At Jocasta's bidding, Oedipus agreed to let the matter rest. The gods would make the correct course apparent, he mused, with or without the enlistment of vacillating seers. He went into seclusion and focused his energies on the scheming Creon, and concocted a plan to confront the betrayer.

Before he could take action, however, a messenger came calling. Oedipus, still hidden away in the recesses of his palace, was not there to receive it, and Creon, handling the more mundane state business while Oedipus was believed to be searching for some sign of Laius' murderer, took it in his stead.

Deep in thought, Oedipus did not notice Creon entering his solitary chamber. "A messenger arrived, my lord. King Polybus is dead. Is has been requested that you return to Corinth to take his throne."

"But I am needed here, said Oedipus. Though his responsibility to the land of his birth warranted consideration, he feared to leave Thebes under Creon's stewardship.

"I think it would be best for Thebes if you left, sire," said Creon,growing sterner. "The messenger had other information as well. I told him that you were a Theban by birth, and that as long as the curse is upon Thebes, you must remain."

"As I have told you," replied Oedipus. "His belligerence, though genuine, belied a growing unease with Creon's manner.

"He told me more. He told me that you were given to him by a Theban shepherd who had been instructed to leave your crippled form on a mountain."

Oedipus grew angry. "You give yourself away, Creon. Your lust for power shows through these lies."

"Do you know why you limp so, Oedipus? Why you are named not for your family or the place of your birth, but that defining injury?" Oedipus, in his boiling anger and gnawing fear, could not speak. "I have heard Jocasta speak of prophecy. You would believe that Teiresias deceived you because an oracle deceived Jocasta."

"The oracles deceived me as well. Have you not heard? I was fated to murder my father, and yet my father is dead, and not by my hand."

Creon shook his head. "You sad, blind fool. How do you not see? You and Jocasta were told the same prophecy; yours of yourself, Jocasta of her son. She sent a son away from Thebes to evade her fate, you fled from Corinth to evade yours. Jocasta knew this to be true."

Oedipus' anger subsided, briefly, giving way not to terror, but to a spirit akin to wondrous disbelief. "What of Jocasta?"

"She is dead. My sister. Your mother and wife."

Oedipus ran from the room to Jocasta's bedchamber, and found her laid on the floor, marks from a noose visible on her neck. Oedipus cradled her empty form and wept. In time, Creon followed, advancing behind king Oedipus not unlike an assassin.

"You have defiled my family, but it was your own. The furies bid me not kill you. Rather, I can only demand your exile." Oedipus did not notice the knife being drawn. "But, for my vengeful charity, I will take your tears from you forever."