Fantasy Fiction

Interview with Indie author Darren Joy about his Dark Epic Fantasy book A Viral Imperium

A Viral Imperium Book one of the Plagueborn series

– Adult content –

A Gathering of Mourners

Once he catches up Madame Swan, he bows his head, “Madame Swan.”

He tries not to stare as her breasts bounce up and down along with the blue amethyst between them.

“Why Sir Oliver, it is a pleasure to see you again and it’s been so long,” she says sweetly. “I’m surprised you recognize me.”

“Always,” he replies. He blatantly stares at her comrade.

Without waiting, the hooded figure with the bow swerves her horse so that they ride side-by-side at a slow trot so Madame Swan can move ahead.

“It’s dangerous for you to be here,” he says through gritted teeth.

“I have my brother and uncle to protect me,” Endellion says with haughty charm.

“And your purpose?”

“I told Madame Swan of our plan. She mentioned a certain someone who might do. So, I’ve come to meet that person.”

“Who?” he asks curtly.

“A girl.” She replies seductively.

He can’t see her smile because of her lowered cowl but the tone of her voice tells him she is. “One of the granddaughters?”

“You need a student, and I need that to be someone I can trust,” she says before gently heeling her destrier to catch up with Madame Swan.

Once she’s gone, Sir Afamefuna rides up beside him.

“Heated conversation?” Sir Afamefuna asks with an edge to his voice.

“No, just chit-chat,” he replies.

“I’d like a word, in private,” Sir Afamefuna says, and although polite, it’s more a command.

He nudges Alberta towards an opening in a copse of trees. Sir Afamefuna follows him. In a small opening they dismount. To his dismay Sir Afamefuna draws his short sword part way out of its sheath. He licks his lips and inhales as he stares eye-to-eye with the man who taught him how to fight with a sword and javelin from a horse. Who also taught him how to shoot an arrow while running and from a galloping horse. For now, he keeps his hands at his sides.

Check out my Interview with Darren Joy, author of the dark epic fantasy “A Viral Imperium”

Interview with Indie author Darren Joy about his dark epic fantasy novel A Viral Imperium

The long awaited interview with Indie author Darren Joy is finally here. Joy has written a fantastic epic dark fantasy series called the Plagueborn. This interview discusses the first book in the series, A Viral Imperium.

I was honored to be able to read his books before they were published. As both a reader and author of fantasy novels I was thrilled to read something original and that clenched my attention throughout. ENJOY!

Darren Joy can be reached at darrenjoy.com

Swords with Souls (FF): A Gathering of Mourners B43

A Gathering of Mourners

(Swords with Souls)

Fantasy Fiction

By Dan Watt

– Adult content –

A Gathering of Mourners

The sun is just going down as Sir Oliver rides on Alberta towards the Ostrowski household with his uncle. He sees others riding down the same laneway. Like his uncle and himself, they all either have thick woolen capes with hoods on, or blankets rolled and tied behind their saddles. The glassblower, Ippakness, whose mother, Tallulah, claims she saved him from his father’s people, the giants who first brought Ippakness’s people over the ocean as slaves and food. She said she escaped with baby Ippakness over the Westerly Mountains. This was the story Tallulah told everyone when they first arrived and no one believed her.

After seeing the giant with the double set of teeth in the cave at the hidden farm, he is more inclined to believe her now. Ippakness is getting on in age. Yet his tied back hair is a mix of black and shimmering red. His face, with its high cheekbones, is still as flawless as ever. The visor of his hunting hat is pulled low to keep the sun from his sensitive blue eyes with their specks of brown.

Just behind Ippakness is Madame Swan riding her Cleveland Bay mare, Fylste. Beside her is a female figure on a thoroughbred, wearing a blue cloak with the cowl covering her head. Tassels of red hair flicker in the wind. The female has a bow over her left shoulder and a short sword dangling from a cotton belt. He snorts. It would seem his forced upon sister is here.

Behind Madame Swan is Sir Afamefuna and his lovely wife Lady Marigold, a fitting name for the golden hew the sun gives her normally straw coloured hair. They are both dressed in finery. Sir Afamefuna rides upon the notorious Akhal-Teke stallion, Egharevba. Egharevba’s short hairs shine golden in the sun. Meanwhile, Lady Marigold is chattering at her husband as she rides on her pony, Elva.

Coming up last is the carnival, led by Haashir sitting at the front of a covered wagon beside a hooded figure. Up ahead is his giant bodyguard, Jedreck, riding a horse of immense size next to the six pulling horses.

