Prophecy of the Kings Omnibus. An epic fantasy trilogy by author David Burrows.

A Cave, a Betrayal, and the Birth of a Fantasy Story

Betrayal. Kaplyn trapped in the cavern

How the Prophecy of the Kings began

Writing a novel is rarely straightforward. I began with a single image: two stepbrothers deep within a vast cavern in the heart of a mountain. The cave is enormous, its darkness heavy and suffocating, as though unseen eyes are fixed upon them from every shadowed corner. With growing trepidation, the pair press on into the gloom. One of the brothers is a sorcerer, hungry for power, and betrayal lies at the very core of his nature. Together they discover a magical artefact suspended from the branch of a fossilised tree, an object that seems both ancient and unnaturally alive. The moment they seize it, bodiless voices erupt around them—shouting, screaming, and gibbering in a frenzy that fills the cavern. Terror-stricken, they turn to flee, but their limbs feel sluggish and unresponsive, as though they are trying to run through thick mud. The voices rise to a deafening crescendo, feeding their panic as they stumble through the darkness. At last, the sorcerer reaches a narrow tunnel that promises escape, but in his desperation he commits the ultimate act of treachery: he traps his stepbrother within the cavern and turns him to stone.

Having a starting point is easy, but it raises many questions.

Why are they in the cave?

How did they get there?

Why the betrayal?

And most importantly, where does the plot go from here?

Do I create a plot for the Prophecy of the Kings – or just let it evolve.

At the time, I had no experience of writing a book. I did not begin with a detailed plot; instead, I allowed the story to evolve naturally. What started as a single scene eventually became the ending of Book 1. Simply working out who the characters were, how they came together, and what led them to the cavern was challenge enough to inspire a novel in its own right. As the story grew, I introduced new characters and followed their journeys too, scattering hints and threads that could be picked up in future books. I wrote the manuscript by hand, and my wife, who is a skilled typist, graciously typed it up for me.

The Books and Films that influenced the Prophecy of the Kings

I knew I wanted the books to include demons, influenced by other novels such as The Shannara Chronicles by Terry Brooks and by films such as The Devil Rides Out, directed by Terence Fisher, which remains a great favourite of mine. More broadly, I was drawn to the genre itself and the atmosphere it can create. Sadly, I have never found another horror film that quite matches the power of that one.

How the Plot for the Prophecy of the Kings developed.

The plot developed like stepping stones across a river. I had inklings of where I wanted the tale to go, but I did not yet have all the details, as it were. In my spare time, I would reflect on the story, wondering what the next step should be. At one point, I became completely stuck, with no clear sense of where the narrative was heading. Months passed, but I refused to rush the storyline, instead waiting for a spark of inspiration. I even considered backtracking and rewriting parts of the tale to escape the limbo in which I had become trapped. Then, all at once, an idea sprang to mind and caught me by surprise. It was like turning the page of a book and thinking, wow, I like that. I immediately put pen to paper, and the story carried on until the next logjam.

The Prophecy of the Kings in Print

I am immensely proud of my book and of the journey it has taken me on. Other authors may or may not agree, but to me the characters feel alive. The tale has been described as bittersweet, and each time I read it—whether while editing or simply for pleasure—I feel a lump rise in my throat at the ending. I care deeply for these characters and for the ordeals I have put them through.

I have ice-climbed in Scotland, stood as a Saxon in a shield wall against Viking warriors, and faced a charge of two hundred cavalry horses while arrows rained down around me—albeit rubber-tipped ones. I have also come away from those battles with broken fingers and ribs, proof that the fighting was as hard-fought as it was real. I hope those experiences have helped to make my writing more vivid and believable.

As for Kaplyn, and especially Vastra, I can only beg your forgiveness.

My books are self-published, so if you do read them, I would be grateful if you would consider posting a review. My website is https://www.davidburrows.org.uk/

I hope my books move you as deeply as they have moved me. My thanks to my wife Gail and My friend Anup, who kept asking me about my book and how it was going each time we met.

David Burrows, author of the Prophecy of the Kings.

The Omnibus edition of the Prophecy of the Kings by David Burrows. Epic fantasy series. Three books in one edition.

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The Prophecy of the Kings Trilogy by author David Burrows. Epic Fantasy Series.

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About The Prophecy of the Kings - an epic fantasy novel

A dark hour is drawing near, when demons will once again cross the great divide in search of fresh souls. Most of the realm remains blind to the danger. Their ancient protectors, the Eldric, vanished long ago, leaving behind only the crumbling ruins of their once-glorious cities. The Prophecy survives now as little more than a fireside tale for children dreaming of long-dead heroes, yet Drachar’s followers have not forgotten. In the shadows they work to bend events towards the day when their master will rise again and lead a demon horde across the land.

The search for the lost Eldric leads to a buried power hidden deep within a mountain’s heart—an ancient force that may offer the first glimmer of hope in generations. But hope comes at a price. As old enemies stir and new allies are drawn into the coming war, a violent clash of powers threatens to tear open the barrier between worlds. From beyond the breach, the shade of a dead emperor waits to return. Priests of Ryoch hunt children marked by an evil shaol, seeking to forge warriors of terrifying power, while death-knights rise to stalk the living and dragons are driven towards a final reckoning with demonkind.

Set in a richly imagined world where war rages across both the astral plane and the mortal realm, this is a story of ancient betrayal, buried power, and a people standing on the brink of ruin. Drachar once led a demon host against his own kind, the Eldric (as told in Drachar’s Demons), and the scars of that war have never healed. With the Eldric gone, humanity stands exposed. Wizards, frail beside the might of true sorcerers, are powerless against what is coming. Even now, the threat gathers like a storm beyond the horizon—ignored by those who would rather cling to comfort than face the truth.

In a land choked by doubt, fear, and treachery, trust has become a dangerous luxury. Allies turn without warning, old loyalties fracture, and the enemy may already be walking unseen among the living. As a gateway to the demon world begins to open, a new age of darkness threatens to swallow everything. And when the final battle comes, the greatest danger may not be the demons crossing the divide—but what humanity is willing to become in order to survive them.

Copyright © David Burrows 2019