Murder on Kregen

A note on the Spectre Cycle

A note on the Spectre CycleA new page turns in the unruly life of Dray Prescot and all his strengths and inner resources will be required to confront fresh problems and perils. For those readers who have not hitherto encountered the story of Dray Prescot, this volume, Murder on Kregen, the first book of the Spectre Cycle, is an admirable place to begin making Prescot’s acquaintance.

He has been described as a man above middle height with immensely broad shoulders who moves like a hunting cat, silent and lethal. There is about him an abrasive honesty and indomitable courage. At the same time he presents an enigmatic figure for there is much about him we do not yet know. Educated in the harsh conditions of Nelson’s Navy he managed to gain the quarterdeck but after that his career waned. Only when he transited to Kregen under the twin suns of Antares were his true qualities given expression. The Star Lords, furthering their mysterious ends, demand that he unite all the continents and islands of Paz as an emperor. This task is beset with innumerable difficulties. He and the divine Delia have abdicated as Emperor and Empress of Vallia — and we believe one of the chief reasons was simply so they could go adventuring abroad on the cruel yet beautiful world of Kregen under the Suns of Scorpio.

The early parts of this book contain events that Prescot could not have known about at the time but learned later. They have been placed here for the sake of clarity.

So, join Dray Prescot as he rides south from the port city of Zandikar on the inner sea of the continent of Turismond, the Eye of the World, with his blade comrade Seg Segutorio and the Princesses Velia and Didi of Vallia. Of course, as is the nature of Kregen, they face unexpected peril.

But first...

Alan Burt Akers