“Zeus!” Demeter burst into the Council Chamber, her face lined with tears. Never had Poseidon seen the Goddess so undone, so shaken. He rose, waiting to hear what Demeter had to say. “Persephone is gone…taken I fear.”
Zeus rose swiftly. “Taken? When?”
“She was in Sicily, collecting her flowers…white lilies.” Demeter took the hand Hera offered, her voice shaking with fear. “And then she was gone… I was not with her, but the nymphs told me they heard her scream.”
Zeus’ brow furrowed, a dangerous sign, Poseidon knew.
“Apollo,” Zeus said quickly, “Hermes, find her.”
The women crowded about Demeter, offering words of comfort.
Poseidon stood, offering, “I will search as well.”
But Zeus was distracted, lost in thought.
“Brother, I will …”
Zeus shook his head stiffly. “Leave matters be,” he whispered.
Poseidon turned a questioning gaze upon his brother.
“Fair Persephone will return to us, in time,” Zeus said, turning from the women and leading Poseidon from the Council Chamber.
“You know where she is then?”
Zeus smiled, shrugging. “Perhaps Aphrodite will have another tale to spin before the moon is full. We shall see, brother, we shall see.”
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Angelyn Schmid, Sandy Williams, Carolyn Williamson, Deidra Alexander, Suzanne Collins and Allison Burke-Collins (aka Shakers) for your tireless support, zeal with a red pen, and ability to talk me out of giving up. Thanks to D.A.R.A. for turning dreamers into writers. Gretchen Craig, your input was invaluable. To Donna O’Brien for loving my novel, Candice Lindstrom for making my book the best it could be and Crescent Moon Press for giving my stories the chance to be discovered.
Very special thanks to Summer, Emma, Jakob and Kaleb for nurturing my imagination and stories every single day. Your patience and love means more to me than you can ever know.
Sasha Summers
Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, and travel. It's no surprise that her books visit times past, set in places rich with legends and myth. Her first play, 'Greek Gods and Goddesses' (original title, right?), was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She's been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates, even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she's doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.
Glossary Terms & Reference Index
Anestheria – a Greek Festival celebrating Dionysus. In the book, aspects were modified to help the storyline.
Aspis – circular shield carried by infantryman. Weighing 17-30lbs and one meter across, this shield could protect a soldier from chin to knee. It was typically made from wood and covered in metal/bronze. Held by a handle in its center, the shields could be placed together in an overlapping scale-like pattern (a phalanx) to hold off attackers.
Athena Polias, the Temple of – Athena’s temple on Acropolis that preceded the Parthenon.
Basileus – leader of chieftain of a family, the head of the household
Chiton – men’s tunic of lightweight fabric
Chlamys – a short cloak, worn by men and women, made from one seamless piece of material
Doru – a spear, 7-9 feet long, used by the Greek infantrymen
Ekdromos/Ekdromoi – skilled infantrymen used for special missions or close combat
Epiblema – a woman’s shawl
Hedna – gifts given to a girl’s family by her suitor or betrothed
Himation – thick cloak. Large enough to be used as a blanket or folded into a pillow
Hoplite – Greek infantrymen
Kleros – a plot of land passed down through the family. A man cannot marry without having a kleros.
Linothorax – armor worn by more military leaders or affluent soldiers. Made of thick padded leather, fabric covered in metal scales of metal – depending upon the soldiers ability to pay. Not all soldiers could afford armor.
Oikos – the household – not the house itself but the property, livestock, family and slaves
Peplos – a full length tunic worn by women, usually made from one large piece of fabric to be pinned, sewn or draped.
Peltasts & Psiloi – foot soldiers without extensive training
Salamis, the Battle of –The straits of Salamis are a narrow water channel. The Greeks did lure the Persians here, trap them and defeat them.
Shades – souls or ghosts
Strategoi – ten generals chosen from ten Greek tribes
Themistocles – Athenian statesman responsible for creating Athens’ fleet of triremes.
Trireme – a ship, propelled by three rows of oars, possibly 25 or more oars, on each side.
Xiphos – soldier’s short sword used as a secondary weapon to the spear/doru.
Levels of the Underworld:
Elysium or Elysian Fields – reserved for heroes or special mortals, this was ‘Heaven’ to the Greeks.
Asphodel Fields – Most occupied level of the Underworld, it was neutral – shades that came here had neither good nor bad
Tartarus – Feared by all, this was ‘Hell’ to the Greeks.
Rivers into the Underworld:
River Acheron – River of Woe
Lethe River – River of Forgetfulness
The River Styx – River of Hate
Pyriphlegethon – River of Fire
Cocytus River – River of Wailing
Olympian Genealogical Chart
Table of Contents
Title page
PROLOGUE
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
Sasha Summers
Glossary Terms & Reference Index