Richard Lee Byers's Blog, page 36
December 5, 2013
A selection from "The Plague Knight"
A little selection from "The Plague Knight," the lead story in (as you might expect) THE PLAGUE KNIGHT AND OTHER STORIES.
I slept poorly, hagridden by dreams of my father's death. The funeral bell tolled mournfully, and when I awoke, it seemed to be tolling still.
For a moment I believed I was seven again, that Papa had fallen from his horse only a day before. Then I realized that too many bells were ringing, and not in the measured cadence of a death knell but in a frenzied clangor of alarm.
Wiping tears from my eyes, I rolled out of bed and groped my way to the window. The sun was just rising, and I could see down into the town below the battlements. The great bronze cathedral bells winked light as they swung back and forth. People milled in the streets. Three houses were afire, sending columns of smoke into the gray and crimson sky, each ringed by citizens gathered to watch.
Geoffrey emerged from his pallet and tangle of blankets, brushed his long, straw-colored hair out of his eyes, and stumbled up beside me. Geoff was my man-at-arms, valet, scutifer, and groom, in other words, the sole retainer I could afford. He performed his many duties, and endured our frequent penury, with grumbling good cheer, secure in the inexplicable confidence that I was going to be a great seigneur some day.
"What is it?" he asked, hugging his lanky body against the chill draft blowing in. "War? Riot?"
I shook my head. "No one's fighting."
"Just a fire alarm, then."
"Not that either. They aren't trying to put them out. It looks like they set them deliberately. I don't know what's happening. Get dressed."
As we pulled our clothes on, the castle grew noisy. Shouts echoed, though maddeningly, I couldn't quite make out what anyone was saying. Just as I was lacing my shirt, running feet pounded by outside. A woman wailed.
I snatched up my sword and threw open the door. Those who'd dashed past were already out of sight, but the thing they were fleeing was still there.
Lurching down the narrow corridor, staggering so badly she caromed from wall to wall, came a slender young woman with long brown braids, one of the cooks, to judge from the stains on her apron. Yesterday she had probably been pretty. This morning, however, her face was contorted in anguish. Yellow matter dripped from her eyes and mouth, and she'd ripped through her dress to claw at the sores on her shoulders. She stank of shit and something more, a rotteness, as if she were already dead and moldering in the ground. When she saw me, she whined, and raised one bloody-fingered hand; perhaps she was no longer able to speak.
I took a step forward, and Geoff grabbed my arm. "Don't touch her!"
I didn't want to, but in that instant, I felt I had to. I tried to shake him off, and he tightened his grip. The woman vomited blood and fell dead at our feet.
"Plague," said Geoff.
Makes you want to buy the book, right? I mean, look how Christmas-y this is.
Okay, arguably not. Still, you can find the collection here:http://www.amazon.com/The-Plague-Knight-Other-Stories-ebook/dp/B00H1EN9BU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386088244&sr=8-1&keywords=the+plague+knight+and+other+stories
I slept poorly, hagridden by dreams of my father's death. The funeral bell tolled mournfully, and when I awoke, it seemed to be tolling still.
For a moment I believed I was seven again, that Papa had fallen from his horse only a day before. Then I realized that too many bells were ringing, and not in the measured cadence of a death knell but in a frenzied clangor of alarm.
Wiping tears from my eyes, I rolled out of bed and groped my way to the window. The sun was just rising, and I could see down into the town below the battlements. The great bronze cathedral bells winked light as they swung back and forth. People milled in the streets. Three houses were afire, sending columns of smoke into the gray and crimson sky, each ringed by citizens gathered to watch.
Geoffrey emerged from his pallet and tangle of blankets, brushed his long, straw-colored hair out of his eyes, and stumbled up beside me. Geoff was my man-at-arms, valet, scutifer, and groom, in other words, the sole retainer I could afford. He performed his many duties, and endured our frequent penury, with grumbling good cheer, secure in the inexplicable confidence that I was going to be a great seigneur some day.
"What is it?" he asked, hugging his lanky body against the chill draft blowing in. "War? Riot?"
I shook my head. "No one's fighting."
"Just a fire alarm, then."
"Not that either. They aren't trying to put them out. It looks like they set them deliberately. I don't know what's happening. Get dressed."
As we pulled our clothes on, the castle grew noisy. Shouts echoed, though maddeningly, I couldn't quite make out what anyone was saying. Just as I was lacing my shirt, running feet pounded by outside. A woman wailed.
I snatched up my sword and threw open the door. Those who'd dashed past were already out of sight, but the thing they were fleeing was still there.
