Monday, September 18, 2023

#Excerpt: FUTILITY OF DEFENSE by Bryan Cole



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Bryan Cole will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Paladins are nothing but trouble. When Krell, an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea, hears the call from ReckNor, the capricious god of the seas and skies, the attention of the rich and powerful turn their gaze toward him. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don't worship their deity.

When Krell stands against the might of the sea devils and emerges victorious, concern and interest turn to fear—fear of their secrets and plans being revealed and exposed, of the ruin that often follows in a paladin's wake. Now he stands in defense of a pitiful town at the edge of nowhere, even as the sea devil menace grows more dire for each day that passes.

For as deadly as the sea devils are to Krell, his past choices and the consequences of his actions may be deadlier still . . .

Excerpt: 

“Corporal Sabah, calm yourself. There is no honor in striking bound prisoners.” Commander Serkinth sighed, then looked at Mog. “You are Mog?”

Mog looked around in alarm, his eyes fastening on Krell. Krell smiled and nodded.

“I am, my lord,” he said, his voice quiet.

“Commander, Mog. I am no lord. Why did you interfere with these men?”

Mog’s face flushed. “On account of how they wanted to break into my home, my… er, commander. My wife was nursing a little one, and wasn’t no place for armed men to come barging in!”

Commander Serkinth went very still and turned his gaze slowly back to Sabah, who looked suddenly unsure. “By Hieron’s honor, why would you seek to enter this man’s home?”

“Well, commander, we were given orders to learn the lay of the place, and—”

“Enough, Sabah.” Serkinth shook his head and gestured. “Release them.”

“Commander? They interfered with soldiers of Baltorc who—”

“Who were attempting to break into a private dwelling?” shouted Serkinth, his face flushing as he stood. His chair toppled over with a crash, causing the soldiers to flinch. “Is your honor so meaningless that you deliberately shame followers of Hieron through disrespectful, dishonorable conduct in front of followers of ReckNor? In front of their paladin?”

As one, the soldiers all turned and looked at Darvin, their faces paling.

Darvin smiled, his eyes filled with amusement, and gestured toward Krell. Krell struggled to contain the laughter he felt, seeing their horrified expressions.

Krell stepped toward Serkinth. “What happens now?”

About the Author:
Bryan is an avid reader, and has loved the fantasy genre since he was a child. His love of stories of mighty knights, terrible dragons, and noble steeds has inspired him for decades.

Website: https://www.fatpaladin.ca/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22517522.Bryan_Cole
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FatPaladin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatpaladinbooks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Futility-Defense-Paladins-Journey-Bryan-ebook/dp/B0C9XBWJ8H/ref

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