Before the New Moon Rises

By Cathy Hird

When Poseidon's ambition is thwarted (as told in Moon of the Goddess), Princess Thalassai expects to enjoy the luxury of peace. Instead, the Earthshaker's revenge strikes like forked lightning. He recruits Aphoron, disgraced prince of Ephyra, to set off an attack on her home city. The god releases a monster shark to shut down trade and lays a sleeping spell on the four kings who hold sway in the lands claimed by the ancient goddess Eurynome.
With the king under Poseidon's spell, Thalassai struggles to maintain order in the city. Her fiancé Brizo sets sail to defeat the monster shark, but in the first encounter, the shark destroys the ship's rudder and oars. Her brother Melanion chases after Aphoron and uncovers the prince's plan to attack their home. As other Olympian gods who are angry with Poseidon are drawn into the fray, conflict threatens to engulf the lands of Greece. Will it spread to the mountain of the gods? Will the young leaders find a way to defeat the Earthshaker's plans and restore peace?

This edition of the ebook includes links to pictures of modern day Ephyra and the Acheron River valley.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cathy Hird
• Release date: Mar 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9780995893115

Cathy Hird

Cathy Hird lives in a forest on the shore of Georgian Bay. Cathy weaves tapestries and scarves, and she tells stories that pull together the threads of ancient myth and modern questions.Cathy has published novels, stories, poems, and creative non-fiction pieces. She writes a weekly column for an online news magazine, owensoundhub.org. She is an avid reader who loves to discover new authors and the worlds they build.Along with her first two novels set in ancient Greece, Cathy has also written a contemporary fantasy trilogy that draws on Celtic mythology and Arthurian legends. Unseen, her near future Sci/Fi fantasy novel set in Toronto, is her first crossover novel with Sci/Fi and fantasy elements.

Book preview

Seventh day after the full moon

The knife sparked as Aphoron slid it along the granite top of the palace guard wall, honing the bronze blade to a killing edge. The rasping sound matched the anger that seethed in his heart, and the knife flashed red as blood in the light of the setting sun. He imagined throwing the blade, cutting Melanion, the prince of Tiryns, who had ruined his plans.

That prince was out of his reach for the moment. Melanion feasted in the palace hall with Aphoron's father, the king of Ephyra. High ranking merchants of the city had been invited to the celebration, but Aphoron was banished from company to prepare for a test he did not plan to accept.

Aphoron threw the knife at the balustrade. It stuck in the wood and quivered there. If only he could cut the interfering prince as easily.

Aphoron retrieved the knife and returned to sharpening it. They had been so close to moving his city out of its farm-centered quagmire. If his father had shifted his allegiance to the Olympian Poseidon, they could have joined the ranks of trading powers—cities like Corinth, Sparta, and Athens. Instead the old goddess had shown up, and his father had turned away from the power of Olympus. The king had bowed once more to the Mother Goddess Eurynome, and her only interest was dirt and growing things. Thanks to her interference, life in the valley of Ephyra was all barley and olives again.

I'll make that prince pay! Aphoron threw the knife again. The goddess had convinced his father to promote his younger half-brother until Aphoron showed he could be trusted. Then, she had dared to set him a task, a test of his allegiance. She had the nerve to tell him to go north to Corfu to hunt a monster shark that tormented fishing folk there.

He pulled the knife from the wood. I am not going on a random quest just because an old goddess tells me to.

Then make your own choice.

Aphoron turned sharply and raised his knife. Poseidon, God of Ocean and Earthshaking, leaned on the wall gazing across the valley.

Sharp as it is, that knife would not hurt me. Poseidon spoke quietly, but his voice was cold as the depths of the ocean.

Aphoron glared but lowered the knife. What are you doing back in our city? The goddess Eurynome banished you.

Do not mention that hag. Poseidon clenched his fist and brought it down hard on top of the waist high wall. The granite shook. Then, he opened his hands and laid his palms on the stone. I have an opportunity for you.

The last opportunity you offered turned as sour as milk left in the sun. Why should I listen when Eurynome and her minions defeated you?

Careful, young prince. Show proper respect, and I may show you a path to revenge and renewed power.