Lurching down the narrow corridor, staggering so badly she caromed from wall to wall, came a slender young woman with long brown braids, one of the cooks, to judge from the stains on her apron. Yesterday she had probably been pretty. This morning, however, her face was contorted in anguish. Yellow matter dripped from her eyes and mouth, and she'd ripped through her dress to claw at the sores on her shoulders. She stank of shit and something more, a rotteness, as if she were already dead and moldering in the ground. When she saw me, she whined, and raised one bloody-fingered hand; perhaps she was no longer able to speak.
I took a step forward, and Geoff grabbed my arm. "Don't touch her!"
I didn't want to, but in that instant, I felt I had to. I tried to shake him off, and he tightened his grip. The woman vomited blood and fell dead at our feet.
"Plague," said Geoff.
Makes you want to buy the book, right? I mean, look how Christmas-y this is.
Okay, arguably not. Still, you can find the collection here:http://www.amazon.com/The-Plague-Knight-Other-Stories-ebook/dp/B00H1EN9BU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386088244&sr=8-1&keywords=the+plague+knight+and+other+stories
December 3, 2013
Now available: The Adversary: The Sundering Book III by Erin M. Evans
THE ADVERSARY: THE SUNDERING BOOK III by the talented Erin M Evans comes out today. You can use the link below to get it. And lest we forget, here a list of the entire Sundering series:
THE COMPANIONS by R.A. Salvatore, available now.
THE GODBORN by Paul S. Kemp, available now.
THE ADVERSARY by Erin M. Evans, available now.
THE REAVER by me, available 2/14.
THE SENTINEL by Troy Denning, available 4/14.
THE HERALD by Ed Greenwood, available 6/14,
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+adversary+the+sundering+book+iii&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Athe+adversary+the+sundering+book+iii
THE COMPANIONS by R.A. Salvatore, available now.
THE GODBORN by Paul S. Kemp, available now.
THE ADVERSARY by Erin M. Evans, available now.
THE REAVER by me, available 2/14.
THE SENTINEL by Troy Denning, available 4/14.
THE HERALD by Ed Greenwood, available 6/14,
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=the+adversary+the+sundering+book+iii&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Athe+adversary+the+sundering+book+iii
December 1, 2013
Now available: The Plague Knight and Other Stories
I'm proud to announce the release of my eBook collection THE PLAGUE KNIGHT AND OTHER STORIES.
This is a collection of some of the best heroic fantasy stories I've written set outside the Forgotten Realms. Some relate the adventures of Martin Rivers, a young English knight seeking his fortune in an alternate world version of 14th Century Europe. Others concern Selden, a fencing master and occasional sword for hire in Balathex, City of Fountains, otherwise known as the Whispering City, a metropolis infamous for feuds, duels, and dark magic. Plus, there are a couple tales that belong to neither series.
If you enjoy my work in the Forgotten Realms, I'm pretty sure you'll like these stories as well. Or, if you appreciate the work of great masters of sword-and-sorcery and sword-and-planet like Robert E. Howard, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Fritz Leiber, I think you'll like them. These gentlemen and others who wrote in the same vein are among my primary influences.
For a limited time, the collection is only $3.99. If you're interested, you can check it out here:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Plague-Knig...
This is a collection of some of the best heroic fantasy stories I've written set outside the Forgotten Realms. Some relate the adventures of Martin Rivers, a young English knight seeking his fortune in an alternate world version of 14th Century Europe. Others concern Selden, a fencing master and occasional sword for hire in Balathex, City of Fountains, otherwise known as the Whispering City, a metropolis infamous for feuds, duels, and dark magic. Plus, there are a couple tales that belong to neither series.
If you enjoy my work in the Forgotten Realms, I'm pretty sure you'll like these stories as well. Or, if you appreciate the work of great masters of sword-and-sorcery and sword-and-planet like Robert E. Howard, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Fritz Leiber, I think you'll like them. These gentlemen and others who wrote in the same vein are among my primary influences.
For a limited time, the collection is only $3.99. If you're interested, you can check it out here:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Plague-Knig...
Fortunate is the self-published author who is friends with a gifted artist
I'll be talking up this new eBook collection as soon as it runs through the Amazon mill and becomes available for purchase. But for now, just enjoy the awesome cover by my awesomely talented artist friend Jamie Stubkjaer.
