LYSSANDRA

I became a prophet so I could become a god.

‘’Oracle Lyssandra’’ Myrto whispered as I was bathing in my chamber. She always called me like that. Oracle Lyssandra. As if she did not know the truth. Or unlike the others, she tried to believe the lie.

‘’What is it?’’ I asked her with a drool as I was half asleep in the tub.

There was her chirpy voice.‘’One of the farmers is coming to you for answers’’

I looked at her.’’Did he see you?’’I asked, getting out of the water. Her olive face turned immediately dark red as she studied my body..’’No, Oracle Lyssandra,’’

I rolled my eyes, took my white maiden's clothing, and moved near my pillar for Myrto to fix my hair.

‘’What do we know about him?’’

‘’He has ten cows, healthy ones, faithful to Zeus’’ She explained in her chirpy voice with her hands caressing my dark curls. I kept nodding and turned on the table which had a bowl of daphne leaves. I took them slowly before swallowing them at once. Oracles are actually using them to have more contact with Apollo. I do it because it almost wakes me up.

I shut my eyes before opening them wide with my left eye itching.

‘’The rest?’’I turned on her and noticed the glint of her hazel eyes.

‘’Rough father and husband Lyssandra. Three children one daughter’’

I nodded.

‘’What about the cows?’’

‘Five of them will be sacrificed for the next summer solstice. For Zeus.’’

There was a rough headache approaching after I heard about the event. For the past years, the people of the village asked me to approach the ceremony of the summer solstice. Each year I agreed as I was showering the pyre with leaves and chattering for Demeter and Persephone and then I was sitting on a pillar far away from the rest of the men and slaves as they were drinking wine and I had to smile gently at them. But also the village’s main believing god was Zeus. Everyone was paying ten times the price as they were sacrificing half their profit for him to make the year harvest more. And once again, I had to pray from my ‘god’ to interfere in their god’s decisions.

‘’Who else does it know?’’ I asked her.

There was a smile on her face. A slightly wicked one. Myrto was always the one to listen to things first from the others.

‘’None’’

I smiled at her as she had now fixed my hair up. Standing up to her she looked so small unlike me.

‘’Alright.’’ I clapped my hands. Let’s do it then.

The temple looked like any other but far more old. Bright with columns and a statue of Apollo to remind us mortals who we were. And in the shadows was the room where I was telling the truth. And one of the truths was that the all-so-bright statue of Apollo was stolen from a different temple. Five years ago this temple was also abandoned before I and the rest of my ‘followers ‘ took it. A battle there was said it happened almost a century before when the followers of Zeus found a place in the village. Terrorizing other temples in the name of their god and now they had taken place in another temple on the other side of the village.

We were far from any kingdom to a small village near Mychene but far from Delphi. It was just a small village far from anyone. Far from gods.

‘’I took the seat on my pillar as I found the bronze plate of water down on my table.

I looked like I always did. Like an oracle should. Almost terrifying with a scar around my hooked nose and my bronze skin almost clean from every filth. Blessed from the gods. My curly raven hair well tamed behind my ears dressed with white ribbons.When I had to go out for the ceremonies I had a vale to cover my face as might others think of me as something monstrous with the wound on my face and the blind eye on my left. Then again, I had no reason for people to not be afraid of me. I was holding their fates in tact.

Admantious one of my closest people was right behind the shadows of the fabrics. I did not have to look. I knew that he was. He was always there, looking for me.

‘’You look chirpy today’’He complimented . I didn’t realize that I was still smiling and covered my face with one more fabric.

‘’Just learnt something good.’’ I winced.

‘’Really?’’He moved closer to me.’’Like your customer's name?’’He whispered.

No. No I did not but it was too late. Names are important in prophecies. Are strong. But at that moment the pathetic man was right in front of me.

‘’Oh, Oracle Lyssandra’’The old man who looked like a branch of an olive tree moved to my side and got on his knees.

‘’My name is’’

I halted him’’I know very well who you are’’I lied between my teeth as smoke from all around appeared. Smoke which Myrto and Alexios were making thanks to burnt daphne leaves.

‘’With the gift of god Apollo tell me what you want me to see.’’

He placed his hand on the floor and I could see his entire body. His flesh was soft almost as if he had never picked any work in his entire life. How could he be a farmer? Not without help. Myrto did not speak of slaves. So there would be only one reason.

‘’My cows will be sacrificed to the next solstice.’’He said shakily. ‘’I need to know the aspects of them. What will be Zeus’ response’’

None. Gods do not exist. Gods wouldn’t care about someone like him or me.

