Four Stars over Ardatz: Sovereign consists of two trilogies and a duology. The first trilogies focus on Hest, Siobhan, and Mairead, while the duology focuses on the original dragon king, Shawnahur.

Today, we’re focusing on the first two trilogies: Bright Lands and Battle Lines

Bright Lands

The first trilogy starts off with eighteen-year-old Hest. All he wants to do is work with horses. They’re much easier to get along with than people–especially girls. He can talk to horses, understands what they’re saying, and knows how to care for them. People? Not so much. Maybe because he was orphaned eight years ago. Whatever it is, he prefers the comfort of the stables.

But…

There’s always that little word. My dad always used to say watch what happens after the word but. It’s always important.

But when a wonderous stallion visits his stable, Hest is introduced to a warrior. This warrior demands Hest comes with him and hands coins to the innkeeper. Hest thinks he’s been sold as a slave!

Meanwhile, the warrior starts teaching Hest some of his language while they travel south toward the land of the sun. By the time they reach the capital of Hest’s country, Hest gets up enough gumption to ask about slavery. The warrior is shocked to say the least. He explains that the money was the cost of an apprentice and he wanted Hest as a squire. When Hest agrees to this, his real adventures begin.

Going in front of kings.

Meeting a beautiful (and spirited) princess.

Saving a baby dragon!

That last one sends Hest on a journey he never expected–to be a king!

Wait! What? The kid who isn’t good with people is supposed to be king? That won’t work. And you’re right. Hest tries his best, but between his bond with the dragon, his longing for his homeland, and the struggles of a new marriage, being king is least of his worries. Unfortunately, several different groups take advantage of this and threaten the royal family as well as the kingdom.

Battle Lines

The second trilogy focuses on the girls in Hest’s life.

Siobhan

We’ve seen everything from Hest’s point of view up until now. Grown to love him and understand him, but now we get to see Siobhan.

We’ve met this feisty princess earlier, but now we dive into her thoughts, emotions, and determination. We see the grit she’s made of, as well as how she’s been spoiled as a princess.

She wants her relationship with her husband to be perfect, but there’s someone else in her husband’s life–a dragon–and she’s jealous! Jealousy is a bad bed partner.

The tension builds, but maybe a baby will make everything better. For a bit, but kids also add more stress to a relationship.

Add in PTSD, to postpartum depression and Siobhan is ripe for fear to control her. Then when her greatest fears come true and she’s again abducted by her enemies, she has to learn how to face fear.

Facing fear isn’t a one time action, though. Even as Siobhan takes action to never be weak again, she’s still learning how to grieve and how to manage her fears.

A new threat to her kingdom steps up to join forces with her old enemies, and she must face the ultimate decision in battle.

Mairead

And what about that little girl, Mairead? (pronounced Marr-ed)

We’ve seen here as a baby, as a little girl running around the Rittider training ground, and training horses. (Yes, she has her da’s love of the creatures.)

Now, we watch her in grief as she takes on the crown. Her faithful captain of the royal guard is there for her, and she has a journal from the original dragon king to guide her.

But…

(There’s that word again.)

By the time she’s sixteen, almost seventeen, a neighboring country extends a treaty proposal with a marriage proposal. Mairead’s not ready for marriage, but she’s curious about this right of passage.

After convincing her council to at least allow the prince to visit, she finds the prince is more than meets the eye. Although plagued with a disease that causes constant pain in his joints and muscles, he also is a mage. Mairead is interested in this since she’s starting to see and feel strange things whenever she thinks of the dragons of her country’s past.

What will be the cost of her decisions? How will she tame this wild energy within her?

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Although, the first two trilogies are finally published, there’s still one more story in Four Stars over Ardatz: Sovereigns–Bonded Crowns. This is the original dragon king’s story. Look for it in 2024 with a Kickstarter launch. (Look for the Kickstarter project in spring of 2024, or follow my blog and newsletter to get updates.)