Prologue to “The Way of the Law”

For those who know me, writing has always been a passion. I’ve been worldbuilding since I was 15, and over the years, this world has grown and evolved alongside me. Originally, my writing was something personal, crafted solely for myself, but I’ve been considering sharing it with others to see how it resonates. The book, The Way of the Law, is set in a sprawling, vibrant city, and I’m eager to hear what others think.

In the City of Ellessar, where towering walls conceal secrets and dark magic festers in the shadows, three lives converge as the kingdom edges toward collapse.

Klagg, once a revered Constable, now patrols Ellessar’s walls as a disgraced guard, his spirit crushed under the weight of guilt and regret. Haunted by the death of his closest friend and drowning in debt, he sees no escape from his despair—until a chance at redemption forces him to confront the past he’s tried so desperately to forget. But to rise again, Klagg must first conquer the demons within, or risk being consumed by them.

J’kar, a pacifist cleric devoted to harmony, is thrust into turmoil when a voice, claiming divinity, compels him to commit an unthinkable act. With his faith shattered and his hands stained with betrayal, J’kar embarks on a quest for atonement, wielding a strange and dangerous power he barely understands. Yet the whispers of his god linger, threatening to drag him further into the abyss.

Kelmanor, a half-elf ensnared in the ruthless criminal underbelly of Ellessar, struggles to balance his covert mission with the peril of survival. Tasked with gathering intelligence, he is drawn deeper into treacherous schemes and precarious alliances. As his double life begins to unravel, Kelmanor must decide what—and whom—he is willing to sacrifice to protect the innocent and preserve his own soul.

Above them looms the Man of Shadows, a figure of immense power who seeks to reshape Ellessar—and the kingdom itself—in his own dark image. As religious unrest ignites and protectors of the city fall to corruption, Klagg, J’kar, and Kelmanor must decide whether to stand together against the rising tide of darkness or let the city—and themselves—be consumed.

Their choices will echo across generations, forging a legacy that could either save Ellessar or tear its very foundations apart.

I’m happy to release the prologue of this book, which explores Klagg’s downfall and sets up the rest of the novel. I hope you enjoy it.