Author Allen M Werner

Francis led Guidus and Ven down the narrow circular stairwell, steps wide enough for only one man to pass. When they arrived on the next landing below. Francis froze. Guidus huddled close to his back and stole a peak over his right shoulder. Their eyes erupted in simultaneous rage.
– The Crystal Crux : Betrayal (Chapter 34)

In the first book of The Crystal Crux series, at the end of Day 1, Capua is attacked. Pero has left for a suicidal quest in the Eagles Forest and his second, the Griffin, Francis Whitehall, is in charge of the keep. No one expected the assault. No one knew how the intruders got inside the gates so quickly without any attack on the outer walls. Time was running out and Francis was trying to get as many of his people out as he could before they fell to the sword.

Francis had gone down to the next floor of the keep as a courtesy to Pero, to save his intended, Anthea Manikos.

While many of the invaders wore rags, some did not. Some were knights and they were wearing the familiar colors of Mors Cohortem, the Death Band. One man that stomped down the hall was enormous. He had a frightful beard.
Francis had never seen the Castellan with a beard, but he recognized him all the same. “Rugerius,” he whispered, scowling. The Castellan was fully shod in silver-plate, wearing everything but the helmet which he carried in one hand. He left a trail of bloody footprints on the flagging as he forced his way into Anthea’s apartment.
– The Crystal Crux : Betrayal (Chapter 34)

Before Francis could do anything else, a host of mercenaries poured into the open space between them and Anthea’s apartment. Francis knew there was no way he could save Anthea. He believed her as good as dead.

But we learn at the beginning of the second book, Blue Grotto, Rugerius Fabbro did not kill Anthea. He took her as his prisoner. She was the only one the attackers did not put to the sword.

Rugerius has a worse fate intended for Anthea than death.

The Crystal Crux book series is a 10 day epic fantasy tale.
Betrayal covers day one.
Blue Grotto covers days two and three.
Cold Knight covers days four and five.
Shimmer covers days six and seven.
All of these books are now available on Kindle
The final book in the series which will cover days eight, nine and ten, will be released later this year.
Stay tuned.