The Dragon Legion Collection(30)

“Why?”

“In his travels, Apollo persuaded Pan to reveal the art of prophecy to him. Upon his return, Apollo recognized that the fumes rising from the cracks in the earth at Delphi could induce visions in a person of purity. It was said that these fumes rose through the fissures in the earth that abound in that area and that they came from the decaying corpse of Pytho.”


Lysander shuddered and made a face. “I wouldn’t want to smell that.”

“It smells mostly of herbs and fire to visitors.”

“Barley and laurel leaves,” Katina contributed. “That’s what they burn on the sacred hearth.”

Alexander nodded. “Remember that Apollo saw the fumes as a gift of Gaia to mankind. Only the Pythia herself is engulfed in the fumes.”

“Who’s the Pythia?”

Alexander indicated Katina and she replied.

“The Pythia is the oracle of Apollo. A woman gives her life in service to the shrine, keeping herself pure so that she can hear the prophecies clearly.”

“The Pythia sits on a tripod perched over the crack in the sanctuary of the temple and speaks of her visions,” Alexander added.

Lysander looked between his parents with awe. “You’ve been there.”

“Of course.” Alexander cast Katina a quick smile that warmed her to her toes. “I met your mother in that same sanctuary in Delphi.”

Their son’s confusion was clear.

“I was taken as an offering to the Korykian Cave of the Nymphs by my parents,” Katina explained.

“Why would they do that?”

“Probably because of what we just saw,” Alexander said, his gaze lingering upon Katina. He seemed to be admiring, which made her feel more confident of his reaction.

She continued speaking to Lysander. “They didn’t know what to make of my gift, except surrender me to the gods. There are stories in our family of others like me, although we are said to be born only every seventh generation. My grandfather called me a Waterdaughter and said our family had been touched once by the divine. A naiad once fell in love with one of our ancestors, and then chose to be mortal to remain with him.”

“What else can you do?” Lysander asked.

“I can call the rain, or summon fresh water from a well gone dry. It is said that we can heal and give prophecies, too, which is what I’d hoped to learn.”

“Did you?”

Katina shook her head. “No, because they wouldn’t accept me as an offering. My parents were confused as to what to do, so they took me to Delphi to ask the Pythia about my fate. They paid for a prophecy.”

“Your future lies in fire and earth; the world’s in the son you birth,” Alexander said quietly.

“Is that the prophecy?” At Katina’s nod, Lysander frowned. “What does it mean?”

“Well, it meant your mother couldn’t serve in a shrine, because to fulfill the prophecy she had to have a son.” Once again, Alexander gave Katina a simmering glance. Were their thoughts as one? “Women who serve must remain untouched by men, all their lives.”

“So, what did you do?”

“I met your father when the Pythia gave her prophecy, for he was serving in the sanctuary. And, in that moment, it seemed my destiny was clear.” Katina caught her breath in recollection of the first spark of the firestorm, the flame that had seemed to ignite her very soul.

That was when she knew she had to feel Alexander’s heat within her again, at least one more time.

Lysander, fortunately, didn’t seem to notice the way his parents were looking at each other. “Is that prophecy about me?”

Katina smiled. “I don’t have another son.”

His delight was clear, then he turned to his father. “But why were you there?”

“Pelias saw that I was Pyr and took me to Delphi,” Alexander said. “We Pyr are said to be the spark cast by Apollo’s killing of Pytho, so we serve at his shrine.”

Katina watched their son consider this. “Is that why you’re taking me to Delphi?”

Alexander smiled and put his hand on his son’s head. “Yes. You will serve in the sanctuary, just as I did, and you will be taught how to manage your abilities as they develop.” He flicked the quickest glance at Katina before he continued. “One day, you may be summoned to serve mankind for eight years. If that occurs, you will go.”

“Why?”

“Because you will swear to it when you pledge yourself to Apollo and Gaia.” Alexander paused for a moment, as if debating the merit of saying more. Katina was glad when he did. “There are three pieces of wisdom engraved on the walls at Delphi, Lysander, and they are words that will stand you in good stead if you remember them.”

“I will remember them.”

“The first is ‘Know Thyself.’ At Delphi, you will be trained to know your abilities.” Katina considered how much she had to learn about her own abilities. Would that quest take her away from Alexander? She hoped not.

Lysander nodded.

“The second is ‘Nothing in Excess,’ a maxim I learned well myself long before I came to Delphi. Doing that will ensure that you use your powers well.” He fell silent then, despite the boy’s inquisitive looks.

“And the third?” Katina prompted.