His companions knelt in the dust as Pelopia, the deputy of the Goddess opened her hand in a small greeting. Only the king stood without genuflecting, ...a brave act in the face of the power of the Goddess.“King Atreus,” said Pelopia in a slow deep cadence. “You have come to Delphi to partake of future secrets. She hears you, the Mother, and she bids you to enter the earth before your time and pay homage.”The king smiled, as if showing fearlessness would impress the priestess with his. It only took a few minutes to get 75 bags out of the baggage compartment. It was going to take a lot longer to navigate through the maze of reporters and on lookers and then there was customs to deal with.I quickly brushed off the reporters’ questions as the pilot put my bags on the G5. Andy was not going, he had other things to deal with that were as important.The 747 was taxiing to take off as I was speaking to the reporters; its next stop was Fort Dean.But first I needed to survive the. “Gosh, Dad, are you just gonna stand there and let Brandon’s mom hold onto those pies or do I have to remind you to be a gentleman?” Kellie said as she came bounding to the door to see me. “Yes, Kellie, you do,” I thought to myself as I tried to plaster a smile on my face the best way I knew how. Rick took the boxes off my hands and Kellie and Brandon took me around to introduce me to the rest of the family. Either Rick really enjoyed cooking or he found the kitchen to be a very convenient. “I’m sure that sword isn’t,” she said and pushed back harder, “but I’m not interested in fencing with you.”I arched an eyebrow.She shook her head. “Definitely dangerous. Go, sit down, son. You’re younger than my own boy. I’m not about to relax with you.”“You don’t know what you’re missing out on.”Her face hardened. “I know exactly what I’m missing out on. If you love someone, would you hurt them?”Her words sent a chill through me. My vow to Rithi swelled through me. I would have to hurt Kora to.