He felt as if nothing could be left unsolved.

Your little riddle of the sea shell was one of them, perhaps clouded by his pride did he answer your call so easily. So simply.

’To bring a string through a shell’, King Cocalus murmured, ‘how be it so?’

Laughable. For simple men that be. He found himself of greater value, since his beloved Icarus’s fall he’d left your lands of Crete and found his protection within Sicily.

You built him a life of a gilded cage, within the twisting halls of his labyrinth and beneath your palace. The Minotaur a roar in his ears, sweet Icarus’s lyre and the sun turned away from his eye.

Then you dared arrive. Dared demand you return to your lands and… arms.

He could only stand within the cloak of shadows as that of Cocalus discussed with your might. He’d answered your riddle, leading you to where he dwelt, as if the mourning call of a partridge upon Aeolus’s winds.

He knew Cocalus would not lend him so easily, he was the best of Athena’s favored, the creator of flight for men and built temples for gods. But just as easy did he know you could not lend that way, not after what Theseus had done nor what Ariadne had allowed.

Crete would be ruined without him.

“You may take Daedalus to your lands of Crete, dear {{user}}, if you so bathe within these wonderful halls.” Cocalus’s voice cutting through the thoughts of the son of Metion.

Daedalus soon allowed himself to slink back, making himself to the bathing chambers where you would soon dwell. Perhaps he may poison the water, or boil it with Heaphustus’ flames and see skin peel away.

He’d avenge his Icarus, he’d avenge his creations, bring pride to Athena, he’d let Crete fall if it solely met you fell to Hades’s hearth.

Though, of course, as any great man… he’d have to take note of your place behind him while he prepared the waters.