The Red Dragon's Gold
Page 5
the doorway, but Kasimir was strong. He had pushed off hard and his momentum would carry him far. He dove forward and twisted as he crossed over the shattered remains of his door. Chesians brought their muskets up around him and shock covered Niklos’ face.
Kasimir brought both of his pistols up and squeezed the triggers; Niklos, who realized only too late what was happening, fell against the wall clutching his stomach. Kasimir pulled back the revolvers' hammers and squeezed the triggers again. One of his rounds exploded through the back of Niklos' head; the other cut through the nearest Chesian's throat.
The last thing that Kasimir saw before a dozen muskets boomed and darkness closed over his eyes was the Chesian captain clutching at his bloody throat and the corpse of Niklos Hollatz slumped against the wall. One hand clutched his stomach, the other clutched a bag emblazoned with a red dragon and full of Chesian gold.
The Cerberus Rebellion
One hundred years of peace and prosperity. War changes everything.
On the world of Zaria, Elves, magic and mythical beasts coexist beside rifles and railroads. The futures of two nations hang in the balance as rebels and revolutionaries trade gunfire with loyalists and tyrants.
Eadric Garrard was raised to believe that as the rightful King of Ansgar, his loyal nobles and fearful subjects answered to his every whim, no matter the cost or consequence. His decision to send his troops thousands of miles away will test that fear, and loyalty.
Raedan Clyve was ordinary until an Elven ritual involving a griffin’s heart turned him into something more. Twenty years later, he still struggles with the magics that rage through his body. His mentor holds him back from his full potential and he faces pressure to find a suitable wife and father an heir.
Hadrian Clyve has picked up where his father left off and works to expand his family’s influence amongst the Ansgari nobility. His aggressive negotiation of alliances and shrewd choice of marriage agreements has earned him respect, and resentment. When his King calls his troops to arms, Hadrian has other things in mind. After a century of scheming and decades of preparation,
Magnus Jarmann is ready to bring his family’s plans to fruition by launching a war of independence that will free his people and return his country to its rightful place among the nations of Zaria. The King’s call to arms creates an opportunity that Magnus cannot afford to miss.
In a war, little is held back; in a revolution, nothing is safe. A Novel of approximately 93,000 words.
The Chesian Wars
A collection of Short Stories set in the Griffins & Gunpowder Universe.
Also includes the first chapter of The Cerberus Rebellion, the first novel in the Griffins & Gunpowder Universe.
The Dragon's Prelude
The Empire of Chesia has been united under the iron fist of the Red Dragon. Now, the self-proclaimed Emperor has called his generals together to plan war. The nations of Garton and Andivar further the Emperor's goal to control all of the trade in western Zaria. But the Emperor has smaller, and closer, targets in mind.
A Short Story of approximately 2,000 words.
The Sithean Betrayal
The tiny nation of Jarin has enjoyed an era of unprecedented prosperity at the expense of the weak leadership in the Empire of Chesia.
But now, an Emperor has risen that has refused to submit to the Jarin taxes. Acheron Tavoularis knows that an invasion is imminent and leads his soldiers in a desperate defense against the more numerous Chesian invaders.
On the other side of the field, Vladik Ortoff reluctantly leads hia Imperial soliders against an adversary that would be best ignored. When both commanders are presented an offer of aid from the notoriously neutral Sitheans, they have no choice but to accept it.
But only one can receive the support of their newfound ally; the other suffers betrayal.
A Short Story of approximately 10,000 words.
The Gathering Storm
Malis Acantha sees the writing on the wall. The Empire of Chesia has been united under the iron fist of a man that styles himself as the Emperor. Now the Grand Duke of Welos has traveled far and hard to gather allies to his cause: to stop Chesia before their insatiable hunger crushes the nations around them. The friend that he thought he would find, however, is not the man that he remembers.
A Short Story of approximately 6,500 words.
About The Griffins & Gunpowder Universe
The Griffins & Gunpowder universe is a Gunpowder Fantasy set on the world of Zaria. where Elves, magic and mythical creatures coexist alongside rifles and railroads.