‘’Five cows will be sacrificed’’I mouthed dry as I swallowed a daphne leaf and looked at my plate. I took down from my pillar a piece of weed and a coal and lit up a smoke.

‘’Four and one are being sacrificed each day’’I sighed oh so heavily.

His eyes looked up to me with fear.

‘’I do not understand.’’ He shook with his beard, having drops of heavy sweat.

‘’If they will still be sacrificed’’I riddled again. No cattle shall be left for Zeus to gain.’’

And I let my hands down with the smoke vanishing from the wind.

The farmer stood up and looked me in the eyes. I replied with a calm gaze, the one that didn’t make me look like I wanted him to punch him.

‘’Thank you’’He said and showed up from his pocket a sack of drachmas. He let out one more bow but instead of giving them to me the Oracle, he moved to the statue of Apollo. Most of the people there were close-minded to believe in what every superior would say. That is why I picked this place for first. But something was pinching me enough. He did not exist. I did. I knew what he was doing. I could just only glare at the statue as if he could actually see me.

‘’Thank you for your message Oracle’’He said and walked away.

When the farmer was gone I leaned my back against the pillar and Adamantious got out exposing his charming harsh face.’’Nice act, try next time to not sound angry.’’

I rolled my eyes and stood up, tidying my clothes and I revealed myself from the veil to him.

I lifted my head up to him with a gentle smile.‘’ What’s next ?’’ Alexios got out from his hidden place while Myrto was staking out the fire.

I stood up with Adamnatios on my side and looked up at Alexios, Myrto Thais, and…’

‘’Where is Leon?’’I asked.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

‘’Praying ‘’Thais frowned, letting her chestnut hair flow in her back.

I nodded and looked at Admantious. His heavy dark brown made millions of answers and thoughts come to life

‘’I told you we shouldn’t have him here.’’

‘’He is a kid’’I encouraged him.

‘’Ten is not kid’’

I frowned and walked down.’’I am going to his room.’’

Looking back I saw the rest once more and turned to Myrto. ‘’Go see if the farmer does anything after the warning.’’

She nodded quickly with a smile and ran off, her dress moving like a daffodil flower.

I moved back to one of the hidden rooms where we had our clothes, weapons, poisons, and most importantly, food. There seemed to be today’s maza as I could still smell the flourishing scent of it. Taking a better look it was around ten small carvels. I took two and moved towards Leon’s room.

As we were trying to find a place to make our scheme we went to Sparta and found a begging kid with the name Leon. He was praying to the gods to help him.

Parents gone, siblings gone. I couldn’t leave him alone. But he still kept praying when I told him the truth.

You are an oracle? He asked me with eyes filled with hope.

I smiled at him. Oh no. I am pretending.

What? He cried.

Yes, I have an entire plan for me and. I looked back at the others. We will be as rich as the kings. Powerful like the gods. Will you come with me?

His room had carved statues of gods such as Ares and Athena. But one of them he seemed to make more frequently was Apollo. Probably because of the statue.

He kept mumbling for someone to forgive us.

I smiled back before I tapped his dark hair, messing with him.

‘’I brought you lunch’’ I tossed a carvel of bread to him and he let out one of the purest puts I had ever seen. He is not a kid, Adamantious said. But we were both not a decade far from him.

‘’Did you steal it?’’He asked shakily.

‘’No, Adamantious went to take it’’I explained.

‘’With stolen money’’ His pale face blushed with shame.

I cleared my throat and turned to his window to see the village that was a few minutes away from us. A memory of a bright fire came to my mind.

‘’You did not come today’’I said, sitting on his bed.

He nodded as he was muffling the bread and I looked at the small statue.

‘’I was devoted to him’’I admitted with a grin. ‘’I wanted to be on Delphi.’’

Leon opened his mouth wide. ‘’What happened?’’

I looked at him trying to bury the pain away.

‘’He never answered. None did. ‘’ I stood up and moved to show him the statue.

‘’They do not respond with prayers, sacrifices with tears and screams. Not to us’’

Leon sniffle.

‘’But I do. With a prize’’I corrected myself.’’But I do.’’

He wiped off his tears and took one more bite.’’What if you upset the gods.’’

I could say that the gods do not exist. I could say that they do not care about us because they are not real. But I could see every carved statue that he made.

I let out a deep breath and replied with a childish tone.’’Well, I am doing them a favor, fewer jobs for them and more ways to celebrate on Olympus’’

There was the bright smile of his again and kept eating, nodding a yes.

