The Starbender Cycle: Book 5: Crown Of Tumbleweed

[Excerpt from Book 5 of The Starbender Cycle, by Fetcher McMarvin]

"Trevor. Get up."

Trevor lifted his head to find the source of the voice. His brain was foggy, and he hadn't heard his old name in what felt like ages. Here, he was Ka'Oli, and the diminutive cliff-dwellers of Dranthor called him king. Rolling out of his royal cot, he allowed his eyes to focus on the figure silhouetted in the doorway to his royal cave.

He knew that uniform. He knew that stance and disapproving glare.

"Empress Tourmaline? How did you find me here?"

"The subdermal vacuum-adapteron we had you install came with a beacon. I tracked it here after beating Mercy to death and taking back the Prism. I still need a crack pilot I can trust. Assuming you're through playing royalty with these timid rock-humpers, that is."

Trevor untangled the tumbleweed crown from his matted hair and reflected on his responsibilities to his meek and bethreatened followers.

"Just one thing before I go." Trevor picked up his ceremonial Chi'Walla stick and strode out into the light.