So, Mercedes Lackey has decided to write a trilogy finally depicting the Kingdom of Valdemar, starting with Beyond. We know some of the legends, thanks to prvious volumes, but legends often don't capture the full truth.
In this case, we're dealing with the Duchy of Valdemar, a far flung part of the Empire, that specializes in horse breeding. Duke Kordas and his wife Isla run the Duchy, working to bring to fruition a plan his Grandfather, the first Duke, came up with to get everyone in Valdemar far enough away from the Empire that they wouldn't be stuck in the perpetual loop of Imperial Politics. Thus Kordas does his best to come off as a bumpkin to avoid the Emperor's notice.
As it becomes apparent they have the ability to start the evacuation, Kordas is summoned to the Imperial City for the Emperor's Birthday Regatta. Which leaves it up to Isla and her lovesick sister to carry out the plan, hoping Kordas can work out everything on his end from across the Empire. (In modern terms, it looks like the Capital and the Duchy are about the distance between, say, Los Angeles and Washington DC.)
Unfortunately, Kordas is stuck dealing with imprisoned elementals, Imperial hostages, and the fact the emperor has been making abyssal deals on top of everything else.
Again, as we've been reading the legends of these events since 1987, the ending comes as no surprise, although the ride to get there is fascinating to read.
Great addition.
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