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 […]

Intro to Season Two: Hawke and Quarry, an Archives Prequel

A clever thief and a militia captain forge a bond in the face of a terrible evil, and discover their hearts might be on the same side after all… For Valiant captain Brennan Hawke, Midsummer Night patrols mean a hearty helping of chaos, mischief, and mayhem. What he didn’t count on was stalking a clever […]

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 […]

14: Of Sparring

“We’ve extended your post with the Easthaven Valiants Corps indefinitely,” Captain Hawke said as he stamped Niamh’s evaluation papers with the official seal. He handed her the sheaf of parchment with a respectful bow. Only two weeks had passed since she had received Jeron’s and, really, all Tanahr’s gift to her. The mechanized truesteel leg […]

13: Of Dire Dreams

Niamh trudged along the sidewalk, trying to dodge the far too many people who were out and about. It was nearing midday bells, and the city noises pushed against her like a physical shove. She staggered, taking an off-rhythm step. Her satchel slid onto the crook of her arm with a violent lurch, and she […]

12: Of Truth

“Curse it to all the hells and back again,” Niamh grumbled as she dragged her satchel-strap into place on her shoulder for what felt like the thousandth time that day. She hated to admit it, but getting around in a huge, foreign city as a recently healed amputee was hard work. She had never liked […]