Queer Fantasy and Weird Tales for the People
Here was a land where the living worshiped the dead, and where hidden, shadowy gods dueled for control of honored corpses kept within vaults of stone or living wood.
Chapter XLVIII: To the Upper Kingdom
Under the guidance of a man who might be a cult leader, Eske makes the climb from the forest floor to the treetop vault where the artifact he seeks should lie. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.
“Mostly, though, we offer hope that the world will be different, when the gods return, than what has been promised.”
Chapter XLVII: Under the Trees
Eske encounters a strange new landscape and an even stranger new traveling companion in the latest chapter of Journey to the Water. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.
“Ah, to be in such a hurry in the city of the dead,” the man said. “Why serve a living master in the short time before you enter the service of the old gods?”
Chapter XLVI: Ksadaja, the City of the Dead
Eske is after a relic hidden in the mysterious kingdom built into the trees of a great forest. First, he has to figure out how to get there. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.
“If I return?” I echoed. I could not help but smile at her utter lack of faith in me. “You think I won’t?”
Chapter XLV: The Summer Sea
Eske is off again, this time to recover an artifact for the wizard who claims to be able to help with Eske’s quest. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon, or wait until next week for it to be posted here on the blog.
I lay awake, watching the stars move across my window, and contemplated setting out on my own once more with no guidance from the all-knowing one.
Chapter XLIV: Beside the Water
Eske finally gets some rest before he sets out on the next quest. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon. Right now I have only one tier, which is $3 a month. If you can’t spare $3, this chapter will be available to read here on the blog next week.
“The books are so old, their spines are weak, and things try to escape.”
Chapter XLIII: The Book-Collector
Eske has enlisted the help of a strange wizard and his stranger apprentice. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.
“When can I see the all-knowing one? Is he above?” I frowned and studied the small, brown face again. “Or are you the all-knowing one, and this is but a test I must pass?”
Chapter XLII: The Sorcerer’s Tower
Eske meets a wizard, but there’s more going on here than meets the eye. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.
“Does this Deinaros know how to read?” I asked.
Chapter XLI: The City on the Cliffs
The girl’s face turned to disdain. “Of course he does. He’s all-knowing.”
Eske arrives in the first city of the West, perched on the cliffs looking out to sea. He may have found a lead, but the answers he seeks won’t be so easy to achieve. You can read this chapter right now on Patreon.
“Your serpent is dead,” I said. “I slew him upon the sacrificial stone. He will never devour anyone, willing or not, again.”
Chapter XL: Isra’s Well
Eske of the Bear Clan is back! Now that The Book of the New Moon Door is out, I’m writing new chapters of Journey to the Water. Barring any unforeseen disasters, I hope to publish it next year. If you’d like to follow along, all the previous chapters are under the Stories tab above (under the Menu if you’re on mobile), and this latest chapter is available on Patreon.
“You can come with me, if you want. You can leave the temple and find your own way. You can stay here. It’s your choice.”
The Book of the New Moon Door
The original, serial version of The Book of the New Moon Door concludes with these two chapters, now available on Patreon. I hope you’ve enjoyed this version, and that you’ll enjoy the published version even more.
Space Whales Press 