Chapter 6
The Challenge
The darkness within the walls of Oinomaos’ palace had grown deeper in the days following the race with the latest suitor, and when the king returned with the smashed body of his opponent tied to the cab of his chariot, it was to the bowed heads of a people living in deepest fear. None but his charioteer, Myrtilos, spoke to him, and that was as the king wished it.
Oinomaos ordered Eioneus’ head set upon a spike beside the others that jutted out from the walls of his palace gate to gaze out over the Elian plain and warn off any more would-be heroes. Once it was mounted, the eyes staring out from a bloody, smashed mouth beneath the long, blood-matted hair, Oinomaos stared at it and thanked his heavenly father, Ares.
“Father, I thank you for my victory, and offer yo
