The Krozair Cycle

Book excerpt: Kregen, that grim and beautiful, marvelous and terrible world four hundred light-years away beneath the red and green fires of Antares is a world too rich in passion and action to allow a fighting man like Dray Prescot to rest for long. Once more, then, he is launched into fresh adventures, but this time there is a hiatus which might easily break a man of lesser fire and spirit... The Tides of Kregen: Of all the honours that Dray Prescot, Earthman, has won during his fabulous adventures on Kregen, none are valued by him more than his membership in the Order of the Krozairs of Zy. The Krozairs are the highest order of chivalry on that turbulent planet, dedicated men, warriors of stern convictions and unflinching hearts. Thus, when the Krozairs in their hour of need called on all their far-flung members for aid, he should have gone. But he could not. His return from Earth was blocked by the anger of the mysterious Star Lords. And before Dray Prescot can achieve redemption, he has two armies opposed to him, two warring kingdoms naming him outlaw, and only the tides of the seven moons as a weapon... Renegade of Kregen: Never before in his adventurous career under the double suns of Antares has Dray Prescot been in as desperate a situation as he finds himself on his second entry into the city of Magdag. Magdag was the scene of one of Prescot's earliest experiences on Kregen and he recalled it with loathing as a city of power-lusting slavers, of decadent worshippers of the Green Sun. As one who had been initiated into the chivalric order of Krozairs, he despises all that the city stood for. But now Prescot is an outcast. Any Krozair, any follower of the Red Sun of his former friends, will slay him on sight. For him there is only one way to recover his home, his children, his self-respect. He would have to perform an act of valor so extreme, so fabulous, that its glory would wash away all that now stains his name. Only by reaching to the very heart of mighty Magdag could he hope to achieve such a suicidal triumph... Krozair of Kregen: Dray Prescot has been condemned by his old enemies whose battle color is the green of the sun Grodno. For while among these slavers and conquerors of the green, searching for a way to turn the tide of war to his own redemption and his friends' advantage, he had personally encountered the deadly animosity of Grodno's king, had betrayed his champion, and had shattered all he so carefully worked for. But he must soldier on. For, now, in addition to the enormous feat that alone would restore his honor, he has a blood vengeance to achieve that overrides everything. This edition contains the short story "Wizard of Scorpio", and a glossary to the Krozair Cycle.