Page 5 of Orpheus
“My Gods, Orpheus! That was positively divine!” she lauded.
My stress in not knowing her opinion melted away. A warm smile crept up on my face from her complimentary feedback. “Really? You think so?”
Euterpe nodded. “You have surpassed all of my expectations, dear nephew. Even I had a difficult time distinguishing how you managed to play some of the chords in that hymn,” she revealed.
“You are too kind, Aunt Euterpe. But I still have a long way to go to become as masterful as you are. Even I am aware of that,” I humbly stated.
“Yes, but you are well on your way, my boy. And soon enough, your musical abilities will eclipse my own,” she replied.
I gasped, shocked by this belief of hers that was a revelation to me. “I cannot thank you enough. Soon, the world will know of me. My goal is to be the world’s most renowned musician,” I shared.
“I have no doubt you will attain that goal in the very near future, Orpheus. Music is in your blood. You are the son of the Thracian King and the Superior Muse. You were already destined for greatness the day you were born.”
Before I could even reply to my aunt, another voice called from behind me that I didn’t even know was present with us. “Do you think he is ready for the Castalian Spring?”
I twirled around, stunned to learn that the source of the question was my mother, Calliope. I wondered how long she had been here for and if she listened in on our full conversation.
Euterpe nodded to Calliope. “I would say so. And he should perform the same melody he just did there. I’ve never heard a song so soothing and technically exquisite played on the aulos before. The oracles of Delphi, and even Apollo himself must hear Orpheus.”
I could not believe the words that were coming out of their mouths. I never expected in my wildest dreams to be able to perform at the Castalian Spring at such a young age. The spring was sacred ground in Delphi. Its cleansing waters were blessed by Apollo and located just next to the very same mountainous cave where Apollo slayed the odious Python before he came to be the patron of Delphi, inheriting all of it for his deity. He was the oracular God, along with other prestigious titles of being the God of the sun, healing, music, and practically all forms of art, for that matter.
This was why it was an honor to play the aulos at the Castalian Spring for the oracles, priestesses, and perhaps even Apollo if he were omnisciently listening at the time a performance was taking place there. But not just any mortal could show their talents there. Only those with the most highly regarded artistic skills and abilities could hold an audience in the spring. To be invited to show off your talents at the Castalian Spring was a rare honor and a huge blessing.
“So, what do you say, Orpheus? Are you fully prepared to participate?” my mother inquired.
I truly did not have an option. Failure to take advantage of such an opportunity would be unheard of and frowned upon. I knew the only appropriate answer for such a question and I gave it confidently. “Yes. I am ready.”
“Very well. Then we will leave the following morning at sunrise and make our journey to Delphi,” Calliope announced to us.
Deep down, I knew this was the start of my future. My lifework as a musician. It would be the catapult I needed to propel me to monumental fame in this mortal world.
That evening, after my daily practice with Euterpe in the meadow just beyond the castle walls, my mother requested a private audience, not really giving me much context as to the subject of the unplanned meeting. But I knew it was likely about the big day approaching soon. My very first performance at the Castalian Spring.
I entered a private room in the castle that my mother used for her own personal entertainment purposes. It was where she directed me to meet her once we finished supper. I furtively crept into the chamber, softly shutting the door behind me. At the far end of the room, my mother was vigorously writing on parchment at her oak desk, heavily concentrating on whatever it was she was working on. My steps towards her were reticent. Only the crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace behind her desk was heard.
But my shadow that cast over the room instantly drew attention. Her gaze shifted up from her work to me. “Ah, Orpheus. Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice. I’m sure you’re hard at work, busy practicing your song.”
“Yes. But I could use the relaxing break. Don’t want to overdo it and physically drain myself,” I replied to her, alleviating any worry that she may have had, likely wondering if she was inconveniencing me by wanting to have a private discussion amid the short time-frame I had to perfect my music before our journey tomorrow.
“Good. I am relieved you are being wise with the intensity with which you practice. Easing your mind before such an event is imperative if you want to give the performance of a lifetime. Actually, perhaps it would be wise for me to summon Polyhymnia this evening. She could help you meditate…”
I cut my mother off at this suggestion. “That won’t be necessary, mother. I would not want to impose on my aunt. Plus, it is the evening. It would be disrespectful to call upon her at such a late hour. I can meditate on my own,” I assured her.
“As you wish. I just want to do everything in my power to make sure that you are fully ready, body and mind, for Delphi,” Calliope implored.
“Thank you. I appreciate all of your support, and I can testify without a doubt that I am very ready for our trip to Castalian in the morning,” I further explained. Now that we had gotten that out of the way, I wondered if that was the intent on meeting with me privately and if we were done here. “If that was your only concern, and now that we have addressed it, I think I’ll return to practicing,” I announced.
“Well, that was not the only reason I summoned you, my son. Not to add any more pressure to what is already on your plate, but I was informed just a little while ago that Apollo will be present in the audience for your performance, in the flesh,” she revealed.
I cupped my hand over my mouth, holding a shocked expression on my face. I could instantly sense the sweat forming at the base of my forehead. How was this possible? Or rather,whywas this possible? Why would an Olympian God choose to use their valuable time to attend an event where an amateur was performing?
“Are you certain? Apollo will be watchingmeplay the aulos!?” It was unbelievable that I was even asking this question to my mother. Here I was, just an eighteen-year-old, turning into a young man and I already had the chance to welcome the grace of a God’s presence.
My pulse was racing like a competitive charioteer in the chariot races. My heart skipped several beats as I tried not to be overwhelmed. It was difficult for me to take all of this news in.
“Yes. He will be there. As you know, he takes the opinions of the muses into consideration with any information we have to offer him. Euterpe and I have spoken highly of your capabilities and so he requested to see your progress for himself,” my mother admitted.
“You’ve had conversations with Apollo about me!? He has known who I am all this time?”
