"Nobody but the old wise-woman knows what truly happened to Aissa, the firstborn daughter of the priestess. If they saw the half-moon scars on the servant girl's wrists they would find it out, but who would look twice at lowly, mute No-Name? Only the Lady's cats, and the fireflies summoned by her silent song. Then the soldiers of Crete come, demanding children as tribute for their god-king's bull dances, and Aissa is determined to take destiny into...

"In Bronze-Age Crete, before horses were common on the island, potter's-daughter Clio continues to raise and train them even though an accident has left her unable to ride. After a series of difficult years in the community, the threat of raiders prompts the town's ruling Lady to demand the sacrifice of a maiden between ages twelve and fourteen, who will be selected at the spring equinox. Certain that she will be named the sacrifice, Clio struggles...