The Son of Eurystheus

Waiting outside of Thebe's own abode, Art stared at the tower where Perseus had been born. It had been there that Zeus had conceived Perseus, or so the story went. According to his own father, Zeus was a useful excuse for any daughter who had become a mother before she was a bride or any unfaithful wife. That serial polygamist was always looking for new women to marry and to Art's thinking if Danae had not been visited by Zeus, but by her uncle Proteus, whom Acrisius had hated, then why not just say Zeus to avoid her father's wrath?

Who was to say that the same could not be said for Heracles? For all Art knew, Antaeus had been Heracles' father.

What if both Danae and Heracles' mother had just been insane? Yes, that was a possibility. If a madwoman didn't think she was a goddess, then she thought one of her children had been fathered by a god.

Art had also heard priests devoted to specific deities referred to as the children of that deity. What if Perseus and Heracles were both just priests of Zeus? If so then they must have been quite the combatants for clergymen.

Son of a god, son of an unfaithful, son of a woman who was mother before she was bride, son of a madwoman, just a priest, how was Art to know the truth? Everyone in Achaea seemed to accept that Perseus and Heracles were sons of Zeus, however Acrisius had believed his grandson to also be his nephew, so perhaps there were those who doubted that Heracles was indeed the son of Zeus.

"What do you dwell on, Art?" asked Timaeus.

Art was about to answer when Thebe emerged from her dwelling, clad in a form-fitting, bell-shaped dress. For some reason, he felt compelled to hold out his hand and so, he did. A smile forming upon her countenance, Thebe took the Young Gael's hand and asked: "What is your answer for Timaeus?"

"If a son of Zeus truly is a son of Zeus." Art answered. "There are just so many possibilities, especially since Acrisius believed that Perseus was his nephew in addition to being his grandson. How do we know Heracles is indeed the son of Zeus?"

"Are you looking to be smote?" asked Timaeus, holding his cane aloft. For a moment, Art believed that the Corinthian was going to roughly tap him upon the forehead with it. "You dare suggest Zeus is not Heracles' paterfamilias?"

"Do you know anything about Heracles' conception, Timaeus?" asked Art in turn. Timaeus could do naught but lower his cane, for the fact was he knew little about Heracles.

"Everyone knows that story!" exclaimed Thebe, looking for a moment at Niall. The lynx was grooming himself while some people, children and adults alike, stared in wonder at this foreign creature. "It is said that Zeus came down in the form of Amphitryon, paternal cousin and husband of Heracles' mother Alcmene."

"How do we know that Amphitryon is not in truth the father of Heracles and that Alcmene is not insane?" inquired Art. If Alcmene was insane, then perhaps Heracles had inherited the madness from his mother, the madness that would ultimately result in him slaying his sons and two nephews.

"It was not Alcmene who proclaimed him a son of Zeus, but the ancient prophet Tiresias, whom people call the wisest man in Thebes." Thebe answered.

Another individual to the tale. Looking to Timaeus, Art received only a shrug from the Ignorant Corinthian. Ultimately, Art said: "I suppose if a prophet says it is so, then Heracles truly is the son of Zeus. And here I was thinking he might have been the son of Antaeus who threatened me in Libya, though my father always advised me against listening to prophets. He always did say that what prophets dabble in is not an exact science."

"Poppycock!" exclaimed Timaeus, as he proceeded to walk off, only to promptly trip over a nearby dog.

Growing confused, Art asked: "Thebes?" The Achaeans called the Egyptian city Waset that, but he had also heard of an Achaean city named Thebes. "Is that here in Argolis?"

"It is not." Thebe answered and upon seeing the Young Gael grow even more confused, the Athenian Girl added: "I will explain to you later. Now come, let me show you around!"

The Young Gael and the Athenian Girl were about to walk off, when Argus, Son of Eurystheus approached. A scowl upon the countenance of the King's Son, Art wondered what he possibly could have done to have caused such an expression. Noticing the blade in Argus' right hand, the Young Gael realized wherefore there was a scowl upon the Argive Prince's front.

Argive Prince? Could a son of the King born of a slave be called a prince? Alas, Art knew not. All that he did know was that Argus had murderous intentions.

"Get away from my bride, barbarian!" Argus growled.

"Bride…" repeated Timaeus, rising to his feet. "My, my…"

"First I have heard of this." Commented Thebe before adding: "I will not marry someone who threatened Atreus' young sons Agamemnon and Menelaus!"

"By the order of my father the King." Uttered Argus, raising his blade and pointing it at Art. "Now, barbarian… Step away from my bride this instant or this day you go to whatever afterlife your people believe in."