“Take a seat, Lord Zesh,” Master Orin said with a sly smile.
Lucan glared at him as he lowered himself onto the chair across from his opponents. “If the good master of the Emporium will acquaint me with the ladies?”
“Of course, of course.” Master Orin chuckled softly, then he turned towards the woman who sat beside him. “This is Mistress Yana Rhoswen. One of Varencourt’s highest personages.”
Lucan looked at her, cocking his head. “Does Mistress Yanna lead...
2025-12-10 20:35:28 +0000 UTC
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The three ruffians turned towards them with apparent confusion, and the boy, terror on his face, looked at them with some hope.
“Be on your way, strangers,” one of the men said, eying them threateningly. “You don’t want to get in the way of the Green Scars.”
Lucan rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, hoping he wouldn’t have to draw the goldsteel out in the open.
Ryder then spoke his thoughts. “We will be giving you more than scars if you do...
2025-12-04 18:15:38 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 22
Lucan tilted his head, giving Cedric a meaningful look before amending the freeblade’s address of him, “Lucan.”
Cedric frowned, but then, looking around and at Lucan’s apparel, he seemed to understand the cause for such a demand. It made little sense that a noble would be at a place such as this, even if it was not a low wetwood establishment. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Master Lucan.”
“In that we share, my friend,” Lucan s...
2025-11-28 23:55:43 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 21
“Now we have the chamber to ourselves,” Orin said. “Are you prepared to speak?”
Lucan smiled. “You would not happen to have a map, would you?”
Orin guffawed, his barks deep and rich. He tapped his temple with a thin finger. “Young one, I have the greatest map there is in here. I know every major and minor territory the imperial canal passes through.”
“I see…” Lucan dipped his head in acknowledgement. “Then you must kn...
2025-11-22 18:31:00 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 20
They did little else that day, considering that the sky decided to recommence its fervent welcome after they put their belongings inside their room. After eating their supper in the common room, they retired to get a good night’s sleep.
Tomis insisted on keeping watch still, and Lucan had to overcome it with the power of command to get the man-at-arms to sleep. They settled for bolting their door properly, and Lucan wondered if Tomis had some concerns...
2025-11-18 23:48:49 +0000 UTC
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They got back on the road with little fervor, considering how much trouble they’d found so far. From there on, their expectations weren’t bright, but surprisingly, they camped the night and marched in the morning without being molested.
By the afternoon, Lucan realized that they had drawn close to the city as the road grew finer, with broken and whole cobblestones here and there. They came upon a few crossroads where they met plenty of travellers and merchants, choosing not t...
2025-11-12 22:51:43 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 18
Hands on his knees, Lucan gasped for air, his men beside him, both faring no better, after the long uphill rush. They glanced behind them furtively, even if they knew the mud-dwelling monsters were unlikely to climb the grassy hill after them. The creatures weren’t so dangerous, in truth, but rather numerous and troublesome in the mud.
Lucan had worried at first that they might be able to drag them under, but the pool of mud lacked depth, and the crea...
2025-11-07 00:46:32 +0000 UTC
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Hello everyone!
I am happy to announce that the 2nd book of The Elder Lands is out. It has been a long journey with this one. It took around 1 and a half years to finish, and it's almost 700 pages.
A lot of you here have been through this journey with me, with its ups and downs, and for that, I thank you for your support, moral and material. I couldn't have done it with you, truly.
If you'd like to support my efforts further, you can buy the book. Your efforts would go far b...
2025-11-01 13:55:07 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 17
Lucan and Lord Ravencroft met, hidden by night and branch. The lord gripped Lucan’s arm firmly after he dismounted and met him with a grin. “You look hale, Lord Zesh. It seems marriage has done you well.”
Lucan smiled. “You are as courteous as you are shrewd, your lordship. You have my thanks and my apology for urging you to come out at such an hour.”
Lord Ravencroft waved his words away. “Think nothing of it. I am curious, however, wh...
2025-10-28 15:57:56 +0000 UTC
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Lucan woke up in a tangle of limbs, his and Lilian’s. He was under a heavy quilt, but it was not the only source of warmth. The softness that touched him was bliss before warmth. He wrapped his arm around Lilian and drew her closer, caressing her gently. She moved and mumbled something but didn’t wake up. Thankfully, she wasn’t the kind to startle awake easily, at least not with him.
He extricated himself from his wife’s arms. He was reluctant to do so, but time was his e...
2025-10-21 21:14:24 +0000 UTC
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Lucan stood on the dais in the keep’s hall, his father looming behind him. The hall was full, crowded with a score of guests, yet it was quieter than a grave. Barely a whisper echoed out of those in attendance as they waited.
