Winning the decades long war against demon ruled Traag almost destroyed the Solarian Empire. Now the nation hangs by a thread. Worse, they didn't get all the demons.
Tia traveled to bucolic Copiah House, stronghold of the once great Bestia Family, on what was supposed to be a simple business trip. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a web of intrigue, wartime secrets, and black magic. Unraveling this mystery will take all of her skills - and more...
Winning the decades long war against demon ruled Traag almost destroyed the Solarian Empire. Now the nation hangs by a thread. Worse, they didn't get all the demons.
Tia traveled to bucolic Copiah House, stronghold of the once great Bestia Family, on what was supposed to be a simple business trip. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a web of intrigue, wartime secrets, and black magic. Unraveling this mystery will take all of her skills - and more...
An ungodly screech filled the air as Tia’s carriage tilted, hurling her sideways. “Ouch!” Pain erupted in her shoulder as she slammed into the frame. Tia craned her neck just as Rebecca slammed into her side. “Augh!”
The conveyance halted with a jolt, knocking both women to the compartments floor. Naturally, Rebecca landed atop Tia. Fortunately, she didn’t weigh much, and managed to soften the impact with an outthrust hand.
“I’m sorry, my lady.” The gypsy shifted position. “Are you ok?”
Tia winced and flexed her muscles as she climbed back onto the bench, which sloped steeply down to the right. “Kyle found another pothole. I’ll fire him this time. I swear it.”
“Damnit, Kyle. Again?” Sir Peter Cortez’s voice filtered in through the window.
“It wasn’t there.” Kyle’s dull oafish voice. “Somebody dug a hole and hid it.”
Kyle’s words sent a jolt through Tia’s frame. Bandits. Or opportunists, intent on extortionate ‘help.’ She’d had quite enough of such vermin.
“Trap.” Sir Peter reached the same conclusion.
Tia watched brush part across the road. A parade of louts in brown peasant breeches and tunics emerged onto the highway, accompanied by a brace of mules.
“Not again.” Tia muttered the words under her breath as she swung open the door. This was the fourth set of road-scammers in as many weeks. She’d not paid the last three sets of louts and didn’t intend to now. She climbed onto the road.
“Afternoon, Mam.” The speaker removed a broad hat from his blocky head and clasped it between his hands. “It appears you are in need of”-
“Leave.” Tia’s voice could chill water. “Leave right now and perhaps, just perhaps, I won’t have the roadwarden’s set on you.”
“That’s a mighty unfriendly attitude, Mam.” The speaker cast a glance over his shoulder. “I’m afraid that will cost you extra.”
The carriage shuddered as Kyle leaped to the ground. His massive frame dwarfed the speaker. “Well, well. If it isn’t Stefan the Sneaky Shit, still dodging honest work.”
The speaker took a step back. “Who – Kyle? Is that you? I’d heard you were way out west.”
“I was. I’m back.” Kyle took another step. “The lady said leave.”
“My, ain’t you the fancy one these days. Nice coat. I like the buttons.” Stefan smiled. “The hat’s a bit much, though.”
Kyle growled. Tia knew he wasn’t fond of the coachman’s attire she made him wear, but appearances had to be maintained.
Stefan held his ground. “Kyle, you know how this goes. I will have my due, one way or another.” He motioned at a thug almost the Oaf’s size. “You remember Carl, right?”
Tia glanced along the road. Where was Sir Peter? The knight could make short work of these varlets without breaking a sweat.
“Yeah.” A stubby rod appeared in Kyle’s hand. He swung. The stick connected with Carl’s jaw, knocking him off his feet.
Stefan’s band looked at each other.
Kyle growled a second time. Took a step. Stephen fled, and his men fled with him.
Tia faced her driver. “Kyle, I am severely disappointed in you. I”-
“My lady, we have other concerns.” Sir Peter’s horse materialized from the coaches far side.
Tia sighed. “What now?”
“Them.” Peter motioned at a band of mounted men clopping along the road, wearing dusty metal armor. The True Churches sunburst insignia adorned the lead rider’s tabard.
Tia’s heart dropped. Church troops. Led by a Templar. Friendlier, but no less extortionate than Stefan’s bunch.
