Armed & Magical sample chapters

Ask and ye shall receive. ; )

I spoke with my editor last week, and I now have the green light/go ahead/permission to post sample chapters from Armed & Magical. In the next few days, I'll be finishing the copyedits to A&M, then I'll be working with Webmaster Todd to update my website. One of those updates will be the sample chapters. So if everything goes according to schedule, you'll be reading the first two chapters of Armed & Magical within the next two weeks.

I'll keep you updated on our progress.
Lisa

Tam answers your questions

Raine's explained the attraction that elves find regarding goblins -- the feeling about dark danger, the long dark hair, the gorgeous features -- but what's the attraction that goblins find for elves? What is it that a widowed defector from the goblin court who's running an exclusive expensive entertainment club in Mermeia, finds so fascinating about a flame-haired minor sorceress from a family full of infamous pirates and other lawbreaking sticky-fingered sorts?

What fascinates me about Raine? Her. I wanted Raine the moment she conned her way into my club. She didn't have to do any fast talking to get through Sirens's front doors, but getting upstairs to the room reserved for my wealthiest patrons took that and then some. My staff is trained to keep out people who don't belong. Raine looked like she belonged anywhere she wanted to be. (grins crookedly and chuckles) I could hardly blame my staff; the poor bastards didn't stand a chance when they saw her. Raine doesn't like gowns, which is a pity, but she told me later that she knew she wouldn't get anywhere near my high-stakes tables wearing what she usually does. Ladies in Sirens wear gowns, so Raine wore a gown. It was dove-grey velvet, and it matched those eyes of hers. And that bodice. It fit her like a second skin. Her hair was down and so was her neckline. She didn't wear any jewels and she didn't need them. Those eyes, hair and that creamy skin was more than enough to entice my bouncers to let her go anywhere she wanted to.

I noticed that and more. Raine wasn't wearing perfume, so I could smell the steel and leather on her. I couldn't see it, but I knew she was armed. With that gown, the only place she could've possibly had daggers were strapped to her thighs. (laughs) Oh, the fun I would have had disarming her. I didn't think any of my patrons had picked up a price on their heads, but I didn't know if Raine was an assassin. She had no expression on her face. That told me even more. She was here on business, and pleasure had nothing to do with it, either hers or her intended target. I don't like trouble in my clubs, so I acted like any good host and approached the lady, welcomed her to Sirens, and asked how I might be of service. (smiles) From the look on her face, I could be of service by getting the hell out of her way. I didn't move and neither did she. In addition to the steel and leather, I could smell her. Utterly delectable.

She tried to step around me; I blocked her way. She thought about using one of those daggers on me. (grins, showing a bit of fang) Too bad she didn't try; I would have enjoyed that. It would have given me an excuse to get my hands on her. She must have read my mind, or at least saw it in my eyes. She took a step back, just out of reach. Then she told me who she was and why she was there. One of my regulars was gambling with jewelry that wasn't his to gamble with. It was his wife's. His wife's grandmother's ring to be exact. The lady's favorite ring and the last piece of her grandmother's jewelry that she still had.

I run a gambling establishment, not a back-alley pawn shop. I prefer for my patrons to confine their gambling funds to the coin of the realm, but I have occasionally permitted, shall we say, substitutions. Anyone who causes trouble in my club usually ends up out of my club. Either on the street or in the canal. While Raine would have looked scrumptious wet, I thought I would help her get what she wanted -- so that some day I could get what I wanted. I returned the lady's ring -- and vowed to get to know a certain seeker much better.

Armed & Magical back cover copy

Happy Friday, everyone! I don't know about you, but it's been a long week for me. I've got a treat for you today -- the cover and back cover copy for Armed & Magical has been approved and here it is:

Armed & Magical

Ordinary sorceress. Extraordinary power. Suddenly she's the most popular girl in town.

My name is Raine Benares. Until last week I was a seeker -- a finder of things lost and people missing. Now I'm psychic roommates with the Saghred, an ancient stone with cataclysmic powers. Just me, the stone, and all the souls it's ingested over the centuries. Crowded doesn't even begin to describe it...

All Raine wants is her life back -- which means getting rid of the stone and the power it possesses. To sort things out, she heads for the Isle of Mid, home to the most prestigious sorcery school, as well as the Conclave, the governing body for all magic users. It's also home to power-grubbing mages who want Raine dead and goblins who see her as a thief. As if that's not enough, Mid's best student spellsingers are disappearing left and right, and Raine's expected to find them.

Lives are at stake, goblins are threatening to sue, mages are getting greedier, and the stone's power is getting stronger by the hour. This could get ugly.

Don't forget Tam will be here tomorrow to tell you how he met Raine. ; )

AND on Sunday, I just might have some Armed & Magical news that a lot of you have been waiting for. Pop back in on Sunday and read all about it.

