Branion Series by Fiona Patton

As the eternally rebellious Heathlands plot a bold new campaign of war, Crown Prince Demnor must not only overcome traitors within the court and the ever-growing rebel forces, but he must also master the birthright power which could well prove his doom.

THE PASSING OF THE FLAMESimon, the Court Painter of Branion, was the closest friend of the kingdom's ruler. Aristok Marsellus the Third. And though Marsellus was the vessel of the Living Flame, able to call upon the power of his god at need, while Simon was a follower of the opposing Essusiate religion, still it was the painter, not Marsellus's own priests and guards, who was the Aristok's staunchest ally and defender... moreTHE PASSING OF THE FLAMESimon, the Court Painter of Branion, was the closest friend of the kingdom's ruler. Aristok Marsellus the Third. And though Marsellus was the vessel of the Living Flame, able to call upon the power of his god at need, while Simon was a follower of the opposing Essusiate religion, still it was the painter, not Marsellus's own priests and guards, who was the Aristok's staunchest ally and defender.Yet not even Simon could protect Marsellus from unexpected treachery within the Banion court. But when an assassin's blade put a sudden end to Marsellus's reign, it was Simon who—at the dictate of both his own god and his friend's specter—became the champion and rescuer of the new Aristok, Marsellus's five-year-old daughter Kassandra.With civil and religious war threatening the suddenly leaderless realm, and Kassandra herself lighting to survive becoming the new vessel of the living Flame, Simon had no choice but to flee Branion with the child. Pursued by the very forces which should have been the new ruler's protectors, Simon and a most unlikely band of companions had to keep both the child and her powers hidden while they made a desperate bid to reach the one person who could offer the uncrowned Aristok both sanctuary and a chance, however desperate, of regaining her kingdom and bringing her father's slayers to justice. (Back Cover)In the kingdom of Branion, the hereditary royal line is blessed—or cursed—with the power of the Flame, a magic which can as easily destroy its human vessel as well as whatever foe it has been unleashed against. Two hundred years before the events of THE STONE PRINCE, Branion is beseiged by a civil war, and only Simon, Court Painter and closest friend of the kingdom's ruler, can find the courage to rescue a young child—the heir to the Flame—from becoming a victim in the family power struggle! less

A prequel to The Stone Prince and The Painter Knight, The Granite Shield is an equally rich action- and conflict-packed novel, replete with battles, politics, religious and Court intrigues, and focusing around a family gifted with the magic of the Flame, a power which can give its wielder the world or consume him.

Acclaimed author Fiona Patton returns with a brilliant fourth novel in her epic saga of an alternate Great Britain. Camden DeKathrine is expected to be the perfect Branion Sword Knight, dedicated to the realm's ruling Avatar of Flame. But instead, claimed by the Aspect of Wind, he is being drawn into the heart of an ancient heresy which will challenge the power of the Living God... moreAcclaimed author Fiona Patton returns with a brilliant fourth novel in her epic saga of an alternate Great Britain. Camden DeKathrine is expected to be the perfect Branion Sword Knight, dedicated to the realm's ruling Avatar of Flame. But instead, claimed by the Aspect of Wind, he is being drawn into the heart of an ancient heresy which will challenge the power of the Living God. And on the eve of the five hundredth anniversary of DeMarion rule in Branion, the centuries-old conflict threatens to destroy not only Camden and his comrades but the entire Physical and Prophetic Realms... less