November 30, 2013
Thanks to those who reviewed THE IMPOSTOR #2: THE BLOOD MACHINE
I just noticed that THE IMPOSTOR #2: THE BLOOD MACHINE has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Not too shabby! Thank you to everyone who reviewed it.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Impostor-Blood-Machine-ebook/dp/B00EODEPBY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385826697&sr=8-1&keywords=the+impostor+2+the+blood+machine
http://www.amazon.com/The-Impostor-Blood-Machine-ebook/dp/B00EODEPBY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385826697&sr=8-1&keywords=the+impostor+2+the+blood+machine
November 29, 2013
I was a guest on the Earth Station One podcast
I was a guest on the Earth Station One podcast. Check it out here:http://erthstationone.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/earth-station-one-episode-190/
November 26, 2013
A final preview of THE ADVERSARY by Erin M. Evans
Here's a final preview of THE ADVERSARY: THE SUNDERING BOOK III by Erin M. Evans. The novel itself comes out next week.
http://slushlush.com/2013/11/the-adversary-excerpt-character-blog-clanless-mehen/
http://slushlush.com/2013/11/the-adversary-excerpt-character-blog-clanless-mehen/
November 18, 2013
Kind words for THE IMPOSTOR #2: THE BLOOD MACHINE
Vanity prompts me to share these extremely kind comments on THE IMPOSTOR #2: THE BLOOD MACHINE from Shawn Michael Vogt:
“I'd just like to say that The Imposter#2: The Blood Machine was well worth the wait. I finished it today, and I loved the new elements you added to Matt's world. From villains that could become friends, to a hero that has been traumatized by what occurred and is quite possibly ready to destroy everything to rid the earth of the wasps. The Blood Machine gang adds some new twists to the story, and gives us new problems to worry about, with Krymzon Red's capture by the invaders. Most of all, with the setting of supers (good and bad), and alien invaders, I love the fact that this is still a human story. Matt's an ordinary man, who lives in the grey area that the black and white perception of crusaders and super villains rarely touches on. He makes hard decisions, and feels bad about them, but they are the only options given at the time. Rather than being inflexible, and breaking, he bends when he needs to. I love the fact that he is getting more confident, and learning to trust in his decisions. He is learning, and becoming a true hero. It seems that he might be getting over his desire to hand the job over to others (after his meeting with Magnetar) and realizing that it's all on him and the other survivors to work together. Hopefully, he can convince them, lol. On a side note, I'd love to see a Dr. Umbra series, either with the original (a prequel), or with Matt (if there is a happy ending to the series.)! I think you have some very good characters, and a wonderful world, and mythology to expand on here. Thanks for the wonderful story, and many good wishes for your future endeavors.”
Thank you, Shawn!
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_24?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the+impostor+richard+lee+byers&sprefix=the+impostor+richard+lee%2Cdigital-text%2C305
“I'd just like to say that The Imposter#2: The Blood Machine was well worth the wait. I finished it today, and I loved the new elements you added to Matt's world. From villains that could become friends, to a hero that has been traumatized by what occurred and is quite possibly ready to destroy everything to rid the earth of the wasps. The Blood Machine gang adds some new twists to the story, and gives us new problems to worry about, with Krymzon Red's capture by the invaders. Most of all, with the setting of supers (good and bad), and alien invaders, I love the fact that this is still a human story. Matt's an ordinary man, who lives in the grey area that the black and white perception of crusaders and super villains rarely touches on. He makes hard decisions, and feels bad about them, but they are the only options given at the time. Rather than being inflexible, and breaking, he bends when he needs to. I love the fact that he is getting more confident, and learning to trust in his decisions. He is learning, and becoming a true hero. It seems that he might be getting over his desire to hand the job over to others (after his meeting with Magnetar) and realizing that it's all on him and the other survivors to work together. Hopefully, he can convince them, lol. On a side note, I'd love to see a Dr. Umbra series, either with the original (a prequel), or with Matt (if there is a happy ending to the series.)! I think you have some very good characters, and a wonderful world, and mythology to expand on here. Thanks for the wonderful story, and many good wishes for your future endeavors.”
Thank you, Shawn!
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_24?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the+impostor+richard+lee+byers&sprefix=the+impostor+richard+lee%2Cdigital-text%2C305
A new Sundering video
A new video focused on The Sundering, the Forgotten Realms event of which my novel THE REAVER will be a part:http://www.wizards.com/dnd/sundering.aspx#dnd/sundering/main/5
November 17, 2013
Thanks, superhero fans!
I haven't got J. K. Rowling looking over her shoulder or anything, but my most recent royalty statement from Amazon (for work I self-published) was significantly better than any such statement I had received previously. So thanks to everyone who is reading my Impostor series.http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_20?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the+impostor+richard+lee+byers&sprefix=the+impostor+richard%2Cdigital-text%2C243
