Heart of the Hunter

Please enjoy Chapter 27 - the Final chapter of Heart of the Hunter!

Though this is the last episode of the novel, please remain subscribed to the feed as I will be announcing the next writing project here first!

Excerpt:
Major Hoskins walked right past the dandified
well-coiffed clerk who served as the front line of
defense of the Fairchild Concern’s offices in Blacpool.
He strode down the hall, to the corner office, and
pushed the door there open. A skinny Lunargenti
factor was seated there at an exquisite darkwood
desk, papers of accounts spread all across its shining,
mahogany surface.
“Are you Barineau Fairchild?” Hoskins said quietly,
politely.

Special thanks to: Theresa Jaffee from 12 Volt Theater for all her assistance and encouragement. Hope Evey for all her assistance and encouragement, Geek Radio Daily for playing my promos and interviewing me, and all the other podcast authors who have supported my work over the years by playing bumpers and allowing me to participate in their projects, among them PG Holyfield from Murder at Avedon Hill, JC Hutchins from 7th Son Novel, and Philippa Ballentine from Chasing the Bard.

Also, the podcasters who interviewed me as an author: Chris from PodioMediaChat and Jack Jaffee from the BS Show at 12 Volt Theater

Finally, thanks especially to my family, Cynthia Armistead and Katie Armistead. both of whom had to sacrifice so that I could get a book done - not having a dedicated studio, everybody had to be quiet while I recorded, for example. They have been very, very supportive and I could not have done it without them.

If you’ve helped on Heart of the Hunter and I’ve somehow forgotten you, let me know and please forgive my forgetting. I will make edits to this thank-you to include you.

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 27 [33:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Please enjoy the second to last chapter!
Excerpt:
“The Corbie’s kin are our eyes in the shadows. The Stag is our heart. The Falcon, he is our
far view. The Tree is our guiding light. The Snake is our mystery. And the Land is our
foundation. Each of these spirits chooses you when you arrive at Treehaven, as a sibling
spirit. I have a feeling the Corbie will choose you, just as the Stag chose me, once upon a
time.”

Special Thanks: to Theresa Jaffee as First Listener and my family as they put up with this “last big push” to get it done.

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 26 [43:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Please enjoy Chapter 25.

Excerpt:
Peter was paired with Sir Valedain at the knights’ request, and they began to slowly make their way through the northeasterly track assigned to them. The brush became far too thick to stay mounted, so they tethered their horses and made way on foot.

A motion in the brush alerted Peter, who saw a flash of red at the throat of the target and gave a cry. The two-legged target ran from the brush and froze as he came upon Peter. The bandage the poor fellow had made for himself was stained crimson, and he sank quickly to his knees in surrender. “Please…to…not….kill.” He said in halting Trade.

Please note: Writing of the 1st draft of Heart of the Hunter is complete. There are 27 Chapters in Heart of the Hunter, and this is the 25th Chapter, so we have two more left!

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 25 [44:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Please enjoy Chapter 24.

The Hound of the Light paused at the door to the temple before beating it down with fists dipped in living steel. The door shattered, beautiful Lunargenti inlay flying in all directions, the bas relief of the Goddess Orielle on them irreparably damaged. He paused, not because he was at all sorry that he was destroying a priceless artifact, but because he was channeling the punishing power of the Light itself into his body. He took a few moments to breathe, to listen and see if this temple had any warriors. But Orielle’s Hall was a place of peace, a place of healing, and this day there were no guardians or protectors present. The Hound’s eyes revealed to him the truth of the place. This was the Temple of the Infidel.

Special thanks to: Theresa Jaffee from 12 Volt Theater for being my first listener, Cynthia Armistead for listening while I edit, and Hope Evey for the announcing and the continual support. Special thanks this time also goes out to the DM of Doom, James, for plugging me on his blog!

 

 Heart of the Hunter 24 [44:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Here’s a poll for all my listeners, specifically asking you to name your favorite Crew member in the caravan. Let the voting begin!

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Please enjoy Chapter 23.

Raven found that she fit in, which was always nice to
her: sameness brought stealth, stealth brought comfort.
For once she found she could remember the dance
steps that had been drilled into her by the half-drunk
Jasquonian dancing master whose classes she’d been
forced to attend, and she soon found herself tapping
her feet to the dance, and being drawn into it by
smiling young Lunargenti, anxious to show their
guests a good time.
She felt all at once as though she could get used to
this kind of dancing. Being surrounded by happy,
accomplished, competent people, all of whom know
and trust each other was infectious. She was relaxing
into the pattern of things when she came to the sudden
realization that her dance partner was Corwin the
Bard.

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 23 [40:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Hello everybody! Well, the podcast track for Dragon*Con has been announced here and I would like, personally, to invite any fans of the podcast Heart of the Hunter who happen to be attending to drop by the Hilton at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 31st, right after the Brain Science Podcast presentation, to head down to the Hilton’s lobby and enjoy a spot of tea with me, the author.

