A short story about Aslan Ihateai (second sons who will not inherit) and outcasts basically waiting around in a camp on Kteiroa for a warlord to rise up and give them somewhere to go. In the meantime they drink, trade stories, and squabble amongst themselves.

Tikhnal is the protoganist. He fights a duel with Brukhah, a braggart and bully who has already killed other Ihateai in duels in order to take their assets and wives. About half of the story is the aftermath of the duel and what it means for Tikhnal.

The story gives a nice little portrait of Ihateai camps and the sort of things that might go on in them. It is fairly well-written, but there isn't much length to develop its characters or situation very fully. It is also something of a "gimmick" story, in that once Tikhnal's secret is revealed there is not much more to the story.

The download comes in .pdf, .mobi, and .epub formats. It's 36 pages in .pdf, about 8,200 words.

Bordering on melodrama (which seems Aslan-appropriate) this tale starts as a duel for honour on the harsh frontier and quickly becomes even more compelling.

Similar to Michael J., I would love this as a more fleshed out novel. This story has great potential to lead into a patron encounter as well.

A God forsaken cold world where many Ihatei and outcasts end up. The story of a warrior with a dark secret and a cripped ship. What happens when Honor is forgotton and avarice comes.

This is a very good short story and I really appreciated the Kindle reader file. I'd like to hear more of this story and the adventure it portends!

MikeJ