by Martha Carr
The Kilomea missed Louie's neck and thought better of it, lunging for the bag still sitting by the bar, a grin returning to his face, large fangs protruding from his mouth.
Bring the flat side down at an angle to his head.
Louie swung, putting all his weight behind it, smashing the Kilomea in the head while he was still bent over. The oversized beast crumpled against the bar, letting out a warm, stale breath of air and rolled backward onto the floor.
"I think he's out." Ronnie picked up a bar stool and nudged him with one of the legs. He let out a soft groan but otherwise didn't move. "Not so bad when they're unconscious."
"Yeah, I don't think that's gonna last long. Come on, we better get out of here."
"Not that way!" yelled the bartender. "His thug friends will be waiting for you out there. Follow me." The bartender lifted a section of the bar and headed for a small room in the back, tossing aside a rug to reveal a hatch in the floor. "Place like this needs an exit strategy, if you know what I mean. Nice sword play. Don't suppose you'd want to trade with it?" The bartender reached up to touch the sword and was sparked with a snap and crackle of electricity.
Louie smiled, opening the hatch and helping Ronnie down into the tunnel. He jumped in after him and tossed the bartender another gold coin. "Thanks for your help."
"Sure... don't like to see those Kilomeas make barbeque out of just anybody. Where'd you find that thing? Never known an artifact to spark like that. That's what it is, isn't it?" He gave Louie a sly look but didn't wait for an answer as he closed the hatch, covered it back over and went back to drying glasses behind the bar, waiting for the next customer and the Kilomea to regain consciousness. "Just another day at the office." He whistled a tune he'd heard the other day and smiled as the potted fern swayed in time with him.
Louie and Ronnie quickly made their way underground, directly under the feet of the behemoths waiting for them outside. The exit to the tunnel was far enough into the Dark Forest where no one could see them exit and it wasn't long before Louie was back in his own cabin, safe and sound and had deposited Ronnie in his favorite tree to sleep in a hammock high off the ground. He preferred it on any day that wasn't raining.
Louie went into the cabin and dropped the bag of artifacts, stripping down to his waist and picking up the sword. He was going to have to head back to the other world soon, before he was missed long enough to really piss someone off. But before he went, he was determined to test out the sword some more. He swung the sword over his head, admiring how well balanced the handle was in his hands.
To the right... crouch down. Turn behind you. Bring the blade up.
The sword was speaking to him, telling him what to do again. Swing hard to the left, steady your feet.
He listened to each command, practicing, wanting to see if he could keep up, the muscles rippling in his back. It came to him easily, naturally. He stopped, resting the tip of the wide sword on the floor, breathing hard.
Join forces.
"What?" He picked up his shirt and wiped the sweat off his face, still holding on to the handle of the sword.
Join forces with her. Align with Leira Berens. Fight by her side in the coming battles.
Louie felt a cold sliver of energy pass through him, chilling him to the bone as he picked up his shirt and put it back on. "Time to go back to Earth. Apparently, I'm needed there."
FINIS
Author Notes - Martha Carr
Written February 25, 2018
I think I’m finally getting a handle on this marketing thing. I say that knowing full well it’s already got an expiration date on it and everything will change by the time you’ve read this. I’ll be pushing buttons, and fixing glitches a week from now on some new googaw, like I was for most of last week (okay, and a little bit today – figured out how to set up giveaways, so there’s A LOT of contests in our future. I’m even going to figure out how to get Yumfuck printed on a sun visor for a car for one of the prize packages. That’s just too much fun to ignore). Anyway, for now, I’m rocking and rolling. I’ll take it and enjoy it while I’ve got it.
That’s the business these days, maybe every business. Things change rapidly, and it takes a certain amount of courage to plunge ahead knowing full well I’m flying blind for the most part. Armed with a pretty good bullshit detector (honed through paying enough of the wrong people a lot of money over the years), I’ve learned to listen to that inner voice a lot faster that says when to stay put or when to run.
Besides that, I’ve been lucky enough to surround myself with really talented, creative, fun people like Michael Anderle and Craig Martelle, who are more like brothers to me at this point. Or Stephen Campbell, the Zen Master who quietly keeps all the plates spinning behind the scenes. That makes the long hours a lot more fun. Well, that and talking to all of you on the Fan Groups. (Everyone out there joined the Peabrain Society yet?)
Truth is, I wouldn’t have this life any other way and this past week, I got a nice payoff that showed me exactly why. The Offspring, Louie Carr, is taking his swing at bat and is starting his own venture, Own Path Media Group, managing musical acts and he’s already got 3 clients! When I listen to him talk about this turn his life is taking, I remember all the times I was struggling to get ahead and sitting next to me was a small Louie, watching my every move.
