Book 3: War for Syracuse

Book 3: Episode 8: The Day the Sun rose Twice

Posiedon and Athena, meet in Olympos, before Zeus.  Both are arguing over the coming conflict. 

“You may hold a domain with war, but your domain does not include deceit!” Poseidon shouted. 

“My wisdom is the greatest of the Olympians, It is you that has been partaking in deception!” Athena said, in a quick back and forth between the Gods.

“I made an agreement with Zeus, you are going directly against my agreement, and thus Zeus!”

“Your actions have been against me all along!  All this for some mortal sons of yours to gain notoriety rather than Arete?”

Zeus interrupts the bickering Gods. 

“I will not have this nonsense plaguing the sanctity of this palace! The mortal war was bound to happen, and I will not deny my brother’s involvement, nor yours daughter Athena!”

The two don’t look away from each other, staring each other down angrily.  The contest of the two gods has been known for a long time since the founding of Athens, their rivalry had taken them both to the Earth and their fight was taken to an island that was freshly created for this purpose, away from the watchful eye of Zeus; the island of Malta.  They staged a duel, and came to a draw, Hermes determined it a victory for Athena, but Posiedon nearly sank the island in anger. 

Zeus spoke, with power and annoyance, “I will not take a side on this brother, but the fate of your sons is not yours to meddle with, I already see one will be famous!”

Poseidon, angrily denies that, “You’ve really outdone yourself here brother, with that nonsense!”

“No, it’s true! Do not let your anger distort the truth!  This conflict will have a son of Posiedon gain fame and glory!”

Athena interrupted, “Do not pander to him, father! I know his son will only cause pain and desolation!”  The two Gods nealy come to blows, Zeus steps between them.

“Brother!  Leave Olympos! We shall let the mortals decide this quarrel! Just as Athens was named!” 

The sun rose, and the nobles of Syracuse gathered at the palace, taking seats at the royal banquet.  Kal entered the palace; stiff and anxious for finally revealing who he is to everyone.  Kalos and Aegeus await their signal.  “When the sun rises twice” is the signal, as Kal told Este.  With everyone seated, The False King stands, after making a sacrifice in Posiedon’s honor, he begins his announcement.  

“Friends and Honored Guests, I thank you for joining your King at this feast.  I am here to tell you all I have been deceiving you.  This woman is not my  wife, but a mistress from a distant kingdom.”

The nobles all talk amongst themselves. 

“However, her father has allowed me to marry her!  We are expecting an heir to the throne very soon!”

The crowd all clapped and cheered for the announcement, Kal sat, mad and just waiting to begin the end. 

“But, this isn’t all about me, for my most honored guest, Kal, Son of Marcus!”

Kal gasped, he hadn’t mentioned his adoptive father, and leaned in closer with hate burning in his eyes. 

The False King continued, “He slew the boar that had been a pest since my predecessor, and gained the mighty shield of Athena!” The crowd all looked over and murmured.

“Kal, I think now is a good time to be truly honest, since you have been lying to me.”

Kal didn’t budge.

“I was warned, by the Oracle, that one day a man who wielded a wooden shield would be my downfall, and I thought that ridiculous!” The False King laughed, and the crowd did awkwardly.

“I had cheated fate before, with my first born years ago.  But then I heard about an Argonaut who beat an Amazon with a wooden Shield…I thought no way, and prepared ever since for his arrival.”  The King reached into a bucket, which a servant put on the table. “I noticed the other day that you, Kal, had a wooden shield on your back…”  

At that moment, Kal stood, both men staring the other down.  The room went silent, and still. 

“How did it feel, to know of your false father’s death?”

Kal’s fists were clenched, his expression grew more and more furious.

“I still recall sending my sword through his gut. An unceremonious death for a lesser man.  Pity, if he only knew that his son abandoned his heroic duties to spend years on an island drinking his sorrows away.  Perhaps if he hadn’t revealed your name and had stayed a quiet old fisherman, he would be alive to have warned you to stay out of my way.”

Kal did not say a word, instead drew his sword and shield, the shield shone a great light which shot out the palace, a grand beacon to the armies.  A light twice as bright as the morning sun.

Kal proclaimed, “I am Kal, son of Marcus, Argonaut and friend to Athena! I am here to reveal that you are a false king!”  The crowd was in shock, everyone was talking to each other, some nobles left the table.  “My quest, is to kill this False King and free the city of Syracuse!”

“So you know the truth, I was told by Posiedon himself that you would.”  The False King pulls a trident from the bucket, covered in muscles and sea grass.   He slides his hand along it and wipes it to reveal a shiny, deadly weapon.

“I hope that shield was worth it” The false king said, as he threw the trident at Kal, who blocked with the shield, and flew back to the False King’s hands.  They both jump into the table and lunge at each other, their weapons crossing and clashing, sending sparks onto the table.  They exchange blows.  Outside the palace, the Alliance of Athena charges the gates, both armies clashing at the walls.  King Aegeus leads warships into the harbor, sinking any who oppose, Kalos leads the army on the ground.  Kal and the King continued to exchange blows, one after the other.  The trident is thrown, blocked, throwing Kal back.  The False King shouts in anger, relentlessly beating down Kal.  Athena’s shield holding strong, energy from both godly weapons sprouting from the clashes in brilliant displays of blue and white.  Poseidon and Athena watch patiently of the outcome of the fight.  Kal’s enhanced strength keeps him from tiring during the fight.  

