The Khaavren Romances by Steven Brust
The Khaavren Romances are a series of fantasy novels by Steven Brust that serve as a prequel to his well-known Vlad Taltos series. Set in the intricate kingdom of Dragaera, these narratives explore themes of power dynamics, loyalty, and intrigue amidst a backdrop of political upheaval. The first book, *The Phoenix Guards*, follows Khaavren, a young noble who joins the elite Phoenix Guards tasked with protecting the emperor. Alongside his companions—Tazendra, a fierce warrior; Aerich, a secretive strategist; and Pel, a supportive ally—they become embroiled in a conspiracy involving the emperor's advisors and a high-stakes quest to aid a wrongfully accused baroness.
The sequel, *Five Hundred Years After*, continues Khaavren's story as he navigates a court riddled with assassination attempts and political instability under the incompetent rule of Emperor Tortaalik. The narratives intertwine personal relationships and broader conflicts, revealing the complexities of loyalty and betrayal in a world where individuals can live for centuries. Themes of friendship, love, and the consequences of political maneuvering resonate throughout both books, painting a vivid picture of a fantastical society grappling with its challenges.
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The Khaavren Romances
First published:The Phoenix Guards (1991) and Five Hundred Years After (1994)
Type of work: Novels
Type of plot: Fantasy—heroic fantasy
Time of work: A medieval period
Locale: The kingdom of Dragaera
The Plot
These two books (with more possible) form a prequel to Steven Brust’s more conventional Adventures of Vlad Taltos series, begun in 1983. They are set in the kingdom of Dragaera, where the cycle of ruling Houses is strict. Upon the death of a particular emperor or following a successful revolt, the Orb, a magical security data bank, moves to the successor. Recently, the Aethyra have lost power. The arrogant, young Tortaalik has become the first emperor of the Phoenix cycle. Because individuals can live for millennia, the change is profound. Adron eKieron, the Dragon heir, faces a long wait for his succession.
In The Phoenix Guards, Khaavren, a landless young noble, decides to join the Phoenix Guards, whose duty is to protect the emperor. Along the way, he meets some young companions. Tazendra is a fierce Dzurlord, and Aerich is a judicious and secretive Lyorn. Pel, an acquaintance of Aerich, sponsors them into the Guards, and all four settle into a colorful, anarchically run household.
Many intrigues follow the disruption caused by the change of ruling House. These are exacerbated by the emperors weakness: He depends on favorites and his consort. Adron eKieron also has problems, including a murder in his family. The artist Baroness Kaluma killed the Marquis of Pepperfield; the Pepperfields is an important piece of land because it is on the border of barbarian Easterner territory.
Because arresting the baroness seems to be an adventure that will bring credit to themselves and their regiment, the friends set off on a quest to find her. Khaavren already has doubts, because a woman he loves asked instead that they provide aid to the baroness. The friends become embroiled in a conspiracy by the emperors advisers Lord Shaltre and the sorceress Seodra, who are aided by former favorite Lord Garland and by Khaavren’s inamorata. The advisers hope to wrest control of the Pepperfields from the Dragons and exploit its secret diamond mines.
Because of the power of their adversaries, the friends are nearly forced into fighting the entire Eastern army alone. Adron, whom they have by now befriended, watches the battle, crippled by fake orders from the emperor. In the end, Aerich, after revealing himself as the son of a baron betrayed and killed by Shaltre, challenges the latter to a duel. After Shaltre’s death, Garland flees. Khaavren takes the opportunity to make a peace treaty with the Easterners.
Back at the palace, all is made clear by the lie-detecting qualities of the Orb. Pel has satisfied himself and moves on to diplomacy. Aerich now has Shaltre’s lands, and Tazendra becomes his vassal, resuming care of her familys lands.
Five Hundred Years After continues the story. Little has changed in five centuries. Khaavren is now a captain of the Guard and is investigating a series of assassinations at court, including that of his old mentor. Tortaalik has become even more incompetent, relying on his silly and flirtatious wife, Noemi, and the prime minister. This situation deteriorates when the latter falls in love and fails to offer Noemi his usual tribute. She has him dismissed and makes Tortaalik move against the unwilling focus of that love, Aliera, daughter of Adron eKieron. He steals from Alieras room and temporarily imprisons her. Adron is alienated.
As the assassinations target the kingdoms most able citizens, the financial situation becomes acute. Almost bankrupt following a recent war, Tortaalik is owed a new fund by his people, but nobody is willing to pay. Believing that he cannot afford to use the magicians guild, he has let areas of the kingdom get out of control. Droughts and shortages are causing riots in the city, riots fomented by Greycat, a mysterious agitator. The army is unfit to fight Adrons well-trained troops. The only consolations for Khaavren are that he is reunited with his old friends and that he has fallen in love. His lover, Daro, even saves him from an assassination attempt.
Greycat, who is behind the assassinations as well as the riots, sends Mario, a skilled assassin, to kill the emperor. Because Greycat betrays him, Mario fails, but Aliera falls in love with Mario and ensures his escape. Even though he knows that the action will result in civil war, Khaavren’s duty forces him to arrest her. Many people flee the city as Adron marches on it and then besieges it. Khaavren decides that all he can do is arrest Adron on the battlefield. He meets his friends in battle, and they all combine to fight the motley army assembled by Greycat to kill Khaavren. They win and kill Greycat, who turns out to be the lost Lord Garland, driven mad by his defeat.
Adron finally runs out of patience and unleashes the weapon he has made to destroy the Orb and free the empire. Unfortunately, in the half hour it takes to act, Mario finally kills Tortaalik. Adron has to sit and wait for the weapons recoil, which will kill him. The castle and Adrons army are destroyed, together with much of the city. The friends escape to begin a new life.