"Clio feels certain it's her fault. If she hadn't disobeyed Mama to check on her beloved pregnant mare Gray Girl, she wouldn't have seen the raiders' ship. If she hadn't seen the ship, she wouldn't have warned the town. If she hadn't warned the town, the Lady wouldn't have consulted the Oracle. Now the Oracle is demanding the greatest sacrifice: a young maiden to serve the goddess--and Clio knows in her bones the doomed maiden will be her"--Back cover.