The Distant Kingdoms Volume Twenty: The Gods of Abandonment

Xerous Castle - The large stone fortress situated high above Xerous City.
Connie York -One of the scientists involved in the Minerva Project.
Beltinin Hul/Pollinar Hul - The twin daughters of Colin Bourke.

The city of Valderhien and all of the Hamaforth Kingdoms are in deep mourning over the unexpected death of Entell Thellon the Third. His death, plus the immediate abdication of Sinar Thellon the First, has left a power vacuum in Hamaforth’s capitol. An obvious solution is set in place, but only with the kind assistance of Edith Bonaparte. Unfortunately, many unscrupulous people attempt to use the situation to their advantage and are only thwarted once several of Edith’s family and friends, including Ernest Bonaparte, Immir Hanis and Lorraine Hanis, band together to provide her with assistance.
Over in Terrimorter a similar situation exists as Ruler Entell Thellon and his wife, Empress Dara Thellon have gone into a secluded state of mourning over the king’s death. General Herric Samora attempts to take charge of running the Azzil Territories, only to have his every act criticised and interfered with by those who would financially benefit from a state of upheaval within the Imperial palace. A viable solution to this issue comes in quite an unexpected form.
In the island nation of Valouras, attacks by desperate gangs of fortune seekers are continuing. Dale Johnstone takes time to thwart these endeavours in between enjoying life as a married man. Sometimes his life with Imperator Giannin is fraught with tension due to the stress placed upon them by their roles in the local society. One day Dale takes the SCATT out for a test run and comes across a dangerous situation. Unfortunately, the situation is not what it seems, placing his life and the lives of others in grave peril.
At Blurican, the current Governing Board find their position under threat. Army garrisons located in the western regions are being overrun by a mysterious army. One by one these military posts are being destroyed and their personnel either killed or conscripted into the new battalions. If drastic action is not taken and soon, the entire country faces being conquered by an unknown formation that will send Blurican back to its wicked practices. Strangely enough, only Ruler Entell Thellon has a scheme to thwart the enemy advance, thus saving the lives of many, including those in charge of the country!
Xerous City is in ruins having been assaulted by the ship belonging to the New Appor. Thousands of its citizens have been slaughtered while many more have either gone into hiding or evacuated the area in the vain hope of saving their lives. Colin Bourke is in a desperate search for his family, missing since the first attack on the city. Gary Wyndham, Carl Buchanan, Sean Corrigin and others assist him in his quest, while also lending aid to any others who require assistance in these terrible times.
Unlike their peaceful counterparts living on Perencore, the New Appor are warlike and will never stop committing one atrocity after the other unless various demands are met. These ultimatums include control of all of the winged horses currently being held in what remains of Xerous City; the destruction of the Iroquois; and handing over Connie York, who has killed one of their officers and in doing so committed a crime that can never be forgiven.
Her friends now have to fight to save her from certain death at the hands of the very same group that have wrought a devastating level of destruction on the city. Unfortunately, she is determined to not only sacrifice her life, but that of the unborn child she carries. In her mind two lives are worth sacrificing in order to save the remainder of Porra’s population. The New Appor have threatened to continue with their rampage should she not be handed over to them by the time they get their vessel, damaged during the initial onslaught, in working condition.