Murphy recognized this Lord of the Abyss.
"Outlander, my nephew is a fool. You took advantage of his ambition, but I'm curious—what exactly do you want?"
Murphy frowned. "I thought Apollo had prepared against eavesdropping."
"That is why I say he is a fool," Hades sneered. "Every place sunlight reaches lies under the influence of his divine power, but the underworld is sunless. And the place where you held your conversation just happened to be a tomb. That is my domain."
"Since you already heard our conversation, why did you come alone?" Murphy asked. "Could it be that you have not told Mount Olympus of Apollo's betrayal?"
He looked at Hades and said mildly, "Your Majesty, shielding a traitor and betrayal are the same crime."
Hades was silent for a while, then suddenly laughed in a low, hoarse voice. After laughing for a moment, he spoke again in that gloomy tone. "When I leave one enemy alive, it is usually because there is a more important enemy to deal with."
"You mean your youngest brother," Murphy said.
"At least that foolish nephew of mine was right about one thing," Hades said. "He has sat in that position for far too long."
"You no longer suspect my motives?" Murphy asked.
"Apollo could not see it, but I can smell death on you. You have killed several gods. You have a grudge against us, don't you?"
"But you do not seem to mind?"
"In hell, I learned long ago how to get along with my enemies," Hades said. "It does not matter. Many hate me, enough to fill all of Tartarus. And on your list of enemies, I do not seem to be that important."
"Just as you say." Murphy smiled, feeling that he actually got along rather well with this King