The Hands of the Emperor

The Hands of the Emperor is the first book in The Lays of the Hearth-Fire Series. It follows Cliopher "Kip" Mdang. It was published in 2019.

Published Blurb
An impulsive word can start a war. A timely word can stop one. A simple act of friendship can change the course of history.

Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord of Rising Stars, the Lord Magus of Zunidh, the Sun-on-Earth, the god. He has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person. He has never once touched his lord. He has never called him by name. He has never initiated a conversation.

One day Cliopher invites the Sun-on-Earth home to the proverbially remote Vangavaye-ve for a holiday.

The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy. The acceptance upends the world.

Volume One | The Meeting Place of Iki and Ani
''From Cliopher's arrival back in Gorjo City and yacht ride with Bertie, back to Solaara to invite his Radiancy on vacation. The whole vacation, and back to Gorjo City, where Cliopher attends his sister's assembly and is named Lord Chancellor of Zunidh.''

Chapter One to Chapter Twenty

 * Chapter One: Cliopher "Kip" Mdang is visiting home Gorjo City in the Vangavaye-ve from his work in Solaara and joins his friend Bertie on his yacht.


 * Chapter Two: While on Bertie's yacht, Cliopher spots the house of the old duke of Ikiano's summer house. In a flashback, His Radiancy thinks he hears someone call his name and Cliopher learns his Radiancy was exiled on a lonely isle before he was emperor. Back in modern day, Cliopher buys himself a celebratory efela necklace for the stockpiles. He signs a lease for the old duke of Ikiano's summer house.


 * Chapter Three: Cliopher returns from vacation and invites the Emperor on vacation and at the last minute, after finishing his work on the typhoons, his Radiancy agrees to go on vacation with minimal staff, including Conju, Ser Rhodin, and Commander Omo.


 * Chapter Four: Cliopher prepares for the vacation and arranges to be on Captain Diogen's ship, and for Kiri to be the acting head of government.


 * Chapter Five: They fly to the Vangavaye-ve on the ship, Eastern Wonder then take a pleasure yacht, the Aōtelēlana (or the Aōtelēlona???) under Captain Achillon to the vacation house.


 * Chapter Six: They settle into the vacation house and his Radiancy starts to get unsettled. Commander Omo suggests that his Radiancy would enjoy being treated 'as a person'. His Radiancy finds a copy of 'Aurora' and a harp, as he has dreamed the moment before.


 * Chapter Seven: His Radiancy meets with some locals and visits Ikialo Village.


 * Chapter Eight: The vacation house's name, Navikiani is explained as meaning 'Meeting-Place of Iki and Ani' as they return from the village. His Radiancy notes that Cliopher's accent has grown stronger over the day, and uses magic to light a fire. Conju objects to his Radiancy needing to light his own fire, and they are interrupted by Beila, the cook.


 * Chapter Nine: It is raining. His Radiancy accidentally gives Cliopher a headache with the power of his magic. Conju continues to struggle with the relaxed customs.

His Radiancy uses the harp and sings, and is skilled at both. His Radiancy wants to go snorkelling, but the masks have to be ritually cleansed first by his Radiancy, a duty normally covered by Iprenna and Bavezh, the chief priest-wizards of the court. The line of succession is first mentioned.


 * Chapter Ten: His Radiancy plays harp, then Cliopher and his Radiancy go snorkelling. Cliopher tells his Radiancy about his childhood, his friends Basil and Dimiter, and his sisters Leona, Vinyë, and Navalia. His Radiancy tells Cliopher of his unhappy childhood, and the cruelty of his uncle and cousin.

Jiano, Ikialo Speaker, and his wife, Aya inDovo Delanis come visit to invite the group to market-day in Ikiava village, in the morning they start walking to Ikiava.


 * Chapter Eleven: At the market, Cliopher bargains for an efela necklaces of unparalleled quality. His Radiancy trades illusions for two baskets, and lots of books. There is a pig roast and mumu where his Radiancy refuses to invoke himself in prayer.


 * Chapter Twelve: The week following the market, his Radiancy chats the cook, and it's Ludvic's birthday. His Radiancy gifts Ludvic a book of Ludvic's romantic epic about Edriana and the Cavalier. Retirement is first discussed, Conju is uncomfortable andu upset by the idea. His Radiancy talks about how much he hates being Emperor, and chastises Cliopher, Ludvic, and Conju for believing the facade of The Serene Emperor. (Ser Rhodin is present, but working.) His Radiancy storms off and leaves his guards behind.