The False King, in a manic tone and wide-eyed, said “I can bend Fate to my own design Kal! Can you say the same? “

Kal and the False King exchange more blows, blue bursts of whimsical light thrusts from each blow with the trident, and each blow blocked has bursts of white from each strike. The two men keep pace with the other.  The battle rages all day, night falls, Dionysos’ drink begins to dissipate, the False King has not lost energy, gaining energy from the Trident, and more and more sea muscles and sea moss on his skin.   The two are blown back from each other, which is when The False King throws his trident and severs the sword from Kal’s hand, He only loses a finger.   Kal is tired, he can feel his strength gone with the daylight. 

The False King continued, “When I killed your father, he told me where he found you, and back then it occurred to me where the connection was, and the same one I felt when we met.  I was told of a prophecy, where my first son would be my downfall.”

Kal then began shaking his head in denial.  “Don’t attempt to decieve me!”

The False King throws his trident, again blocked by a tired Kal, who drops to his knees. 

“That boy survived, by a twist of fate, and was raised by a fisherman, that same boy became a hero aboard the Argo, the very same boy who would leave it all behind on Leminos”  The False King, maniacally stated. 

Kal denied it, “You cannot lie to me!” He charged the false King, knocking him back, and used the shield to cut him, using the sharp edge. 

The False King blocks with the trident, and the two are knocked back.  

“You cannot deny your heritage Kal!  We are sons of Poseidon! We are denied our birthright by Zeus and his selfish sons!” The False King cackled.

“You are mad!” Kal throws the shield, which the False King knocked away, and it returns to Kal.  Kal falls to his knees again, exhausted.  

The battle raged on, Kalos slew hundreds of Syracusians, King Aegeus boarded a hundred ships, and the Alliance armies were as motivated as ever, with Athena on their side. King Aegeus begins helping enemy soldiers switch sides, as they accept the truth.  The light and magic of the fight in the palace can be seen across the entire city.   Kalos had his men take the city square, Kalos stood tall above it after he slayed allegedly two hundred men alone. 

The False King throws his trident once more, and Kal takes the trident to the chest.  It penetrates, some blood spilling from him, it returns to the False King; his face partially covered in Sea moss and muscles, his skin going a pale blue; blood running from his head and across his body.  Water begins dripping from him. 

“Kal, you cannot beat me, and you know this”, the False King stands above Kal’s tired body. 

The False King put the trident to his neck, and said: “The Gods didn’t protect me from you, nor protect you from me.”  He raises his trident, to send into Kal’s neck.

Book 2: Episode 7 – The Darkening Skies

 The False King went down to the shore, the light of Helios fell towards the horizon, that was when Posiedon appeared before him, from a wave. 

“Greetings, my son!”  The false king is confused

“I am your son?”

“Yes, have you not felt the sea call to you? Have you not felt at home near the water? Only my offspring share this trait. “

The False King was surprised, but his madness had made him feel even more powerful, and more of a target. 

“Father, I need your power!  My enemies are assembling and I cannot trust anyone!  There’s this Hero, Kal, who has eluded me unlike all others before him who perished on impossible quests!”  Poseidon is angered, a storm brewed. 

“Do not let this man fool you, he will only bring destruction and desolation.  You cannot let him leave. However, beware the man who wields a wooden shield; he is the harbinger of doom.”

Poseidon leaves, the tide engulfs the shore, and leaves a trident imbued with the properties of Poseidon’s power, the False King took it, without question, and went back to the palace. 

Este and Kal are sharing a tender moment, in a short, brief period of peace within the turbulence that brews around them.

“Kal, What if our love is forbidden? What if we were meant to perish for this?”

Kal paused “I think it would be a fine cause for death, a worthy end to our tales”.  The two lovers brace for the possibility of never seeing each other again. 

Kal said “Don’t let this murderer sway you, your fate is not in his hands.  Athena has spared me, and will grant us the strength for victory!” 

Este smiled, but quickly faded back to sadness “I only hope we weather this storm, I do not wish to find myself in the cage the False King will parade around as spoils of war.”

Kal responded, “Fear not, I will not let you down, You have my word that I will return to you.” Este kissed him, the pair’s first.  The two looked at each other and saw the coming storm. 

“Este, tell me, have you seen the shield of Athena? It was stolen and kept here.”

Este takes a moment but remembers seeing it.  The pair went and snuck back into the palace, made their way to the deepest room, where the king had kept a snarling huge boar to guard the shield.  The boar was kept starving and in the dark.  It saw the couple and roared. 

“I wouldn’t mind some good boar for dinner! Come forth beast!”  The room was in a roughly kept large hall, dimly lit and filled with the corpses of former heroes.  Kal dodged the first charge and put his blade into the boar’s back.  He was thrown back, and the boar relentlessly kept attacking Kal.  One after the other, the boar’s tusks stabbed right into Kal’s armor, and Kal was more and more worn out.  Kal refused to run and charged the beast.  Kal jumped onto the head of the boar and put his sword into its skull.  The Boar for a moment kept going, before charging into a wall, and finally fell dead.  Kal retrieved his sword and the shield of Athena.  When Kal touched the shield, Athena appeared before him, and with a warm smile congratulated him on his victory. 

“Noble Kal, I am pleased to see you were the one to have won my shield!”  She takes up the shield,  brushing it off and revealing the details on it.  The edges of the shield were thin and sharp, with a rope-like artwork along the circumference; the center of the shield featured an image of an Olive Tree, with the trunk made of the hilt of a blade.  It shined with a brilliant light as Athena held it.

“I now give this to you, and with it, my protection.  This wretched king must be vanquished!”

Kal accepted the shield but asked what Athena has at stake in this war. 

“The False King is the son of the Vengeful Poseidon.  He desires his son’s glory, no matter who stands in their way.  Beware, he may have granted him gifts as well.”

Kal nodded and said, “I thank you, O’ Goddess Athena, Goddess of War and Wisdom.”

As Kal snuck back up, Este had gone, he searched the palace.  The bedroom, the storehouse, the servant’s quarters, the armory.  Kal went back out, and then towards the main doors of the Palace, and on the steps is where the False King greeted him. 

“Kal! What brings you here so late?”

Kal, nervously, said, “I was actually coming to talk to you, I was wondering if you could provide some food for my crew?”

The False king laughed, “Of course Kal, but I got a visit from the Sea God himself! And with his wisdom I decided, I will be honest with you!”  He laid a hand on Kal’s shoulder.

“I invite you to a banquet, in his honor, with the nobility of this town for a special announcement! I want you here with me, You did a great service with those Cyclops and now I heard that terrible boar!

Kal was shocked that he knew, he went wide-eyed.

“My lord, I was going to tell you in the morning-”

“Nonsense! I knew you were crafty, and I was actually looking for you to ask if you did something with that boar. My father had placed him there.  Dreadful thing!”

Kal relaxed a bit but was still surprised.

“Well, you’re welcome my lord.  When is this banquet?”

“In the morning, just after dawn!”

The two parted ways, Kal was anxious about the time finally coming.  Kal returned to camp, had all the soldiers move into the ships, and readied them for battle.  Before Kal went to sleep, Dionysos grabbed him and took him aside away from the troops. 

“Kal, I’ve grown to tolerate you, unlike many mortals, so for that, I will say thank you. I have a gift for you.”

He reveals a glass of wine, which occasionally had a faint glow when disturbed.  

“This is my ultimate creation; A potion of strength!  Simply drink half, then pour the rest as a libation in my honor.  You will be granted strength for a day and only a day.  Once Helios goes back into his palace and when the light is gone, your strength will vanish.”

Kal nodded in acknowledgment.  “Will you not join us on the field of battle?”

Dionysos stood on the cliff by the shore, looking out towards the dark clouds and storm racing towards them.

“Kal, I would follow you, without my Godhood I would fight by your side until the bitter end. But you’ve taught me that I cannot abandon my duties. I will remain your patron, friend.”

The two stare out, Kal examines his wooden shield, from adventures past.  He then planted it firmly in the ground on the cliff. 

“If it should be the end, then make this my grave.  Here I honor the man I was, I think I have finally left Jason’s shadow.”

“You will cast your own shadow on this world Kal, it is your fate.” Dionysos said.

“No, it is my choice.”

Book 2

Book 2: Episode 6 – The Unbelievable Tale of the Cyclops

Kal, accompanied by Kalos and Aegeus, ventured into the woods to find the Cyclops.  The emptiness of the wilderness was distressing and unnerving.  The trio traveled for days, hungry and tired, and found a herd of sheep, kept with rough fencing; this had to be the Cyclop’s home.  

“Kal, It seems no one is home, let us offer a sheep and then head back, perhaps we went the wrong way?” Kalos says, eager to leave.

“Don’t be such a coward!  In my travels on the Argo, cyclops generally live in caves.  See there?” Kal points to a rock, covering what would be an entrance.  The trio took a sheep, and cut it up, and offered some for the Gods, they ate and took a much-needed break.   The rock covering the side of the hill moved and out came a nasty, huge Cyclops.  He stretched, taking in the morning air.  He caught the scent of cooked meat and noticed it was not from any of his neighbors.  He finds the resting heroes, bellies full of lamb.  He roared in frustration, which woke them all up, drawing swords. 

“Men? Here? I think I made it clear to the last one that there is no shield here!”

Kal spoke up, “We know, beast, we are here for your eye! As payment for the shield!”

The Cyclops looked puzzled, “Is it common for men to pay for shields with eyes? If that’s the case then use one of yours! You have more than I”

The three men look at each other.  Aegeus is more disappointed than scared. 

“Well, our eyes have no worth, versus yours which holds some value being taken from a monster.  You see now?” Aegeus says, frustrated that he must reason with such an abomination. 

The Cyclops continued to scratch his head, ever confused on the value of eyes.  Meanwhile, Kal went into his cave and noticed an assortment of eye-looking carvings.  Rocks detailed as eyes, increasing in quality.   Kal takes one but was spotted by the Cyclops, who had Aegeus in hand and Kalos cutting his leg.  The cyclops kicked Kalos to the side and were very protective of the rocks. 

“Those are not for taking!  I will crush your friend!”  The cyclops roared. 

“Hold on!  What if instead, we took one of these?  Such fine craftsmanship!” Kal claimed

The Cyclops was taken aback., as if he was flattered.

“A man who was skilled in sculpture had passed through, he did not taste as good as he made his crafts, but he showed me how to sculpt!”  The Cyclops dropped Aegeus, who fell and groaned in pain, laying for a moment or two. 

“Interesting!  Well, what if we just took this one and called it a draw?”  Kal and the Cyclops look at the fake eye, which despite its detail, still looked and felt like a stone. 

“Does this eye have more or less value than yours?” The Cyclops asked.

Kal and Aegeus look to eachother. “Its a subjective thing monster, I do not expect you to understand beauty.” Aegeus replied plainly.

“I…can see beauty! ‘Ave you ever seen a perfectly roasted lamb? or a pile of rocks that even the Gods would look at!”

“I suppose not.”

“Well that is why you seek eyes and not the truer things in life, the overlooked as Man would say.”

The trio all nod in agreement, with the unexpected wisdom of a monster.

“Not a soul back home will believe us lord Kal.” Kalos said, tapping his shoulder while staring in awe at the wall of carved, intricate eyes.

“I do not expect them to.”

The trio leave, bellies full and their minds thoroughly benefiting from an enlightening experience of the Artist Cyclops.

Este grew restless, she awaited the return of Kal, hoping he hadn’t died like so many.  She was still unsure of this man, but unable to shake the irresistible need to help him.  She was visited by another servant, an older woman, who sees she’s distressed.  

“What bothers you, child?” 

Este responds, “I may be in love with a man I’ve only seen in dreams.  But I cannot escape the King.”

The woman asks, “You aren’t married to him, you are a mistress.”

“My mother told me I am to marry him.” The servant gulps, unsure on what to add that could ease the woman’s strife.

Kal stops by the Acheans camp, far from the city.  And finds Dionysos.

“I need a trick spell, lord of wine.”

Dionysos was already drinking some wine when Kal found him.  He stopped and asked, “What for?”

“Can you make this rock look and feel like the eye of a fallen Cyclops?”

Dionysos examines the stone, all the detailing, and the work.  And in a slow magical transition, the grey turns to a pale white, and the stone grows wet, smooth, and resembles an eye. 

“Well, that is horrendous, I thank you!”

Dionysos goes back to his wine, watching a festival in his honor from the locals. “Perhaps stay for a glass Kal? You look terrible.”

‘I would but I must relish in what little time I have with Este.”

Dionysos sat up after a long sip from the glass. “You act like you’ll never see her again.”

“And I may not, this plan may not work.”

“The Fates made it so! you should rest easy.”

“The Fates haven’t been on my side for a long time, Wine God.” Kal says after a brief pause. Kal leaves, wet gooey eye in toe.

The night fell, and the star-crossed lovers met once again at the backend of the palace.  Kal recounts his adventure.  

Este asked, “I had worried, but I shouldn’t have doubted an Argonaut!”

Kal remembers his days with Jason, remembering being overshadowed by the greater heroes.  “I wish this was as simple as those intrepid days aboard the Argos.  Imagine if I had such a ship? All I have is a drunken old man and the ships of kings!” 

The pair share a laugh, and a hug but hesitate on a kiss.

Kal asked, “Have you ever loved a man? Or did you realize the opposite?”

Este paused, “Unfortunately I am not given as much of a choice as a man, but I do wish I could love whatever man threw himself at me, perhaps it would be easier than-”

Este began to say something but stopped.

“What troubles you my lady?”

“I wish I could have joined you for more adventures, but I am to be married to that horrible man they call King.”

Kal, shocked, couldn’t find the words.  “We cannot let that happen!  It’s the Gods’ will that we be wed!”  Kal kicked the wall, in frustration.

“It matters not what the will of the Gods is, what is your will, my Lord Kal?”

Kal stares at the wall, holding back the rage and frustration that is so typical for him.

“I am not a man who gives up so easily, Este, You will know my will, on the day the sun shines twice.” 

Este asked, “What exactly does that mean, my lord?”

“I wish I knew,” Kal said, embracing her once again, hoping it won’t be the last. 

Kalos and Kal return to the palace, where the False King has Este sat beside him. 

“You survived? I’m surprised.  Do you have the eye?”

Kal takes the eye, convincingly deceptive eye, and hands it to the False King.  

