Who-or what-will you become, when the power to rule all is in your hand?Whoever holds a scepter, rules a gate. Whoever holds the scepter that rules all others, rules the world. A ruthless shadow magi, a cunning thief, a loyal fugitive, and a charming rogue will hunt-and be hunted-for the most powerful object in the land. But only one hand can hold the scepter-and a legacy of blood follows its grip. Take care in what you desire. Be careful in what you reach for. Beware the House of Scepters.
The Prince and the Monk addresses the historical development of the political and religious myths surrounding Shōtoku Taishi and their influence on Shinran, the founder of the Jōdo-Shinshū school of Pure Land Buddhism. Shōtoku Taishi (574–622) was a prince who led the campaign to unify Japan, wrote the imperial constitution, and promoted Buddhism as a religion of peace and prosperity. Shinran's Buddhism developed centuries later during the Kamakura period, which began in the late twelfth century. Kenneth Doo Young Lee discusses Shinran's liturgical text, his dream of Shōtoku's manifestation as Kannon (the world-saving Bodhisattva of Compassion), and other relevant events during his life. In addition, this book shows that Shinran's Buddhism was consistent with honji suijaku culture—the synthesis of the Shinto and Buddhist pantheons—prevalent during the Kamakura period.
"In The Scepter and the Star, John J. Collins turns to the Dead Sea Scrolls to shed new light on the origins, meaning, and relevance of messianic expectations. The first Christians were Jews who believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the messiah - the Christ; Christians could be called "followers of the messiah." Other Jews did not accept this claim, and so the Christians went their own way and grew into a separate religion. The disagreement about the identity of the messiah is the root difference between Judaism and Christianity." "The recent disclosure of the full corpus of the Dead Sea Scrolls now makes it possible to see this disagreement in a fuller context than ever before. The most stunning revelation of the new evidence is the diversity of messianic expectations in Judaism around the beginning of the common era. The Hebrew word "messiah" means "anointed one." According to the scrolls, the messiah could be a warrior king in the line of David, a priest, a prophet, or a teacher. He could be called "the Son of God." Jesus of Nazareth fitted the expectations some Jews of the time had of the messiah. The majority of Jews, however, had quite different expectations."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Grimbolt --- as a result of a miscast spell --- has the body of a bear with human, but furry, hands and feet. He has no memory of his identity and past. With his companions, Alsenius, a high-level warrior, and Njal, an Illusionist, he seeks his identity among the Northwestern kingdoms. Opposed by the Priestesses of the Pythoness they explore and serve.
Since the loss of the Scepter of Mercy, the kingdom of Avornis has been threatened by its magic-wielding neighbors, until King Lanius and King Grus risk everything to bring the missing scepter home.
"The King is dead!" was the cry heard throughout the realm of Aldarra; dying suddenly of a mysterious illness; a malady mysterious to most, but not to all. Join our story as King Artemus's son, Prince Jared returns after his nine years self-imposed exile. Accompanied by his loyal companions, Raglan the woodsman and Pym the former innkeeper; as they match wises against the treacherous Chancellor Argyll, and his half-brother Lord Tyrell. A tale woven from the legends of King Arthur and Camelot; as Prince Jared must battle Lord Tyrell according to the Ancient Law of Trial by Combat. A fantasy adventure brimmed with bravery, loyalty, truth and rediscovered love; and the bringing in of a new age, and the knowledge of the One God. The Prince and the Scepter is the first installment of the The Realm of Aldarra Trilogy. Other following titles are Schemer's Moon and The Mark of the Zealot. Jacques M. Averett, originally a California native, moved to Colorado in August of '92. Presently living in Denver Co. for the past eighteen and a half years; various interests include writing, art, photography and music.
