Reign of Madness (King's Dark Tidings, #2)

by Kel Kade

On sure feet, Rezkin strode to the stunned Frisha and took her in his arms as he gazed longingly into her eyes. Somehow, the performance did not seem as difficult as he thought it would be.

precision

Typo 'precise'

motioned

Typo 'motion'

It was a violation of Rule 14 for him to revel in success,

furrowed his brow as his chest tightened, and he replied, “They are dead.”

If you live your life for the sole purpose of seeking the approval of others, you will live no life at all.

The hum of mage power had always been enticing to Rezkin, as though somehow it was calling to him,

I will guide you, but you need to will it to be so.”

Will is key to utilization of talent (magic) and manipulation of vimara. Rezkin has the ability to manipulate the vimara but somehow does not have talent? How can this be? Different form of magic? Something that supercedes the concept of talent?

warrior,

Mentality to face challenges with resolve and equanimity does not need to be solely related to war and physical battle. Mental battle with self to overcome ones weaknesses fears etc a doctor's battle against illness and disease etc Author seems to be wanting to lead reader towards these conclusions

Did he think she couldn’t do it?

Internal strife battle to prove herself to others or her own self-worth

Reaylin growled. “Death, Rezkin, is significant!” “You are a warrior, Reaylin. Warriors die. How many warrior elders do you know?” he asked with disbelief.

It’s one thing to die in battle. It’s another to die while healing.”

“Are you likely to drop dead during archery practice?” Rezkin asked with concealed frustration. “No, of course not,” she spat. “Just as you are not likely to die from healing a donkey,”

Lol

“So, we have a healer who wants to be a warrior and a battle mage who wants to be a healer. It seems to me that some people simply need to accept who they are and embrace their strengths,”

Rules 6, 8, 24, 37, 57, 96, 117, 245, and very nearly 156.

Kai studied Rezkin’s stark looks. The strong jaw, broad shoulders, and larger than average build were imposing, but the inky black hair, pale skin, and startling blue eyes were what kept his attention.

Physical traits of the royal bloodline?

“Your swords are also missing the bond with the king. They are bonded only to you.

Rezkin frowned. “What use have I for a kingdom?”

The roll was hard, now, and perfect for waking slumbering mages.

The official mage wakening method: stale dinner rolls

The greatest adventures often start with a simple task and rarely seem so great when you are enduring them,”

Finding adventure and surviving it means seizing opportunities when they present themselves.

do not believe that protecting and honoring someone means locking him in a tower to prevent any ill from befalling him,”

“There are two hundred fifty-eight Rules, twenty-seven major Skills, and sixty-three minor ones.”

He was coming to realize that the manifestation of pain was a physical response to negative emotions.

If that was the case, it seemed as though Rule 1 was in direct conflict with the nature of his training—with his entire existence.

Rule 1 guaranteed only that his friends could trust and depend on him. It said nothing about the opposite being true. It was not Tam’s failing, then. It was his.

It seemed obvious, now, that King Bordran had a plan for him, and that plan did not seem to have anything to do with his purpose as stated in Rule 1.

Even though he knew the facts, he had always had difficulty accepting them as a reality, and it had been difficult to imagine a life lived any way but his.

He had attempted to fit in and adjust to their society, but it seemed that, unless he was actively playing a role, he was not meant to meld. Just because he now lived among the outworlders did not mean that he was one of them.

Rezkin had already revealed too much to Tam, in breach of Rule 3, and had failed at Rule 1 as a result.

not thought he was on a mission when he set out from the fort.

Rezkin now realized that his entire life w...

needed to stay diligent and compliant with the Ru...

“You think you are a warrior, but you refuse to accept one of your most notable talents. A true warrior hones every Skill available to him or her. You do not discard a natural talent simply because you view it as unworthy of your attention. A true warrior does what is necessary without a care for the opinions of others. You view healers as weak, and you are truly a weak healer. A true warrior harbors no weakness. You will take what you see as weakness and make it a strength or you are no warrior.”

It is the responsibility of all good and capable men to rid the world of this malignity, lest it fester and spread to infect the minds and hearts of innocent neighbors, as such evil is prone to do.

“Caydean has been king for two years.

Caydean has been king since Rezkin was 17. Meaning Bordren has been dead for approximately two years.

For some reason, a significant amount of knowledge regarding mages had been omitted from his education.

It would certainly make Rule 1 easier if he was in charge of the young man. Actually, the Rule made much more sense this way. It was the king’s duty to protect and honor his people. Was this what the Rule meant all along?

stared at the eclectic group. It was obvious from their dress that they were of a variety of backgrounds—commoners, nobles, soldiers, and a mage—all partaking of a meal together.

the phrase dark tidings is used regularly as a euphemism for assassination.

The stories of this Rez character did not sound so dissimilar to his own training.

Lord Rezkin was unaware that the man he dealt with, a man by the name of Lord Starling, was actually the Raven,

ARCHER Starling??? 😂 perhaps he should be called Duchess instead of The Raven 😂