Have a great weekend!

Lisa

I'm taking requests

I always have plenty to talk about. Get me started chatting about my books and writing and I could talk forever. Just ask my husband. ; )

What I want to know is: what do you want me to talk about? Do you have questions about MLTF, or questions on Armed & Magical (questions I could answer without giving anything away). Questions about me? Specific writing topics?

Either leave a comment on the blog, or email me at lisa@lisashearin.com

This blog is for you. I want it to be fun, informative and helpful to you.

Lisa

BTW -- You've sent in some REALLY good questions for Tam. I'll be posting his answers to a few of them this Saturday. I'll post more of his responses in subsequent blogs. There's just too much good stuff for one blog. ; )

It's been one of those days.

I just spent most of the day proofreading a massive project for one of our biggest clients. We're delivering it a day early. The client will be thrilled. The graphic designer and I are exhausted.

Whew. It's Miller-time, folks. Or in my case, it's "Samuel Adams brown ale" time.

After a quick dinner, it's up to my office (or more likely onto the couch) to proofread another big chunk of ARMED & MAGICAL. I need to finish it this weekend. I'm running a little behind, but I'll make it, no problem. I still have to write the Dedication and Acknowledgement sections for the book to send back with the manuscript. I want to take my time with that -- when it comes to thanking the people who made it all possible, I want to get it right.

I'll try to blog something more profound tomorrow. ; )

L.

More Raine Benares books!

Finally, I can announce it -- Raine's adventures will continue!

The next two books in the Raine Benares series were sold to Anne Sowards (my marvelous editor at Ace Books) by my utterly fabulous agent Kristin Nelson. The working title for Book 3 is The Trouble With Demons. The working title for Book 4 is . . .well, Book 4. (I'll give it a name as soon as one comes to me.)

Armed & Magical (aka Book 2) will be out in May. I'm finishing the copy edits this week, and hopefully in the next month I'll be able to post sample chapters for you.

A&M is due back to my publisher by Oct. 3. As soon as that's safely in the hands of the fine folks at FedEx, I'll jump back on the first draft for The Trouble With Demons (TTWD). Then my blog will probably become more like the "life in the trenches" of writing a book. The fun, the frustration, the freaking out, the writer's block, the push through the "murky middle" and reaching the finish line -- you'll get to hear all about it. Kind of like writer's therapy for me, and daily entertainment for you. ; )

Exciting news coming real soon!

Remember that exciting news that I've been itching to announce, but couldn't quite yet? Well, I still can't quite yet, but I'll either be posting it this afternoon or definitely by tomorrow.

Okay, ladies. Here's the chance you've all been waiting for. . .the Character of the Week for this week is Tamnais Nathrach. If you have any questions for Tam (and I know you do), send them to me before Friday. Tam will be here to answer them on Saturday.

Recently I read a short interview with Alan Campbell, author of Scar Night. I just loved his definition of the difference between "high fantasy" and "urban fantasy." It was priceless. He said, "I'd like to think that if high fantasy asked you to embark upon a quest to find a magic stone, then urban fantasy would be waiting in the shadows, ready to mug you when you got back."

Outtakes from MLTF -- The Undercity, Part 3 of 3

Today is the last part of The Undercity scene that didn't make it into the final version of Magic Lost, Trouble Found. (I posted the first two parts over the past two days, so scroll down and read it all at once, if you'd like.) I'd posted a different version of this scene last month -- that one took place in The Ruins; this scene is in Mermeia's Undercity. Karl Cradok, the crime lord of Mermeia, has kidnapped Quentin. If Raine gives Karl the amulet, she gets Quentin back in one piece. In streamlining the book, my editor and I decided that the Karl/Quentin subplot had to go. But both Karl & Quentin are still in reserves as characters to be included in future books. Karl's a slippery one, and Quentin's known for getting into everything--so who knows where they'll turn up? ; ) Enjoy!

As I climbed down, the rickety wooden ladder groaned, but held. Most of the wooden beams supporting the packed earth tunnel had seen better days. Some had fallen away altogether leaving no visible means of support. I had a spell in mind should the tunnel pick sometime in the immediate future to collapse. It was one of those things I hoped didn't happen, but considering recent events, I thought it prudent to be prepared.

The Undercity was a lovely place, full of damp and mold, and slimy things that slithered into dark corners. No doubt Karl felt entirely at home. Parts of it also routinely flooded during high tide. Like I said, a lovely destination.

Eiliesor was non-committal. Phaelan didn't like it at all. Janek and I didn't like it either, but then we'd been here before and had good reason for our mutual case of the heebie-jeebies.

"An underground city," the paladin murmured.