Upon seeing Jedreck, he remembers that he needs to get close enough to the giant to look in his mouth.

“Excuse me,” he says to his uncle and presses his heels lightly against Alberta’s barrel.

This will be my last post until after the New Year

I highly recommend you check out Darren Joy’s Plagueborn series you can see more by clicking his name above or going to Darrenjoy.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Be Safe, Positive, and remember to Enjoy Life!

Swords with Souls: Delivering Sad News B42

Delivering Sad News

(Swords with Souls)

Fantasy Fiction

By Dan Watt

Isabelle Mymble MacKenzie

– Adult content –

Sir Oliver’s fiefdom is immaculate. As Aminah trots down a hill towards the royal guard’s land, she sees patches of crops divided by woodlots and surrounding hedges. Near the woodlots are thatched roof homes. A narrow river runs through its centre. Half way down the visible farmland is a waterwheel connected to a tall building with a stone foundation and wooden walls. She believes it must be a grinding mill. Far too the west she sees the Black Forest and still visible in the midday light, the Westerly Mountain Range. Before today she had only ever ridden past the fiefdom with her grandparents.

She comes to a gate that from a distance looks like a section of a driftwood fence. Strands of Firethorn grow along the boards. Bees dart in and around the tiny orange berries. The gate is hinged to a newly stained black walnut guardhouse. It has a wide porch in front with a wicker chair and a table made of faded cedar under an overhang. Inside the guardhouse she can just see a large cow bell and spear. A short sturdy man with long grey hair tied back steps out of the guard house. He has a jovial face and welcoming brown eyes. The man wears an apron over a cotton shirt and dark blue pants. He has no footwear on. The bronze short sword attached to the belt that holds up his pants is simply crafted, as is the hunter knife on the other side of his belt.

“Sir Oliver?” she asks respectfully.

“No, mam,” the man replies with a laugh. “Just his poor old papa, Aluuin.” He givers her a calculating stare. “Seen you at the markets, haven’t I?”

She peers at his face. “Yes,” she replies, “but I didn’t know who you were.”

“What can I do for you lass?”

She shudders than inhales deeply. Don’t cry, she chastises herself. “My grandpa passed,” she manages to get out.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” he says and rubs his stubbled chin thoughtfully. “The giant–,” he starts to say than catches himself, “The really tall man? Stian Ostrowski, is it?”

“That’s him.”

“My brother is very fond of him.”

“Crimmthan?”

“Yes.”

“Will you pass on the message to him? The funeral is in two days.”

“I will. Do you want to come to the house? Isal has made some delicious apple and blueberry pies.” His eyebrows lift encouragingly.

“No. But thank you. I must get back.” She glances at the sky.

“My youngest is home. He could ride with you as protection.”

She tries not to scoff, realizing he means well. But she also needs a husband. “Another time. Thank you so much.”

“Ride safe lass,” he says with a grin.

As Aminah takes her towards home, she realizes what a kind man Aluuin is. If the son is anything like him or Crimmthan, he would make a good match. But would she be able to control him?

And what about Sir Oisin? She needed to stop thinking about him. It’s unlikely he would even consider marrying her, or anyone else.

Recommended (people I would like to collaborate with)

Website

Penglish Literature interview with Darren Joy, author of the Plagueborn series

#authorinterview #authorinterviews #authorlife #authorcommunity #writersofinstagrám #authorsofinstagram #writingcommunity #booklovers #bookcommunity #fantasyreaders #darkfantasy #epicfantasybooks

Swords with Souls: “Delivering Sad News” (Medieval Fiction) B41

Delivering Sad News

(Swords with Souls)

Fantasy Fiction

By Dan Watt

Laura Suen CEO of Fire and Steel on her experience with the Dragon’s Den

– Adult content –

When Madame Swan answers the back door, Lara finds herself shaking and unable to talk.

Madame Swan is standing before her in a blue dress that exposes her ample bosom and flows seductively over her wide hips all the way to the floor. A blue amethyst on a beaded necklace rests perfectly in the centre of her cleavage. But her worried expression draws Lara’s tear-filled eyes up when she asks, “What’s wrong Dove?”

“My grandfather,” she manages to say.

“Yes,” Madame Swan says encouragingly.

“Has passed.”

“Oh, no!” Madame Swan says pulling her into a strong embrace. “I’m so sorry. So, so sorry. He was such a gentleman.”

Lara turns her face to the side. “Will you pass the word on to those who should know? The funeral will be in two days.”

