Category: Fantasy Publisher: Authors Online
ISBN-10: 0755207297
Type: Fiction
Pages: 400
Copyright: July 11, 2013
ISBN-13: 9780755207299
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
A fierce struggle to re-unite a scattered band of clan mercenaries in order to free the human race from the evil clutches of the Warlord Magicians
Two powerful Warlord Magicians have returned to take back the land that once belonged to their forefathers and the many other ancient races of magic users who had abandoned the area many centuries ago to allow the human race to expand and develop.
The Ruby Warriors, a proud race of mercenary clansmen and women, deemed to be the only threat to their long term plans for domination, have been systematically wiped out.Any survivors from the final, dreadful Clan wars that had seen the Warriors face up to each other were summarily executed without trial and were no longer seen as a credible force.
An old man, an agent of the magicians many enemies, is instructed to remove the Warlord threat from the lives of the humans and return the land back to them. He must hatch a plan to reassemble the scattered remnants of the mercenary warriors and unite them under one banner. The warrior’s skills, enhanced by the power of the special Rubies that each one carried would help him to defeat the Warlords and their cohorts.
The old man realises that his plans would take quite a lot of time to reach fruition but he is prepared to take that time… a commodity that the mysterious old man has plenty of…!
Available from all major online book retailers and in all formats!
Excerpt
... The woodsman waited until the grubby little man had edged alongside his position before yanking him into the dark of the alley and marching him further into its gloom, the man’s cries of alarm muted by Jon’s’ hand clamped quickly across his mouth.
The stalker smelled rank, his clothing had not been changed for some time it seemed and he began struggling fiercely against the hand grasping his tunic but the grip was strong. Jon removed the other hand from the spy’s mouth and he tried to scream out, a sharp slap across his face shut him up completely.
“Don’t even think about it!” Jon warned, shaking his captive violently. He could smell the stale wine on the man’s’ breath.
The man looked fearfully at the woodsman.
“Who…. I have no money… please!” The man stammered.
Jon shook him again.
“Who are you little man?” He asked him. “Why do you follow the trader?”
His captive was about to reply when Jon noticed him relax a little and a sly look come across his face. He suddenly seemed more confident, as if he knew that this was not a robbery but simply his preys’ bodyguard.
“I work for the sheriff, friend.” He replied, his tone changing to one of authority. “I am under orders from the Adepts themselves and I report only to them. I must warn you not to interfere with me as it will mean bad things for you.”
Jon curled his mouth into a sneer and stared into the piggy eyes of the Adepts hireling.
The spies threats meant nothing to him, he had always relied on his wits and talent to keep him away from the Adepts grasp and he absolutely hated anybody who would work for the damned Warlords or their minions.
Jon thought carefully before continuing.
“You wear no badge.” He observed. “Therefore if what you say is true then you are nothing but his local spy.”
“I am under his protection!” The man whined, suddenly uncertain of himself again…or his attackers’ inclinations. “So…let me go and we will think no more about this.”
Jon smiled as the little man struggled against his grip.
“You think I am afraid of your sheriff or your cursed Adepts?” The woodsman spat the words. “Why are you following that man out there? What is he to you?” He shook him as he asked the questions.
The man licked his lips nervously, not wanting to reply but another jerk on his tunic brought him round.
“The sheriff is interested in his dealings.” He replied softly, resigned to the fact that this stranger was not going to just let him go. “He wants to know of any underhand dealings that take place in his town. He is the law and as such needs to know everything that goes on in it.”
“He wants a part of the profits most likely.” Jon sneered. “I have heard him to be the biggest criminal in this town.”
“How dare you!” The sheriff’s man blustered. “Who are you to say such things? He will be informed of this……”
The man's eyes suddenly glazed over and his body went limp as Jon removed the blade from the spy’s ribcage and let the corpse fall to the floor. He bent down and wiped the blood from his favourite knife on the corpse’s jacket and stared down at the sheriff’s spy.
“You really should think about your options before threatening people.” He said to the lifeless form at his feet and shook his head in disgust.
He dragged the body further into the shadows and examined it, removing a small coin purse and a gold ring. It would be better for his client if the sheriff thought that his spy was just a victim of a robbery and it was also a nice addition to his own meagre purse.
Professional Reviews
From Amazon.com
Finished. Next book please. How long are you gonna keep us hanging?
Fantastic stuff. Great story, great characters; haven't been as riveted since Eddings' Belgariad. Can I hope for a 5 book epic to match?
Keep em coming. And soon!!!
From Amazon.co.uk
A damn good read, looking forward to the next instalment. Characters are rounding out quite nicely, should be interesting to see how all the characters end up
From Amazon.com
A well written, interesting story. Easy to follow ( but not childish), the story keeps you turning the pages. Looking forward to book two.
What if all objects had a "consciousness" and were aware of the world around them? What if they could talk to each other? Award-winning author Deborah K. Frontiera answers this hypothetical what-if in an intriguing way as the items in a pawnshop come
Epic YA fantasy by bestselling author, Frank P. Ryan. Eefa and her twin brother Magio are on the run, hunted by a ruthless predator with a pack of wolf hounds. What fate awaits them in the magical Valley of the Raptors? Is it freedom or a trap?
