King Aegeus looked at me expectantly, waiting for an answer. I bowed and said, “My Lord, Aristoi Pontos ambushed me and demanded I be turned into a slav-”

A strangled cry erupted from Pontos. "He lies! I—"

King Aegeus cleared his throat and glared at Pontos. He then looked at me and signaled me to continue.

“Well, I had sieged an Bandit camp and I was leading the Prisoners and loot back to your great nation of Athens to sell, and integrate my army into that of Diocles.” Pontos spat at the ground like the name disgusted him.

Aegeus nodded and said, “Then why is my Aristoi on the ground with severe burns with more than 90% of his army dead?”

I continued, “Well, on the way back. Pontos here attacked my forces, demanding I turn my prisoners and loot in and accept to be a slave of his. I declined, and he proceeded to give me ten minutes to prepare my forces, because he is honorable that way.”

Some of Aegeus’s generals snickered, but were silenced by a cold glare from the King. “And I suppose he lost?” The King said.

“Badly.” I replied.

Aegeus sighed wearily, “I suppose you can let my stepson off this once?”

A thousand thoughts raced through my mind. The King was Pontos’s Stepfather? Why didn’t he murdered me on site? Does this type of thing regularly happen?

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But I chose to keep my questions to myself and replied, “Of course, My Majesty.”

Aegeus managed a smile and thanked me. Then he had a steely look in his eyes and said, “That Fire Drakon was impressive, don’t you think?”

I gulped and said, “Indeed, my lord.”

Aegeus continued, “Are you a Son of Hephaestus?”

I shook my head and said, “I have never been a great forger. I can do crafts and stuff, but not forging.”

Aegeus stroked his beard. “You are reasonably charming, so probably not…”

Aegeus then looked at me with mild interest and said, “A divine decree told me that a son of an Immortal whom rises to prominence and who also uses fire shall change the world in ways unimaginable. I believe it was the following lines…”

Aegeus took out a scroll, and read,

“From the ashes of fallen kingdoms, a hero shall rise,

With fire in his heart and creation in his eyes.

A demigod of power, a soul etched in flame,

Holding the fate of Olympus in a whispered name.”

I felt a chill crawl up my chine, my skin grew cold. I then spoke, “The first line speaks of fallen Kingdoms, Plural. I come from only one fallen Kingdom. I also possibly can’t be a hero, a demigod, can I?”

Aegeus frowned in deep thought, then said, “Well, Are you highly energetic?”

I was stunned at the question which came from nowhere.. “Well, My Mother told me so.”

Aegeus then said, “We half-bloods are always energetic. Theseus himself was so energetic that he gave his mother, the Queen of Torezen, dozens of headaches and sleepless nights.”

I nodded grimly, “But being a Half-blood isn’t fun, is it? Especially if you are the main actor of a divine decree.”

Aegeus nodded. “That’s why I suggest you go see Chiron, The trainer of all the greatest heroes, such as Heracles, Cyrene, Jason, etc.”

“Where can I find him?” I asked.

“In Mount Pelion. 340 kilometers from here.” Aegeus replied.

“Well, sire,” I said, “This meeting was great. Thank you for your advice. Also, may I get a letter of Introduction?”

A scribe of Aegeus tossed me one.

“Well, sire. See you soon.” I said. Aegeus grimaced, “Don’t jinx it.”