Madame Swan holds her at arms length. “I will Sweetie.” Madame Swan kisses her forehead, “Now you get back home before the sun gets drowsy and look after your lovely grandmother.”

“I will,” she promises.

She hates showing weakness, and angrily wipes the tears away as Aminah gallops towards her final stop before going home.

Honorable Mention

Laura Suen at the 2018 Kitchener Comic Con

Swords with Souls: Delivering Sad News B40

Delivering Sad News

(Swords with Souls)

Fantasy Fiction

By Dan Watt

– Adult content

The waiting girls are all chattering. “I’ve been with him twice,” now one gloats. “I didn’t want to say, but so have I,” another says. “But you shared him with another girl, so does that really count?” A frustrated girl reminds the second speaker. “I loved the way he licked his finger and used it to trace from my lower lip down,” says one with a gloating smirk. “He sang to me,” one more chirps out.

She can see the nipples of the women through their shirts and an aroused swelling down below. All of their faces are flush. As she feels her own arousal swell, she feels embarrassed. Do men get like this she wonders? All hot and bothered simply because others are? And as much as she struggles to keep quiet, she wants to brag about her own experiences. She wants to shout out, well I seduced a baron then slit his throat. She clenches her teeth. That would get her and her family executed.

Inside the bar is crowded with women. She works her way to the bar where women with low cut dresses serve other women. “We don’t know when he’ll be back,” she hears one of the bartending girls say. “I heard he’s hunting Sir Ganbold down,” the bartender continues.

“Well, where are the other men?” the patron woman asks in a haughty tone.

“No men here,” the bartender replies.

Lara leans into one of the bartenders and says into her ear. “My grandfather passed and I need to tell certain people.”

“I’ll tell one of the workers,” the bartender says into her ear.

A moment later the bartender returns from a backroom behind double doors. “Come with me and–,” the bartender is saying when a male’s head with thick curly blond hair pokes out between the doors.

“We’re out of rum and almost out of–” the young man is saying when the room goes silent.

“What about him?” one of the patrons says.

“Yes, him until Sir Oisin returns,” others shout out.

“By the right hand of Prince William, get ye out here young man,” another demands.

She feels herself being pushed back as the women descend upon the young man. She sees him hold his hands up and give an awkward smile. A moment later she’s outside the tavern with more and more women trying to get in.

Exasperated, she hurries to Aminah and rides toward Madame Swan’s. She knows where the brothel is. Every few months she would travel with her grandmother to drop off perfumes and protective ointments. Always during the day when few patrons had time to satiate their sexual wants. They always went to the backdoor so as not to be confused with one of the working ladies.

People I follow

Posing_foxy

Swords with Souls: Delivering Sad News B39 (FF)

Delivering Sad News

(Swords with Souls)

Fantasy Fiction

By Dan Watt

https://www.facebook.com/KitchenerComicCon

– Adult content

Lara rides Aminah into the centre of Kingstown to the Hui Tavern. The three-storey building with its pagoda roof and walk around balconies on the first and second floor are unique. The roof and the overhangs are covered in red slate shingles while the walls are died yellow with images of different coloured dragons; except the east wall. When her grandparents brought her and her sister here as children, the owner of the tavern, Zhì Péng, told them about the creature painted on the east wall. He told them that the multifaced creature with the one mouth and two ears and body similar to a creature called a tiger is called Kaiming Shou.

When she walks inside, she sees numerous familiar drawings of buildings and landscapes that she imagines could only be from dreams. Beyond the filled maple benches and oak tables, she sees Chán Juān, Zhì Péng’s wife frying up trout over a stone oven. With a disarming smile she glances at the patrons sitting at the tables to see if there is anyone she should tell. She doesn’t see anyone, so when she sees Zhì Péng serving a table she takes him aside and asks him to pass on the word to those who should know.

Next, she rides to the Pimm Tavern. From a distance she can see a group of women gathered outside waiting to get into the three-storey building. The tall hawthorn hedge that surrounds three-quarters of the building gives it a sense of seclusion from the other nearby shops and apartments. It has yellow painted walls with chocolate brown painted windowsills and shutters. A sign over the door shows the outline of three people dancing. She ties Aminah loosely to a rail beside a few other horses.

Tina Guo (feat. Voodoo KungFu) The Water Phoenix

November 2nd and 3rd

Swords with Souls (original story) B38

Two Days Late So Far…

(Swords with Souls)

Fantasy Fiction

By Dan Watt