Bard & Barbarian

Updated! Just a quick note that I managed to update Bard & Barbarian yesterday. This has been a good week for DnD at forthy’s house. Woke to a surprise game-brunch on Monday. Defending a treasure convoy goes rather well with fresh cinnamon rolls. And then yesterday’s usual campaign slot (which went extra long) brought sufficient success for Marc to unlock a unique feature on one of his swords. Poor boy. I’m not sure who’s more confused by the consequences: me, Imber, or Marc himself.

BnB 007

Thank you to all who support my stories,
wherever they may be found. ::twinkle::

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LMM 116: Lavish Provisions

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 sleepy one.

116
Lavish Provisions

Michael laughed outright. “I told you we should have Continue reading →

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The Latest

SAGA

Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox (Amaranthine Saga, #1) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal (Amaranthine Saga, #2) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Tamiko and the Two Janitors (Amaranthine Saga, #3) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga, #4) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate (Amaranthine Saga, #5) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Pimiko and the Uncharted Island (Amaranthine Saga, #6) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Rhomiko and the Confirmed Bachelor (Amaranthine Saga, #7) – Winter 2024

SONGS

Marked by Stars (Songs of the Amaranthine, #1) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Followed by Thunder (Songs of the Amaranthine, #2) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Dragged through Hedgerows (Songs of the Amaranthine, #3) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Governed by Whimsy (Songs of the Amaranthine, #4) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Hemmed in Silver (Songs of the Amaranthine, #5) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Captured on Film (Songs of the Amaranthine, #6) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Bathed in Moonlight (Songs of the Amaranthine, #7) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Flattered by Flowers (Songs of the Amaranthine, #8) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Scribbled in Margins (Songs of the Amaranthine, #9) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Pressed into Service (Songs of the Amaranthine, #10) – NOW AVAILABLE!

• • •

INTERLUDES

Lord Mettlebright’s Man (Amaranthine Interludes, #1) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Suuzu and the Nine Nippets of Legend (Amaranthine Interludes, #2) – NOW AVAILABLE!
Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons (Amaranthine Interludes, #3) – serialization is underway on Patreon!
Coop and the Elderbough Trackers (Amaranthine Interludes, #4) – updates here, Tuesdays & Fridays

You can still read the “first draft” edition of Lord Mettlebright’s Man here on the blog. Begin at the beginning, shortly after the events of Bk1.

• • •

CURRENTLY UPDATING

Bard & Barbarian posts exclusively to Patreon. Now with serialized narration! Become a patron to read along.

Coop and the Elderbough Trackers – Cole Pfeiffer-Cooper, who prefers to be called Coop, became part of a pack way before the world found out about the Amaranthine. He was eight when his family took in Daroo-fen Clearsong, back in Dragged through Hedgerows (Songs of the Amaranthine, #3). Begins here.

• • •

Kimiko and the Cycle of Moons (Amaranthine Interludes, #3) posts exclusively to Patreon. Join at the Twinkle tier ($4/month) and subscription to the tale will be one of your perks.

With every kiss he accepts, her claim on him wins hearts the world over.
Readers have often asked for more of Kimiko Miyabe’s courtship of Eloquence Starmark. Their grand cycle is a tale I’ll be telling as a Patreon-exclusive serialization, which is now ongoing. Their story will range from the seamstress’s workroom at the Starmark compound to the forming of fresh triads at New Saga High School. And you can look forward to all the drama at Kikusawa Shrine: three sisters, twelve kisses, and the long-awaited stirring of a sleeping landmark. Cozy Fantasy. Slice-of-Life. Family. Courtship.

• • •

Want fanart? Try the Cast Portraits and Fanart tags.
Want MOAR to read? Try this highly recommended series >>
(spoiler: 4thy has other pennames)

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LMM 115: Upper Story

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 cuddler.

115
Upper Story

When Michael escorted Jacques to a dull doorway, Continue reading →

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Playing with Food

Game Night. We’ve always been a board/card game kind of family at 4thy’s house. Mr. Right and I have amassed quiet a collection over the years, so we’re well-equipped for long stretches at home. I thought I’d recommend two that are relatively new to our stash. Both are sushi-related!

Sushi Bar

Sushi Bar. Gorgeous art and a chance to add to your language savvy, demystifying the menu at any authentic sushi restaurant. This is simply a Concentration-style matching game. Begin with all cards face down, and turn over two in the hopes of matching up two halves of the same sushi ingredient. Names are given in both Japanese and English. Did I mention the pretty?

Sushi Go

Sushi Go! Quite possibly the cutest game ever. Choose one item from the hand you’re dealt, then pass it along. (It’s conveyor belt sushi, folks!) With each turn, your options diminish. Points vary by sushi type. Risks can bring reward. And never skip dessert. Our family played this like crazy during the holidays. Chibi adorability & low-key strategy. It’s fun!

Thanks for asking. All’s well here.
Everybody staying safe?

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LMM 114: Loaner

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 probably just deflecting.

114
Loaner

Jacques couldn’t believe it. “You don’t mind?” Continue reading →

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ART: Lapis Mossberne

“Hello, Sealed Boy.” Lapis Mossberne is a dragon, a scholar, a bachelor, a romantic, and a charter member of the Five. If you’ve been missing him (he last appeared in Bk2 of the main series), be sure to read Lord Mettlebright’s Man, where he’s been helping Jacques Smythe (of the Uppington Smythes) face his fear of dragons. ::twinkle::

•  •  •

“You’ve had too much star wine, Lord Mossberne.”

“I know.” He exhaled on a fluttering note that definitely wasn’t human. “It did not help. It never does.”

Mossberne? As in Lapis Mossberne? Tenma stopped breathing. Could this person really be one of the Five? Catching Quen’s eye, he pointed and mouthed dragon.

Rolled eyes and a nod.

But the exchange may have been a mistake, for the dragon lord’s head turned, and light fell upon a lean face, putting fire into half-lidded sapphire eyes. “El-o-quence,” he drawled. “Why is that boy sealed?”

He slithered out of Quen’s grasp, and an instant later, Tenma was holding up a bleary Rivven who smelled strongly of flowers, spice, and liquor.

“Hello, sealed boy.”

—Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal

•  •  •

Lapis Mossberne by FoxOfTwilight

Lord Mossberne by FoxOfTwilight

Want more art? Try the Cast Portraits and Fanart tags.

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LMM 113: Choose with Care

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 for the one who has a way with words.

113
Choose with Care

Jacques perked up. Lapis wasn’t the propositioning sort Continue reading →

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