Page 50 of Crown of Serpents (Curse of Olympus #1)

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

They anchored under the cloak of a thick mist a mile from Seriphos’s shores. The ghostly veil hid the crew of would-be invaders. The waning moon cast a silvery glow over their small gathering, Perseus, Kleos, and Medusa frowning over a clay tablet etched with the palace layout that Orestes had presented.

Andromeda drifted towards the group of sailors that had gathered around. Mikis offered her a sit on a wooden barrel, but she remained standing at the edge of the group.

“Why not the front entrance?” Medusa's voice pierced the hush. “Aren't the megaron and courtyard open to the public for audiences with the king?”

Kleos shook his head, “Not in Seriphos. Polydectes uses the palace as his private residence. Only guards, servants, and his wealthy friends can enter — after being searched for weapons.”

“And his concubines,” Perseus added between gritted teeth.

Medusa placed a hand on his arm, green fire blazing in her eyes .

Perseus turned to Orestes. “If not the main entrance, what other options do we have?”

All eyes fell on the veteran, who had briefly been stationed there as a guard.

“The palace has three other entrances. One by the sea, for food deliveries … but that one can only be accessed by boat. One for servants, in a back alley. And a secret door near the king’s quarters … for the evening entertainment.”

Orestes glanced nervously at Perseus.

“We could sneak in through the secret door and then wait for him in his bed chamber,” Medusa proposed.

“That door only opens when Polydectes expects company. It’s also the most heavily guarded; at least four guards watch the backdoor at all times, and more are posted in front of the bed chamber.”

“I can handle four guards,” Medusa retorted. “And then we have Perseus to save the day.”

“We want to avoid unnecessary bloodshed,” Perseus shook his head. “Our target is Polydectes, not the men that follow him.”

The crew grumbled in agreement.

Andromeda marvelled at the men's sudden eagerness to follow Perseus. Would he truly refuse the throne after their victory?

“If those men chose to follow a tyrant like Polydectes, let them follow him into Tartarus … where they belong,” Medusa spat.

“This crew once, too, followed Polydectes’ orders when they hunted you … would you condemn us to the pits of Tartarus?”

Medusa first glared at him, seemingly toying with the idea of putting Perseus through an eternity of torment, then relented with a nod.

“What’s the best way to minimise casualties?” Elias chimed in.

“The other two entrances are less guarded.” Orestes tapped a spot near the water. “The sea gate, for supplies, is rarely manned, but it's exposed to the harbour. Too many of us landing in armour would be like ringing a dinner bell for the city guards.” His finger slid to a back corner of the palace. “I'd suggest the servants' entrance. The palace usually posts rookies there because it smells like piss in the alley.”

Perseus frowned, “Even with fewer guards, how do we get past them without a fight?”

“I might have a solution for that,” Kleos grinned. “I know the tavern the guards frequent. It wouldn't be the first time one passed out under the table. We steal their uniforms and take their place.”

It was a brilliant plan, in Andromeda’s opinion, but Medusa furrowed her brow. “Won’t the guards at the gate be suspicious of two strangers claiming to be the shift change?“

“Orestes did say that they post rookies there,” Kleos said with a confident smirk. “They’ll assume we are new.”

Medusa remained unconvinced, but Perseus intervened. “It is a risk but also an opportunity to avoid violence. I say we try Kleos’ plan, and if it fails, we knock them unconscious.“ He shot a pleading glance at Medusa, then addressed the group, giving each man a chance to contribute, “When and where should we confront Polydectes?”

Nobody responded. They were neither warriors nor strategists. Most had never held a sword before Perseus’s recent lessons. Andromeda, however, had plenty of experience sneaking around palaces.

She stepped forward, straightening her back. “We should attack when the guards are least alert. Early morning, when the night shift is exhausted, or during celebrations, when they're distracted or organise their own gathering in their quarters, even though that’s when they should pay the most attention.”

All eyes turned to her, and she blushed. Andromeda had not meant to interrupt the meeting. Yet, when Kleos met her gaze, his eyes glittering with surprise and admiration, she didn’t regret speaking up.

“Men are easiest to kill when they are drunk,” Medusa mused, a predator’s smile curving her mouth.

Perseus shot her a warning glance but turned toward Aetos. “How many days until the equinox?”

“Four,” rasped Aetos.

Perseus exchanged a worried glance with Kleos, then declared, “Then we shall invade in four days. Polydectes hosts his annual equinox feast — wine, whores, food. He will be drunk and unprepared. We will enter the palace through the servant’s entrance, blend in with the guests, and make our way to the megaron. This feast will be the last Polydectes hosts with the money he extorted from his people!” His voice thundered, lightning sparking in his eyes.

The crew cheered.

“Kleos, are you certain that attendants are only checked at the main entrance?” Perseus asked.

