By Heresies Distressed
David Weber
Language: English
Pages: 464
ISBN: 0765353997
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Now the battle for the soul of the planet Safehold has begun.
The Kingdom of Charis and the Kingdom of Chisholm have joined together, pledged to stand against the tyranny of a corrupt Church. The youthful Queen Sharleyan of Chisholm has wed King Cayleb of Charis, forging a single dynasty, a single empire, dedicated to the defense of human freedom. Crowned Empress of that empire, Sharleyan has found in Cayleb's arms the love she never dared hope for in a "marriage of state." In Cayleb's cause, his defiance of the ruthless Group of Four who govern mother Church, she has found the task to which she can commit her mind and her courage. It is a cause for which she was born.
Yet there are things Sharleyan still does not know. Secrets Cayleb has not been permitted to share, even with her. Secrets like the true story of humanity on Safehold. Like the intricate web of lies, deception, and fabricated "religion" which have chained humanity for almost a thousand years. Like the existence of the genocidal alien Gbaba, waiting to complete mankind's destruction should humans ever attract their attention once more. Like the existence of a young woman, Nimue Alban, nine hundred years dead, whose heart, mind, and memories live on within the android body of the warrior-monk she knows as Merlin.
And so Empress Sharleyan faces the the great challenge of her life unaware of all that task truly entails...or of how the secrets the man who loves her cannot share may threaten all they have achieved between them...and her own life.
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height—inlaid into one wall certainly supported the tradition. Portraits of past Grand Vicars hung down another wall, and the floor, paved in imperishable, mystically sealed lapis lazuli like the floor of the Temple sanctuary itself, was covered with priceless carpets from Harchong, Desnair, and Sodar. An entire army of servants had spent the past five-day dusting, mopping, polishing, honing the chamber’s normal magnificence to the very pinnacle of splendor. The glittering crowd of vicars seated
Sharleyan’s Suite, Royal Palace, City of Tellesberg, Kingdom of Charis JULY, YEAR OF GOD 893 I. Prince Hektor’s Palace, Manchyr, League of Corisande II. A Warehouse, City of Manchyr, League of Corisande III. City of Manchyr, League of Corisande IV. Emperor Cayleb’s Headquarters Tent, Duchy of Manchyr, League of Corisande V. Sir Koryn Gahrvai’s Quarters, Dairos, Barony of Dairwyn, League of Corisande AUGUST, YEAR OF GOD 893 I. Prince Hektor’s Palace, City of Manchyr, League of Corisande
itself. Captain Gyrard and his officers gave the emperor a respectful distance as he strode to the taffrail and looked astern. HMS Dauntless followed in the flagship’s wake, and it was definitely easier to see her than it had been earlier. Captain Athrawes had been talking quietly to Captain Gyrard until the emperor arrived. Now the seijin nodded to Gyrard and walked across the deck to stand behind Cayleb with his hands clasped behind his own back in an attitude of respectful waiting. The
going to be looking for, the one she’s most likely to listen to.” He looked deep into Seahamper’s eyes, his own eyes bleak. “Keep her alive,” he said. “Whatever you have to do, keep her alive.” “It’s a good thing you insisted on more men, My Lord,” Mytrahn Daivys told Bishop Mylz grimly. The bishop and Father Ahlvyn had arrived some minutes after Daivys himself, and they were as thoroughly soaked as any of the others. The bishop’s teeth chattered lightly as the rain and wind chilled him,
although at least one or two of its consorts anchored off what had once been the waterfront of the city of Ferayd looked larger than it was. What was even more impressive than its sheer size, however, was the number—and weight—of its guns. The short, stubby “carronades” on the spar deck had been bad enough; the monsters crouching on the gun deck were even worse. There had to be at least thirty of them, and he’d already seen the devastation their thirty-eight-pound round shot had wreaked upon the