by Martin Gibbs
A well-known inn in Vronga held host to a raucous group of players. There were two sutan players, one five and one ten-string. Two drummers played on an assortment of skins—hollowed-out buckets with animal skins stretched over them. Some were very deep and others were narrow. One drummer played the skins with bare hands, while the other bashed away at his set with short balsam sticks. Each sutan was specially built to produce the maximum amount of sound possible. Also, the players positioned themselves strategically in the great room so that the sound would be amplified as much as possible. Those who heard them spoke of a ringing in the ears days after. But these same folk would see them time and time again, for they played with such energy and ferociousness, it made the long winters more bearable. Songs were sometimes screamed, while the sutan players’ fingers flew over the frets, playing a blistering array of alternating melodies and straight cords. The drummers were a blur as their hands flew over the skins.
Temple of M’Hzrut, The (mǝz’ruːt): A Holy Temple that sits atop a disturbance between the underworld of the demons and the waking world. Guarded by three Protectors and some serving staff, the small temple is often thought of as a symbol rather than a physical presence that guards the world.
Torplug (tʊə’plug). A skilled mage, without a horse, who is rescued by Qainur and Zhy. He is a small-man and has a quick trigger-finger with the magical spells. His reasons for traveling north are never quite made clear.
Zhyfrael Lynnheard (Zhy) (zaɪ’freɘl linn’herd; zaɪ). A drunken, disheveled lout, who agrees to go on a long journey with a strange mercenary, Qainur. Though his journeys will take him farther away from booze, he will struggle with the journey and with being a third wheel to Torplug and Qainur.
Zor’Tarak (zʊər’tɒr’rɒk): A thick, syrupy liqueur, distilled from a combination of berries and other, more dangerous ingredients. In Belden and far eastern Welcfer, the drink was appreciated for its sweet, tangy, and refreshing alternative to ale and wine, but only for those who have a built-up immunity or the criminally insane. But it is feared for its mind-altering and potentially devastating side effects. It was sometimes used at special occasions or drunk as part of contests between rich young men.
Artisans made the drink using varying combinations of the berries, yet each includes an extract from the plant known as pliyote in the north and darkdreams in the south. In varying degrees, this ingredient has a powerful effect on the brain and can make one feel ten feet tall, convince them they can fly, or even ignite primal rage. Thus, the sale of the beverage is restricted, and its price is beyond that of the common folk.
Table of Contents
Map
Part I
Chapter 1 — Points of No Return
Chapter 2 — Sparks and Shards
Chapter 3 — Three on a Match
Chapter 4 — Lessons of the Dawn
Chapter 5 — Vronga
Part II
Chapter 6 — Bimb’s Tale
Chapter 7 — Tunnels of Woe
Chapter 8 — From the Dark
Chapter 9 — Dumb Luck
Chapter 10 — Follower
Chapter 11 — No Rest
Chapter 12 — Deep Down Below
Chapter 13 — Reldan’s Perils
Chapter 14 — Demons Among Us
Chapter 15 — Stalking the Spires
Chapter 16 — Labrador Tea
Chapter 17 — Longing and Lamentations
Chapter 18 — Strange Dreams
Chapter 19 — Passing into the Void
Chapter 20 — The Snows Continue
Chapter 21 — A Wet Fire
Chapter 22 — Dawn
Part III
Chapter 23 — Revenge?
Chapter 24 — A Fatuous Path
Chapter 25 — Stunned Silence
Chapter 26 — Worn Threads of Sanity
Chapter 27 — From the Dark ... Back into the Dark
Chapter 28 — That Which is Unknown
Chapter 29 — Ascendance
Chapter 30 — The Temple of M’Hzrut
Chapter 31 — Descent
Chapter 32 — Dawn at Dusk
Chapter 33 — A Knife in the Heart
Chapter 34 — Conqueror?
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Bonus Material – Prologue and First Chapters of Dead Spaces – Part II of A Drunkard’s Journey
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Prologue
Part I
Chapter 1 – A Swirling in the Inner Depths
Chapter 2 – A Voice Out of Nowhere
Chapter 3 – An Abandoned Farm
Glossary
