A Harvest Celebration: A Legends of Lasniniar Collection

Book excerpt: Demons, blood-drinking drakhalu, secret magic rituals… Lasniniar may play host to elves, dwarves, and other mythical creatures, but it has its share of darkness too. Take a walk on the spooky side with three short story adventures from the Legends of Lasniniar fantasy series, by the author of the Fatal Empire series, Jacquelyn Smith: By the Light of the Moon A New Kind of Magic The Devil You Know By the Light of the Moon No matter where their journeys take them, Barlo and Iarion always seem to find trouble. The eve of the Harvest Festival. The dwarf and elf pair find themselves potentially lost on the way to the closest human village. A blanket of mist drifts from the nearby hills to obscure the dirt road as night closes in. Barlo remains content to let Iarion lead the way. At least then he can blame his elf friend if—no when—things go wrong. Still, Barlo’s hand stays close to his ax. What danger lurks in the darkness beyond the mist? The infamous duo of Barlo and Iarion return in this spooky, stand-alone misadventure story from the Legends of Lasniniar fantasy series. (Previously published as “Legends of Lasniniar: By the Light of the Moon.” This adventure takes place between the World of Lasniniar novels Wave Runners and Godmaker.) A New Kind of Magic Paige trudges along the Great North Road and does her best to ignore her misery. An autumn rain pelts her face and soaks her to the skin. A lone dwarf woman wandering Northern Lasniniar in search of adventure. A part of her wishes she never left her warm, comfortable burrow with Barlo. But Paige knows she needs to find her own way in the world if she wants to become something more. ...A hero in her own right. A stand-alone story that opens a door to new possibilities in the Legends of Lasniniar fantasy series. (Previously published as “Legends of Lasniniar: A New Kind of Magic.” This adventure takes place between the World of Lasniniar novels Wave Runners and Godmaker.) The Devil You Know Merchants peddle fear in Belierumar. Mothers cling to their children as they walk through the crowded marketplace. Eyes dart as people hurry to make their dubious purchases. Demon-warding amulets. Herbs guaranteed to help victims of possession. Paige inspects them all with a jaundiced eye. The young dwarf woman knows how to deal with demons. Probably better than anyone else in Lasniniar. ...With good reason. In the aftermath of war, a new era begins in this stand-alone story from the Legends of Lasniniar fantasy series. (Previously published as “Legends of Lasniniar: The Devil You Know.” This adventure takes place after the World of Lasniniar novel Harbingers.)