Simon is not just the Court Painter, but also the close friend and lover of the ruler of the Kingdom, Aristok Marsellus the Third, know by Simon affectionately as Leary. The Aristok’s power is ensured by the gods, but it seems not necessarily his life, for an attempt at his assassination is afoot; and while Simon has been able to keep the Aristok safe from all manner of dangers on their regular drunken jaunts to the local taverns, he cannot protect him in his own palace. When the deadly deed is done Simon, following warnings from a most unlikely source as well as from the departed Leary, absconds taking with Leary’s daughter and heir Kassandra, the new Aristok, with him

Intent on protecting Kassandra from her father’s assassins and getting her to safety, he embarks on a journey which puts not just himself and Kassnadra in danger, but his entire family and friends. Their hope is to seek sanctuary and rally support so they can return triumphant and bring to justice those responsible. However their escape is all the more dangerous not knowing for sure if they will be welcomed or condemned when they reach their destination.

Set in the time of the unlikely, and all the more appealing for such, realm of Branion, this fantasy turns our accepted role conventions on their head. Women seem to predominate in the armed forces and elsewhere, and love in any combination is the accepted norm and even then no one is limited to one choice.

The story itself is captivating; Simon’s love and loyalty to Leary knows no limits despite the Aristok’s obvious shortcomings. There are many more appealing characters too, and even the most villainous have their redeeming points at times. If I have a complaint it is with Kassnadra, while in this fantasy realm I can perhaps accept a four year old (almost five) in the role, I do find her childish dialogue a little too much after a while, and the child in her does hold up the proceedings just when the action really would have been better allowed to continue. For there are times when the story really does have you on the edge of your seat, almost racing through the pages in suspense urgently seeking what happens next.

It is a story which has much going for, a diverse array of characters, plotting, betrayal, spying and defection, love and loyalty, and occasional touches of humour. The conclusion when it comes is surprisingly and deeply moving, and for that alone I forgive it its minor failings.
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