Brother Mendell, a cleric devoted to Caldaria's god of justice, lives by principle, not politics. But when he agrees to counsel a pirate before his execution, he uncovers a secret that powerful men are willing to kill to protect.
What begins as a simple act of conscience draws Mendell into a covert military operation involving explosive decoy ships, disposable crews, and a conspiracy that reaches toward the throne itself. Hunted by a ruthless enforcer and shadowed by an unseen patron, Mendell must decide how much truth a kingdom can survive-and whether his own principles will cost him his life.
In Caldaria, justice is dangerous-and knowledge is deadly.
The Caldarian Conflict is a political fantasy novel for readers 14 and up.
Long Description:Admiral Cain believes he has found a perfect solution to Caldaria's piracy problem.
Merchant ships are packed with explosives instead of cargo. Pirate vessels are lured in and destroyed. The captains leading these missions are terminally ill military men, willing to die for the crown. Their crews are poor men pulled from the streets with promises of food, wages, and dignity-never told the truth.
Cain calls it efficiency. Others would call it murder.
If the public learns of the plan, rebellion is inevitable. If the King learns of it, Cain will be executed. Anyone who knows too much must be silenced.
Brother Mendell, a devout follower of Lord Justice, is drawn into the conspiracy while seeking redress for an unjust execution. As he peels back the layers of Cain's operation, Mendell discovers that faith and morality offer little protection in a world governed by secrecy and power.
Pursued by Cain's merciless lieutenant, Krell, and threatened by forces he cannot see, Mendell must navigate lies, loyalty, and violence to uncover the truth-before he becomes another casualty of The Caldarian Conflict.