Figuring out a sleeping arrangement proved to be rather difficult, and not just because Henrik had to split his attention three ways. Anslie’s cottage simply wasn’t large enough. Rasud and Shel went outside and slept beneath an apple tree, cuddled on their layered bedrolls. Meriel didn’t put up much of a fight, as she didn’t know Henrik yet.
Isobel, however, straight-up refu...
2024-08-26 20:36:40 +0000 UTC View PostOnce they passed through the narrow gap, Henrik turned to Meriel and offered her his arm. She looked amused for a moment, but reached up and gently held it. Her slender hand looked almost comically small against his massive upper arm. Together, they slowly walked toward Anslie’s cabin.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know you,” Henrik said.
She looked up at him. “I’m ...
2024-08-26 20:34:49 +0000 UTC View PostIt was the smell of death that woke Henrik.
Something like rotting meat in an open grave filled the air. It pulled Henrik from the depths of his sleep like a noose. His eyes snapped open, wondering if an orc raiding party had found them in the night and poisoned them.
“Isobel,” he said quietly, shaking her. “Wake up. Something is wrong.”
By the gods, it was terrible. H...
2024-08-25 16:15:35 +0000 UTC View PostHenrik slept like the dead that night. Isobel had meant what she said, and they went at it until he was absolutely exhausted. Her strength and stamina were gifts from her dragon, and her energy seemed limitless.
She slept in his arms, with her face pressed against his neck. Being so worn out meant she didn’t toss in her sleep like usual, although she kept whispering “I love you...
2024-08-25 16:14:02 +0000 UTC View PostHenrik frowned at the massive orc army. That many soldiers was a problem, a serious problem.
“Can you tell Cazeth to fly a bit closer?” Henrik said.
Isobel nodded and placed her hand on Cazeth’s neck. The dragon adjusted her flight path and continued toward the swarm of orcs.
They stopped their march and pointed at the giant beast flying overhead. Henrik looked ove...
2024-08-25 01:49:46 +0000 UTC View PostHenrik stood there for a moment, staring at the saddle mounted on the massive dragon’s back. He would be doing the same one day, and from he understood Calduin would grow to be even larger than Cazeth.
“Come on,” Isobel said. She smiled at Henrik, then walked over to the great dragon and climbed onto her shoulder. When she reached the saddle, she stood behind it, on Cazeth’s...
2024-08-24 13:31:02 +0000 UTC View PostThings were different after that. Isobel’s true nature came out, which Henrik was grateful for. Instead of being so prickly and trying to hide it, she was now completely devoted to him.
She slept with her head on his shoulder, as usual, and an arm and leg thrown across him. He woke before her, but when he tried to move she immediately opened her eyes and held onto him tightly.
“...
2024-08-24 01:54:49 +0000 UTC View PostTheir blades met with a loud clang. They stayed there for a moment, blades pressed against each other’s. Henrik glanced and saw that her sword had taken a chip out of the edge of his. She saw it as well, and wore a knowing smile on her beautiful face. She pushed harder against him and Henrik held his place, but was impressed by her strength. She was stronger than most men. Most ...
2024-08-24 01:40:11 +0000 UTC View PostIsobel was an early riser, just like Henrik. He was used to sharing a bed with Anslie, so when he and Isobel woke at the same time, he hugged her against his chest tightly and kissed her forehead.
“Well, good morning to you, too,” she said, pushing herself off him.
Henrik blinked, finally waking enough to remember where he was. He looked down at Isobel’s mess of red hair—she...
2024-08-23 11:07:15 +0000 UTC View PostHenrik just stared at her. “Dinner?”
She nodded. “Yes, and it had better be good. I’m quite hungry. I want to see what kind of meal you’ll come up with.”
“What can I use?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Whatever you can get and cook in an hour.”
Well, that meant hunting was out. He went over to his saddlebags to see what he had left. Enough hardtack for ano...
2024-08-22 14:46:19 +0000 UTC View PostHe saw the cave in the distance.
It was impossible to miss, really; the sun illuminated the side of the mountain in a rather majestic manner, making the twenty-foot-tall hold in the side plainly visible. Something stirred within the shadows of the cave, so he placed his sword hand on his horse’s neck to help keep him calm.
“Alright, boy. You’re used to Tossyth by now, so Cazet...
2024-08-21 17:41:06 +0000 UTC View PostThe beginnings of his journey were similar to his last one, at least in that he began by descending the mountain and then traveling further east. Instead of turning north, however, he continued east, skirting the top of the orc wastes.
He briefly wondered if he would have to deal with any orcs on this journey. Considering how far north he was, that seemed very unlikely. Other than t...
2024-08-21 17:40:20 +0000 UTC View PostWhen the next sunrise came, Henrik began his preparations. Dried meat, hardtack, a few loaves of crusty bread, and of course a small sack of beans on Rasud’s insistence. He even snuck some carrots in there, and a few apples.
Along with that, Henrik had to pack plenty of water, although if things grew dire he could simply head north and melt snow. Spare clothes, blankets, Tobias’s smal...
2024-08-20 15:39:00 +0000 UTC View Post“Have you grown old and fat yet?” Anslie asked as she walked up to Henrik.
Henrik laughed. “Well, if I turn out anything like Garnell, I’ll be just fine. In fact he was quite slender last I saw him.”
“Ha! Good one,” Anslie said, slipping her arm around his waist.
Henrik moved his arm around her shoulders and squeezed her. Together they stood at the edge of the sm...
2024-08-20 15:38:07 +0000 UTC View PostThe next two days were probably the happiest days of Henrik’s entire life.
He woke each morning feeling completely refreshed, usually with Anslie’s head on his burly shoulder. He was not used to sleeping next to someone on a regular basis, but he found he enjoyed it.
