Royal Exile is the first novel in the Valisar trilogy, by Australian fantasy author Fiona McIntosh. It was first published in September 2008 by HarperVoyager Royal Exile follows the story of Leo, a young Valisar Royal whose world is destroyed by the Barbarian, Loethar, as he attempts to win back his throne and rid his land of the evil barbarian horde. The story is continued in A Tyrant's Blood.
Plot summary
Royal Exile begins with the capture of Barronel at the hands of Loethar, a barbarian warlord from the Likurian Steppes, who has his sights set on the illusive realm of Penraven.
Fearful, now that its neighbours have been captured, King Brennus of Penraven sees to the birth of his daughter, to whom he declares deceased. Legate Regor De Vis, and his twin sons Corbel and Gavriel are called to bear witness to Brennus' cunning plan. Choosing Corbel to whisk away his 'deceased' daughter, the task of protecting Brennus' only 'true' son Leonel is given to Gavriel, who accepts with hesitance. With Loethar descending upon Penraven, both Regor De Vis and King Brennus are slain. Freath, Queen Iselda's aide, betrays the Valisar family, and in turn is granted ownership of his Queen. Loethar takes a liking to Piven, the Valisar's adopted son, likening him to an animal.
Corbel meets with the mysterious Sergius, before he descends into the wonders of magic. His twin brother Gavriel finds solitude within the secret passageways within Penraven with the young heir at his side. Queen Iselda is forced to watch Loethar eat her husband's remains, before she is later killed. Meanwhile, Loethar has been gathering the Vested, people marked with special abilities. Freath uses his newly gained position to claim two Vested, of which he chooses Clovis and Kirin. Loethar becomes engaged to Valya, much to his mother's distaste, though he is quick to remind Dara Negev, that it was Valya's brain which allowed him to capture Penraven.
It is later revealed that Freath is working with Genrie, a household servant and unrequited love of Gavriel, in an attempt of stopping Loethar, and finding the mysterious Aegis, who is said to be bonded with the Valisar heir who is granted the power of coercion. Gavriel and Leo escape Penraven and find themselves in the aide of Lily and her father, who is suffering from leprosy. Later, Lily joins the pair as they search to seek out Kilt Faris, a highwayman and renegade, who had been given aide by Brennus in order of taking Leo under his wing if Penraven would ever fall.
Gavriel is later separated from Leo and finds himself in the care of Elka, though it is clear that he has no memories of who he really is, stating his name to be that of his father's, "Regor". Genrie is later killed to prove that Freath is loyal to Loethar, and thus protecting her lover.
Leo arrives at the Stone of Truth to pledge his vow to Cyrena, and learns the truth of his sister. Leo is granted the power he needs to stop Loethar for good.
Characters
Prince Leonel (Leo): First born son of Brennus and Iselda. At the beginning of Royal Exile, Leo is somewhat naive to the world around him, and is thrust into uncertainty following his father's death at the hands of Loethar. Aided by Gavriel De Vis, Leo is forced to mature rather quickly, for as fate would have it, he is the only remaining heir of the Valisar line, and is therefore his duty to avenge his father, and reclaim the throne of Penraven.
Prince Piven: Adopted son of Brennus and Iselda. Piven is an enigma, and for the most part of the novel, is depicted as a "halfwit". Later, following Loethar's invasion of Penraven, Piven is subjected to being Loethar's pet.
King Brennus the 8th: 8th king of the Valisars. Killed by Loethar. Brennus was cunning enough to create an elaborate plan for his son Leo, if in the case of Loethar succeeding. This included a way of escape from Penraven, and aid from the highwayman Kilt Faris. Brennus is also responsible for hiding the truth of his daughter's "death", though for the most part, his motives remain a mystery.
Queen Iselda: Wife of Brennus. She is the daughter of a Romean prince from Romea in Galinsea. Comes from the line of King Falza. The Queen is portrayed as a beautiful woman, who had an affection for even their adopted son Piven. She is a broken woman following Brennus' death, to which she is forced to watch Loethar consume him. She is later killed as an act of mercy by Freath.
Legate Regor De Vis: Right-hand man of the king. Father to Gavriel and Corbel. Regor was a kind-hearted man who cared deeply for his King. Following the death of his wife, Regor raised his two sons without hesitation. He is later killed in the barbarian invasion.