There was a long stretch of road where there weren’t many cheerleaders in my corner but it never occurred to me to give up or slow down and I made progress till I found the right team, and then connected with all of you, the FANS. Louie has that inner belief burning brightly in him too and it’s giving him the strength to just say yes to his dreams. That’s my payoff.
Hopefully, my grandchildren will see all this as second nature. Of course, you do what you love. Of course, you keep going until all the pieces fit. Of course, you will eventually succeed. (No, I don’t have any grandchildren, yet…) I’m telling you, these days I’m winning on all fronts because in the end it’s the connections we make and the people we love and the legacy we leave them with that matters. And on that score, I am very grateful to all of you, the Fans, to LMBPN and all the faces that are wrapped up in that, and to Louie for getting out there and lighting up the world with his gifts. Here we go everyone…
More adventures to follow.
Martha
Author Notes - Michael Anderle
Written February 26, 2018
First, THANK YOU so much for not only reading ALL of our stories in this series, but through to our author notes, as well!
Like Martha, I’m soooooo freaking blessed to be provided the opportunity to provide stories for you, and others like you that like our brand of characters.
Our people, so to speak.
One of my “cool moments” just happened to me about 1 hour ago and I really want to share it with you. For those who read The Kurtherian Gambit, you know the character Nathan Lowell which is in book one, and keeps going into multiple series at one point.
I’ve mentioned either in other author notes, or maybe on a podcast, that Nathan Lowell is named after an author that I like.
Nathan Lowell (the author) wrote the Ishmael Wong stories that start with Quarter-Share (Traders Tales from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper - https://www.amazon.com/Quarter-Share-Traders-Golden-Clipper-ebook/dp/B00AMO7VM4/ ).
So, I’m hanging in the back of this author conference today, and this older gentleman (suit mind you, grey beard, VERY awesome and completely makes me feel underdressed (because I am…wait, I have on shirt and pants, so underdressed as in very casual.) Anyway, dressing aside, this very polite man waits while a couple of other authors ask me some questions.
When everyone is done, he turns and I notice his name tag says ‘Nate’… I got nothing (all names and faces escape me until I’ve seen people for a lot of times.) So, he introduces himself as NATHAN LOWELL.
I had a fanboy moment (did not squeal). He put out his hand to shake and I might have shocked him by hugging him and being so enthusiastic…
I answered his question from his fan if my Nathan Lowell was named after him and I confirmed CERTAINLY… I needed a name and I loved his work. Plus, I never expected to become so successful as a writer, (I was a little embarrassed at this point) and I had to admit I riffed off his name for my character.
I think I’m blushing just writing these notes.
Either way, it is SUCH a cool moment for me to meet one of the writers I’ve admired for at least 7 years or longer. I can’t wait to admit to my kids that I’ve met THE Nathan Lowell.
Fucking hell, this is so cool!
Ok, I’ll come off my author high now and agree with Martha that we (authors) are so damned blessed to know that we have provided some bright spots in your life.
Let us know on Facebook, or reviews (you are reviewing at least for Yumfuck, right?) how we make you feel in these stories, and know that Martha (and myself) will be traveling more in the next 12 to 18 months.
Hopefully, we will come to an area near you.
Ad Aeternitatem,
Michael Anderle
Want more?
Join the email list here:
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The email list will be a way to share upcoming news and let you know about giveaways and other fun stuff. The Facebook group is a way for us to connect faster – in other words, a chat, plus a way to share new spy tools, ways to keep your information safe, and other cool information and stories. Plus, from time to time I’ll share other great indie authors’ upcoming worlds of magic and adventure. Signing up for the email list is an easy way to ensure you receive all of the big news and make sure you don’t miss any major releases or updates.
Enjoy the new adventure!
Martha Carr and Michael Anderle 2018
Martha Carr Social
Website: http://www.marthacarr.com
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Michael Anderle Social
Website: http://kurtherianbooks.com/
Email List: http://kurtherianbooks.com/email-list/
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Books by Martha Carr
The Revelations of Oriceran
The Leira Chronicles
* with Michael Anderle *
Waking Magic (1)
Release of Magic (2)
Protection of Magic (3)
Rule of Magic (4)
Dealing in Magic (5)
Theft of Magic (6)
Enemies of Magic (7)
The Kacy Chronicles
* with A.L. Knorr *
Descendant (1)
Ascendant (2)
Combatant (3)
The Soul Stone Mage Series
* with Sarah Noffke *
House of Enchanted (1)
The Dark Forest (2)
Mountain of Truth (3)
Land of Terran (4)
New Egypt (5)
Lancothy (6)
The Midwest Magic Chronicles
* with Flint Maxwell *
The Midwest Witch (1)
The Midwest Wanderer (2)
The Midwest Whisperer (3)
The Midwest War (4)
The Fairhaven Chronicles
* with S.M. Boyce *
Glow (1)
Shimmer (2)
Ember (3)
Nightfall (4)
Books by Michael Anderle
For a complete list of Kurtherian Gambit Universe
books please click this link.
