Rise of the Red King - Sample Chapters (Chapter Three)

Here we go with the sample chapters again. This time it's chapter three! Remember this is still in editing phase so mistakes may be there. Happy Reading!

Chapter Three

Supper was amiable but slightly subdued and especially late this night. Anet was visiting the citadel with her sisters. There were new faces here. Such as Yusanna, a feisty girl that reminded Anet of herself when she was younger. And Like little Lia, who in her talents for visions reminded Anet of herself. Lia, who at first was very withdrawn and cried most of the time for weeks seemed to finally be getting along quite well with the other sisters. Irtal, one of the shepherdesses of the citadel, and a candle-maker, had taken Lia under her wing. And when she wasn't with irtal, Anet often heard from Instructress Helga or Instructress Iddina that she and Yusanna would get up to mischief.

A meal of sliced lamb in spiced gravy over potatoes and an onion chutney and quass was delicious, as usual. Sister Madeah never lost her touch in the kitchen. Anet motioned for Irtal to hand her the bread plate and she took another oblong round of flatbread and poured a bit of olive oil upon it.

"I wonder what the king will say after all is said and done." Said Instructress Helga.

"I have no idea what to expect."

"It is good to have you be among us again, Anet. You are sorely missed." Helga actually permitted herself a slight smile.

"Are you sure? I was a bit of an imp."

"And we have plenty more imps running about the place but none so curious about the outside world like you." Helga smiled broadly now, her fine lines broke into a wave of happiness, a true rarity. Anet was delighted to see it. Though still dour Instructress Helga seemed happier and the word was that she was a little softer on the students these days.

In truth, the prophet Ilim, who now lived among the scions, had a new task, having to do with the city of Jhis. This was the most momentous and dangerous of his and her spiritual journeys. He had specifically asked for her to accompany him on this journey. He'd received a letter from the king and even showed it to her. written even in copper and gold ink and dripping with cryptic courtesy. behind the words were iron teeth. They both knew that. It had even come in an Egian made tinmak messenger. A golden dragonfly. Mother Berenice had first discerned the danger in the beautiful little thing but it did not miss Anet or Ilim either. It's delicate faceted glass and web wings were stained with the barest hint of subtle poison. Yet, they consulted Saujiah on it and he bade them go for they would give a sign that the end of Jhis had come.

"Let him think he has set his trap." Said the messenger. "He will see a vision of the demise of his house and judgment against him instead." So they prepared for the journey. In the morning they would be leaving.

"I have not yet seen or heard of the king we all await." Said Irtal quietly.

"He remains hidden for now but I know, and Ilim knows of his coming. He knows who he is. That is all I can say until the time comes and you know that sign."

"Very soon indeed." Said Instructress Helga. "Are you sure you will not need the warrior scions to accompany you both to the city?"

"No, no. We trust in Saujiah's word on this. But please make sure to send a group of sisters to Beth-Ayin. Afterward, Ilim will visit the faithful, as many as he can see. He will especially want to visit Beth-Ayin as the brothers and sisters there have not seen him in an age."

"I worry for him. His health is no longer the best."

"I know but he insists he must go to see them." They ate and talked in broken, muted conversation, at times light, at times somber. The youngest ones were all in bed. This was a last meal to send Anet off. She was grateful for the peacefulness and small company as she meditated on what lay ahead. Her dreams of running in the desert, of seeing the great city Assenna had come back sporadically. And also the disturbing dream of the dead queen. There were now other dreams, dark ones. She would have to do battle with this one, whoever it was trying to reach her. (Erol!) She ate the rest of her meal in silence, listening to the goings-on and gossip flying through the citadel and town. She wondered what Kaisha her old friend was up to.

. . .

They set off before dawn the next morning. Ilim was in a grumpy mood. Anet was glad for the camels instead of mules or donkeys. Even so, Ilim had something to gripe about. The camels, were, in his opinion too wide and fat. He was muttering about the current laziness and wretchedness of the people of the land, in particular the youth. And how so many had grown so fat and lazy that they now needed to breed "malformed animals" to bear their ever-growing backsides. The camels took these insults patiently stride. Anet had to admit she'd found these unusually large camels rather strange as well but thought nothing more of it as she had other things on her mind. Like what they could expect, what sort of welcome they would receive in Jhis. Frankly she was tired of hearing about the forsaken place and did not want to go. Her skin crawled just thinking about it. Someone powerful there, someone apart of the court was trying to reach her and they had ill intentions toward her. Though she had figured out that Taliat did not have any gift of reaching her through dreams, the way the dream had made her feel left her in no doubt that the queen, her own kin would have thought nothing of slaying her. In fact, she had tried to kill her, not knowing Anet was a relative. If Queen Taliat had known, it would have made no difference. And yet, another in Jhis, close to the king she surmised, was trying to harm her in dream. The only thing keeping this person out of her head and from doing true damage was Airend-Ur and for that she was forever thankful. Anet was so focused on this person was trying to infect her mind that she barely heard Ilim who was now fussing at her. His voice slowly faded in seemingly out of nowhere, finally rustling her out of her thoughts.

"Anet! Do you not hear me? Something is wrong! Can you not feel it?" She looked around quickly, now on alert. Ilim had his own perceptive powers. Finally Anet felt it, like a force moving just under the sand. Even their animals were becoming nervous. Anet put her hand on her sword tied beneath an old sash around her hips, ready to spring from the camel at a moment's notice. Her breathing became still. She scanned the area. Nothing but sun and sand and pink-orange sky. They were both silent. Ilim then glanced at her with alarm. She heard it, like a sigh beneath the sands and then they were upon them! Two figures shot up like fire bugs out of a dune about fifty paces before them. Anet immediately lept off her camel, her eyes trained upon them. They were difficult to see, disappearing in the air like moving glass pieces. Ilim detached his staff from his side and swung it in front of him, ready to do battle. One of the figures landed beside her and within the same moment she was upon it, feeling the low whirring energy coming from it ride over her in long pulses of power. She lifted her wide bronze blade, her body both rigid and ready to bend. she felt herself being filled with fired sparks of energy. At first they looked like men but as the figure came down upon her she could see that it was mechanical, a skeleton of human bone and iron dressed in leather armor. Anet swing her sword in a powerful arc nearly cleaving the skull from the bone man's spine. Pieces of metal flew off into the air. It lifted a foot to kick her. Blades shot out from its big toe bones. Anet lifted her robe and it billowed in a wide arc. She swung it over her body and whirled away, quick as a sand snake. The boneman's toe blades sliced through her robe, just missing her torso. She raised her sword arm and struck the creature full on with the blade making a hairline crack in the skull and then she came in again, bashing the boneman in the side of its head, cracking the skull. It fell, dislodging completely from the body and tumbled on the sand but the body itself continued to fight. However, it was now slowed. Sweating, she deftly avoided the boneman as it swung round clumsily with its thin sword to strike her. She bashed and hacked away deftly at it, breaking through bones and shearing off bits of metal but she was tiring. Seeing what looked like fire and light and tubes within it in, a fit of fearlessness she reached into the ribcage and grabbed a hand full of tubes and wires, They burned her hands and she cried out, pulling the mass out with all her might. The skeletal figure shook and jerked, went still for a moment and then went crashing into the sand. She dashed towards Ilim who was now standing uphill on a sand dune, blocking each strike of the other boneman. Anet crept up behind only for the second boneman to whilr from Ilim to her and it went striking her down. She clashed swords with it but it was strong, stronger than the other one and it forced her nearly to the ground. Ilim swung his staff hitting it on the head.

"Ilim, father, its chest! It is the weakest part!" Ilim immediately attacked the ribcage witht he point of his staff, breaking two rib bones. The figure swung its sword down upon him and he scuttled back. Anet leaped up and hit it in the chest, driving with all her strength and broke another rib bone. They both rained down blows upon it but bone man did not go down, returning nearly blow for blow. They would soon tire while seemingly this thing could go on forever. Ilim snatched off his head mantle and threw it over its head. This slowed it somewhat and Anet in a moment went for the chest, tearing out the copper wires and tubing and pulled it out. It finally fell. They both stood staring in amazement. Ilim turned to her finally.

'What in the world were those things? I have never seen such things before?"

"It would seem someone has taken the concept of tinkering machines to a new plateau."

'Those. . . were tinkering machines?"

"That is the only thing I can think of. I have never seen them either. I did once see a man who had a mechanical heart."

"Juhi!" Cried Ilim.

"Yes. But he was a real man." She said. His face darkened into a black scowl.

