the grand game

“That’s enough talk of criminals for now,” Kesh interjected. “Back to business.” She looked at me. “You’re ready to leave?” “Almost,” I promised. “I need to replenish…

The casual invite to Anriq had been a test, of course. I couldn’t deceive him with lies nor bind him by magic, which left only one option:…

The day was still young—barely noon—when Anriq and I exited the saltmarsh district. It was also the busiest time of day in the plague quarter, and more…

I awoke slowly. My gaze was cloudy, and everything was hazy. Blinking rapidly, I waited until my eyes cleared before studying my surroundings. Murky water, rotting wood,…

“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…

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…

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…