Blade of Fire

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Blade of Fire
Author	Stuart Hill
Cover artist	Gary Blythe
Country	United States
Language	English
Series	The Icemark Chronicles
Genre(s)	Fantasy novel
Publisher	Chicken House
Publication date	2007
Media type	Print (Hardback)
Pages	574 pp
ISBN	ISBN 0-439-84122-4
Preceded by	The Cry of the Icemark
Followed by	The Last Battle of the Icemark ^[1]

Blade of Fire is the second novel in Stuart Hill's fantasy series, the Icemark Chronicles.

[edit] Plot summary

Blade of Fire takes place 20 years after the first novel. The story follows Thirrin's and Oskan's (now married) new efforts to repel the imposing threat of Imperial invasion, yet again at the hands of Scipio Bellorum and his bloodthirsty sons, Octavius and Sulla. But this time, they have the help of their five children. Cressida, the crown-princess and military extraordinaire, Eodred and Cerdic, the twin warrior princes, Charlemagne (Sharley), stricken with polio at a young age, and much to his chagrin, cannot be a warrior, and finally Medea, the dark daughter; the only inheritor to her father's gift. But a burning hatred for Charlemagne causes her to turn against her family. Early on in the book Oskan has a prophecy about Sharley. About a week or two later Sharley is sent off into exile to be Prince Regent to the exiles. Maggie, his tutor, goes with him. He is sent to the Southern Continent where he makes some unexpected allies and friends. This includes the Desert People(he befriends the Sultan's son) and the Lusu people of Arifica. Maggie falls ill on the journey to the sultan's palace and is sent to stay in oasis where he recovers. On the journey to Lusuland, an unexpected storm comes but the spirits of the desert (the blessed women) save them from harm. On the sea voyage back to Icemark the fleet of Lusu people and the desert people are attacked by the Empire's biggest allies. Then before the final battle against the Polypontians, Medea possesses the crown prince of the desert people and turns him against Sharley. With the help of the Blessed Women though, Medea is defeated. Later when Oskan is about to call down lightning, Medea steals his lightning and is about to use it against Sharley but Oskan blocks the lightning sending it back toward Medea and Medea is hurt. Oskan attacks Medea because he found out that Medea betrayed the Icemark and banishes her to the realm of the Dark. Octavius is killed by Sharley and Sulla is killed by Cressida. After the battle Scipio is beheaded by Thirrin and the The Vampire Queen rips apart his body and the Icemark has defeated the Empire.