As Oedipus walked from the shadow of the palace doors into the sun, his eyes recoiled from the brightness, blurring and distorting the image of the gathered throng. "My children, latest born to Cadmus, what ails you so that you call upon the gods for supplication?"

"Our troubles are many, sire," spoke a priest. "A storm of a thousand deaths has come to Thebes, laying waste to our crops, our herds, and our women in childbirth. But even these horrors pale against the plague that has fallen on Thebes. The altars are besieged with priests young and old, even as the masses offer their own sacrifices to the gods. Having called upon the gods, we now call upon you, not as a god, but as the first of men, to prove that the founding of Thebes was not in vain, and deliver us."

"My poor children," said Oedipus, stately in his grief, "I have heard of your plight, and have dispatched Creon to the Delphic oracle, that we might have answers." Oedipus had barely finished this proclamation when a cry came up from the crowd at Creon's arrival. "What news have you from the god?"

"Good news, for even bad news, when acted upon correctly, can only bring about good. Would you prefer to talk in private?"

"No, my sorrow is for my people more than myself. Tell me at once."

Creon sighed. "Very well. The pestilence upon our fair state is brought by a man, the murderer of our beloved king Laius. The killer must be found, and when found, either banished, or his blood shed to wash clean the stain of Laius' murder."

"But Laius ruled so long ago...how could we expect to find the murderer?"

"He is in Thebes, my king."

This is good news indeed, Creon." Oedipus addressed the crowd. "Hear me! Whoever committed this deed and brought a curse upon Thebes shall be found, at whatever cost to myself!"

Days passed, but no trace of the murderer could be found. It was decided to summon the blind seer Teiresias, an esteemed prophet, to discern the identity of the curse-bringer.