My interest in fantasy started with Lord of the Rings. Motivated by the epic tale I put pen to paper, determined to create a story with bold characters and an intriguing plot. The book’s initial scene was a betrayal set deep in the heart of a mountain. Encouraged by my friends I started writing The Prophecy of the Kings in the months during my wife’s pregnancy with the first of two sons. As with most aspiring authors, writing was part time, with the plot progressing in the evenings and holidays. At times the tale seemed to naturally take the characters into extreme peril, and for months I was left wondering as to their fate. Refusing to rewrite the tale to rescue them, I patiently waited before inspiration struck and the story continued at a fast pace to the next cliff-hanger. Suffice to say my sons have now grown and, as the quill dries, are of an age to read and appreciate this work. As to the characters in the tale, they too have grown older and wiser; as to whether they survived the tale, only reading the novel will tell.