6: Rescues

*Content warning: mild fantasy violence, dagger cut. Brennan padded along the mausoleum’s passageways, magelamps casting light enough he could see a few feet around him. There were no signs of anyone. Leneah had gone in here, he was sure of it. He’d seen her and the hooded man walk through the main entrance and heard […]

5: Darkness

*Content warning; mild fantasy violence, daggers Leneah followed on Brother Night’s heel, or cloak hem, since she had never noticed his feet. A scream cut through the air around her but stopped short. What the hells were they doing in there, and what had she gotten herself into? Every instinct screamed at her to run, […]

4: Fierceness

Brennan’s fingers ached to move, to do anything but remain curled over the hilt of his sword. He could barely see Leneah bathed in moonlight, standing in front of the silent, looming mausoleum. The silvery illumination deepened the color of her hair to almost blood-red. The sweat on his skin chilled, and the night darkened […]

3: Hunters and Quarry

Leneah pressed on, the terrible scream ringing through her mind. The Valiant–Brennan, he’d called himself–followed on her tail. His presence behind her was a warmth that spurred her on and gave her courage. He was heavier than she was, and armored and armed, but quiet for someone running in garrison-issue boots. It was a mystery […]

2: Valiants and Thieves

Brennan stood in front of the Northtemple Cemetery gates, assessing his surroundings. Ornate carved stone and iron curlicues peeked through tangles of bellflowers and ivy. A heavy silence hung over the place. Every creak and rattle of his armor, each inhale and exhale felt like a shout–especially when dealing with such a talented thief. He […]

1: Midsummer Mayhem

“Hey, get back here!” Captain Brennan Hawke called out, his voice stuttering as he thundered down the rickety wooden stairs threaded through Rowan Estates. Despite the neighborhood’s lofty name, the cramped collection of row houses zigzagging through The Scatter was a chaotic, unkempt labyrinth. And to his annoyance, the perfect place for a fleet and […]

18: Epilogue; Of Growing Threats

Archmage Miir stood next to Niamh in the chill of Northtemple Cemetery, but barely noticed it. She didn’t pay heed to the mausoleum dusted with unnatural snow or the darkness that was creeping through the clearing. How could she notice anything else but the face of the woman who had lost so much and now […]

17: Of Feasts and Family

“I hear there will be a ceremony and everything,” Sage Kate said as she placed a bowl of spring vegetable stew in front of Niamh, who smiled in gratitude. “Full honors for all of us,” Jeron agreed through a mouthful of freshly baked bread. “Kate, this all looks amazing.” Kate laughed. “My family have always […]

16: Of Monsters

*Content warning: fantasy battle with some light descriptions of blood, mild fantasy violence. Niamh arrived at the Mageguild Demesne gates to find Captain Hawke waiting for her in the gathering night. He removed his helmet and was sweating and sickly pale in the magelamp light. “Well met, sir,” Niamh said and looked at him, concerned. […]

15: Of Good Days Gone Bad

Niamh and Jeron drew up to his place arm in arm. Niamh noticed a large parchment envelope conspicuously stuck in the crack of his apartment door. “What’s this?” “No idea,” Jeron said. He grabbed the envelope and tore it open as they walked into his sitting room. He raised one hand absentmindedly as he muttered […]