Against All Gods

By Steven R. Southard

In ancient Athens, trireme commander Theron and the woman he loves, Galene, have each earned the wrath of jealous gods. To marry Galene, Theron must voyage to all seven of Wonders of the World. At every stage the immortal gods test their love with all the power and magic at their command. While Galene suffers anguishing torment in Athens, Theron

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gypsy Shadow Publishing
• Release date: Mar 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781619503847

Steven R. Southard

A naval engineer who grew up reading Jules Verne and Tom Swift, Steven R. Southard is fascinated by technology and man's relation to it. Our tools can expand the good we do, but also multiply evil. This theme is apparent in each story of his series, What Man Hath Wrought. Steve has written in the historical, fantasy, science fiction, alternate history, horror, and steampunk genres. Visit his page at the Gypsy Shadow Publishing website and his own site at www.stevenrsouthard.com to better understand his intriguing characters and their amazing machines.

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Contents

Copyright Page

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

About the Author

Against All Gods

by

Steven R. Southard

All rights reserved

Copyright © July 18, 2012 by Steven R. Southard

Cover Art Copyright © 2012, Charlotte Holley

Gypsy Shadow Publishing, LLC

Lockhart, TX

www.gypsyshadow.com

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Gypsy Shadow Publishing, LLC.

ISBN: 978-1-61950-384-7

Published in the United States of America

First eBook Edition: July 30, 2012

Dedication

To my brother Stewart and my sister Anne, my shipmates in our shared voyage of growing up. Within each of them throbs the heart of an adventurous romantic; their senses of wonder helped shape this story.

Chapter 1

Piraeus Harbor near Athens, 7th day of Hekatombion, Year of Archon Lysitheides (253 B.C.)

Galene loved Theron and—equally wondrous—knew he loved her, too. When he went on his voyages, she missed him each day until his return. This separation would be for several weeks, but when his ship came home this time, they could marry. Yet even that knowledge didn’t cheer her. Her sweet Theron would soon sail away from her again. She brushed away a tear before he could see it.

They stood together on a pier in the Athenian port city of Piraeus. Moored sailing ships rocked with the lapping waves; sea-birds swooped among the rocky crags of the shore; and a salt breeze wafted out of the evening sky. Behind them, servants of her father watched both her and Theron, ready to report to her father anything inappropriate such as holding hands, embracing, or—worse—kissing.

Avoiding such contact required all of Galene’s self-restraint. She’d been pursued by, and resisted many men, but this one, Theron, stood out like a horned buck among wild boars. She adored his personality, a pleasing combination of kindness, commanding presence, and wit. His handsome face framed with curly black hair and beard, his broad shoulders and powerful chest, had not escaped her attention either.

You’re being brave, Theron spoke in his sonorous baritone. You grieve, but do not cry. He smiled with warmth. Still the most amazing woman I know.

Gazing at his blue eyes, Galene didn’t know how much longer she could stay her tears. By the gods, she would miss him so much. Please, just don’t speak about leaving, she said. I’ve cried enough about it already, alone at night. Speak only of your return when we’ll be together again. Here, I made this for you. She held out one of her arrowheads with a leather cord to go around the neck. Wear it and remember to return to me.

Theron smiled and took the gift. I will wear it always, though I need no arrow to remember my huntress. Here, take this and never forget me. He handed her a small, spiral sea shell on its own leather cord.

Galene could hardly wait to put it around her neck and thought it looked beautiful.

Don’t forget, Theron said, When I return, we can get ma—

She felt a sudden gust of wind, strange on such a calm day. More than that, it felt as if something large had flown past her.

A tall figure appeared before them. Clad in winged helmet and winged boots, the messenger god Hermes held a golden caduceus in his right hand. He towered over them both, their heads just even with the god’s chest.

After the gusting breeze of his arrival, no other sound reached her ears. Waves and birds