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.

Chapter One to Chapter Twenty
From Cliopher's arrival back in Gorjo City and yacht ride with Bertie, back to Solaara to invite his Radiancy on vacation, to the vacation, back to Gorjo City where Cliopher attends his sister's assembly and is named Lord Chancellor of Zunidh.


 * 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.