“Well, This is certainly Cyclops’ eye.  You killed one?”

“Yes, I knocked him down and sent my sword into his neck,” Kal responded. 

The False King was surprised and angered that Kal managed the task, which he thought impossible.   

“Why don’t you return to me tomorrow, I will have another task for you.”  The False King said

Kal and Kalos left, Kal stayed behind once again to sneak a visit in for Este.  The False King grew frustrated, and his madness grew.  The sea beckoned him, the shore was always a place where the king didn’t feel constantly paranoid.  The False King went down to the shore, the light of Helios fell towards the horizon, that was when Posiedon appeared before him, from a wave. 

“Greetings, my son!”

---

Book 2

Book 2: Episode 5 – Fated Meetings

Note from the Author: Hey all! Sorry for the pause in posts, life happens.  I’ll be sending out updates for any further hiatuses. (Hiatusi? Hitatus’? I’ll take Grammarly’s word for it.)

Poseidon’s wrath would plague the fleets from Argos and Athens, sunk during their journey west, towards the distant Syracuse.  Its shores flanked by rocky foothills, not too dissimilar to the landscape of Argos, The fleet set themselves ashore near the city, just beyond the sight of its defenders.  Kal, Aegeus, Kalos, made their way, alone,  towards the city.   Kal’s daring plan was to sit down with the False King and his nobility, proclaim him a fake, and then kill the False King. 

Kalos interjects Kal’s explanation, “What of your Este? The woman who was made for you?”

“I will go to the palace and free her,  tricking the king.” 

Aegeus questioned, “I know you did great things aboard the Argo, but what exactly do you plan to do in order to trick the king?”

Kal took a moment, but remained indignant, “I can only do what I know I can do, I only ask that you do what you know you can do.”  Kalos and Aegeus nod and the group enters Syracuse. 

Entering the palace, flanked by a legion of guards, the paranoid king screams as soon as Kal enters the doors.  

“Who goes there? Who dares enter my palace uninvited? An Intruder? Assassins?”

“A humble hero my lord” Kal bows, “I have traveled far on a quest, I seek the shield of Athena, which was said to be lost here in Sicily.” 

The false king relaxed, but still vigilant for something, he looked to the side and a bird had flown nearby and the king jerked at its fluttering of wings. 

“What you seek may be here, but I don’t think the Warrior Goddess would want me to hand it to just any man who walked into my palace and asked for it.” 

Kal awaits the rest, but the king has seemingly forgotten.  The movement of servants again spooked the King, who ordered some guards to seize them.

“Anyway, maybe you need to prove yourself as a hero, many men have sought the shield.  You will seek out the Cyclops who live in the wild-lands beyond this city’s walls and bring me an eye. Then I will grant you the shield.”

Kal, perplexed by such a demand, accepts it regardless. “I will return in three days time my lord.”

As Kal begins out, the mistress of the False King, Este, walks out to see the King.  She locks eyes with Kal, and he to hers.  Time seemingly vanished, but Kal knew he had to leave.  

“My lord, is this your beautiful daughter?” 

The King looked over to Este, and hesitated, but said “No sir, this is my maiden, Este.  Certainly, a sight for sore eyes isn’t she Kal?”

Kal felt the arrow of Eros, the allure of her eyes and the beauty of her figure, perfectly sculpted to exactly what he had seen in his dreams.  Her hair has been tied back, she wears a gown of pure white, but her face looking at the King was one of pain and sadness.  She could not help herself from catching a glimpse of Kal, a strange man she undoubtedly has seen in her dreams.  Kal could not find the words, she gave him a feeling that he never felt before, not the fear of the dreams or the loneliness of Lemnos, but a feeling that what he seeks, is standing before a murderer. 

“She is my lord, her father must be happy to see you take such care of a woman,” Kal says, choking a bit on the words.

“She does not know of her father, nor do I, but her mother kept her within the royal family.“

“Indeed” Kal set off to slay a Cyclops, but once he left the palace he hid near the grounds, awaiting nightfall to see Este, the goal of this entire journey as it was told. 

Este and the False king lay in bed, as the gentle glow of the moon filled the room, one half darkened, where the False King slept, as even the moon knew of his sins.  The king attempted to have his way with Este, but exhaustion took him, and he drifted into sleep.  Este, still awake, went to the window, to see if the mysterious man she had seen in her dreams was still around.  She wandered the tall halls of the palace, a few servants were awake, bowing and moving to finish their tasks before bed.  She went into the back hall, barely lit and filled with grain and wine, she moved a few barrels and went out a door which had been in place for a long time, an old door for royals to escape in sieges.  The night air was brisk, the winter was waning and turning to spring, but the nights remained cold.  She walked along the palace walls, before she and Kal ran into each other.  Eros’ spell had set in, the two were unsure of what to say to each other.  

“Have you dream’t of a mysterious woman you had never met and was told by a deceased parent that you were made for her, and her for you?”  She asked a nervous wreck.

“I see here in Sicily they skip the pleasantries of introducing ourselves.”

