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Book: “A Vengeful Realm” by Tim Facciola
Publishing Info: First Torch Books LLC, October 2023
Where Can You Get this Book: WorldCat.org | Amazon | IndieBound
Book Description: 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 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.
Excerpt:
“If he wins, he is worthy of training. If he dies, then…” He shrugged. “All in favor?” The cavernous room echoed with cheers.
Zephyrus swallowed the growl forming in his throat. Laeden had given him an opportunity to prove to these people that he was worth more to them alive than dead. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t right. Yet it was the best he was likely to receive. Again, his life hung on the whims of Gods and the balance of fate, but if he had steel in hand, he had a chance.
Laeden gave Zephyrus the slightest of nods. Another chance to stay alive.
Fate… what a cruel jape.
“Who will stand against him?” Cassius’s daughter, Nallia, asked.
“I will.” Lenox stepped from his position along the wall and descended the stairs to stand before the Cassiuses and the royal family. “Let the Gods guide my blade.”
Zephyrus’s apprehension dissolved, replaced by a wave of determination.
“How fitting,” the queen said. “Let us pray.”
The queen droned on, calling for the Gods of Valencia to guide the true path of the impending match. An omenation they called it, to discern the will of the Gods. But Zephyrus saw it as fate. He was still alive for this purpose: to see Patrus’s murderer put to ground. Wielder, Harbinger, or Herald, he would kill Lenox and avenge his fallen friend.
The queen finished her prayer. The guards undid Zephyrus’s manacles while Lenox drew his sword.
Let us see whose Gods are stronger.
Zephyrus—wet, bloody, clad only in a loincloth—stood across from Lenox in his purple-and-gold armor. Eyeing the finely forged steel in Lenox’s hand, Zephyrus didn’t suppose this was going to be a fair fight.
Laeden drew his blade and descended the stairs. “He may wield my sword.”
Cassius stopped him with a raised hand. “He can use mine.” Cassius pulled a cheese knife from a nearby servant’s platter and tossed it into the air.
The tranquility of the moment shattered as the cheese knife bounced down the steps with the clank of metal on marble. It toppled and spun before coming to a stop at Zephyrus’s feet.
Zephyrus eyed the rounded edge. Even the cheese was safe from such a blade.
Cassius lifted his hand. “Begin.”
Before Zephyrus could seize the dulled knife, Lenox charged. Lenox hacked down with a savage cut intending to cleave him in two. Zephyrus fell back, creating separation. He scuttled across the floor, pulling himself backwards with his hands to regain his footing. His heart throbbed in his ears. A chorus of disgruntled shouts filled the vaulted room, but Zephyrus was only focused on Lenox’s blade, chopping down at him. Sparks flew as steel met marble, narrowly missing Zephyrus’s thigh. He managed to his feet, just in time to avoid Lenox’s second attack. The blade passed mere hairs away from where Zephyrus was.
“The perfect dodge is just beyond your opponent’s reach,” reminded a familiar voice.
Lenox continued to press, but Zephyrus’s instincts took over. He was no longer the hunted. He was the hunter.
Zephyrus stepped back, allowing the blade to cut the air before him. He moved just enough to dodge, never overextending himself or misjudging the reach of the attack. He continued to back away as Lenox pressed.
Slash, hack, thrust!
Zephyrus evaded each but let Lenox believe he was getting closer to finishing the fight. Lenox was not without skill. His footwork precise, his cuts intentional, he struck in an unpredictable pattern, but Zephyrus was better. Zephyrus backed away, retreating up the stairs toward the Cassiuses to keep space between Lenox and himself.
He will tire. He will make a mistake, and when he does, I will kill him for it.
Lenox lashed out with more frustration behind each swing. Fighting against an unarmed man, Lenox would want to end the fight quickly, but his haste would be his undoing. Stab, slice, slash, chop! Each cut had more fury behind it. Lenox’s breathing became short, ragged grunts.
He’s losing patience. Wait for him to rush. Wait… Wait…
Lenox charged.
Wait…
Zephyrus rolled beneath an overzealous lunge and claimed the cheese knife. Lenox launched, but Zephyrus side-stepped, slashing across Lenox’s cheek. Blood sprayed, causing a red tear to trickle down Lenox’s face. Lenox let out a cry and thrashed with his sword. Again, Zephyrus dodged, slipping his heel just behind Lenox’s. With a slight shove, the armored guard went down with a thud.
“You will die!” Lenox barked, getting to his feet. He slashed low to high, but Zephyrus pivoted out of the way and countered, nicking Lenox’s sword arm in the gap of his leather armor. Lenox followed up with a horizontal slash, attempting to part Zephyrus’s head from his shoulders. Zephyrus ducked under the blow and sliced across the inside of Lenox’s thigh, dropping him to a knee. Grabbing Lenox’s sword arm at the wrist, Zephyrus twisted, forcing the blade from his grasp. He kicked the sword aside and stood over his now-unarmed opponent.
Blood trickled from Lenox’s wounds, but his pride suffered the greater defeat.
“You killed Patrus,” Zephyrus whispered. “And now you’ll die for it.” He reached the cheese knife back to deliver the final blow. Vengeance is mine. Patrus can rest eas—
His arm froze, suspended in mid-air. He pulled, but he couldn’t move. With all his strength, he tried to slam the cheese knife into Lenox’s neck, but to no avail. A powerful force jerked his arm backwards, spilling him onto the granite slab.
“I said enough!” The doctore unwound his whip from around Zephyrus’s wrist. Zephyrus tried to locate the cheese knife, but he lost it in his fall. Lenox stood, reclaiming his sword, face red with fury.
“Stand down, Lenox,” Cassius said. Lenox glared at Zephyrus, shoulders heaving with labored breaths. Zephyrus wasn’t ready for the fight to be over yet. He didn’t need a dull cheese knife to kill. For Patrus! He charged at Lenox.
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