Princess Meru sat amid plush blue cloth cushions in the impromptu ‘waiting room’. Within the hour she would meet her betrothed, Prince Tinochika ruler of the Island Principality. Nervousness and confusion filled Meru’s mind as she saw the oil cl
Read more…Atop the wall facing the still great Palm Forest, the Champion N’Sisi stood in full battle garb with spear and shield. The cleared area before the city walls was extended farther back to increase the range Tenaree archers would have to shoot acr
Read more…The moment had come. Tied securely to the ceiling of the tough palm wood cage, the unbearable, never-ending sounds and stench of dozens of forges and smiths working in shifts from sunrise to sunrise added to the prisoner Turid’s growing madness.
Read more…Inside Sea City’s palace, the Regent’s Receiving Room was stifling as it was quiet. Ghilda, Chief’s Vife was terribly uncomfortable and embarrassed as she kneeled behind her husband awaiting the King of this strange and unbearably hot land. Her
Read more…Deep within the heart of a mountain many miles from the coast, the entity the Tenaree called ‘The Red Spirit’ brooded. Sitting upon a throne-like projection of basalt and volcanic glass, the being who would claim the vast lands of Palm for her o
Read more…The air of celebration was absent in the Regent’s Receiving Room. Also absent were courtiers privy to the grim report on the enemy’s movement told by a bruised and battered N’Sisi, Champion of Palm. Regent Agozi, Princess Meru and Minister Namba
Read more…It had been several hours of travel by sea to reach the hidden jungle cove where the raiding party hauled ashore. The boats had been filled with water and stones in order to hide them from any enemy troops which may have made it to this unlikely
Read more…The palace air was far cooler as the sea breeze made its way through the whitewashed adobe structure. Barely clearing the spear wielding guards at the entrance of the Regent’s Hall, the Valley Knight was immediately inundated by those wanting to
Read more…The Red Spirit stepped from the flames and her sinuous dark leg gently placed delicate toes upon the smoldering sand. What shocked all present was the tremor caused by that bejeweled foot!
Little Fish readied himself for he knew they were i
Read more…The roar of flames reaching towards a smoke-filled sky could not diminish the wails of villagers being hacked down by marauders. Women and children ran through the streets as thatched roofs aflame atop adobe buildings showered cascades of fiery
Read more…The woman was no doubt skilled. Were she fully seasoned, she no doubt would have been a deadly challenger during his days of chasing ‘The Skull-Faced Man.’ However, even with a proper weapon, the outcome of their contest was obvious. Upon shatte
Read more…The women on the portside oars dropped them hard into the wave as they were nearly vertical and at considerable height. The ship lurched hard flinging the two shield maidens fighting to drop the wind-filled sail. One of the women struck her fell
Read more…Rolling waves made Chief Svengald’s three-sailed skiff point from sky to sea for hours as an approaching storm grew. Despite the worsening conditions, the Chief was enjoying being at the rudder on the open sea far too much to be overly concerned
Read more…Ghilda Svengald’s Vife, her crew and the crews of the other storm-tossed longships watched in abject horror as the coils of a brilliantly illuminated serpent swirled beneath them! Within the whirlpool where they were trapped, the seas and the sk
Read more…Being summoned for unknown reasons by the Newcomer and having her rest interrupted was bad enough. Having the Tenaree invader now turned servant bring the message made N’Sisi’s blood boil.
No matter what her questions as to why she’d been s
Read more…Ghilda Svengaldsvife stood at the prow of her longship. Behind her at the oars were twenty-four of Aesirford’s finest Shield Maidens bending strong backs to keep well ahead of the many boats racing out into the fjord. Above Ghilda’s head placed
Read more…The pain of his injured eye was magnified by the salty sting of seawater. Svengald did all he could to ignore the pain and concentrate on holding tight to the line and his breath. He had a much larger problem to contend with for a gigantic creat
Read more…Fire, bloodshed, death…!
“I am killed!”
“No…you are not.”
Gasping, N’Sisi cast about wide-eyed to get her bearings. Her eyes then fell upon her Spirit-Sister kneeling beside her cushioned bedroll. The late morning sun streamed in
Read more…The Newcomer said nothing. No heavy breath was drawn beneath the black cloth mask. Only a pair of dark merciless eyes peered towards the remaining five Tenaree warriors. Their leader was the Second to the slain Captain. He and his fighters had j
Read more…Little Fish topped the path’s rise and suddenly had to put an arm up to shield his eyes from the bright golden glow. There was no doubt in his mind the two men had awakened a long dormant power with their careless actions. With eyes shielded, th
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