Este chuckled softly, attempting to remain quiet. “I wish I had the privileged of pleasant conversation in my downtime, but I am forever watched by a paranoid man.”

Kal and Este locked eyes, the world around them melted away and for a brief moment in time, neither of the world’s plights, or strife, or menace had any bearing on the couple.  two people, who have found the missing piece; seperated by the Gods before their birth.

“For the first time it feels as if time has frozen in place, just for us to relish in this moment granted to us by the Fates.” Kal says, firmly, his mind awash with all of what they could be, all they could want, and the life that he rejected for a mistress and cheap wine.

“That’s a beautiful thought my lord, do all of your conversations bear such wisdom onto those around you fortunate enough to be able to hear it?”

Kal replied with a smile that could warm the hearts of the most cold-blooded of characters, “Perhaps I simply have the inspiration to say exactly how my heart feels, without the fear of propriety or the constrictions of discussion in the halls of kings.”

“Be free of those worries noble hero, and let me know who has come to my aid.”

Este takes his hands and the pair breathe slowly together. “You must answer my first question lord hero, I want to believe you.”

“I have, my mother called out to me from Hades and told me this Woman was made for me, and I for her.”  Kal said.  Este was unsure if this was the man she had been told about since she could remember.  It was unlike women around her to have the man they desired.   Her father had told her in dreams that he would venture far and wide to find her, braving even the wrath of the Gods. 

She began, “If you are who you say you are, what brought you here?”

Kal paused, but continued, “I was told by the Oracle that I must free you and Syracuse from the clutches of a False King.  That man is him, he killed my father and I have brought an army to free the city….and you”. 

Este could not believe it, it was him.  A Hero who fought with a wooden shield and set off on a perilous quest to free her.  

“Let us run away from here, we need not get involved with the city and its problems, we can get away!  Your quest is complete!”

Kal considered it but is oath-bound. “I must free this city, or you’ll never truly be free of this False King.”

Este was sad but agreed.  The two embraced each other at that moment.  The first of many before the inevitable war began. 

---

Book 1: Episode 4 – The Oath of the Hero Kings

The city was a sight of recovery, the walls were damaged or smashed, rubble littered parts of the city square, and the port of Argos was scattered with bodies of soldiers and sunken ships, attempting to flee.  The crew disembarks, and the port-master greets them. “Welcome to Argos masters, the toll for making port please.” He extends his hand, awaiting payment.  Kal reveals his identity as an Argonaut and wishes to speak with the king.  
“I beg your pardon, noble Kal, but times are hard and If you stay longer without any subsidy from the king then I’ll want the toll.”  He walked back towards his residence, and the hustle and bustle of repairing and greeting ships continued.  Dionysos took the form of an old shiphand, accompanying Kal to the palace.  The pair see the busted gates of the palace, it’s stairs littered with debris, and the remnants of fire plague the marble fixtures.  In the throne room, a massive hall decorated with the symbols of Argos, guards standing at the ready at the ends of the room. Red carpets cover the stone floors that create a pathway towards the throne, where King Ornelisos sits, having been alerted to the presence of Kal.  
“Welcome back to Argos, Wooden Shield bearer Kal.” Ornelisos says, his voice echoing across the hall. “What brings you to our fine city?”
Kal decided to get straight to his goal, wasting no time on pleasantries. “O’ wise Ornelisos, rightful King of Argos, I seek a woman, who was made for me and I for her.” 
“Don’t we all, Noble Kal?” The King says, with a smirk.
“This is different my lord, for the Fates themselves made this match, she haunts my dreams and I could no longer live in exile.  I was told by the Gods themselves that she was here, with a murderer king?”
Ornelisos takes a moment, remembering the tale of taking the city back from his traitor brother. 
“I do not know this woman, but my brother had made off with a woman as a prize, and my gift of foresight has granted me this: she is important for the fates of him and one who wields a wooden shield.”  Kal looks over his shoulder, the famous plank of wood strapped to his back as a reminder of his cunning. 
“I was told of your coming, noble Kal, Delphi had told me you would return to Argos back even when Jason had gotten you to join him.” 
Kal is taken aback, but nonetheless invested, “my lord, I ask for your assistance in this quest, I need not interject myself into politics in which I have no blood in.”  Ornelisos stepped down from this throne.  
“I believe you do, Kal, for better or for worse.  Her fate is tied to the fate of my brother.” Kal looks to Dionysos, who nods and Kal recounts what Helios had told him.  
“Then a prophecy has been realized.”  Orneslisos said.  Kal was confused.
“My lord, forgive me, but I do not know what you speak of?” 
“My brother, years ago, was given a prophecy that spoke of his first born son which would bring about the downfall of his nefarious rule.  After his son had vanished, which we all knew the truth of, he went again, and said the same thing.”  Orneslisos had more, but grew more concerned with revealing this to Kal. 
“When I went, I was told that I must free Syracuse, or help in its liberation alongside the Wooden Shield hero.  I was unsure of it then, but after my brother fled Argos and I learned of the glorious tale of your feats, I was sure on who I needed to trust in the conflict I feared would come.”
These men knew not of the politics of the Gods that were propelling forward the embers of war, Posiedon and Athena competing and playing with fate.  Zeus could no longer change fate, but could not pick a side in the conflict.  The mortal conflict would arise from Kal, and his mysterious upbringing.  
Kal looked at Ornelisos, who had laid a hand on his shoulder, “My lord, if what you say is true, then I will gladly lead you into battle!” 
“Worry not, friend, My armies will be ready within a day, I cannot join you on the field of battle however.  I am sending my son to join you, Kalos, he is ready to lead warriors into the jaws of death. Let us make an Oath.” 
And so it was, they swore an Oath to free Syracuse, and they will uphold their friendship on the safe return of his son; if he does not return then their friendship is broken, and Kal will be executed.  
“I hope I do not have to give the order to kill you, my friend.” Ornelisos says, with a genuine regard for Kal.  Kalos emerges from the palace, armed with his sword and armor, greets his new friends. 
“Good day to you, noble Kal! Your escapades with the Argonauts are truly inspiring tales! Let us hope they are true!” He boards their ship, and the crew sets sail, the fleet of Argos accompanying them.  
“Kal, this is the wrong direction we should have waited for the wind to change course.” Dionysos says, worried still in his old man form. 
“That is the idea, old fool! We are going to Athens, to seek council with my personal friend King Aegeus.  We need to gain his help and advice for war!”  
The crew arrived in Athens almost a month later, and made haste towards the palace of Aegeus.  The Athenian palace was expansive and bountiful of the riches of Athens. The throne of Aegeus bearing the image of Athena across its central arch over the seat.  There sat King Aegeus, father of Theseus, who anxiously awaited seeing his friend in Kal. 
“Glorious meetings Kal! I haven’t seen you since you left with Jason!” They shake hands, and greet like old friends. 
“I wish it were on better terms friend, I am oathbound and quested by the fates to free Syracuse and my wife-to-be, who was made for me and I for her.”  Kal says with urgency.  “I have come with my companions, one hails from Argos, Kalos, son of Orenlisos, King of Argos.  They have agreed to join us in our war.  I wish I didn’t have to, but will you join us and devout your armies for the liberation of Syracuse from a false king?”  
Aegeus ponders for a moment, and sighs. “A war? With a distant city? All this without speaking of the change in leadership of Argos?” Kal and his crew look weary, reluctant to elaborate. 
Kal took a deep breath and said “My lord, the former king of Argos is a crazy old man, he fled for Syracuse and took the throne, I was told by Helios himself! I swear to you, the noble king of Athens, I speak only the truth.” 
Aegeus, unsure of another war so soon after another with Crete, reluctantly stood up, “Let us make it an Oath, I must be back for my son, Theseus”.  

