LYSSANDRA

Soldiers were approaching with their spears thirsty for blood. The sun was still bright as it took a few more horses heading near us from a different side with the familiar symbols being dressed on them.

The king will find out soon.

But my head was on Adamantious who was running far with the things. It would be best for him to not return. He should not return with people getting gathered, and conquering the temple.

I told Leon to take Dimaria and hide far too and not return for half a day. Now should know that she is still alive.

Now it was just us, Thais, Myrto, Alexious, and me.

Whatever would happen I could not predict the perfect outcome. Myrto could run fast and hide but what could she do if the soldiers attacked with arrows? Thais and Alexious could fight and keep them away but all of them?

And me…

In my hand was a tight fist the two aconites Paris let me.

Whatever happens, I won’t get out alive, will I? I could see the others, Alexious and Myrto embracing each other while Thais was ready to fight.

‘’Is she always this quiet?’’ One priest asked his friend while I was washing their clothes near the river. With my breath being held and my nose shut, I tried to make the clothes clean as fast as I could before the water and urine could find my nose.

On the other side of the river was Thais sparring with men twice her age and size. She had a wooden stick while the rest had bronze blades, trying to attack her. But she always came untouched and unharmed while she was picking them with her small stick. A few paces away from her there was Adamatnious sparing barehanded with one other man. His body was moving with great speed, his muscles being tense and his wild beauty being brushed by the wind. For a moment, his eyes turned to me. His cheeks flushed and so did mine as I tried to ignore his sweet smile that he was trying so hard to hide.

Then, the priest from before, covered Adamantious by standing in front of me.

Ignore them Lyssandra. Ignore the men.

‘’What’s the matter boar?’’One of them asked with a laugh.

Not the first time I heard it.

‘’Nothing to say to us?’’

I lifted my gaze and glared at them, succeeding to make them feel uneasy.

So I kept washing the clothes. The priests did not give up.

‘’Come on now, girl it must be so tiring’’The other priest sighed and they both sat on my sides, surrounding me.

‘’Maybe…’’ One hand found my thigh. ‘’We can find a way to relax’’his voice found my ear.

I opened my mouth but no words came out as I saw Adamantious getting hit in his face with the man who won the match smiling at me. Then, there was Thais who was pinned to the ground with the men grabbing her limbs and hair.

My feet got up and forced myself to rush to them but the priest grabbed me by the shoulder as I was still holding the clothes and bucket.

‘’Now, dear girl, we will let them free but you see’’their hands moved around my body. ‘’We cannot harm you here but it seems we found a way to be persuasive.’’

Ew ew ew ew ew ew.

I held my breath once again and tried to not smell what was ready to get out. And then, I threw the bucket with the clothes and urine on their faces. Both of them gauged in disgust as they let me go and I started running far. Don’t stop. Thais screamed but Adamantious shouted to stop running. Thankfully, my body reacted faster and I kept running with people hinting me down. The forest was thick and dark and I could easily get lost as my body ended up near the cliff.

Right behind me, there were sounds of a horse moving closer to me and then there was the archpriest. glaring at me as he removed his helmet from his face.

‘’This is your last warning Lyssandra.’’He spat with the winds becoming darker. Behind the man, there were men, with their bows and swords prepared to attack. Then why could I think that they all wanted to keep me alive for other reasons?

‘’Look at her’’Someone whispered.’’She looks like an animal with that scar on her face.’’

‘’Well, she is a pretty animal.’’

‘’I am not a God Lyssandra’’The archpriest mouthed.’’I do not have the power to stop them.’’

In my mind I could only listen to my voice, praying for Apollo to save me. I did everything. I could do everything.

The arch-priest let out a heavy breath.’’Take her to the temple alive. And lock her inside her room, tie her up. Do not let her escape. That is an order’’

Finally, the king arrived and every soldier and follower of Zeus gathered around the temple.

We all bowed as I found a glimpse of Perseus gazing at me with fire in his eyes.

I swallowed harshly with my eyes falling to the ground, covered my mouth with my hand, pushed the aconites inside my mouth, and swallowed harshly.

‘’Lyss-’’Thais tried to warn me but I could feel the bitter taste burning my tongue. None would get me there alive.

‘’King Perseus. ‘’I sighed.

‘’Oracle…’’ He made a long pause as I listened to a familiar mocking sound.

‘’Just like I told you my King’’Dion smirked. ‘’She cannot be trusted. ‘’

‘’I suppose your coming has to do something about Python?’’ I asked, feeling a numb pain in my arm. I moved my body up and glared at Dion. But he was still smiling as the others were getting inside the temple. A seed of panic and fear started growing inside my stomach.

