Phoenix In Shadow: Chapter 8

They were at the Spiritsmith's...     ------     Chapter 8.      "What, young Prince? You thought my skills suited only to metalwork?" The Spiritsmith was dipping a pearlescent cloth into some other liquid that shimmered like moonlight. Kyri saw Tobimar give a wry smile. "I suppose I did assume that, yes. Clearly I was mistaken." "When making armor, can one neglect the padding, the straps, the parts that make it truly wearable and secure? And if these be weak, will they not define the weakness of the [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 3

  Kyri was remembering the recent past...   -----     Chapter 3.      The twin swords flickered at her like darting reflections from a pool of water, and Kyri realized just how very, very good Tobimar Silverun was with those weapons. In moments she deflected two strikes with her own sword, and still felt three, no, four impacts of those blades on her Raiment. And I've already increased my speed some. The raven-black hair was pulled back in a long ponytail that swirled behind Tobimar as he pirouetted away [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix in Shadow: Chapter 2

  And now that the preliminaries are out of the way, let's get to our main characters!     ------     Chapter 2. "Down!" Kyri shouted. Tobimar reacted just in time; the huge serpent's venom sprayed above his head, striking the grass and bushes behind them, almost instantly turning them gray and brittle. "Terian and Chromaias!" If that struck him, he could be killed! Not that getting hit by the thing's immense teeth or caught by coils the thickness of a strong man's thigh would be any better, but [ Continue reading... ]

Phoenix Rising: Prologue and Chapter 1

  Sometime relatively soon, the E-ARC  (electronic advance reader's copy) of Phoenix Rising will become available. Thus, I am now beginning my "snippeting" of the novel; I expect the snippets to cover roughly half the book.   So let's begin!       Prologue.   Warm light spilled from the windows of the estate, windows that were set in solid stone, warded with spell and steel; comfort with protection. He gripped the hilt of his sword and swallowed; his mouth was dry, as though filled with sand. "I… I don't want [ Continue reading... ]