

The assembled monarchs attempt to get Lastleaf to disband the horde, but Lastleaf refuses and instead tells them not to interfere. They attend the Company of Kings, a gathering of monarchs from across the country, and encounter Lastleaf, the druin son of Vespian, Master of the Heartwyld Horde about to besiege Castia, and Saga's archenemy. They use Moog's portal-mirror to escape and end up in the palace bedchamber, where they find Matrick Skulldrummer, the Band's former rogue and now king. Kallorek is in possession of Vellichor, Gabe's fabled artifact sword, but refuses to relinquish it and pursues Clay and Gabriel when they go to get Arcandius Moog, Saga's main mage. They arrive in Conthas, the Free City, and meet up with Kallorek, their old booker, who has since expanded his operations.

While Clay initially refuses to accompany Gabriel, Tully convinces him to go.Īfter setting out, Clay visits his mother's grave and he and Gabriel both get robbed by a group of bandits led by the affable Lady Jain, who allows them to keep Clay's shield Blackheart. One day he finds his former bandmate and best friend Gabriel on his doorstep, and Gabriel tells him he came to get Clay's help in getting their former band, Saga, back together in order to rescue Gabe's daughter Rose, who joined a band and is now trapped in Castia, a faraway city surrounded by monsters and about to be besieged. Set in a world where mercenary groups (or 'Bands') are akin to rock stars and rock bands, Clay 'Slowhand' Cooper (nicknamed as such due to commonly getting hit first in every fight) lives a quiet life in Coverdale as a watchman with his wife, Ginny, and his young daughter Tully (short for Talia). The characters have all grown old and out-of-shape after decades of living in retirement, but emerge from retirement to save Gabe's daughter, Rose, who is trapped in a city under siege. The group includes Clay 'Slowhand' Cooper, 'Golden' Gabe, Ganelon, Matrick Skulldrummer, and Arcandius Moog. The characters are likened to rock stars. The story follows a band of mercenaries called Saga. The artwork for the books was created by Richard Anderson and the cover design was done by Lisa Marie Pompilio. The series includes Kings of the Wyld, Bloody Rose, and Outlaw Empire. It is the first of three books in The Band trilogy. The novel is Nicholas Eames's debut novel. The book is about a retired band of mercenaries that come out of retirement to save the daughter of one member. Kings of the Wyld is a 2017 fantasy novel by Nicholas Eames.

2017 r/Fantasy Stabby Award for "Best Debut Novel of 2017".
