Chapters (53)
- Map of Kingdom of Finfalla and Surrounding Area- Western Half
- Map of Kingdom of Finfalla and Surrounding Area - Eastern Half
- Map of Kingdom of Finfalla and Surrounding Area - Full Map
- Important Trigger Warning
- Prologue
- PART I
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Interlude: The River of Life
- PART II
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Interlude: Fallow Fields
- PART III
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Interlude: Of Man and Monster
- PART IV
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- POSTLUDES
- Postlude 1: Lana Vica
- Postlude 2: Ludo Vica
- Postlude 3: Cainan
- Acknowledgments
- An excerpt from Heartsworn, Volume II in The Forsworn Oath, available for preorder now!
- PART I
“It sounds dumb when you put it that way. I suppose I don’t know much about you either, other than your ability to kill without being seen or heard. Like a ghost. Impressive.”
“There is nothing impressive about killing. It is brutal, hard work, even when carried out on those who deserve death’s final embrace.”
“And everyone you’ve killed has deserved their fate then?”
“I never said that.”
“If you don’t agree with all his commands, why do you work for the king?”
“There is a freedom in not being free, in one’s decisions not being their own. A simplicity in being defined by the will of another.”
“That is no freedom, but the thickest iron chains I could ever imagine.”
“Says the woman who was once a Crimson Dagger.”
His reply was just short of a growl, and she got the impression that this part of their conversation had come to an abrupt end. “I’m not anymore. And if you want, I’ll show you my serash. Try not to be too amazed.”
“I’ll do my best.”
She stood, unclasping her belt. “Don’t say a word,” she warned Ludo. “I’m not one of your tavern wenches to be wooed.”
“Wooed? Unfortunately, I never learned how to woo. Now bed? That’s a different story. And I wasn’t going to say anything, except if there are any other articles of clothing you wish to remove, I’d be happy to help.”
She started to slide the belt back into place.
“Sorry, I’m sorry,” Ludo said quickly. “This mouth of mine. Remember how I said I feel like my skin is borrowed? Well, that goes for my mouth too. I can’t be held responsible for what it says.”
She tapped her chin, as if considering his words. “Last chance. Tame your tongue.”
He pretended to seal his lips, lock them, and toss away the key.
She refocused on the task at hand, letting her serash dangle from her hand. In the moonslight, it shone oily black. Though she’d grown used to the color, she still hated it. Her hands had shaken the entire time she’d painted it to hide its crimson hue. It had been a while since she’d used it for anything other than a belt, and yet she needed no practice, the years of training with the weapon forged into her muscles and bones.