“Lord Aetos. I know that you will not have me, and you may express your displeasure with my methods all that you would like.”

Like a circling vulture, the King of Ithaca paces now in the court of the King of Crete.

“But I am troubled. Troubled indeed, and there are certain things that are more important than our own mortal concerns.”

He stands still.

“The King of Pylos has withdrawn himself and his men. I hear that he cries out for your head, and that he keeps half his army stationed around his hut as though it were the gates of Troy. And then I find out that you were the last person to see him before the prophet’s trial, which Ophellios then failed to attend, as he has not been seen by any outsider since.”

Ambrosios’ arrow-like gaze bears into him, seeking answers like a relentless inquisitor.

“You must cooperate with me, King of Crete. On behalf of the Council, or simply between the two of us if you so wish it – I need to know what happened.”

“Lord Aetos. I know that you will not have me, and you may express your displeasure with my methods all that you would like.”

Like a circling vulture, the King of Ithaca paces now in the court of the King of Crete.

“But I am troubled. Troubled indeed, and there are certain things that are more important than our own mortal concerns.”

He stands still.

“The King of Pylos has withdrawn himself and his men. I hear that he cries out for your head, and that he keeps half his army stationed around his hut as though it were the gates of Troy. And then I find out that you were the last person to see him before the prophet’s trial, which Ophellios then failed to attend, as he has not been seen by any outsider since.”

Ambrosios’ arrow-like gaze bears into him, seeking answers like a relentless inquisitor.

“You must cooperate with me, King of Crete. On behalf of the Council, or simply between the two of us if you so wish it – I need to know what happened.”

“Lord Aetos. I know that you will not have me, and you may express your displeasure with my methods all that you would like.”

Like a circling vulture, the King of Ithaca paces now in the court of the King of Crete.

“But I am troubled. Troubled indeed, and there are certain things that are more important than our own mortal concerns.”

He stands still.

“The King of Pylos has withdrawn himself and his men. I hear that he cries out for your head, and that he keeps half his army stationed around his hut as though it were the gates of Troy. And then I find out that you were the last person to see him before the prophet’s trial, which Ophellios then failed to attend, as he has not been seen by any outsider since.”

Ambrosios’ gaze pierces into him, seeking answers like a relentless inquisitor.

“You must cooperate with me, King of Crete. On behalf of the Council, or simply between the two of us if you so wish it – I need to know what happened.”

“Lord Aetos. I know that you will not have me, and you may express your displeasure with my methods all that you would like.”

Like a circling vulture, the King of Ithaca paces now in the court of the King of Crete.

“But I am troubled. Troubled indeed, and there are certain things that are more important than our own mortal concerns.”

He stands still.

“The King of Pylos has withdrawn himself and his men. I hear that he cries out for your head, and that he keeps half his army stationed around his hut as though it were the very gates of Troy. And then I find out that you were the last person to see him before the prophet’s trial, which Ophellios then failed to attend, as he has not been seen by any outsider since.”

Ambrosios’ gaze pierces into him, seeking answers like a relentless inquisitor.

“You must cooperate with me, King of Crete. On behalf of the Council, or simply between the two of us if you so wish it – I need to know what happened.”

“Lord Aetos. I know that you will not have me, and you may express your displeasure with my methods all that you would like.”

Like a circling vulture, the King of Ithaca paces now in the court of the King of Crete.

“But I am troubled. Troubled indeed, and there are certain things that are more important than our own mortal concerns.”

He stands still.

“The King of Pylos has withdrawn himself and his men. I hear that he cries out for your head, and that he keeps half his army stationed around his hut as though it were the very gates of Troy. And then I find out that you were the last person to see him before the prophet’s trial, which Ophellios then failed to attend – and he has not been seen by any outsider since.”

Ambrosios’ gaze pierces into him, seeking answers like a relentless inquisitor.

“You must cooperate with me, King of Crete. On behalf of the Council, or simply between the two of us if you so wish it – I need to know what happened.”

“Lord Aetos. I know that you will not have me, and you may express your displeasure with my methods all that you would like.”

Like a circling vulture, the King of Ithaca paces now in the court of the King of Crete.

“But I am troubled. Troubled indeed, and there are certain things that are more important than our own mortal concerns.”

He stands still.

“The King of Pylos has withdrawn himself and his men. I hear that he cries out for your head, and that he keeps half his army stationed around his hut as though it were the very gates of Troy. And then I find out that you were the last person to see him before the prophet’s trial, which Ophellios then failed to attend – and he has not been seen by any outsider since.”

Ambrosios’ gaze pierces into him, a relentless inquisitor seeking answers.

“You must cooperate with me, King of Crete. On behalf of the Council, or simply between the two of us if you so wish it – I need to know what happened.”