Bradford Henshaw
Alden Towers Library
New Release!
The Opalescent Covenant, Book Seven in The Prince of Brim-Loch Tum Series
is now available on Amazon.com
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The PRINCE of BRIM-LOCH TUM
A tale told in seven books. Simple rustic fantasy, vintage in bearing and romantic in scope. Set in a world of Elves and Men and Little People, it tells the lives and histories of many—both of the evil, and of the good—who become embroiled in the struggle for mastery over a rich and diverse land called Cen-Tuin.
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The Prince of Brim-Loch Tum opens with a surprise birthday party for a little six-year-old lad and continues through seven volumes of charm, adventure, intrigue, discovery, mystique, encounter and consolaton—a story filled with refreshing old-world appeal which would not offend one of these little ones gathered around Grandpappy's chair for tales by the fireplace.
Seven nations have covenanted together against a common enemy. Being thus bound, they find themselves not only at war with the Black Flower, but in conflict among themselves as well.
As the story begins, two children have been born on the same calendar day—Storr Mason of the Minnekens, and Llam of the Mariner Kings. On the same day twenty years hence, each will inherit the Opalescent Stone of his ancestors, becoming the federal head of his people. Will the Evil One find a way to defraud them of their inheritances? When the time comes for their coronation, will either of them still possess breath to draw or sense to wield a sword?
The final wreckage of Cen-Tuin dawns at last with the rising of the misbegotten Prince of Brim-Loch Tum. Who is this prince? And who must be measured against him in the end?
BOOK ONE — THE STONE SHALL BE MINE
Come, walk with me up Apple Creek and meet old Rhim Cooper, the Minneken Chief who lives at Springgate Cottage.
Amble down to Otter Lake and take breakfast in Aunt Fay's kitchen, and on to Saltford where we can learn the news from Dilly Brock, keeper of the Stonehouse Inn.
Accompany the High King and the Chief of the Little People as they pursue the minions of the Evil One.
Ride with Buckthorn Leithgait into the spawning cave of the Black Flower; follow the King across the Wire O'er the Abyss; look behind the visor of the armored Knight who wields the Sword of Brim-Loch Tum; and wonder at an ancient rhyme spoken by the lad Storr Mason.
BOOK TWO — THE THREE SIDED BRIDGE
We take up again with Buckthorn Leithgait, a Minneken of some renown, as he and the High King do battle against the hatchlings of Brim-Loch Tum. After sojourning in the Redwood Palace of the Wood Elves, we enjoy a good visit with Windhelm the Wise, and arrive at last in Centrilleum where we are confronted with a shocking mystery.
In his travels, Buckey learns the ancient lore of the Elves. From the dusty vellum page, he is transported back into a primeval era, where the Black Flower first crawls up out of her frozen hole into the world of myths and legends and Windhelm is forced to protect the Sword of Old from her iron claw. From the lips of the Elders, Buckey hears how the Golden Age was broken by an army of mortal Men on horseback; Elves were transmuted into Ogres; Peace Frontiers were made into prison houses; and the Elves’ own covenant was turned against them.
BOOK THREE — THE HOUSE OF ROYALLE
Out from another land, and up from another day, the Seafaring Shepherd has sailed to Cen-Tuin as its only hope of deliverance. Here he is instated in the Opalescent Covenant and declared High King over all realms, that he might draw the Evil One into personal confrontation with himself. As it is plainly foretold—There shall be hostility between the Evil One and the High King, and between Her spawn and his offspring. She shall splinter their arrows, and he shall shatter her bow.
From the Place of Beginnings a little people come forth down from the ice and snow, bearing a treasure without which the world must perish—a great burden to be guarded when all other treasures are lost.
Who in the King's household conspires for the life of the Prince? Wild game moves on—but the hidden track remains.
BOOK FOUR — TENDRILS OF THE BLACK FLOWER
Sait Agatha Veld was first to give her nation over to the Evil One. Being a transterpreter, Agatha was able to turn darkness into light, smuggling two illegal tribes into Cen-Tuin and calling it legal.