"Basically," Janek said. He spoke in the barest whisper and used a muffle spell to keep the sound from traveling in front of us. "Most of Mermeia's built on a swamp. Not the most stable place to build. Backfilling helped, but not enough. The first buildings sank, the second efforts were built on top of the first. Those didn't sink. Most of the time."

Phaelan looked around uneasily at the wet walls. "Kind of like a drowning man climbing on someone else's shoulders to save himself."

"Kind of." Janek grinned. "Nervous, Captain?"

"Damn right. I'm a sailor. Water's supposed to be under you, not rushing down an underground alley when the tide turns."

"The water down here doesn't rush, Phaelan," I assured him, or at least tried to.

Last time I was down here, the water didn't rush--I opened a door and it just fell on me. I didn't even try to hold back the shudder that came with that fond memory. Karl had some nasty little surprises tucked away down here. This time I was determined not to trigger any of them.

"Not usually," Riggs added. "Sometimes Mermeian construction standards leave a lot to be desired." His face lit up with a boyish grin. "Made it easy to catch William Lark's smuggling ring, though. Once that wall collapsed, the canal flooded the place and shot Bill and his gang out the Dock Street sewer tunnels like rats out of a hole."

Phaelan's horrified expression indicated he didn't need to know that.

The tunnel we were in parted in three directions, another fork appeared further down the left and right tunnels. The one in the center curved after another twenty feet or so, but didn't fork. Karl was trying to get crafty. I'm sure those tunnels led somewhere, but it wasn't anywhere we wanted to go, and nothing living down there was anything we wanted to meet. Being able to find things wasn't only relegated to objects or people. I could also find my way. Usually. Everyone had an off day. Besides, I'd been here before.

"Which way?" Mychael asked.

"Center tunnel." It was the one without any forks. It was also the darkest. Those who guarded Karl may be the biggest, but they weren't necessarily the brightest. He tried to keep it simple for them. Keeping them from stumbling into some of the Undercity's less desirable areas kept them alive to protect him a little longer.

"Is that what the beacon is telling you?"

"No, it's what I already know."

Phaelan peered into the gloom. "Hmmm, looks dangerous." He nudged me in the ribs and winked. "You go first."

"Me?"

"That necklace of yours hasn't let you get killed yet. I'm thinking it's not going to stop playing watchdog now."

Chivalry isn't dead, but sometimes when it gets around Phaelan it takes a nap. Apparently, he thought the beacon was dependable. I wished I shared his confidence.

On Monday, I'll announce the identity of the next Character-of-the-Week. Send me your questions throughout next week and the character in the "hot seat" will answer them next Saturday.

Outtakes from MLTF -- The Undercity, Part 2 of 3

For the rest of this week, I'll be posting a scene from Magic Lost, Trouble Found that didn't make it into the final version. (I posted the first part yesterday, so scroll down if you missed it.) I'd posted a different version of this scene last month -- that one took place in The Ruins; this scene is in Mermeia's Undercity. Karl Cradok, the crime lord of Mermeia, has kidnapped Quentin. If Raine gives Karl the amulet, she gets Quentin back in one piece. In streamlining the book, my editor and I decided that the Karl/Quentin subplot had to go. But both Karl & Quentin are still in reserves as characters to be included in future books. Karl's a slippery one, and Quentin's known for getting into everything--so who knows where they'll turn up? ; ) Enjoy!

"Are you alright?" Janek asked. No doubt my behavior was one of the stranger things he had witnessed this evening.

"It's the amulet, or the Saghred," Phaelan explained. "It's like being drunk without any of the fun parts."

"Except throwing up," I told the three Janeks that now wavered in my line of vision.

Feet shuffled away from my immediate vicinity. I didn't blame them. I wanted to leave my vicinity, too. To their credit, Eiliesor and Phaelan didn't move, though Phaelan's grip on my arm did loosen momentarily.

I took a deep breath, willing my stomach flip-flops to subside. It didn't listen, but it didn't do anything else either. That was good enough for now. I forced my eyes to focus.

"I'm better," I lied. "There are only one and a half of you now," I told Janek. I turned my head in the Guardian's direction. I don't know if it did it or not, but at least I tried. "I don't know if it was what you did or the beacon, but either way, the coast is clear. Karl's ward is gone and there's no one in the tunnel."

Eiliesor left me to Phaelan and checked for himself. I didn't blame him. I didn't trust the Saghred's work either.

"There's nothing left," he announced.

He looked at me. There was only one of him and he only had two eyes.

"If you're not well, you should stay here," he told me.

It sounded like an order. I've never been good with orders, especially the taking and following part.

"I'm fine," I insisted. "Last time this happened, I was fighting Khrynsani temple guards within two minutes. A minute after that I took on three of their shamans. Not too shabby."

