Tachartasan Seachdaineil

Welcome once again to the week’s happenings.

It was a rough week at work. Trouble seemed to follow me like a blind duck flying in the wind.

Despite all the trouble at work, I completed two chapters in The Draoidh’s Return.

My next novel, The Draoidh’s Fall, is still on track for an August release. I’ll let you know as soon as it arrives on my preferred storefronts.

On the Royal Road front, the next chapter is slated to be released next week.

If you’d rather read ahead, you can. Members of the Citizen tier on Patreon receive each chapter before it appears on Royal Road. https://www.patreon.com/cw/JosephLWiesscreatingworlds at the citizen’s tier.

On the Patreon side of things, the newest lore pages have been released. This week, we covered The People of the Stone, The Goddess Nikal, The Nighean-Chait, and Spell Blades.

Below, you will find the latest Work in progress from The Draoidh’s Return.

Meron braced himself with one knee as he stared down from the hilltop at the grove below. From where he was, he could tell that the trees were dying. As he watched, the remaining tree in what once been a walled in garden turned first brown, then black, then disappeared into a sprinkling of wood dust.

“Well, now we know to who the mansion in Eola belongs,” he whispered, drawing his cloak around him as he searched the rest of the area. “It looks like they are planning to move.”

At his side, the Suffron peered down at the solitary houses. You said we could feed.

Meron nodded and gestured to a house set apart from the rest, almost as if the occupants wanted to be left alone. “When you are done, I’d like to return to the barrow.” He might as well have been talking to himself, as the Suffron stretched out toward the house.

In seconds, he was inside and Meron could hear the screams from within the house, leading up to deathly silence as the hive-mind fed.

When the Suffron reappeared at his side, Meron hid his shudder. He couldn’t help but wonder how the Suffron fed, but he in no way wanted to witness it firsthand.

Thank you for the meal, Treacherous magus. The Suffron said as it wrapped itself around him in preparation for travel. It wasn’t filling, but it does tide one over.

Meron drew in a slow breath. Just get it over with.

Again, there was the curious feeling of being outside of time and space, the absolute cold of a land that had never felt the warmth of the sun, and finally the return of warmth as the Suffron and Meron materialized back in the barrow.

The magus held still as the Suffron pulled away from him and returned to its nest, where it fed its newest spawn.

Banishing the chill left behind by the hive-mind creature, Meron turned and left the feeding chamber.

Upon returning to the chamber he shared with his household, Meron walked over to the twisted green crystal growing from the wall and placed his right hand on it. “Brigid.”

There was silence for a few seconds, then the crystal blurred. When it cleared, the sorceress turned priestess was staring at him. “What is it Meron?”

“Tell Indigo to be careful.”

Brigid’s eyes narrowed and a suspicious look crossed her face. “Why?”

I wonder how she will react? Meron looked into Brigid’s eyes and calmly said, “Rhyslin’s mansion has disappeared from Oak Grove and I believe it is now near Eola.”

Brigid gasped, her hand dropping to her belly. “Mac Draoidheachd? Here?” Her expression bounced between shock, fear, and surprise. “Are you sure?”

“Relatively,” Meron replied. “If he is, it is imperative that you keep a low profile.”

The sorceress nodded wordlessly as she stared at the Magus. “As you say, Meron. Do you think he knows?”

Meron shook his head. “No. I don’t know why he is there, but I do not believe he came there for you and Indigo.”

As the shock disappeared from her face, Brigid nodded. “Be safe, Meron. Let us know if you need anything.”

“I will,” the Magus replied, then faded from sight as he turned from the twisted crystal.

As always, may the road rise to meet your feet and may you be safe in all the dark places of the world.

Joseph L Wiess