‘’It seems ‘’Perseus sighed.’’This one right here’’He glared with disgust at Dion.’’Told me to not wait for my soldiers to return. That they are all gone, killed by the snake. Told me to not trust you from the beginning. ‘’

My ears found noises of crushing the temple, throwing things, breaking vases, and shouting for people to stop breaking as it was mostly just searching.

‘’But I gave you mercy. I gave you time. But now as it seems the death of my men only benefit you.’’

Dion was nodding with joy.

The king will find out soon.

His fingers stroked his beard and with a moment of the wind, it felt like he ordered me to stand on my own feet.

‘’Now, tell me Prophet Lyssandra. Why the lies?’’

Lies? I said to him twenty because I knew it would be enough. I lied because I wanted to protect Myrto who was at the end trapped by Zeus’ priests. If it wasn’t for them, if it wasn't for their arrogant thoughts.

‘’I lied,’’I admitted and everyone’s gaze was around me. Dion smirked and pointed at me. ‘’I told you I was right my king, now you can kill her.’’

‘’I lied’’I repeated myself, trying to get Perseus’ attention. ‘’Because Apollo told me to. Because’’I let my emotions out while I could feel Thais holding my wrist.

‘’They will kill you.’’

I turned to her. I thought that you liked danger. Her eyes snapped and laughed as she let me free. ‘’He will not like it,’’She whispered.

‘’He is furious, King Perseus,’’ I rasped. ‘’Furious of his temples that have been destroyed by his fathers’’’One look at Dion. as he spoke out of turn again.’’She is a liar my king, a deceiver.’’

‘’Let me speak’’I tried to remain calm but the man rushed to me and hit me right in the face. I almost lost my balance as Thais grabbed me by my wounded arm. Hold your pain, women hold your pain.

‘’MMy king, this woman has been poisoning the village for far too long.’’His tone changed from the poison he once carried and he was standing in front of Persues like a prideful lion. While me, I was still trying to stand from his slap , with my eyes noticing my which had stained his bronze ring.

‘’She lied she deceived and now she is trying to do the same to you.’’

I pushed myself away from Thais and made a small jump closer to the great horse as I was trying to wipe out the blood. But my eyes were glued to the floor.

You are in no condition.

Every soldier and follower got out of the temple with deep frowns.

‘’We found nothing, my king,’’One soldier admitted. ‘’Just some flowers.’’

‘’What kind of flowers?’’Dion’s lips parted. ‘’Were they white like hemlock?’’

Oh. The seed grew roots. The poisons. Right, I forgot about them.

‘’No, they were.’’The soldier made a long pause before Perseus nodded to continue. ‘’Gladiolus. the pink ones. ‘’

My lips parted and then held my breath as I tried so hard to not laugh. That bastard.

‘’Oracle Lyssandra’’Spat the king. ‘’You were talking about your God being furious…continue’’

I looked up to him and found from a perfect angle, Dion’s shocked face.

‘’My God is furious. Furious and…’’ I stole a moment of light when I looked up at the king.’’He is afraid of you …my king’’My stomach was tied to knots as I could not feel my tongue anymore. ‘’Afraid of you might destroy anything on its might. So he gave me the time to lie.’’

‘’Lies my king’’Dion spat.

‘’I was nothing but a lowly servant of his. ‘’I forced my eyes to cry. ‘’Please my king forgive …’’

‘’You cannot believe those words-’’

‘’Enough’’Perseus’ voice echoed like a thunderstorm. ‘’Both of you enough.’’ He stood out from the horse and started stepping on my side. Dion got on his knees and I lowered my head before I could shrink, my body but the king grabbed my injured arm tight.

‘’Agh’’I gasped between my teeth. His eyes were steady as I was trying to avoid him and it turned to Dion. And Perseus noticed it.

‘’You will come to my house’’He commanded me and finally the panic grew, making everything around me shake.

‘’You arch priest Dion’’Perseus glared at him. ‘’You will come too. ‘’

But even from those words, Dion and his followers could not help but smile

Another blossom of panic appeared on me as he was dragging me slowly by the wrist at his horse. I forced my feet to stop walking and looked back at the rest who were staring at me with fear.

Perseus hummed and looked at me. ‘’What’s the matter now?’’

‘’They will destroy the temple’’I whispered with all the strength that remained with my head getting heavy.

