Category Archives: The Novel

“Between will never let herself become the dog of The Rationalist Union,” snarled the Paladin. “Shut up,” said Phinneas. “Or I’ll shoot you.” “No!” Kendrick cried. “Uh,” he said as Phinneas directed his glare at him, “s-sir, if you kill … Continue reading →

“What the struck-out hell?” Kendrick nearly jumped at the voice of Phinneas. The Rationalist Professor-Colonel stood behind the Paladin, not ten feet from them. But he was not looking at Kendrick or Levanick. Slowly, Kendrick twisted his head around. They … Continue reading →

Kendrick swallowed against a sudden surge of anticipation. Would he get a chance to use this weapon? No! That was the wrong thought to have. It was wrong to harm human beings. Levanick’s eyes were narrow, all friendliness gone from … Continue reading →

“Kendrick, do you have your weapon with you?” Kendrick looked up. Levanick was facing away from him, apparently intent on the pathless wood ahead of them, but his voice had been distinct. Kendrick hesitated, then said, “Yes.” “Good,” Levanick glanced … Continue reading →

Kendrick, who knew what to expect, closed his eyes and covered his ears. Levanick and the Paladin did not and both nearly fell to the ground as the sound of the shot broke the air in two. Kendrick uncovered his … Continue reading →

The lizard-man had begun to whine, a monstrous, maddening sound that made Kendrick wish he could stab his thumb into its remaining eye. “This is not your war.” Phinneas went on, “This is our war, the Rationalists’ war. And while … Continue reading →

“Stop this!” Phinneas’s voice rose over the clangor of the blessing as his hand slapped the amulet from the Paladin’s fingers. Darkness swept over them as the Paladin spun, “Corruption and Darkness, Phinneas, how darest thou strike at my hands … Continue reading →

“Naobel,” murmured the Paladin. A deep triple boom washed over the clearing. Light flared, faded, steadied, and the lizard-man flinched back as if burned. The shaggor on its back erupted in queasy squirming motion, like a nest of furred worms. … Continue reading →

“What?” The Professor-Colonel’s voice took on an outraged grate, “now wait just a minute, Paladin.” “They stay,” said the Paladin. “They most certainly do not.” Phinneas’s hand went to his hip again. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, involving that … Continue reading →

Levanick kneeled, placed pointer finger and thumb against the corners of his mouth, then brought his hand up, his fingers still the same distance apart. Holding Phinneas’s eyes, the Ranger moved his impromptu calipers over the crescent-shaped wounds on the … Continue reading →