"I did. Why do you ask?"

"Where did this happen? Do you know the place?"

"It is called Phocis, where roads from Delphi and Daulis connect."

"And...how long ago did this happen?" Oedipus had been animated before, but now became entirely still.

"Not long before you were made king."

Oedipus collapsed to the floor, wailing. "O Zeus! What have you done with me!?"

"My love," cried Jocasta, "what have I said that upsets you so?"

Oedipus ignored her. "Tell me, what did Laius look like at the time? Was he tall? Broad? Was he still young?"

"He was tall, and bits of silver could be seen in his hair. He looked...he looked not unlike you." At this, Oedipus growled and began to weep audibly. "Why do you suffer so? I'm frightened to look at you!"

"I am afraid, Jocasta. I am afraid the seer will prove not blind. I have but one further question to resolve my doubt.

"I quail, but ask, and I will answer."

"Who was with him? Were they few, or many?"

"There were but five. Laius was in a mule-car."

Oedipus sighed loudly. "It is clear now. But who carried this news to Thebes?"

"A serf, the sole survivor."

"Is he still in your employ?"

"No. When he returned, he asked to be sent away, to never look upon Thebes again."

"Summon him. I would see him."

"If you wish, I shall. But will you tell me why?"

"It is my turn to speak of prophecies. My father was Polybus of Corinth, and my mother Merope. A rumor arose that I was not the true son of Polybus, and I travelled to Delphi to seek the truth. The oracle did not answer my question, but foretold other, awful things: that I would slay my father and defile my mother's bed, siring loathesome children. Horrified, I fled from Corinth, and came upon a party of six, one in a mule-car, at a place where three roads met. The charioteer attempted to thrust me from the path, and we came to blows...the others attacked me, and when it was done, I thought I had killed them all...can you imagine a being more wretched than me? Am I not utterly unclean, doomed to banishment? Destined to remain in Corinth and pollute my family with ruin, or to escape and pollute the bed of him I slew? I pray that I be blotted out from living man before I see that day!"

"Please, my king, wait until you have spoken with the serf before you decide to believe these things."

"There is still hope. You said Laius was set upon by men, not a single man. If the serf says the same, I will know I did not kill Laius."

Soon after, a messenger, asking to see Oedipus. "The king is not taking visitors," answered Jocasta. "From where have you been sent?"

"From Corinth. Your husband is sought to become king. Polybus is dead."

"The sire of Oedipus is dead?" The messenger was somewhat confused to see Jocasta's expression brighten.

"He is."

Jocasta called to a nearby maid. "Quick, bear these tidings to my lord. The man Oedipus feared he would kill has died of nature's course, and not by his hand."

Upon hearing this news, Oedipus met with the messenger. When the news was related, he was overjoyed. "What of prophecy now?" he cried out to Jocasta. "Did prophecy not say I would slay my father? But now he is dead, and I never unsheathed a sword. The oracles are dead--dead as Polybus."

"Did I not tell you this long ago?"

"You did, but I was afraid, too afraid to reason. So I cannot slay my father, but if my mother still lives, I am still in danger."

"Pardon," said the messenger, "but do you speak of Merope?"

"Since I hope to please you, can I rid thee of this fear?"

"You would have more than my thanks for doing so."

"You fear to return lest your parents be accursed?"

"I do."

"Do you not know your fears are baseless? Polybus was not your blood relation."

"Then why did he call me son?"

"He took you from my hands, a gift."

"This is remarkable," mused Oedipus. "Was this child a foundling or a slave?"

"I found you in the mountains, while tending sheep. I saved your life."

"You saved my life? From what?"

"Your ankles should be evidence enough of that."

"Why remind me of that ancient injury?"

"It was I that took the pin from your ankles. You still bear the name derived from that injury."

"But who left me there?"

"I know not. I received you from another shepherd."

"Who was he?"

"He was a herdsman of Laius."

"And is he still alive?"

"A Theban could better answer that question than I."

Oedipus grabbed a servant, walking by. "Do you know of whom we speak? Does he still live?"

The servant was startled. "I believe so, sir. He is the serf you wished to see, the witness to king Laius' end."

Jocasta grew hesitant. "What does it matter who he is? Let it be. This inquiry is a waste of time."

"No," declared Oedipus, as proud as when he had first addressed the people of Thebes. "The secret of my birth is at hand. I cannot but continue."

"If you care for your life, give up this foolish quest!" pleaded Jocasta, near tears. "End my anguish!"

"If you worry about your reputation, you need not," said Oedipus, seeking to comfort her. "Were I descended from three generations of slaves, your honor would be untouched.

"I beg you, no!" Oedipus withdrew in disgust.

"Proud woman! Are you so disgusted by me? Am I not a king? Go, and fetch me the herd."

Jocasta obeyed. After a short while, the herdsman joined Oedipus and the messenger.

"First I must ask," said Oedipus to the messenger, "is this the man with whom you spoke?"

"He is, sir," answered the messenger.

"And you," indicating the shepherd, "were you once of Laius' house?"

"I was. I served him as a shepherd."

"And do you know this man?"

"Which man?" The shepherd looked distracted.

"This messenger, standing right in front of you."

"My memory fails me."

"That can be forgiven," said the messenger. It was long ago. But surely you remember that you once gave me a child, out in the mountains, to rear up as my own?"

"Why ask me this?"

"Here he stands!" announced the messenger, indicating Oedipus. "That same boy!"

"A curse on you," whispered the shepherd. "Hold your tongue!"

"He is less at fault than you, sherpherd, for not telling him of the child."

"I will not. He speaks in blindness, and wastes his breath." At that, Oedipus slapped the ancient shepherd roughly across the face, sending him to the floor. "Please, no..." whined the shepherd, as Oedipus violently picked him up by the shoulders.

"Did you give this man the child of which he speaks!?" demanded Oedipus.

"I did," conceded the shepherd. "Would that I had not!"

"And was it your child, or one that was given to you?"

"It was given to me, sire." The old man squirmed in Oedipus' grip.

"By whom?"

"I beg you, do not ask me this!"

Oedipus growled. "If I need ask again, you will die."

"Someone of Laius' house...it was said to be his son. She would know best."

"She?"

"The queen! Jocasta! She gave me the child!"

"Why? Why did she give it to you!"

"She said she feared an evil doom! That the child would kill its father!"

"Then why did you give it to this man?" asked Oedipus, now seeming more in the grip of a great sadness than a great rage. "Why didn't you leave it to be exposed?"

"I took pity on it. I thought the man to which I gave him would spirit him away to a different land, never to be seen in Thebes again. But if you are that child, than it was all for naught, and you were born for ruin."

Oedipus gently released the old man and was silent for a moment. He walked with a gait like a stumble, in no particular direction, and then collapsed to the floor. "Woe! All is bright and clear at last! But I have no more use for light, when seen to be the monster that I am." Oedipus ran out of the room, into the recesses of the palace, leaving the sherpherd and the herdsman to look away from each other with pity and disbelief on their faces.

He ran into his bedroom, seeking to confront Jocasta and with shining blade end the abomination he had made of her. But he found himself too late; as he entered room, Jocasta hanged from the ceiling, her empty eyes staring pitilessly at him. Wailing, Oedipus cut her down, undid the clasp of her robe, and with an inhuman scream, put out his eyes. When he had the strength to stand, he would begin his exile.