Most of those in the hall were nobles. Considering its modest size, their aides had been left outside to take part in the latter end of the ceremony. Among those present, Lucan met Winton’s eyes, his cousin winking at him. Lord Harold Zesh had, as expect...
2025-10-13 22:43:15 +0000 UTC
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Master Saltner seemed frozen in time, his eyes wide and staring at him, then they finally moved, shifting around with the man’s thoughts. “This…how? Some of my peers may be able to cross from the Union into the lands north of your Alliance, then veer south, hoping to avoid conflict and slip into a safe trade route. Am I to assume you have another way?”
“Indeed.” Lucan only smiled.
“Will you enlighten me then, my lord?”
Bertram, the man’s son, suddenl...
2025-10-05 19:40:59 +0000 UTC
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Lucan woke up as though he hadn’t slept at all. He wasn’t tired, but rather, he felt as though he’d gone from slumber to wakefulness without that fog that impeded one’s mind before they reached proper awareness. He supposed that his mind was alert, perhaps expectant. Many things were happening now.
Harvest had come, and with it, dozens of merchants and a festival worthy of the large yield of crops with which they had been blessed. The expanded farmland had not disappointe...
2025-09-25 20:19:13 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 12
“I agree.”
Master Saltner leaned into his chair, seemingly taken aback by Lucan’s response. It only took him a moment to recover, however, quickly putting on a wide smile. “Stupendous! Then may we begin planning this joyous affair?”
It was Thomas who answered him. “Before that, there are matters to be discussed, Master Saltner, yes? Particularly, the duties of the two families towards the pair.”
The merchant frowned. “I thoug...
2025-09-18 00:07:50 +0000 UTC
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Hey, everyone.
This is another potential cover for Book 2. What do you think overall? And if you like it, which shade do you feel fits the most?
NOTE: There seems to be a problem where only paid members are able to comment even though the post is public. I'm trying to fix it. If you can't comment, check in in a while!
Fixed! Apparently, making a post entirely public makes the comment section locked for all but patrons?? Patreon shenanigans. A...
2025-09-15 15:09:55 +0000 UTC
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Lucan rode at the head of a small procession beside Lord Ravencroft, Sir Wolfe, and Sir Upton. Their horses trotted in a tight pack a dozen paces ahead of their combined retinues.
With a measured voice, Lucan began, “It will be, perhaps, a month from now.”
“Discretion can be managed,” Lord Ravencroft said.
“It is a must,” Lucan said in a hushed tone. “There is an inherent uncertainty in the realm at a time like this. It cannot be known that I am absent f...
2025-09-12 22:59:04 +0000 UTC
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The custom of casting seals was an old one, almost ancient. It originated from a time when the legitimacy of royalty was but a suggestion, only elevated by support from the many minor nobles of the old empire. Those who had decided to seat their leaders on freshly forged thrones. In its nascent form, the ritual was simple. Each house threw a signet ring in a bowl to signify their support. Those who could not attend sent letters of recognition waxed and sealed by their signets. Eventual...
2025-09-05 18:40:52 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 9
Lucan, along with his betrothed, drifted away from Lord Thornvale. His eyes looked through the hall and found Lord Drummond in a different corner, speaking to Lord Ravencroft. Lucan made to head towards the man, who was throwing glances his way, but he felt a pull on his arm.
“We shouldn’t go to him,” Lilian said, urging him to change his heading with a shake of her head.
“Why?” Lucan said.
“Father always said that negotiations be...
2025-08-30 23:20:27 +0000 UTC
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With a sigh of relief, Lucan left the company of Lord Ravencroft and his two neighboring knights. The echo of a dozen murmurs populated the hall as he led Lilian to the other side, acknowledging bows and dips of the head left and right, most of them from men he did not recognize, likely aides to the attending lords.
A servant stopped beside him and Lilian, handing each of them a goblet of wine. They accepted the wine, moving eagerly towards those they hadn’t yet entreated...
2025-08-24 07:14:18 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 7
Lucan moved on from Lord Cassius, his eyes roaming the hall, seeking his next quarry. Lilian, still attached to him, walked beside him, her eyes following his.
His gaze landed on Sir Caeryin, who was standing with Lord Thornvale. Lucan wished he could approach the knight at once, but some of the lords might take offense if he were to court a knight’s attention before their own. The knight would have perhaps been the easiest to persuade here. He was pos...
