Category: The Blackfeather Chronicles

The Blackfeather Chronicles are set in the equivalent of the Victorian era of Shandor, and tell the adventures of the Blackfeathers, an unusual family of archeologists, and their friends. The rich history of the world has resulted in some relics of the past being considerably less dead than others. These stories are published and archived on this website and update weekly. Paperback and ebook versions are or will be available of each in time.

Chapter Seven, Bodysnatchers, continued

Chapter Seven, Bodysnatchers, continued

Kara was dimly aware of being carried over a shoulder. Past the crook of a swinging arm she could see Seilu being dragged along by the same man who’d hit him with the blackjack. She felt so angry at herself for letting the fellow with the club get the jump on her while she was kicking his comrade that she half forgot to be worried about Seilu. She couldn’t tell from here if he was alive or not, but the bodysnatchers didn’t seem worried about him waking up, and that was a bad sign. Continue reading “Chapter Seven, Bodysnatchers, continued”

Chapter Six, Tombs and Princes, continued

Chapter Six, Tombs and Princes, continued

Tallis turned over some papers covered in sketches and held them up to the light, one after another, while Eljiah watched, distracted from his class notes. “What are you looking for?” he asked.

“Missing people,” Tallis said. Continue reading “Chapter Six, Tombs and Princes, continued”

Chapter Six, Tombs and Princes

Chapter Six, Tombs and Princes

Djaren stayed up quite late cleaning up after the party. He owed it to Missus Craderly, he thought. He felt fortunate that no one had thrown up their ill-advised food combinations within the apartments. Outside was another matter and, happily, someone else’s jurisdiction. Continue reading “Chapter Six, Tombs and Princes”

Chapter Five–New Friends, Old Enemies, continued

Chapter Five–New Friends, Old Enemies, continued

Kara was deeply annoyed. She was flattened to the ground, hiding from grave robbers who were hiding from noises, and the long grass made her nose itch. The grass was wet, like everything else here in Cambriol, and she did not want to be arrested as part of this miserable group of grave robbers. Continue reading “Chapter Five–New Friends, Old Enemies, continued”

Chapter Five–New Friends, Old Enemies

Chapter Five–New Friends, Old Enemies

Djaren stopped and ducked behind a rain barrel, quieting his breathing and thinking fast. He might be able to convince them that he was local, but he had only one name to reference, and no strength or martial skill to back that with. He didn’t know what he’d say in class to excuse the bruises. He checked his pockets and found only a few coins. Would they be insulted he had so little money? Djaren hadn’t been mugged before, and he wasn’t sure how it was done. Continue reading “Chapter Five–New Friends, Old Enemies”

Chapter Four–Pauper’s Field, continued

Chapter Four–Pauper’s Field, continued

“I don’t like meeting here,” one man said, his voice smoke-roughened.

“It’s safe ground,” the thinnest of them said. “Our safe ground. None else digs anymore here but us Leverdowns, and the others all know it.”

“The Crackers and Wells’ lot don’t seem to know lately where their territory ends,” the first mumbled.

“They’d best leave us this if they know what’s good for them,” the short round one said. Continue reading “Chapter Four–Pauper’s Field, continued”

Chapter Four–Pauper’s Field

Chapter Four–Pauper’s Field

Kara watched from the rooftop across the street as Djaren, Eljiah, and Tallis knocked at the door of the somber little building on Stableway that doubled as an undertaker’s shop and the headquarters of the Mourners. This seemed a sensible enough combination to Kara—if one had to deal with dead bodies, why not make money off them twice over, once for the burying and once for the official weeping and parading about in black? Continue reading “Chapter Four–Pauper’s Field”