I walked out of the room and saw Admantious looking at me strictly with his dark blue eyes.

‘’He will keep us down’’He explained.

I arched my brow.’’Oh, I didn't know that you can see visions too’’I flattered and let out a kiss on his rough cheek, making him look at me with a pleasured gaze.

‘’All I am saying’’He moved his arms up, giving up.

‘’We need people.’’

‘’We need close people’’He said after.’’What if we make you have followers?’’

He suggested?’’To protect you’’

I looked at him almost dense as I started walking ‘’Protect me from what?’’

Adamantious looked at me with a sweet smile.’’King Perseus is coming’’

Everything stopped. Time stopped and my lungs kept hushing.

‘’Adamantious’’

‘’Rumors are spread that he will come this night for a rest from his travels.’’

I locked my gaze back to the statues as I found one single far from the others. Zeus.

People were always whispering that Perseus was the son of his. Defeating monsters, saving damsels in distress, and then killing his grandfather by ‘accident’. Then becoming a king.

A supposed son of the king of gods was coming to the village.

‘’What other rumors have you heard?’’

There was a stiff look. Almost all concerned.‘’He will pray at his father’s temple. And to his other son.’’

My shoulders rose.

‘’You will meet him’’ There was almost a command of him. Raised to be a great warrior, ended up being a con artist with me. He had the physique, he had the strength. Sometimes I wondered if he regretted it. I never asked though.

‘’I am a follower of Apollo’’I said mockingly.

‘’But the king of Argos will come. People will tell him to come and see you.’’

Will tell?

‘’You were on the market and you suggested it’’ I figured.

He nodded slightly.’’It is an idea isn’t it?’’

‘’And you didn’t consult me y this’’

He laughed bitterly before standing on his great height. Even if I was almost as tall as him he looked far more intimidating when he was taking a soldier’s pace.’’Myrto can see what is happening in the shadows but not in the market. She cannot speak any Thais and certainly not Alexious because he cannot speak at all'’He moved closer to me. ‘’And you-’’

I arched my brow.’’I did not ask to come with you I ask for consulting.’’

His hand tightened to a fist. He was cute for a brute.

So keeping him close was important. I could feel my scar burning slowly from the pain.

Sure taking the king of Argos' favor seemed valuable. Protection, prophit. I looked up to the temple which had now grown spider webs and the roof was almost ready to shamble. The columns still had scars of battles as for the temple of Zeus it was probably something bright and strong. Rich, and heavy on followers with people praying constantly.

We didn’t need just people to give us money. We needed followers.

But what if it went against us? The favor or he would realize we were lying? That I was lying?

‘’Fine’’I sighed. and touched his hand and lifted up to kiss his knuckles. His eyes opened wide like storm clouds before he kissed me on the chick then on the lips, letting his harsh beard stroke my entire face. His lips were warm as he almost smelled like a heavy ocean aroma on his skin.

There was a knock on a pillar.

‘’The oracle supposed to be pure’’Thais commented with Alexious nodding and smirking like an idiot.

I sighed and pushed Andamantious away as

‘’Myrto returned’’ Thais informed with her arms crossed and a wince coming from her dark eyes.’’Saying that the farmer did not believe you’’

Alexius jerked his hands and curled both his hands into two tight fists before bumping each other.

‘’Well, we were already planning to kill the cows’’I explained with a smile.

Adamantious disagreed.’’Perseus is coming tonight.’’He informed me again.’’

Right. A king would come tonight until he could see the farmer’s cows being chopped for a sacrifice for his father’. He would now probably give me his favor as coins and walk away.

But the family would still be in pain. Because my ‘prophecy’ would be a lie.

I looked up and saw Myrto hiding behind the pillars with tears in her face.

My fingers touched my chin and then found my scar.

Families in pain, conflict, kings, gods.

I was no king or god. But I could bring justice.

‘’We kill them tonight’’I announced.

Alexios smiled. Thais nodded. Adamantious growls.

‘’One cow’’I pointed my finger at him.’’Just one before the king arrives.’’ A smile curved my face.’’No more damage than a small live stock’’

‘’What if-’’ He tried to interfere.

‘’Do not worry’’I patted my hands.’’We have destroyed things before’’

‘’Not with a time limit.’’

That was true. Then again, I could not let it slide. Looking at them once more I could see the same look in their eyes when I first met them. Thirst, greed, anger. It was decided.