Revenge? The word tasted sweet on Aphoron's tongue. The idea that he could regain power made his heart pound. He sheathed the knife.

You can let the hag lead you by the nose, or choose your own hunt, a new path where you shape your own future. The god never looked away from the distant hills. A son of mine, one of the tribe of Cyclopes, helped build the walls of Tiryns. He keeps a secret that could open an opportunity for you.

Aphoron studied the profile of the god. His father had granted him only three ships for the hunt in Corfu, not enough for an assault on the city of the offending prince. Yet, if this son of Poseidon knew of a secret weakness, there might be a way. What do you want me to do?

Do what you want. Poseidon still gazed at the distant mountains. If you do not act, your brother will be king. Based on his marriage to that delicate young princess, your father will see an opportunity for an alliance with Tiryns, city of the prince you hate. You will lose everything. He turned and seemed to study Aphoron. On the other hand, I can open a path for you to take it all back.

A smile slowly cam to Aphoron's lips. Where do I find your son?

Chapter One

Eighth day after the full moon

Seated on a stone bench and surrounded by the fragrant gardens of Eurynome's shrine, Thalassai basked in the sun with her brother Melanion and his companions. Her slender fingers played with a strand of chestnut hair that had escaped from her braid. She thanked the girl from the shrine who served berries and sweet bread. Another brought warmed water infused with herbs.

Thalassai turned back to her brother and looked into amber eyes that matched her own. She saw new lines around his eyes though, etched by fear when she was captured, deepened by the strenuous race to her rescue. Now she was free to listen to the full story of that quest.

Free. Thalassai lifted her head and rolled her shoulders. It felt so good to be free. Just the day before she had been a captive of the king of Ephyra, trapped by his plan to marry her to Poseidon. The king had hoped to buy the god's aid to restore the failing river that irrigated the valley. Those days spent locked in the palace had been full of fear.

When freed, she had moved across the river to the goddess' shrine. This was also built on top of a hill, a twin to the one with the city. But where Ephyra was all stone with paved streets and closely built houses, this hill was grass-covered. At the crown, inside a low stone wall, were carefully tended gardens and small stone houses for those who served Eurynome. That morning Thalassai offered prayers of thanksgiving in the simple stone sanctuary. She had been told there was an even holier room underneath. She brought her thoughts back to her brother's journey. I was amazed when you arrived just in time to rescue me.

You made me proud, said Melanion. You looked strong and beautiful when you faced the king and then Poseidon. How did you conquer your fear?

The goddess came to me, encouraged me. Thalassai shivered. She did not want to relive the memory of her captivity. It was dark when I first awoke, but yours was the darker journey. Such a race you had to get here.

At the right moment, Melanion had arrived. He announced to the king that Poseidon himself had opened a crack deep under the mountain, bleeding away the waters of the river. With this news, the Goddess Eurynome vanquished the ocean god and set her free. I was overwhelmed yesterday when you told your story. I want to remember every detail—so please, would you tell it again now?

When her brother hesitated, his longtime companion Dermios jumped in. Shorter and stockier than Melanion, Dermios looked built for physical labor—though his face, with the white scar cutting through his eyebrow, always seemed ready for laughter. I am happy to oblige, although I'll leave the story of the journey under the mountain to Panacea. He began with the decision to race north on their horses and arrive from an unexpected direction.

Thalassai glanced at Panacea, her brother's new companion. Her straight nose and long face marked her as a noble. That must come from her mother, Thalassai thought, because her father was Asclepius, God of Healing. The young woman's hands were strong and calloused, more like a farmer than a healer, but perhaps her skin had hardened in the wild ride north. Certainly the highlights in her light brown hair came from days spent in the burning sun.

Thalassai shivered when Dermios described the moment the three of them were attacked by outlaws. Panacea's skill had saved them that day. Her rescue had taken a huge effort, but it was accomplished. The prince who kidnapped her was disgraced and assigned a task that would prove his loyalty. Until he proved his worth, his younger half-brother Brizo had been elevated to the position of king's heir.

