
ALT Background: Broadsword with dramatic red cloth billowing around it. Foreground: Image of "Fire of the Forebears" book in top left corner. Text overlay reads: "A fresh take on fantasy, and despite the struggles of the characters and the background of war, it's an optimistic and uplifting read." --Five stars from a Goodreads reviewer
![He shrugged, then took a long sip from his mug. “I’ve got an apprenticeship at Janaan’s Carpentry in the Outer Circle.” “Really? I didn’t know you were a carpenter.” “Apprenticed four and a half months in Arléast when I was younger.” He didn’t smile as he talked, and couldn’t hold her gaze for more than a few seconds at a time. “You enjoying it?” He shrugged and took another sip from his mug. “Work is work.” [censored] studied his face, the murmur of conversation pressing in around them. “Well, thank you for coming.” She forced a laugh. “I thought you might be avoiding me.” “No, I’m not…avoiding you.” “See, I’m not sure I should believe that?” He glanced up and held her gaze before he gave a sheepish grin. [censored] sighed and leaned her elbows on the table. “[censored], I’m sorry. I’ve told you I’m sorry. I should have handled it better.” “No, it was my fault. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Well, it sure feels like it. She watched him stare into his beer. “Would you](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FPNEaWDXMAAgV0Z.png?name=small&format=webp)
ALT He shrugged, then took a long sip from his mug. “I’ve got an apprenticeship at Janaan’s Carpentry in the Outer Circle.” “Really? I didn’t know you were a carpenter.” “Apprenticed four and a half months in Arléast when I was younger.” He didn’t smile as he talked, and couldn’t hold her gaze for more than a few seconds at a time. “You enjoying it?” He shrugged and took another sip from his mug. “Work is work.” [censored] studied his face, the murmur of conversation pressing in around them. “Well, thank you for coming.” She forced a laugh. “I thought you might be avoiding me.” “No, I’m not…avoiding you.” “See, I’m not sure I should believe that?” He glanced up and held her gaze before he gave a sheepish grin. [censored] sighed and leaned her elbows on the table. “[censored], I’m sorry. I’ve told you I’m sorry. I should have handled it better.” “No, it was my fault. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Well, it sure feels like it. She watched him stare into his beer. “Would you

ALT Triston pulled back on the reins, slowing his mare from a trot to a walk as they approached the burning hull of what had been a row of houses. Dark smoke billowed into the air, marring an otherwise blue morning sky. The response troop had set up a tent to house the displaced citizens, and men in silver chest-plates ran between the smoldering wreckage and triage, tending to burn victims. “Sarich!” Triston halted his horse beside a corner tent pole and dismounted. “Report?” The soldier jumped to attention. “Vandals, sir. Or thieves. Accounts are conflicting. The brigade has the fire controlled. Four are dead and seven missing. We found these…” He stepped back, motioning to one of the few walls that remained standing. Three words had been scrawled on the singed wood siding with charcoal: King Pauper Damned