Book 1: Episode 3 – Glory and Fame

    Kal, standing at a grave for his father with Dionysos later in the day, is in total shock from hearing about his father’s demise. 
Dionysos lays a hand on his shoulder.  
“I found him, bloody and dying, and that was less than four months ago.” 
Kal doesn’t seem to react, only taking the sword that was stuck in the ground in front of his grave. Kal doesn't speak, silently weeping and mourning the loss of his father. Going back in his memories, remembering all his father had done for him.  How could this happen? Why would some King from a city he has no blood in. All the years aboard the Argo, and none of those tales of heroism and bravery had prepared Kal for this: coming home to no home.  A terrifying question crossed Kal's mind: 'Have I wrought this fate upon him?'  Kal drops to his knees.
“By the Gods, how could I have let this happen?” Kal in total disbelief. 
Dionysos replies “You were off on the Argo right? And how can we be sure that this murderer king is your father?” A long pause as Kal thought of his next moves, among the feelings of revenge and hate boiling within him.
“We ask the Gods themselves, care to help me with that?” The pair look at each other, Dionysos taps him on the head, and reveals the sight of the Gods to him. 

 A festival is held in Dionysos’ honor later that evening, Kal drinks his sorrows away there, and in a drunken rant, asks for godlike powers. 
“Come on God of Wine, if you are a God, give me power! A mighty weapon! A drink that lets me see what I want!”  
Kal continues on, with various requests like a spear that he can ride vast distances, or a poisoned hydra blood arrow.   Dionysos grants him a couple of gifts, for getting the festival going in the first place and because Dionysos thought it funny.  The first is a purple and white cape, which connected over his right shoulder and bore the symbol of a grapevine.  He also made a barrel of a drink that will give him strength for a day.  Kal's drunken state worsens, and eventually falls around the bonfire. The gathering of people, no bigger than thirty, begins to dissipate. Dionysos sits with the drunken Kal, who sways as he tries to sit up.  The pair watch the fire go out.
"Do the Gods regret their past?" Kal slurs.  Dionysos has no trouble understanding any language no matter how poorly it was spoken. 
"Perhaps some do.  The Gods do as they please, why regret? We don't suffer mortality."
Kal sits a moment, looking into the fire. "I regret leaving Lemnos, Wine God."
"Why?"
"Because I ran to Lemnos, with some woman, hoping I could do something on my own."  Kal's words are increasingly better articulated.
"After we got the Fleece, I looked back and realized I didn't have tales of my own outside of one or two moments.  Jason would rule a kingdom, Herakles would go on to be tested by the Gods and be forever enshrined as the best Greek to ever live.  What of me? My achievements are left behind.  I want to be greater than the rest, I am not simply one of Jason's crew. I am destined to be a big part in the history of the world."  
Dionysos struggled to relate to such a mortal struggle. Yet he can understand Kal's position.  The God of Wine was booted from Olympos, and his worship limited.  He wishes to have the many cults that his relatives enjoy.  No one pours libations for him, no one offers a lamb.  On Olympos he is disliked, even by the likes of his own father, Zeus.  It makes him wonder why Zeus bothered to spare him by putting him in his leg. 
"Would my Este even want to see me? A woman destined for me, and I for her. If I were not aboard the Argo, would she even believe I am the man the Fates made for her?"  