"I think those were once men, Anet. It must be the work of Black Alchemy."

"Another import from Egi we do not need." She said.

"As we get closer to Jhis things might get even more interesting. And I am getting too old." He said. He took her burned hand into his.

"Child. I am sorry I have been dragging you into this for so long."

"Do not worry over it, father. I have some salves and solutions to clean and mend it. It is not too severe." It looked worse than it was. Their animals had run away and they had to walk a league before they caught up to them. After mounting their camels again they were both quiet for most of the journey. The rise and fall of sand dunes and the scuttling of scorpions was the only excitement they met up with afterward but they remained on high alert all the way into the city, wondering how far and how black Jhis had become and who had sent the mechanical men and the poisoned wing after them into the desert.

"It is someone of the king's court. But not the king. I have heard it through the voices of the sands that the king keeps company with a powerful alchemist." Ilim said one night. They were a day's journey from Jhis now. Anet wrapped her torn robe close around her, shivering against the cool night air.

"The king's sword they say is a black sword of flame and smoke. Fearsome thing. They say it is the star sword of Ishuye."

"People say so many things. It is why I have lived off and on among the tribes. Too much noise, kingly propaganda and weavings of lies in cities. It pollutes the mind. You cannot see or hear anything else but their lies."

"True."

"There is something you must know, Anet. I once said to you that I would tell you about your family." She snapped to attention then.

"I know it has been so long and I should have told you before. Both of us were so busy that I could not." He was quiet for a moment and then he looked at her again. "Your father was a minor nobleman of the Aishanna-La. His name was Omri-Kuyin na Kuyin, of the family of Kuyin. A respectable, upper-class family in Jhis. They were also faithful worshipers at the temple. Good people. Your mother was Egian nobility."

"Egian." Anet said quietly.

"Yes. You have perceived this because of your dream?"

"I was not sure at first but I have come to know it."

"Well, now you know."

"She was related to the former queen."

"Yes. You are descended from the House of Kuyin and of the House of Seht, Anet. They were sisters. Lady Eilannat had three daughters. Anetarieth was your mother's name. She was the eldest by ten years. Taliat was the youngest. There was another daughter, younger than your mother and older than Taliat, Eilat. She died young. Anyway, your mother defied convention at the risk of death and married someone that did not have her family's approval. The Seht family, like many Strabian people, disdain anyone who is not Strabian like themselves, even if they are from noble blood. The fact that he was Aishanna-La made the insult worse as they did not and do not like this religion. It is the very opposite of their own rites and beliefs. She ran away and when her father's men came to claim her back and punish her the only thing that stopped them was a bride price seven times bigger than any nobleman would normally pay for his bride. That and most likely the protection of God Himself. Your father paid it and prayed fervently over the matter and that saved her life. So they started out with very little but soon he was blessed after a few years and they grew in wealth and influence and then they had you. Your mother was a courageous woman and your father always supported her. She had made a name for herself as a kind and generous woman and often worked to help the poor in the city. She made clothes and fed many people and was a faithful woman. She converted to her husband's faith soon after marrying him. But she was always at odds with the Golden Temple priesthood. Women were not allowed into the temple and she would go inside anyway as she was well versed in what the holy book said and what it did not say and they could not lie to her on this matter. So they resorted to trying to shame her which did not work either. Nor did it work on your father as he once even denounced a priest for catching him coming out of a brothel. One day she had come in for prayers and they dragged her out and had her publicly whipped. Enraged over this, your father withdrew his support from the temple and many others who saw what happened withdrew from the temple as well in protest. This angered and created fear in the Ainash priesthood. You see they were gaining in influence over the Aishanna-La community Anet. It is my belief and the belief of others that one night they hired thugs to burn down your parent's home. To put an end to this growing challenge to their authority. An old friend of mine, Eliaz happened to be visiting their home when it happened. The fire happened so fast that there was little time to escape. You were only a small babe at the time. Eliaz grabbed you but could not get to your parents for the raging fire and he fled from the house. Your parents burned to death in that fire. Eliaz happened to grab a few valuable things in your room for safekeeping. They were in a safe box. A deed and a seal and a ring, your mother's ring from her mother given to her. The priest Zarhaz was given them for safe-keeping. Whether these things will be useful to you I do not know, but there it is. Your name, in full, is Anetaliat na Seht-Kuyin, as your mother kept her last name."

