Page 24 of Orpheus
I nodded. “Yes. The very one. That is me.”
The men glossed over each other, gauging one another’s reactions, before they all busted out in laughter.
“Do you take us all for fools, young man!?”
I shook my head, becoming vexed at their rude response. “No! I really am Orpheus. Here, I’ll prove it!”
Without even thinking, I withdrew the golden lyre from the pocket in my tunic. Shutting my eyes, I began plucking at its fine strings, playing a short tune for the guardsmen.
Please listen to my song closely, for I have much to say.
I have no plans to leave this city. I am here to stay.
So, believe that I am the musician that I claim to be.
And if you don’t, just listen with your ears and you will see.
My music tuned out the sirens and their high-pitched shrieks.
Few men have the ability to possess such an artistic technique.
But I stand before you today, able to tell the tale
Of how I led King Jason past the island of the sirens, allowing him to prevail.
The wily grins on the men’s faces quickly changed. They became stern, while also seeming mesmerized by my vocals and the instrument in my clutches. I managed to also acquire the attention of nearby townsfolk who were within listening distance from us. Even some of those within the confines of the castle walls, behind the gates, came forth, staring at me over the shoulders of the guards.
“You… you really are Orpheus?” one of the guards spoke up.
“I would not lie to you. Nor could anyone else play and sing as well as I can,” I confidently expressed.
“Very well, Master Orpheus. We are sorry for doubting your identity. It is out of abundant caution for our new king,” he shared. “Please, you are welcome into his royal highness’ castle at any time.”
With that, the guardsmen stepped to the side and opened the gate, allowing me to enter the castle grounds.
The castle workers and servants who managed to hear my performance bowed down as I passed by them. I was astonished by their reactions. Was I really worthy of such respect? It was something I was not quite accustomed to. I wondered if I truly could ever get used to such deference from people.
But I could not be daunted by their responses for very long, for I had a mission before me. I would request an audience with his majesty. And I would not leave this castle, nor Iolcus, until I managed to have his undivided attention.
I strode with assurance, approaching the entrance to the overwhelmingly large and luxurious castle that stood before me. The main doors were stretched so high, it was a wonder of who could possibly have the strength and manpower to open such gargantuan structures.
But alas, they did manage to open before me, much to my amazement. I proceeded into the main foyer, greeted by a rather old man in garbs that were far too loose for his frail skin. He reminded me of one of my scholars, back home in Thrace.
“You are Sir Orpheus, are you not?” the man asked with a gritty rasp in his voice.
I nodded. “Yes, I am. I have come to see King Jason.”
“I see. The king is busy at the moment. Perhaps if you will…” he began to explain, but I quickly disrupted his suggestion.
“I will not leave this castle until I do meet with him,” I harshly remarked. “I have traveled a long way to visit him and refuse to leave until I get an audience with his highness.”
The old man gave a heavy grunt, but accepted my resolve. “Very well. You may have to wait here for a few hours.”
But what was a few hours here compared to the many hours and days I had spent navigating towns, streets, and even the wilderness to get from Drepana to this very city? They were nothing to me. “I will patiently wait here then,” I told him.
And so I did. Luckily, one of the maidens escorted me throughout the castle to bide the time, showing off all of its vast rooms, the treasures within it, and the very well-kept gardens and grounds on its exterior. It had been two hours she had spent giving me the grand tour, yet I had barely even noticed that much time had already flown by once the young maiden had shown me all there was to see.
When we finally arrived back at the front foyer, the old man returned. The length of his clothes covered his feet. He seemed as if he was slowly gliding or hovering in the air instead of slowly walking over towards me.
