grandgame

Grand Game 293: Back Home

The four wolves came to a stop in a half-circle around me, their minds shuttered and their gazes inscrutable.

My legs suddenly shaky, I drew to a halt and knelt in the snow. “It is good to see you again,” I said, unable to help the wide grin that split my face. “I’d begun to fear…” Emotion choked my throat, and I started again. “I thought I would never return, that the pack was lost to me forever.”

Aira stepped forward while the others hung back.

Lowering her...

Grand Game 292: A Daring Proposition

“What bargain did Loken strike with the Marauders?” I asked.

“What makes you think there is one?” the envoy asked, her composure in place once more.

I snorted. “I know Loken. Whatever ploy he has to get control of this sector—and more importantly, Erebus’ dungeons—it will not be his only stratagem. He will have a backup plan, and I’m guessing it’s tied to the Marauders’ strategy for taking over the valley.”

I gestured to her. “By your own a...

Grand Game 291: Players

Oursk pushed our small company hard, taking us farther east and higher up into the mountains. I didn’t try questioning him or any of the other wolves again but kept my senses trained for danger and urged the twins to do likewise.

As we headed deeper into the mountains, we crossed the snow line, and the temperature plummeted. During my time on the tundra, I had endured much worse and barely felt the cold. Not so the twins. But despite their chattering teeth and shivering limbs, they re...

Grand Game 290: Delivery

The wolves and the twins exited the lair an hour later.

The wolves looked sated, and the twins were covered in blood, filth, and offal. I hide a smile. Sometimes, it was nice having minions to do the dirty work. Especially two motivated minions.

Rising to my feet, I dusted myself off. “All done?” I asked, addressing the twins.

They both nodded mutely, too weary to speak.

I turned to Oursk. “Thank you for your generous gift,” he said.

I n...

Grand Game 289: Visitors

“Go away.”

The words were hurled in my mind with such force, I was almost pitched forward and into my foe—the fire lizard had not stopped attacking.

“Easy there,” I said to the other. “I’m a friend of the Pack.”

I hadn’t recognized the speaker’s voice, and my mindsight was empty. Whoever the wolf was, he was intent on hiding himself. Urged to caution, I erected a half-shield of psi around my mind. If nothing else, it would hide ...

Grand Game 288: Building Resistance

A few minutes later, the tunnel opened into a large cavern reminiscent of the first level of the guardian tower.

Multiple hostile entities have failed to detect you! You are hidden.

Dropping into a crouch, I scanned the chamber. While the cavern contained no lava, the rock floor glowed a dull red, courtesy of the heat generated by the dozens of fire lizards lazing in its depths.

The creatures themselves were man-sized and built low to the ground. Their bodie...

Chapter 287: A Day in the Life of a Mentor

You have left a safe zone.

“Alright,” I said, stopping the twins at the edge of the village. “Time to decide where we’re going.”

I looked at the two questioningly.

“Don’t look at us,” Terence said. “We’ve died every time we left the village.”

“I’ve been out of the sector for over a year,” I said patiently. “You two must know the valley better than me by now.”

The pair exchanged glances. “We know the location of a...

Grand Game 286: The Strength of a Promise

A mailed first banged on my door, and my eyes jerked open. What time was it? Two hours couldn’t have passed already, surely? It felt like only moments ago that I’d lain my head on the pillow.

“Michael! Are you in there?”

I groaned. It was Terence. “Go away and come back in the morning,” I yelled back.

There was a pause. “It is morning,” Teresa said. “The sun has been up for ages!”

I didn’t respond. She had to be lying. There was no way I�...

Grand Game 285: Aetherstones

By rights of your bill of ownership, you have renamed the tavern ‘Sleepy Inn’ in the safe zone of sector 12,560 to ‘Wyvern’s Roost.’

After I renamed the inn, Saya hurried away to change the tavern’s signage, leaving me and Cara alone again.

“Do you have anything else to sell or buy?” she asked neutrally.

From her tone and question, I gathered she didn’t want to revisit our previous conversation and I nodded easily. “I do, actually.”

