A Centaur’s Perspective in Sons of Apollo
Character spotlight, mythic inspiration, and an alternate view of Book I.
Palaimon is the Alpha—the highest-ranking leader—of the first centaur herd readers encounter in the Sons of Apollo series.
His name is drawn from Greek mythology, where Palaimon is the deified son of Io and Zeus. I chose it deliberately: the name means “the wrestler,” a fitting title in centaur culture, where physical strength determines rank, authority, and survival.
Among his kin, Palaimon, son of Arktos, is known for being nearly unbeatable.
Originally conceived as a minor supporting character, Palaimon’s role expanded as the story took shape. Over time, he grew into a pivotal figure—sometimes protective, sometimes oppositional, and at moments even seemingly villainous. That complexity is precisely what made him one of my favorite characters to write.
A Different Kind of Centaur Leader
Palaimon is not driven by a desire for harmony with mankind. Unlike his younger brother Petraios, diplomacy is not his instinct.
Strength is.
Where Petraios believes in negotiation and coexistence, Palaimon believes in dominance, self-preservation, and the hard truths of centaur history. From his perspective, men have forgotten their debt to centaurs—particularly to Kheiron, the great centaur teacher who trained humanity’s most celebrated heroes.
Instead of gratitude, centaurs have inherited fear, hatred, and exile.
An Alternate Blurb: Mate for a Centaur Through Palaimon’s Eyes
Just for fun—and to explore his voice more deeply—I wrote an alternate book blurb as if Book I were told from Palaimon’s point of view.
While Palaimon would prefer to have nothing to do with men, his younger brother Petraios has decided to trust them.
Because the Oracle of Apollo promised him victory, Petraios intends to travel to Olympia and compete in Zeus’ festival—against men, against tradition, and against the renowned demigod Heracles.
It is a bold and brash plan. Foolish, perhaps. Still, Palaimon cannot deny a certain satisfaction in watching men be humbled. And if Petraios gets himself into trouble—as he often does—Palaimon will be there to extract him.
Winning the contests is not the problem. Being allowed to compete is.
Yet Petraios has always possessed an uncanny—and deeply irritating—talent for persuading men to see his point of view. He believes centaurs can stand as equals among humans.
Palaimon knows better.
Centaurs were meant to be superior: stronger, faster, larger. Even among men, the greatest tutor in the art of war was a centaur. But since Kheiron’s death and Ixion’s disgrace, mankind has rewritten history.
Under the influence of their political enemies—the Taraxippoi—men now teach their daughters to fear centaurs. Women are taught to loathe them. And without willing mates, the centaurs face extinction.
If there are no women to bear their sons, the centaurs will cease to exist.
Palaimon’s destiny, as promised by the Oracle, is to end this slow erasure. To break the curse of Ixion and secure the future of his people.
The answer is not found among the daughters of men.
The centaurs need a mate of their own race—a female centaur. A kentauris. She will be the key to their survival.
There is only one problem.
The centaurs cannot father daughters.
Ensuring Petraios’ participation in the festival does not start a war soon becomes the least of Palaimon’s worries—especially when an arrow from Eros’ bow suggests that perhaps the princess might be worth stealing after all.
Continue the Story
👉 Read Chapter One of Mate for a Centaur
👉 Purchase the book
👉 Color Palaimon’s character and explore more centaur art
Every hero looks different depending on where you stand.