We don’t have a lot of time for people who want to get back to the Podcast Track and see the The Signal Live! presentation - but I would love a chance to meet you!

I will be offering Vaz Stones imbued with the Luck of the Valisti to all who come.

BTW:
My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-8295104e7da24b88799dc9fb5f6e8cc3}

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Please Enjoy Chapter 22

Valedain nodded. “So you learned the ways of a
knight from that?”

Peter sighed. “From that, perhaps a little. From stories, mostly. There were troubadours who would travel the land. The Church had forbidden them to perform as they used magic and were outlanders. But they would set up their stage in the deep woods, and I would steal away from the farm to go. It was an open secret where they were. And once there, I cut my teeth on the stories of knights of old. Sir Eoin, who rescued the Queen of Lunargen and helped restore her to the throne. Sir Karn who, with his dragon lover killed the dark lord Solphar, then became a star. Dame Angren and her sword of faith.”

Valedain nodded. “And yet they were just tales. You know now, as an adult, that bard’s tales and the truth are rarely the same thing.”
“Aye, but that doesn’t matter. The fanciful I know. But I know that there is a better way to be, a higher standard. There is justice. There is mercy. There is honor and there is duty. These aren’t fancies. They’re real. They breathe and they live. In me, if nowhere else.”
Valedain nodded. “In me as well, Peter. In me as well.”

Special Thanks This Episode to Cynthia for Editing Companionship, Teesa for First Listen, Hope Evey for her encouragement and her voice on the intro.

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 22 [46:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Hey, did you see the ad for Heart of the Hunter in Kobold Quarterly Number 6? Let me know if you find it (when it comes out!)

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Please Enjoy Chapter 21

“Have you ever worked the land, Sir Peter?” Sir Valedain asked.
“I ain’t no Sir. Just a plain workin’ stiff like the rest of my crew.” Peter said, unequivocally.
“Ah, I see… I beg your pardon, I only assumed because of your sword and the way you sat your horse…I meant no…”
“You got it.” Peter said.
“What?” Valedain said.
“My pardon. You asked for it. You got it.”
“Oh. I see. Yes.” Valedain said. He turned as someone tried to get his attention.
“If you’ll excuse me for a moment…”

Right-click here and download. Sorry: PodPress is borked right now, so this is the best I can do!

Special thanks to First Listeners Theresa Jaffee and Cynthia Armistead and my announcer Hope Evey!

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 21 [42:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Please enjoy Chapter 20.

Thoughts of grief at the loss of her beloved swamp were temporarily set aside as she breathed in relief. The stink of war was still in her nostrils, the scent of her dying Gnaeltongues, the smell of the mercenaries’ sweat on the battlefield, even the stinking walking corpse that was her K’uun. All the scents faded away in the cleansing icewastes air.
Except for one, and it wasn’t really a scent as much as it was a feeling. The maddening feeling that the Greenward still hunted her, still sought her, was still hoping for a confrontation even though she had managed to throw an entire warband of Gnael and her new champion in his path. The Treekeeper’s errand boy was inexorable.
He was also standing just down the hill from her.
“Greetings, Uline.” Cinhil said. A double-recurve hunting bow loaded with a war-arrow creaked as he pulled it back.

Special thanks to First Listener Theresa Jaffee.

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 20 [35:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Listen or right-click and download!

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Please enjoy Chapter 19.

On top of that, a swarm of bloodsuckers came out of the cool, rainsoaked night, in numbers enough for the entire crew to hear the hum of their manifold wings.

The sidekick of a madman he was no longer. He was more, so much more. Now, he was K’uun. And he would have his revenge on them.

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 19 [46:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I’ve broken the 90,000 barrier and there’s still novel left to write. Woot!

I don’t think I’ll go too much farther past 90K, though.

Special thanks to Jason Penney’s wonderful plugin, ProgPress for providing the meter.

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“Very well then.” he said, touching her forehead, and suddenly her muscles unlocked and she was able to move again. Raven’s daggers flashed into her palms and she made a move to attack the hyenaman instantly, but with one syllable, again, the man held her fast. “Oh, well, um. I’d prefer you not kill them, either, at least not while you have the advantage. Until I sort things out, that is. OK?”
Raven breathed out slowly, raggedly, feeling her heart racing.
He touched her forehead again, and she was able to move once more. “That is VERY annoying, whatever power it is.”

Warning: this episode has some icky bits. Not as bad as the transformation scene with Frick, but pretty bad.

Please enjoy Heart of the Hunter 18.

Special thanks this time to all those listeners who have been rooting for me to get this thing done, among them:

Hope Evey, Natalie Metzger, Teesa, Jack, and the DM of Doom!

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 18 [50:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Just a little note here to talk about how far along I am on “Heart of the Hunter.”

As you can see, thanks to Jason Penney’s wonderful plugin, ProgPress, I am very close to my current stated goal of 90,000 words.

I think I can get done with the complete story by that time. Heart of the Hunter is not meant to be the first of a trilogy. It is a complete book by itself. There are possibilities for future novels in the same world and with some of the same characters, but as of this time there are no plans for a “sequel.”

