Tag: excerpts

Master Ivanar looked Tamuna in the eye, putting both hands on her trembling shoulders. “We must go south, to the kingdom of Aramand. You’ll be safer there.” “But what if Araste gives chase?” someone asked. Ivanar turned to face the room. “We’ll split up to confuse him. I’ll travel to the coast and alert the… Continue reading The Sword Keeper — excerpt 8

“Hey! Where do you think you’re going?” Nika stopped at the farmhouse gate and sheepishly turned to face his father. “To the tavern,” he muttered, hoping that was an acceptable response. “Why, boy? The tavern’s closed.” “Sopiko said she still needs me.” And Tamuna’s been sick all day. His father jabbed the pitchfork into the… Continue reading The Sword Keeper — excerpt 7

Tamuna swallowed again, shooting a nervous glance at her aunt. I’m sorry for all this, she wanted desperately to tell her. Please, forgive me. “Well?” “Y-yes,” she stammered. “Yes, I did.” The man’s eyes narrowed, and he withdrew his hand from her shoulder. For a moment, she wondered if he thought she was lying, but… Continue reading The Sword Keeper — excerpt 6

“Imeris!” Tamuna reached out into the darkness and found her arms tangled in something thick and woolly. Her eyes snapped open, but a wave of disorientation and nausea made it difficult to tell which way was up and which was down. Before she could take stock of her surroundings, though, hands held her down and… Continue reading The Sword Keeper — excerpt 5

Tamuna, a voice spoke in her mind. She froze, her blood turning to ice. Was someone behind her? She glanced over her shoulder, but saw only shadows. Perhaps the wind was playing tricks with— Tamuna, the voice spoke again, this time as clear as if she had heard it with her ears. She spun around,… Continue reading The Sword Keeper — excerpt 4

At first, Tamuna felt as if she were falling through an abyss. Darkness surrounded her, so thick she could almost taste it. Before she could panic, her fall slowed until she was floating in midair. Her feet touched water, and a deep sense of peace swept over her, the peace one only feels in a… Continue reading The Sword Keeper — excerpt 3

Tamuna bit her lip as she finished preparing the food. She could tell from Sopiko’s tone that any further questions would not be tolerated. Her aunt wasn’t a harsh woman, but she could be stern, especially when it came to the tavern. Tamuna sometimes wondered if her mother had been like that: stern and domineering.… Continue reading The Sword Keeper — excerpt 2

The candles were lit and the tables had already been served when the clatter of hooves announced the late arrival of a traveler. Tamuna paused in her work behind the counter to peer out the tavern window, but the sky had already faded, blending the leaves with the shadows. “Better put another spit on the… Continue reading The Sword Keeper — excerpt 1