They followed a sort of twisting path through the valley, though the boy had the distinct feeling that it was not much used–presumably, because few who lived in the hidden village had much need of walking long distances. When the group drew close to the shadows of the first great house-tree, Fleat turned aside and…
Update: Been a bit under the weather
Just a quick update to explain the lack of any posts for a couple weeks. I’ve been hit by a few bugs brought home by our two preschoolers. The latest is a bout of tonsillitis. I’m pretty sure I’ve only ever had tonsillitis once before, in my teenage years. It’s just as unpleasant as I…
A Charm for the Nameless Child #31
They followed carefully–stepping warily–unsure what to expect. As it turned out, when they passed into the light beyond the tunnel, they found a large rift valley opening before them. Blinking dumbly in the light, the boy found himself only able to stare in wonder. Stretching before them was a ravine: long, twisting, narrow and deep….
Some cover art options
I’ve been playing around with cover art options. First up are the ones that are already in use: The next set are an attempt at some more ‘modern’ looking covers. Finally, here is the new cover I’ve been toying around with for Old Dark Things. I could produce covers like this for the Winter King…
A Charm for the Nameless Child #30
“Yes,” said Caewen. She seemed to have recovered enough to get out a few words. “Thanks and many thanks. That was awful. We’ve never met anything quite like those walking shrubs before.” “You haven’t,” said Dapplegrim. “Honestly, I should have known better. Hur. Hurm.” The strange-eyed boy blinked, slowly and magnificently. “It was no inconvenience…
A Charm for the Nameless Child #29
Caewen got to her feet quickly, if also somewhat unsteadily. She reached out with both hands for the saddle. Regardless of what she’d said, the boy couldn’t sit and do nothing–he reached for her with one free hand, while he tangled his other, loop upon loop, in a length of bridle leather. Dapplegrim said, “Ouch!”…
A Charm for the Nameless Child #28
The boy blinked and tried to understand. The accent was strange. “Are you talking the Altongue?” “I am. And so are you.” He blinked a big slow ponderous blink. “I thinks so, anyways.” Dapplegrim didn’t seem to have even noticed the strange child. He was stamping wildly, and snorting air through his big nostrils. The…
A Charm for the Nameless Child #27
The scrub around them grew thicker and wilder and less friendly looking. Soon they were crossing a landscape of rough rock, dusty soil and large gorse bushes. The gorse was adorned with the brilliant yellow flowers of the season, which gave the scene a sort of beauty that was rendered frail by the thick layers…
A Charm for the Nameless Child #26
Next morning, the boy rose, washed himself from a rain barrel outside, then stood and surveyed the landscape to the south. From this distance, there were no signs that an army had moved by in the night. He wondered if it had all been a dream, but when he asked Dapple, the horse-thing confirmed what…
A Charm for the Nameless Child #25
Unsurprisingly perhaps, the boy had difficulty finding sleep. Eventually, accepting that he was simply awake, he got up with the intention of creeping outside and talking with Dapplegrim. He had to walk around the moss-covered frozen visage of the imposture-witch–in the darkness and shadows it truly looked as if she might come back to life…