my father.

As a lad, I was told that my father was Posidon. So I became a sailor. Then, when I discovered a sword and sandals under a large rock; which no one else could move, I was delighted to learn that I had a father, who was none other than the King of Athens. I was a Prince of Athens. Somehow this kingdom seemed to have greater possibilities than a life at sea. I would be the good son, the hero. I would make this mortal father proud of me. He would bestow upon me the recognition that had never been encountered with the cold blooded King of the Seas.

That mortal father saw in me the idealized version of himself.

When it became time for the tribute to King Minos be paid, I was apalled. This was an outrageous injustice. I would do all I could to prevent this ugly calamity from befalling the fair youth of of our noble Athens. I volunteered to go with them and end this misuse of power.

Now that he had found the perfect son, my mortal father despaired of my loss. I knew in my heart that I would find a way to deliver the fourteen children to safety. This would be the end of human sacrifice among the Minoans.

I could never have achieved this goal without the assistance of Ariadne, The Princess of Crete. The life of luxury she led at the Palace of Knossos was an elaborate prison. Even much of the populace was sickened by the vengful sacrific. Minos visited upon the young Athenians.

It was really the cunning of Ariadne that saved us all. I owed her everything, and gladly agreed to marry the ravishing beauty, and take her to Athens. It was not until we made our escape upon the high seas; I found out that my bride to be, already was an other man's wife. Still I could not resist her. No woman had ever looked at me like that. Her look set a man's heart on fire. I did not think that I would be able to live without her.

It was a rough sea, and though we tried to head straight to Athens, the winds had other plans. Ariadne complained of excruciating stomach cramps. She was doubled over in pain. I could do nothing to save her, but tie her to the mast. It was all we could do to keep the ship afloat. Destiny took us to Naxos. It was necessary to repair the ship. Many were set on shore, including Ariadne and the fourteen survivors. While the others danced and celebrated our victory, Ariadne was writhing in pain. I prayed to all the gods and the priest of Dionysis was called upon. He pronounced her dead. I could not beleive this. Finally, exhausted, I had a dream and Athena bid me to sail to Athens and claim my throne. The thought of taking a dead woman to Athens paralyzed me. I could not believe she was gone. She appeared to be sleeping.

It was decided that nothing could be done. I would take the children back to Athens and return for Ariadne. I did not want the victory ceremony ruined by a funeral. We stopped on Delos on the way to give thanks to the gods. The children did the dance of the cranes, for the birds had returned to mate on the island.

I was in a state of agony, dispaire, and mourning. In my grief, I failed to hoist the proper sail. So the price of our victory was a double tragedy. My beloved father saw a black sail, instead of white for victory. My negligence had cost him his life. Now both my father and my fiance were dead. How I made it through these days I do not know? Perhaps Athena gave me her strength. The city needed me. I was advised not to be deterred by the hand fate dealt me. I had saved the children of Athens but at the cost of those, who to me,were most dear.

When I returned to Naxos for her remains; the priest of Dionysis told me, that Dionysis, the god of resurrection,had revived her, and took her away with him.

Only my dedication to Athena, the godess of wisdom, prevented me from killing this man.