Vonalt: Blog

It is the 12th century, and the Holy Roman Empire stands on the edge of turmoil. Frederick of Hohenstaufen, newly elected King of the Romans and destined to become Emperor, rides toward Rome beneath the weight of growing unrest. Powerful voices within the Church denounce the rise of a secular ruler, while whispers of assassination follow the king across every road and castle hall.
When Frederick’s royal party stops at Trier Castle, he expects only rest and counsel from the Archbishop of Trier. Instead, he is drawn into the trial of a young squire accused of defying the Church itself.
Johannes Braun refused an unthinkable order: to burn an elderly woman condemned as a witch by fearful villagers and a fanatical monk. For his defiance, he is stripped of honor and sentenced to spend the rest of his life imprisoned within the Abbey of Tholey.
But Frederick sees something others do not—courage. Against the will of powerful men, the king intervenes and takes Johannes under his protection. That single act sets into motion a chain of events that will test loyalty, faith, and the very authority of crown and Church.

David is tired of running and wants to come home and be with those who care about him. His time out in the desert has toughened the once-soft East Coast college math teacher. Running is no longer an option, and now he is ready to face his fears. David has an adopted family and his California beach girl to support him. Facing Ramos is no longer as frightening as it once was, knowing he has others to back his play.

Chapter Eleven is ready to be posted. David continues his efforts to frustrate the FBI and the Ramos cartel as they try to box him in. Just when they think they have him contained, he finds a way to slip out, leaving them empty handed. He even relaxes at a touristy beach and enjoys himself before disappearing down the rabbit hole and moving to his next location.

David finds himself on the beaches of Los Angeles County, where he joins a group of friends spending time by the ocean. He becomes particularly attracted to one of the women, and if she discovers his true identity, things could go very badly for him.

David learns what it means to be part of the land and to appreciate it for what it is. His mentor teaches him about the tools and responsibilities that come with that role. David takes this responsibility seriously and learns what it means to be a man of the West. He also learns an important lesson about relationships and how to deal with betrayal.