Vavaun is a tale of struggle, friendship and bravery against an enemy who plans total annihilation.
It is a stand-alone ‘Shadow of the Revenaunt’-adventure, running parallel to book 3, Ordelanden, and it starts after the final battle at the Owan Abai in Zihaen.
Published: June 12th, 2016
After helping King Ghyll to his victory in Zihaen, the beastmasters Uwella and Damion turn their attention to their own country of Vavaun.
High time, too, for the rumors have been persistent. There is something wildly amiss in the Gray Order, the temple protecting Vavaun from the Dar’khamorth’s machinations.
When Uwella DeGry, herself a wikke of the Grays and the heir to the throne of Vavaun, returns home with Damion DeAsharte, her mate and main competitor, they find their country in dire straits. Vile sorcerers and their beastmen roam the land, killing and ravaging at will and the Gray Order has almost been wiped out.
With only two very young fire warriors to help them, the ducal beastmasters vow to liberate their country, defeat the Dar’khamorth and bring peace between their competing Houses of Gry and Asharte.
Will even their mighty feline alter egos be strong enough to survive against the dark magic of the Revenaunt’s minions?
Vavaun is a tale of struggle, friendship and bravery against an enemy who plans total annihilation.
It is a stand-alone ‘Shadow of the Revenaunt’-adventure, running parallel to book 3, Ordelanden, and it starts after the final battle at the Owan Abai in Zihaen.
from CHAPTER 9 – RATS
EXCERPT
‘He what?’ Uwella bit off her screech of rage and lowered her voice to a soft growl. ‘He’s gone off again and you let him?’ Her eyes spat fire and her finger pointed at Rhydd’s throat.
The gardian swallowed. ‘How could I stop him?’ he said weakly.
‘How! Knock him down, tie him up; gods, there are plenty of ways.’ She jabbed his flesh with a sharp nail and a little droplet of blood trickled down to the collar of his armor. With a shrug, she wiped it away with a knuckle. ‘You and Damion are a pack of idiots!’ she snarled. ‘How long has he been gone?’
‘Wella...’ he stammered, but she slapped his face with two fingers.
‘Don’t call me that; you know I hate it! How long?’
‘Six hours,’ he said.
Uwella opened her mouth, but no sound came. Six hours! Damion should’ve been back long ago. In her mind, she saw him shot from the air, his body riddled with arrows, and she barely suppressed a shudder. She whirled around and walked a few furious steps up and down.
‘Too long; something must have happened.’ She glared at her brother, still standing at attention. ‘Send for Grisa.’
Rhydd relayed the order, while Uwella paced through the wet grass, thinking furiously. He must be at Gry. Somehow, something had gone wrong, and it could only have been at Gry. That’s where the enemy was. That’s where she had to go. But not alone. Oh no, she wouldn’t be stupid like that idiot Damion. She... ‘Grisa!’ she shouted.
‘I’m here,’ the girl said. ‘I said so, but you didn’t listen.’
‘No matter. Go to Burg Asharte. Tell Kedraun I need half his force immediately, ready for battle. Then bring them here. Now!’
‘Right,’ Grisa said. ‘I’ll fetch them; don’t worry.’ Then she disappeared.
About the author:
Paul E. Horsman (1952) is a Dutch and International Fantasy Author. Born in the sleepy garden village of Bussum, The Netherlands, he now lives in Roosendaal, a town on the Dutch border with Belgium.
He has been a soldier, salesman, scoutmaster and from 1995 teacher of Dutch as a Second Language to refugees from all over the globe.
Since 2012, he is a full-time writer of epic light fantasy adventures for Y.A. and older. His works have been both trade published in The Netherlands, and self-published internationally.
Vavaun sounds like an exciting read ♡ Thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great blurb, and the giveaway
ReplyDeleteI'm interested to see how the beastmasters liberate their country
ReplyDeleteThis genre is not my typical read but I'd like to explore it since the women seem to have some real power here ;)
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing mightier than a feline alter ego!
ReplyDeleteI really like the sound of this book. Looks exciting! Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteSounds very interesting! The cover is cool looking too.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to make a brief comment on the author's bio, as I found it particularly fascinating.
ReplyDeleteFirst-- I'm fortunate to have been able to travel around Belgium and a bit of The Netherlands. I would absolutely love to visit this region again, and to live in a "sleepy garden village" there sounds heavenly to me!
Second-- What is mentioned of Mr. Horsman's work/career history is so interesting, remarkable, and inspiring to me in a number of ways.
Finally: The cover art! Gorgeous, almost like beautiful gift-wrap on what looks to be a wonderful read.
--Ann