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The Foreworld Saga
The Lion in Chains: A Foreworld Side Quest
(From Amazon.com) Many were displeased with the “peace” King Richard of England brokered in the Holy Land, and his return from the Crusades wasn’t greeted with cheers, but rather shackles. Now a “guest” of the Holy Roman Emperor, the Lion-Hearted is being held for an exorbitant ransom…so much money that it seems unlikely that the silver will make its way from Britain to Germany.
For converging on the caravan are a number of groups with very different motives: French troops who want the silver to continue their war with the English, mercenaries intent on causing chaos, English longbowmen looking to protect their country’s future, and Shield-Brethren hoping to ensure King Richard’s freedom.
With a surprising cast of characters, The Lion in Chains is a Foreworld SideQuest that illuminates a decisive moment in European history in an unexpected way, revealing another secret in the long-reaching narrative of the Shield-Brethren.
For converging on the caravan are a number of groups with very different motives: French troops who want the silver to continue their war with the English, mercenaries intent on causing chaos, English longbowmen looking to protect their country’s future, and Shield-Brethren hoping to ensure King Richard’s freedom.
With a surprising cast of characters, The Lion in Chains is a Foreworld SideQuest that illuminates a decisive moment in European history in an unexpected way, revealing another secret in the long-reaching narrative of the Shield-Brethren.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 19, 2014
Audiobook from Brilliance Audio
Narrated by Luke Daniels
Length: 2 hours
Note: This book is available individually (as I listened to it) or as a part of the book SideQuest Adventures No. 1, which includes this story, The Beast of Calatrava: A Foreworld Sidequest, and The Shield-Maiden: A Foreworld SideQuest.
This story is a "sidequest" in the Foreworld Saga, basically a side story to the main-line books intended to give readers more information on certain characters. The events in this book are well before the events in The Mongoliad: Book One and provide some background on Ferrenantus, one of the Knights Brethren who features prominently in the main Foreworld books as the leader of the Knights Brethren involved in defeating the Kahn of Kahns. The events in this book may actually form some of the basis for a flashback Ferrenantus has in Katabasis.
Set in the late 1100's, The Lion in Chains tells the story of Richard the Lionheart's capture by then Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI. There is tension between England and the Holy Roman Empire, and even some of King Richard's subjects are frustrated with his peace deal with Saladin. Henry VI comes to the great fortune of having King Richard more or less fall into his lap, so he captures him and holds him for a large ransom. There is a game of chess going on, though, and Henry VI has plans to get the ransom through unofficial channels, though Richard expects this and maneuvers to stop the trickery. King Richard uses his "serving man," Ferrenantus, and Maria, a woman sent to Richard by his wife, to thwart Henry's plans.
Through the course of the rather short story, we meet not only Ferrentantus and Maria, but also Rutgar, another Knight Brethren who is in The Mongoliad, and Robin Hood and his band of men. There is humor, there are a couple battles/skirmishes, and of course, there is intrigue in the story. All in all, the short tale gives us a glimpse into what made Ferrenantus the character he was in the main Foreworld books and a bit of fan service with the Robin Hood aspect of the story. This book wouldn't stand well on its own, but having read the main books in the Foreworld Saga, it was an entertaining diversion for an afternoon (well, part of an afternoon--after all, it WAS only 2 hours long).
Luke Daniels' narration was a welcome return after the disappointing narration of the 5th book, Siege Perilous. His reading made it easy to listen to and pulled me into the world. Even his female voices weren't over-the-top but still made it obvious who was speaking. With most of the other books in the series narrated by him, it felt "normal" and somewhat comforting to have him read this one, too.
In the end, it was a cute story that provided some interesting background to the main Foreworld story line. I definitely recommend this book to those who have read the other books in the Foreworld Saga, and possibly to others who might be interested but would like to "sample" the work and world before diving in headlong.
Narrated by Luke Daniels
Length: 2 hours
Note: This book is available individually (as I listened to it) or as a part of the book SideQuest Adventures No. 1, which includes this story, The Beast of Calatrava: A Foreworld Sidequest, and The Shield-Maiden: A Foreworld SideQuest.
This story is a "sidequest" in the Foreworld Saga, basically a side story to the main-line books intended to give readers more information on certain characters. The events in this book are well before the events in The Mongoliad: Book One and provide some background on Ferrenantus, one of the Knights Brethren who features prominently in the main Foreworld books as the leader of the Knights Brethren involved in defeating the Kahn of Kahns. The events in this book may actually form some of the basis for a flashback Ferrenantus has in Katabasis.
Set in the late 1100's, The Lion in Chains tells the story of Richard the Lionheart's capture by then Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI. There is tension between England and the Holy Roman Empire, and even some of King Richard's subjects are frustrated with his peace deal with Saladin. Henry VI comes to the great fortune of having King Richard more or less fall into his lap, so he captures him and holds him for a large ransom. There is a game of chess going on, though, and Henry VI has plans to get the ransom through unofficial channels, though Richard expects this and maneuvers to stop the trickery. King Richard uses his "serving man," Ferrenantus, and Maria, a woman sent to Richard by his wife, to thwart Henry's plans.
