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Chapters (53)
  1. Map of Kingdom of Finfalla and Surrounding Area- Western Half
  2. Map of Kingdom of Finfalla and Surrounding Area - Eastern Half
  3. Map of Kingdom of Finfalla and Surrounding Area - Full Map
  4. Important Trigger Warning
  5. Prologue
  6. PART I
  7. One
  8. Two
  9. Three
  10. Four
  11. Five
  12. Six
  13. Seven
  14. Eight
  15. Nine
  16. Ten
  17. Eleven
  18. Twelve
  19. Interlude: The River of Life
  20. PART II
  21. Thirteen
  22. Fourteen
  23. Fifteen
  24. Sixteen
  25. Seventeen
  26. Eighteen
  27. Nineteen
  28. Interlude: Fallow Fields
  29. PART III
  30. Twenty
  31. Twenty-One
  32. Twenty-Two
  33. Twenty-Three
  34. Twenty-Four
  35. Twenty-Five
  36. Interlude: Of Man and Monster
  37. PART IV
  38. Twenty-Six
  39. Twenty-Seven
  40. Twenty-Eight
  41. Twenty-Nine
  42. Thirty
  43. Thirty-One
  44. Thirty-Two
  45. Thirty-Three
  46. Thirty-Four
  47. POSTLUDES
  48. Postlude 1: Lana Vica
  49. Postlude 2: Ludo Vica
  50. Postlude 3: Cainan
  51. Acknowledgments
  52. An excerpt from Heartsworn, Volume II in The Forsworn Oath, available for preorder now!
  53. PART I

It was the part that he needed to smother with its own pillow, like a sleeping mark alone in his bed.

Which is exactly what he did, shouldering his pack, checking his weapons, and then starting off across the verdant plains as the sun set over Finfalla.

Twenty-Five

Perfidy

New Dawn, Lostwood, Finfalla

“I can’t believe you did it. I can’t believe you actually did it!” Gruff squealed gleefully. Though he was clearly struggling to hold himself back, he managed to keep his voice low enough that it wouldn’t carry to anyone else’s ears but hers. His entire face was red and he was holding his belly as his whole body jiggled in delight.

Not that anyone else was listening, or even awake. Perfidy had arisen early, expecting some sort of dawn tribunal that would mete out harsh, immediate justice for her ill-conceived crime. Instead, it seemed like everyone had secretly decided to sleep in, enjoying a lazy morning while she awaited her fate.

Everyone except Gruff, that was. He’d emerged from the sleeping quarters shortly after she had, eyes flicking about to see if they were alone. When he’d realized they were, he began his gloating.

“It was a good prank,” Perfidy admitted. “Ye got me.”

“Sorry, couldn’t help meself. You made it too damn easy.” More red-faced laughter. More side-clenching belly-jiggling. “You should’ve seen your face when the stick hit you. Classic!”

“I was scared outta my mind. Thought I was goin’ to be bludgeoned to death.”

“Why didn’t you tell them I put you up to it?” Gruff asked. “Not that I’m complainin’. You saved me skin!”

“Yer welcome. Ye mighta tricked me into doin’ it, but yer not the one who stole the stick. I did. My ma always told me that if ye cain’t take responsibility fer yer own actions, then ye’re as useless as a bird with no wings. An’ my ma ain’t raised no wingless bird o’ a daughter.”

“I think I would’ve liked your ma,” the dwarf said. “And I don’t like very many humans.”

“I think she woulda liked ye too. An’ she didn’t know many dwarfs. Or any, actually. What is the deal with that stick, anyway? How’d it git its magic?”

Gruff shrugged his thick shoulders. “You think I have deep, meaningful conversations with Lady Brenner about her past? The woman’s batshit crazy on her good days. No one except Sinna even knows why she’s here. She doesn’t have any Abilities. It’s not like she controls the stick. Some mage enchanted it and gave it to her, is all. She’s the owner, which comes with certain benefits, like not being beaten over the head with it.” The dwarf grinned, as though fondly remembering the events of the previous night.