World of Aterrene

The first novel of the Battle of Shadow Trilogy is called Way of the Reaper. The plot is as follows:

As the retired Champion of Kaerleon, Marcellus Admorran thought he had seen the last of quests and battles. But a mysterious request brings him before the king once again. He is sent to the farthest borders of the kingdom, on a bewildering mission that shatters both his iron will and his sense of loyalty. In an instant, he is betrayed, his loyal comrades killed; and he is imprisoned by the most vicious warlord of the barbarian kingdoms.

After viewing a powerful vision, Nitara Sharlin, a young Shama, is sent on an unusual mission of her own. She treks into the wilderness with only vague instructions directing her to the notoriously deadly Eastern borderlands, to seek a man of fame who wanders alone. Along the way, she becomes aware of the deadliness of her mission. She finds herself hunted by shadowy assailants with strange powers, and unearthly, beast-like creatures.

Narrowly escaping with her life, Nitara is now haunted by something even more terrifying: the prophecy that she will kill the man she finds in the wilderness.

Marcellus escapes, and rescues Nitara from certain death. And in that moment, a connection is made -one that will cause the Shama to defy prophecy. This will send into motion a series of events that will pit them both in the center of a battle between humanity, and the Akhkharu: a race of ancient, powerful beings who wish to dominate them from the shadows.

Marcellus and Nitara discover that both his betrayal and her assailants are tied to the plots of the Akhkharu, and vow to expose them. But the resources of the Akhkhauru are vast, and their assassins and agents pervade the land. The pair find allies in the foreigner Rasui and his band of Huntsmen, and in the hearty King Thoren, of Norland. Together, they devise a bold plan: To invade Aceldama, the Forbidden City, where the Akhkharu reside, and strike at their heart -Alaric Aelfvalder, the king of legend.

But even the best laid plans are subject to failure. In his growing thirst for vengeance, Marcellus will face a decision that will alter his life forever, a choice that will open Nitara's eyes to a darkness she never knew existed.

And in the darkness waits the Reaper.



Sample chapters are available at Gather.com. At my private group, Gather to Aterrene, you can read and post comments on the portion of the book available. You will have to join Gather first, which only takes a few minutes.