Shadow Of The Beast

A tale of Theseus the Athenian. From a world of light and life he will enter the realms of hell.

Theseus' childhood years saw him raised in sunlit innocence as a boy of the country, yet well taught in the hard skills of a warrior. On reaching manhood it is revealed to him that his true father is Aegeus, king of ancient Athens. Theseus embarks upon a journey to claim his right as prince and heir, only to face deceit, attempted murder and the prospect of bloody conflict with Athens' bitter enemies.

Accepted as prince, he is to discover the secret King Aegeus, had contrived to keep from him: the curse of an annual forfeit of Athens' young people - seven youths and seven girls, to the all-powerful Minos, king of Crete.

None had ever returned. What was their fate?

The call comes and Theseus takes the place of one young man to discover what had become of their predecessors in Minos' vast palace of Knossos. There he is seduced by Minos' insatiable daughter, the beautiful Ariadne, who reveals to him Knossos' terrible secret - the beast that lives in darkness below – the beast he and his companions will, one by one, be sent to confront.

Before the fatal day arrives Theseus and his companions witness the astounding bull-leapers' ceremony and its bloody consequences.

Theseus must choose - to allow himself to be taken away for sacrifice, as will be his companions, or enter willingly the seeping horror depths of the labyrinth armed with sword and firebrand - there to confront alone the insane, flesh-hungry Minotaur, the murderous creature, part man, part bull that prowls dark realms beneath the palace amidst the gristly remains of Athens' slaughtered young.

The flame that guides him must expire. The beast watches and waits.