Mara, whose work it was to watch over the great Oracle of Delphi, sat nervously on a bench placed near the Oracle. She watched the gray-green fog move indolently around the young woman who sat there. The Oracle was still young—eighteen, according to the High Priest—and her hair was still the midnight black that it had always been.1
Mara had come there because of the Oracle’s request for a scribe. No one knew what she wanted written, but her power was such that she was instantly obeyed. 2
Abruptly the Oracle sat up, her dark green eyes wide as she spoke in a clear, low tone.3
“I am the Oracle of Delphi, and people both fear and respect me. I have the power to tell them of the future and of things that are unseen to man. I am merely the channel for these intelligences, but no one seems to realize that—all who come here speak to me with fear and anxiety in their eyes. They do not know who I really am, nor will they while I yet live, so I tell this that they may one day know.4
"My name is Alessandra, though no one calls me that now. I was raised on the plains of Thessaly, and my parents were weavers. I do not even remember their faces, now that I have not seen them for years.5
"I was twelve when I first came here, to Delphi, and I did not know what I was to come for. All I wanted was to stay home and marry Danoi and be a good wife and mother, but to no avail. I had been the recipient of many visions, even as a child, and my mother and father had been almost afraid of me because my visions came true, as few others’ did. So I was brought here, against my will, but who was I to go against the gods and my parents? It was not my choice, but here I am, working for the gods.” 6
Alessandra, the Oracle, dropped her gaze, her eyes misty, and Mara left.7
Author notes
This was written for a short-story contest a few years ago, and the word limit was 350, which greatly shortened my first story idea.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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Wow you must have been, i dunno, hmmmmmm 11. Wow, this is an amazing piece for an 11 year old, even for a thirteen year old this is amazing. Well done again
Maria
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This is lovely my friend! Such talent you have as both a poet and a fantasy writer. I also wish to read more on this topic. Perhaps another installment...if'in you please.
The fact that I am not entirely familiar with subject and that you were able to educate me on it as well as keeping thouroughly enjoyed does credit to your name.
Absolutely lovely my friend. An intriguing write. I look forward to more.
~Li -
its interesting, it gives me curoiusity for the continuation of this write.
interesting charatars aswell.
excallent piece! -
Well, I hadn't planned on making it into a novel, but I shall at least try a longer short story when I have a chance.
~Amanda -
My God! this is good! have you been to an oracle before?(just joking) anyway, what I love most is your ability to narrate, please make sure you quickly write it into a complete novel, it will be a must-read!
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*laughs* Teasing me about my age again, are you, sir? I may be young in age, but I am ancient in wisdom and treachery, as my close friends know well, to their happiness, and my enemies know well, to their despair.
It was written when I was twelve or thirteen, as I said: a few years ago. I am going to rewrite it slightly when I have a chance, because many of the words that I wanted to use had to be changed to words that were not as accurate as I wanted because of the word limit. -
Bravo!
Oh, no, a few years ago? were you seven or eight! This is an excellent piece of prose. I have a few quibbles with word choice here and there, but nothing really. You have a definate talent for fiction. This story would go well as a fantasy! Superb piece. Bravo!
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