Countdown to Christmas. I’m in the mood for more Lord Mettlebright’s Man. Shall we?
::tinsel toss::
Author: FORTHRIGHT
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.
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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::
Mood Stripes 214: Critical
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the appreciative one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 214: Critical
::twinkle::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.
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
Mood Stripes 213: Short
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the one who will last. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 213: Short
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Mood Stripes 212: Dubious
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the recovering one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 212: Dubious
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Mood Stripes 211: Clumsy
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the well-balanced one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 211: Clumsy
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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 12: “Hangdog Ninja” just posted.
Cyber Monday Sales
‘Tis the Season. If you’re looking for deals on this day of online shoppery, I’ll gently nudge you in the direction to TeePublic, which is having a sitewide sale. You can get 35% off all things in the Twinkle Press shopfront. You’ll find totes, masks, and a couple of different style notebooks. Such a deal!
Bard & Barbarian
New Chapter. I’ve added this month’s installment to Bard & Barbarian. It’s an original story about two of the OCs I played during my first DnD campaigns. What can I say … I got attached. Their serialized adventure will undoubtedly be a stand-alone book one day, but if you want to be a part of their story while it’s unfolding, become a patron.
Chapter 16: “Don’t Be Strangers”
Quarterly Art Card
“Heart of a Dog.” As many of you probably already know, I have a Patreon account. (Details about why are on this page.) One of the incentives I provide as a thank you to my supporters is a Quarterly Art Card, and I’ve just revealed December’s. Since Harmonious Starmark’s story has become a Christmas Eve tradition all over the world (in the Amaranthine universe), I thought “Heart of a Dog” (art by FoxOfTwilight) would be Most Appropriate.
These are 5×7″ cards. You can kind of see the shimmer. I had them printed with a pearlized finish. (Very pretteh!) To get in on the offer, become a patron at the Twinkle tier ($4/month) or higher. This is a limited edition offer, and quantities are limited, too. Don’t dawdle.
Mood Stripes 210: Smooth
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the one with a plan. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 210: Smooth
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Mood Stripes 209: Hopeful
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the swift one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 209: Hopeful
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FORTHRIGHT 