Chariot of the Son: The Story of Phaethon

By Adam Alexander Haviaras

Long ago, when gods and heroes walked the earth in triumph and tragedy, true love and epic deeds were set among the stars…

Far away, on the distant plains of ancient Ethiopia, Phaethon’s greatest joy in life comes from watching the Sun travel across the heavens. But he longs for something more…

When the sad bonds of his lonesome existence are about to overwhelm him, a great truth is revealed to Phaethon that sets him off on an epic adventure to unite his family and discover his life’s purpose.

Will Phaethon succeed in his quest and find his place in the order of things?

In this story of love, loss, and of deep yearning to find one’s place and make a difference in a world, only the Gods of Olympus can decide…

Chariot of the Son is an epic retelling of the Phaethon story from Greek mythology. It is the first book in this mythological fantasy series by best-selling and award-winning author and historian, Adam Alexander Haviaras.

If you enjoy books by Madeline Miller, Stephen Fry, Natalie Haynes or Jennifer Saint then you will love the Mythologia series.

Download Chariot of the Son today and prepare to experience immortality with the gods and heroes of the ancient world!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eagles and Dragons Publishing
• Release date: Sep 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9780991887347

Book preview

Chariot of the Son

Mythologia I

CHARIOT OF THE SON

The Story of Phaethon

CONTENTS

Copyright

Newsletter

Hymn I

1. The Rising Sun

2. Secrets Revealed

Hymn II

3. The Heliades

4. The Chained Titan

Hymn III

5. The Palace of the Sun

6. With the Sunset

7. A Burning Purpose

Hymn IV

8. The Eyes of Olympus

9. Arcing Fire

10. Elegy

Thank you for Reading

Author’s Note

Become a Patron

About the Author

Stay Connected

CHARIOT OF THE SON

and the Mythologia series

Copyright © 2014 by Adam Alexander Haviaras

Eagles and Dragons Publishing, Stratford, Ontario, Canada

All Rights Reserved.

The use of any part of this publication, with the exception of short excerpts for the purposes of book reviews, without the written consent of the author is an infringement of copyright law.

ISBN: 978-0-9918873-4-7

E-pub Edition

Cover design by Eagles and Dragons Publishing

Eagles and Dragons Publishing logo

Sign-up for the Eagles and Dragons Publishing Newsletter and get a FREE BOOK today.

Subscribers get first access to new releases, special offers, and much more.

CLICK HERE to get started!

And Theia was subject in love to Hyperion and bare great Helios and clear Selene and Eos who shine upon all that are on earth and upon the deathless Gods who live in the wide heaven.

HESIOD, THEOGONY

CHARIOT OF THE SON

The Story of Phaethon

ADAM ALEXANDER HAVIARAS

Eagles and Dragons Publishing

For Daphne,

My beloved sister across the seas.

HYMN I

OUTCASTS

CHAPTER 1

THE RISING SUN

On a high rock overlooking the grassy plain of Ethiopia, a young man waited.

Everyday since he was old enough to do so, Phaethon left the safety of the palace of King Merops while darkness still blanketed the world and some light yet lingered in the constellations.

With spear and bow in hand, he crossed the open spaces of the grassland, and forded the broad rivers, risking lion and crocodile to reach the edge of the forest where the land rose and rocks from the last great making of the world thrust upward to the sky.

The climb to his chosen eyrie was not an easy one, but he had strength in his limbs and a will to reach the top.

Phaethon, golden-skinned and auburn-haired, waited not for beasts to hunt, nor enemies to waylay, nor the young women carrying water upon their heads that he might abuse them.

He waited for the sun.

The whole of Phaethon’s existence revolved around that first, soul-warming glimpse of golden light to pour out of the East every day with divine constancy. Never wavering in his devotion, he watched it, his hands gripping the edge of the rock above the deadly precipice, anticipating that first brilliant crack at the far edge of the world.

It was with a longing, and a lingering sadness, that Phaethon watched the light of the world turn all to colour - the emerald of the plains, the silver of the rivers, the blue of the lakes, and the browns and yellows of earth and mountain. He needed to feel that light as his body needed air to breathe or water to drink. The light was sustenance for his very spirit, and when it rushed upon Phaethon, he felt it rejuvenate him, fill him with power, and pride, and other inexplicable emotions. All about him life exploded, and he revelled in it.

Flowers blossomed, flights of birds shot into the skies, and beasts crawled from their dens to welcome each new day. The rising sun drove them all, created anew with each rosy dawn.

Phaethon stood, his tunic thrown down, his arms outspread to the world until, having reached its zenith, he could feel the sun moving on. The young man breathed slowly in and out, images of rushing rivers and snow-capped mountains flashing suddenly behind his closed lids - wheels turning, as of fire and streaks across a singed sky.

Then, blinding light.

When he awoke, he was on his perch near to the edge.

He sighed and gathered his belongings - his tunic, bow, and the spear around which a serpent had wrapped itself. Gently, Phaethon slid it off and the serpent lay there in the last light of the sun.

On the plain where the antelope leapt, and wild horses cropped at the tall grasses, a rider in a plumed head-dress came toward him. Phaethon recognized his eldest brother Niobis’ haughty manner.

As Merops’ heir, Niobis treated all his brothers and sisters as subjects, but none more so than Phaethon.

Phaethon! he called out.

Yes, brother, Phaethon answered, stopping and leaning casually upon his spear.

You’ve been gone most of the day. Mother is worried.

She knows where I go. Why worry?

Father sent me to collect you. Come now.

As you can see, I am already coming.

You’re always so impudent!

And you’re as puffed up as a peacock, Niobis. Get yourself back! I come when the sun sets.

Without warning, Niobis kicked his dark stallion hard at Phaethon, his spear out for attack.

Phaethon dropped his things and grabbed hold of the oncoming spear shaft just in time, throwing Niobis into the mud.

Curse you! Niobis sputtered full of rage.

Phaethon held the spear toward his brother and then with three long strides sent the shaft into the brown water of the river where it stuck in the mud and then toppled over beneath the surface.

He picked up his things, turned his back on his brother, and walked away in the direction of the palace.

The palace came into view a short while later, its gilded peaks and walls of red and yellow stone appearing as deep shades of earth in the angling light.

Phaethon nodded to the guards as he passed and saw them tense at his approach.

In the inner courtyard stood all of his brothers