Anslie made him breakfast, usually something from her garden. She was decently skilled in her kitchen, whic...
2024-08-19 18:18:17 +0000 UTC View Post“Do you have any stories?” Henrik asked The Duke.
The horse just ignored him and plodded along.
At least the path was smoother here. Much of their traveling had been along rocky ground, which was dangerous to a horse. One slip could mean a broken leg. On smooth patches like this, Henrik allowed The Duke to speed up to a trot. Anything to get the journey over with.
With the...
2024-08-17 16:39:55 +0000 UTC View PostIt never ceased to surprise Rasud just how quickly things could turn to shit.
He moved to the side of the wide street and pulled Shel with him. Her eyes were wide and scanned in every direction. The woman was absolutely terrified. And she had every right to be.
Moments later, five ranks of soldiers marched by, all with spears and shields. Their armor gleamed and they marched a...
2024-08-16 11:22:14 +0000 UTC View PostThe moment Henrik set foot inside the tunnel, he drew his sword. Within those stone walls it was completely silent, in the way a grave was silent. The whole thing was deeply unsettling.
As he walked further in the amount of daylight faded, which initially drew some concern. However, as he approached a golden sconce, it suddenly burst into flame.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Henrik ...
2024-08-16 11:21:26 +0000 UTC View PostWhat Henrik would have given for Anslie’s warm body next to his at that moment.
He had woken early with a thin layer of frost on his blanket. With a grumble, he glanced to the east, where the rising sun was just beginning to brighten the horizon.
“Damn cold,” he said, pushing his blanket back. He tossed a few more pieces of wood on the remains of his fire and blew on the coals...
2024-08-15 22:14:31 +0000 UTC View Post“I’d like to say I’m excited, but the truth is there isn’t much exciting about the town of Limestone,” Rasud said when the small town finally appeared on the horizon.
“Well, it’s still a first for me,” Shel replied. Faint creases at the corners of her eyes showed that she was stressed.
“Don’t worry, my dear. You’re going to be just fine,” Rasud said. “Just ...
2024-08-15 22:13:23 +0000 UTC View PostHenrik was bored. There was simply no other term for it.
For two days now, he had been traveling through the mountains, following rocky paths up and down the slopes. As Anslie had said they would, the dragons had guided him; faint images and feelings of north or east floated across his mind here and there. They were weak, being that far away from the dragons, but it was enough for him to ...
2024-08-13 21:05:35 +0000 UTC View Post“I’m telling you, there’s nothing to be concerned about,” Rasud said. Shel hadn’t said anything for several minutes, but he could see the stress in her face and by the set of her shoulders.
Shel glanced at him and let out a breath. “I’m sorry, Rasud. A lot of major things have changed in my life over the past week. It’s a lot to take in all at once.”
“Well, get u...
2024-08-12 18:34:03 +0000 UTC View PostHenrik checked the girth strap on his saddle for the third time. Everything was packed and he had plenty of supplies and food. He was as ready as he could be.
“Why Henrik, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were nervous,” Rasud said with a grin as he buckled his saddlebags. They bulged with food; mostly apples and other produce.
“I am,” Shel said. “Actually, no. I...
2024-08-11 17:18:09 +0000 UTC View PostHenrik woke the next morning with a bit of an ache behind his eyes. Anslie had stayed true to her word and they went a second time shortly after the first. They went to sleep after that, but she woke him two hours later for a third round.
He was careful not to bother her when he woke that morning, but her eyes snapped open as soon as he slid to the side.
Anslie stifled a yawn, then ...
2024-08-09 16:09:48 +0000 UTC View PostFor dinner Rasud made a stew with several types of beans and so many different vegetables Henrik lost count. Anslie had a lifetime’s supply of flour, so he baked fresh bread as well.
“I never knew you liked to cook this much,” Henrik said, dipping his bread into the stew. “All these years, and I had no clue.”
“Well, when we’re together we’re usually stealing from som...
2024-08-07 21:09:34 +0000 UTC View PostThe screaming continued on while Henrik and Anslie stood in the cottage. She gave Henrik a worried look and squeezed his hand tightly.
“That sounds horrible,” she said. “I had no idea it would be so painful.”
“I guess they didn’t either,” Henrik said. The screaming finally stopped a few minutes later.
Anslie took a step toward the door, but Henrik stopped her. ...
2024-08-07 03:08:44 +0000 UTC View Post
If you're interested in reading the book after I made some edits, it's out on Amazon today! Also a paperback version available.
2024-08-05 20:57:42 +0000 UTC View PostThe four of them walked toward the mouth of the cave. After a few steps, Calduin leaped from Henrik’s shoulder and ran to his mother. He climbed on top of her massive head and sat there, watching the humans leave. He flapped his wings a few times, but they were much too small for him to fly yet.
“Well, I think that went well,” Anslie said. “How is your dragon?”
“He has a...
2024-08-05 20:56:15 +0000 UTC View PostRasud took a few cautious steps closer to Henrik and the dragon. Shel stayed in place, watching from the mouth of the cave. She looked mildly terrified.
“Can I see it? Uh, him?” Rasud asked.
“Ask the dragon,” Anslie said.
Tossyth opened her mouth enough for the baby dragon to stretch its neck out and sniff the air. Henrik caught the dragon’s gaze and tried to send fe...
2024-08-04 16:32:31 +0000 UTC View PostThey followed Anslie across the field and to the narrow cut in the towering stone wall.
“Already?” Henrik asked. “Wasn’t the egg laid two weeks ago?”
“When a dragon lays an egg, it’s essentially ready to hatch,” Anslie explained. “It’s waiting on the touch of its chosen partner to wake it. Once that happens, it’s only a matter of days before it happens.”
<... 2024-08-03 23:30:48 +0000 UTC View Post