A warm smile came to her lips as she thought about Prince Brizo, a man she had come to love. She wondered how soon she would see him again.

She looked toward Ephyra. Beyond Ephyra spread a wide plain with sharp mountain peaks defining the horizon in three directions. To the west lay the blue ocean.

The captain of the fleet from Tiryns stalked across the open courtyard toward them. A frown creased her forehead. Did you expect our captain to come here this morning? she asked her brother.

No. Melanion stood to meet the soldier from their city.

Cold crept into Thalassai's heart. She read new trouble in the stern set of the captain's mouth. She had already been freed when he had arrived with the fleet, so there had been no battle, no need to fight. Now, something had gone wrong, she was sure of it.

Melanion kept his eyes on the captain. I asked him to keep watch on Aphoron this morning. I do not trust that prince.

For good reason, Prince Melanion, said the captain. Just after dawn, he took three ships and headed south, not north. Prince Brizo kept watch with me, and will inform their father that Aphoron does not appear to have accepted the test. The king will want evidence of where he actually goes.

As if we need more proof of his nature, said Panacea.

Thalassai agreed that Aphoron had proven how evil he could be. He had betrayed the trust of her father, had broken the conventions of welcome that allowed trade to flourish among the cities of Greece. Her hands clenched as she realized that Melanion would want to stop the disgraced prince from causing further turmoil. She had expected peace, and time to enjoy Melanion's company.

Panacea put down her cup. This is what you feared, Melanion.

What I fear is what he plans to do. Melanion looked at the cup in his hand. He swirled the tea slowly. I will arrange with Brizo for someone to accompany you to your shrine, Panacea. It seems my path has shifted.

No need. If you are following Aphoron, I travel with you. Panacea looked him straight in the eyes, but a half-smile came to her lips. Someone needs to look after the horses.

Melanion held her gaze. Let us hope that they are the only ones who need your care. He turned to the captain. Can you launch one ship immediately?

I have volunteers readying one now, said the captain.

Send them after Aphoron as soon as they are provisioned. Tell them I will look for them at the entry to the Gulf of Corinth. Then, choose one ship and crew to stay as guardians of Thalassai and lead the rest home to Tiryns tomorrow. Travel as fast as possible. He turned to Thalassai. I had hoped to stay with you. If you have the least concern here, do not hesitate to sail for home.

Thalassai looked down at her hands. She did not want her brother to leave. She wanted him to stay with her, but she understood his need to follow Aphoron. The rogue prince posed a danger to others. She folded her hands together. She would not hold her brother back.

Thalassai looked up and realized Melanion was watching her. She forced a smile. I will be fine, brother. The servants of the goddess will watch over me, and so will Brizo. She would stay in Ephyra and explore how deeply she loved the younger prince.

As unlike his brother as Brizo seems to be, I still worry about him, said Melanion.

He is a good man, said Thalassai. Return quickly so that you can get to know him.

I will return as soon as I can, and we will send messages to you. He turned to Dermios and Panacea. Prepare what we need. We ride before the sun rises another handspan in the sky.

Pushing the horses again. Panacea shook her head. Where does that prince lead us this time?

We'll keep to the light this trip. He placed a hand on her shoulder. I'll be glad to have your company, even if we are chasing Aphoron again. This is about the longest cycle of the moon I can remember.

Thalassai thought back to the night of the full moon, how the goddess had caused it to shine red as a harvest moon, though it was early spring. She sighed. I had so hoped for the peace the goddess promised.

That peace will come. Panacea turned to the younger woman. First, there are tasks to be finished. We must not forget the shark that is plaguing Corfu. And Poseidon, like most Olympians, works in threes. You too may have work to do.

Melanion frowned. I trust you will be safe here at the shrine, but given this time of turmoil, I will assign a guard to stay near you.

Thalassai stood and looked her brother in the eyes. She could be strong. Such a soldier will be an honor guard, I am certain. Do not fear for me. I'll stay to build our new alliance with this city and the people who serve the goddess, said Thalassai. I do hate to see you riding into danger, though.

It'd be more dangerous to leave that pig Aphoron free to do what he wants, said Dermios.

