swordBeatsPaper

Link to the full-sized map

Link to Chapter 1 – Previous Chapter

---

“Damien?” Whiskey said in disbelief.

Rain could only stare in hatred, thinking of how he’d killed Arok’Amon.

“Oh that’s right,” the Demonmaster hissed. “You don’t know yet, do you, Wizard? It’s Dar’Quath.”

Taking advantage of his surprise, Dar’Quath threw his hands forward at Whiskey, who immediately dropped to his knees, shouting in agony.

Her uneasiness at hurting another being with magic vanished at the sight of Whiskey in pain. Remembering their previous fight, she gathered red energy in her palms and quickly released a bolt at Dar’Quath. She …

Link to the full-sized map

Link to Chapter 1 – Previous Chapter – Next Chapter

---

They raced across the plains at a gallop with Maruck and Gralin in the lead and Tamrin and Rain following close behind. The clouds looked much like they had when she first came: dark and foreboding. The stale smell from before was also there, blown around by the wind. They’d make it to the door in time, but she was worried that the rain would come before the soldiers could return to Dolmeria.

They took one stop for water. To her surprise, Maruck took an …

Link to the full-sized map

Link to Chapter 1 – Previous Chapter – Next Chapter

---

Once they returned to the healer’s home, the guards left for their barracks and Faramond went back to the Crone to tell her what had happened. Rain sat at the table with another cup of tea. Lynara stood at her book stand, pouring over the book an elf had died for.

Rain tried not to think about what had happened and sipped the aromatic tea for something to do. As she drank the last of her cup, she looked over at Lynara, who hadn’t budged …

Link to the full-sized map

Link to Chapter 1 – Previous Chapter – Next Chapter

---

Outside, the wind howled and sent cold gusts rippling through their clothes as they rushed forward. Thunder rumbled overhead. A flash of lightning was visible in the distance, and in that brief second of light, black clouds churned.

“Quickly, Great Mother! We don’t have much time until the rain starts!” Faramond yelled above the noise of the storm. They all picked up their pace.

They followed him to an enormous building along the outside ring of the plaza. The front doors were two or three …

Link to the full-sized map

Link to Chapter 1 – Previous Chapter – Next Chapter

---

Rain moved backward at the last moment, and for a split second she felt the awful, piercing pain. But Dar’Quath hadn’t expected her move and fell forward, losing his concentration. Seizing her small window of opportunity, she ran to the back of the room to the door.

Rough hands on her shoulders spun her around and pushed her against the door. Dar’Quath forced his hand around her throat, not quite choking her, but not letting her look away from his eyes, dark pits of fear. …

Link to the full-sized map

Link to Chapter 1 – Previous Chapter – Next Chapter

---

Rain clutched Pan’s reins in a death grip as they descended the steep switchbacked path into the darkness below. Despite the rough bark of the torch, she held it tightly in her other hand. The incessant noise of hundreds of ravens chilled her to the bone as they hurried down the winding slope for the cover of the trees.

A small group of the birds seemed to be catching up to them. Pan nearly tripped as he rushed on, barely slowing at each switchback turn, …