Perseus hummed and let my wrist go as he moved on Dion’s side. I could see the priest smiling and then the king drew his blade and hit his face with the back of the sword, making him fall to the ground.

My heart started racing.

‘’Treat your archpriest and do not dare to come back here without further notice of me.’’Perseus ordered the panicked followers. And then, his cold eyes found me before passing out to the ground.

Right. Poisonous flowers inside my system.

A song visited me in my dreams as I tried to wake up. Opening my eyes, I found a beautiful dark woman humming right above me. Her long hair was braided with jewels and they were still free, down to her shoulders. She seemed to be around the age of forty as even with her dark braids, there were few gray stripes forming to the start of her head.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

The red dress she was wearing had fallen down to the mattress that I was…

Mattress?

I gassed and tried to stand up. The woman blinked twice with her green eyes staring at me deeply.

‘’You can relax,’’She assured me.

‘’Who are you?’’My lips shook and looked around the room. It was painted with light colors as it was showered with peonies and bronze statues of gods. A long table with four chairs and a long white tablecloth. I found a mirror near me and I noticed that my clothes did not change but there was a new fabric around my wounded arm.

‘’Our healers tried to treat your wound as much as they could but…’’I noticed that his accent was heavy and strong. She sure was not from any near kingdom.

‘’Who are you?’’I asked again.

‘’I am..’’She opened her mouth but then, my eyes found the ring she had around her neck. The golden jewel had a letter sculpted at the top of it.

PERSEAS.

‘’You are his…’’

I had heard stories about King Perseus’ wife. She was a princess from the far south and chosen to be sacrificed for a dragon that was destroying her kingdom. But thank the Gods, the son of Zeus appeared and saved both the kingdom and the young princess and at the end of it, they fell in love.

Falling in love with someone who simply saved you? Sounded like a nice excuse for both of them to get married. Maybe the marriage was arranged before the king even tried to destroy the dragon.

The door opened and Perseus appeared with a bright smile. ‘’I see that you are awake.’’

Dammit Dammit Dammit.

I turned to him and bowed as Andromeda walked to him and kissed his cheek softly. He let out a charming chuckle kissed her back on the forehead and whispered to her leave us alone.

‘’Did my queen treat you niclely?’’He asked me with his light eyes staring at me, studying my posture. I took a deep breath and fixed my back and raised my shoulders up.

‘’She insisted of keeping you company until you woke up.’’

He brought his wife here?

‘’I am sorry King Perseus’’I gasped and lowered my eyes.

‘’Sorry for what? You were correct about your God being furious.’’ He now sat on the bed that I was lying before and he let out a heavy sigh.

‘’Have you ever visited Corinth Oracle?’’

I shook my head.

He let out a laugh. ‘’I can remember decades ago there must have been over thirty temples. Now only five have survived. Fires growing, people dying…I thought that they were only in kingdoms but..’’A long pause until he found my gaze.

‘’When they are taking a follower of Apollo so Python could eat her.’’

Wait…

‘’And one of them managed to attack her’’His finger pointed at my arm.

It seems that he has a way for every information. Does that mean that he knows that I am a deceiver?

But instead of continuing talking, he let out a genuine smile. ‘’Would you like to eat, drink?’’

I wanted to refuse but Perseus clapped his fingers and four servant girls appeared with two jars of wine and three plates of oxen meat.

Once again I tried to refuse but there was the thick smell of wine coming near me.

My lips made a soft smile that the king seemed to notice. But he did not seem to mind as he took his own jar from the blonde servant girl and she moved to my side.

‘’For you my oracle’’She said with a pitchy voice and I smiled at her but my heart stopped when I listened to that familiar tone. My oracle.

Looking up I saw Paris being dressed with white and sky blue fabric as his face was painted heavy with makeup. His long golden hair pushed back and tied up with purple ribbons, exposing his pretty sculpting face.

‘’Ugh…’’That was the only thing I could let out as I was taking the jar from his hands.

‘’Is everything alright Prophet?’’The king asked. I replied by drinking the entire red wine fast.

‘’Yes my king thank you so much’’I gasped as I saw the servant girls with Paris now walking away as they left the plates on the table.

‘’You seem to hold your liquor for a woman like you. Spartan?’’ He asked with a laugh.

Was this a test?

‘’Anatolian.’’

‘’Anatolian?’’His brow grew wider.

‘’My father was from Alasiya and my mother…’’I cut off my words. ‘’I grew up near Macedonia, my king. I learnt the way of the gods and kings from this country and only those. My roots are no importance.’’