"She kept her last name?"

"She did. Unheard of but she never did anything just because others did it. She had her own mind. As you do. And your father was ever loyal to her, as you are loyal to me and to God. You have all the good qualities they had, Anet. And you are not common. Not that there is anything wrong with the common man or woman, but you have more than one great destiny laid out before you, child." Anet was stunned at this news. She asked for more but Ilim had told her all he knew.

"That is all I know."

"Now I can know truly where I came from and where I am going." She said softly.

"Yes. It is all in the name." They were both quiet after the revelation.

Ilim went inside the tent and went to sleep. Anet kept watch that night for a few hours longer before going to sleep. She watched the moons as they made their voyage across the sky. Even though the last regime was gone and the dark queens of the moons were defeated they were not dead and the moons here in Hybron seemed alien and distant. How far and different was her memory of them when she was a child so many years ago, first learning how to fend for herself when she looked up at the moons and thought of pleasant, wonderful things. Now they seemed cold, like blind snake eyes. Watching. Her mind sometimes wandered into the territory more and more of marriage and children. What it would be like to be in love and be in the arms of a husband. She closed her eyes and prayed fervently to keep her mind on what lay ahead. She, for the first time in years, was not sure what to expect or sure of her destiny. Some times it was pure joy and sometimes it was just too much. She had come to a fork in the path. We the little people, the ones who are ruled, by the seasons, by portents, by culture, by the gods or by the mighty men of fame and power. We are the beasts with all the burdens.

Sample Chapters! (Rise of the Red King)

The first chapter one Rise of the Red King is now up! As always, this is a rough draft so if you encounter mistakes, keep that in  mind. Happy reading!

Chapter One

"And who are you to disturb my rest? My dwelling place?" A mighty black, scaly tail came crashing down upon the ship, breaking it in half. Shards of wood and metal, goods, matter and men went flying like arrows into the Llordis. Rapheth could hear the terrified cries of the crew and passengers as they fell into the rough cold waters forced. The dragon plunged its head into the waters to finish devouring the crew. Its head spikes, horns longer than long swords and black as pitch, demolished and splintered what was left of the ship. Rapheth felt himself falling, water rushing into his lungs. The cold attacked his body like a thousand stabbing knives. He caught a glimpse of light below as he struggled to swim to the surface. Like a large, bright lantern pushing toward him through the water it came. He felt its heat on the soles of his feet. I feel so cold.

"Then you should not have come here, little fool!" The light was the fiery eye of Abgaron. The dragon opened a wide, vicious looking maw and bit his torso in half.

Rapheth awoke with a sickened start.

"Another dream?" Asked a voice in the darkness.

"Yes." Rapheth murmured. There was a tiny light only some feet away from him. He guessed it had entered his dream. How the things of waking time entered dream in the most unexpected ways. The voice was Parso's.

"Reading in the dark again?" Rapheth asked, relaxing his head back against the rough burlap sack again. He heard Parso chuckle. That familiar, avuncular sound comforted him. Rapheth took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Do you want me to read to you from the Holy Aishanna?"

"Please."

"Like the darkness that is covering the twilight. . ." As Parso read on, Rapheth tried to settle his mind, which flew from one tangled nest of dark and lurid thoughts to another. They had been sailing for twenty-two days, the Llordis Sea gradually pouring into the North Ocean. Its waters were very cold and the crew took to wearing heavy, woolen clothing proofed with a wax made of animal fat. The weather was unlike anything Rapheth and his men had experienced and some, such as Luz and Shukala had fallen ill from the chill. For some days he and Ephron had discussed how to fight a dragon but nothing had appeared miraculously to help them. Or, rather, him. Then Ephron friend urged him to think of out- witting the dragon with a riddle. They'd read that it had been done before.

"No need to ask God for help where you can help yourself." Ephron said. "We have been fortunate so far. Why assume He will not help? Do what you will and God's hand will be in the matter but go forward and be courageous and face this demon-thing. You will triumph and destroy it. Only cowards shrink away or plot." He heard Ephron's proud words echo in his mind. It had impressed him. But those words also disturbed him. In fact, arrogance was dangerous, especially in the face of servants of the unnamed one or when assuming the hand of God, in matters. Rapheth tried again to match the pace of his breathing with the heaving movement of the ship as it rolled through the rough waters of the ocean.

