Seven Kings
Page 46
The moment of challenge seemed endless. Sungui might turn away from Lavanyia, but she did not. Her upper lip curled. A ripple ran across her body beneath the bright vestments. A familiar passion rose from her groin into her stomach, nearly burst from her throat. Her jawline shifted, her nose grew hawkish, her shoulders expanded, and the muscles of her arms, legs, and chest swelled. Manhood rose like a granite obelisk, rushing like angry blood, and she grew somewhat taller. At the same time she drew from the left sleeve of her robe a dagger of black metal, hilt crusted with rubies, blade etched with a dread sigil.
Lavanyia did not flinch at the appearance of the weapon.
Publications by John R. Fultz
Books of the Shaper
Seven Princes
Seven Kings
Dramatis Personae
Vod the Giant-King—Ruler of New Udurum, City of Men and Giants; slayer of Omagh the Serpent-Father; sorcerer and living legend.
Queen Shaira of Udurum—Wife of Vod; Sister of Ammon; former Princess of Shar Dni; Mother of Fangodrel, Tadarus, Vireon, and Sharadza.
Prince Fangodrel of Udurum—Shaira’s first son; named after Vod’s father; born during the reconstruction of Udurum.
Prince Tadarus of Udurum—Shaira’s second son; named after Shaira’s father; born one year after Fangodrel.
Prince Vireon of Udurum—Shaira’s third son; born one year after Tadarus.
Princess Sharadza of Udurum—Only daughter of Shaira and Vod; sister of Fangodrel, Tadarus, and Vireon; born several years after Vireon.
Prince Tyro of Uurz—Son of Dairon; twin brother of Lyrilan; swordsman of renown.
Prince Lyrilan of Uurz—Son of Dairon; twin brother of Tyro; scholar and scribe.
Prince Andoses of Shar Dni—Son of Ammon; Nephew of Shaira; Cousin to Fangodrel, Tadarus, Vireon, and Sharadza.
Prince D’zan of Yaskatha—Son of Trimesqua; lone heir to the throne.
Olthacus the Stone—Personal bodyguard to Prince D’zan; veteran of the South Island wars.
Elhathym—Usurper of Yaskatha; ancient sorcerer and necromancer.
Ianthe the Claw—Empress of Khyrei; former wife of Gammir; a known sorceress.
Gammir of Khyrei—Former Emperor of Khyrei; a known sorcerer slain by Vod the Giant-King during the rescue of Shaira.
Omagh, Father of Serpents—Ancient progenitor of Serpents; slain by Vod the Giant-King.
Fangodrim the Gray—Uncle of Vod; Brother of Fangodrel the First; Great Uncle of Fangodrel, Tadarus, Vireon, and Sharadza; a leader among Giants.
Dairon, Emperor of Uurz—First Emperor of the New Blood; former Captain of the Uurzian Legions; father to Tyro and Lyrilan.
Indreyah the Sea-Queen—Ruler of an ancient kingdom beneath the Cryptic Sea; a known sorceress.
King Trimesqua of Yaskatha—King of Yaskatha; veteran of the South Island wars; father of D’zan.
King Undutu of Mumbaza—Twelve-year-old Boy-King; son of Umbrala.
Queen Umbrala of Mumbaza—Mother of Undutu; reigning Queen-Regent of Mumbaza.
King Angrid of the Icelands—Lord of the Frozen North; ruler of the Udvorg clans.
King Ammon of Shar Dni—First Son of Tadarus; brother of Shaira; father of Andoses.
Iardu the Shaper—Master of Shapes; a known sorcerer reputed to live on an island in the Cryptic Sea.
Acknowledgments
In addition to the wonderful people I thanked in the First Book of the Shaper, I’d like to add these fantastic folks. They helped make Seven Kings possible, and I owe them all a huge THANK YOU:
Tom Bouman, who came onto the series as my new editor and helped me to make it the best book possible.
John Harter, who offered me friendship, moral support, tons of great comics, and nonstop encouragement. Waterfront Comics in Suisun, CA.
Tom Serene, who shared his friendship and his terrific historical insight. Viva la Revolution!
Frederic S. Durbin, a fellow author and dreamer whose fine work speaks for itself.
Brian McNaughton, for the Throne of Bones and Seelura.
Clark Ashton Smith, for his gorgeous vampires, fearsome wizards, and exotic landscapes.
EVERYBODY who read Seven Princes and helped spread the word.
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