The Puppet King

Book One of The Chronicles of Tarod the Nine-Fingered

He came to Minnea seeking glory.
He found betrayal, sorcery, and a throne built on lies.

After winning the royal tournament, young Tarod-barely a man, but already a warrior of rare skill-is welcomed into the court of King Damen of Minnea, the richest and most peaceful nation along the Seren River. Yet on the night of his victory feast, the king and queen are murdered, throwing the kingdom into chaos...and thrusting Tarod into a role he never sought.

Crowned by convenience and bound by a secret that could cost him his life, Tarod quickly learns that ruling a civilized nation is nothing like surviving the wild mountains of his birth. Manipulated by the cunning sorcerer Selith, mocked by his own people, and tormented by courtly boredom, Tarod walks a razor's edge between duty and rebellion.

But danger is never far.
An assassin stalks the throne.
Old enemies stir.
And the truth behind Selith's power may condemn Minnea-and Tarod himself-to ruin.

Collected here are the first four chronicles of Tarod the Nine-Fingered, including:
"The War Lord," "The Puppet King," "The Nine-Fingered," and "The Death Merchant."
Gritty, fast-paced, and steeped in dark intrigue, The Puppet King marks the beginning of a legendary saga of steel, sorcery, and a barbarian's battle for his soul.

(This book was previously published as The Saga of Tarod the Nine-Fingered, Volume 1 under the author name Steven E. Wedel. This revised and updated edition now appears under the fantasy pen name Morgan Blackwood.)