Category Archives: The Novel

Kendrick’s shoulder moved under the Paladin’s hand as he turned. Yes, there was Professor-Colonel Phinneas, the Rationalist Commander emerged from the woods in the direction of the camp with a foul expression on his narrow face. “There you are, Paladin,” … Continue reading →

Kendrick found the Paladin on the edge of the woods. The Chosen One of Naobel stood under a pine tree staring at the stooped form of what at first appeared to be a tall man. Night was approaching and the … Continue reading →

In his cocoon of necromancy, Freetrick flinched. “Bloodbyrn,” Feerix said, “I should have known you would come back to me. Here. Now. As I dangle your new lover from my clutches.” “Release him, Feerix.” “What would you give me for … Continue reading →

“No-one told me I was going to have to fight a necromantic duel today,” said Freetrick. “I have no idea what I’m supposed to be doing here.” “Defenseless?” Feerix swung to glare at DeMacabre. “This is your doing, Leech!” “Why, … Continue reading →

Boots. Iron boots of articulated plates, like the carapace of a lobster. More plates—larger and more sharply pointed—covered the knees. Iron chains hung from the waist, stretched upward to wrap around an otherwise naked chest, heavily muscled. And then more … Continue reading →

The mist over Freetrick thrummed like the skin of a drum head, and the goblin was suddenly accelerating upwards. There was a receding squall, a five-pointed hole punched into the mist above, and the monster was gone. Freetrick gaped upward, … Continue reading →

There was a shriek that dopplered from excited little girl, through tea-kettle, up into enraged bat, and then stopped abruptly with a damp smack against Freetrick’s armor. Freetrick looked down. The front half of his body was in shadow. A … Continue reading →

“Oh, yes, ‘people’.” Freetrick finger-quoted bitterly. “They’re a bunch of striking lunatics. Who keep trying to murder me!” Freetrick closed his mouth before his voice could become any shriller. “Oh pshaw, my lord,” said DeMacabre. “His Fiendishness Dark Lord Strakhblargle … Continue reading →

They found the Soon-to-be-Ultimate Fiend hiding behind a statue of a snarling octopus. “Ah, there you are, my lord,” Freetrick looked up to see DeMacabre poke his head around the statue’s corner. “I have found the Soon-to-be-Ultimate Fiend!” DeMacabre called … Continue reading →

Kendrick rose. He spun. “Naobel!” The ogre bellowed again and thudded to its knees. “Naobel!” again and the skin of its face burst. Again! And it could no longer scream. And again and again and Kendrick stabbed it through the … Continue reading →