‘’Aren’t they?’’Persues asked me, putting the cup down to the table.

What was his play? Reading people, revealing their true form out of all their lies was something I had to be taught. Something that would help me to play the part of a prophet. But him? It almost reminded me of Paris. Each word that was getting out of his lips, every movement, every breath was calculated. And yet I could not break them out.

‘’I am a prophet’’I admitted. ‘’But I am no king your…’’

‘’Yes, you are a prophet in a village. People are trying to kick you out and you still stay. Stubborn.’’ He laughed and I narrowed, taking a sip from the wine.

‘’And even the great Python, ready to eat, he does not’’His fingers stroke his beard. ‘’Seems that you have strong roots somewhere.’’

I wanted to laugh but instead, Perseus stood up and I bowed. ‘’Stay to get rest. Tomorrow will be an interesting day.’’He laughed again in a charming way.’’I found how can I solve everyone’s problem here.’’

‘’But why?’’I asked calmly. and Perseus stopped his calm steps to just take a good look at me.

Why are you delaying your supposed conquest? Why are you staying? Why are you trying to help? Why are you like this?

‘’That…Dion told me before even meeting you that you were a liar and insane.’’He admitted and I remained silent.

‘’Today, he was right about one thing’’’The angle of his lips formed a light bow. ‘’You did poison yourself, today.’’

My shoulders raised up near my ear and I tried to hold my breath.

‘’You remind me of someone I once met.’’Another bright smile of his.’’It seems to be a sign for me to help the temple of Apollo and the prophet of it. ‘’

I wanted to ask more but the Door now closed and the king left me alone. With a heavy jar of wine and plates filled with hot bread and oxen.

‘’Meat’’I drooled and jumped to one of the plates.

It was smooth and salty, unlike anything that I had ever tasted. The wine helped too as I was jugging everything down. I could not believe that the king believed me. And I could not believe that he was just like the stories said. Even with his rough voice that could almost make anyone believe that he had the strength to summon thunder he seemed almost…

Charming man, and probably had any woman he wanted back in his youth. I thought, sipping from the jar, and felt my cheeks flushing. Then again, he isn’t all hideous now. My mind pictured his charming sweet smile as he was talking to me and how much he looked like he was restraining it.

Cute. I thought again, taking a longer sip. Even his wife looked.

No Lyssandra stop it, thoughts like this will get you killed. I slapped my face and took a bite from the meat beside me.

‘’Well, aren’t you eating like a true oracle?’’ Paris' voice asked from behind me.

And I started choking on the meat that stuck in my mouth as I looked back at him who was still dressed up like a servant girl. Even his lips were painted red. His hand, holding one more jar, and his mouth starting to kiss it as he was letting all the liquor pour into his throat and drip at his skin and clothes.

‘’Don’t be coy now’’He laughed and showed the jar as he drank from it once more with the rest of the wine being dropped down to the floor. ‘’You survived let’s celebrate.’’

We both stared at each other for a while. And then, I jumped at him, making him fall with my weight making him collapse to the floor, too weak to move.

‘’What is that for?’’

‘’You knew the truth didn’t you?’’ I asked dry as I took one more dip from the wine and licked my thumb. That made Paris face my fingers carefully as he scanned my lips later.

‘’Let’s just say, I know a few things.’’ He smirked on his own words and let his head down. ‘’Is this your way of thanking me for warning you?’’

My mind started becoming heavy and around me, almost became dark. But I snapped out of it.

‘’Why are you here…dressed like that?’’

‘’Don’t I look beautiful?’’He laughed and moved his upper body closer to me, taking with his fingers my jar and letting his lips rest on the side I was drinking. Then, he took a big sip from it and his voice let out…Oh gods.

We were in the king’s house. I was on top of one supposed servant girl. I was on top of a man. We were both drunk. He seemed worse than me. Heat grew on my cheeks and my eyes could study for hours his face that was staring at me back. Was he actually drunk from one sip?

I tried to move away from him by rubbing my hips and his fingernails replied by grabbing them.

‘’You have nice legs’’He hummed.

I snapped my eyes and glared at him as he was still smiling.

‘’You pervert-’’

‘’Oh, now my oracle’’He tilted his head to the right. ‘’I know the things that you imagine.’’

Imagine what was he talking about-

My jaw dropped and felt my entire body becoming red.

‘’They were private.’’I hissed at him and moved his head back and tried to move once again as right beneath me there was something moving harder and growing every time I was trying to escape.

OhGodsOhGodsOhGods.

