New Release — Einar of Vindemiatrix by Michael E. Gonzales

When King Thurban the Great is murdered at the hand of his younger brother, very few of his loyal knights survive. Sir Einar, one of the fiercest knights of King Thurban’s realm, has lost his entire family in the carnage. Giving up on a life of his own, he chooses to travel and teach others the principles of chivalry. For those who believe in a knightly code, he will also show them the deadly way to wield a sword in battle—including Ascella, a young woman who convinces him she is an apt student.

Though many years have passed since Einar’s painful losses and King Thurban the Great’s murder, the knight finds a way to avenge his honorable liege—but he cannot do it alone. To return Vindemiatrix to the rightful heir and restore the holdings to their former glory, he needs magic—the most powerful magic he can find.

With the help of a powerful witch, a dragon, an army of centaurs, and beautiful Ascella, Einar is determined to find a way to make things right once more in the land he loved. But he’s never fought an enemy so prepared to hold Vindemiatrix in its powerful grip—and this is a battle to the death. Can he risk losing everything he holds dear a second time?

EXCERPT

     Thurban laid his bloody hand upon Einherjar’s shoulder, and glancing about at his ruined castle, and the burnt lands surrounding it, he exhaled slowly, and lamented, “The end of my reign is in sight, the end of Vindemiatrix.” The king beckoned to his generals, and with their aid, withdrew to the throne room to make final preparations.

     Sir Einherjar remained on the last wall of the castle’s inner defenses. The hated enemy threw themselves upon them yet again.

     “Look hither!” a voice shouted. Einherjar saw the man, among the many atop the wall, pointing to the north. Turning, he beheld a sight more terrible than an enraged dragon. The keep was ablaze, its windows belched black smoke.

     “The women and children!” someone screamed.

     Murfrid, standing near, turned to Einherjar, “I’m sorry for you, Sir Knight, I truly am.”

Einherjar stood transfixed, his mind wrapped in pain, disbelieving his own eyes. His breath, and his heart frozen―