Updated! Bard & Barbarian has updated over on my Patreon with Ch54, “Shrillers and Shamblers.” Because bogs are just that kind of hospitable.
Bard & Barbarian
Author: FORTHRIGHT
LMM 534: Welcome to Fletching
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the unimpressed one.
534
Welcome to Fletching
Last Call
With everything unfolding in tiny snippets, it’s probably difficult to tell, but Lord Mettlebright’s Man has begun quietly culminating. There’s one last time skip ahead, which will bring us into the events leading up to Bk4: Mikoto and the Reaver Village. I’m aiming to finish with 700 chapters, and there will be a Suuzu-centric bonus short story (set between Bk5 and Bk6) that I’ll include in the LMM print/audio editions. (It’ll count as an Amaranthine Interlude & also publish digitally as a stand-alone.)
So anyway … this is LAST CALL! If you’d like to help the story along by offering a little inspiration, head on over to the prompt post. For LMM, I accept single-word prompts (eg. pooch, pucker, paisley), common combos (Windsor knot, mani-pedi, soft yes), and all sorts of phrases, including (but not limited to) idioms, allusions, and brief quotes credited to anyone from Oscar Wilde to William Shakespeare. If you need inspiration, scroll through the pile of suggestions that have already been dropped off. I’ll fit in as many as I can before I bring Jacques’ story to a close.
LMM 533: Incognito
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one who caught a nap.
533
Incognito
LMM 532: Set Me Up
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the beggar.
532
Set Me Up
LMM 531: Unattended
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the highly capable one.
531
Unattended
Bard & Barbarian
Narrated Edition. Bard and Barbarian has been posting slow and steady over on my Patreon account. Reading along is great, but supporters on some tiers can now listen along. The story is being narrated by Travis Baldree. Ch42, “Queasy” just went live for those in qualifying tiers. AND Ch38, “Trellis” has unlocked for the Twinkle and Sparkle tiers.
New narrated chapters will arrive every other Wednesday, which means … there’s always something more to look forward to! Learn more about my Patreon here >>
LMM 530: Missed a Spot
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the master of illusions.
530
Missed a Spot
LMM 529: Fraught with Potential
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the real one.
529
Fraught with Potential
New Pattern
She Sells Sea Shells. We’ve added a new pattern to the Twinkle Press storefronts over on Threadless and TeePublic. You can get the Pimiko seashell pattern on items ranging from totes and masks to journals and note cards. Be sure to watch for sales right on through the holidays if you want to build your Amaranthine collection. ::twinkle::
LMM 528: Always Important
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one who sang.
528
Always Important
LMM 527: Too Soon
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the one with an en suite.
527
Too Soon
ART: Bloom for You
Hajime and Naoki. We first meet this duo in Flattered by Flowers (Songs of the Amaranthine, #8). Naoki is a bookseller in the city of Keishi, and he befriended Junpei, who became a regular at his shop. Only after a bit of tanuki mischief did Junpei realize that Naoki wasn’t alone.
“Tell me what you see,” Naoki prompted, his expression guarded.
Meeting a red-eyed gaze, Junpei offered a respectful nod. “I see another man with long, black hair and a lavish crown of red flowers. You are similar to Kusunoki, but Matsu’s friend has more height and girth and wears hakama.”
With a heavy sigh, Naoki said, “Junpei, meet my longtime companion, Hajime.”
Flattered by Flowers
Songs of the Amaranthine, #8
Bloom for You | art by FoxOfTwilight
November’s Monthly Mailing. Qualifying patrons will be receiving “Bloom for You” art cards this month. They’re large & lovely (4×9″). If you’d like to get in on mailings like this, consider supporting my storytelling over there. I’ll do my best to spoil you. ::twinkle::
LMM 526: Mutual Appreciation
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the ones who are touching.
526
Mutual Appreciation
LMM 525: Morning After
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in this series of vignettes because the Amaranthine Saga is mine. (Which means I should probably behave myself since anything I say or do could be taken as canon.) Indulge the lot of us, especially the supportive one.
525
Morning After
FORTHRIGHT 