The Riyria Chronicles [WITTY BANTER | EPIC FANTASY | ASSASSINS | THIEVES | MERCENARIES]

Royce Melborn (a cynical ex-assassin) and Hadrian Blackwater (an idealistic ex-mercenary) couldn't be more different from one another, but desperate times makes for strange partnerships and sometimes the best friendships are bound by blood - both theirs and those who dare to oppose them. 

To date I've written 11 books featuring the duo, but unfortunately, seven of them are licensed to the big-five publisher Hachette Book Group (through their fantasy imprint Orbit).  So, I can only post volumes that I've self-published here on Royal Road.  The good news is that Books #3 - #5 of the Riyria Chronicles are pretty much "standalone" in that you don't need any prior knowledge of my other books to enjoy these.  That said, if you do fall in love with Royce and Hadrian and you want more of their adventures you can find through your favorite bookseller or in your local library.  The traditionally published titles include:

- Theft of Swords (Riyria Revelations #1 & #2: contains The Crown Conspiracy & Avempartha)

- Rise of Empire (Riyria Revelations #3 & #4: contains Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm)

- Heir of Novron (Riyria Revelations #5 & #6: contains Wintertide & Percepliquis)

- The Crown Tower (Riyria Chronicles #1)

- The Rose and the Thorn (Riyria Chronicles #2)

The free books available here include: 

Volume 1: THE DEATH OF DULGATH

Three times they tried to kill her. Then a professional was hired. So was Riyria. When the last member of the oldest noble family in Avryn is targeted for assassination, Riyria is hired to foil the plot. Three years have passed since the war-weary ex-mercenary and the cynical ex-assassin joined forces to start life as rogues-for-hire. Things have gone well enough until they're asked to help prevent a murder. Now they must venture into an ancient corner of the world to save a mysterious woman who knows more about Royce than is safe and cares less about herself than is sane.

Volume 2: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF WINTER'S DAUGHTER

A daughter vanishes. Two rogues are paid a fortune to find her. It isn't enough. When Gabriel Winter's daughter mysteriously disappears and is presumed dead, the wealthy whiskey baron seeks revenge. Having lived in Colnora during the infamous Year of Fear, he hires the one man he knows can deliver a bloody retribution - the notorious Duster. Ride with Royce and Hadrian as the cynical ex-assassin and idealistic ex-mercenary travel to a mysterious old-world city filled with nobles claiming descent from the imperial aristocracy. Riyria's job appears easy: discover what happened to the missing duchess and, if she lives, bring her home . . . if not, punish those responsible. But nothing is simple in the crowded, narrow, mist-filled streets of Rochelle, where more than one ancient legend lurks.

Volume 3: DRUMINDOR

He planned to obliterate an entire city. He thought no one could stand in his way. But he hadn’t heard of Riyria. When a master craftsman dwarf is fired and threatens retaliation, the rogues-for-hire enterprise known as Riyria is commissioned to stop him. Traveling to the paradise resort of  Tur Del Fur, the two are granted a lavish allowance that, along with an easy task, promises to turn a job into a vacation. Everything would have been perfect except that the disgruntled worker’s last name is Berling, and the targets of his wrath are the legendary towers of Drumindor.