IRON HAND (BOOK ONE): FOR THE GREATER GOOD
"Iron Hand" begins in the throes of what most stories would consider the final battle. Buren, leading the "Seekers of the Artifact," utilizes the power of the Gauntlet, an ancient artifact for which he sacrificed his own arm and triumphs over the dark lord, ending the undead scourge plaguing the lands.
Without a foe to unify them, the alliance of various racial, religious, and political factions begins to unravel. Reluctant negotiations result in an uneasy peace that leaves many dissatisfied, especially Buren. Now feared and distrusted for the power of the Gauntlet, Buren finds no respite. Dark visions he believes to be warnings from the Gauntlet haunt his dreams. However, his fears are dismissed as the delusions of a war-weary mind.
Determined to confront this new threat, Buren follows his visions to an ancient mountain, located within the sacred grounds of the Dryads. The distrustful Dryads deny him access. Out of options, Buren infiltrates the Faith, a fanatical human supremacist religious order, becoming their enforcer, their "Iron Hand."
As Buren travels, we delve into the backstories of the "Seekers of the Artifact," witnessing his navigation through a treacherous web of intrigue where trust is a luxury he cannot afford. The realm suffers under a despotic king, with whom Buren must ally on the surface, while secretly plotting his downfall. The situation is further complicated by his arranged marriage to a woman harboring her own dark secrets.
Literary heroes sacrifice everything for others, but what happens when saving the world requires sacrifices from everyone? When do the ends cease to justify the means?. What if saving the world involves sacrificing innocents, betraying loved ones, and allying with despised enemies? "Iron Hand" is a story of a man who gave everything to save the world once and is now prepared to do so again, even if it means crossing lines he never thought he would. But will he still be hailed as a hero?
