Ever wanted to take a walk through the wilds of Skyrim, enjoy a pint with friends in The Prancing Pony, or warm yourself by a campfire in the snowy woods after a day of adventuring?
Then welcome to Forsbyr, a small mining town tucked away in the mountains of cold, frosty Mailenstead. Grab a tankard of mead and make yourself at home in the great, hearth-lit hall of the Nightgate Inn and get to know the locals.
Thirteen years have passed since Neea Kallenen left Forsbyr abruptly as a girl. Now a full-fledged member of the Scholar's Guild, she, along with her apprentice Pim, has returned to the town of her childhood to serve as its Scholar General. Will the people of Forsbyr accept her as one of their own? Will she be able to heal the wounds of her past, rekindle forgotten friendships, and perhaps reignite a long lost love?
In this collection of tales, you'll meet a variety of characters as Neea and Pim explore and try to unravel the mysteries and magic of the town and the surrounding wilderness.
There's Drazhen, the lonely woodworker who has shut himself away in a hut in the woods; Rikkar, the handsome smith in love with Neea, but engaged to another woman; Hedda, the kindly washerwoman who cares for her grown, simple-minded son; the new innkeeper, Tyr, and his sister, Indra, who hides a mysterious secret; Jan and Jorgen, a pair of mischievous halfling twins who keep everyone on their toes; and many more.
Each story is written with its own unique style and flair. Some are humorous, while others are full of adventure and mystery, and still others tug at the heartstrings. But each one is infused with a sense of wonder, magic, coziness, and warmth that can only be found around the hearth of the Nightgate Inn.
In the thawed tundra of Bāranok, Durven and Maffe hope for news of the brewing storm of black magic. The Mountains of Dusk to the north harbor the entrance to Jovandur, tunnels of the Witch-folk, who are planning something sinister. However, when Maffe disappears in the night, it is up to Durven to determine what the demons of Jovandur want with his friend. Can he endure the beginning of the end and return to his king unscathed?
--------
Sallmunik sighed again, then stepped back to peer down into Maffe's eyes. His hand came to rest upon the dwarf's shoulder. "There are limits, love, to even the mightiest of empires, but I rejoice to inform you that this day is not one that we must fear. No mortal horse can outrun Jovandur's wolves, if indeed this human has a horse." He paused, but the belittled form before him remained wordless. The crimson demon lord continued, "Nevermind; he is already dead. Now, my dear, are you ready to join our brethren within the Void? Can you sense Blancslieth's mightiness stirring beneath your feet? Are you prepared to be consumed by the beast of yore?"
'Blancslieth,' Durven demanded mentally. 'What is this Blancslieth...?'
"Yes."
--------
Cover, story, characters, and world all created by me.