David Gowey's Blog, page 5

Exile’s Gambit: Chapter Nine

A front of white clouds looming to the southwest told of land up ahead. Not Laku Island, the next stop Keranta intended for Arnol and his fleet, but a sign that they were on the right heading. Not long ago, Arnol had assumed that true terror was the open sea, of bottomless depths and monstrous… Continue reading Exile’s Gambit: Chapter Nine

Under the Starry Sky: Chapter Three

Far deeper within the city of Ashrera than any khaseri could go without a half-dozen passage papers and an escort of the prince’s own guards, Maresh approached the towered gate that separated the Vermilion Road from the citadel. Rich and bewildering scents lingered here still from the merchants’ stalls, bearing goods from such places that… Continue reading Under the Starry Sky: Chapter Three

Under the Starry Sky: Chapter Two

Kelen gasped as the sword’s blade bit into the soft flesh of his arm, severing the corded hair tied there  just above the elbow. The bustle of foot traffic at the gatehouse in Ashrera had fallen far behind him by now, though the memory of watching his friends walk in that gate to their deaths… Continue reading Under the Starry Sky: Chapter Two

Under the Starry Sky: Chapter One

The governor must have studied Maresh well to know that this was his favorite place for pasí. So many of the others made theirs too watery, or couldn’t get the right blend of cinnamon and lemon. Here, though, they made a pleasure out of what was usually a peasant’s brew of leftover spices and citrus,… Continue reading Under the Starry Sky: Chapter One

The Prince’s Mirror: sample chapter 1

The scents of excrement and burning pitch on the easterly wind revealed the position of the Ossirian armies just as well as if the sun had already risen on them. Rys had already tried and given up once to count the campfires twinkling out in the valley below Lenert’s Keep. He spoke to Master Loran… Continue reading The Prince’s Mirror: sample chapter 1

Exile’s Gambit: Chapter Eight

Her father’s empty eye sockets held none of his energy or cunning; the gray, receding skin told nothing of the strength that once lay underneath it. Lips pulled back over teeth stained red and pegged in gold would never again speak words of command or gentleness. Propped against the wall of his lavish bedroom in… Continue reading Exile’s Gambit: Chapter Eight

Exile’s Gambit: Chapter Seven

The attack started at dawn, while Keranta and Adanul’s men rowed with the gentle morning tide toward Kalo Nubi. It galled Keranta that the foreigner still stood safely aboard his ship while his men rowed into danger, but he had never had the urge to respect the man and so had no respect to lose… Continue reading Exile’s Gambit: Chapter Seven

The Moonlight Prince: sample chapter 1

“Where is he?” Lady Lyna slogged her way through ash-colored mud, each breath she took in bearing with it the scents of iron and sweat. How long had it been since the enemy had broken and fled? An hour? Maybe more. Still no sign of her son. A line of Lord Kyraen’s spearmen shuffled by,… Continue reading The Moonlight Prince: sample chapter 1

Inheritance of Ash: sample chapter 1

“Has anyone ever tried to count them?” Jashtan pulled the blanket tighter around his shoulders as the breeze picked up without warning. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was some sort of sign. The stars up above had nothing to say to him in response; still he searched them as if they might. Seated… Continue reading Inheritance of Ash: sample chapter 1

The Emissary: Chapter Three

It was only after another sweltering hour of pleasantries and flattery that Carin’s wish came to be granted. Of all the sights he had seen this morning, from the broad estuary of Knife Bay and the sprawling grandeur of New Vau, the greatest of them all had been the table set before him now. Not… Continue reading The Emissary: Chapter Three