Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XXV

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea cover image: a wide, still river with forested mountain peaks rising on either side, underneath a clouded sky.
In which there is a confrontation with a god of war, and the ritual ends at last.

Table of Contents

Another shake rumbled beneath our feet, but the approaching figure did not stumble. I placed myself between the door and Khalim. We waited, hardly daring to breathe, as the footsteps echoing in the darkened corridor came nearer and nearer. Beyond the arena’s walls, weapons clashed and barricades were shattered as Reva’s miners confronted the city’s soldiers. I prayed to whatever god might be listening that they would be safe, and keep the Ascendeds’ forces from our backs. 

I stood between Jin and Jahan, and each had his sword at the ready. The air hummed and shimmered between their blades. I could almost hear the magic contained within. I felt a lingering fear in the knowledge of the power of these weapons, as much as I was grateful for their presence. If one could kill a god, what would it do to me, should I find myself on the wrong end of it?

Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XXV” →

Song of the Week

Janelle Monáe, “Cold War”

Monday comes around again. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

Here are some Black writers and creators you can check out and support this week and in the future!

If you’re looking for some escapism, I’ll be back on Wednesday with a new chapter of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea. Sometimes, it’s nice to think about a world where evil can be defeated with a magical sword.

Keep fighting the good fight.

Blackout post

Instead of posting a black square, I’ve decided to use my small platform to promote some Black writers.

Here are some cool people I know from Instagram:

Sarah Faison, @sarahfaisonbooks. Her new book, Welcome My Love, releases on 6/7! You can find out more here: www.sarahfaisonbooks.com

Sam Zamor, @sam.zamor. He’s working on a fantasy book that involves dragons and parallel worlds.

Yolanda at @theauthorpreneur_: author, inspirational speaker, and team building coach.

Chanekka Pullens, @elevationforall: author, editor, web designer, and poet. More at www.mindelevationforall.org.

Natasha Oliver, @natasha_oliver_author. Author of The Evolved Ones series. Book One is called Awakening and you can find it and more information at natashaoliver.com.

Willow Ford, @thefarbackroom. Dark fantasy and history, cartomancy, and a new book, The Fadian Experiment, coming out this summer! More at thefarbackroom.com. ETA: the release date is August 22!

Feel free to recommend me more Black creators (writers especially) this week! Self-promotion encouraged!

Song of the Week

Hozier featuring Mavis Staples, “Nina Cried Power”

It’s Monday.

Black lives matter–they have value, and should be cherished, today and all days. Property can be replaced. Human beings can’t.

I’ll be back with the next chapter of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea, where saving the people from a tyrannical system is as simple as sword-fighting a god, on Wednesday.

Stay safe.

ETA: Activists have asked that white creators uplift the voices of Black people instead of their usual content this week, so the next chapter will be available next week. Please see this post for some awesome creators I know, and feel free to recommend me more.

Anti-racism resources: bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES, www.ally.wiki

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XXIV

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea cover image: a wide, still river with forested mountain peaks rising on either side, underneath a clouded sky.
In which our heroes return to the arena under very different circumstances.

Table of Contents

The city still stood, and was recognizably itself, despite the fires that lit up its streets. Reddish light fell over the plain as the sun rose, casting the landscape in a bloody hue. There was a brief reprieve from the earthquakes, the aftershocks rippling under our feet, but for how long Phyreios would remain standing, I did not know. Aysulu’s horse stood with its legs planted wide, anticipating another shake.

“Oh, no,” Khalim whispered beside me. “No, no, no.”

He must have recognized the horror before him. He had seen it, and walked hundreds of miles to prevent it, and yet there it was, just as it had appeared in his nightmares. 

Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XXIV” →

Song of the Week

Sam Brookes, “Numb”

Happy Monday! I hope you are enjoying some sunshine. Here in the Frozen North, we had spring for about a week, and it seems to be summer now.

I will be back on Wednesday with another chapter of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea. Our heroes have returned to Phyreios for a final confrontation, but there will be obstacles in their path.

We have a new router! Which means better Internet speeds! I may try to stream something, maybe Friday? I’ll post an update if I do.

Have an excellent week.

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XXIII

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea cover image: a wide, still river with forested mountain peaks rising on either side, underneath a clouded sky.
In which a god appears, and our heroes return to Phyreios for the last time.

Table of Contents

“You must not tarry. Gather your leaders.” 

The person who stood before me was not Khalim. Though his appearance had not changed—I had become accustomed to seeing the light of his magic shine from his eyes—it was clear that he had become someone else. He stood perfectly straight, a warrior’s posture. The voice that came from him was deep and booming. I had heard it earlier that day, when the lance of light had fallen from the sky and turned the assassin who meant to kill me into ash, and I had heard it once before, in the arena. It had stilled the crowd that had nearly overwhelmed Khalim, quieted them into order. I had been bewildered then; now, I was afraid. 

Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XXIII” →

Song of the Week

Mikky Ekko, “Time”

Happy Monday! Not much to report here. Spring may or may not have finally arrived in a torrent of rain. There will be a new chapter of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea here on Wednesday. See you then!

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XXII

Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea cover image: a wide, still river with forested mountain peaks rising on either side, underneath a clouded sky.
In which the battle concludes, and time runs out.

Table of Contents

The being of fire burned a dark path through the brush back toward us. 

“Brace!” I cried, and the shields on either side of me rose up to meet my own. For all the miners’ inexperience, they had risen to the challenge admirably. The flying orbs of fire broke on the wall of shields, and though I felt the heat and smelled scorching hide, nothing caught. That would not be the case for long—the air was dry, and through the smoke I could still see the elemental coming toward us. A spear of ice that glittered in the sun flew from the wall and struck it at its base, and it slowed, its progress obscured by a sudden cloud of steam. 

Continue reading “Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea: Chapter XXII” →

Song of the Week

Shelby Merry, “Don’t Follow”

Happy Monday! I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.

We are nearing the end of Beyond the Frost-Cold Sea! I’m guessing there will be three or four more chapters. I’ll be back on Wednesday with Chapter XXII. If you’ve been reading and enjoying it, thank you! You can help me out by telling your friends about it 🙂

Have an excellent week.