Empress & Soldier, Oraiáphon, Empire’s Reckoning
In a land far to the east, perhaps twenty years before the start of Empire’s Daughter, Druisius, a merchant’s son, flees the aftermath of his father’s cruel order to find a new life in the army. Serving several officers, learning the skills of both an engineer and a spy, he never forgets his loyalty to his family’s patron – and the young girl who becomes his Empress. Years later, now a city guard, Druisius’s path meets that of Lena and her companions, offering him a new future –but one complicated not only by war and a costly peace, but by secrets, personal and political. Told first from Druisius’s point of view (Empress & Soldier) and then Sorley’s (Oraiáphon and Reckoning), can loyalty and love – for a country, for an individual, for a family – be enough to leave behind the expectations of history and culture, and chart a way to peace?
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“The settings and characters are masterfully drawn… I wholeheartedly recommend
Empress & Soldier!” Les Schofield
“A very enjoyable read for any history fan like me, but also for anyone who likes
a good story about interesting people.” Fiona Forsyth, author of The Sestius Files
“Druisius is a badass.” Alistair Tosh, author of Siege
“thought-provoking themes, detailed world-building, crisp and fluid dialogue, and stimulating political drama” P.L. Stuart, author of A Drowned Kingdom
Empress & Soldier
Eric Hoffer Finalist, 2025
Empire’s Reckoning
Historical Fantasy Book of the Year, 2020
Coffee Pot Historical Fiction Awards
Hear Sorley sing his haunting ‘Paths Untrodden’.
Paths Untrodden
My true love’s eyes are darkly gleaming
In candlelight and music’s lure;
One night alone, at spring’s fair dawning
To keep me longing through the years,
To leave my soul bereft and mourning.
You danced that night with grace unfettered,
A glance my way, a touch bestowed.
Your dark hair swept by supple fingers.
Too soon the day, the calling road,
The shaken head when asked to linger.
A long, long path, and distance boundless,
Years of sorrow and empty days
Till chance or fate together brought us,
So far from home, in summer’s blaze,
With war behind and war before us.
The gods and time have blessed us both
With love’s reward for all our years
Of wandering on lonely ways;
A respite offered for our cares,
A soul to hold ours, all our days.
But candlelight and music’s memory,
Dark eyes gleaming over wine
Revive that youthful love and longing
For graceful fingers touching mine
For kisses left at day’s first dawning.
My life’s companion loves me truly
My heart is his and his is mine,
But older love is not forgotten
There is, by fate, or god’s design
A yearning still for paths untrodden.
You danced that night with grace unfettered,
A glance my way, a touch bestowed.
Your dark hair swept by supple fingers.
Uncharted ways might be explored,
Still dreams this wistful, loving singer.
(c) 2020 Marian L Thorpe
marianlthorpe.com 