Each year across Nir, nations encompassing every race celebrate unity, athleticism, and wisdom. From the trollan jungles of Taniros to the shining elven city of Luminaria, two champions emerge to represent their people. The victors walk away with riches and fame. Honor is optional. No two arenas are the same, and only the strongest survive. Traps, monsters, and puzzles await, fraught with danger and a command to protect the team talisman. ... A young rogue from Nir's northernmost region, Ives only has one goal: win the Games. He's trained his entire life for this, and dreams of being the first player of human descent to win the games since Tallon Colbert's legendary victory several years prior. His motivations or no one else's business The problem? He's partnered with Sera Phenos, a seasoned monk from the native community of a far-off archipelago. Last year, Ives cost her a spot in the games, and Sera is in no mood to forgive her partner. He is reckless and a liability; a disastrous quality in a champion competing in challenges far above his league. The pair lands themselves in trouble before the games even start, making working together nearly impossible. Unfortunately, any hope to win means they must set aside their differences and cooperate, a feat that's easier said than done. After all, only one team can win. *** ©️ Kristi Elliot and S. G. Gardner. A Standalone novella and spinoff of A Mischievous Tale of Magical Mayhem. Cover by @Kaiddance via Canva Pro

WATTYS 2024 SHORTLIST (Formally titled a Mischievous Tale of Magical Mayhem) In a world of magic and mayhem, where ferrets fly and trees talk, three unlikely heroes find their fates entangled with a deadly mystery. ***** Tallon is a scoundrel-an elf/human hybrid ranger who leaves a trail of chaos in his wake. With only his wingerret as his companion, Tallon travels the realms at his leisure while living life on a whim with no concept of consequences. Ben is a natural-born thief with more magical talent than the typical human. He lives and works in a rundown inn owned by the man who raised him and dreams of adventure while doing his best to avoid serious trouble. When Lord Colbert of Sagehand sends his wayward son to Ballsdeep on a trade and reconnaissance mission, Tallon is miserable. The backwater town is located in a remote section of the world in the seediest of bad locales, and no one wants him there. But when a dangerous, illegal crate falls into the bay and interrupts a heist, a deadly and wide-ranging conspiracy is uncovered. As Tallon and Ben cross paths, they are forced to work together if they wish to safely escape Ballsdeep while investigating the clandestine operations behind the evil Coconut Conglomerate. During their travels, they gain allies and enemies while fighting their initial attraction and learning to trust one another in this epic fantasy adventure. ** Cover by @Kaiddance using Canva Pro