My name is Sumto, and everyone thinks I am a gambling, lazy, good-for-nothing drunk. Frankly, I think they have a point. Right now I may have to join the army and fight in a war I am frankly too corpulent to cope with. Still, it looks like being a small, short war. So that's got to be as bad as things get. Am I right? Trained in his youth for war and politics, Sumto is interested in neither. As the son of a Patron, he should gather clients, acquire wealth, learn magic, husband a political power base and take his place amongst the Assembly of Patrons, the rulers of the city. Sumto would rather gather friends, acquire books, learn history, husband a hangover and take his place at the gambling tables. That is not going to be an option for much longer. Unknown to Sumto, everything is about to change. There is a war in the north and Sumto is about to become a very unwilling participant.

My name is Sumto. I have met the enemies of the city and prevailed, admittedly as much by luck as judgement. I could not have garnered the little success I can boast had I been alone: there is Sapphire, an assassin in the employ of my father; Meran, my former slave; and there is Jocasta, a sorceress of unexpected skill and strength. They all seem to care about me more than I probably deserve.

The necromancers power base is destroyed and the source of their power, the Grave, is flooded. Darklake is crammed to bursting with refugees after I sacked the Grave and destroyed Learneth by fire. Darklake, Learneth, the Grave are mine by right of conquest. Now I have to decide what to do with them. I just hope I decide wisely. 147,000 Words; Approx 420 (print) pages

All The King's Bastards is the last of the four novels in The Price of Freedom sequence. My name is Sumto and I was once content to drink and gamble and idle my days away in the company of good books, dubious friends and casual women. Still, money and power have their lure and I have accepted I must acquire them as a matter of survival. As the son of a Patron, Sumto has set his feet unsteadily upon a path that will one day allow him to take his place amongst the Assembly of Patrons, the rulers of the city. Banned from remaining in the north, Sumto must return to the city to face trial for a range of charges that culminate in treason. A trial he confidently expects to win. Unknown to Sumto, his enemies in the Assembly have other plans for his future and have already taken action against him. The last of four novels that follow the career of Sumto, a reluctant hero of dubious morals. Book The Last King's Amulet Book The Key To The Grave Book The Invisible Hand Book All The King's Bastards The four novels are best considered to be one novel in four parts, though each is novel length.