***

Waves gently lapped the shore as the four horses pounded across the beach. Their shadows stretched almost to the base of the hills as the sun fell toward the horizon. Small rocky islands dotted the calm blue water but there were no ships. The only boats they had seen all day were small fishing skiffs. No sign of the larger transports with their oars and white sail. The empty sea worried Melanion. Where is Aphoron? he wondered.

He glanced over his shoulder. Dermios and Panacea were right behind. The soldier from Ephyra, the one who would carry a message back to the king, rode a horse's length behind them. The man's face was set in a frown, and he looked uncomfortable.

Melanion turned back to study the terrain and find where their path would climb back up the forested slope. His thoughts remained focused on the soldier. He wondered if the man was unaccustomed to riding at speed or if he was uneasy about this assignment. He hoped the king had chosen the messenger wisely. After all, three shiploads of sailors had disobeyed the king and followed Aphoron. There would be a problem if this man supported the disgraced prince. He must carry a true message back when we learn where Aphoron has gone.

Melanion led his companions up the hill and into the pine forest. In the cooler air, he leaned forward to rub the neck of his stallion. Even without a full day's rest in Ephyra, the horse accepted another hard ride. He heard the sound of falling water, saw a stream that crossed the path. The stallion blew quietly. You're right, Melanion said to his horse, a drink is in order. He raised a hand to signal a halt. We'll refill our water skins.

I believe that we are nearing the gulf, said the Ephyran soldier. The mountain there produces many streams.

Panacea slipped off her white mare. Dermios will probably tell us that someone placed this stream here just to refresh us. She glanced back at the man still sitting astride his chestnut stallion. She frowned. Dermios?

Melanion turned to study his companion. Why doesn't he dismount? Dermios would be as thirsty as any of them. The scar that cut across his eyebrow looked white against his tanned skin. You hear something in the trees?

The mountain provides the very best water. Dermios gazed at the waterfall. It tastes like no other, and it brings good health to all who drink from it.

Well, let me taste and see what special properties it has. Panacea knelt, cupped her hands, and reached into the falling stream.

You know this place? asked Melanion, still watching his companion.

Never been here. Dermios slid from his horse and let the chestnut drink from the pool.

That sounds more like you, Melanion said, and then he met his companion's eyes and saw pain written across his face. You know something about this mountain, though.

My home village was on its south-facing slope. We mined copper there. Dermios gazed upward. Tomorrow, if we keep riding along the coast, we will pass below the place where my village was.

You don't think your people are there anymore? asked Panacea.

Dermios shook his head. The Athenian raiders took all the men and the adolescent boys. Those left could not have kept up the mine. I don't know if any could have survived.

Memory opens old wounds. Melanion gripped his companion's shoulder.

As long as that's the only wound the skunk Aphoron opens, I can deal with it, Dermios said.

We do not know what the prince has planned, the soldier said stiffly.

Dermios laughed. We are pretty certain he didn't go north. Do you think Poseidon moved the island of Corfu for him?

The soldier clenched his hands, but Melanion turned open palms toward him. The message you carry back to the king will simply record where Aphoron went. It is for your king to pass judgment.

The man looked down. The prince did not go directly to Corfu. Your suspicions are understandable. He met Melanion's eyes. I'll take to Ephyra's king whatever message you see fit. You traveled under the mountain to restore the health of our valley. I will trust you.

Thank you, said Melanion. Let us see what news comes to us before the sun sets. I doubt the news will be good, however.

***

The path dove down a steep incline and out onto a rocky point. The edge of the sun touched the western horizon. One boat had been pulled up onto the beach beside the rough waters of the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth. Sailors hauled a net with a good catch of fish toward a small fire.

The leader of this crew looked up at the sound of approaching horses. He walked toward his prince.

News of Aphoron? Melanion asked.

When the sun was two handspans above the horizon, he turned east into the gulf. We waited for you here as instructed.

What does he hope to find in the Gulf of Corinth? Melanion asked. He should perhaps be relieved that the wayward prince was not headed south toward Tiryns, but he did not trust this move.

The Ephyran soldier pushed the sand with his boot. "The prince did not just head south for supplies. There is