Greece. Circa 1190 BCE. The Greek world is in turmoil as Agamemnon prepares for war against Troy. His friends and allies scour the cities and islands, demanding that lesser kings supply armies to join him in his approaching conflict but all too many fear a lengthy campaign will destroy their countries and cost them their thrones. Meanwhile a merchant's son, beaten and crippled during a robbery on the dockside in Troy is trying to make a living as an apprentice rhapsode in the port city of Aulis, singing songs of the great heroes of an earlier generation. Passing through Aulis on his way to Phthia in search of Prince Achilles, who he plans to recruit along with his army of Myrmidons, King Odysseus of Ithaca conscripts the young rhapsode onto his crew. Odysseus and his young associate travel from the city of Phthia to the island of Skyros searching for Achilles. But as they do so they find themselves confronted by a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to prevent them completing their mission. So, as the campaign against Troy turns on their success or failure, Odysseus and his young rhapsode must solve a series of murders and attempt to stay alive themselves - long enough to find and recruit Achilles to Agamemnon's cause.
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