2025-08-18 16:52:34 +0000 UTC
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Lucan ascended the stairs until he was on Lord Arden’s level, dipping his head respectfully to the old noble. Ren was already standing on one side of his grandfather with their steward and Sir Sarin behind him, so Lucan stood on the other side. He then turned gingerly to face the assembled nobles.
Lord Arden’s speech had been a simple one, apprising the lords of the alliance’s existence and the cause for it, but the old lord hadn’t taken the time–or likely hadn’t had ...
2025-08-11 21:04:09 +0000 UTC
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Lucan and Lilian sat upon a long table laden with food. They both pretended to poke at what was on their plates, feeling the anxiousness permeating the air of Lord Arden’s hall. Lucan was glad to have the support of Sirs Wolfe and Upton, who sat on either side of them. He’d brought them to show the southern nobles that he had plenty of support to start. His alliance was two lords and two knights strong already, even if he would pretend that the two knights’ support was not depend...
2025-08-05 20:04:37 +0000 UTC
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Lucan walked out of the keep to the sound of grunts and the clash of metal echoing off the palisade. He glanced to the side and saw ten men in dirty tunics sitting on the ground with their knees held close to them. He felt that nearly all their faces were familiar to him, perhaps inhabitants of the bailey. Two of them looked unfamiliar, perhaps refugees.
Two of the trainees saw him first and bolted to their feet, followed by the rest of them, who looked flustered as they bowed to...
2025-07-31 16:50:27 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 3
The sun was bearing down on him when he reached the Needles. Lucan had ridden through the small distance between the estates, accompanied only by Ryder, the rest of his men keeping to their duties and patrols, which had turned arduous as of late. Every man was needed, but Cordell had still insisted that he at least take one guard with him on the road south.
The gates were already open, but Lucan dismounted to greet the man waiting for him inside, flanked...
2025-07-25 20:13:12 +0000 UTC
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“Sirs,” Lucan said, eying the three knights seated around his food-laden long table. “My thanks for your timely arrival.”
The knights nodded, their faces severe, and Lucan didn’t blame them. These were uncertain times, and they promised to be bloody times soon too. Everyone anticipated what would come next with anxiousness.
“You must have received word and even demands from the two factions now vying for the crown,” Lucan began. “I am certain that has birthe...
2025-07-19 19:37:19 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 1
Lucan leaned on the writing table, his eyes on the map but his mind elsewhere. Thomas and Cordell were standing around the table with him, while his father had taken the lord’s seat. Lucan had guided him to it out of respect, even if the former lord hadn’t intended to claim it.
“It won’t be long now,” Thomas said.
Lucan’s father only grunted in agreement.
“It matters not,” Cordell said. “None will march in winter.”<...
2025-07-15 21:27:38 +0000 UTC
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EPILOGUE Aldous ran the horsehide strop along the length of the blade, his hand slow and measured. Once, twice, thrice, and then along the o
EPILOGUE
Aldous ran the horsehide strop along the length of the blade, his hand slow and measured. Once, twice, thrice, and then along the other edge. His shortsword was nothing for him to pride himself on, but it was not a bad weapon, forged from good steel at the hands of a proper weaponsmith. Whenever he brought the sword ...
2025-07-11 03:27:43 +0000 UTC
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CHAPTER 77
LONG LIVE THE KING
Lucan stood on the sands of the training yard, watching Heath get disarmed by Aldous one more time. Still, he waited patiently until they were fully through with their training, particularly because he wanted to speak with Aldous alone.
He sighed as Heath picked his training sword up one more time. Finding something else to look at, Lucan raised his face to the sky and smiled as he saw the new bann...
2025-07-08 19:20:45 +0000 UTC
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Lucan opened the door to his father’s chamber once the latter gave him leave to enter. After shutting the door behind him, he saw the large, empty bed on one side of the chamber and the small desk and chair upon which his father sat on the other. “Father.”
“You’ve come,” his father said. “Done with matters of the estate then?”
“Yes, Father.”
“Good, now to other matters, I suppose.”
Lucan gave his father a quizzical tilt of...
2025-07-02 17:36:59 +0000 UTC
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Lucan woke up to an empty keep, at least for the most part. He did come upon one of the bailey’s inhabitants who was rendering service, but
Lucan woke up to an empty keep, at least for the most part. He did come upon one of the bailey’s inhabitants who was rendering service, but
Lucan woke up to an empty keep, at least for the most part. He did come upon one of the bailey’s inhabitants who was rendering service, but he found no one else. Not his father, not Thomas, n...
2025-06-29 17:42:27 +0000 UTC
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