Swords with Souls: Where Only Women Can Live (Madame Swan) B91

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

A Giant’s Sword

caedar-writig-artwork.com

Facebook

“Madame Swan,” The two young women say in unison.

The girl on the right, with the long raven hair that peaks out of her beige cowl has dazzling blue eyes. Her face is round with thick lips that smile shyly. “Anita,” she says to the girl as she dismounts Flyste.  She turns to the girl on her left, who has deep brown eyes and a narrow face with a long nose shadowed by a dark brown cowl and says, “Melanie.” Both girls came from other parts of the world. They were indentured at a young age. Anita, because her father couldn’t pay all his taxes. Melanie, because her parents died in the plague and no one would adopt her. The sex trade called to them but they didn’t call to it. She saw that both girls were depressed when they came to her Savory Moments. She gave them menial jobs, like sweeping and washing, or preparing food to keep them out of sight of her patrons.

“You both look well,” she says with a tired smile. She glances around what looks more like a compound now than a village. “Where is Endellion?”

“She has not returned yet,” Melanie tells her.

She gulps in a deep breath and asks, “Have you heard what Sir Olaf and the Queen have ordered?”

“No,” the two young women answer in unison.

“All women are to be married and a man can have many wives. You must get married, and quickly. If you can’t think of a man you would consider, we’ll say you are married to either Sir Oliver or Crimthann.”

“But Sir Olaf doesn’t know about this place,” Melanie says.

“No man other than Sir Oliver and Crimthann do,” Anita adds.

“Oh, my dearest ones, I have seen war and Sir Olaf will eventually find this place.” Her bosom heaves as she recalls her past experiences. She lifts her right arm and sweeps it towards the village. “And all your weapons and walls won’t save you.”

People I Follow

Alvi Gunilla

History and Philosophy

Firefly support

Firefly, the series has a special place in my memories and hopefully future as an animated series.

I’ve had some awkward first meetings as a personal fitness trainer. One was when a new female client came to our first session together, crying. I tried to defuse her angst by saying, “Shouldn’t you wait until after we’ve had our first session?” Although this may sound funny, it wasn’t. She had been in a major accident. However, the most awkward was when Darlene (I won’t be giving last names) introduced herself to me at the personal training desk. She apologizing for not coming to her sessions earlier. One of her sons had died in a car accident a month earlier. Either her son or his best friend had fallen asleep while driving. This hit very hard, because someone I knew since they were born, and their best friend were driving when they were hit by a pickup truck. He and his friend lived but they were severely injured. All of these young men were around the age of eighteen. A time when young men should be thriving.

Darlene had her own health problems. She was legally blind and either from an accident or disease had to have the back of her skull removed. Surgeons tried a titanium plate but it wouldn’t take. So, all she had was skin over muscle to protect the back of her head. She would often waver when she stood up. My heart would stop as I quickly moved behind her. She found this very amusing.

Darlene was/is also a genius nurse. I had what I thought were spider bumps on my left biceps. Darlene told me spider bites don’t create blisters. She told me to see my doctor. When I saw Dr. Leung, he pointed at the blisters and a red line that was heading towards my armpit. He said if the line connects with my lymph nodes it could poison my blood. He then calmly asked me if I wanted meds to cure it, to which I replied with a gulp, yes.

What does this have to do with Firefly? During Christmas time, Darlene and her husband Mark brought me gifts. The one gift was the Firefly series. Darlene explained they would have Firefly parties. After watching the series, I imagine those Firefly parties were happening all over the world. If you haven’t seen the original, do. It’s gritty and funny. A western that takes place in the future with a motley crew headed by Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) the captain of Serenity. Fillion and the rest of the cast: Gina Torres, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Morena Baccarin, Alan Tudyk, Ron Glass, Sumer Glau, and Sean Maher each have their own distinctive characters. As writer Tim Minear said, “It’s just about getting by.”

