Chapter 3 Seven Heroes' Expedition to Thebes-3

"Maybe this is an omen of the end of this expedition!" said the prophet Amfi Araus with a gloomy expression.But the others rejoiced, thinking that killing the viper was a sign of victory, and even laughed at the failure of the prophecy.Amphi Araros felt heavy and sighed, but there was nothing he could do.The whole army recovered from thirst and was refreshed, so they traveled day and night, and arrived at the city of Thebes in a few days. The city is also tensely preparing for the battle.Eteocles and his uncle Creon prepared a long defense.He said to the assembled citizens: "You should keep in mind your responsibilities to the country and the city. You, whether you are young or mature, should rise up to defend the city and the altars of your hometown! Defend your parents, wives and children, and those under your feet. Free lands! I call upon you, take up arms and go to the top of the city! Hold the battlements! Watch every passage carefully, and don't be afraid of the multitude of enemies outside the city! Our eyes and ears are outside the city. I believe they will give us at any time Send definite information. I will base our actions on their information."

At this time, Antigone also stood on the highest point of the palace wall, and beside her stood an old man who had been the guard of her grandfather Laios.After her father died, Antigone missed her hometown, so she declined the asylum of King Theseus of Athens, and took Ismene back to the city where her father ruled in the past.Creon and her brother Eteocles welcomed them with open arms, for they took Antigone as a self-serving hostage, a welcome arbitrator. She saw in the fields outside the city, along the banks of the Ismenos, around the well-known ancient spring of Dirce, a mighty enemy camped.The army was constantly on the move, with the luminescence of metal armor and weapons gleaming everywhere.The infantry and cavalry shouted and rushed to the gate of the city, besieging a city as tightly as an iron barrel.

Antigone couldn't help but gasped.But the old man comforted her and said: "Our city is tall and thick, and the oak gates are equipped with big iron bolts. The city is strong and guarded by brave soldiers, so don't worry." He introduced and narrated to the girl the situation of the heroes from all walks of life: "The man with the shining helmet over there is Hippomedon! Beyond that, the one on the right, dressed in a foreigner's battle clothes, looks like a Barbarian, he is Tydeus, the brother-in-law of your sister-in-law." "Who is that man?" asked the girl, "that young hero?" "That is Parthenopaeus," the old man told her, "son of Atalanta. Atalanta was the moon and The girlfriend of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. But look there are two heroes standing by the grave of Niobe's daughter. The older one is Adrastus, who is the commander of this expeditionary army. That Did you know him young?"

"I see it," said Antigone with anguish, "I see only the outline of his body, but I recognize him: it is my brother Polynices! Oh, if I Fly to him like a cloud and hug him! But who is that man driving a white car?" "He is Amfi Araus the Prophet," said the old man. "Who is that man who walks around the wall, surveying and looking for a suitable place to attack the city?" "This is the arrogant Capanius. He mocks our city, and threatens to take you and your sister as slaves to Renazze." Hearing this, Antigone turned pale with fright.She turned around, not daring to look down.The old man supported her with his hands, walked down the stairs step by step, and sent her back to the inner room.