D E Powell

The Tear Jar D E Powell

"Upon finishing this novel you will understand you have just read an epic adventure in the Greek tradition, as stirring as any told." In Thebes, 335 BCE, twelve year old Nicholas enjoys a carefree life with his affluent family. His biggest concerns are keeping up with chores on the farm and his bossy older brother, Andreas. That is until Alexander the Great comes to town with his army to teach rebellious Thebes a lesson. Nicholas's world is shattered as Thebes is burnt to the ground. Thebans who opposed Alexander are either killed or taken as slaves. Being the only survivor, Nicholas huddles in his family's ruins until hunger forces him to search for food on the battlefield. There he discovers another survivor, Antigonus, a top military commander in Alexander's army. Antigonus is on the verge of death and Nicholas knows he will not survive without help. But how can he help his enemy? Nicholas realizes his enemy may be the only one who can aid in finding his family. Antigonus is desperate to rejoin his king, but he is weak from his wounds. He must either accept Nicholas's proposal, or be left alone to die. The two form a guarded alliance and together go in search of Alexander the Great, Nicholas's only comfort, his family's tear jar which he hopes to return to his mother someday when they finally reunite.