Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow
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- Published by: Random House
- eBook Publish Date: September 26, 2005
- Print ISBN: 0345458354
- Filesize: 1.28 MB
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Overview
He is a man of many names. Some call him the Golden One; others, the Lord of the Silver Bow. To the Dardanians, he is Prince Aeneas. But to his friends, he is Helikaon. Strong, fast, quick of mind, he is a bold warrior, hated by his enemies, feared even by his Trojan allies. For there is a darkness at the heart of the Golden One, a savagery that, once awakened, can be appeased only with blood.Argurios the Mykene is a peerless fighter, a man of unbending principles and unbreakable will. Like all of the Mykene warriors, he lives to conquer and to kill. Dispatched by King Agamemnon to scout the defenses of the golden city of Troy, he is Helikaon's sworn enemy.Andromache is a priestess of Thera betrothed against her will to Hektor, prince of Troy. Scornful of tradition, skilled in the arts of war, and passionate in the ways of her order, Andromache vows to love whom she pleases and to live as she desires.Now fate is about to thrust these three together-and, from the sparks of passionate love and hate, ignite a fire that will engulf the world.
Editorial Reviews
Bestseller Gemmell (Legend) boldly recasts the Trojan War in this first of a new trilogy, which centers on a warrior variously called Helikaon, Aeneas or the Golden One, who's blessed by luck to have all he turns his hand to prosper. Populated by compelling and finely drawn characters taken from either Greek mythology (Odysseus, Hektor, etc.) or the author's own fertile imagination, the novel lays the groundwork for the war to come. Spurred by prophecy, Agamemnon, King of Mykene, sets his men the task of killing Aeneas. The ensuing conflict threatens to engulf the Mediterranean. While this enchanting tale is more historical fiction than fantasy (the obligatory oracles and Kassandra's prophecies are the only hints of magic), genre fans and more general readers alike will have trouble putting it down. Agent, Howard Morhaim. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information. -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.
Author Information
Bio of David Gemmell
David Gemmell is widely regarded as the best writer of heroic fantasy. His award-winning first novel, Legend, published in 1984, has become a classic. Hero in the Shadows, Ravenheart, Stormrider, The Swords of Night and Day and Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow, the first book in the exciting Troy trilogy have all been Sunday Times bestsellers. His most recent novel, The Swords of Night and Day, is now available from Bantam Press.
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Additional Info
Imprint
Ballantine Books
Filesize
1.28 MB
Number of Pages
496
eBook ISBN
9780345486080
Awards
- Gaylactic Spectrum Awards
Excerpt from: Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow by David Gemmell
I
THE CAVE OF WINGS
The twelve men in ankle-length cloaks of black wool stood silently at the cave mouth. They did not speak or move. The early autumn wind was unnaturally chilly, but they did not blow warm air on cold hands. Moonlight shimmered on their bronze breastplates and white-crested helmets, on their embossed wrist guards and greaves, and on the hilts of the short swords scabbarded at their waists. Yet despite the presence of cold metal against their bodies they did not shiver.
The night grew colder, and it began to rain as midnight approached. Hail fell and clattered against their armor, and still they did not move.
Then there came another warrior, tall and stooping, his cloak flapping in the fierce wind. He, too, was armored, though his cuirass was inlaid with gold and silver, as were the helmet and greaves he wore.
"Is he inside?" he asked, his voice deep.
"Yes, my king," answered one of the men, tall and broad-shouldered, with deep-set gray eyes. "He will summon us when the gods speak."
"Then we wait," replied Agamemnon.
The rain eased, and the king's dark eyes scanned his Followers. Then he looked into the Cave of Wings. Deep within he could see firelight flickering on the craggy walls and even from there smell the acrid and intoxicating fumes from the prophecy flames. As he watched, the fire dimmed.
Unused to waiting, he felt his anger rise but masked it. Even a king was expected to be humble in the presence of the gods.
Every four years the king of Mykene and twelve of his most trusted Followers were expected to hear the words of the gods. The last time Agamemnon had stood there, he had just interred his father and his own reign was about to begin. He had been nervous then but was more so now, for the prophecies he had heard that first time had come true. He had become infinitely richer. His wife had borne him three healthy children, though all were girls. The armies of Mykene had been victorious in every battle, and a great hero had fallen.
But Agamemnon also recalled the journey his father had made to the Cave of Wings eight years previously and his ashen face on his return. He would not speak of the final prophecy, but one of the Followers told it to his wife, and the word spread. The seer had concluded with the words: "Farewell, Atreus King. You will not walk the Cave of Wings again."
The great battle king had died one week before the next summoning.
A woman dressed all in black emerged from the cave. Even her head was covered by a veil of gauze. She did not speak but raised her hand, beckoning the waiting men. Agamemnon took a deep breath and led the group inside.