It was night and the sky was obscured in thick gloom. However, the crew were fortunate. A man who was once an alchemical apprentice, a technician in the golden alchemical arts, was on board and he had a compass on board to help them navigate, even when the stars could not be seen. Oratio was his name and he was amazed when Rapheth and Parso had shown him their tinkering machines, especially the chilyabium.

"I'd heard these things were banned in your lands," he'd said, astonished at the sight of it. He set to work tinkering with the machines when the weather was calm and had rigged it so that at least the chilyabium could be turned on. As to the chilyabium however, Oratio had admitted that fixing such a finely made machine was far beyond his skill. He had told them to come with him after the shipped docked, to the house of his great-uncle who was a revered gold alchemist and he had a number of other relatives that were in the guilds as well. Most of his family lived in a city named Tidua, in central Pallinona. Oratio's great-uncle, he said, on seeing such a machine would welcome them gladly.

After only a week of sailing Rapheth felt the evil dread of the dragon hanging about him like a suffocating drape. He felt it as a pain in his kidneys. His disquieting thoughts blossomed into fear as he had now sailed off the edge of promise and hope into the maw of uncertainty. In fact, as the days went on, the crew, first merry and at times boisterous, had grown quiet the farther west they sailed. But there was no turning back. His men regarded him already as a sort of king, if only amongst themselves but it was enough to burden him with more doubt and fear. This dragon son of Garon would surely test him for it was not only human men who did not want to see his rise. Those of the godly realm hated him as well. He'd surmised from what he'd read about the creature that he would have to do battle, either physical or by wits. Rapheth pondered over this now in the dark. He could hear the waves pushing and beating against the side of the ship like hands seeking what was inside. If only he had a great sword. Like the star sword of Ishuye. Why could he not have such a thing and why would God fling him to the far corners of the world without it? Even so, Abgaron would not be fooled into a physical battle with that sword again. Feeling alone in the blackness where only the smells of the ship and sea, his ears hearing the soft snores of the other men around him and the waves outside, his thoughts turned sour. Rapheth felt like an animal caught in a trap, waiting for the hunter. He'd been told since he was a small child that he was of royal blood, of the famed, or infamous Reshaim, yet he had to hide who he was. He could not fully partake of life but simply wait. Who am I, really? It frustrated him as he'd grown older to not have a sure identity and place in the community, in the world that he could openly express. He was sometimes jealous of Shukala and Ephron for this reason. They knew who they were and what their positions would be, what they would be in the firmament of society when they became men. They even knew which girls they would marry, both betrothed when they were still children, while he felt both chained by destiny and unfettered and insecure by dangers that lurked everywhere. He'd prayed to God many times but there seemed to be no satisfactory answer from that front either. If you will not give me a powerful sword to defeat him as you gave Ishuye, I shall outsmart him by wit if I can! he thought defiantly. I have no other choice.

The next morning after a breakfast of hard bread, limes, some hard cheese and salted beef Rapheth went above to the deck. The sky was the same sullen gray it had been for weeks. He had never seen the sky thus and it's alien quality did nothing to improve his moodiness. Even the crew continued apprehensive. His own men tried to get him to go back below deck but Rapheth ignored them.

"What is the matter, do you think?" Asked Injol quietly to Rhajit. Rhajit shook his head.

"Perhaps the weight of what he is about to become is finally taking its toll. Perhaps this is a test of manhood." Sea spray soaked matted down his thick black hair and Rhajit smoothed it down again and pulled his cloak closer against the cold. "Out in the desert boys of a certain age are tested as to their manhood. They must hunt and kill a fierce beast. A pack of jackals or a lion, or in the old days one of the massive lizards that used to roam the desert. Perhaps this is his test."

"I know of what you speak. I had my own test back then. However, none of us tribesmen had to face a dragon." Said Injol. Rhajit said nothing.

A black line like a massive rising wave made its way through the waters, rending a line through the sea like a sword. The water grew grayish and turgid as the creature cut its path toward the ship. There were frightened shouts from the sailors and the alarm sounded. Men ran to and fro over the deck or dove below deck but there was nowhere to hide. Abgaron, the great dragon of the Llordis had finally appeared.