Wraylan La'Brille was second to throw away his soul and his people to the Black Flower. Born High Lord Viceroy to a nation of spineless Scyphotanians, he proved unserviceable to the powers of Brim-Loch Tum. But there was an old Wolf serving in the King's palace, full of treason and duplicity—an agent full worthy the trust of the Evil One.
The Alpha is a Goblin who was once the noble Lord of the Plains Elves. Aelph is the last to have cast his Covenant Stone before the powers of Brim-Loch Tum—gaining nothing he longs for, and losing everything he loves.
These are the Tendrils of the Black Flower, sent forth to do the will of Brim-Loch Tum. And what is that will, but to defraud two rightful heirs of their inheritances, or at a minimum, steal away their very lives and mental powers—thereby obtaining entitlement to rule the world.
BOOK FIVE — THE PORT DARLING WATERFRONT
Storr Mason had turned fifteen last Autumn. Until this spring his whole life had been the sweet, slow pattern of all Minneken children, running in the sunny fields of Minnionon and playing in the shady woodland groves at the foot of the mountains.
But suddenly all those things had been altered. Papa was moving their family to their new home down by the sea—to the town of Port Darling which stood poised on a hillside facing the open sky above North Harbor. Clayborn and Letty Mason’s lives had lately taken on a weighty measure of changes—changes which would shape Storr’s days like they had never been shaped before—changes upon which could turn even his final destiny.
BOOK SIX—THE FORGING OF A PRINCE
A lone bugle sounding in the forested hills calls the plain mountain people down the hollows and rills, down the quiet meadows from their orchards and mills with their axes swinging in their hands.
Beneath the grey welkin of a gathering storm, the tolling of a bell on the heavens is borne; breastplate of justice over jerkin is worn, and joy is a longbow in the hand.
The Olden Road was cobbled when the Ages were dim, the Wynde River thundered o’er the Palisade Rim; the Old Sage is marking with an eagle-wing pen, spear tips glitter in the sun.
War horses gather on the mustering ground, grim warriors drilling to the battle drum sound; the King’s horse is prancing on the Burial Mound, his broadsword lofted in his hand.
Rainbows arch above the hamlets and homes, rams’ horns echo in the towering stone; climbing picks and hammers lay forsaken alone, and starlight is beaten into blades.
Merrily, merrily, merrily we sing — Merrily, merrily, marching off to War.
BOOK SEVEN—THE OPALESCENT COVENANT
Each of the Seven Stones of the Opalescent Covenant is brought to judgment according to its owner’s response to the challenge of personal sovereignty. Who shall wear the Rainbow Pearl? Will it be Death or will it be Life?
Seven Gates of Brim-Loch Tum—portals to the Chamber of Inquiry—are breached by hands no longer hands. The frailest hand in The World Which Is, then joins with Him who conquers last, to breach the Gate of Forever Lost.
Seven Tales not Fully Told are as fully told as tales permit—as long as lambskin, ink and quill—as long as Time and Truth endure.
Upcoming releases:
Kindle version of
Books Five, Six and Seven
Brad, you have a talent to capture the imagination and draw the reader into a charming
old world. —Tommy Hennen
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This is storytelling genius. Profound plots, charming characters. Monsters of evil and warriors of good. Epic battles. Fantastically enjoyable. —Trent Wheeler​​
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Bradford Henshaw's vivid imagination has created a captivating story, brimming with elements of high adventure, suspense, mystery and poetry. He weaves the tale of good versus evil as only he can do. Hold on to your hats, you are in for an amazing adventure of masterfully orchestrated war maneuvers and intense emotions of all souls involved. Several times I caught myself holding my breath until all was right again. Remember, hope always remains. —Sherry Root
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In setting and in characters, The Prince of Brim-Loch Tum is sweet, old-world charm and new-world rugged individualism. —Roger Mertens, Sr.
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It's more than just a story, it makes you think. —Debbie Yancey
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Best sequel of books we have ever read. John and I have just finished Part One of Book Four. It keeps me hanging on every word. Thank you so much for giving us all the honor of reading the most delightful "Happily Ever After". —The Gilchrists
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Started reading—couldn't put it down. —Annette Newsom
