Please read In Recent Years: Introduction before reading this post.
Year 1478
When Lerran’s brother, Renado, does not return from his smuggling voyage to Bellasa and Kedar Port, Lerran sets sail from Sheld to find him. Lerran is the eldest son of the crime lord Gharo—as such he is near enough to a prince of Sheld. Lerran’s wife, Tassina, bids him safe travel as Lerran and his guards search for Ren.
In Bellasa, Lerran helps form a criminal alliance between the Family of Sheld, a group of spies, and a rough-edged gang. In Kedar, Lerran meets the strange religious leader, Havard. Havard is able to confirm that Ren left the Port. He offers answers as to Ren’s whereabouts in exchange for Lerran taking control of the Family from his father, Gharo—a deed he explains is necessary to face the coming adversity facing all of Radregar.
Lerran reluctantly agrees, though he is uncertain if he will comply. Upon his return to Sheld, empty-handed, he learns that his father is unreasonably punishing his sister Gadra was showing some initiative. Gharo is of the mind that the girls have no role in the Family—a position that is old-fashioned and, to Lerran, frankly offensive.
It takes a few months, but Lerran is able to arrange an alliance with Captain Isar, one of his father’s chief soldiers. Lerran makes the move—demanding his father step down or face the consequences. A fight ensues, but Gharo ultimately flees the estate, leaving Lerran in charge.
As promised, Havard sends Lerran a letter and explains that Renado and Lerran’s uncle Vanci were caught in a hurricane and put in for shelter at the Isle of Dusk—a sacred place for magicians. They were, according to Havard, teleported to their destination and would one day reappear; after all, Havard writes, ‘teleportation is a tricky mistress.’
Lerran befriends a strange woman staying at the tavern that the Family runs as he begins to juggle the various responsibilities of leadership. The woman, Paksis, proves incredibly useful in the sudden massacre at the parliament building of Sheld, Worker’s Rise. Though a madman has seemingly killed much of the city’s official—if puppet—government, Paksis tears his arm from his body with little effort. She is, it seems, a woman of incredible abilities.
With the government in shambles, Lerran’s Family rises to the new role of official government. Little changes for the people of Sheld. In his father’s lockboxes, Lerran learns that his twin sister Antha is actually only his half-sister. He also learns of his father’s plans for the city of Lo Mallago—which Gharo had, many years earlier, taken control of with an implanted team of mercenaries-posed-as-rebels. The pet project was more than Gharo’s attempt to play king; Gharo planned to sell the city’s puppet leadership to the ambitious Empire of Noress, a nearby kingdom seeking to expand.
Lerran is unable to get a clear answer as to who arranged the Massacre of Worker’s Rise, but he does learn that his father had even more secrets. An enchanted gold brace allows Lerran to take the illusory appearance of Traz, a fictitious commoner man. In doing so, he is able to meet with Erril, the spy master that was organizing the sale of Lo Mallago. Growing ambitious for such a payday to secure his position in Sheld, Lerran decides to go ahead with the deal to sell the city’s leadership to the payroll of Noress.
After receiving a letter from the Grey Brethren, demanding Lerran step down from governing the city with his criminal ilk, Lerran learns that preachers from the Atmos Septi are beginning to denounce him publicly. He has them arrested and sentenced to hanging if they do not silence their preaching.
Year 1479
Lerran sets off for Lo Mallago himself, early in the New Year. He brings along his trusted guards as well as Paksis. In the nearby city, they meet with the Rebel King, Borik, who poses as ruler but is actually a mercenary on their pay. Borik, pointing out how easy it would be for him to remain the Rebel King with or without Lerran’s pay, asks Lerran to help resolve a local issue. It seems that a major gold vein has been discovered in a village north of Lo Mallago, but is under the control of Borik’s rivals. Borik tells Lerran he will agree to work for the Empire of Noress at Lerran’s orders only if Lerran ensures the gold mine falls into Borik’s personal control.
On the road back to Sheld, Lerran is approached by a warrior woman named Vaenuth. The fierce woman demands Lerran give her the name of the man who once enslaved her—information Lerran likely has in his Family’s archives. Lerran agrees to sell her the information if she kills the current owner of Lo Mallago’s new gold mine. Vaenuth agrees and the two continue on their opposite ways.
Someone has come looking for Paksis, it seems. Lerran learns of a string of murders in Sheld upon his return, and makes the decision that they will stand with Paksis, instead of turning her away. Soon after, a violent attack unfolds on the estate. Despite Lerran’s best efforts, a woman of similar capabilities is able to overpower Paksis. Lerran is forced to watch as his friend is dragged forth from their property.
Vaenuth returns to Sheld soon after, delivering reports of the done deed she was asked to accomplish. Lerran holds up his end of the bargain, and she continues on her quest of vengeance. With her success comes Borik’s renewed loyalty—and Lerran gives the spy Erril the go-ahead to contact the Empire of Noress. Antha departs Sheld to learn of her true heritage.
A meeting is arranged—Lerran is to meet with the delegates from Noress in the village of Squora, partway between Sheld and Lo Mallago. Before he departs, Lerran’s wife, Tass, reveals to him that she is with child. Lerran is to be a father.
Matriarch Valakono, a spy master named Lord Sha, and the chief financier for the Empire—Jannia Gallendris—meet with Lerran, Isar, and Eseveer, another of Lerran’s sisters. After much debate, they are able to reach an agreement. Lo Mallago will be sold as the Family’s greatest single-task fortune—the payment will be delivered in two increments, a before and after.
The first shipment arrives with no issue and Lerran celebrates with his Family. He writes to Borik and confirms that the deal will go ahead. He hires new guards and a new captain to replace Antha and Paksis.
The second shipment soon follows the first. Lerran receives it in the harbour, then marches with his men back up, toward his estate. They encounter a troop of mercenaries blocking their way. One skirmish turns into another—soon the whole city is in chaos. A veritable army of Grey Brethren and mercenaries seem to have Sheld in its clutches. Desperate, Lerran seeks out the nearest safe haven he can imagine, the home of Erril.
Erril, however, has betrayed Lerran. With a crossbow pointed at the crime boss, Erril calls for Grey Brethren soldiers to apprehend him. Embittered, Lerran resigns to the traitor’s custody—his Family, his love, and his home presumed lost.