Maiyochi Chronicles

Plunged into an epic adventure in another place and time, Raymond Covington must come to terms with the fragility of human life, the heights of the human spirit, and the limits of his own understanding. With more action, adventure, intrigue, suspense, humor, and wonder than any one story should be allowed, Awakening opens the door to a gripping tale you won't want to miss.After his life is saved by Hanshee of Clan Dula, Raymond Covington is joined by a young warrior on a journey to a distant land of blue mountains and unknown peril. Together, they must use every skill and trick at their disposal; sneaking, racing, and fighting their way through towering forests and fetid swamps, over the treacherous snows of high mountain passes, through the turbulent waters of rivers and seas, and across the borders of nations both great and small.Between them and their goal are men of the most brutal sort; some fueled by honor, others by bloodlust and greed. They will face vast armies led by powerful kings, deadly assassins relentless in their pursuit, beautiful women with their own agendas, and a few good souls who offer respite from their many trials and challenges.

Now under the protection of Council Priest Jusaan, Raymond and Hanshee are spirited to the center of the Kingdom of Pith: Stronghold. Behind nearly impenetrable walls of natural rock lies the beating heart of royal power and religious authority: the Citadel. As honored guest of the Temple of the One Spirit and the Royal House, the duo is introduced to a life of pampered luxury in stark contrast to their previous existence in the wilds east of the Ursal Mountains.But their new life of comfort does not come without a price.From the lowliest servants to the highborn whose hands rest upon the levers of Pithian power, a new cast of characters come into play. With new acquaintances come new alliances, new intrigues, new questions and new perils as Raymond and Hanshee plumb the depths of the "schemes within schemes" that have provided them a plush respite while increasing their peril in ways they can't fully understand.The history and secrets of an ancient people merge with the mysteries of Raymond's current plight, resulting in revelations poised to draw all involved ever deeper into the turbulent world of the Maiyochi.

"The adventure continues, as Hanshee and Raymond confront a web of intrigue and double-dealing in a brutal world where outrageous luxury and dire poverty exist side by side." -Jill Hand, author of White OaksWhat was first thought to be a safe respite from both the winter elements and the stark brutality of man, has turned into more peril than Raymond and Hanshee could have imagined. Menace lurks in every shadowed corner and the pair find it almost impossible to tell friend from foe. Hanshee, the Maiyochi, has proven equal to every test thus far, but how much longer can even he hold out against dangers that can appear in any form, from any direction, and at any time?The impenetrable walls of Stronghold have proven to be as much prison as refuge, and the pair soon realizes that their only hope lies in somehow escaping the impregnable fortress of the Pith. Failure means continued peril from the shadowy forces who seek no less than their deaths. But even success, as unlikely as it seems, only places them adrift between hostile nations, with no guarantee that death won't continue to stalk them, and no choice but to again take up a journey that becomes more difficult with every passing day.With the destinies of empires riding upon their shoulders, and the tip of every weapon pointing in their direction, the stakes could not be higher for Raymond and the Maiyochi.

"A thrilling adventure saga, featuring a duo from two very different worlds who must use all their wits and courage against formidable adversaries determined to destroy them." -Jill Hand, author of White OaksAfter an impossible escape from Stronghold Valley, and a perilous journey to Cantor, Raymond and Hanshee found King Moton IX more than willing to aid them in eluding their tireless pursuers. With the king's help, they now travel the Merchant Way, the road that links the nations of the northern plains and mountains to the prosperous southern ports on the eastern coast of the Great Inland Sea.Along this ancient and well-traveled road, they make new friends and find renewed hope for a peaceful journey to the western slopes of the Blue Towers, the mountains of Hanshee's home. But all is never as it seems, and they soon find themselves immersed in more deadly challenges and high adventure.The soldiers pursuing the pair from Stronghold remain duty-bound... and relentless, while the Merchant Way carries its own share of mysteries, cruelty, and peril. Added to this deadly mix is a new enemy, their most vicious yet, who closes in from a place they would never expect.Capture is an ever-present fear, death an ever-present companion, as peace and escape are nowhere to be found for Raymond and The Maiyochi.