I highly recommend you get by, by joining the crew of Serenity as they try to survive the aftermath of the battle between the Alliance and Independents. The cast of the original series are very close to getting the go ahead for an animated series. If you haven’t seen the series, watch and you’ll see why this is a great idea. If you have seen the series, you already know why an animation series would be great!

Awesome Con 2026

To show your support click here

Swords with Souls: Where Only Women Can Live (Madame Swan) B90

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

A Giant’s Sword

caedar-writig-artwork.com

Facebook

Madame Swan squints through the drizzle and recognizes the young woman even though she wears a dark green cowl and is hidden three-quarters behind a poplar tree. The girl is holding a cross-bow.   Madame Swan strokes the side of Flyste’s neck and whispers soothing words towards the Cleveland Bay mare’s ears.  Beside her is Crimthann on his destrier, a horse similar to his nephew’s. Crimthann also pats his horse but says nothing as he stares emotionally straight ahead.

“Auden,” Madame Swan calls.

“You look worse for wear, Madame Swan,” she hears Auden shout through the drizzle. “Is that Crimthann with you?”

“It is,” she replies and shivers. The air is getting cold.

“You can pass. There’s a fire at the lodge. You remember how to get there from here?”

“Thank you,” Crimthann says, “But I must go to my nephew’s farm and find out what news there is.” He leans over so that their horses shift side-to-side and kisses her lips fully. “I’ll return soon, my love.”

She strokes his left cheek and says, “Make it sooner.”

As Crimthann’s destrier trots away, she sees Auden pull out a bone pipe flute and play a specific sequence.

“They’ll know someone important is coming,” Auden tells her.

“Things are much more dangerous now, Auden. Be more alert than normal,” she says and gently nudges Flyste to trot ahead.

The path she follows is not well worn and designed to slow movement. There are no cart tracks suggesting only horses and people are meant to enter.

As she gets closer to the valley village, she sees a stone and mortar wall is being built. A few wooden towers, far behind the wall but not too far back to shoot arrows have been erected since the last time she was here. There’s an iron gate attached to one side of the wall. Two women pull it open as she rides closer.

People I Follow

Alice Li

Military Officer, Miss Canada, Busker, Humanitarian

Guy Richie’s Young Sherlock Holmes, a review

I’m trying not to binge watch Guy Richie’s Young Sherlock Holmes but failing miserably.

Years ago I read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s complete works. It’s no wonder people thought Sherlock Holmes was a real person. If you have read Sir Doyle’s biography you’ll find out not only was he a true gentleman and surgeon but that Sherlock is based on fascinating individuals he knew.

There’s an essence to the era before airplanes and other technology became a dominant force. When handsoms driven by horses were still common. And the colours often muted with overcast skies and factory emission filters of grey.

There’s a twist to this Sherlock series created by Guy Richie, Peter Harness, and Matthew Parkhill. Dónal Finn plays a young James Moriarty. Why is that intriguing. Because Sherlock only had one mortal enemy. But you’ll have to wait and see if this new series is from an altered universe or not. Hero Fiennes Tiffin plays Sherlock Holmes while his real-life uncle Joseph Fiennes plays his father. Max Irons plays a more somber Mycroft Holmes rather than the usual playful version. But that’s to be expected when your the older brother of an interesting, highly intelligent, and inquisitive younger Sherlock. There are many other fascinating characters I have not mentioned.

What I really enjoy is the smart interplay between the characters and that the series has characters often speak (with English subtitles) in their native language. Zine Tseng who plays Princess Gulun Shou’an flips between English and (Cantonese or Mandarin, I’m not sure which) with ease. It seems Sherlock, his mother Cordellia Holmes, played by the amazing Natascha McElhone, and Moriarty can speak fluently in other languages.

There is a dark undertone to this series. Fitting to the dark lighting. Princess Gulun Shou’an is driven to complete a task that will have you rooting for her at times and terrified of her at others.

Like the Bluff, Young Sherlock Holmes is smart and action filled. I personally need movement when I’m watching a movie or a series and Young Sherlock Holmes has plenty.

