The Shadows of God - J. Gregory Keyes [138]
“And so, though God has declared it, let us declare it again in a single voice, the voice of the Commonwealth Nations of America, a voice that will make every tyrant on Earth tremble. We are free. No man owns another, no nation owns any man, no nation owns another nation. Our law derives from trust, duty, and above all consent. We stand resolved in this, a fortress wall, mortared with the blood of those who fought and died, guarded by those who fought and lived, and by their children, and theirs. So say we all. We are free.”
He began to read the names signed below, but before the first syllable left his mouth the crowd roared, in that single voice of which Voltaire wrote—“We are free.”
They were still shouting it when the storm came, and Franklin could no longer tell his tears from the raindrops or his laughter from the thunder. They sang it to the dark skies, and when it cleared they were still there, every one of them, and the celebrations really began.
As night fell, and Maroon drank with ranger, and Indian with dragoon, Franklin wondered how long it could last, this unity, this peace. But in a brilliant, exquisite moment, he knew it did not matter. What could be once, could be again and again, as long as there were people of the heart and will to speak and act.
This was the first invention of a new age. It most likely would be the best, and it would not be forgotten.
Excerpt from
THE BRIAR KING
by Greg Keyes
Coming in January 2003
THE BRIAR KING is the first book in the four-volume epic fantasy saga of The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone. Set in a rich, medieval world where strange and deadly creatures roam the land, and destinies become entangled in a drama of power and seduction, this exciting new novel boasts a wonderful cast: the king's woodsman, a rebellious young girl, a naïve priest, a rogue adventurer, a daring knight, to name but a few. These and more face malevolent forces that shake the foundations of their kingdom. And at the heart of THE BRIAR KING stands Anne Dare, youngest daughter of the royal family, upon whom the fate of her world may depend.
“THE BRIAR KING was a danged good read, and definitely left me turning the pages late.… I look forward to more.” —KATHERINE KURTZ, New York Times bestselling author of the Deryni Chronicles
“The characters in THE BRIAR KING absolutely brim with life. It's been awhile since I've been this taken with a traditional fantasy novel, but Keyes hooked me from the first page.” —CHARLES DE LINT, award-winning author of Forests of the Heart and The Onion Girl
“THE BRIAR KING starts off with a bang, spinning a snare of terse imagery and compelling characters that grips tightly and never lets up, beautifully infused with all the wonder of the fantasy genre. A graceful, artful tale from a master storyteller.” —ELIZABETH HAYDON, bestselling author of Prophecy: Child of Earth
“Well conceived and intricately plotted, [THE BRIAR KING] crackles with suspense and excitement from start to finish. It is a wonderful tale; don't fail to read it.” —TERRY BROOKS, New York Times bestselling author of the Shannara novels
By the time they had reached the festival grounds, Fastia had filled Neil's head with the names of so many lords, ladies, retainers, grefts, archgrefts, margrefts, marascalhs, sinescalhs, earls, counts, landfroas, andvats, barons, and knights he feared it would burst. He spent most of his time nodding and making noises to let her know he was listening. Meanwhile, Sir Fail, still speaking with the king, drew farther and farther away. The rest of the royal party outpaced them until only he and Fastia and a few of the deviceless knights were left.