King of Ithaca (Adventures of Odysseus)

That the people loved Penelope was clear, and the huge crowds outside the palace walls had gathered as much to see the new queen as the long-awaited succession of Odysseus. But it remained Odysseus’s moment of triumph. It was his leadership, intelligence and courage that had led them to Sparta and back, and had brought about the downfall of the rebellion. Because of him, their great task had been a success and Ithaca was free again. The long journeys, the battles, the treachery and the mesh of love and politics were behind them. And now Odysseus was to replace his father, just as the oracle had predicted.

Laertes looked his son firmly in the eye, but did not move. As a captive of Koronos, the old man had long before decided that his son should take his place as king if he overthrew the rebels; but as the two men stared at each other, Eperitus feared that Laertes might revoke his decision. Then the moment passed. The old man kissed Odysseus on both cheeks and placed a short staff in his hand – the symbol of rule on Ithaca. Then he and Anticleia bowed low and moved aside.

Odysseus and Penelope now stepped up to the vacant seats and turned. They held hands and stared about at the silent faces for a long moment. Then they sat down and the simple ceremony was complete: Odysseus had become king of Ithaca, and Penelope was his queen. The courtyard erupted with cheering that was echoed in the streets beyond, marking the start of many days of celebration.

As the cheers continued, Odysseus found Eperitus amongst the crowd and gave him an irreverent grin. Eperitus returned the smile, happy to share in his friend’s moment of triumph. Yet circling vulture-like over his joy was a nagging doubt: Odysseus had found a Spartan wife and was the ruler of his people, but the second part of his oracle remained, distant but threatening. And if Odysseus’s doom took him to Troy, as the Pythoness had warned, then Eperitus would go also. For that was the will of Zeus, which he had naively sought a lifetime ago at Mount Parnassus.

Table of Contents

Begin reading

Half-title page

Title page

Copyright page

Table of Contents

Dedication page

Acknowledgements

Glossary

Table of Contents

Begin reading

Half-title page

Title page

Copyright page

Table of Contents

Dedication page

Acknowledgements

Glossary