The Impending Storm (The Imperium Saga) - Hardcover

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Clifford B. Bowyer has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant College, and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Babson College. He has held a variety of business positions including Business Analysis and Project Management, while subsequently working on his novel on a part-time basis for six years. During that span, he wrote, researched and developed the fantasy world that he had brought to life in his first novel, The Imperium Saga: The Impending Storm.

The result of his careful planning has been a richly detailed fantasy world that has received extremely positive reviews from its initial readers and book reviewers. Bowyer has since left his prior position and is now working on future installments of his trilogy. He also spends time promoting his first novel, and has made appearances at Boston based conventions (Arisia and Boskone).

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From the first page, The Impending Storm grabs your attention with a vise-like grip and doesn’t loosen it even after you’ve finished the final paragraph. This new fantasy thriller by first-time novelist Clifford B. Bowyer takes you on a mythic journey into a richly detailed world like none you have ever known. Follow the trials and tribulations of Warlord Braksis, Empress Karleena, and the Madrew elf Kai as they seek to unravel a conspiracy that will impact the lives of the Seven Kingdoms forevermore. This marks the bold beginning of…

THE IMPERIUM SAGA

The Madrew elves, an ancient and noble civilization have abandoned their homeland as an insatiable force swept the land and left only desolate destruction in their wake. The few fortunate survivors look to the child of prophecy as their savior, a twelve-year-old girl known to them as the Chosen One. A trio of volunteers – Kai, Arifos, and Rulysta – is sent to the Seven Kingdoms to find and protect the child until she is old enough to fulfill her destiny.

The Seven Kingdoms, better known as the Imperium is beset by skirmishes with its dissatisfied citizens. A young Empress, Karleena, has recently claimed the throne after the assassination of her father. Though she craves peace and prosperity for the land, where all citizens are equals regardless of their station, the revolts have escalated to the brink of war.

Warlord Braksis, a defender of the Empress, finds himself thrust into battle after battle to preserve the Imperium. From the Dartian Plains where the Imperial Army confronts a legion of rebelling hunters, to a three-headed reptilian creature, to a Shadow Mage, Braksis must persevere or all may be lost.

During his trials, Braksis will ally himself with the Madrew elf Kai, as well as other heroes of the realm. He soon learns that the plight of the Imperium may have origins more sinister than dissatisfied citizens – a single tyrant, Zoldex, may be behind the revolts and attacks throughout the Imperium.

In several confrontations of good versus evil, Braksis, Karleena, and Kai find themselves in grave danger. Will they manage to overcome the forces amassed against them? Will they uncover Zoldex’s true scheme in time to save the Imperium? At every turn, a new danger emerges to bar their path and make the future of the Imperium look bleak. The heroes of the realm will soon learn that the struggle for harmony has a very dear price.

The Impending Storm marks the triumphant beginning of The Imperium Saga, a captivating new fantasy world where action and adventure, magic and mystery come together to create a story of epic proportions. In this fascinating first volume, Bowyer has created a magnificent world that is palpable and believable. It is an enthralling tale that skillfully draws readers into an enchanting society of heroes and hooligans, magic and monsters.

Aus dem Klappentext

From the first page, The Impending Storm grabs your attention with a vise-like grip and doesn't loosen it even after you've finished the final paragraph. This new fantasy thriller by first-time novelist Clifford B. Bowyer takes you on a mythic journey into a richly detailed world like none you have ever known. Follow the trials and tribulations of Warlord Braksis, Empress Karleena, and the Madrew elf Kai as they seek to unravel a conspiracy that will impact the lives of the Seven Kingdoms forevermore. This marks the bold beginning of

THE IMPERIUM SAGA

The Madrew elves, an ancient and noble civilization have abandoned their homeland as an insatiable force swept the land and left only desolate destruction in their wake. The few fortunate survivors look to the child of prophecy as their savior, a twelve-year-old girl known to them as the Chosen One. A trio of volunteers Kai, Arifos, and Rulysta is sent to the Seven Kingdoms to find and protect the child until she is old enough to fulfill her destiny.

The Seven Kingdoms, better known as the Imperium is beset by skirmishes with its dissatisfied citizens. A young Empress, Karleena, has recently claimed the throne after the assassination of her father. Though she craves peace and prosperity for the land, where all citizens are equals regardless of their station, the revolts have escalated to the brink of war.

Warlord Braksis, a defender of the Empress, finds himself thrust into battle after battle to preserve the Imperium. From the Dartian Plains where the Imperial Army confronts a legion of rebelling hunters, to a three-headed reptilian creature, to a Shadow Mage, Braksis must persevere or all may be lost.

During his trials, Braksis will ally himself with the Madrew elf Kai, as well as other heroes of the realm. He soon learns that the plight of the Imperium may have origins more sinister than dissatisfied citizens a single tyrant, Zoldex, may be behind the revolts and attacks throughout the Imperium.

