This text comprises excerpts from a fantasy novel titled "The King's Bastard" by Rowena Cory Daniells, focusing on a complex political and magical conflict in the realm of Rolencia. The sources feature copyright information, a table of contents, and two maps—a World Map and a detailed Map of Rolencia—setting the stage for the narrative. The story primarily tracks the actions of Byren Kingson and his friends, Orrade and Garzik, as they deal with threats from Affinity beasts and the machinations of rival warlords, particularly Rejulas of Cockatrice Spar and Illien of Cobalt. A crucial subplot involves the forced disinheritance of Orrade by his father, Lord Dovecote, due to the revelation of his secret, which is exploited by Cobalt, who is plotting treason with Merofynian forces to seize control of Rolencia, ultimately leading to violence and tragic loss for the main characters.