Moses Siregar III - The Black Gods War: A Novella Introducing a new Epic Fantasy

T HE B LACK G ODS W AR

SPLENDOR AND RUIN, BOOK I

Moses Siregar III

Moses is a fine writer deserving of success and I think that it will follow. I really enjoyed Mosess work.

NY Times Bestseller David Farland

The Black Gods War is, to date, the finest example of quality independent fantasy Ive seen This is what indie publishing is all about and I have no qualms about recommending this great novel.

Indie Fantasy Review

I dont give many 5 star reviews I find I really cant stop thinking about this story. Unforgettable story, intriguing characters, compelling journey with unexpected twistsin short, a very satisfying and engaging read.

(5/5 stars) MotherLode Review Blog

a rather brilliant climax that left me grinning from ear to ear By the time you flip to the last few pages, I hope you have the shivers just as I did

Journal of Always Reviews

An inventive tale with high command of craft.

Scott Nicholson, Bestselling Ebook Author

For such a short piece of work, it is surprising just how much complexity Siregar managed to fit into this novella [The] novella is an introduction to what I think will be a great novel. (Review: 8.5/10)

FantasyBookReview.co.uk

I enjoyed [the] novella from its opening chapter to its gripping end. (Review: 5 out of 5 stars)

Red Adept Reviews

If you want to read a talented new author with a flair for storytelling, you should definitely pick up this story.

Two Ends of the Pen Blog

Siregar's debut is an excellent example of the quality the indie author scene is capable of ... More like this, please.

Signal dot Noise Blog

His characters are as passionate as his descriptive prose. The pacing is perfect ... This is a novella epic fantasy fans don't want to miss.

Bryan Thomas Schmidt's Blog

The writing is tight, the characters well-drawn and deep, and the world feels alive and many-layered this is no one- or two-dimensional and predictable plot/conflict, but rife with undercurrents and tensions that just spread out like so many strands of a spiders web.

W. Brondtkamffers Blog

Siregar's strongest suit may be the character development on display, as the royal siblings and a few other characters exude their personalities and frailties in a believable fashion.

Skull Salad Reviews

A tale spun with a degree of elegance I did not fully expect. The Black Gods War is a great example of how there are extremely talented indies.

Ron C. Nietos Stories of my Life Blog

Copyright 2011 Moses Siregar III

Cover design Moses Siregar III

Map by Jared Blando (TheRedEpic.com)

First electronic publication: August 1st, 2011
Updated: August 25th, 2011

P.O. Box 421 / Prescott, AZ 86302

www.ScienceFictionFantasyBooks.net

Contact with any comments.

Coming Soon

The Gods Divided

Splendorand Ruin, Book II

Visit the author at

ScienceFictionFantasyBooks.net

Table of Contents

Chapter

Chapter

Chapter

Novel vs. Novella

If youve read the novella-length excerpt from this novel, you might be wondering which chapters youve already seen.

The easiest solution is to start over at chapter 1 and read the novel straight through. If you do that, you wont miss anything. Lots of little things have changed, especially if youve read an older version of the novella.

The following chapters in the novel (the version youre reading now) were not in the novella: 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, and everything after chapter 22. Many of you will also find chapters 2, 4, and 12 of the novel are new.

For Molly, Athens, and Mom.

Thanks to Homer and Carl Macek (Robotech).

From the Author

Anyone who reads a novel deserves a satisfying ending from the story.

-Moses Siregar III

p.s. If I had more time, I wouldve written you a shorter letter.

To see a larger version of this map, go to:

http://ScienceFictionFantasyBooks.net/Map.jpg

Map by Jared Blando at TheRedEpic.com

Every old poem is sacred.

-Horace

Chapter 1: Sing Muse, of Hades and Light

IN THE KINGDOM OF REZZIA, inside the highest chamber of the grand minaret, ten-year-old Lucia looked out to see her father, King Vieri, on the balcony. He lifted her newborn brother high above his head, and the masses, hundreds of feet below, roared with devotion.

Father, what are you doing! she thought. Be more careful with our savior .

Lucia glanced down at her mother resting in the birthing pool. The queens black hair clung to her neck, all of it soaked by the holy waters.

You did it, Mother!

Kindness brightened her mothers face. Thank the gods, dear. You have a brother now. A very specialbrother. Go, join your father and wave to the crowd.

You stay here and rest. Ill wave to them on your behalf.

Her mother laughed. Thank you, Lucia. That sounds perfect.

Lucia crept toward the archway leading to the balcony, which wrapped around the circular chamber. She squinted, fighting the midday sun. Tears soaked her fathers cheeks as he presented the pink baby to the faithful. Nature had tattooed thorny red and black vines on little Caios hands and forearms: the holy markings of the Haizzem.

As she gazed at Caio, a spiritual energy filled her body with peace and warmth. Her spirit soared. The teachings are coming true! A Haizzem had come again, to rescue all the world. Her brother would conquer Rezzias foes and bring the gods light to everyone.

Lucia skipped forward to participate in the royal scene. She looked down at tens of thousands of pilgrims in their cream robes and felt dizzy. The clay-white acropolis of the holy city sprawled across the desert plateau: massive domed structures, spiraling minarets, and temples of the ten gods supported by grand columns.

She clutched her fathers ceremonial cremos robe to steady herself. The fabric was bloodied; he had obeyed the scriptural commandment for Rezzias king to oversee the birth of his own Haizzem son. She felt so lucky, knowing every Rezzian alive would love to be in her place, touching the kings garments and the words of divine power stitched into them.

Her father pressed the baby against his chest, and pushed Lucia backward with his free hand. He raised up baby Caio and beamed his joy again.

The rejection shattered Lucias bliss.

Her fathers face, with his heavy brown eyes and his perfectly trimmed beard, always showed his serious nature. But as he admired the babyso high above the masseshe transformed, positively euphoric. He looked at Caio with such true love, a look Lucia had never, ever seen before.

Lucias vision darted from her father to her brother and back again. Your love for me is a lie . She dropped her head and long vermilion hair fell around her face. She wouldnt cry. Not then. Not in front of him.

The crowds chanting grew louder and louder. They cried out in the old tongue, we love and adore him!

Havah ilz avah Haizzem!

Havah ilz avah Haizzem!

Havah ilz avah Haizzem!

Hearing their hypnotic praying, her pummeled heart found direction and clarity. The truth struck her as she watched the red-faced babe glowing against the sky: Her brother was divine. According to the warpriests teachings, it had been hundreds of years since a Haizzem graced the kingdom with his holy presence. They said Caio would possess spiritual gifts beyond compare, including the ultimate proof of his godliness: He would be able to resurrect one person from death during his lifetime.

I dont matter anymore . Her royal duty would be pure devotion to him. As his only sibling, she would always be there to provide whatever he needed. All of her divinely given powers from the goddess Ysa would serve him alone.