The Adorned
by John Tristan
My name is Etan, and I am Adorned. A living piece of art, I exist to please
the divine rulers of Kered. With nowhere to turn after my father died, I tried my luck
in the capital city. Little did I know how quickly I would be robbed, beaten and forced
to sell myself into servitude. But I was lucky enough to gain the attention of Roberd
Tallisk, an irascible but intriguing tattoo artist who offered to mark me with enchanted
ink for the enjoyment of the nobles. I was given a chance to better my station in life,
and I could not refuse. But the divine rulers want not only the art but the body that
bears it. In their company I can rise above the dregs of society and experience a life
most only dream of, at the cost of suffering their every desire as a pawn in games of
lavish intrigue. Their attention is flattering, but I find I’d rather have Tallisk’s.
Caught between factions, I learn that a revolution is brewing, one that could ruin
Kered—and Roberd and myself along with it...
the divine rulers of Kered. With nowhere to turn after my father died, I tried my luck
in the capital city. Little did I know how quickly I would be robbed, beaten and forced
to sell myself into servitude. But I was lucky enough to gain the attention of Roberd
Tallisk, an irascible but intriguing tattoo artist who offered to mark me with enchanted
ink for the enjoyment of the nobles. I was given a chance to better my station in life,
and I could not refuse. But the divine rulers want not only the art but the body that
bears it. In their company I can rise above the dregs of society and experience a life
most only dream of, at the cost of suffering their every desire as a pawn in games of
lavish intrigue. Their attention is flattering, but I find I’d rather have Tallisk’s.
Caught between factions, I learn that a revolution is brewing, one that could ruin
Kered—and Roberd and myself along with it...