Kurtherian Gambit Series Titles Include:
First Arc
Death Becomes Her (01) - Queen Bitch (02) - Love Lost (03) - Bite This (04)
Never Forsaken (05) - Under My Heel (06) - Kneel Or Die (07)
Second Arc
We Will Build (08) - It’s Hell To Choose (09) - Release The Dogs of War (10)
Sued For Peace (11) - We Have Contact (12) - My Ride is a Bitch (13)
Don’t Cross This Line (14)
Third Arc
Never Submit (15) - Never Surrender (16) - Forever Defend (17)
Might Makes Right (18) - Ahead Full (19) - Capture Death (20)
Life Goes On (21)
The Second Dark Ages
The Dark Messiah (01)
The Darkest Night (02)
Darkest Before The Dawn (03)
*with Ell Leigh Clarke*
Dawn Arrives (04)
*with Ell Leigh Clarke*
The Boris Chronicles
* With Paul C. Middleton *
Evacuation (01)
Retaliation (02)
Revelations (03)
Redemption (04)
Reclaiming Honor
* With JUSTIN SLOAN *
Justice Is Calling (01)
Claimed By Honor (02)
Judgement Has Fallen (03)
Angel of Reckoning (04)
Born Into Flames (05)
Defending The Lost (06)
Saved By Valor (07)
Return of Victory (08)
The Etheric Academy
* With TS PAUL *
ALPHA CLASS (01)
ALPHA CLASS - Engineering (02)
Terry Henry “TH” Walton Chronicles
* With CRAIG MARTELLE *
Nomad Found (01)
Nomad Redeemed (02)
Nomad Unleashed (03)
Nomad Supreme (04)
Nomad’s Fury (05)
Nomad’s Justice (06)
Nomad Avenged (07)
Nomad Mortis (08)
Nomad’s Force (09)
Nomad’s Galaxy (10)
Trials and Tribulations
* With Natalie Grey *
Risk Be Damned (01)
Damned to Hell (02)
The Age of Magic
The Rise of Magic
* With CM Raymond / LE Barbant *
Restriction (01)
Reawakening (02)
Rebellion (03)
Revolution (04)
Unlawful Passage (05)
Darkness Rises (06)
The Gods Beneath (07)
Reborn (08)
The Hidden Magic Chronicles
* With Justin Sloan *
Shades of Light (01)
Shades of Dark (02)
Shades of Glory (03)
Shades of Justice (04)
Storms of Magic
*With PT Hylton*
Storm Raiders (01)
Storm Callers (02)
Storm Breakers (03)
Storm Warrior (04)
Tales of the Feisty Druid
*With Candy Crum*
The Arcadian Druid (01)
The Undying Illusionist (02)
The Frozen Wasteland (03)
The Deceiver (04)
The Lost (05)
The Damned (06)
Path of Heroes
*With Brandon Barr*
Rogue Mage (01)
A New Dawn
*With Amy Hopkins*
Dawn of Destiny (01)
Dawn of Darkness (02)
Dawn of Deliverance (03)
Dawn of Days (04)
Tales Of The Wellspring Knight
*With P.J. Cherubino*
Knight’s Creed (01)
The Age of Expansion
The Ascension Myth
* With Ell Leigh Clarke *
Awakened (01)
Activated (02)
Called (03)
Sanctioned (04)
Rebirth (05)
Retribution (06)
Cloaked (07)
Bourne (08)
Confessions of a Space Anthropologist
* With Ell Leigh Clarke *
Giles Kurns: Rogue Operator (01)
Giles Kur
ns: Rogue Instigator (02)
The Uprise Saga
* With Amy DuBoff *
Covert Talents (01)
Endless Advance (02)
Veiled Designs (03)
Dark Rivals (04)
Bad Company
* With Craig Martelle*
The Bad Company (01)
Blockade (02)
Price of Freedom (03)
The Ghost Squadron
* With Sarah Noffke*
Formation (01)
Exploration (02)
Evolution (03)
Degeneration (04)
Impersonation (05)
Valerie’s Elites
* With Justin Sloan and PT Hylton *
Valerie’s Elites (01)
Death Defied (02)
Prime Enforcer (03)
Shadow Vanguard
* With Tom Dublin*
Gravity Storm (01)
Etheric Adventures: Anne and Jinx
*With S.R. Russell*
Etheric Recruit
Etheric Researcher
Other Books
Gateway to the Universe
*With Craig Martelle & Justin Sloan*
The Revelations of Oriceran
The Leira Chronicles
*With Martha Carr*
Waking Magic (1)
Release of Magic (2)
