Namar may be the best-known jungle on the northern continent, but others were thicker. Darker. More cloying with the scents of pollen filing the air year round, the pheromones of carnivorous plants and poisonous flowers choking the air. Set in the side of a low hill leading up to the major mansion of the Baron [...]
Bewildered, Rhayd made his way back to the end of the column and claimed an errant cart. There seemed to be no shortage yet, though judging by the number of students beginning to filter into the armoury, having had a longer tour than the Blackcards had, there may be soon. It was an effort, dragging [...]
It didn’t take long for the students to dig into their task. As soon as the group entered the long, low building, they were confronted with row upon row of stones, lumps of metal, petrified wood, deadwood… All manner of material was there for the taking, in all its myriad forms and sizes. Almost immediately, [...]
“Those of you with black admission cards, to me,” he called. “There should be thirty of you. You’re mine for the next three months.” Anrui had called for thirty, but a meagre eight sifted out through the Riptide’s passengers and made their way toward him. Most shuffled off toward Grale Hammerhand the squat Moorish instructor, [...]
Sinking spirals of sunlight wet the palm-laden flats to the east of the manor house as Jag Har’Oah’s rings bit into the ocean beyond where the five high-liners carrying the last of this intake’s ten score recruits were beaching themselves. Those who had already disembarked had assembled at the foot of the south entrance’s stairs. [...]
Night approached faster than Rhayd expected. He, Kintere and Blackfang had spent much of the day helping the sailors unload the longboats as they came ashore – granted, Rhayd himself had mostly co-ordinated the unloading. It made good cover for his injury. Much as he hated being seen as the aloof, commanding presence he knew [...]
“I’ve been here quite some time.” The voice called from behind Kintere, causing the entire party to turn on their heels at the sudden words. Not ten spans away, where moments ago no one had been, a mountain of a man stood, easily dwarfing Kintere by a quarter span. Clearly a warrior by his muscle [...]
As a small apology for being so inconsistent lately, we’re going to push through a number of posts in short order over the next few days to catch up to the intro for Chapter Three which mistakenly posted this morning. It’s been moved back, but not for long. Thanks for sticking around, everyone! It means [...]
“I’ll get Thryche,” Rhayd volunteered. He was gone by the time Mireya turned her head to offer to go in his stead, leaving her on the deck alone, surrounded by now-panicking sailors, with only the gruesome sight of the burning city to keep her company. Immediately, she tried to focus on something other than the [...]
BONUS EPISODE In apology for the massive delays I’ve had the last week, Leila and I got together to make sure we could leave you all with something special over the weekend to say thanks for sticking around and putting up with the delays. So thanks, guys! This week’s going to be tense! – Ian [...]