Authorpreneur Dashboard – Dale Martin
The Lineage
Book Bubbles from The Lineage
The Lineage
Book Bubbles from The Lineage
The Lineage
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Wes Aettian never wanted, nor expected, to be King of Cassia. That duty always fell to the firstborn son. Or so he thought. Of course, he also never expected his country to be invaded, his family to be forced into hiding, or his father to die before he could explain all the secrets he had kept from his son – plans for resistance, the origin of his family’s bloodline, and the role it plays in the universal battle between good and evil. The Lineage is a story about the enlightening power of unreserved faith when faced with even the blackest of darkness. With stakes as high as the fate of an entire planet in the balance with consequences that could reach across galaxies, Wes must quickly grow into the man he’s not ready to be. Because King he is, unprepared, unsure, and suddenly in command of a web of resistance cells and thousands of soldiers looking to him to lead the way back to freedom.
Book Bubbles from The Lineage
To Sha'ad's Fortress
After the rebel's attack on the refinery in Naji -- an attack the Naborn knew was coming -- ended with the facility's complete destruction, the region's commanding officer was called to meet with Lord Sha'ad. Here, he is greeted by First Prime Kaboorg and escorted to Sha'ad's Sanctum, and we get our first look at what will be a pivotal location in the book.
First Battle
The rebels plan was to attack a refinery and depot in Naji that was critical to supplying the occupying Naborn forces with fuel. After gaining access to the facility, their group split into two forces: one would attack the main building, while the other -- Wes' group -- would plant explosives throughout the refinery. While they were confident their plan was sound and surprise would be on their side, it was not. The Naborn are actually waiting for the rebels, and Wes and his brother Jat get their first taste of combat. What was supposed to be a quick act of sabotage is actually the beginning of a tortuous period for Wes that plays a vital role in molding him into who he needs to be.
Decision Made
After struggling with the sudden weight of being King and the lack of confidence he felt from everyone, Wes decided it was time to take the fight back to the Naborn. After a heated debate about targets, the rebels agreed that an attack on a refinery in Naji made the most tactical sense. But here, Wes surprises the whole Command Counsel when he makes the decision to go on the mission himself.
The Circle Knights
This is the first moment when the people of Cassia are faced with the power of the Circle Knights. A few chapters earlier, we learned the story behind the shrouds they wore: The Naborn are such a vain people they will hide any physical scar or abnormality. Taking advantage of this known custom, the Knights had used the cover of the cloaks to move about without raising any concern. They are, after all, dead, having given their lives to Sha'ad. They are sustained -- and given great power -- by their psychic link to him. But now, the time for hiding their true selves had ended, and in this scene we get our first glimpse of their hideousness and sorcery.
Weight of the Crown
By now, Wes has been sworn in as King of Cassia, and he and his brother are living at the main underground Command Facility for the entire Cassian Resistance. But he still doesn't feel up to the task of leadership. He has delayed making any significant decisions, thinking and re-thinking about every bit of harm he might cause. He didn't want to be King, never expected it, and now he felt unprepared and unqualified for the task before him. Here, his brother gives him the first kick in the rear he needs, and opens his eyes to the damage his caution might be causing -- something he had yet to consider.
Wes Learns He Is The Chosen Heir
In this scene, Wes, his brother Jat, and Major Seret have made it to Naji and are meeting with members of the Resistance. They are greeted by Teacher Falshawn -- First Counselor to the Royal Family -- whom they have not seen since the invasion. She had given him a visual message device smuggled to her from Wes's father. In the message his father explained that Wes was, indeed, his Chosen Heir. Wes struggles with the news, and he hopes Falshawn will tell him more of what he needs to know before he can take on the responsibilities of being King.
We Meet Sha'ad
This scene introduces Kyrit Sha'ad, leader of the Naborn. He has arrived at the place where Naborn intelligence has discovered to be the hiding place of the Aettians. His hope is that he would finally have his hands on King Zor and be able to move forward with his plans. He is disappointed, however, to learn that Zor is not there, and all he gains after a year of patience and planning is Loel, Zor's wife. And for what Sha'ad is attempting to accomplish, she is not enough. Sha'ad is also unaware that her sons were escaping that very moment, and Loel is prepared to do whatever she can to hold his attention and provide the time and cover they need to get away.
Opening scene
The Lineage is about a young man who will become King of a conquered people. He is completely unprepared for the task because his father -- among many other secrets he kept -- never told him. In fact, he could tell no one. Sacred Law prevented it, and he had to obey that law even with the real possibility that not doing so could put his plans and any future chance his people had in jeopardy. Here, despite ill health and brutal conditions, the fear and panic of the chase, and the realization he would not live much longer, King Zor remained faithful. He trusted that if he obeyed the law to the very end, just as his ancestors always had, his people would -- eventually -- be victorious.