“Yes, but —”

Perseus turned to Andromeda. His voice was smooth, yet the sheer dominance in his gaze almost made her want to cower. “Can you mix a potion that will make the guests retire early? I don’t want them to get caught in the crossfire.”

She nodded. “I can make a sleeping potion that you can mix into the wine.”

“Then it is decided,” Perseus announced, chest out and brimming with infectious confidence. “We infiltrate the feast, wait for the guests to leave, and then, when Polydectes is alone, and his guards are drunk, I shall challenge him and end his reign of terror.”

Another cheer rumbled through the crew, only to be cut short by Kleos, “But doesn’t your deadline for Medusa’s head expire on the equinox? Won’t Polydectes be expecting you?”

The men fell silent. The only sound was the crashing waves rocking the ship. Perseus frowned, his brow furrowed in thought.

“Not if we spread the news that the mission has failed,” Medusa suggested. “We have been travelling on a Joppan ship pretending to be merchants, haven’t we? We could spread the rumour that you perished at sea … perhaps you died trying to save Andromeda from Cetus?“

“It might work.” Perseus scratched his neck. “Though we don’t know what news has reached Seriphos.”

Suddenly, Mikis’s voice sounded from Andromeda’s right, his chest swelling with pride she had never witnessed before, “I can find out and spread conflicting rumours about Perseus’s demise. I know all the gossipmongers in the agora. ”

Perseus nodded. “Thank you, Mikis. You’ll leave at first light.”

“What about your mother, Perseus?” Medusa asked, her voice softer than usual. “Won't Polydectes come for her if he thinks you're dead?”

Perseus’s face fell at the remark, his confidence cracking. Andromeda glimpsed the worry in his eyes at the thought of endangering his family with the plan. He sighed, rubbing his temple, while the crew’s eyes remained trained on their leader. Andromeda’s head spun from everything that could go wrong in their plan.

“I could warn her to hide,” Mikis proposed, but Perseus shook his head.

“She is already hiding in the safest place I know … but I’m not sure if Polydectes hasn’t found her yet.”

“I’ll go and get her,” Medusa declared. “I’ll leave with Mikis and bring her to the ship. She’ll be off the island before we attack.”

Perseus gazed at Medusa as if she were the dawn after a long winter night, his salvation from the bitter cold. His eyes held a longing so intense, Andromeda averted her gaze.

Finally, Perseus composed himself. “Thank you, Medusa. That’s settled, then. Medusa and Mikis will track ahead tomorrow. Kleos and I will follow in three days to infiltrate the palace guard. Orestes, you will lead the remaining men to the servant entrance, where we will let you in on the evening of the equinox. Aetos, Atticus, can you position the ship in the northern bay for a quick escape — in case anything goes wrong?”

Aetos saluted, and cheers erupted once more.

Andromeda, heart pounding, waited for her assignment. No one seemed to notice her.

“Excuse me, but what should I do?”

Kleos’s head whirled, and Medusa froze with an assessing stare.

“What would you like to do?” Perseus asked.

Her palms started sweated and she gulped. Before she could overthink it, she blurted out, “I ... I'd like to come to the palace. I can help dose the wine, and ... I can fight.” She hesitated at the last part, knowing it was only half true.

“No way,” Kleos cut off.

Andromeda bristled. Why had he gifted her that dagger if not to use it? Even if he had only trained her in self-defence. She shoved that thought down violently. Reason had nothing to do with why she felt so betrayed by his protest.

“I meant, please don’t go,” Kleos pleaded. “I — I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

His voice cracked, his vulnerability laid bare before the silent crew.

Still, when he reached for her, Andromeda pulled away, glaring up at him. “I’ve told you before that it’s not your responsibility to protect me.”

She knew her words stung. She didn’t care, as her anger drowned out memories of their stolen glances and easy laughter.

He shook his head again in desperation. “I know you’ve never asked me to, but I can’t help myself. I would risk anything for you — my life, this plan, this crew — to keep you safe … and if you come with us —”

“Andromeda, you should stay on the ship,” Medusa interfered. “Not because Kleos is a lovesick fool who can’t think straight when he’s around you, but because this isn’t your fight. Freeing Seriphos is Perseus's burden, our burden. You can't risk your life while Joppa's fate is uncertain. Saving them is your battle.”

Andromeda’s throat tightened. She wanted to lash out at Medusa, to scream that she’d never return to Joppa anyway, that she’d considered running away with Kleos. But she couldn't say those words now.

She nodded, accepting her defeat.

Medusa gently clasped her shoulder. “The best way you can help is by waiting on the ship. You can heal anyone who gets injured and manages to flee.”

Andromeda shook Medusa's hand off her shoulder and turned, a silent storm brewing in her eyes. With a curt nod to Perseus, she descended into the darkness below deck.