 * Chapter Thirteen: Jiano and Aya come to visit while his Radiancy is still away. They admit they thought him a political prisoner, and Jiano is revealed to be the illegitimate son of'The Poz' (aka Prince Auyrepoz), the previous Prince of the Vangavaye-ve.Aya invites the group to the lunar eclipse party. His Radiancy returns, Conju offers his resignation, his Radiancy apologises to Conju and Conju agrees to stay in service.


 * Chapter Fourteen: His Radiancy is happy to be invited to the lunar eclipse party. Cliopher shares that his nickname is 'Kip'. His Radiancy shares that he likes the nickname 'Tor' and that he has a chosen name that he chooses not to share, for now. Conju talks about Terec. His Radiancy explains his great works of magic are a combination of Schooled and Wild magic. He would have retired after completing the 'Lights', considering everything after to be 'make-work'.

A large group travels to the lunar eclipse party, where his Radiancy plays harp for an hour.


 * Chapter Fifteen: After feasting, his Radiancy plays the harp more. At the eclipse, in response to his Radiancy's prayer, the Moon appears. She offers him immortality among other things, but this is not his Radiancy's prayer or heart's wish, so he declines.


 * Chapter Sixteen: His Radiancy is discomposed, and the group leave the party early. His Radiancy goes for a swim. Cliopher says that his Radiancy 'wants to be human' in response to Ser Rhodin's confusion. Cliopher wakes 'aching with unaccustomed desire'. At his Radiancy's request, Cliopher tells the story of Emperor Aurelius and Elonoa'a. His Radiancy declares they will return to Solaara as soon possible, using magic to make a parrot deliver a letter requesting a boat. Back in Gorjo City, his Radiancy suggests that Cliopher could visit his family, and they could spend some time in the city. Cliopher arranges a stay at The Dolphin and visits his family.


 * Chapter Seventeen: Cousin Louya visits, insisting there is a government conspiracy, Cliopher insists she must go through the official channels. Gaudy and Cliopher spend time together, Gaudy asks if Cliopher is upset that he is studying for the service exams.


 * Chapter Eighteen:


 * Chapter Nineteen:


 * Chapter Twenty:

Interlude One

 * A Letter: A letter to Basil, from Cliopher

Chapter Twenty-One to Chapter Thirty-Five

 * Chapter Twenty-One:


 * Chapter Twenty-Two:


 * Chapter Twenty-Three:


 * Chapter Twenty-Four:


 * Chapter Twenty-Five:


 * Chapter Twenty-Six:


 * Chapter Twenty-Seven:


 * Chapter Twenty-Eight:


 * Chapter Twenty-Nine:


 * Chapter Thirty:


 * Chapter Thirty-One:


 * Chapter Thirty-Two:


 * Chapter Thirty-Three:


 * Chapter Thirty-Four:


 * Chapter Thirty-Five:

Interlude Two

 * A Letter:
 * A Letter:

Chapter Thirty-Six to Chapter Forty-Nine

 * Chapter Thirty-Six:


 * Chapter Thirty-Seven:


 * Chapter Thirty-Eight:


 * Chapter Thirty-Nine:


 * Chapter Forty:


 * Chapter Forty-One:


 * Chapter Forty-Two:


 * Chapter Forty-Three:


 * Chapter Forty-Four:


 * Chapter Forty-Five:


 * Chapter Forty-Six:


 * Chapter Forty-Seven:


 * Chapter Forty-Eight:


 * Chapter Forty-Nine:

Interlude Three

 * A Proclamation:
 * A Letter:

Chapter Fifty to Chapter Fifty-Seven

 * Chapter Fifty:


 * Chapter Fifty-One:


 * Chapter Fifty-Two:


 * Chapter Fifty-Three:


 * Chapter Fifty-Four:


 * Chapter Fifty-Five:


 * Chapter Fifty-Six:


 * Chapter Fifty-Seven:

Interlude Four

 * An Announcement:
 * An Invitation:
 * Response:
 * A Reply:

Chapter Fifty-Eight to Chapter Eighty

 * Chapter Fifty-Eight:


 * Chapter Fifty-Nine:


 * Chapter Sixty:


 * Chapter Sixty-One:


 * Chapter Sixty-Two:


 * Chapter Sixty-Three:


 * Chapter Sixty-Four:


 * Chapter Sixty-Five:


 * Chapter Sixty-Six:


 * Chapter Sixty-Seven:


 * Chapter Sixty-Eight:


 * Chapter Sixty-Nine:


 * Chapter Seventy:


 * Chapter Seventy-One:


 * Chapter Seventy-Two:


 * Chapter Seventy-Three:


 * Chapter Seventy-Four:


 * Chapter Seventy-Five:


 * Chapter Seventy-Six:


 * Chapter Seventy-Seven:


 * Chapter Seventy-Eight:


 * Chapter Seventy-Nine:


 * Chapter Eighty: