Chapter 17, “Traveling with a Cortege” is live over on Patreon! Subscription to this story is one of the perks that starts at the Twinkle tier ($4/month). Thanks to those who’ve chosen to read along! I’m grateful.
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the ones being overlooked.
122
Eyes Shut
If Looks Could Kill. One of my Folk-Spelled cast members is a gorgon. When I was picking and choosing recurring characters, I wanted to mix things up. That’s one of the reasons why I took two traditionally female creatures (harpies & gorgons) and created a male counterpart. Durst’s steampunk-style goggles counteract his deadly gaze.
This month’s Patreon mailing is a portrait of Durst created by Mart Lett, series illustrator, from which the above art is cropped. Want great mail? Head on over and see if one of my Patreon tiers suits. I’d appreciate the additional support.
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one who speaks up.
121
Goals
Alder Woodacre and the Acorns of Affection is now available. Do you need more reasons to reach for this story? How about this? There’s more than just Kip & Joe to this tale. Red Gate Farm is going to receive guests!
Joe’s (and Kip’s) story has officially released! This tale revisits the cast of Tamiko & the Two Janitors roughly ten years after the events of that book. That sets it (almost exactly) one year after the end of Bk7, so it’s a post-series story. The final word count puts it in novella territory, just over 35k, so it’s substantial as short stories go. This is mostly slice-of-life. But also family stuff. Squirrel courting shenanigans. Flutter nuggets. Feels. (The usual.)
He doesn’t need to say much. One word will do.
Since its founding, the Reaverson farm has become a thriving enclave, with Nightspangle wolves looking after the boundaries and Woodacre squirrels playing tag in the oak trees. Joe’s a patient guy. Good at taking care of what’s his. Good at encouraging things to grow. But not the greatest at speaking up. After a decade, he decides it’s time for a change. He has something small in mind, but when unexpected guests keep turning up at Red Gate Farm, Kip’s heart isn’t the only one due for a shakeup. **A short story that revisits the cast of Bk3: Tamiko and the Two Janitors, set a year after the end of the Amaranthine Saga. Cozy Fantasy. Slice-of-life. Courtship. Family.
Tomorrow is the Big Day. Of course, if you pre-order Alder Woodacre and the Acorns of Affection, it’ll auto-deliver to your e-reader tonight. (At least that’s how it works in my time zone.)
Alder Woodacre and the Acorns of Affection will release on July 22. There’s still time to pre-order!
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the outsider looking in.
120
Learning Curve
$.99 SALE. I’m participating in the Cozy Up with Fantasy book blast. Several authors in the genre have dropped the price on more than 50 books! I’ve marked down Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox for the day … as well as Meadowsweet (Galleries of Stone, #1) by C.J. Milbrandt (that’s one of my other pen names). You’re invited to check out ALL the offerings on the Cozy Up with Fantasy website, which has helpfully listed books along with their summaries, key words, and links.
With a sale like this, you can fill your e-reader in cozy ways. Do take a look. It’s a one-day event.
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the ranker.
119
Back in My Day
$.99 SALE. I’m participating in the Cozy Up with Fantasy book blast. Several authors in the genre have pooled together in order to attract new readers. I’ve marked down Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox for the day … as well as Meadowsweet by C.J. Milbrandt (one of my other pen names.) You’re invited to check out the offerings on the Cozy Up with Fantasy website, which includes summaries, key words, and links. Go, take a look. Maybe something will tickle your fancy. ::twinkle::
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one who isn’t a reaver.
118
Maybe Not
Wednesday, July 9 at 8 a.m. (Pacific), the next Amaranthine Outtake will drop over on my Patreon. That’s tomorrow! This is a Patreon event, but anyone can get in on the excitement. Just head over to my shop.
Their unlikely attachment would establish a dynasty.
He’s a reaver boy, raised by the fox whose captivity is a family secret. She’s a reaver girl whose line is both favored by and feared by dragonkind. The ward rising through the ranks meets the battler with a healer’s touch. They have little in common, or so they thought. Because trust can be shared, and friendship can belong to two. [An Amaranthine Saga prequel that offers glimpses of Michael and Sansa during their Ingress Academy days.]
This short story has been narrated by Travis Baldree. As a reminder, I’ve set up a drop over on Patreon, where you’ll find a countdown to its debut on Wednesday, July 9 at 8:00 a.m. (Pacific). Leading up to its release (or anytime after), you’ll be able to purchase Once & Well in my shop.
© copyright by forthright, 2025
narrated by Travis Baldree
10k words | 1 hour, 5 minutes
Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the unprepared one.
117
Problematic
FORTHRIGHT 