Herald of the Gods

It was the Saint who lifted the gossamer veil from my face and bade me to drink from the cup of Apollo. The perfectly proportioned vessel – an item of matchless value and prestige - was fashioned of finely beaten gold, studded with pearls and onyx, which mirrored the torch lights so brilliantly that it appeared as a glowing flame to all who saw it.

When I had drunk of Apollo a priest stepped forward and placed a garland upon my head that was scented with the sacred flower of Parnassus. He gestured for me to look into the holy waters of Delphi, where I saw reflected the cosmic path of Psyche as it was mapped by planets and stars.

Time passed and the moon came. A vast yellow star, brighter than any other, was held in conjunction with the lamp of night, sphere of Zeus, father of the gods.

Something then occurred that delivered a profound shock to me. I was gazing deep into the dark and limpid waters, lulled into a state of trance by the light of the father, when a massive figure suddenly materialized by my left shoulder, forcing me to jump in panic and thereby loosening the grip of this mortal coil upon my soul.

In the moment that followed I felt a wave of euphoria, as if lifted by the moon steeds in Selene’s chariot. The one who had appeared beside me was shining bright as silver with eyes of mercury. I saw his winged cap and sandals, the staff with serpents twined around, and knew him at once to be Hermes, lord of time and travellers, herald of the gods.

It was then that I embarked upon my first true journey into dreams, which all the priests and priestesses must undertake. Hermes was my guide, author of time and messenger of the Gods, the one who showed me the way to other worlds.

I have friends in high places; they speak to me through poetry and dreams.

Initiation

No man on Earth has ever encountered a sure sign from God of things to come. The future is blind to him.

The League placed a heavy curse over the ruins of Kirrha so no-one would dare found a settlement there again. The burned, bare ground serves as permanent warning to anyone who thinks they have a right to control the Oracle, and the rich road to Delphi is kept safe for any man wishing to come here.

The length of that road bears witness to the pilgrims' devotion, through countless dedications and statues of the gods, watching from their bright or shaded places with the same implacable eyes. This is the holiest and most cultivated place on Earth and I am High Priestess, initiated at the first rising of the spring moon.

It was decided that the shadow of death had already passed by me in the underworld of the cave. My initiation ceremony was a triumphant occasion and all bore witness to the moment I partook of the Mysteries.

It was said that I should occupy a pivotal role before the turning point of history finally came, heralding a golden age in our civilization. I believed them until the moment I faced the one, whose music was greater than all I could muster.

Though I was restless for many days and nights prior to the event - and weak from fasting - when the moment of my transformation came I was filled with confidence and tranquility – the most profound sense of peace - as I became one with Psyche and entered her hallowed domain.

The High Priestess

The Saint responded anxiously while the maids melted away. “Sir, she has been in the service of this sanctuary since the moment of conception, nothing…”

The Tetrarch interrupted him. “Have no fear my friend, I do not at this moment intend to carry away the virgin bride of a god.” He laughed anew and smiled at me again with his sparkling eyes, whose meaning I could not discern. He put a hand on my guardian’s shoulder. “Rather than ruin us all I would rather commend the company of Saints for the cultivation of one so befitting of Apollo's grace. I believe we have found the natural replacement for she who departed in the black of night.”

He paused for a moment and his expression hardened. “They cannot possibly object now the Cretans are dead - all that has been asked of me I have fulfilled.”

“We must not speak of these things!" the Saint replied with a tortured whisper. "It has been a bloody night and we must make sacrifices for the dead. As for the girl, we should wait…..”

But everything, it seemed, had already been decided by the stranger who had touched me so deeply. “It is essential that the office be occupied by one who is loyal to the friends of Delphi and I believe this girl will remember well the way I saved her life. Besides,” he added more softly, looking over at me as he spoke, “it is only fitting for the counsel of Apollo to be given by a golden-haired maiden in his days of greatest glory.”

The Saint bowed his head by way of assent and I followed suit, without real comprehension of the scene I was somehow playing a part in - but it was not for me to question the ways and works of men.  All I knew was that when the Tetrarch departed I was rend in two by some sharp and hitherto unknown sorrow that would bind me to the weeping silver moon by a silken thread, destined only to wax and wane as he came and went throughout the years.

It was also shortly after this encounter that I became the high-priestess of Apollo, in accordance with his command. So it was that two great loves became intertwined in my Psyche for the whole of time.

Priceless Vessel

I was afraid, then, for I had never before been questioned by such a man in this way. As I searched Memory for an appropriate line of hexameter the dry voice of the Saint suddenly flew to my aid and his cool shadow veiled my bewildered face. 

“May the God be with you now and always,” he responded smoothly, “and assist you in fulfilling a glorious destiny, as befits the one who brought light to Delphi in her darkest hour.”

He cast a searching glance in my direction and got to his knees before the Tetrarch with arms outspread. “I give you my heartfelt thanks that she has been spared the fate which befell the others. You have saved her,” He added simply. My noble guardian hung his head with such an aspect of total supplication that it quite surprised me.

The Tetrarch did not appear surprised, however, but instead smiled broadly, dazzling us all with his countenance and appearing so handsome that I stared at him in amazement. He laughed merrily. “My dear friend, there is no need at all for this attitude, please arise!”

While he was doing as bidden the Tetrarch astonished us further with the following words. “You know, do you not, that this is a priceless vessel now set before me? I greatly desire to know more about the holy blood that is running through her veins.”

Daughter of Apollo

When I next awoke it was to find the maids Helena and Corinthia bending over me with anxiety in their eyes.

“Thank God she is safe!” cried Helena, who had nursed me for as long as memory served to recall. Tears were streaming down her kind, open face and I sat up to put my arms around her.

I became aware that the Tetrarch was watching us with great attention. Silence descended, bringing with it a gentle breeze of warm, sweet air. It came suddenly upon us, as if it were the breath of Aphrodite.  

“The Aura," he said quietly, putting a finger to my cheek. His voice fell almost to a whisper. “This girl is so fair I can scarcely believe she is mortal - in her face I see the divine…”

Helena gave him a sharp look that cut through her tears like a knife, but Corinthia overflowed with proud words, in accordance with her immoderate nature. “Oh, she is fair as the sun, Sir. Such hair as there is on her head we have never before seen the like of!”

Without so much as a glance at her, removing neither hand nor eyes from my face, he asked:  “You know, do you not, that the high priestess is dead?"

I was shocked at his words for this had not occurred to me until that moment, but the Tetrarch addressed me once again with an air of calm expectancy. “Now that she is gone, what will you say to me daughter of Apollo?”