Interview with Roz King, Author of Brethren of the Sword: The Maiden Quest

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Brethren of the Sword: The Maiden Quest?

It began with a dream—a vivid, almost prophetic vision that I couldn’t shake. I wrote it down, and from that moment, the world started to grow. The characters, the battles, the ruins and relics—they wouldn’t leave me alone. I filled journals with notes, sketches, and lore. It felt less like creating a story and more like uncovering one that had always existed. Eventually, I realized this wasn’t just a book. It was a calling. Brethren of the Sword became my quest, and building The Fold, the world around it, became my destiny.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Brethren of the Sword: The Maiden Quest, what would they be?

I definitely write with music—it’s like a secret door into the character’s soul. For the three DeGodfrey brothers united, the anthem is “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore. When they fight side by side, it’s like watching a storm laced with brotherly banter—wild, unstoppable, and strangely charming. That song is their energy: bold, messy, and heroic in their reckless way. For Leon DeGodfrey, specifically, I’d choose “Legends Never Die” by Against the Current. It was originally created for the League of Legends championship, but it fits Leon perfectly. He’s the kind of hero who stumbles, bleeds, and rises anyway. The lyrics—”Legends never die when the world is calling you”—echo his journey from tarnished knight to something greater. He has the swagger of Jack Sparrow and the heart of Aragorn—this song sounds like destiny chasing him down. Ophiel is a different kind of power. She’s light-filled, sacred, and enchanting. Her presence feels like time slowing down. Her theme is “Arrival of the Birds” by The Cinematic Orchestra—gentle, angelic, like walking through an enchanted garden where even nature bows its head. She doesn’t need to shout to change the world. Prince Karrion is pure charisma with a dark edge. His theme is “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”—Lorde’s version. It’s slow, seductive, and regal with an undercurrent of danger. Karrion isn’t just a villain—he’s a temptation. He walks like a crowned rock star, and people follow him for the promise of power, not realizing he’s leading them into ruin. And then there’s Bedial, the false king. I wrote most of his scenes with “King Nothing” by Metallica playing. That song shaped him. It’s raw, bitter, and full of the emptiness that comes from getting everything you ever wanted and realizing it still isn’t enough. He’s a cautionary tale wrapped in a crown.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I’m an action movie buff at heart. I’ve watched just about every knights-and-swords film out there—Centurion, El Cid, Ironclad, you name it. I’m drawn to the grit, the glory, and the epic stakes of a good sword-clashing adventure. The books I read tend to be cinematic too. I love historical fiction that feels like it’s pulling you through time—stories where battles are personal, kingdoms hang in the balance, and characters fight for something greater than themselves. Brethren of the Sword is the product of that blend. It’s where my love for action-packed movies meets my fascination with history and myth. I wanted to write a book that feels like you’re watching it happen—fast-paced, vivid, and full of moments where you want to cheer or gasp or throw the book across the room in the best way.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Right now, my TBR pile looks like a medieval war table. I’m buried in research—books on knights, chivalry, the Templar order, the Crusades, and every obscure battle tactic I can get my hands on. I’ve got titles like The Knight in History by Frances Gies, God’s Wolf by Jeffrey Lee, and even old battle manuals cracked open with sticky notes everywhere. Can you guess what I’m working on next? That’s right—the sequel to Brethren of the Sword. The world is about to get bigger, the battles bolder, and the secrets buried deeper. Let’s just say… the Fold is far from finished.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The battle scenes were some of my favorites. Every strike, block, and movement had to feel alive. I’ve studied martial arts, and while writing, I could almost hear my old sensei in my ear—calm and wise, saying something like, “The strongest warrior is not the one who strikes first, but the one who sees the strike before it comes.” That mindset shaped how I approached the choreography. I didn’t just want action—I wanted meaning behind every move. Each clash reveals character—who holds back, who loses control, who learns mid-fight. But there’s one scene—later in the story—that was incredibly hard to write. A moment of deep loss. I won’t spoil it, but I was in tears. I didn’t expect it to hit me so hard, but it reminded me that even in epic stories, it’s the quiet heartbreaks that leave a mark.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I write everything by hand in a journal I carry everywhere—because if I don’t, the story might burst out of me anyway. I don’t wait for the muse—I write like the battle has already begun. Sometimes I forget to eat, breathe, or leave the house. And I have to remind myself… not everyone in the real world appreciates banter and sass like the DeGodfrey brothers do. But they should.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Yes—“The quest begins with you.” Not the hero. Not the writer. You. Without you, the story is silent. The sword stays sheathed. The battle never begins. But the moment you open the book, everything awakens—legends rise, kingdoms burn, and destinies are forged. My words are just the map. You’re the spark. The Fold lives because you step into it. The quest begins now—and it begins with you.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The story doesn’t end when the book closes. It lives on within you. Because once you’ve stood in Andaraland—faced its battles, heard its call—you don’t walk away unchanged. You carry it forward. You bring the fire with you. You are part of the Fold now. The adventure is now. You’ve seen it. You’ve felt it. Your destiny calls.

Roz King is the author of the new book Brethren of the Sword: The Maiden Quest

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