Laius? Murdered? What?

Priests have gathered at the gates of Oedipus' castle requesting audience with the king. Oedipus comes forth to address their problem. The priests knew of Oedipus' encounter with the mighty sphinx. Seeing that he saved Thebes from the sphinx by solving his riddle, they must have thought that Oedipus would be wise enough to stop the plague. To the priests surprise, Oedipus has already sent Creon to the oracle in Delphi where he is asking for help from the gods. During the conversation Creon returns and tells Oedipus and the priests what he has learned.

He claims that Apollo is extremely unhappy with the people of Thebes. The people have been covering up the murder of their very own king and Apollo is disgusted. Apollo wants revenge upon whomever killed king Laius before he lifts the dreaded plague. Creon tells Oedipus that Laius was killed by a band of highwaymen where three roads meet. Oedipus immediately questions why an investigation was never held. Creon explains that matters changed when the sphinx arrived. The sphinx was destroying the city and became the main area of concern. Hearing this, Oedipus decided to right the city's wrongs and apprehend the killer to save his people. He called for a meeting that every citizen of Thebes had to attend. It takes place at his castle's gates shortly.

Oedipus appears to be putting his people on the top of his priority list. He seems to be a great king. Surely the man who stopped the sphinx can end this disastrous plague. Hopefully the gods will lead him on his quest of vengeance. Perhaps Oedipus doesn't even need the gods.