Dark Tales of Randamor the Recluse Series by Andrew Ashling

Anaxantis, prince of Ximerion. You will hate him... if your heart isn't big enough. While the kingdom of Ximerion is threatened at its southern border by a major power, the high king sends his two youngest sons, the half brothers Anaxantis and Ehandar , as Lord Governors to the Northern Marches where minor raids by wild barbarians are expected... moreAnaxantis, prince of Ximerion. You will hate him... if your heart isn't big enough. While the kingdom of Ximerion is threatened at its southern border by a major power, the high king sends his two youngest sons, the half brothers Anaxantis and Ehandar , as Lord Governors to the Northern Marches where minor raids by wild barbarians are expected. Under the guidance of an old and trusted general, the king hopes to keep the young princes far from the major conflict in the south, while at the same time providing them with a valuable learning experience. The estranged half brothers are rivals, but soon they feel attracted to each other. As if this was not enough of a complication, they begin to suspect that they were set up by their own father. The result is a fierce struggle for power where the lines between hate and love become almost indistinguishable and where nothing is what it seems. less

Is the strain becoming too much? The threat of a barbarian invasion is imminent now, and the resources to organize the defense meager, to say the least. Moreover, the high king, father of the princes, begins to worry that one of his intrepid sons might do irreparable damage to the kingdom by provoking a force, greater than they can handle. Then there is the tortured relationship between Anaxantis and Ehandar... Luckily for him, queen Emelasuntha, his mother, has Anaxantis's back... moreIs the strain becoming too much? The threat of a barbarian invasion is imminent now, and the resources to organize the defense meager, to say the least. Moreover, the high king, father of the princes, begins to worry that one of his intrepid sons might do irreparable damage to the kingdom by provoking a force, greater than they can handle. Then there is the tortured relationship between Anaxantis and Ehandar... Luckily for him, queen Emelasuntha, his mother, has Anaxantis's back. But will it be enough? A lot of new characters, each with their own story, appear on the stage. Young pages, some cute, some haughty and arrogant, a mysterious, barbarian prince and a ruthless baron are just a few of them. Between all the turmoil of a country in upheaval, there is still room for love, tenderness, and laughter. You can read sample chapters online here . less

Anaxantis, prince of Ximerion. Not certain who he can trust, Anaxantis keeps recruiting and training troops, with dogged tenacity, to face the barbarian invasion. Who is the spy, leaking information to his father, the high king? What to do about the new arrival who tries to free his brother? Was the barbarian prince really captured or does he have a hidden agenda? Amid all the preparations for war, Lorcko of Iramid is looking for love. True love, this time... moreAnaxantis, prince of Ximerion. Not certain who he can trust, Anaxantis keeps recruiting and training troops, with dogged tenacity, to face the barbarian invasion. Who is the spy, leaking information to his father, the high king? What to do about the new arrival who tries to free his brother? Was the barbarian prince really captured or does he have a hidden agenda? Amid all the preparations for war, Lorcko of Iramid is looking for love. True love, this time. However, his reputation is working against him. Anaxantis has his own troubles in the love department. Soon he will be forced to make some hard decisions. Is he up to it, or will he finally buckle down under the strain? less