A Change of Cover and Title for Book 4

Hi all,

After some thought on the direction of book 4 and where I thought it would go and where it has actually gone, I've decided to change its title and cover to: House Wolf (with cover as shown above). Its the more appropriate title and cover.

Writing is not always a linear approach, and sometimes seeming side trails develop into more. :) 

Anyway, I hope this doesn't cause too much confusion :)

Grand Game 284: Wyvern’s Roost

I left the bounty hunters’ glade deep in thought.

Matters with the Marauders were far from resolved, and I was certain my actions would have repercussions. But the situation had also revealed an unforeseen opportunity.

I’d spent most of last night pondering what the Marauders were doing in the sector, their goals, and how they hoped to achieve them.

Cara and Shael had called the Marauders power brokers, and therein, I knew, lay the answer. The tavern was just the start. ...

Grand Game 283: The Fate of the Defeated

The trip back to the safe zone was undisturbed and surprisingly pleasant for the most part. The woods near the Marauder base were quiet, and I ran across no foes—players or monsters.

But as I drew closer to the village, the forest grew busier. Spotting a squad of soldiers in the distance, I was reminded that the valley was still a warzone, and no matter my success against the Marauders, the larger three factions in the sector would not hesitate to crush me.

Spurred to greater ca...

Grand Game 282: An Uncertain End to the Troubles

You have reached level 152!

Your deception has increased to level 111 and reached rank 11.

I sighed as I closed the Game messages.

Despite killing fifty players, I’d gained only two levels—not unexpected given the new disparity in rank and tiers between the Marauders and me—but it was disheartening, nonetheless.

Even more disappointing, deception was the only skill to go up during the encounter. My reaction to the Game alerts, ho...

Grand Game 281: A Mountain of Loot

Before searching the camp, checking my Game messages, or attending to the dead, I secured the gate.

I didn’t expect the Marauder teams to arrive until dawn, if then, but if any returned early, I could not afford to be caught unprepared. The wards about the camp would prevent the players from sensing anything amiss on their approach, but once they passed through the gate, it wouldn’t take them long to figure out something was wrong.

Which is why I trapped the gate—or rather, ...

Grand Game 280: A Grim Night’s Work

I was right.

Not a single soul stirred as I padded from bunk to bunk, murdering the Marauders in their sleep. After the first dozen victims, I got the killings down to an artform.

Clamping my left hand over my target’s mouth, I placed ebonheart under the ear and behind the jaw, then thrust inward—not rushing—and severed the brain stem in one single motion. Only a bare handful awoke to realize their fate, and they were stunned and dispatched before they could call out.

...

Grand Game 279: Hunter Killer

Two hours later, I opened my eyes.

The Marauders’ raucous laughter and loud singing had died down, leaving only the sound of clinking glasses and soft murmurs, but nearly half the camp was still awake. It was not the lack of noise that had shaken me from my trance, though.

It was the sound of the gate opening that did.

Rolling into a crouch, I peered intently at the palisade. The two Marauder teams accompanying Myka and the Hound had returned.

Damnation, I c...

Grand Game 278: Breach

I didn’t immediately head into the Marauder camp.

If the Hound could track me from the ambush spot to here—and at this point, I had to assume she could—then first, I had to lead her astray.

Which meant laying a false trail.

Not attempting to conceal my scent or mind, I headed due south until I reached the valley’s southern border. This is good enough, I thought, looking around. Let the Hound track me this far and no farther.

Extracting a pair ...

Cover art for Book 5

Hi all,

See the draft cover art for book 5. Let me know your thoughts. Something things to note - this is artwork for paperback, so ebook cover will only be what's on right. Also, the MC details still need to be fleshed out.

Cheers

Grand Game 277: A Spot of Solitude

The Marauder did not go far.

Thirty minutes later, Tevin stumbled to a halt in front of a tall palisade. Twenty yards behind him and perched on a stout tree branch, I paused, too, taking in the scene below.

The trees on the other side of the wooden wall were just as dense as on this side. I frowned. That either meant we’d not reached the Marauder’s camp or… the Marauders were using the trees for cover.

