A Scoundrel's Song

[Book Ten of the "Patrons' World" series.]

Niico Fastiano's latest scheme to enrich himself had come to an ignominious, and surprisingly painless, end. Not one to let small things, like getting thrown out of an upper story window, get in the way of his attempts to make coin, he takes on the job to escort a pair of unlikely siblings, Akafa (a man with a body that physically perfect marble statues can only envy) and Herit (a child with only a passing association with reality), across the country of Larissa.

Along with long-time collaborator, Pelenia, and Antioni, a love-sick man that Niico can't seem to brush off, and he does try, they travel the lands pretending to be a troupe of entertainers as Niico tries to perfect a song that will resonate through the ages. Or not, due to several distractions.

Distractions such as a cult of violent priests chasing Akafa and Herit, a family that have a less than legitimate, but quite understandable, disagreement with him, a penis festival, several spears pointing at his face and water that appears to have a personal grudge against Niico.

Niico, however, is nothing but determined. Especially with the promise of a fat reward. Except he's not quite certain he'll survive long enough to spend it.

The 10th novel set within the sprawling fantasy "Patrons' World".

Cover created in Canva, using an AI generated picture.