It has been about fifteen years in the making. As I recall, it was in 2010 that I began writing the first Cesar the Bravo story, longhand, in a notebook on a flight to Hawaii, finishing it up pool side. A rough life, I know. That story ended up in an anthology in 2011. The next couple of stories appeared a few years later. And the exploits of Cesar continued.
Who is Cesar and why should you be interested? An excellent question, you insightful and discriminating reader. Cesar (“Chay-zar”, but pronounce it however you want — you’re an adult) lives by his wits and his sword in the city of Plenum, a fantastical analog of renaissance Rome. He is a bravo, a paid duelist, a soldier-for-hire. Whatever pays his cheap rent, expensive tailor bills, and the tab at Giacomo’s wine bar. He was not born with an ideal swordsman’s physique. Instead he’s of middle height (almost), and built like a wrestler rather than a fencer. But Cesar refuses to let that shortcoming hold him back. He has a gift for the work, a superior fencing master (when Cesar can afford to pay the man), tenacity, a dedicated sense of professionalism, and the toughness that comes from growing up in the gutters of Plenum.
Plenum. A city ruled by the Collegium, the organization of magi gifted with the ability to summon and control the beings colloquially known as demons. The variety, usefulness, and intelligence levels of demons is vast. And not all magi possess the skill and ability to summon the more powerful demons. But those with the ability to summon demons necessarily rule over those who lack it.
Cesar certainly lacks that ability. And yet he constantly runs into situations pitting him against demons. It’s enough to make a man drink And it is hard on the wardrobe.
The collected adventures of Cesar the Bravo have been compiled by Cirsova, which is currently running a Kickstarter campaign. As of this writing, the campaign is over halfway to the minimum goal. But I for one would like to see accompanying illustrations. So, please back the project and let’s get some interior artwork. En garde!