The conversation with matriarch Aronya was not very exhilarating. She did not appreciate her brother behaving improperly for the likes of his rank. And because she held Arayon personally accountable for the events in the Draq'enar, he got to hear some awful lot from her. He was lucky that she was his cousin. One out of two reasons saving him from major punishment procedures. Besides, there were far more pressing issues to discuss, which is why she refrained from consequences.

The Blood Moon is ripe upon us and the hunters hear the call. The beast within yearns to break free and chase and prey and lust. My prey though hides within the trees of ancient down the river. I shall avenge this missed hunt for her so rare compliance. And she will beg for retribution, don’t deny it. Though every time she flees.

It was the festival of the blood moon. A sacred holiday in honour of the great maple goddess, celebrated when the second of three moons that graced Gardyan’s nightly sky was seen in full state. This was only the case once a year and when it happened, unbridled instincts drove the children of the world maple. Their blood boiled under the oath their creator had once sworn. Her flesh would turn to wood, her fiery red hair to ruby maple leaves, so that she could forever watch ove

Most men in Rayan’s military chose the Order of the Blood Blade—a fierce and mighty warrior clan within the caste of Raji’Draq consisting of skilled dragon riders and blood knights. Radu was not one of them. He joined the Order of the Raven Blade, the ancient House of the Raji’Rav. Its members were well-versed in the art of assassination tactics. Like rogues, they acted from within the shadows and pursued their targets just as persistently. Coal-black hair was considered thei

Heavy- sweet smelling clouds of perfume clung to every shrub and tree they’d passed on their way to the provincial border. They did not come here often. For the tavern in which they usually received their suitors was a generous distance away from Nathum’s settlements—secluded, near a weather-beaten hiking path, which was only used by those who knew what they were looking for. A few hours of fun, conviviality, secret information, sometimes just an open ear. It was a place to g