Synopsis "House of Jackals"
Derrick Possór is the heir of a royal planetary lord indicted for crimes against the Imperium. With his father temporarily stripped of his right of rulership, Derrick is named regent, and is unknowingly cast headlong into the plans of differing factions, all aiming to use his father's upcoming trial as an opening to advance their standing. Concealing their political ambitions, many within Derrick's own family would see him removed from the line of succession, and possibly take the planetary crown for themselves. One, a self-proclaimed Dark Witch, would ruthlessly use her powers to preserve Possór rule, so long as it is for the "right" Possór. Obsessed with expanding their economic interests, rival business and religious organizations, aided by agents within the Possór government, would have a puppet of their own on the throne. Still others, in the name of their communal principles, would bring down the entire planetary social structure through armed rebellion. And one shadowed figure, known to many but trusted by few, furthers plans aimed at one simple goal: Revenge. Accompanying one of the judges traveling from several planets for the trial is a Truthseer. A member of Holy Orders, the power of her psychic vision is matched by her beauty. Assigned to assist the Court during the trial, in her hands may rest the fate of Derrick's father, and that of his familial House. Aiding Derrick is his long-time teacher and guardian. But even he is haunted by secrets, and will face a choice between truth and loyalty, one which may destroy Derrick even as his friend seeks to save him. As Derrick shifts his attention from governing the planet to countering intrigues and defending his father, he learns things which lead him to question his father's full innocence. Seeing his father's life in one hand and the fortunes of his House in the other, being the fifth and final judge on the Court, Derrick will have his own crucial decision to make. And he will confront each of his choices leading up to it alone, as the world he knows sinks into lies, treachery and murder.
