Acclaimed Inda series within Sherwood Smith's epic fantasy Sartorias-deles universe • Military fantasy woven with courtly politics, vast worldbuilding, and diverse characters Inda was the second son of the prince and princess of Choraed Elgaer. It had been Inda's fate, as second son, to be his family's Shield Arm and spend his adult life protecting the lands his brother would one day inherit. But powerful factions in the royal court were committed to seeing Inda fail. For eight difficult years, Inda had been at sea, using an assumed name and forcing himself to never think of all he had lost. And he had created a new life, for the military skills that had been trained into him and his own inborn leadership ability could not be erased. After founding a mercenary marine company, he had earned a reputation for defeating dangerous pirate fleets. When Inda discovers that his home country is about to be attacked from the sea by an ancient enemy, he throws his carefully guarded anonymity to the winds and returns home. After nearly a decade at sea, Inda finds his home utterly changed. His good friend Evred, the formerly powerless and harassed younger prince, is now king. Evred has heard of Inda's martial accomplishments at sea, and is determined to make Inda his Royal Shield Arm—the person in charge of defending the entire kingdom. Though Inda is skilled, his experience is entirely naval. Can a former pirate captain alter his tactics to become a successful ground commander in time to save his endangered homeland?

The idol has been found. As Brindel, Mortinan and Mendina make their way out of the plains, the fates of Kabir and Linf still look grim, while the purpose of the idol remains a mystery. The Gods discussions intensify as their champions continue to be hunted by monsters born from nightmares, when suddenly the Creator appears before them again. What he has to tell them will leave them all speechless. A change none of the Gods saw coming, but a twist that will alter the game completely. It is time for the Gods to playagain.

King Athan has been happy in his little kingdom, a hundred leagues north and east of the great city-states of Athens and Sparta. It was true he had stolen the kingdom of Dassaria, but it was his now, and he meant to make it a good place to live for his subjects. Blessed with a magical amulet, he has stopped aging and so believes he has all the time in the world. Athan, however, is learning that being a king is a lot harder and much more dangerous than he ever imagined. He and his men must face challenges ranging from the mundane to the desperate. His little kingdom must fight to survive against foes near and farin particular, the mighty Archimedean Empire, who are out to conquer whole region. Turning back the forces of the empire is just one of King Athans problems. Dassaria is once again threatened by an upstart would-be tyrant, and the king must mobilize his small army and find a way to eliminate this menace. Meanwhile, Athan finds loveand soon discovers the downside of his agelessness. In this fantasy novel, the third in a series, an ageless king faces threats to his kingdom, discovers true love, and learns that change is inevitable, even for the seemingly immortal.

A King's death was a critical and highly dramatic moment, often with major political consequences. This is an account of what is known about the deaths of all medieval English kings.