“That isn’t why I—” I began, but Polydeuces cut my protest short.
“Our sister would never offend Apollo, would you, Helen?” I saw real fear in his eyes when he looked at me. It was clear that the sun god’s wrath had the power to terrify my bold, strong brother even when nothing else could.
I couldn’t let him be so afraid. I bowed my head to Apollo’s priest and said, “We’ll do as you tell us. Our guards and servants will all sleep elsewhere.”
“Oh, I’d never dare to tell you what to do, Lady Helen,” the priest replied. I didn’t have to look at his face. His voice alone told me that he was wearing a smug, victorious smile.
13
ENCOUNTER IN DELPHI
The senior priest did tell the truth about our lodgings. We were given a fine, comfortable room and spent a restful night. Early the next morning, one of the temple servants arrived with bread, wine, cheese, and news: “Noble guests, you will be permitted to see the holy Pythia today, as soon as you feel you are prepared to hear her voice.”
Castor and Polydeuces almost danced for joy. They talked together intensely, debating whether they’d do better to give Apollo two identical offerings or a single, truly impressive one. I stood by the doorway, arms folded, and said nothing.
At last they noticed my silence. “What about you, Helen?” Polydeuces asked. “What will you give to Apollo?”
“Nothing.”
“Helen, you can’t—” Polydeuces began to object.
I stopped him cold. “I’m giving the god nothing because I’m not coming with you to the temple. Why should I? You heard that priest. My future’s set.”
“We all know you don’t believe that,” Castor said, smirking. “Or is this your way of telling us that you’ve decided to put down the sword?”
“Oh, but I do believe it,” I replied. And I did. My future was set: The choices it held belonged to no one but me. I didn’t need or want the Pythia’s prophecies to guide me through them.
“This is about those two priests, isn’t it?” Polydeuces said. “You can’t fool me, little sister. I saw the look on your face, especially when you were listening to the young one. You were as skilled and gracious as Mother at changing the subject to save him from his own foolish remarks. He repaid your help by dismissing you as just another little girl.”
“You know, they were only two men,” Castor put in. “I doubt that all of Apollo’s priests here are like them.”
“And what if they are?” I countered. “Is Delphi about prophecy or greed?”
“So you think Apollo’s oracle is a fake?” Polydeuces asked quietly. He genuinely revered the gods.
“I didn’t say that and I don’t believe it,” I replied truthfully. “I’d gladly see Apollo’s oracle if it didn’t mean I’d have to see his priests.”
My brothers exchanged a look of resignation. “No use trying to talk her out of it, is there?” Castor asked.
“We know better than that,” Polydeuces replied. “Much better.” He turned to me. “Are you sure you won’t be too bored here, waiting for us to come back? We don’t know how long our time with the Pythia will last; I hope you’ll find something to do.”
“Of course I will,” I told him. “I’ll be exploring Delphi.”
“No you won’t,” my brothers responded in perfect unison. Then they took turns telling me exactly why I couldn’t do what I wanted.
“You wouldn’t be safe,” Castor said.
“You’d get lost if you went wandering around the city on your own,” Polydeuces added.
“It’s too big.”
“Too noisy.”
“Too confusing.”
“Too busy.”
“You could run into the wrong sort of people.”
“Dangerous types.”
“But sneaky enough so you couldn’t tell they’re dangerous until it’s too late.”
“We’re responsible for your safety.”
“We have to know where you are at all times.”
“It’s not that we don’t trust you, Helen.”
“It’s them.”
“It’s for your own good.”
I flopped down on my bed. “Fine. Go. I’ll stay here,” I told the ceiling.
Castor and Polydeuces each grabbed one of my wrists and pulled me back to my feet. “I don’t think so,” Castor said, chuckling. “You’d stay here, all right. You’d stay here just until you saw us go into Apollo’s temple, and then you’d be a little cloud of dust sailing out through the gates.”
“You don’t have to come with us,” Polydeuces said. “But if you want to tour this city, you’ll have to do it on our terms.”
With that, he left me in Castor’s company.
“Where’s he going?” I asked.
“Probably to see if the priests of Apollo have an oil jar big enough to stuff you inside for safekeeping.” He winked at me.
No matter how much I loved my brothers, I wasn’t in the mood for more teasing. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll insult the Pythia if you don’t go to see her right now? You were summoned. She could foretell terrible fates for the two of you if you keep her waiting.”
Castor didn’t seem worried. “If she’s truly blessed with the gift of prophecy, she already knows we’re going to be delayed. And if she can’t foretell that, she’s as much of an oracle as I am, so why should I care what she predicts?” He laughed out loud, then added, “But don’t tell Polydeuces I said that. He’s the devout one.”
Polydeuces returned only a little while later, accompanied by two of our Spartan soldiers. “I sent a messenger to the inn where they’re staying,” he told us. “They’ll look after you while Castor and I are with the Pythia. Have a good time in Delphi.” He acted as though he’d just solved every problem in the world.
I didn’t see it that way.
As we crossed the temple grounds together, I asked Polydeuces, “Is there a good reason you’re treating me like a silly sheep?” I indicated the two soldiers behind me. “Or are you embarrassing me like this just because you can?”