‘’Please tell me it is a snake that can poison me and perish’’I rasped at him. His hands grabbed my hips and tried to push me closer to him.

‘’Sure, a snake’’He laughed.’’Whatever it pleases you to call it’’His hand found my wounded arm, moving it on the fabric. And then, he stopped with footsteps approaching us.

‘’Oh, prophet’’He gasped. ‘’What will they do if they find us?’’He made his voice sound pitcher.’’Maybe they will join’’

Maybe they will execute me with hemlock.

I stood up and kicked him fast under the table that had the heavy cloth and I took a seat right before the door opened.

The man seemed scrawny as he wore white clothing around his body and his gaze was straight at the floor.

‘’I am sorry Prophet, I am the healer of King Perseus.’’

I wiped my face with my thumb and nodded.’’Yes, you can come.’’

As he walked closer to me, two movements of hands grabbed my legs.

I pressed my lips to a thin line and shut my legs before Paris tried to move around the tablecloth.

‘’Are you feeling alright?’’The healer asked and I nodded a big yes.

‘’Any high fever, headache.’’

Why was he asking me these questions?

I kept shaking my head until he revealed a small bag from his sleeve.

‘’Those are some herbs that might help you with your condition.’’He laughed.’’But I am not sure if they can cure-’’

‘’Cure?’’ I finally spoke and the man’s face had been swept from any color.

‘’You don’t know?’’He asked and moved his head for me to stand.

I narrowed once again and I stood on my own two feet when he took out the fabric that was covering my wound. And then, I took a glimpse of a purple ooze dripping from my skin as it was being reflected in the mirror.

‘’We managed to take the poison of the aconite but this…this was weeks inside your system, I don’t know what is …’’

That moment was an eternity. I could not listen to the words the man was getting out of his hideous lips. I could not listen to the wind sweeping my hair, I could only listen to my own racing heart. And I could see someone who was waiting for me. A man dressed in black, sitting near a deck with his crowdy boat.

Snap out of it. ‘’You can leave’’I let out a command with my fingers snatching the bag from him.

He nodded and bowed and then…

Paris got out of his hiding spot.

Poison. Not any poison but.

The snake looked at me in the eyes when the purple liquid dropped from his mouth like saliva.

Rushing to me like a beast to devour me.

I couldn't listen to anyone. I could see Paria trying to mouth some words but…

None could treat poison. There was no antidote from Python’s poison. Even the fur trader, I managed to treat him because I got it fast but now? I didn’t even realize I got attacked by a snake weeks ago.

You will be an example. A sacrifice. A voice echoed from the past. Paris’ fingers tried to reach me. I walked away and started eating. Moving down, I grabbed the jar and noticed that there was still wine. As I was drinking, Paris kept staring at me with sadness.

‘’We keep it to ourselves’’I commanded him.

‘’Oracle-’’

‘’That's an order’’I slammed the table and glared with anger at him.

‘’I am no soldier’’He spat on me and then I realized. In all those weeks I haven’t seen him furious. It was nothing beautiful. It is not charming. It was monstrous. I shut my eyes but I could listen to his words piercing my skin.

‘’And I am not going to follow someone who cares so little about their life’’

And then, he was gone. Did he leave for good? Would he even bother me anymore?

A few hours passed and I thanked the king and walked away alone. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.

The temple even with the sun slowly falling stood tall. Thais and Myrto were the first to jump at me and started laughing and giggling, tuning in that I was alive. Alexious hugged Leon Dimaria and then, Adamantious rushed to me, embracing me and kissing me on my cheek.

‘’Did he hurt you?’’ He asked all so softly with his hand cupping my face. Each moment almost made my body break into pieces. Each touch could make me more fragile.

I shook my head and pushed him away, walking inside the temple.

Candle light, tablets. Herbs.

You are dying. Poison. Example.Mere mortal.

The thing about flowers is that they can always grow back. Another thing about them is a myth. If you are curious about them, they will kill you by growing inside your body like seeds. Your organs, your limbs, your heart, your eyes will be conquered by them.

And my heart started racing, tears falling down from my eyes. I could not die from poison. I refuse to die from it.

‘’Hghh..’’I hissed and I found the sickle and started hitting the table over and over again and again.

‘’I can’t die’’I cried, letting the sickle down and falling to the floor.

‘’And I am not going to follow someone who cares so little about their life’’

So little? From the moment I faced death I wanted to live. I wanted to survive to see everything falling down.

‘’Not yet, I can’t die yet.’’