Author: FORTHRIGHT

News Hound

Updated! Iruka is sent undercover on a mission that bears every resemblance to an enforced vacation. It’s the world’s most boring assignment. And the loneliest. Until a chatty photojournalist named Sukea starts hanging around. Canon Divergence. [Iruka & Kakashi/Sukea/Hound]

This Naruto fanfic updates on Tuesdays. Chapter 14: “Handsome Offer” just posted.

Story Link >>

• • •

It occurs to me that some of you may not be as much of a geek about Naruto as I am. And that you might appreciate a visual reminder of some of the other characters in this story. I’ll sneak that in under a cut so it doesn’t spoiler readers who are waiting for this fanfic to be complete before starting.

::twinkle::
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ART: Dun Nippets

Hemmed in Silver. I’ve been holding back until the short story showed up in ALL the storefronts, and we surmounted that hurdle that over the weekend. (Thank goodness.) So I am here with the first piece of Hemmed in Silver art. For those just now reading Songs of the Amaranthine, #5, I’ll link back to the Squee Post that went up on release day (in case you want to share reactions, speculations, etc.).

Dun Nippets | art by FoxOfTwilight

• • •

It had only been a week. Florent knew he was still an outsider in Hazel’s eyes. On some level, he felt bad for trespassing on her safe corner of the world, but he’d resolved to be patient. If he left her be, eventually, she’d be ordering him around with the same breezy condescension with which she treated the other farmhands.

—Hemmed in Silver

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LMM 193: Little Tracker

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’s had time to build up his tolerance.

193
Little Tracker

::twinkle::
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LMM 192: Golden Boys

Lord Mettlebright’s Man
PART 2

• • •

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’s a big boy now.

192
Golden Boys

::twinkle::
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Time Skip & Timeline

Lord Mettlebright’s Man has hit a time skip. We left off in the summer after the end of Bk1, and we’re picking up again in the days before Bk2. So … roughly 2 1/2 years have passed. (Nngh. Maths.) SO! I’m using this opportunity to introduce the timeline terminology developed by the Amaranthine Council. It’s become the international standard for relative dates (similar to the usage of A.D. and B.C. by human historians) with the Emergence as its pivot. Both systems are in use, with the Integrated Dating System having secondary importance. It’s primarily used whenever people want to reckon time in direct relation to the Emergence.

  • Prelude – before the Emergence, noted as PR. (eg. Dragged through Hedgerows is set in PR. 5.)
  • New Saga – after the Emergence, noted as N.S. (eg. Tamiko and the Two Janitors is set in 5 N.S.)

• • •

To help anchor Lord Mettlebright’s Man in the new timeline, let’s run through a few events.

::twinkle::
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Finally!

Hemmed in Silver is (finally, finally) showing up in both the Barnes & Noble and Kobo shopfronts, so I have high hopes that it’s now everywhere. Many thanks to the host of international readers who haven’t had access to Songs of the Amaranthine, #5 until now.

I’ve been holding back art & other surprises related to this story until everyone can enjoy it together. Reminder: It’s just as important to rate & review the short stories as it is the novels. Only readers can sway the almighty algorithms. Thank you for sparing me the extra moments (or minutes) it takes.

On a related note: I’ll likely have Songs of the Amaranthine, #6 showing up for pre-order in time for Christmas. It’s been my December writing project. ::eyebrow waggle::

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Wish List

Signed Copies Available. If you’re looking for items to add to your shopping list or wish list, may I suggest signed copies of a fantasy series that I all but admitted to writing? (Okay, I did admit to it, but in my usual oblique manner.) More about Galleries of Stone trilogy on this post >>

Genre: Fantasy
Series: complete
Rating: all ages
Pages: 400~ each
Illustrations: full-color spot illustrations
Price: $25 apiece (includes shipping in US)

Also available digitally, everywhere books are sold.

by Categories: Random AsidesTags: 3 Comments

ART: Barefoot Boys

Safe Place. Argent allows his sons to attend the summer courses at Wardenclave, which is arguably one of the safest places on earth. Which allows Kyrie to meet Mikoto, newly appointed headman of this historic village. “It is my honor to welcome you on behalf of Wardenclave. May the coming season find you stronger for your efforts and richer for the bonds we will share.”

“Barefoot Boys” | art by FoxOfTwilight

• • •

Sitting on the edge of the mattress, Mikoto was nearly the same height as the boy, who was compelling at close range. His fingers twitched, but he recalled himself and lowered his gaze.

“Curiosity can be a compliment.” Kyrie carefully picked up Mikoto’s hand and brought it to his face. “Some people need to touch me to be sure I am real.”

“They do?”

The boy smiled. “Touch is part of familiarization. And I find it reassuring.”

Mikoto’s fingertips grazed freckled scales. “You do?”

“I do. Because you are neither afraid of nor disgusted by me.”

What a thing to suggest.

“Not everyone finds the marks of my heritage beautiful.”

That remark was even more telling than the last.

The boy could see right through him. Had weighed Mikoto in a balance and somehow found him worthy. But Kyrie was also baring something vulnerable. People feared this gentle child? Flinched away or thought him ugly? Mikoto felt a surge of indignation, of protectiveness.

Kyrie shuffled closer. “We are becoming friends …?”

“We are friends.” Mikoto pulled him into an embrace. “And not simply because you are beautiful.”

—Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Amaranthine Saga, #4

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