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. Ch20, “New Members” just went live for those in qualifying tiers. AND Ch16, “Don’t Be Strangers” just 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 >>
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the startled one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 273: Simple
::twinkle::
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 enjoys pampering.
330
Dragons and Fours
Shelter Me. We’ve encountered several reaver classifications with each new installment of the Saga & Songs. Many of you picked up on a tiny detail in Book 3, where Argent refers to Tsumiko as a bastion. In essence, those with a bastion’s classification serve as an anchor for the wards and barriers that protect a location. Usually, this means they have to stay put.
Argent was inclined to agree. “You would not be the first unofficial beacon. My own bondmate is unregistered, yet she has been acknowledged as both beacon and bastion.”
Tamiko and the Two Janitors (Amaranthine Saga, #3)
“I was bought and brought to become this enclave’s anchor, and I was raised in the Amaranthine style. They don’t send away their children.” Jiminy kept his eyes on the road as she guided the car toward the highway. “I don’t often leave campus, so this is something of an adventure.”
Tamiko and the Two Janitors (Amaranthine Saga, #3)
Fira could feel her cheeks warming. Pushing the stone toward the center of the table, she asked, “Why do I have to do this, anyhow? I thought Lufu is the one you want for an anchor. The stones like her, and she makes them happy. Train her.”
Followed by Thunder (Songs of the Amaranthine, #2)
As Seen on Patreon. Whether you call it boba tea, bubble tea, or even pearl shakes, these drinks are something I first discovered when I moved to California. I’ve tried so many flavors! My favorites are a Vietnamese coffee shake & several of the real fruit smoothies my local Boba Bar serves up. Just yesterday, I was craving a melon one. Lovely stuff.
If you’re a patron (or if you ordered a signed book from me), you may have received one of the promotional postcards pictured below, which includes a short story snippet (on the reverse) that takes place in the setting of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate. Brew & Bubble is the coffee shop at a local museum/art center, and they serve both coffee & assorted teas (including those boba smoothies I love). The art turned out so cute, we put it on totes! Now available.
“Added security, you understand.” When Argent Mettlebright sets his trap for the Gentlemen Bandit, he arranges for a security team he can trust. So Juuyu Farroost meets the formidable duo known as the Lost Harbor Lockets. ::twinkle::
Lost Harbor Lockets | art by FoxOfTwilight
. . .
“Curious?” The woman smiled broadly and crooked a finger. “You can look, but don’t touch. They’re loaded.”
The sigils stood out like lace upon her skin, inked in white, shimmering with power.
“These are what I like to call a competitive edge.” She turned, encouraging his perusal. “This set has shields for deflective attacks. Ever been hit by an airbag in a moving car?”
Juuyu’s eyes widened.
So did her smile. “Broke my nose once. Gave me the idea. Defensive measures can pack a wallop. So does my partner. I’m Magda Locket, by the way. We’re the Lost Harbor Lockets.”
As if he should recognize them.
He met her palms and admitted, “I am … unfamiliar.”
“Seriously?” Magda propped a hand on her hip. “We’re on the battler circuit. The games are televised and everything. Ever watch any extreme sports? No?”
“I apologize.”
Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Amaranthine Saga, #5
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 whose voice has probably changed.
329
In a Hurry
Updated! Bard & Barbarian has updated over on my Patreon with Ch32, “Theory and Practice.” There’s a gap between Imber’s training and his experience.
Hug-a-Mug Season. We decided to use the design created for my Ko-fi account on totes and colored them four ways. For those who don’t know, I mostly use my Ko-fi account for a monthly foray into fandom writing. There are a handful of unfinished stories (and their readers) that have been waiting for my time and attention. Once a month is better than nothing. Little by little, I’ll see those fics through to their intended conclusions. ::twinkle::
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the assertive one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 272: Claimed
::twinkle::
Audio Book. The wait is over! Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate, narrated by Travis Baldree, is now available.
You can reread the entire Amaranthine Saga (and the first four Songs) this way. Audible >>
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 mostly been away.
328
Stampede
Pokemon GO! From time to time, I mention that I play … usually when a challenge insists that I make a new friend. Sure, I know I could just nab some rando from the interwebz, but I enjoy playing with reading friends. So … who’s game? ALSO, if you’re already a friend & still need a friend, nudge me anyhow. Another member of my household also plays. In fact, we often raid together. ::eyebrow waggle::
email me your friends code > always.forthright at gmail dot com
Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this audacious adventure… especially for the excluded one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 271: Novel
::twinkle::
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 full days.
327
Too Soon for Sorrow
FORTHRIGHT 