Shout Outs and New Updates

Another cool day in Illinois – looks like Father Winter is finally making his annual visit until he gets kicked out in May of next year. That’s the bad thing about weather around here – you don’t really get any seasons in-between – its straight from cold to humid, sticky summer and back again!

I wanted to make some quick shouts outs – thanks to The Inner Bailey for their support of Forging of a Knight. They make wonderful handcrafted medieval leather items and are really friendly to boot (unintentional pun there): http://theinnerbailey.com

Also wanted to say thanks to the Stoney Creek Inn in Galena, IL for their support of the book as well. Cozy rooms, great atmosphere and amazing people: http://www.stoneycreekinn.com/hotel/t...

Book two of Forging of a Knight, Rise of the Slavekeepers, is done! Just a matter of getting the editing/publishing process set. Be sure to look for it sometime next year.

As I mentioned prior, book two has a greatly expanded cast of supporting characters. One of them is Jesepha the knight. She’s strong, witty, courageous, and isn’t the type to sit back and just follow the crowd. More importantly, she’s certainly not the stereotypical love interest of the main character, or the damsel in distress! Below is an excerpt from book two:


Fights broke out amongst the attendees, while others laughed and took bets on the winners. One knight rudely grabbed a harp from one of the music players, attempting to play it, and then angrily smashing it against the wall with drunken frustration.

“Does General Mountebank know of this?”

“General Mountebank knows full well how his knights behave. This is a release for the fighting men and women during times of peace, is what he would say. I was in your shoes once, and that was the response I received for my own inquiry.” Bartholomew said.

Qualtan was shocked. He looked over to Jesepha who boringly raised her eyebrows with a frown.

“Bartholomew speaks the truth.”

“This is your Order. Welcome to it.” Bartholomew said, with a hint of sad mirth.

Qualtan’s face grew grim. This was not the way knights behaved. This is not how they should behave. Perhaps he was a fool, but he knew his father would never have engaged in this. If there was anything he was sure of since coming to Turinthia, and there was much that he was not, it was this. He would not accept it. It was as simple as that.

“No. This is not any brotherhood I hold value with. This is not the way.” Qualtan rose, a look of disappointment on his face. As he did so, a knight came rushing by, chasing another knight, nearly toppling over him. Sidestepping quickly, Qualtan avoided the collision as the other knight tripped over himself and fell to the floor in a gurgling stupor.

“I’m leaving.” Qualtan said.

Bartholomew clapped his hands.

“Good! Then I shall join you!”

“As shall I! Rutting pigs!” Jesepha said with disgust as a knight began to wretch in a corner, surrounded by applauding friends.

The dance in the center had become more of a melee, as knights pushed and shoved at their brethren, knocking themselves about. Euric had been one of the last to join the group. He had been motioning to Jesepha to join him with little success. Amidst the wrestling the dance had become, he took notice of Jesepha and the others rising from their chairs and paused to follow their actions.

As the trio maneuvered towards an exit, one large knight, nearly as wide as he was tall, grabbed Jesepha’s arm as she walked by.

“Surely you aren’t leaving?!” He inquired, his heavily bearded face bright red from drink.

Jesepha looked down at the knight with a disapproving gaze. “I am. The stink here has risen considerably. Remove your arm, Lull.” She said tiredly.

“I shall not!” The knight rose. Qualtan moved towards him but Bartholomew signaled him to stay clear. Confused, Qualtan held back.

“Have faith in her. Just watch.” Bartholomew said.

The bearded knight smiled, his face beaded with sweat. “Little Jesepha. One of the few sister knights of the Order. Always thinking you are too good for the rest of us. You are not too good for me.”

“Lull, I have turned down your advances before. Step away.” She said evenly.

“Hah! Step away!” He said, releasing her arm. “Your problem is, you need to relax! You impress no one here. Have a good time like the rest of us. You’ve spent too much time with these two dullards at your back. You just need a good grabbin’!” Lull pulled her close, making exaggerated kissing noises with his stained lips.

In a flash of motion, Jesepha’s armored knee struck Lull between his legs. He bowled over with a surprised yelp. Jesepha then cocked back her arm and struck Lull squarely on the nose with her mailed fist. He crumpled over a nearby table in a pile of dislodged dishes and food. The music stopped. The dancers stared down at Lull and then at Jesepha. At once they began to cheer, dragging Lull to his feet.

With a snarl she turned away, Bartholomew patting her on the back happily. Qualtan looked back at the bloodied Lull who shoved away at other knights that laughingly pretended to kiss him. Euric squeezed through the throng at last, attempting to catch up with them.