Synopsis
Peace bought by blood seldom lasts, for vengeance knows no end. The same is true for mortals and Gods alike. Decades, centuries, eras may pass, but the cycle remains. As war and revolution rise again, Zephyrus finds himself at the center of it all. Chosen by the Gods, hailed as a prophet of liberation, and forged as a weapon to break the kingdom and restore balance to the realm, hope rests squarely on his shoulders.
If only he could remember…
Enslaved as a gladiator and thrust into a prince’s game of espionage, Zephyrus has only two clues to help unlock his shattered past: a prophecy foretelling destruction, and a letter to the enemy king, promising peace. Now Zephyrus must survive the dangers of the gladiatorial arena, the cunning fury of the Prince’s enemies, and the Gods’ torment if he is to find the truth of his identity and fulfill his fate. But to have any hope of breaking the cycle, first he must secure his freedom—and not just from his slavers.
Within this vengeful realm, a queen protecting her kingdom, a prince defending his father, and a gladiator slave haunted by a prophecy each contend for their own brand of freedom. But the Gods have an agenda of their own, and they’ll use any vessel—patrician, plebeian, or slave—to see it done.
The scales must be balanced. By peace. Or by blood.
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Excerpt
From Chapter 16
“Good afternoon,” Nallia said from behind him. “I hope you’re resting well despite the accommodations.”
“You mean these?” Zephyrus asked, lifting the manacles binding him to the cot. “I hadn’t noticed.” With his wrists chafed raw and an itch on his nose that even sleep couldn’t ignore, he most certainly noticed.
“I trust no one’s tried to kill you since my last visit?” Nallia asked.
“Besides the medicus?” Zephyrus asked.
“No one’s killin’ no one.” The medicus shuffled past. “But ya need new bandages or else ya risk infection.”
“I’ll change his bandages,” Nallia said. The medicus opened his mouth to object. “I have watched you do more difficult things a thousand times before. I’ll summon you if needed.”
The medicus bowed and left the room, muttering to himself along the way.
Nallia grabbed fresh bandages and set them down on the edge of the cot. “You’ve kept me quite busy today.” She slipped something between his fingers. “Found this out by the palus.”
The scroll addressed to the king.
The parchment was weathered but still intact. Zephyrus didn’t know what to say. After Vykannis’s absence and surviving—and nearly killing—Lenox with only a cheese knife, he thought perhaps his prophecy was real. Not just a trick, or a myth to inspire hope. When he realized the scroll was lost, it almost provided him with a sense of comfort. His past didn’t matter if he trusted where he was going. Twice now, it’d been removed from him, once by Laeden, and once on his own accord, yet somehow, it found its way back to him.
“Any idea what it means?” Zephyrus asked.
“I didn’t read it,” Nallia said. “But I don’t think anyone else lost a parchment covered in blood exactly where you said you lost something.”
“Gratitude,” Zephyrus said, unsure if he could trust her. For all he knew, she was one of the Revivalists Laeden asked him to uproot. She could be just as bad as Lenox, for all I know. Then again, in a way she was worse; Lenox worked for the slavers. Nallia was one.
“Of course,” Nallia said. Beginning with his right palm, she removed the old bandage, washed the wound with wine, and applied a new dressing. “I have a healer coming this afternoon who I hope will be able to help reclaim your memories.”
Zephyrus scoffed. She didn’t make sense to him—a Valencian who recited Celestic prophecies. A slaver who served him. “What do you want? This isn’t charity or goodwill; this is transactional. You want something.”
“Don’t we all?” Nallia asked with an unnerving smile. She walked around to his opposite hand. “What do you want? Besides your memories.”
About the Author
When Tim isn’t writing epic fantasy, he can often be found in his garage gym or in the mountains where he lives. A virtual fitness professional by trade, he integrates his creative passions into movement, training with maces, clubs, staves, and swords to unlock his inner gladiator. To inquire about Gladiator Training, reach out to him via Email.
More than writing, reading, gaming, playing music, hiking, and paddle-boarding, Tim loves story. If he’s not working on his own story, he’s helping others develop theirs as an author coach. To inquire about Author Coaching services, visit the website.
Living in Arizona with his wife, Colleen, Tim continues writing epic fantasy novels while exploring different storytelling mediums so he can inspire others to hope. To live. And to believe.
