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The Iron Tithe
Before the Spires rose.
Before the Songs fell silent.
Before the Grey Army marched without voices or reason.
Knight Commander Cedrik Theramond—the Steel Guardian, the King’s Shield—had been the man the Realm trusted to never fail. He believed the Crown was justice itself—that loyalty to the King was loyalty to righteousness. All Alcians, he thought, owed their lives to the King and his benevolence.
And then the Magistrate ordered him to execute a sixteen-year-old boy for firing an arrow that never struck its mark.
The Law is not justice.
Loyalty is not innocence.
And even the strongest shield can be turned into a weapon.
This is the moment he began to question the Realm.
This is the blood that tomorrow will remember.
A Prelude to:
Blood of Tomorrow
Before the Songs fell silent.
Before the Grey Army marched without voices or reason.
Knight Commander Cedrik Theramond—the Steel Guardian, the King’s Shield—had been the man the Realm trusted to never fail. He believed the Crown was justice itself—that loyalty to the King was loyalty to righteousness. All Alcians, he thought, owed their lives to the King and his benevolence.
And then the Magistrate ordered him to execute a sixteen-year-old boy for firing an arrow that never struck its mark.
The Law is not justice.
Loyalty is not innocence.
And even the strongest shield can be turned into a weapon.
This is the moment he began to question the Realm.
This is the blood that tomorrow will remember.
A Prelude to:
Blood of Tomorrow
16 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2026
About the author
Robert W. Riley
3 books34 followersRobert W. Riley writes character-driven epic fantasy shaped of myth, memory, and consequence. He is the author of The Second Cycle, a series that explores the failures of those who ignore history and the struggle of those forced to bear the consequences of repeating the same mistakes.
When he isn't plotting the downfall of kingdoms or the corruption of "The Graft," Robert navigates the real-world complexities of the automotive industry as an executive of a Tier 2 with operations in Puebla Mexico.
When the work is done, he returns to his house in Indiana ruled by 4 dogs, 5 cats, and the incredible wife who is his world. It was his daughter, however, who inspired him to finally put pen to paper and launch this saga.
When he isn't plotting the downfall of kingdoms or the corruption of "The Graft," Robert navigates the real-world complexities of the automotive industry as an executive of a Tier 2 with operations in Puebla Mexico.
When the work is done, he returns to his house in Indiana ruled by 4 dogs, 5 cats, and the incredible wife who is his world. It was his daughter, however, who inspired him to finally put pen to paper and launch this saga.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 6, 2026
Short, sweet, and straight to the point.
At only around ten pages, The Iron Tithe doesn't have much time to work with, but somehow it was enough to completely sell me on The Cycle. It was gripping, intense, and gave me an immediate taste of the grimdark world I'm apparently about to step into.
What impressed me most was the prose. If this novella is any indication of what's coming, I think I'm going to love this author's writing. The descriptions are detailed enough to paint a vivid picture without dragging things out unnecessarily. Within a few pages I stopped feeling like I was reading and started feeling like I was watching an HBO series play out in my head.
And then, six pages in:
“And with the law,” Cedric thought, “we are just well dressed savages.”
Yeah. Im in, where do i sign?
A prequel novella should leave you wanting to immediately start the main story.
That's exactly what this did.
Closed the novella. Opened The Blood of Tomorrow. Let's bloody go.
At only around ten pages, The Iron Tithe doesn't have much time to work with, but somehow it was enough to completely sell me on The Cycle. It was gripping, intense, and gave me an immediate taste of the grimdark world I'm apparently about to step into.
What impressed me most was the prose. If this novella is any indication of what's coming, I think I'm going to love this author's writing. The descriptions are detailed enough to paint a vivid picture without dragging things out unnecessarily. Within a few pages I stopped feeling like I was reading and started feeling like I was watching an HBO series play out in my head.
And then, six pages in:
“And with the law,” Cedric thought, “we are just well dressed savages.”
Yeah. Im in, where do i sign?
A prequel novella should leave you wanting to immediately start the main story.
That's exactly what this did.
Closed the novella. Opened The Blood of Tomorrow. Let's bloody go.
October 20, 2026
As a little prequel to the main story, it packs quite a punch.
It becomes a concern when those you rule should come to question your authority, and this short story showcases exactly that.
It becomes a concern when those you rule should come to question your authority, and this short story showcases exactly that.
May 17, 2026
A single moment. A choice. Doubt and questions that shake his very core. This is what faces our character, Cedrik, in this wonderfully written prologue that manages to convey so much in such a short story. It drew me in completely and I knew this was a world I would be exploring again. If you are wondering about a new series to dive into, look no further! Give this your time and I'm sure you'll be joining me in the Second Cycle. It promises to be a fantastic journey!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews