Author Allen M Werner

In the year of our Lord, 1193, a Spanish knight named Pero de Alava, was sent by Emperor Henry VI to oversee the keep at Capua, Italy. It was Pero’s first imperial commission, and it was dangerous. The Church objected to the emperor assigning his people to judicate affairs in Italian cities.

Pero, with the help of his right-hand man, Francis Whitehall, an Englishman known to many as the Griffin, tried to ingratiate himself into the culture and win over the hearts of the people. And he did. Pero’s steady handling of affairs in and around Capua were respected by nearly everyone.

In the spring of 1197, Pero fell head over heels in love with a beautiful Greek woman who had been sent to the capital, Parthenope, to wed another man. It was an arranged marriage, and it went completely sideways. Pero stepped in and wooed Anthea Manikos away to Capua.

In the fall of 1197, the world turned upside down as the emperor died. Civil War ensued and Europe was a battlefield with brothers turning on brothers. Pero knew his position at Capua was tenuous and it was unlikely anyone would rush to his rescue if things went wrong.

And then in March, 1198, while attending a banquet in Parthenope, Pero was confronted by the Castellan of the great city, and heir to the Crown. Pero broke Rugerius Fabbro’s jaw and was expelled from the banquet and the city.

Pero rushed back to Capua concerned what would happen next. Plans were already in place, and he was soon to wed Anthea. But the consequences of his actions at the banquet loomed heavy and he began to suffer night terrors. He couldn’t sleep and began seeing gruesome shadows in every corner.

Feeling cursed, Pero began to question his sanity.

And then after months of waiting, a messenger finally arrived from Parthenope with a communication from the Lord Commander, Gherardus Fabbro.

Pero was sure it had to be instructions on how fences could be mended. But it wasn’t.

The scroll said that a princess named Meliore had been kidnapped in another kingdom and Gherardus, as Pero’s overlord in Italy, was commanding him to take leave of his post and go negotiate terms for her release.

And as incredulous as this command was, it only got worse.

“While there is no evidence as yet to establish a correlation between the kidnapping and political unrest, discretion on all points is a priority. Therefore, surreptitious necessity compels me to command the following. You will avoid Benevento and travel directly to Melfi utilizing a remote and ancient trail known as Eagles Pass.”
Francis suspended the reading. This command was absurd.
Excerpt from The Crystal Crux Series: Betrayal

Pero’s mind began to splinter. Eagles Pass was once a highly traveled via known for the majestic golden eagles that rallied there despite their unsocial behavior.

Eagles Pass had since become a dangerous wasteland where things went to die. Those who entered never left. Legends spoke of demons and serpents, imps and monsters. This was a death sentence. This was suicide.

Pero, however, didn’t care anymore. With his lack of sleep and haunting visions, he had already decided he was cursed. The only cure, the only way to save the people of Capua from Parthenope’s wrath, was to obey the command and leave.

Firstly, Pero went to his bride. Anthea begged him not to obey, not to leave. Pero erupted and broke several things in her room before leaving her there, crying on the floor with blood on her hands and dress.

Pero’s friend, Francis, also tried to stop him from leaving, but Pero could not be turned from his course. He was determined to take his sins into the wilderness.

Pero was prepared to dig his spurs into Zaon’s flanks and provoke her to dance on her hind legs. It would be a grand and dramatic exit, him waving and hooting. But he was a second too late. A large horsefly landed on the palfrey’s backside and bit it unexpectedly. The horse bucked before he was ready. Zaon danced exactly like he wished she would, kicking riotously at the bright blue sky with her powerful front legs, but there was nothing grand or triumphant about his situation in the saddle. He looked like a clown, flailing and struggling to stay upright.
Zaon then crashed back down to earth in a thunderous cloud of dust causing Pero to lose his breath and shake awkwardly. Zaon dashed for the open gate and world beyond Capua. Pero was only along for the ride. He was not in control. Hardly the auspicious beginning he had envisioned.
Excerpt from The Crystal Crux Series: Betrayal

And this is just the beginning of Day One.

There are ten days of exciting adventure ahead of the reader as Pero enters Eagles Pass and his friends in Capua are left to face a dangerous enemy not content to merely send Pero on his way. The Church believes there are traitors that must be dealt with. Pero’s people will be betrayed as was he.

The Crystal Crux Series is available on Kindle, Paperback and Hardcover.

BOOK 1 – Betrayal
BOOK 2 – Blue Grotto
BOOK 3 – Cold Knight
BOOK 4 – Shimmer
BOOK 5 – Beautiful

Grab your copies today and begin your quest.

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