Hooked on First Change, Festival #MFRWhooks

The dragshi are more than just a man or woman. Each are two beings–one a dragon, the other a human–sharing one body in space in time and able to change forms with the other at will. Their world and the adventures of the dragon shifters are recorded in the Dragshi Chronicles.

Within each of the chronicles, the ceoltiers, the keepers of the past and teachers of the present, recount some legend. As with all such tales, some contain larger than life deeds. Others are the simple story of a man or woman doing what must be done, regardless of the cost. Sometimes embellished, the ceoltiers use the stories of times and actions past to educate and inspire.

Unlike the previous works in the series which related to the trader girl Anastasia and Lord Branin Llewlyn, First Change features the real story behind the legends told in the previous volumes. First Change contains five stories of duty and honor, love and loss, happiness and despair from the chronicles. As with all such tales, some contain larger than life deeds. Others are the simple story of a man or woman doing what must be done, regardless of the cost.

Last week's excerpt, Shadowed Night, from MAGIC AND STEEL, had Kedar escorting the Lady Mairin to a festival. Among the things on his mind was her obstinancy, threats to her life--and his attraction to her.

Now this week's excerpt:

Kedar's gaze lingered on a man coming out of an inn. Dark red hair marked him as a member of a northern clan. Although the stranger’s clothes were those of a merchant, his movements told of a familiarity with weapons—or the mercenary life.

Faoth’s snarl from a few paces behind agreed with Kedar’s assessment of the man’s threat, and confirmed who amongst the crowd had triggered his alert. “Faoth, track,” he hissed. The gold blur that was the dog slipped around into the street, then fell into position to follow the tall stranger. Moments later, Faoth disappeared into an unlit alley.

His fingers gripping the hilt of a hidden knife, Kedar didn’t slow his approach. He merely dropped his arm from around Mairin and stepped to her left, placing himself between her and the alley.

...They passed the alley without incident. Swept along by the thickening crowd, Kedar maintained his tense surveillance. Footsteps hurried up behind them. Trapped by the narrowed entrance onto the beach, his shoulder tensed, awaiting an attack. None occurred and the newcomer, an apprentice in a flour-covered apron, veered off into a bakery.

A light brush on Kedar’s leg heralded Faoth’s return. She padded at his side, her head swiveling back and forth as if tracking someone. After a whimper, the dog looked up for instructions. He dropped a hand down to pat Faoth on the head. “It’s okay, girl,” he said in a low tone that couldn’t be heard above the conversations of the other partiers. “We’ll find him later.”


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Additional excerpts from the three novellas (and two bonus short stories) in First Change.