"I thought perhaps we would not see him this time. Normally he would appeared long before now!" Said the captain fearfully. "I have brought tribute, men! Even a prisoner below deck who would have received the death penalty! Do not fear or panic, yet!" Shouted the captain. Ephron and Shukala refused to go down below deck but kept their eyes fearfully on their friend. A mountainous scaled head like a lizard's with a crown of sharp horns arrayed around its head like a diadem reared up from the sea. Rapheth turned to the captain whose eyes were wide as moons.

"Do not give over the prisoner for the creature is here for me." The captain nodded but said nothing.

"Did you think that you could sneak past without tribute? I perceive you have something special to give me, do you not?" Said the dragon. It's voice was like great stones dragging and scraping across each other.

"Oh great and fear-inspiring Abgaron! I have your tribute! Much gold and silver I have acquired-" Cried the captain. Abgaron rumbled with cruel laughter. Rapheth could feel the rumble in the soles of his feet. He took a deep breath. Abgaron turned his gazed upon him suddenly, his eyes blazing.

"Keep silent and keep your gold and silver! I see a prize in flesh and blood this day." The dragon opened its mouth and revealed glittering sharp teeth.

"I smell the blood of Reshaim!" It said with deepest scorn. The words rolled over Rapheth like tidal waves and he could feel the disgust like a vicious slap. "Long dead I thought you all. But here one stands before me. Do you not fear me, boy?"

"I am not a boy." Said Rapheth. His heart hammered. The dragon laughed again and this time Rapheth could feel even his own teeth rattle.

"Such courage. You must have a holy sword on you but I shall not be torn open again. No, I came to you in dream. You know of it. We shall find another way for you to pay your debt, Reshaim!" Rapheth's heart fluttered in fear and excitement. He had no weapon to kill or fight the dragon but he did have his wits still about him. He spoke up.

"Give me a riddle to answer Abgaron, since you seem to know my mind." The dragon narrowed his eyes and then let out a deep hiss and a circle of fire surrounded the ship, holding it still in the stormy waters. Quickly, as it touched the waters the ring around the ship became a wall of thick hot steam that held the ship captive within the circle of the dragon's presence. It smelled acrid, of sulphur and melted metal and the sea. The dragon's voice suddenly became low as it lowered its head, pushing it through the circle of steam and moved in close to Rapheth.

"You want to play a game? That is well, but where there is no blood-letting do not think there is no price to pay."

"There is a price to everything."

"Indeed. Give your riddle then, Reshaim." Rapheth was frightened but closed his eyes to gather himself. Airend-Ur hear me and be merciful. He could hear the dragon laughing in his head, though it could not be heard by the other men listening, who had not hidden below deck.

"Make all the prayers you need. You will not leave here until the matter is done." Came the dragon's voice, this time in his head. Rapheth ignored it as best he could and wracked his mind for a riddle. Of all the scrolls and books he had read there were not many but there were a few in the Book of Kings' Wisdom in the Holy Aishanna, and he was now fast coming up with his own riddle based upon one of those passages.

"Aha!:

The cost of one only its maker knows,
it is both valueless and precious.
A beggar may give one as easily as a king.
But when one is broken, pain and rage are sure to follow.

What is the answer?

The dragon reared back and looked at him for a few seconds.

"The answer is a promise."

"What does this mean?" Asked the captain.

"It means you may pass unhindered for he has given himself to me as a promise."

'I do not understand-" Cried Rapheth.

"Of course, you do not. I have been here long before your Reshaim ancestors walked the globe or sailed the seas. The crew here can go in peace. I will not harm them. Today. You, on the other hand, are the sacrifice." The dragon laughed and fires blossomed from the steam and rose higher than the wall of steam. The sails began to burn and it through the crew into a panic

It dawned on Rapheth that he rushed in too soon to battle with this ancient creature.

"What will you give me, Reshaim, so that you may pass unharmed." The dragon tricked him but there was no way he could change it now.

"I give you my word, my promise, that I will come back this way, as a sacrifice or I shall forfeit my life, if I fail to keep my promise. Do not harm them, Abgaron."

I thought as much. naive and stupid liek all of your kind who worship the First One. Do not lie to me. I know when men lie. The dragon's voice sounded said in his head. I perceive you speak truth to me in this, that you will face me but do not think you will succeed for I have my brand upon you and do not think you will escape. My brand shall kill you if you do not hold to your promise.

"I think I will find you far more useful to me and the father of storms alive instead of dead. Oh yes." Said Abgaron.