Through the course of the rather short story, we meet not only Ferrentantus and Maria, but also Rutgar, another Knight Brethren who is in The Mongoliad, and Robin Hood and his band of men. There is humor, there are a couple battles/skirmishes, and of course, there is intrigue in the story. All in all, the short tale gives us a glimpse into what made Ferrenantus the character he was in the main Foreworld books and a bit of fan service with the Robin Hood aspect of the story. This book wouldn't stand well on its own, but having read the main books in the Foreworld Saga, it was an entertaining diversion for an afternoon (well, part of an afternoon--after all, it WAS only 2 hours long).
Luke Daniels' narration was a welcome return after the disappointing narration of the 5th book, Siege Perilous. His reading made it easy to listen to and pulled me into the world. Even his female voices weren't over-the-top but still made it obvious who was speaking. With most of the other books in the series narrated by him, it felt "normal" and somewhat comforting to have him read this one, too.
In the end, it was a cute story that provided some interesting background to the main Foreworld story line. I definitely recommend this book to those who have read the other books in the Foreworld Saga, and possibly to others who might be interested but would like to "sample" the work and world before diving in headlong.
March 4, 2019
Another Feronantus prequel short story (or side quest as the Foreworld franchise would have it). This time sees Feronantus helping free King Richard the Lionheart, protecting the ransom payment for his release from multiple potential thieves. Luckily, the sudden appearance of a certain famous English longbow archer turns up to save the day. Lots of fun with plenty of buckled swashes and presumably the first meeting of a certain archer and a maid?
January 23, 2015
I wanted to read some fantasy books but didn't know where to start because I'm not used to reading them. So I chose to start with a short story. I think that this was a great introduction to that genre. I was a bit like Robin Hood (wink) and I like things from that time period. It was also a quest book which is something that I've become fond of since reading the alchemist. My next fantasy book will definitely be a little longer and a lot more fantasy. The book has given the confidence I need to be on #teamfantasynovels (if this were twitter, to which it is not, so just ignore that.)
December 2, 2022
King Richard is a guest of the Holy Roman Empire and his hospitality comes at a high cost for the English people. Richard's wife sends Maria, her handmaiden, to broker a deal to ensure the ransom is delivered to her royal cousin, but it takes a cocky young freeman named Robin of Locksley to keep her safe.
A smart tale which highlights the danger of the return from the Holy Land and the keen intelligence of Richard, which also ties nearly into the Foreworld Saga.
A smart tale which highlights the danger of the return from the Holy Land and the keen intelligence of Richard, which also ties nearly into the Foreworld Saga.
January 5, 2024
Another set of backstory notes on some characters from the Mongoliad, sketched into a novella.
I enjoyed seeing a young Fernonnantus and some of the plotting/ intrigue was pretty good.
I don't mind the odd mixing in of historical characters. I found Robin of Locksley a bit cringe though.
I enjoyed seeing a young Fernonnantus and some of the plotting/ intrigue was pretty good.
I don't mind the odd mixing in of historical characters. I found Robin of Locksley a bit cringe though.
September 24, 2018
Mini-Review:
I meant to listen to Dreamer but ended up hitting play on this instead. Without going into too much detail, this was a fun short story based on King Richard, Robin of Loxley, Lady Marian and more. A nice mix of intrigue, action and drunken tomfoolery.
I meant to listen to Dreamer but ended up hitting play on this instead. Without going into too much detail, this was a fun short story based on King Richard, Robin of Loxley, Lady Marian and more. A nice mix of intrigue, action and drunken tomfoolery.
November 13, 2022
An interesting little side quest for the shield-Brethren initiate Feronantus. This also features Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood) and some of his followers making a cameo appearance. Short but entertaining.
April 7, 2020
It was very interesting. Especially since I am very interested in English history. I liked how they tied in actual history.
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January 5, 2021It was great! I found the Foreworld Saga through Amazon and am currently on the Beast of Calatrava.
September 13, 2023
Book was interesting but not one I would want to read again or refer to a friend .
January 22, 2013
This Foreworld sidequest takes place a number of years before The Mongoliad: Book One. Like all of the sidequest the short focuses on one of the main characters in the Mongoliad trilogy, Feronantus.
January 6, 2013
Enjoyed this as part of the whole Foreworld saga. Some great character inclusions.
January 8, 2013
Cool little story starring Feronantus of the Mogoliad, Richard Lionheart and a surprise character. The English longbow is deadly!
April 13, 2014
A nice little story and history of Richard the Lion hearted. Maybe a little too heavy on the history portion rather than story but still good.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews