Lupus

Thank you for your kind comment on this second book ☺️ This prologue does indeed give a bit of background to the relationships between the characters. In the next chapter we return to the Princess ship to see how Josel is doing.

For your information, I have now started publishing my next book, "The Blue Moon" 😊

The riverboat takes the travellers to the town of Five Hills, the headquarters known as Castle Cache. There, Zal Fizol tries once more to make his old adversaries realise the danger they face. As the web of intrigue grows ever tighter, Josel finds himself a mere pawn in a much bigger game. When old grudges and hatreds seek a way to unravel, all of humanity is at stake. Not even the thick walls of Castle Cache can protect them from the Darkness. Especially when the enemy lurks within the castle. At the same time, someone loves another person so much that it hurts.

"Let us be called the Blue Moon. Because blue is the colour of coolness and balance. Because the moon is eternal and enduring. And so are we. Red is its flip side: a blazing flame, dangerous and uncontrollable. We will remember the red sky and be ready when the time comes." - A fragment from centuries ago, Andreuz Sandkan's home archive * * * Curtus Vilmur, Andiol Empire, in 1577 New Era There were four people in the room whom Curtus Jerovann had never met be

Thanks🙂 In the next book, things will continue to unfold. On the other hand, there will be some new characters and new plot lines.

Zal is not Mocvann's servant, rather they are enemies, having been on opposite sides of the Brotherhood when it broke up. Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed reading the story😊

The blonde woman Vendum, Grand Duchy of Malkania, around the time of the Spring Day celebrations With languid movements of her hands, a woman sitting in a high-backed armchair stroked the hem of her silk dressing gown. She was a very beautiful woman. Her long golden hair fell in a delicate curl over her shoulders. There was a particular sweetness to her face, but it was tainted by the hard, penetrating gaze of her blue eyes and the mocking smile that occasionally curled the corners of her

Thank you for your comments! @akascrubber Yes, at least Jolanda and the Cross of Shadow are out of the game for a while. Old Zal has his own plans and will not want to be disturbed by two teenagers. @VBlew You're right! Josel has been clinging to the idea that Jolanda really cares about him. He really doesn't trust Zal - time will tell if that's a good or bad thing. For now, though, the boys are safe. As you say, they both need a friend - unfortunately, that's not so easy with these two boys. @andrewj Thank you very much. I will do my best and write this story to the end. But since there is so much to tell, the end is not yet in sight ☺️ @drsawzall The epilogue may hint and foreshadow what is to come, but does it give answers - not very much. Hopefully there won't be a Muppet riot 😄

I know😀 But at some point the story had to be cut off before the next book. The plots continue between books, each starting right where the previous one ends. This was the most natural point, although indeed there was no resolution yet. 😶

Josel The escape route from Marta Donthav's house was blocked. When the shadow sentries raised their rifles to aim, Ragart responded in kind. Melgy also drew the pistol she had hidden in her clothing. Jolanda's horse snorted, and Josel watched in fascination as she made a spectacular turn on it in front of them. When she had stopped her horse, Jolanda nodded to Josel. "Josel," she said with a smile. "Jolanda," Josel replied huskily. His cheeks were hot and his legs felt sluggish.

@Darryl62 I'm glad you like the story. I've tried to give it a sense of adventure, because that's what I like 🧙‍♂️🐉 Good if the names seem appropriate too. They can be a bit tricky, because to my ears, the names that sound appropriate for a fantasy world are just ordinary names in another language 😄

Oddly enough, this seems to be the case😶Let's see how things turn out.

The name Lurk is partly a coincidence. In Finnish it's "Lurkki" in the story, which means nothing but sounds mean. Then I made an English version of it and I thought it was even more appropriate 🤔 Yes, many people are after boys, but for very different reasons 🙂

Good point!👍 Still, Franz (like other boys when they have sex for the first time) has other things on his mind than STDs. Besides, he doesn't know much about it - there is no sex education in Andiol schools.😄

Yes, they have no experience in such situations. It doesn't look good for them to have everyone after them.

A good guess! We'll find out if you're right😉

@akascrubber Thank you for your comment. Good summary! @drsawzall Franz has a role to play in this story, even in the bigger picture. Kharl had a good reason for taking him on this adventure. Maybe the waitress noticed how inexperienced Franz was and did not insist on protection from her customer🤔 That's the way it has to be🤭

Franz The anger inside Franz boiled over again when he returned downstairs and saw the girl picking up dishes from the tables. But he sought the real target of his annoyance, the man with the moustache. Upstairs at the inn, Franz had been trying to sort out his tangled thoughts for perhaps half an hour. He had come to no clear conclusion. It was a shame to be deceived, but at the same time the recent experience with the girl had been the most enjoyable of his life so far. It was l

What did he feel? Confusion, irritation - perhaps Josel doesn't know himself either. It's true. From Marta's point of view, it makes sense to be alert in this situation. Thank you for your comment!

Glad to hear you liked it😊 I think the story gets better as it goes on. But now, even at the end of the first book, we are almost at the beginning of the story. This book still has two chapters and an epilogue left.

@akascrubber Thank you for your comment. This chapter ended with some exciting events. In the next chapter, however, we return to the Pale Wanderer Inn to meet Franz.

Josel The cellar door clicked open. Josel's eyes, used to darkness, were blinded by the light. "What the fuck!" Lurk shouted, his voice squeaking with emotion. "The little rat has escaped! Toma!" Josel heard Fake Marta screeching in the distance. Lurk was on them quickly. The hunchback swung his cane wildly as Josel did his best to defend himself and dodge the blows. The cane struck painfully at least in the shoulder, side and back. Zdain was even clumsier at dodging and soon

@Seraph28 @Al Norris Thank you for your comments. The last sentence hints at something - good or bad, we'll find out in the next chapter 🫣

Josel A nudge to his side forced Josel to wake-up. "What?" Josel grunted and turned to look at Zdain, though the darkness made it difficult to see him. "The goblin! It's alive," the boy said in a hoarse voice, coughing. Despite fatigue, thirst and hunger, a glimmer of excitement made Josel's heart race. At the same moment, a small moan came from behind the bars. Josel crawled forward towards the sound. The creature moaned again, and from the darkness he could make out the goblin's

Franz still has a lot to learn about the world and life in general. At least he has found the adventure he was looking for. Jolanda doesn't seem to be very good girlfriend material for Josel😬 We'll see what happens with her. Let's not mourn yet, there's still hope. We return to the cellar in the next chapter.