This will be the last week of snippets, since the eARC is out. Next week I'll be back to doing more regular posts. Our heroine had travelled quite a ways... ---- Chapter 25. Kyri looked up at the looming mountains ahead of her. It wasn't the first mountain range she'd seen since leaving Zarathanton, but it was by far the most forbidding she'd ever faced. Of course, she admitted to herself, that might just be because I know what it is. Now, for the first time [ Continue reading... ]
eARC of Phoenix Rising is Now Available!!
August 3, 2012 By 2 Comments
Anyone who just can't wait to get to the end? Well, go here and buy the electronic Advance Reader's Copy of Phoenix Rising! For those unaware, an eARC is a near-finished version of the book (missing only last-minute galley proof edits, such as I'm working on now). It does include the cover image, maps, etc. that would be in the final printed version. And yes, it's expensive for an eBook. You're paying the premium to look at it before anyone else can. If you want the cheap version, you have to wait until November. :) [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Chapter 24
August 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
And now they had to deal with what had happened... Chapter 24. Tobimar staggered as he placed yet another gasping body – a child, no more than ten in human terms, with delicately pointed ears and long silvery hair smeared with blood – on the altar. I can't fall now. We aren't even near done. He called on his meditations, the training Khoros had given him, released the reserves of his soul. Strength flowed back into his body, clarity to his thoughts. There'll be a price for that, later… [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising Chapter 23
August 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Well, Tobimar and Poplock had found a problem with their interview... ----- Chapter 23. "My thanks, and those of the city, again, Tobimar," Toron said, sinking into one of the massive split-backed Sauran chairs with the air of one who knows he will soon be forced to rise, and relished the moment of stillness. Poplock hung on a bit tighter as Tobimar gave an embarrassed wave and shrug. "We've just done what anyone would have," the young Human protested. "If only it [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Chapter 22
July 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
So Kyri was about to set out with a new, mysterious travelling companion... ----- Chapter 22. "Shadestriding," the wizard said, standing on the Great Road, "is a delicate business indeed. For this reason, it is vastly preferred that the one who strides the shades of reality be followed and assisted by those who can watch for the inevitable hazards and both warn of them, and – at least for a time – deal with them." The head tilted, showing that he was looking at her to verify [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Chapter 21
July 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Kyri wasn't the sort to wait around after making a decision... ----- Chapter 21 Kyri turned and looked back, finally unable to keep herself from doing so as the shadows of morning had shortened, shortened, and then begun to lengthen again as they passed to the afternoon. She had been walking all that time, forcing herself not to look. But just once… She had come a very long way; the Great Road here was as smooth as a ballroom floor, with just enough added [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Chapter 20
July 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
And now we see a point of view we haven't since the very beginning... ----- Chapter 20. The jungle below was thick and green, breathing with life in the brilliant sunshine. As he watched, a flock of brilliant birds burst from the canopy, pursued for a short distance by a bat-winged shape, a merinam or least dragon, before it grew bored and settled down onto the top of a tree like a giant crimson flower. It's not working. Usually Aran came here to … [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Chapter 19
July 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
So Tobimar and Poplock had been looking to arrange a meeting... ---- Chapter 19. "Well?" Poplock asked. "Any luck?" Tobimar grinned, accompanying the smile with a gesture as though handing something to Poplock that meant things had gone well. "We'll be talking to the Adjudicator and Marshal of Hosts T'Oroning'Oltharamnon hGHEK R'arshe Ness by the end of the day. And maybe, if we're lucky, the King himself." Poplock bounced onto Tobimar's shoulder, which sported solid [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising: Chapter 18
July 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
So, Kyri and Victoria knew what was going on, but they needed to figure out the next steps... ---- Chapter 18. "Victoria? Victoria Vantage, you hellsword, why didn't you tell me you were in the City?" The booming voice was intimidating enough, but the fact that its owner – an immense Ancient Sauran – then stepped forward and picked up her usually-dignified aunt and swung her around like a child greeted by her favorite uncle left her standing there with her mouth open. [ Continue reading... ]
Phoenix Rising Chapter 17
July 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Well, Kyri now had to deal with having learned the truth and being saddled with a terrible responsibility... ---- Chapter 17. "Auntie Victoria…" Victoria Vantage spun around at the voice. "Kyri! Good gods above and below, child, you've had us worried half to death!" In the darkness of the night, this far from the City, Aunt Victoria was barely visible as an arrow-straight figure of deeper black. Kyri let the older woman hug her. "Myrionar's Justice, girl, you're shaking! What [ Continue reading... ]
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