There has been lots of talk, but it’s finally happening! A fourth book added to the Blood of Kings trilogy! The book is called After Darkness. In it, Achan, as a new king, must deal with the growing threat in Jaelport. Lady Jaira is still looking to take his throne. Will she succeed?
April fools!
Sorry about that. Ah, well. It would have been fun, though. Except that I did a terrible job on that mock cover. Good thing I’m not a real cover designer…
Truly, though, today is By Darkness Hid‘s 5th birthday. I can’t believe that it has been five years since the book released! In celebration, I’ve scrounged up a very short cut scene from the book. This has never been edited. And it didn’t really fit with the story. It was better to leave Sir Gavin’s behavior mysterious until later on.
In this scene, Sir Gavin goes to talk to Lord Nathak about his new squire. And Lord Nathak is not happy about who the old Kingsguard knight chose.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
Sir Gavin knocked on Lord Nathak’s door.
The valet answered and let Sir Gavin inside.
“You wanted to see me?” Sir Gavin asked.
Lord Nathak looked up from his desk with a fleeting glance from his one visible eye. “It is my understanding that it was you who wanted to see me.”
“Ah. Yes, I did.”
Nathak’s one visible black eyebrow arched; he did not offer Sir Gavin a chair.
“These past few months I have trained a squire,” Sir Gavin said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had one, and in my old age, I thought it was time to get an assistant.”
“A wonderful idea,” Lord Nathak said. “Why did you not consult me first?”
“I am not subject to you, Lord Nathak. My choice in a squire is my business alone.”
“Not when you choose a squire from my help.”
“You know, then. Good.”
“Not good. I walked upon the lad insulting Lady Jaira of Jaelport. The poor girl was in tears.”
Gavin had heard of Lady Jaira’s quick tongue.
“What was he doing on the tournament field?” Lord Nathak asked. “He belongs with Poril in the kitchens preparing the feast. Poril can hardly manage without the boy.”
“He was competing.”
“In what?”
“The sword.”
“You’ve trained him to use a sword?”
“That’s right. I’ve trained him fully and he’s killed his own deer—it was announced just last night that Achan was worthy as a squire.”
“Where was this announcement made?”
“In the outer bailey. I’m sorry, but I did not think a stray squire worth waking you, my lord.”
Nathak’s visible eye narrowed. “Strays are forbidden to become squires. You had no right to do this.”
“Yet I am a stray and was commander of the Kingsguard knights.”
“And the king was murdered on your watch. You are lucky you are not in IceIsland with your friends!”
“You have plenty of servants, Nathak. Why such an interest in this young man?”
Nathak seethed. “Prince Gidon has passed all your tests, Gavin.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
Nathak rose to his feet. “This is my manor, and I rule here. I have send word this morning to Lord Levy that your services to the crown prince are no longer required. Lord Levy was most displeased to learn of the time you’ve wasted here training a stray squire and neglecting the prince.”
“The prince refused my training.”
“You shall leave immediately. Your stray squire stays behind. He is my property and Poril cannot part with him in the kitchens.”
“He is wasted in the kitchens,” Sir Gavin said.
“My soldiers have gathered your belongings, Sir Gavin. You will find them at the stables with your horses.”
“You will not get away with this, Nathak.”
“Get away with what, Sir Gavin?”
But Sir Gavin did not say. It was not the time to speak against Nathak, the prince, or the council. He swept from the room without another word.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
That’s the scene! I hope you enjoyed this little birthday present from By Darkness Hid and the April Fool’s Day joke too. Feel free to share this if you want to spread the fun.
You totally got me!!
NOOO. Oh man, that was mean. :]
You got me – now I get a sense of the disappointment my son felt when I woke him up to tell him today was a snow day – April Fools =)
I almost believed you! Almost. :p
Ooh! So mean. I almost screamed for delight, until I saw the cover.
Jill!!!!!!! Mean-ness to the total extent.
You are cruel, Jill Williamson. CRUEL!! I was about jumping out of my seat. And then the crushing blow… 🙁 🙁 sadness 🙁 (Good one!)
Really!!!!!!! Especially since I asked you about it to -_- Good job 🙂 Defiantly didn’t see that coming!
Oh, MAN!!! That hurts Mrs. Williamson! That hurts!! You totally got me! I was so excited!!! And then…. Man, that hurt. 😛
Even if it is a joke, I think you should still go for it. I would definitely get it.
Thanks, Rebekah. I’ll think about it, for sure. 🙂
I’m sorry, guys! I couldn’t resist. In all honesty, I have been thinking about writing something new with Achan, but other books have taken cuts. I have not forgotten him, though. Once I finish some of these other projects, I’ll have more time to think about a fourth book or some spin-offs to Achan’s world. 🙂
Ohhhhh my gracious, seriously? Not nice! 😉
Ugh! You totally got me! I nearly died for wanting this book so badly. But the idea for a fourth book, or new Er’Rets series would be awesome!!!!
I was thoroughly fooled.
Thought 1: YAY! A fourth book!
Thought 2: NOOO! That is a terrible cover.
Thought 3: OHHH! Drat.
I would definitely read a spin off series.
LOL It really was a terrible cover. I didn’t spend too much time on it. And I’m thinking of several spin-offs. We’ll see if any of them pan out.