THE SLOW KNIFE is the first novel in the Age of Heresy series Set 300 years after Path of the Knight, the first book in the Dark Ascension series available on Amazon. IMPORTANT NOTE: You do NOT have to read these books to understand The Slow Knife. The world is the same and there are many familiar characters, names, and settings, but I'm writing this in a way that still makes sense if it's your first book. That being said, you'll likely find it a little more enjoyable if you read Dark Ascension, so I do recommend it! I aim to publish one or two chapters on Royal Road every week. Go to my Patreon to support me and to read ahead in the story.  The Tiran Autarchy, ruled by Archon Marak, has spread its tendrils across the continent, dominating every empire it comes into contact with. Marak's power is undeniable. His armies are endless, his wealth boundless, and in his service are legions of deadly operatives, rooting out all opposition.Mezamir and Cossara are Pale Star Operatives, elite agents of the Autarchy dedicated to the security of the empire. Possessing unique powers and romantically bonded through Tiran conditioning programs, they work tirelessly to hunt down enemies of the state.When Cossara and Mezamir are tasked with eliminating a new threat from within, they have no idea that they're about to be plunged headlong into a shadowy conspiracy that might very well topple the Autarchy. And as they become increasingly intertwined with a plot against Archon Marak, they find their loyalties challenged. Together, Mezamir and Cossara will need to decide what they're loyal to and what's worth fighting for—all the while contending with a threat to their very existence.