Even the Wingless (Fiction)
The first book of the 6-book Princes' Game series covering the Chatcaavan War.
Publication Data
- Series: Princes' Game
- Book: 1
- Publication Date: September 2011
- Editions: Ebook, Paperback, Audio
- Revisions: several
Blurb
The Alliance has sent twelve ambassadors to the Chatcaavan Empire; all twelve returned early, defeated. None of their number have been successful at taking that brutal empire to task for their violations of the treaty. None have survived the vicious court of a race of winged shapechangers, one maintained by cruelty, savagery and torture.
Lisinthir Nase Galare is the Alliance’s thirteenth emissary. A duelist, an esper and a prince of his people, he has been sent to bring an empire to heel. Will it destroy him, as it has his predecessors? Or can one man teach an empire to fear… and love?
Tags and Content Notes
- Tags: psychological games, high stakes politics, dragons, furries, elves (space)
- Rating: R for emotional, sexual, and physical violence
Buy Links
http://books2read.com/u/3yvvlm
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The Lisinthir Teaser
Synopsis
In A Nutshell
Lisinthir, an Eldritch, becomes the thirteenth emissary of the Alliance to the Chatcaavan Empire. Plunged into a depraved kingdom, he ends up finding himself and, amazingly, love
Expanded by Chapter
Part 1: Sky Longing
Lisinthir meets the handler for his Ambassadorial mission, Alon Levy. Levy gives him a test to see if Eldritch are as advertised: shaking his hand, which Lisinthir passes with flying colors. The two have a brief conversation on the mission and the past 12 ambassadors the Alliance has sent, along with Lisinthir's lack of entourage.
Meanwhile, after observing a vessel on approach to the Throneworld planet, the Slave Queen contemplates life and her loneliness while summoning Khaska, a Seersan slave, to brush her hair. The Slave Queen notes the shuttle, and Khaska informs her that there had been several that she had not seen due to her entertaining Second and Third. Collectively, the two speculate as to what the shuttles could mean the Queen suggests going down to the Emperor's Harem to see if they know anything, asking Khaska to join her. They happen upon the harem in a state of tension, as Third and his Hand have come to enjoy Flower. According to the Mother, they are using Flower harshly because Third has captured "irregular slaves" that the Emperor intends to use against the next Alliance ambassador. The slaves were so special, Third was given leave to kill Flower.
The Slave Queen and Khaska return to the Slave Queen's quarters, where they speculate as to what 'special slaves' means. Khaska tells the Queen that they could find out, as she knows where new slaves are kept. While unsure if she would be admitted, the Queen makes the decision to find out anyway, descending to the bottom of the tower.
Meanwhile, Lisinthir reflects on the opportunity his Queen gave him in this assignment as he transfers to the Chatcaavan shuttle set to take him to the Throneworld. The Pilot of the vessel asks him where the rest of his things are and his escort, and Lisinithir tells him he has none while attempting to read Chatcaavan's body language.
Back to the Slave Queen, who reaches the bottom of the tower and says she wants to examine the new slaves to the guards. After some conferring with each other, they don't see any harm in it and let her in. There's no light, and as her eyes adjust, Khaska tells the room's occupants that they are friends, though they do not speak Chatcaavan. Khaska manages to translate for the Queen as to what they are talking about, and offers to the soon to be slaves where they are and what is to happen to them. During this, one of the slaves, a Malarai, begins crying, and Khaska introduces the Queen to the concept of it. The soon-to-be slaves also reveal that there is a third they have been protecting: an Eldritch. Rumors of the Eldritch, and their ability to feel feelings through touch, have already reached the Empire, making her the special prize that Third has found. The two leave, and upon reaching the top of the tower again, Khaska reveals after the Queen questions her that she told the slaves that they plan to break the slaves out. Lisinthir, meanwhile travels in space toward the Throneworld. They stop in the middle of space, and he goes to the bridge to find out what is going on: They await the arrival of Third, and when he arrives, Lisinthir is transferred over to his shuttle. Upon arrival, he immediately dislikes his lodgings and demands to be given a proper room, since the room was too "soft."
Awoken in the pre-dawn hours by the Mother, the Slave Queen hastens to accept a piece of jewelry from the now deceased Flower, the first death-marker she'd accepted in two revolutions. The Mother also warns that that there will be a presentation in a day, to herald the arrival of the new Ambassador. Lisinthir arrives on the Chatcaavan Throneworld in the evening. He fends off Third's clumsy attempts to needle him, and follows him to where the court is convening while noting the beauty decorating the savagery of Chatcaavan architecture.
Meanwhile, the Slave Queen prepares for the presentation. With the help of Khaska and two of the harem's lesser members, she decorates herself for the proceedings, hating it for what it made her: "An objet d'art." They are led at the bottom of the tower to the presentation by Chatcaavan guards. When led to where she usually is kept during these presentations, the Slave Queen notes that everything seems fancier than usual, which means the Emperor is minded to play. When the Ambassador arrives and is Eldritch, the Slave Queen sees why Third was richly rewarded. After some minor pleasantries, the Emperor shows off the newly acquired slaves, the new Eldritch one to cap it off. However, the Eldritch Ambassador does not show any emotion, contrary to how Eldritch are supposed to be, even when shown a slave of his own race. In fact, the Ambassador says the Eldritch slave is "too short" and upon being questioned, offers tips on how to display her. Delighted at the Ambassador's artistic sense, the Emperor sends guards so he can show off the Slave Queen. The Ambassador comments on the aesthetics of the Slave Queen's arrangement, which delights the Emperor enough that he speaks of himself as a person, and not an abstraction. After extending an invitation to eat with him, the Emperor leaves and ends the audience.
Lisinthir takes a moment to compose himself in the face of the fact the Chatcaava had not only taken an Eldritch slave, but the heir to the Eldritch throne. He is then led to the Emperor's towers, noting a live Chatcaavan made up as a statue. Then, Lisinthir and the guard begin the interminable ascent to the Emperor's quarters.