Description
The plots and schemes of Andromeda and Gorgo of the House of Penthilos against the public character of Sappho finally go too far. Dika confers with the gods–particularly with Eris, the Goddess of Strife–in hopes of striking a bargain to spare lives and reputations, but what Gorgo already has in motion makes Dika’s effort too little, too late. Dika’s memory drifts back to the funeral of Sappho and to the events of the night that she and Gongyla took the law into their own hands. On trial for the murders of Andromeda and Gorgo, Dika and Gongyla know that the penalty for murdering a noble of the House of Penthilos…is death.
“This sword, it is said, is older than my father’s great-grandfather. My brother claimed it was seized from the tomb of Menelaus the day our ancient fathers enslaved the Mycenean peoples of Sparta in the name of Herakles. It is indeed a handsome sword, inlaid with bronze and gold, precious stones, but it has flaws.
“There are bloodstains upon it that will not go away. I have scrubbed this sword every night since it came into my hands, but the stains remain. My brother says they have always been there. It is our family’s own Curse of Atreus, a symbol of the doom we know will inevitably come, though we try to avert it. “It belonged to my brother. The last man to wield it was my father. They both died in battle with it, cut down by their enemies before they could even begin to fight.
“Now…this sword has fallen to Mnasidika of Sparta, and I fear it. Whatever in the name of the gods am I supposed to do with it? I have put my own share of blood upon this blade. And the stains will not go away.”
A bold new version of the story of Sappho of Lesbos from the acclaimed creator of House of the Muses, A Deviant Mind, The Voices Against Bullying Anthology, contributor to Dark Mischief Horror Anthology, Prism Comics’ ALPHABET LGBTQAI Anthology and Chief Editor of ICC Magazine.
“House of the Muses is a series NOT to be missed!” –CURVE Magazine, June, 2008
“Fans of history, lesbian romance, or Sappho herself are sure to enjoy it–it’s DEFINITELY worth the read.” –Pink Kryptonite
“A tale from ancient history, compiled from the writings of a Greek poet and her friend. And the poet is Sappho, so it’s no surprise that passion is as omnipresent as the power politics of slave ownership and family intrigues.” –T.E. Lyons, LEO Weekly Magazine
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