The Chronicles of the Midlands: The Slave Warrior
First book in the series
Amongst the Countries, Kingdoms, and Regions of Anacron, the cultures that survived the Relocation barely remember that there was anything other than what exists in the present. Hints of what was lives on in story and song, the histories that have been preserved thought to be legends, not reality. And as the forgotten past from another place would remind us all, those who do not know history are going to make the mistakes of those who went before.
Creating civilizations from scraps of barely remembered knowledge lets those who would rule by force and suppression take over from those of a more peaceful nature. Thoughts become rules become laws that keep those who may wish to better themselves, and those around them, in the dirt. Even then, those who rule sometimes forget that there will always be those who want to become the rulers, and will do anything to have that power.
The reach of the chaos is not only up to the highest seat, it sends tendrils down to the lowliest hovel to disrupt the balance that has been created. All levels of society are touched.
This is the story of one set of repeat mistakes, and those that it touched.
Chapter 1 The flight from Bandits
Chapter 2 Presenting herself to Lord Helmic is not so simple
Chapter 3 The Merchant Geralk shows kindness, and more of the world, to Laun
Chapter 4 Laun Follows the road towards the bandits, finding information in everyday interactions
Chapter 5 The Raiders are found, a plan is pushed
Chapter 6 From the Inn to the Festival
Chapter 7 The Salam-Dir household accepts Laun as their Lady
Chapter 8 Where Laun meets the Kings son, and the end of the festival is just the beginnings of worse trouble
Chapter 9 Falmir has taken power
Chapter 10 The people of Salam-Dir journey back to the land
Chapter 11 The first night after the coup is frightening, but the household survives
Chapter 12 A familiar Inn welcomes the household
Chapter 13 The first Household morning meeting, plans for reclaiming the lands
Chapter 14 The household has split, the first group in starts to clean the dead from the keep and castle.
Chapter 15 The dead are interred, and the household holds a celebration for those still there
Chapter 16 The first thunderstorm of the season brings important guests
Chapter 17 Launs closest men are resisting their needs with her
Chapter 18 The household takes care of the new guests, and Laun is confused by one of her men
Chapter 19 Laun is introspective while watching a stream
Chapter 20 The first feast for The King and his retinue is held, the slide to formality grating on the openness that has been cultivated
Chapter 21 A foundling comes in after the storms, and Laun shows her true temper
Chapter 22 Laun is calmed and soothed. Edgar and Fount console each other
Chapter 23 A traveling Merchant finds the household
Chapter 24 The traveling merchant is dealt with, to the surprise of many in the household
Chapter 25 The nobles drag much of the household out for a hunt, Laun finds out about how she has been protected
Chapter 26 The hunting party comes back, Laun tells of her feelings
Chapter 27 The evening becomes a feast, with Launs' dessert being chosen after.
Chapter 28 The Lady Laun is introduced to what she was sheltered from. Exhaustively.
Chapter 29 Laun comes to a decision to send out a group to gather information, and perhaps some supplies.
Chapter 30 The team is chosen and sent on their way without letting anyone else know.
Chapter 31 There is a sleepless night that leads to a small heartache for Laun.
Chapter 35 Now she has a horse?
Chapter 40 It's a long one!
Chapter 42 Another, unexpected, first.
Chapter 45 A forced meeting about the possible spy.
Chapter 46 An assignation that turns badly.
Chapter 47 Recovery, and reconnections
Chapter 49 The day of the Quail Hunt
Chapter 50 Interrogation
Chapter 51 Depression and revelry
Chapter 52 Submission of the Spy
Chapter 55 Laun is fevered from the wound
Chapter 56 Breaking the spy, again.
Chapter 58 Snow!
Chapter 59 Sending the Spy off
Chapter 60 The heat continues and is satiated.
Chapter 61 - A thwarted invasion
End of Book One
Next in the series - The Slave Lady
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