Alliances - E-book - ePub

In this third installment of the Ramlass of Aldaldia series, four years have passed since the Aldaldian rebellion that freed them from the usurpation of marauders from Kelarnigel. The small kingdom has begun to recover from its hardships. Now wed, Ramlass and Beth take joy in raising their young son. Into this idyllic setting comes a delegation from the island kingdom of Amek. Inspired by tales of Aldaldia's emancipation, its queen formed her own coup against Kelarnigelian usurpers and reclaimed her island.
In gratitude, she extends an invitation to Ramlass to meet with her and to form a trade alliance. Envisioning the advantages of such a compact, Ramlass convinces his vassals to support his decision to accept her offer. Faced with the idea of Ramlass venturing alone into unknown lands, Beth insists on accompanying him. When Ramlass asks his cousin Beneric to serve as regent in his absence, Beth asks her friend Kal to stay with Tobin, to care for and protect him.
The anticipated plans fall into ruin as a violent storm capsizes the Amekian ship off the coast of Kelarnigel. Ramlass and Beth find themselves shipwrecked and separated in enemy territory. They each struggle to elude discovery and capture while searching for a way to reach the safety of Amek, all the while avoiding a familiar adversary seeking revenge. In Aldaldia, Kal faces tribulations of her own.
She uses this time to contemplate Jéoffrey's proposal, trying to decide whether she wants to commit to remaining within this mystic land or to attempt to find her way back to her own world. Meanwhile, Beneric's actions raise her suspicions, while Tobin begin to manifest some unusual talents.