“God’s blessing to you, fair travelers.” The Templar removed his feathered hat with a flourish and bowed in the saddle at Tia. “I see you are in a predicament.”
Tia smiled. Best to be well mannered around this one. She hailed from the Empire’s equestrian class, but Templar’s were often full members of the aristocracy. “Good day yourself, Sir Knight.”
“Ah, I apologize for my rudeness.” The Templar’s chest swelled. “I am Sir Aetius Sulcus Gracchus, currently sworn to the Abbey of Saint Andrew in Placius.”
Tia refrained from sighing. Placius. A priest-ruled leftover from the Interregnum when an ambitious Patriarch tried to raise a theocracy from the first empires successor states. Once, Placius held sway over the coastal lands from here to Carbone. Not anymore. Now, Placius was just a corrupt little oddity.
“You appear to be out of bounds, Sir Aetius.” Sir Peter maneuvered his horse before the Church Knight. “Placius is ten miles south of here.”
“Ah, but the Churches authority extends everywhere.” Aetius’s eyes narrowed. “This region is infested with outlaws and opportunists. Fortunately, I am here to provide you with assistance and protection in exchange for a suitable donation to the church coffers.”
Tia sketched a bow. “Your offer is appreciated, Sir Aetius, but not necessary. My men have the matter well in hand.”
The Templar glanced at Tia’s tilted carriage. “My lady, I do not agree with your assessment. No, I must insist.”
Tia saw Peter’s hand drop to his sword hilt. “The lady said your services are not required.”
Aetius took in Peter’s shield with its green field, vertical blue stripe, and tower. “And who might you be?” He motioned at Peter’s shield. “I do not recognize your insignia.”
“I am Sir Peter Cortez of Cosslet. During the war, I rode with Benedict’s Bravos.”
Aetius frowned. “Benedict’s Bravos. I’d heard they were decimated at Crowfoot Gap. Few of that company survived the war beyond Benedict DuPaul himself, who found God on the battlefield.”
“I survived.” Peter’s voice could cut wood. “As did my friend Adam DuBard. Perhaps you are aware he is marrying Lord Bestia’s granddaughter?”
Aetius gulped. “I know of the impending nuptials, but this is the first I heard of Adam DuBard riding with the Bas-ah-Bravos.”
“I’ll be certain to mention your name to him.”
Aetius’s eyes shifted back and forth. “Well, I believe you may have matters well in hand after all.”
Tia watched the Templar ride away. Then she stared at her carriage, two wheels mired to the axle in a long narrow trench. A groan drew her attention to the bandit sprawled in the ditch. It promised to be a long day.
Traag has been defeated and the demons are weakened but not outright gone. Tia, Sir Peter Cortez, Kyle and Rebecca all travel on business but when they are attacked in the road by a group of bandits and thieves, they find themselves without proper transportation and stuck in Copiah House. It seems safe enough but there the group will meet old foes and new enemies and allies. The political and business efforts of Tia become even more difficult as she tries to navigate her way with nobles while facing money trouble. Peter gets a glimpse of what his future life might be and he finds it to be more complicated than expected. Meanwhile, Kyle is in the one place he dreads most and realizes there may be a major threat to the people he cares about most.
Empire: Estate continues to tell the story of the Empire saga, full of fantasy, magic, lore, family connections and what happens to a world recently recovering from a major war. It's a unique blend of horror and fantasy along with a good dose of politics which keeps the reader turning pages. Each main character has a distinctive personality and this has only solidified since the first volume. As with all of the books by Tim Goff thus far, there are major surprises and plenty of action to be found. The world feels grounded in reality for the most part as the characters not only have to deal with people who delve into dark magic but also with the day to day troubles of not being cheated out of money when they need a vehicle repaired.
The most interesting part of the story still remains the fact that this takes place after a major war where opportunists can take advantage of the situation and even those who were heroes on the battlefield find they need to figure out a way to make a living outside of war.
If a mix between The Wheel of Time series and nightmares out of cosmic and supernatural horror intrigue you, Empire: Estate is well worth reading. This is the third in the series so it's best to start with the first book but they have all been good reads thus far and I look forward to more in the series.