The Prince’s Gambit

Once upon a time—and this is the best way to begin a tale, for no good story ever truly starts without it—there was a prince named Rowan. Now, you might think being a prince is all about fancy clothes, grand feasts, and people doing everything for you. And you’d be right, in part. But it also comes with its own set of troubles, especially for someone like Rowan. He was a lad who preferred the thrill of a wild adventure to the dreary business of royal duties.

You see, while his brothers—sturdy, responsible chaps—were practicing swordplay and attending endless meetings with important people (the kind of people who talk far too much and listen far too little), Rowan would sneak away. He’d explore the hidden corners of the castle and venture into the nearby woods, dreaming of lost treasures and forgotten lands. And between you and me, there’s nothing quite as dangerous as a restless heart with too much time and too little guidance.