The Grand Game

Like the tree itself, the prisoner was riddled with seaworms—thousands of them. But thankfully, they were all dormant, which likely explained why the wolf was only awakening…

“You can’t be one of Dathe’s!” I nodded. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.” Spinning on his heel, Anriq paced across the grove, the waist-deep…

I didn’t stay under long. When I judged myself a safe distance from the coral hag, I resurfaced. “There he is!” Three sea witches were directly ahead…

“Stop!” The command rang across the grove, harsh and demanding, and in response, the hag I was charging lowered her hands. For a split second, I contemplated…

Wood creaked and broke, causing my foot to plunge through the stairs more than once. I didn’t let it slow me down. Each time, I caught myself…

It took me two hours to reach the forest grove. Although the swamp teemed with life—mostly insects and creatures too small to pose a threat—there were a…

In the wake of the near miss, my heart pounded furiously, and my adrenaline surged. That was too close, I thought. Staying under, I waited for my…

I stopped when the street I was following south through the plague quarter came to an abrupt end. I’d reached the saltmarsh district. Before me was the…

I awoke early the next morning and, without delay, exited the room. I had an entire ‘free’ day before I left for the valley, and I intended…