Glancing left and right, I spotted the palisade curving inwards in ...

Latest Update on Chapter Posting

Hi all,

The last chapter of book 4 has been posted, and as said earlier, I plan on taking a break in March. The story will resume in April.

Happy reading!

Link to the Grand Game Book 4 (pre-order): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BKR2PPCX

Grand Game 276: Striking Terror

“Where’d he go?” Tevin whispered.

You have healed yourself. Your health is at 65%.

“He’s hiding,” the first mage replied. “Be careful. He’s still close.”

“What is he?” the knight asked, nervously eyeing the darkness.

The mage shrugged. “An assassin, probably.”

“Who would send assassins after us?” Tevin wondered.

“Who cares?” Lorita screeched. “Just find him!” Hefting her axe, she rushed toward ...

Grand Game 275: A Team Lead Astray

My first target, of course, was Hosen.

Disregarding the battling players about me, I materialized behind the priest’ cloudy gray shield.

You have teleported 25 yards.

My blades a blur, I struck at him supernaturally fast.

You have cast whirlwind and piercing strike.

Your target’s shield has blocked your attacks.

I failed to get through with my initial assault, but the priest’s shield would give away�...

Grand Game 274: Wolf on the Prowl

After a satisfying, if rushed, meal, I headed back to my room. There was a reason I’d asked for a room on the top floor. It gave me easy access to the roof in case I needed to make a quick exit.

Putting out the chamber’s only magelight, I opened the shutters and peeked out. My room overlooked the tavern’s main entrance. My original plan had been to leave through the front door, but I’d already attracted too much notice.

Best to avoid further attention.

Peeri...

Grand Game 273: Hunters

I awoke a few hours later.

Rising from my bed, I walked over to the shuttered window and peered outside. Just as I thought, night had fallen, and I spent a moment studying the village below. At my request, Saya had given me a room on the top floor of the tavern, leaving me with an unobstructed view of the village.

Everywhere I looked, there were buildings bathed in light and scores of players hurrying about. It was a reminder—if I needed one—that the wolves’ valley was no lo...

Grand Game 272: Valley in Distress

Saya spoke for hours, detailing everything she knew about the armies in the valley.

It turned out Captain Talon was still present in the region. He and his legion were entrenched in the valley’s center, allowing the tartans to respond to threats to the village in the south and strike at the dungeon to the north.

For now, the Awakened Dead retained enough strength to bar any of the other forces in the valley from entering the nether portal, although rumor had it that Tar...

Grand Game 271: Another Reunion

The street beyond Pitor and his men was deserted. That was no accident, I knew. The blockade we’d just passed was responsible. My gaze slid to the opposite end of the street and picked out a second cordon.

I grimaced. Pitor’s operation was no two-bit scheme. He was going to great pains to keep people away from the tavern. Why, though? Was it simple extortion?

“I’m guessing you know the owner,” Shael said in a low voice as he hurried to my side.

Looking over my shou...

Grand Game 270: Old Stomping Grounds

You have entered sector 12,560 of the Kingdoms.

This area is part of the Forever Kingdom’s wild borderlands. It is currently neutral territory, unclaimed by any faction or Force. No additional restrictions apply to this region.

You have entered a safe zone.

I stepped out into a square that was, at one time, both familiar and unrecognizable. Turning a slow circle, I took in my surroundings. The village was the same size and...

Grand Game 269: Leaving

Cara and I did not exchange any words until we exited the emporium. Once through the gate, I turned to her. “I’m sorry. I’ve just realized I didn’t consult you before my request to Kesh. I hope you don’t mind the trip?”

Cara chuckled. “Not at all. It’ll make for a welcome change, actually. My time in the citadel was… well, boring. Not much interesting ever happened there.” Her hooded face turned in my direction. “Except for you, of course.”

I nodded, glad s...

Grand Game 268: Not Nearly Perceptive Enough

“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 some of my supplies first.”

“What do you need?”

I told her, prompting another shake of disapproval from Kesh—it was a long list. “You’re too hard on your gear, Michael.” But in spite of the admonishment, the merchant materialized the requested items.

Your potion...