I want the god who betrayed me to look me in the eye. 

Interlude Five: A Place Between

We check back in on Khalim, who makes a pivotal decision. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.

In other news, THE DRAFT IS FINISHED. After this one, there will be twelve more chapters (including one more Interlude). I’m going to spend the month of May working on other projects, and start the editing process in June. Once that gets going, I’ll have a better idea of a release date. In the meantime, I hope you’re enjoying this early version, and I appreciate you coming along for the ride.

“I’ll go only where I’m told,” I promised. “But in the meantime, perhaps I can convince you and your gods that my cause is just.” 

Chapter LVII: The Village in the Forest

Eske settles in to a new life with the rebels in the woods, but this peace won’t last. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.

“If he wants the knife, then we may as well show it to him,” the man said to his companions. To me, he added, “On your feet, then. This will be easier for you if you cooperate.”

Chapter LVI: The Burial-Ground

In the latest chapter of Journey to the Water, Eske gets captured. Again. Not really on purpose this time. You can read it right now on Patreon.

“You are welcome in my hall, Eske of the Bear Clan,” Oeric said. “If you are as brave as you were in your tale, you will serve me well against the barbarians.”

Chapter LV: The Hall of King Oeric

An ambitious warlord’s even more ambitious son, a missing relic, and a long-brewing civil war: Eske has found himself in a pickle yet again. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.

“Take this man outside and cut off his head,” he said. “You can hang it from the wall as an example to the others.”

Chapter LIV: The Ring-Fort

We’re starting a new arc! Eske arrives at his destination and is met with hostility. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.

I looked away. “There was no victory in Phyreios. You should understand that better than anyone.”

Chapter LII: A Temple of Faces

Eske meets an old rival and receives a warning in the latest chapter of Journey to the Water, available on Patreon. My Patreon is only $3 a month!

If I had done evil, I told myself, then the evil I had done was a trivial thing. I had freed Svilsara from the serpent, and left the mage-king alive, giving his foes nothing. If I had to do penance, I would do it after I found Khalim.

Chapter LI: Friendlier Shores

I’ve got a shiny new chapter for you over on Patreon, in which Eske returns to the sorcerer’s tower and grapples with the consequences of his quest. Also, as you can see, I am back to working on the draft!

His heretic cult might gain some infamy if I had fought with Alaba, but what use was a dead outlander to their mysterious cause?

Chapter L: The Way Down

Eske makes a daring escape in the latest chapter of Journey to the Water, which you can read right now on Patreon. For all the previous chapters, visit the Stories tab above.

“You’re not an assassin? You’re a common thief?”

“Hardly common,” I said.

Chapter XLIX: The Treasure-Hall of the Mage-King

Eske faces off with a mysterious monarch in a treasure vault high above the forest floor. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.