Works by
Pat Nelson Childs
(Writer)

The Chronicles of Firma

1. Orphan's Quest (2007) -- Nominated 2007 Lambda Literary Gay Men's Debut Fiction Awards
   Rokey, a poor orphan, has lived his entire life sheltered within the walls of the Noble Contemplative Monastery. Growing up, he never dreamt anything would haunt him more than the riddle of his parents' identity. But at seventeen, Rokey is discovering that while his roommate, Ely, can think only of girls, his own feelings draw him toward other boys instead. Soon the question of whether or not he is a "samer" is occupying his mind to the exclusion of all else. But when a tragedy results in his expulsion from the only home he has ever known, and an unknown enemy begins trying to kill him, Rokey's mind abruptly returns to the mystery of his parentage. Solving that puzzle, he determines, could mean the difference between life and death.
   
   On the road, Rokey soon meets up with a charming elf named Flaskamper. Captivated by the handsome young man, the elf promptly volunteers his help, as well as that of his three unlikely companions. Before long, the five become swept up in the effort to solve the riddle of Rokey's origins and to find out who is trying to kill him, and why. Along the way, Rokey endures some harsh lessons about disappointment and betrayal, but also delights in the joy and excitement of first love. Foiled in initial attempts, Rokey's enigmatic foe escalates the attacks. As the young orphan and his new-found friends pursue the trail of clues that leads them across the land of Firma, they find themselves battling an ever-deadlier array of assassins. When they finally do uncover the truth, it is in the last place Rokey had ever expected to find it.

2. Scion's Blood (2007)
   Trouble is brewing all over Firma. Three years have passed since Rokey and his companions saved the Brotherhood of the Noble Contemplative from infiltration by the evil Order of the Bone. In the kingdom of Duncileer, palace unrest and the threat of war rattle the peace of mind of the gentle giant, Lorq, his wife Kyzee and their two-year-old son, Broq. Fia, feeling restless, has arrived from the distant pleasure realm of Respite. When a plot to murder King Hobar unfolds, Kyzee, now captain of the King's Guard, is caught up in a web of betrayal and intrigue that will ripple throughout the land. Meanwhile, in the elf forest where they've settled, Rokey and Flaskamper are encountering some serious bumps in the road to marital bliss. Flaskamper is battling feelings of despondency and suffocation, and Rokey, unable to communicate with him, has buried himself in his studies with the High Elf Mage, Ellispon. When the two decide to separate, it gives Rokey's enemies in the Order of the Bone the opportunity they've been waiting for . They abduct him from Elfwood and whisk him away to their stronghold in the north, intent on sacrificing him in order to achieve the goal for which they've worked so long - the return of their living god, Cyure. Now Flaskamper, joined once again by his old friends, as well as some new companions, must embark on a journey to rescue Rokey, as well as see if they can recover the love that first brought the two of them together. Once again the journey takes them to the east, this time to the dark and danger-filled kingdom of Ulgiarrah, then north through the haunted forest of Gloomsveldt, to Moribar, their enemy's seat of power. But time is against them. The sacrifice is to take place at the rising of the next new moon. As they battle to overcome one hindrance after another, Flaskamper becomes more and more desperate to reach his true love before it is too late to save his life, their love . perhaps even Firma itself.