LIAN TANNER

Will Lord Rump choose treachery or love?

September 29th, 2019

This week sees the publication of Haunted Warriors, the third and final book in the Rogues trilogy, in which the story of Duckling, Pummel, Otte and Sooli, comes to its conclusion at last. And of course you get to find out whether Lord Rump will choose treachery or love.

Rump has never been a trustworthy man; he regularly puts his granddaughter Duckling in danger, and it’s never entirely clear whether he loves her or not. It’s not even clear whether she’s really his granddaughter, or whether he bought her in the marketplace as a baby in case he ever needed a disposable girl.

For a long time I didn’t know the truth either; in fact, I wrote the entire trilogy not knowing how it would end. I knew Lord Rump wasn’t to be trusted, but would he betray the children if the temptation was strong enough, or would he stand by them? And at the very end, would he give up his wicked ways, or continue to be a rogue and a villain?

I couldn’t imagine him turning honest; it just wasn’t in his character. But what would Duckling do if he chose to keep going? I didn’t think she could stay with him – her friendship with Pummel, Otte and Sooli had changed her so much that to go back to a life of crime would be impossible. But how could she leave her grandfather, who she loved despite his many failings?

I puzzled over this all through writing the third book. I had plotted the book in great detail, but I’d left the end blank, hoping that inspiration would hit me. And it did! I’m not going to tell you what I decided, but I will tell you that I’m really satisfied with the ending.

I hope you will be, too.

2 thoughts on “Will Lord Rump choose treachery or love?

  1. Violet says:

    Yayyy!! I’m in Tasmania right now visiting my grandparents and I cannot wait to get the book!!!

    1. Lian Tanner says:

      Welcome to Tassie, Violet! Excellent timing! When you’ve read it, let me know what you think of the ending.

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