In a world where mortals must contend with the gods' cruel jealousy, one man must ask himself if he will risk his own death to protect the goddess who has done everything to destroy his life.After waking to a heinous crime he doesn't remember committing, Herc Dion is sentenced to death by live burial. At the last moment, Eury, leader of the city-state of Portaceae, offers Herc the chance to atone for his crime through a series of trials. Trials that will force him to face monstrous creatures, test his loyalty, and send him to face death itself. Filled with an unshakable sense of duty to Portaceae, Herc readily accepts the risks.Adding to these challenges, Herc endures perpetual cruelty at the hands of Hera, the goddess who is meant to protect Portaceae. Her blinding hatred of Herc has led to the near ruin of her realm and to her ignorance of Eury's true plans that could spell the end of her existence.With the knowledge that Hera has done everything to destroy his life, will Herc risk his own life to protect her and to save Portaceae?BOOK ONE OF THE OSTERIA CHRONICLESThe Osteria Chronicles are a multi-part fantasy series. Set in a future world that resembles the city-states of Ancient Greece, you'll see myths come to life as the heroes of Osteria contend with the whims of the gods.