Cas lives in the lovely county of Hampshire, southern UK, where she was born. On leaving school she trained for two years before qualifying as horse-riding instructor. During this time she also learned to carriage-drive. She spent thirteen years in the British Civil Service before moving to Rome, Italy, where she and her husband, Dave, lived for three years. They enjoy returning whenever they can. Cas supports many animal charities and owns two rescue dogs. She has a large collection of cacti and loves gardening. She is also a folk singer/songwriter and is currently writing and recording nine folk-style songs to accompany each of her fantasy books. You can listen to and download all the songs from her website: www.caspeace.com
See the video of her performing live at the King’s Envoy book launch here: http://www.caspeace.com/cas-
Taran Elijah's quest for knowledge
uncovers a plot that threatens the world...
In Albia, the fourth realm, the precious Artesan gift is dying. Although born
to the craft, Taran is struggling to achieve his potential. Against his
friends' advice, he embarks on a foolhardy plan to acquire the teaching he
craves. Alone, he crosses into Andaryon, the fifth realm, but instead of finding
a mentor, he stumbles upon a treacherous plot.
In the wake of Taran's actions, Albia suffers a series of vicious raids. Major
Sullyan of the High King's forces is sent to oppose them. But a dark and
treacherous force is moving through the realms and both Taran and Sullyan will
feel its power.
Snippet:
Taran’s metasenses pricked him
and he instantly woke, leaping to his feet and snatching his sword. He stopped
short, biting back a curse, as he registered the confident stance of the young
man standing before him. And he had every reason to be confident, Taran
realized, with armed hunters at his back. His failure to sense them sooner made
Taran scowl. Apprehensively, he waited for the man to speak.
“You’re trespassing, Albian.”
The man’s arrogant manner and
rich clothing confirmed Taran’s immediate suspicions—he was an Andaryan noble.
Taran’s sleep-muddled mind struggled to frame a reply but he wasn’t given the
leisure.
“The penalty for trespass is
death.”
Taran stared, knowing he was
trapped. The huntsmen stood with bows unnocked but he knew how swiftly they
could draw and shoot should he make a threatening move. And though the ugly
giant birds they had were hooded and leashed, they could be loosed in an
instant if he tried to run. His only chance lay in the bargain he hoped to
make. He opened his mouth to answer
but was again interrupted.
“However, I came out this day
for sport. What do you say to a duel, Albian, to determine your fate? If you
win, you’re free to leave. If you lose, you submit to my will.”
The noble’s pale, slit-pupiled
eyes were avid and he fingered the hilt of his sword as he spoke. The motion
drew Taran’s gaze. Events were moving a little fast for him despite this
seemingly favorable turn. He had not expected things to work out like
this—according to his father’s notes, he should be the one making the
challenge—but in the end, did it matter? And what choice did he have? The noble
had him at a severe disadvantage and would be within his rights should he
decide to kill Taran out of hand. Even if he wasn’t, there was nothing Taran
could do about it. No one would protect him if he could not protect himself.
He gathered his courage and
faced the noble. He looked a little younger than Taran’s twenty-eight years but
Taran had faith in his own skills. He was taller than the noble and he was
agile and fit, there was no reason to believe he would not win. And the noble
was an Artesan, Taran could sense it. He didn’t know what rank but that wasn’t
immediately important. His father’s notes indicated that Taran only had to
force a draw to win the right to the noble’s aid. If he turned out to be
incapable of teaching Taran himself, his duty would require him to find someone
who could.
“I accept,” he said, trying to
keep the nervousness from his voice. The younger man grinned and Taran frowned.
Those slit-pupiled eyes, unique to the Andaryan race, made his facial
expressions unfamiliar. Taran would have to be very careful when reading his
moves in the duel.
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