ENJOY!

Swords with Souls: A Giant’s Sword (The Sword Maker) B89

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

A Giant’s Sword

caedar-writig-artwork.com

Facebook

He uses the Ivy’s current to hurry past boulders and through sea grass.  The water is cooler here but it feels good as it rushes over his body. He needs time to think. How is he going to get himself and Lara away from the giants and dwarves? Or should he? His home, purposely set by the river and accessible only through an undesirable swamp, has kept him safe. But other than the soldiers brining him weapons to fix or to buy new ones, he rarely knows what’s going on in the rest of the land. He’ll go to the funeral of the King of the giants and dwarves. But after that he’ll need to find a way to know what’s going on in the Kingdom of Dampwind.

There’s also the reason why the giants and dwarves want himself and Lara to stay.  They already have blacksmiths. But can the blacksmiths make more soul swords? That he has a part in making these weapons gives him the chills. The swords seem to be unnaturally sturdy. And what does Lara tell the owners? Originally, he was more interested in the craftmanship than the ethics. But now. But now he needs to know what he’s involved with.

He swims to the surface and gazes around. It’s sunset now, and the surrounding forest is coated in a mixture of fading red and expanding blue light. When he gets back, he also needs to find out why the giants and dwarves want Sir Oisin as king of the Propers?

People I Follow

ThatCelloGuy

Performing Chevaliers de Sangreal

Swords with Souls: A Giant’s Sword (The Sword Maker) B88

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

A Giant’s Sword

caedar-writig-artwork.com

Facebook

As he watches the young druidic necromancer walk away with the new king he asks in Haashir and Jedreck’s direction, “Where is the nearest pond, river, or lake?”

“I will take you there,” Jedreck says.

As they walk along a dirt path through poplars, pines, and other trees, Jedreck asks him. “Would Lara ever consider me to be worthy enough?”

He halts. Internally, he still seethes that woman he loves was tricked into giving birth to this Lara girl and her sister. But the innocence in Jedreck’s voice makes his heart ache. “Aren’t her eyes on Sir Oisin?” he asks numbly. 

“Perhaps,” he hears Jedreck reply with a heavy sigh.

They come to a narrow river surrounded by weeping willows that flows south. He hurriedly strips off his clothes and plunges into the cool water. Leaning back in the water he shouts out to Jedreck, “I’ll be a while.”

“Not too long,” Jedreck shouts back. “You’ll be expected at our late King’s funeral.

“Other than you I’ve just met your people, Jedreck,” he says as the flaps along his back start to open and close. “And I hardly know you.”

“As the honored sword maker, it is expected.” Jedreck’s tone suggest this isn’t a matter to be argued.

“I’m leaving soon so I don’t see that it matters.” He sinks down so only his head is above the water. “Does this river connect to the Tyne?” 

“Yes, the Ivy flows south and eventually meets the Tyne.” Jedereck rubs his bearded chin.  “Close to your home, I think. However, you are the honored sword maker now,” Jedreck says and he hears the pride in the giant’s voice. “You will be staying here now, along with the Lady Hekpomahcep. Both of you will be helping us with the War of Salvation.”

“Who are you making war on?” he asks. He wants the giant to go away so he can fully submerse himself.

He sees Jedreck sigh.

“Sir Olaf.  We will reconsider however, if Sir Oisin becomes king of the Propers.”

His mind swirls with confusion. He needs to get under the water and think. Sir Olaf is only a regent until Prince William is old enough to be officially crowned as king.  There’s no way Sir Oisin can become king.  “I’ll be a while,” he says and fully submerses himself.