In the dead of night, the moon shone over-head; Dionysos made his way to speak with the Titan of the Sun in the Sky.  Currently resting from the day's work of moving the sun across the sky. 
“Wise Helios, Titan of the Sun in the sky, I come to ask you about the travels of a king.” Dionysos asked.
Helios was not too pleased to see Dionysos. 
“Why do I help you, of all the gods under Zeus, why you?” 
“I only ask on behalf of a friend, Kal son of Marcus.”
Helios changed from annoyed, and instantly went to intrigued. “What is it that he desires?”
“The whereabouts of his father’s murderer, the former king of Argos.  He set sail west from Naxos about four months ago.”  Helios pondered for a moment, searching his memory. 
“I have seen him sailing for the city of Syracuse.  He has been there for a while now, He had help from the sea.”
Dionysos was satisfied with the answer, but Helios had more.
“Hold fast, Wine God!  He has taken up the kingship of the city, for this I have no answer as to how.” 
Dionysos thanked the Titan, and ventured with Helios on his chariot back to Naxos.  
	Poseidon at that time, grew more irritated at the continued survival of Kal, a thorn in the Sea God’s side.  Hermes was sat in the domain of Poseidon, taking down a message for Zeus from the frustrated God. 
“Zeus shouldn’t mess with my affairs! He may be king, but this is my domain of power! This Kal business is becoming more of a problem by the day.  Hermes, tell Zeus, King of the Cosmos, that Kal’s fate better be that he dies, or the Sons of Zeus will find themselves at the bottom of the sea!”  Poseidon angrily shouted to Hermes.
“I mean no offense my lord, but what has this Kal done to cross you?” Hermes asked. 
“It is not what he has done, but what he represents dear Hermes.  Kal was supposed to die at the hands of his father, or so I was told.  Instead, Athena, petty as she is, spared him and now solidified the coming conflict.  The former King of Argos, now King of Syracuse, cannot keep his domain without war.”  Poseidon details the consequences of Kal’s quest, telling of the coming war that will be led by Kal. 
Poseidon continued, “Zeus made a deal with me, and turned a blind eye to this debacle in exchange for helping Perseus.  My sons have never been immortalized nor given the respect and worship like us Gods. They are forgotten and bicker as petty kings  and heroic acts left to local legends.  Why do my sons not get the love of mortals?  No more, Kal only serves to continue the cycle of Zeus’ and his wretched sons gaining all the glory, and mine falling by the wayside and ruling distant colonies.  Why not have the story of my sons painted in the night sky?  Zeus may be my brother, but he has no care for my offspring or domain.”  
Hermes was satisfied, but then had a thought, “Athena had spared this man at a young age, abandoned by his parents, and your son is the King of Syracuse, who had tried to rid himself of his son?  Are those two tales one in the same?” 
Poseidon had faced away from Hermes, looking out into his domain. His chest huffed out. 
“I think I’m satisfied with my message for the ever ignorant Zeus, be gone.” Poseidon had no words, simply signaled Hermes away.
 
	Kal had gathered a small crew from the festival for Dionysos and made his way for Argos.  Having determined where the murderer of his father is, but still needing to get back on the trail that leads to Argos.  Dionysos climbs aboard, hesitant to get involved in a grander plot that he can sense.  Kal, hopeful and headstrong, packs the ship and awaits returning to Argos. 
“We should visit the Oracle, after we speak with the new king, which I hope isn’t any worse than the last one.”  Dionysos and Kal pause. 
“Murdering my father undoubtedly makes one less inclined to befriend them, at least from my perspective.” Kal states, oddly calm. 
“You’d be surprised how one can adjust to living or being related to petty, jealous and vain company.” Dionysos feels the collective disapproval of many on Olympos as he says this. 
 “Of course, what are mortal affairs to those of the Gods?  Zeus has more reason to lay waste to men than another man would upon the weak.” 
The crew had the full wind in their sails, propelling them forwards on the sea, the spray of water and the scent of the sea fills the crew with a lust for adventure.

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