In several confrontations of good versus evil, Braksis, Karleena, and Kai find themselves in grave danger. Will they manage to overcome the forces amassed against them? Will they uncover Zoldex's true scheme in time to save the Imperium? At every turn, a new danger emerges to bar their path and make the future of the Imperium look bleak. The heroes of the realm will soon learn that the struggle for harmony has a very dear price.

The Impending Storm marks the triumphant beginning of The Imperium Saga, a captivating new fantasy world where action and adventure, magic and mystery come together to create a story of epic proportions. In this fascinating first volume, Bowyer has created a magnificent world that is palpable and believable. It is an enthralling tale that skillfully draws readers into an enchanting society of heroes and hooligans, magic and monsters.

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Chapter 5

The torrents of fleeing people vastly slowed down Solaras attempt to reach Braksis with the horses. All seemed to be screaming and reaching desperately for the unmanned steed that they hoped could help whisk them away to safety.

Not wanting to hurt the scared people, Solara tried to keep a steady pace and get past the citizens, but as often in crowds, she was slowed to a near halt. Screaming for them to get out of her way and allow her to go to confront the beast, her pleas were lost in the hysteria.

She felt someone grasping her leg, then many hands joined it. Before she knew what was happening, she was being pulled from her horse. Still unwilling to confront these terrified townsmen, she opted to relinquish the horses without much fight. From the ground, she looked up and saw small fights erupting over who would ride the captured steeds. All reason was lost on these people, and Solara had no time to remain to try to soothe things.

Unable to see Braksis through the scrambles of the crowd, she slowly edged her way to one of the buildings. Most of the people were fleeing by the main roads, so her only hope was to bypass them until the crowds dwindled down. Hearing another roar from the beast, she doubled her efforts and slowly forced her way through the dense bodies.

Reaching the porch of what was Comonors Inn, she quickly ran inside the open doors. The inn was empty. All citizens had fled when they first heard the commotion. She spotted large drums of alcohol and quickly filed that to memory as she raced toward the stairs.

Ascending to the top floor, she saw a door to a room on the same side as the main street. She tried the knob; it was locked. Unwilling to waste the time by trying the next room over, she kicked the wooden door in with one swift jolt. The door swung open with wood chips spraying as the frame splintered.

She raced to the window and peered out. She could see the beast much more clearly from here. The body of the tragon was large and bulky. Standing on all four legs with a long tail swishing behind it, buildings seemed to crumble with every movement. On the front of the body were three elongated necks attached to heads that would bring nightmares to those who survived for years to come. The heads were relatively narrow, with large teeth jutting out of mouths that looked like a birds beak. A sharp horn extended through the top of each heads nose, with two small slit-like eyes that were scanning the area for prey.

Solara could see a mesh of the yellow-garbed guards attempting to organize. The two red-armored hunters were rushing in to face the giant creature. Braksis, too, was hustling into action after losing sight of her and the horses.

Reaching up and grasping the edge of the roof, she hoisted herself up and began swinging back and forth. After building up a decent amount of momentum, she angled herself upward and spun up onto the roof.

From this perch, she wished that she had a bow to fire arrows at the beast. Looking at the building next to her, she was grateful that the architects here built the town condensed in the middle and away from the walls. She leapt from rooftop to rooftop, getting closer to the beast with each jump.

Her only remaining desire was to get to Braksis and fight by his side. He had once sacrificed himself to save her, and in return, she bonded her life to his as his protector and friend. To watch him entering battle with a creature of this magnitude, and not be by his side, she feared that her vow would be broken. Guilt and regret filled her and fueled her to move across the rooftops more quickly. If only she had not left Braksis and Zerilla alone, then they would be together now.

* * * * *

Watching his men running rampant, floundering and undisciplined, Vector tried to rally his troops and organize them with little avail. The only people who seemed to be attacking the beast were the two Dartian hunters who had sprung into action as soon as the tragon was heard.

Vector spied Braksis walking out of the royal residence and wondered again how any one man could truly help win this day. It seemed to him that Braksis was more interested in swooning the queen than defending Comonora task Vector did not willingly grant to anyone but himself. After all, how could an outsider understand what he cherished so deeply?

Curious at what could have caught Braksiss attention over the beast they were facing, he followed his gaze, and saw the mystral warrior attempting to reach him with the horses. Looking to flee was all that Vector could think. As the fleeing people dragged Solara off of her horse, an unusual sense of satisfaction seemed to overcome Vector. It was a feeling she had received what she deserved, and it served her right for trying to abandon the people in their time of need.

Refusing to give any more thought to these outsiders, Vector returned to unsuccessfully trying to corral his men. It seemed as if they all lost their discipline and could not handle the pressure of the situation unfolding. If they survived this, he would need to train the troops better. Suspintians seemed to give in to fear far too quickly. Even if he had to recruit elsewhere, things needed to change.

Another roar from the creature, and those few troops who had stayed with him also began to flee.

* * * * *