People I Follow

Kaho Nouchi

Female Samurai YouTube channel

The Bluff: a movie review

This a gritty pirate movie. And since Taylor Norris and I are still honing A Motley Sisterhood of Pirates! I was intrigued to see what this movie would be like. It’s directed by Frank E. Flowers and stars Priyanka Chopra-Jonas and Karl Urban. The rest of the cast help the movie feel like you’re on a Caribbean island during the 1800s. What’s really interesting are the producers: Chopra-Jonas, Angela Russo-Otstot, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Michael Disco and Zoe Saldana’s sisters Mariel Saldana Nazario and Cisely Saldana. I find it fascinating that Zoe Saldana’s sisters are involved in The Bluff because I wanted to see more of Anamaria who Zoe Saldana portrayed in the Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.

However, The Bluff is only similar to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies in that it’s about gold (arguably cursed), pirates, and lots of action. The Bluff is fascinating for it’s variety of weapons and intriguing action scenes. How many ways can you kill a pirate? The story isn’t just about pirates and gold. But also about family, devotion, and revenge. If anything, it’s closer to Treasure Island with it’s complicated relationships.

If you’re frustrated or angry this might be a good movie to watch. If you’re a woman scorned, it’s a really good movie to watch. For us men it’s got cool weapons and lots of action. For me, it was watching Priyanka Chopra-Jonas play a highly skilled (you’ll have to watch the movie) protector who is also a dotting mother. Woe to those that awake a mother bear’s rage when it comes to those she loves.

Swords with Souls: A Giant’s Sword (The Sword Maker) B87

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

A Giant’s Sword

caedar-writig-artwork.com

Facebook

As Lara, as he prefers to call her, and Jedreck arrive, he finds himself draining his skin of water. Lara’s eyes widen with surprise when she sees him.

As she passes him the bag with the quartz soul stone she leans her mouth towards his ear. “You glow of faie,” she says.

“I know your mother,” he says gruffly. He is finding it hard not to be angry that she is not his child. “Let’s get this done. I ache for water.”

He sees her gulp.

Haashir and Jedreck hit the bells with a steady rhythm as he heats the handle before sliding it over the tang. Gently, he manipulates the quartz onto the end. It will become the sword’s pommel.   

As he manipulates the quartz stone into place, he sees her poor a viscous red liquid into the fuller. This time he can smell the sweet scent of blood iron. Next, she blows in front of a tiny bag as she lets the mouth open. Just like last time.  But this time he can feel the soul entering the fuller. A willing soul.

Before he didn’t really think much of what this Lady Hekpomahcep was doing. But now that he realizes it, it shakes him the core. He remembers the bodies in the river, especially the female one, that didn’t decay like the others. He looks up into her face. A terrified expression stares back at him. This was not what she meant to do with her secret books of enchantments.

“It’s done,” she whispers.

He waits a moment before sliding his hands under the blade of the sword. It must be two heads taller than he is. There’s a weight to it but it’s lighter than he expects. “Whose is it?” he asks.

An old giant, taller than the rest of those present, steps forward. “I am Novak,” the senior giant says with a tired but still robust voice. “Oldest of our father’s living children. I now lead the giants and the dwarves.”

The Sword Maker lifts the sword higher than his own head and proffers it to Novak. In turn Novak reaches down and takes the sword.

“Try the sword?” Lara asks in a wispy tone.

Novak grabs the handle of the sword and swings it easily with one hand.  He stares at it a moment before saying with awe, “It’s perfect.”

“Come with me and I will tell you it’s secrets,” Lara says.

People I follow

Foxpriestess

Swords with Souls: A Giant’s Sword (The Sword Maker) B86

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

A Giant’s Sword

caedar-writig-artwork.com

Facebook

Sitting at the front of the Carnival wagon with Haashir, The Sword Master feels a great longing to submerse himself in water. He takes another long sip from a water skin. The wagon pulls up to a well-established black shop in a large opening surrounded on one side by a small rock cliff.  Giants, a little shorter than Jedreck, and dwarves taller than most are standing around wooden tables hammering or filing bronze weapons. He can smell the spicy scent of burning ash wood and a large clay cauldron above the fire gives off the scent of melting bronze and tin.