The dragon let them pass but not before a visceral reminder of his promise. He felt heat within him like a raging fire, lighting up his body, a searing pain in his chest. Rapheth screamed and collapsed.

"What is happening!?" Parso, Ephron and Shukala came to his side. Rapheth could feel blood welling up in his mouth. He felt the brand, now pulsing in his body. In pain and out of breath he merely lay upon the floor. The dragon backed away and let them pass. As the ship sailed on, the circle of fire and steam ceased but they could hear the rumbling, menacing laughter of the dragon even far away, as it plunged itself back toward the depths of his home.

"Bless my soul and the rolling waves! That was the strangest battle I have ever witnessed. Usually he demands valuables or flesh, right then and there!" Exclaimed the captain to Rapeth. "You must be a wizard, Rapheth! You must be! You saved us all!" The captain and his men were elated.

"Yes, I think there is something else afoot here. This young man has some authority, or some other quality about him that is valuable, otherwise the dragon would not have made any such bargain with him. He must be blessed by the gods, else we all would be dead." Said another Oratio. 'when I arrive home I must tell my uncle!"

"See! What did I tell you? You or on the path to glory already! And you needed no sword or even God's hand in the matter!" Said Ephron excitedly.

"Was this your idea, Ephron?" asked Parso. He looked dismayed.

"What? He won and we are all safe. There is nothing to worry over, Parso!" Parso glared at him then glanced worriedly at Rapheth.

"That remains to be seen. And there is no true glory not given to one by the First Pillar. You should know that." Ephron made a dismissive sound.

"Come, gentle fellows. We go in joy to Pallinona!" Said the captain. the crew raised a great cry of joy and relief and they celebrated with ale and salted beef and even some spirits.

But Rapheth knew now that he had made a deadly bargain with an evil creature and though he was obligated to keep his word, Abgaron was not. He rubbed the spot on his chest where he felt the invisible brand of the dragon. The first challenge was over. And he had failed it. There was no question he wanted to keep his promise but could he? What did the dragon want to use him for? He could have simply eaten him alive but did not, which made Rapheth's sense of dread deepened. A new dread. Did Abgaron know something about his journey that he did not?

Free Extra Content: from The Red World, a new short story and a new blueshifters episode all coming soon!

Well summer is nearing its end (boo!) and I've had quite a bit of promotion to do. That's winding down. The MG Blog Tour was great and a lot of fun, thanks Crystal! I really loved the Other Realms promotion tour as well and I want to give a shout out to Willo for organizing that over on Kboards. I hope to do something like that again some time. Really cool. Check it out because there is so much great content over there! Those of us writing scifi and fantasy who are indie authors have ultimate control over our stories adn we can tell them how we want to.

That's what Tolkien did. He wrote the kinds of stories he liked to read. We all have that power now and I like it. That's a very good thing.

Speaking on that, sometimes when you do promotions and other projects you create extra content, content that can't be found elsewhere. This is what I did for the Other Realms promotion and the MG Blog Tour and I think this is cool content that people reading the blog would like so I am going to post it (the extra Red World content) here and also send it out to the mailing list. Some of these are merely excerpts from the latest Red World novel but some of it is new. The new red world content can be downloaded from the link at the end of this post! I call it the Chialis Travelogue.

Other new content - it's time to get back into the swing of things and I've done so and I'm excited! I am currently editing a new short story called The Prototype. That shoud be out by the end of this month and it will be free for a short time. If you are subscribed to the mailing list it will most certainly be free for a long time. If not, it will be made free for a short time. It may become a space opera sci-fi series in the future. Who knows?

Also, the big one! I am gearing up to begin work on the last book of the Red World trilogy, Rise of the Red King. I will be starting the outline of this novel this weekend so I will be quite busy this month. Also, I have another episode over at blueshift fiction that I will post this month. Look for that at the end of September. There is also the new poetry book that I was talking about. Still working on it, haven't forgotten it. That may come out in October. 

Anyway, thought I would give you a few things to start off the fall year (where I am the new year has "started" because school is newly in session) because after September I will not be posting an awful lot until I can get a break from writing. I will be busy so this is to let you know there will be some free content up here and at my other blogging spaces.  

Content is always good. Especially free stuff.  :)

Download and enjoy! ---> Chialis Travelogue