by Jeff Wheeler
And it’s not over. As I wrote this novel, I saw more light farther down the tunnel. The setting was obviously inspired by the Arthurian legends. As I read many of the classic older texts, I kept seeing recurring themes, even though the details often differed. The whole mythology around Our Lady was inspired by the myths of the Lady of the Lake. The prophecy of the Dreadful Deadman wasn’t invented. Europeans in the late-fifteenth and early-sixteenth centuries believed that King Arthur would return someday and defend England. Henry VII named his firstborn son Arthur to invoke that legend. He claimed to be Arthur incarnated himself when he fought Richard III at Bosworth Field. The legend of the Dreadful Deadman is a fascinating historical tidbit. I based my version of the Arthurian plot on the writings contained in the Mabinogion. That’s where I learned about Sir Owain who betrayed the Lady of the Fountain. That’s where the silver bowl and the magic hailstorm had their source. And it’s also the origin of the magic chess set that belonged to King Arthur.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this new world. I have a few more stories to tell before I’m done with it. I think the children of these main characters need a turn on stage.
And if a movie is ever made about this series, I politely request Richard Armitage to play King Severn.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank many who helped this series in numerous ways. First, to my sister Emily who gets to read my chapters each week and provide feedback. It must be sweet torture having to read my writing in spurts. Also, thanks to my wonderful early readers: Robin, Shannon, Karen, and Sunil. To my amazing editorial team for their enthusiasm and influence! That would be Jason Kirk, Courtney Miller, Angela Polidoro, and Wanda Zimba. We make a good team, and I appreciate you all!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © Kim Bills
Jeff Wheeler took an early retirement from his career at Intel in 2014 to become a full-time author. He is, most importantly, a husband and father, and a devout member of his church. He is occasionally spotted roaming among the oak trees and granite boulders in the hills of California or in any number of the state’s majestic redwood groves. He is the author of The Covenant of Muirwood Trilogy, The Legends of Muirwood Trilogy, the Whispers from Mirrowen Trilogy, and the Landmoor Series. He is also the founder of Deep Magic: the E-zine of Clean Fantasy and Science Fiction (www.deepmagic.co).
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
CONTENTS
MAP
REALMS & CHARACTERS
Dear Owen, . . .
CHAPTER ONE The Winter of the North
CHAPTER TWO The King’s Command
CHAPTER THREE Deep Fathoms
My lord Kiskaddon, . . .
CHAPTER FOUR Prisoners in the Tower
CHAPTER FIVE The Prince’s Widow
CHAPTER SIX Poisoner’s Gift
CHAPTER SEVEN Lady Sinia
My lord Kiskaddon, . . .
CHAPTER EIGHT Secrets
CHAPTER NINE Haven
CHAPTER TEN Sea Glass
CHAPTER ELEVEN Betrayal
My lord Kiskaddon, . . .
CHAPTER TWELVE Traitor
CHAPTER THIRTEEN Threat
CHAPTER FOURTEEN The Knight at Dawn
CHAPTER FIFTEEN St. Penryn
CHAPTER SIXTEEN Alliance
Lord Kiskaddon, . . .
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Misprision
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Loyalty
CHAPTER NINETEEN Poisoner’s Grief
CHAPTER TWENTY The Widow’s Spite
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE The White King
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO Mantic Gifts
My dearest Owen, . . .
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE Myrddin
Sinia, . . .
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR Genevieve Llewellyn
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE A Game of Tiles
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX Poisoner’s Revenge
Dear Owen, . . .
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN The Fountain’s Ring
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT The King’s Wrath
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE Thief’s Ransom
CHAPTER THIRTY Poisoner’s Kiss
Dear Owen, . . .
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE Raven’s Feast
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO The King’s Traitor
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE Helvellyn
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR Carrick
To the king’s . . .
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE The King’s Word
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX The Black King
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN Ravens
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT Our Lady
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE Misfortune
My dearest Owen, . . .
CHAPTER FORTY Cruelty
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE Ploemeur
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO Confession
EPILOGUE
AUTHOR’S NOTE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR