Chapters (53)
- Map of Kingdom of Finfalla and Surrounding Area- Western Half
- Map of Kingdom of Finfalla and Surrounding Area - Eastern Half
- Map of Kingdom of Finfalla and Surrounding Area - Full Map
- Important Trigger Warning
- Prologue
- PART I
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Interlude: The River of Life
- PART II
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Interlude: Fallow Fields
- PART III
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Interlude: Of Man and Monster
- PART IV
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- POSTLUDES
- Postlude 1: Lana Vica
- Postlude 2: Ludo Vica
- Postlude 3: Cainan
- Acknowledgments
- An excerpt from Heartsworn, Volume II in The Forsworn Oath, available for preorder now!
- PART I
Not that there was any turning back now, the high priest dribbling the waters he’d blessed earlier that day onto Tomas’s scalp. He spoke the words, “With the Five as our Silent and Discerning Witnesses, you, Tomas Vedran, First of Your Name, are hereby named KING of Finfalla for the rest of your days. May you bear the imagination of the Sculptor, the intelligence of the Scribe, the strength of the Forger, the ferocity of the Warrior, and, for our enemies alone, the rage of Narcissi Herself.” He paused, as though waiting for the frenetic anticipation that was now coursing through the gathered crowd to reach its apex. And then he said, his voice booming out from their raised position, “Long live the king!”
His words were echoed back to their ears, each iteration growing louder and more insistent. “Long live the king! LONG LIVE THE KING! LONG LIVE THE KING!”
“Your Majesty,” came a voice from behind.
Tomas turned his head to find one of his advisors close at hand, an intense look straining his graying, mousy features. “Lord Drummin, your timing is less than ideal. Can’t this wait?” In the background, his subjects continued their chant.
“I’m afraid not, Your Majesty. We have just received word.”
“Word? From whom?”
Long live the king! Long live the king!
“The Kinkallians, Your Majesty.”
Tomas closed his eyes. In truth, he’d expected this sooner. He was certain all that had delayed this very moment was uncertainty regarding the line of succession in Edward’s absence. Thankfully, Finfalla had no such problem. “It’s official then? They’ve declared war?”
Lord Drummin nodded, but the knowledge that his monarch had already guessed the news did little to soften the lines etched into his face. Which meant there was more. “Who claimed power? With whose authority was this declaration made? By my great uncle? Prince Leyton Echevaria? Has he officially claimed the throne for himself?”
Long live the king! Long live the king!
The man grimaced, as though the act of delivering this news was akin to being punched in the gut. “No, it was the Stolen Prince. King Edward Vedran-Echevaria, First of His Name. Your own brother.”
Long live the king! Long live the king!
POSTLUDES
Lana Vica
Ludo Vica
Cainan
The following are three FREE short stories that form an integral part of The Forsworn Oath, highlighting the origins of some of the most pivotal characters in the story. They will give you, the reader, a greater understanding of the history of the world, thus preparing you to read the second book in the series, Heartsworn.
Postlude 1: Lana Vica
Kestrel, Finfalla