by Tam Chronin
"Busy," Davri smiled. "She's fine. She's alive. I told you that we won, didn't I?"
He realized he was on the verge of talking down to the boy…the young man. Naran had been only nine when they had met and had escaped death together. Now he was a very mature fourteen, having grown up quickly, learning to face hardship and loss with resigned stoicism. It wasn't fair to give him simple answers when the truth was so complex.
But, Naran just nodded and gestured toward the door. "After you," he said. "I'm not stepping foot out that door alone."
Of course. The night would have been full of horrors.
Then again... Davri took in the robe Naran still wore. Designed for sacrifice, from the low chest and back, to the blood-red color. That must have been a much greater horror than anything that lurked here.
They left together, Byrek jumping at shadows and echoes of their own footsteps. Naran was little better, flinching every time they turned a corner, walking as if he expected an attack any moment.
"Relax," Davri said, trying to soothe them both. "You're safe with me."
"You don't understand," Byrek said. "The things we heard—"
"I know what you heard," Davri said sharply. It was his fault they'd heard all of it. His fault that some of their prey had escaped. "I know," he said again, forcing his voice into a calm and soothing tone. "But you're safe with me."
"Will we still be safe if we run?" Naran asked.
Davri grinned. "Run? I can keep you safe if you scream or laugh or sing! Running is nothing."
"I'd like to run," Naran was starting to smile. "I want to get home and let Aral know I'm safe."
"Okay then, let's run."
Acknowledgments
I hadn't planned on writing this book to begin with. Elemental was supposed to be a complete story, all self-contained and one volume, when I'd had the idea. No fuss, no muss, no long and drawn out series of novels to play around with. When I'd reached the events of Part Eleven in Elemental, where Krecek is telling Agrad about the events of the past, one image began haunting me and would not let me rest. The image of Aral, begging for Naran's life, and being betrayed by those she'd turned to.
I still wasn't going to put that into a book of its own. Perhaps a short story, but it didn't need to be an entire book.
So, first I need to thank National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org) for the existence of this novel. 2011 was my ninth year participating. I knew my chances of completing a novel that year were slim, because we were moving that month. Instead of going for a win, I decided to just participate while creating some internal backstory for Elemental that would never see the light of day. This was supposed to be a mere writing exercise.
Surprise!
I didn't win that year, as expected, and I irritated the hell out of my family by making the attempt. Many thanks go to my son and my husband for not killing me for stealing moments here and there while they were packing and unpacking. Sure, I pulled my own, but no one likes to see someone poking away at a "hobby" when there's work to be done. (They're proud of me now, at least, and realize how seriously I take my fiction.)
If any one person in particular is to thank for this book, it's my dad. For the usual reasons, yes, but also for being the first person to tell me that this was a better story than Elemental. His insight turned this from a hidden writing exercise to a story I'm proud to share with the world.
To Catherine White, my best friend and proofreader, thank you for all of your help, and for being so damn picky about the words I chose and the typos I missed. For helping me make this story complete, coherent, and beautiful. And for your endless support in all ways.
To my beta readers, every word of feedback, good or bad, has been more valuable than gold.
Josh, Claire, Aria, and Jasper, for the amazing artwork. Yes, I am thanking your entire family. Josh, you sacrificed more time creating the perfect cover than I deserve, and your family sacrificed quality time with you so that you could meet my deadline. I love all of you, and I'm lucky you're part of my online family.
To the Honored Exiles of Moonrunner, I'm still grateful for everything. For being my guild, for being my friends, for being my emotional support even now that I haven't been able to play.
Finally, to my amazing patrons on Patreon. Em Joyce Ascano, Amy Lauritzen, and Rachael Kelly. Your faith in me, and support of me, keeps me going. I am humbled by your continued patronage. I could never thank you enough.
About the Author
Tam Chronin is a figment of the imagination, which might be why she lives there often enough to find her main characters and convince them to share their stories.
Before becoming an author she slayed trolls for many years in the wilds of the internet. She was occasionally granted the legendary weapon, Ban Hammer, to aid in this quest. It was a relief to retire from such harrowing adventures, but for a coin and a stiff drink she might recount them over a campfire.
She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her family, two parakeets, three cats, a bunny, a varying number of both fish and chickens, and a vicious attack tortoise who guards the back yard.
Also By Tam Chronin
The Godslayer Series
Available now:
Elemental
The Arcane War
Upcoming:
Abomination
The First Wizard War
The Madness of Verwyn
The Graceful Death Series
Upcoming:
Everyone Dies Alone (Oct. 2019)
Zombies Half Price