Thank you all for sticking with me on this ride. Chapter 18 should be ready soon!

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Cover Art by Natalie Metzger

Please enjoy Chapter 17

“Easy it is,” spat an ahgrim warrior with a booming voice, “to sit behind the warriors and point the way. Will the Swamp Witch come to fight with us?”

A silence descended upon them and Uline swiveled her mount to regard the one who spoke. A few Gnael moved slowly away from him, as if trying to distance themselves from her power. He stood his ground, alone.

Special thanks to Hope Evey for supplying the intro voice!

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 17 [30:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Jack from 12V Theater requested a shorter promo to play in his really cool literary podcast, so I made one yesterday. It is very short (38 seconds), but it includes music from Scott McLeod from Incompetech.com

Chapter 17 has proven to be a difficult one to marshal into place. It is written, but it doesn’t want to be finished editing. That, and the fact that I’ve maxed out my Libsyn account until the 7th means that posting the next chapter is proving to be difficult. That doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen! I’m going to figure out something. Y’all sit tight, OK? We’ll be back up and running before you know it.

If any of you have podcasts and you want to play this promo for me, I would be very grateful.

 

 Heart of the Hunter Short Promo [0:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Cover Art by Natalie Metzger

Please enjoy Chapter 16

“The Brother Alobar is an excellent teacher.”

“What does that mean?” Shandra asked.

“When you use energy, Shandra, it uses you. If you do not properly go about it, you will find that you are on the bad end of the bargain. Magic always has its cost, but with skill and practice you can minimize that cost. The steps he led you through, the grounding and centering, that was for your benefit.”

“I..I see. There is so much that I do not know. Brother Alobar says that all power eventually comes from the Light. Do you believe that?”

“I believe that if one has gifts, one should use them. That is something that was hard won for me. I have…well, sometimes its a curse, sometimes a blessing. The Sight.”

“How does it manifest?”

“Sometimes I can see that which is, or was, or sometimes even that which will be. It is a gift of my Valisti blood.”

“You see these things as if they were real, there in front of you?”

“I have to find the middle spaces, the shadows, the places in between to look. Then the visions come to me. They rarely, if ever, come unbidden.”

“I see. And you…you saw how Father died that way?”

“That I did.”

“H-how did he die?”

“As I told you when first we met…he was killed by Gnaeltongues. Most likely by the same warband that attacked my people while I was away. Apparently, Uline has been patrolling this land as if it were her own.”

Shandra nodded. “I thought..I thought he was just away. Just delayed. That he would return. We should have left last year, but he thought to wait out the winter. We had enough supplies, and the stone house. It was not difficult to convince the Gnaeltongues to leave us be. But when the snows melted, he had to go for supplies. He wanted to take me with him, but I refused because I knew that would mean we would lose all that we had gained. I didn’t think it would take so long for him to come back. And then it was too late.”

She collapsed into tears of bitter grief, and Auryn drew her into an embrace. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her softly in the dim light of his tent, and her tears stained his threadbare silk shirt.

 

 Heart of the Hunter Chapter 16 [31:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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New artwork by Natalie Metzger

“So how far away do you think we are from them?” Peter asked, after handing Raven a mug of beer.

“A day’s travel, maybe two, no more.” Raven said.

“Excuse me,” Jurgen Coalsblood said, getting up suddenly. “I have business to attend to.” He said, moving off quickly to his wagon. Peter got Raven’s attention again with a fire-warmed sydal roll, still sticky from a bit of honey.

“Eh. Troops take longer to get places than individuals do. And you say the River Road is no more?” Peter asked.

Raven chewed and swallowed, washing it down with a swig of beer. “It has been totally eaten by the swamp, I tell you. The river itself flows through it.”

 

 Heart of the Hunter 15 [30:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Please enjoy Chapter 14

“You do understand the concept of scouting, right Raven?”

“What? Yeah. Sure. Just um, go see what’s going on. Yanno, look around and stuff.”

“Yes. And there be one vital part of the job ye may be missin’.” PEter said.

“What’s that?”

“Lettin’ us know what ye found. That means comin’ back, ya see? Not gettin’ into it with ‘em. Do you have me?”

“Uh, yeah. I have ya. Do I look crazy?”

Auryn grinned, “You don’t want me to answer that, I’m certain.”

“Silence, Gypsy. I am no fool, Sarge. Tell you what. Pour me a beer. I’ll go out there, I’ll see what’s what, and I’ll make it back here before the head dissolves.”

“It’s a deal, then Raven. See you soon.” Peter said, nodding, and she ran off into the woods, seeming to vanish the moment after she broke through the treeline.

“Auryn, do you go with Shandra. She’s over there with the preacher and the Greenward, they’re gonna do what they can do for this fire.”

“Aye, Sarge.”

Peter rolled his eyes, “Not you, too. Sarge. That woman’s a bad example.”

But Auryn merely swept him a bow and was off.

 

 Heart of the Hunter 14 [36:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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