The dwarves and giants here are similar in girth and facial features suggesting they are related. As he glances around he noices double headed bronze axes, bronze tipped spears, and heavy looking short swords leaning against the cliff. There’s no doubt the giants and dwarves are preparing for war.

“Come this way,” Haashir says, leading him to a table with a very long wooden box.

He glances inside and gasps. No Proper could wield a sword this size. The blade is unique. It has a fuller but also many notches like a saw blade on one side. There is no handle on the tang yet. He sees the handle and pommel are in a separate, smaller box.

“Lady Hekpomahcep and Jedreck will be along soon,” Haashir tells him.

“It’s too long!” he says. “The bronze will warp if not break.”

“I noticed with the other swords,” Haashir says in a hesitant voice, “they seem unbreakable. And their characteristics unique.”

He sighs. “Even so, I can’t promise this will work on a sword of this magnitude.” 

People I Follow

Vladislava Galagan

Fitness Instructor and model

You’ll understand why I added the link below when you see her

Skin Routine

Swords with Souls: Fallen Prince (Sir Oisin) B85

Swords with Souls

A Medieval Fantasy Fiction Story

(Adult Content)

By Dan Watt

(Author of the Children of the Myth Machine series)

Cover by Darren Joy

(Author of the Plagueborn series)

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

Fallen Prince

caedar-writig-artwork.com

Facebook

He moves away from the window. Now that he’s inside, he must hurry. The desiccation of the tops of his ears has one disadvantage. Sounds from above are not as clear as they used to be unless he lifts his head. He steps silently across the hardwood floor to the door. There’s no sound of Propers nearby. He pushes open the door and peers in. To the left of him is a stairway leading up. As he climbs the stairs he hears voices. Halfway up he listens.

“That murderous Sir Ganbold,” a man says with a hiss. “I thought he fled.”

“This is treachery,” another man says. “Sir Olaf is right to send messengers to the giants, dwarves, and quarter moons. They owe it to us to help defeat that betrayer.”

“And we welcomed him and his family,” another man says.

“Imagine how many of Ganbold’s men one arrow from a giant’s bow can gut,” a man with a snarly voice says and laughs.

“Dwarves will cut out their groins while quarter moons will slip into their campsite at night and slit their throats.”

“I also heard Sir Olaf wants to hurry diverting the Tyne River so the new palace will be surrounded by a moat.”

He realizes these are castle staff with obviously minimal military training.  But they understand the skills of each of the races. A giant with a bow or spear had distance advantage. The dwarves they talk about are the ones that came from the mating of giants and dwarves.  Those ones, with their hardy shields would be near indestructible. And his people, the quarter moons, as the Propers call them, are renown for stealth.

The diversion of the Tyne River has been a concern for the Sifs ever since the now deceased king, King Leopold Khalifa, started construction on a new palace. He wonders how many faie will be affected by this diversion. The wildlife might survive by finding new homes elsewhere but many faie he had heard, were attached lifelong to an area of land or water.

He lets out a breath. His people are renown for showing outward disdain towards the giants and dwarves along with the Propers. The Propers believe that the Sifs are arrogant and miserly. They capture any of his people found outside what the Propers call the Kingdom of Snowdropbogbean. The more vicious soldiers often rape the females and cut off the toes of the males.

His own people don’t believe the Sifs are limited to any one land. But his people are naturally full of hubris. That could make for a dangerous situation. But what he’s most interested in, and wonders the most about, is who the castle men aren’t talking about. Sir Olaf is calling upon the giants, dwarves, and Sifs, but not Sir Olafès own northern countrymen.

He needs to get to his own people and tell the elders that an alliance is excepted between the Sifs and Sir Ganbold’s people. And that negotiating a treaty with the giants and dwarves would be wise.

People I Follow

fantasy_art_z

She is the artist who did the cover for BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone and fine tuned the cover of BARD: Owner of the Gemstone

I highly recommend her for book, album, card, etc. covers

BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone
BARD: Owner of the Gemstone: Book2: Fantasy Fiction

Note: these book will be available again in April