In a post-apocalyptic world thrown back into medieval times, young Prince Parno McLeod's family troubles have gone from bad to worse of late. His father has been murdered by his insane sister and his brother has only narrowly escaped death at her hand. Now as Parno struggles to adapt to his new position as Marshal of the Army after so many years of being ignored, he must prevent his sister with her elite company of Soulan Calvary from installing her evil twin brother on the throne in his father's place. Likewise, he must struggle to prevent the realms other enemies from driving any deeper into his Kingdom's territory and with getting 'reluctant' bureaucrats to help him by simply doing their jobs correctly in the King's name. Parno has been fortunate, and he is a gifted leader for one so young, but he is young, and inexperienced. He has a plan that will save his people, but he's about to learn a very important lesson; no plan survives contact with the enemy. He will also learn that despite his successes so far, he is as close to losing the war as he has been since it began. Now, gambling with his people's freedom, Parno tries to do too much, too soon, and with too few men. A gambit that he admits is dangerous, and may yet see the capitol of Soulan in flames!
----
Parno's Gambit is the third book in the popular series The Black Sheep of Soulan by N.C. Reed. In Book One: Parno's Company, young Prince Parno McLeod begins his military career with a rag tag company of derelicts and fools intended only to shame and embarrass him. Instead, he whips his men into a first class fighting force and saves his Kingdom from certain annihilation. In Book Two: Parno's Destiny, Parno rises in stature in his Kingdom, having proven himself to his people and his army, but now faces threats both from his enemies without as well as from within. Now in Book Three: Parno's Gambit, Parno must risk everything on a gamble that may cost him not just his own life, but the lives of his men and those that he loves around him.