This is my attempt at a "porn parody" (for lack of a better description) of Ancient Greek mythology. It is not a direct adaptation of any one story, but an original tale made of bits and pieces pulled from several Greek myths. The intention was not only to create a work of erotic fantasy, but an epic saga that paid loving tribute to the poets and playwrights of antiquity.
This chapter contains an erotic coupling scene, though it also qualifies as a "first time" scene.
Thank you for reading. Please enjoy.
Prologue
Glory! Sing, sweet Muses, for the glory of Tythoros! Sing of the warrior who defeated great monsters to save the city that betrayed him. Sing of the curses and hardships he overcame for redemption's sake. Sing of the mighty gods, the brave allies, and the uncommon beauty who aided Tythoros in his quest.
Sing to me, great Muses, and help this humble author tell his tale.
Chapter 1
Begin, Muse, with that fateful night many ages ago in the proud city of Thebes. It was a cold, black, and foggy night, but no one in the city's main palace had noticed or cared.
The palace's hearth roared with flame that night. The banquet hall was filled with the light and warmth of a dozen torches. Musicians played merry tunes over the growing volume of roars and laughter. The hall's enormous tables were covered with all manner of succulent meats, fruits, cakes, and jugs of wine. It was enough to feed a village, but the proud fighting men of Thebes were eating through it all with remarkable speed.
Flush with recent victory, this gathering of warlords and generals celebrated with raucous vigor. They laughed, they sang, they drank, and a few had even helped themselves to the nubile curves of their host's servants. One soldier in particular -- tall, with broad muscles and resplendent golden armor -- sat at the head of one table with a comely brunette under each arm. The women had stayed with him all that night, whether they wanted to or not.
Elsewhere, at the head of a different table, a man gripped his scepter (crafted by the god Hephaestus himself) and stood. Everyone in the banquet hall grew quickly silent, for Ammochrusios was such a mountain of a man that even without his royal scepter, and even with so much food and drink caught in his ample beard, the king had a presence that commanded attention.
His voice boomed through the hall. "Mighty Thebans, Olympus smiles upon us this day! Together, we have proven that no mortal force on this Earth could ever hope to match the strength of Thebes!"
Ammochrusios paused as his soldiers banged their fists against the table, thundering their approval.
"Not only have you earned honor for yourselves," he continued. "But you have earned the gratitude of a kingdom. Not only did you strike everlasting fear into the hearts of our enemies, but you brought tremendous glory and hordes of treasure back to your beloved homeland."
More thunder, as the soldiers roared and banged once more.
"Though you have all earned your places in song and story for generations to come, special praise must be given to the sharp-eyed Xalchon."
There was more applause as the gold-armored warrior threw his new female companions aside and stood next to Ammochrusios. No one at that table questioned that Xalchon deserved praise above them all. The comrades in arms had all seen Xalchon's golden armor turn red with the blood of countless adversaries fallen by his spear. His prodigious strength and ragged visage were enough to terrify all who stood before him.
"Xalchon," said Ammochrusios, "for your vital part in this victory, I award you first choice of the spoils. Name any prize you wish."
"My lord," replied Xalchon, "I ask only for what I am owed. The gold, the weapons, and the women I took by force are all mine. But that is not enough, for you promised me another prize. You promised me a young and heavenly beauty, never before touched by man. A woman of many skills and crafts who would be mine until the House of Death claims me. For this victory, king of Thebes, you owe me your first daughter. You owe me Pheira's hand in marriage."
Ammochrusios offered his hand to the sharp-eyed warrior. "I remember this promise," he replied, "and I will gladly hold to it. You shall wed my daughter tomorrow, and take your share of the war spoils as dowry."
The king and his champion clasped hands, and it was done. The celebration continued anew, in honor of the warrior and his engagement.
***
As was often the case with arranged marriages in those days, the engaged couple had never met or seen each other previously. In fact, Pheira was shut in her bedchamber at that very moment, far away from the noise of the banquet hall.
Yet despite the distance and Pheira's vain attempts to keep distracted, she could still hear all the noise. Her father and his men were making such an awful din that Pheira could barely hear someone knocking at her door. She didn't even think to answer the door until she heard a muffled voice say "My lady?"
She finally opened her bedchamber to find a lanky fellow with pleasant features and a thick head of oak-colored hair. Though he was dressed as one of the household servants, Pheira couldn't recall ever seeing him before. That was hardly unusual, though: The royal family had more servants than Pheira could keep track of.
"I thought my lady might like some food from the banquet," said the servant. Indeed, he was carrying a large plate full of meats, fruits, and bread. He had even included a couple small cups of wine. Pheira couldn't deny that the food looked heavenly.
"Thank you," said Pheira. "Do come in."
The servant set his plate down on the floor and closed the door behind him. "You've been here alone this whole time, my lady?" he asked.
"A moment's peace has been very hard to come by lately. I'm thankful to have one before the wedding."
"So you heard that the king has given you to Xalchon?"
Before replying, Pheira helped herself to a grape. It was remarkable how one little piece of fruit could taste so delicious. She couldn't recall ever tasting such sweet juice. Clearly, the girl didn't know just how hungry she was.
"My marriage to Xalchon was set before the warships had ever left," she said between bites of beef. "It's all that my mother and Cleia have been able to talk about." Pheira paused to gulp down some wine. "Then again, as they incessantly remind me, I am far too old not to be married." In fact, Pheira was eighteen years of age in a time when girls typically got married off at fifteen.
