet and they both laughed. He embraced her, glad to know he still had the power to make her smile. He ran a hand over her hair to smooth it, pulling her to his chest in a loving embrace. As he looked over her head, he saw the entourage of Dictys’ brother’s army heading for their door. The soldiers marched on foot, only the king on a horse, as the animals were scarce on the island.
    “King Polydectes arrives.” He released his mother, laying his hand on the hilt of his sword.
    “Perseus, it is all right.” She reached out to him, stopping him from drawing his weapon.
    “I don’t like him. He has eyes for you. He is a cruel, heartless, greedy man who takes everything he wants, including the island of Seriphus as his own.”
    The king had asked Perseus more than once to join his armed forces. Though Perseus knew the king could use a man of his skills, he turned him down, saying he would never pledge loyalty to a dishonorable king.
    “Do not anger Polydectes,” Danaë warned him. “The people of the island have accepted him as their king.”
    “Only because they fear him,” he challenged her. “It is time someone stands up to the wretched king.”
    “Well, let it be someone besides yourself.”
    Perseus ran a hand through his dark hair, jaw clenched in aggravation.
    “Who do you suggest do it? Dictys and the fishermen of the island? The only warriors that grace the place have already been persuaded to join Polydectes’ army. If I do not save the people from his ways, then I am not worthy to be called the son of Zeus, who is by far the greatest king of all.”
    “Come,” she said, gently pulling at his garment. “Let us welcome them to our humble abode.”
    Perseus walked alongside his mother, but rested his hand atop his sword. Eyeing the men