Summary

Chapter I begins with Anaxandra, the protagonist, as a six-year-old being taken away from home by King Nicander so that she can be a “companion to [his] daughter, Callisto” (1). However, she is also being taken as a hostage so that her father, Chrysaor, will obey him. On the way back to the king’s palace, Anaxandra accidentally gives up the location of her father’s treasure, which the men take. The king tells her she will not be going home, and she likely would not even be welcome there since she gave up the location of the treasure. He also tells her about how the God Apollo sent plagues to his island, and he captured Anaxandra in an attempt to get her father to bring him gold so the king can satisfy Apollo. They eventually arrive at Siphnos, the king’s island. His...