If you’ve been following anything about the state of the writing industry these past few weeks, you’ll be well aware of the kerfuffle that has gone on. Many much more talented and eloquent writers than myself have weighed in on the #cockygate and KU issues. In fact, I’m not going to discuss anything to do with the writing industry today.
I think we are all tired of the constant issues that have been cropping up in the industry. I am happy though, to see so many of us pulling together to support and help each other. That’s what we need. This isn’t a competition. There is room for us all.
That being said, today I’m giving you all a small gift. The rough draft of the first chapter of The Daggers of Ariyon which is the sequel to The Jeweled Dagger. It picks up just a few weeks after the events at the end of JD. It does contain major spoilers for the end of JD, so I recommend reading JD first. You can grab a copy on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords, and most other major retailers.
FYI: This is a rough draft and subject to change.
The dagger whistled through the air a hairs-breadth from Jasper’s nose. He backpedaled, bringing his sword up to block the downswing of his opponent’s sword. Another slash from the dagger and this time he felt the edge catch his shirt.
Lafayette sheathed his dagger and then walked over to the weapons rack to put away his sword. Jasper couldn’t help but watch the lithe figure cross the training room floor. The image of Lafayette crumpled on the dungeon floor whimpering as he bled all over the floor had Jasper shuddering. He shut his eyes and willed the image away. It was enough it haunted his nightmares.
“That’s not even a word.” Lafayette laughed, the silvery sound sending a thrill through Jasper.
“Maybe not.” Jasper conceded as he reached out and pulled Lafayette to him. Lafayette responded by wrapping his arms around Jasper’s waist and tucking his head under Jasper’s chin. Jasper couldn’t help the grin even if part of him wished they didn’t have to hide like this.
Jasper groaned softly and closing the file set it to the side of his desk along with the other dozen files already stacked there. The tan folders of various thicknesses nearly obscured the audial oscillator and threatened to engulf his typewriter. He’d gone through the dossier of agents five times already. As per Lafayette’s suggestion he’d only had two of the most blatantly traitorous of them arrested. How was he supposed to do his job if he couldn’t even trust the agents under him? Was this how Lafayette had felt the last three years? Struggling alone to protect the Queen against the very people who were supposed to help protect her. At least he didn’t have to worry about the Royal Guard. Once Anders had been promoted the seditionist elements had either recanted their position or fled.
Was ten in the morning too early for a nap? Sleep had been difficult, the ache in his shoulder keeping him awake. Perhaps he shouldn’t be sparing with Lafayette. Laying his left arm on the one bare spot on the desk he started to lay his head down. He jerked it back up as the door to his office opened. Seeing the uniformed figure in the doorway he jumped to his feet.
Commander Cornelius Stanton raised one eyebrow and then walked over to the desk and laid a packet down on it. Jasper almost expected the crisp new uniform to crackle as Cornelius moved, the fabric stiff with starch and the buttons polished until they gleamed like tiny mirrors. His dark hair, just now streaked with grey, was neatly combed and his beard and mustache trimmed to fine points. It made him look sharp and unforgiving. An old blade tempered on the battlefield and still just as deadly.
“Ah yes, thank you for those.” Jasper managed as he fought to breathe. He’d only seen his father from a distance since the night in the torture chamber. The night he’d been accused of poisoning the Queen and a whole room full of nobles. The night he’d been disowned and left to die a traitor.
Cornelius clasped his hands behind his back and looked around the cluttered office. Jasper knew that keen gaze wouldn’t miss the slightest detail. Lafayette’s old office was crowded with filing cabinets, boxes of paperwork and various paraphernalia including the odd weapon or two. Jasper hadn’t found the time or inclination to clean up. So many other things were more pressing than the dust on the books. Cornelius finally nodded, a single dip of his chin. With that he was gone without so much as a goodbye.
Jasper collapsed in his chair and closed his eyes. His heart jolted against his ribcage like a horse bucking to get free. He supposed it was wishful thinking to hope for an apology or for his father to admit he’d been wrong. Cornelius had never seen him as anything more than a disgrace. That night hadn’t been the first time his father had walked away knowing Jasper would likely die.
Pain flared along his shoulder and arm making him wince. He was probably trying to do too much with it again. Maybe he should admit to Lafayette how much it was bothering him. No matter what the novels said there was nothing romantic about getting shot. It was painful and bloody and he never wanted to go through something like that again. He held his left hand up, looking at the soft supple leather that hid the mangled fingers. The fingernails would grow back eventually, but nothing would ever be the same. He and Lafayette had saved the Queen and nearly destroyed themselves in the process. He’d do it again, though maybe not be as trusting.
Groaning softly to himself, Jasper shifted through the reports. So far nothing on the traitorous Royal Guardsmen. Men he’d led as Captain and trusted. Cadets Mibbs, Jenkins and Brooks were out there somewhere. They hadn’t left the country, unless they’d been smuggled out by boat. Though Jasper had called in several favors with the guards down at Customs and they’d promised to be on the lookout for the trio. Jasper sorted through the reports, organizing them so that the most recent was on top. He had to write his own for the Queen. Though he had nothing new to tell her.
He didn’t know who’d poisoned the food that night or with what. Several of the workers in the kitchen that night had up and vanished as if they’d never existed. Even their names on the roster of palace employees had been fake. Jasper read over that bit of information again and made a note to speak with Beryl Goddard. As the Queen’s assistant she was also in charge of all the servants. Nearly two thousand people. It was possible she’d not had time to check each new hire herself. Or he could just send a letter. He really did not want to speak to Lafayette’s mother. The woman was the most caustic, severe and inhibited person he’d ever met. Worse than that she treated Lafayette as if he was just another pawn in her social climbing instead of her child.
The door to the office burst open, a woman rushed in closely followed by a guard. Jasper sat back in his chair watching the pair struggle for a moment.
“Let her go Cadet.” Jasper got to his feet but didn’t move from behind his desk. The Royal Guardsman let go of the woman’s arm and stepped back toward the door.
“All what, Ruby?” Jasper kept his tone gentle.
A chill crept over Jasper. A thousand hyetals was easily more than he made in three months and he considered his salary quite nice. But that wasn’t what had his attention.
Fabric swished as Ruby got to her feet. She approached the desk and folding her arms on top of the audial oscillator she leaned down to look at him. It wasn’t the come-hither look she gave clients, no lowered lashes or carefully tilted head. Just an open gaze that held a hint of concern and curiosity. Once again he found himself appreciating that she never crossed any boundaries, even if they were unspoken. She traced a finger in the dust on the top of the oscillator.
The amusement faded from her eyes and she reached out again to run her fingers lightly over his gloved hand where it rested on the desk.
I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed this excerpt. Please consider sending me a coffee too keep me motivated! I’m 40k words into the manuscript and working hard to complete it. If you’d like more frequent updates on the Daggers of Aryion series along with exclusive content, $1 on Patreon gets you all the content I post there along with other neat perks. And you are always welcome to join my newsletter which goes out once a month and has lots of freebies! You can also find me on the #lgbtwip thread on Twitter talking about the series, just follow @brohne.
As always thank you for being here! Let me know what you think of the chapter in the comments!
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