The Young Centaur

The Young Centaur is the first in a series of several books that tell the life story of Kheiron, the wise centaur of Ancient Greece. In mythology he is known as the elusive mentor to many of the ancient heroes including Akhilles, Peleus, Aristaios, Asklepios, Jason, many of the Argonauts, and several others. This book covers Kheiron's conception and early life, and begins during the Clash of the Titans, when Zeus is battling his father Kronus for control and power over the heavens and earth. The older god, Kronus, discovers a naiad, a fresh water nymph, and disguises himself as a horse. The product of their violent union is Kheiron. While pregnant, the naiad believes that a deformed monster is growing in her belly. However, Kheiron's true healing nature comes through, and even though he is born with a body that is half horse and half man, his mother eventually loves and cherishes her unusual child. While trying to protect Kheiron from Kronus, his mother disappears, and it becomes Kheiron's ultimate search to find and be reunited with her. Because of this early abandonment, a deep compassion emerges in Kheiron for the suffering of others, as well as a need to care for those who are wounded, hurt and displaced. Apollo, the sun god, discovers the lost horse boy wandering the hills of Mt. Pelion and brings him along to fight Python, the misguided, power hungry, guardian of the old oracle of Themis. They re-establish the holy oracle as Delphi, the center of the world. The two of them go to the Vale of Tempe where Artemis and her orphaned daughters live. There they are purified for killing Python, a child of Gaia. From Artemis and her daughters Kheiron learns hunting and weapon skills, food preservation and friendship, especially with one girl, Kallisto. After a year with Artemis and her daughters, Kheiron and Apollo next go to Mount Olympus and meet the new king of heaven and earth, Zeus. There they finds themselves amid the initial gathering of the twelve Olympian gods. Also while there, Kheiron learns the fate of his friend, Kallisto, who has broken her vows of chastity. Kheiron discovers his own immortality, but will he be able to rescue Kallisto from the consequences of her broken vows?