Helen Gosney

Red Rowan Helen Gosney

Rowan d'Rhys del'Quist is a Siannen forester, living quietly in his beloved forests as his kind have always done. In most ways, he's the same as any other forester: tall, strong and well built, red-haired like his northern kin, and like them considered small by other foresters but not by anyone else. He has all the proverbial politeness of his kin and all of their stubbornness as well. He differs from them in only two things: he is a Whisperer of the sort not seen for a very long time, and he has come to be regarded as a hero and a legend in his own lifetime ... much to his own amazement, disbelief and horror. This is the story of how he did it. Book One is the story of a young Rowan who leaves the forests as few of his kind ever do, to become a Guardsman in the neighbouring province of Wirran. The Wirran Guard are justly proud of their distinguished reputation and find themselves shocked to find a young Siannen is as good as any of them and better than most when he takes them on at their own game. Book Two finds Rowan's life has changed a lot, and not for the better. He has faced unimaginable loss, trauma and betrayal and decides to find and confront the Gods themselves, simply to tell them what he thinks about the way they're running things. He might mention some improvements that they could make while he's at it. His meeting with those he finds in Plausant Bron will change him and the world of Yaarl forever. Book Three sees Rowan more at peace with himself at last, though at times he still struggles with the losses and traumas of his past. At the urging of an old friend he will finally return to his old garrison to face and accept the adulation and honours that he turned his back on. While he's there, he will show a new generation of swordsmen that the Champion is not to be trifled with, no matter how old and decrepit he may appear to be.