Janek and Phaelan opened the trapdoor, revealing a yawning black pit.

The blond ax wielder, whose full name I'd discovered was Vegard Rolfgar, stepped up to the edge and looked down. "Lightglobes or torches?" he asked his commander.

"Globes," Eiliesor said. "Quicker to extinguish and no smoke for a sentry to smell."

The blue light illuminated walls of packed earth that looked to be none too stable. Eiliesor went down first, followed by Riston Kirkwode, the dark-haired Guardian from Tam's place, then Janek and Riggs. I followed with Phaelan. Four others followed at a distance to make sure no one snuck up on us from behind, the rest stayed in the shipping office to keep our exit clear.

Come back tomorrow for the conclusion of The Undercity outtake from MLTF.

Outtakes from MLTF -- The Undercity, Part 1 of 3

For the rest of this week, I'll be posting a scene from Magic Lost, Trouble Found that didn't make it into the final version. I'd posted an different version of this scene last month -- that one took place in The Ruins; this scene is in Mermeia's Undercity. Karl Cradok, the crime lord of Mermeia, has kidnapped Quentin. If Raine gives Karl the amulet, she gets Quentin back in one piece. In streamlining the book, my editor and I decided that the Karl/Quentin subplot had to go. But both Karl & Quentin are still in reserves as characters to be included in future books. Karl's a slippery one, and Quentin's known for getting into everything -- so who knows where they'll turn up? ; ) Enjoy!

The shipping office wasn't large. It was no more than ten paces deep and not much more than that across. It had the usual assortment of tables, chairs, and shelves to hold ledgers and maps. That and the musty, cloying smell of old paper and mold made the air thick. Though that could be as much from cramming so many people into such a small space as anything else.

We had determined the most likely place for Karl to be holed up and holding Quentin would be in the Undercity. It wasn't easily accessible due to Karl's boobytraps, and was easily defendable for the same reason. We were taking Guardians, Phaelan's crew and now members of the city watch. That would give us more than enough for backup and to cover the exit and make sure there was one when the time came to leave. I had no doubt that ours would be a fast exit. Nothing could make a night go from bad to worse like coming in one way only to find it blocked when you wanted to leave.

Janek and Riggs moved the desk in the corner of the office, exposing an iron ring attached to a trapdoor in the floor. There wasn't a place for a lock, but that didn't mean there wasn't one on the other side. Janek stood over where a lock would be, and held his hands palms down towards the trapdoor, and stood for a moment, unmoving.

I could feel them, too. Wards. Not the light ones you used to close a food pantry against a persistent dog, but the kind you used if you felt Death doing some heavy breathing on the back of your neck.

"Looks like Karl doesn't want visitors," I noted.

"I wouldn't think wards here would be that unusual," Eiliesor said.

"They're not," Janek told him. "But not something this complex. Karl's normal wards are strong, but he uses a simple word of unlocking so his people can get in or out. Only a select few know the password. Karl changes it on a daily basis, hourly if there's something big going down. He also keeps guards at the busier entrances. This door is rarely used. For it to be locked down this tight tells me that Karl's gone to ground and pulled the dirt in after him."

"Do you know how to get in?" Eiliesor asked.

I suspected that if Janek didn't, the Guardian did.

"I could, but anyone he has posted down there would know the instant I tried. Like I said, Karl doesn't surround himself with amateurs."

"May I?" the elf asked, indicating the door. "I'd like to see what he's using."

Janek stepped back. "You're the guest. By all means."

The Guardian spoke no words of incantation, nor made any gesture of any kind, but I felt the skin on the back of my arms and neck begin to tingle and crawl. Not entirely unpleasant. Still, I had difficulty repressing a shudder. It was gone as quickly as it came.

The amulet woke up. And the floor vanished.

I fell into a cold, damp tunnel. I screamed and flailed, desperate to grab something to break my fall before the fast-approaching ground broke every bone in my body. I stopped falling. Then I stopped screaming. There was no impact, no broken bones. I hung suspended in the darkness between the office and the earth of the tunnel, my breath ragged and absurdly loud in the silence.

A strong hand grabbed my arm. I screamed again.

Mychael Eiliesor had my arm. I was still standing in the shipping office. The floor was solid under my feet, the trapdoor was closed--and everyone was staring at me like I'd just sprouted a third eyeball.

"There's no one down there," I said lamely. I felt a wave of dizziness and started to fall, this time for real. Eiliesor and Phaelan caught me before I hit the floor.

Come back tomorrow for Part 2.

Mychael answers another of your questions

In Chapter 14 (page 190), what did you think when you woke up to find Raine in your bedroom? How did you feel about a fully clad Raine and an completely unclad you? I bet that had to be awkward.

Mildly startling. Definitely unexpected, but not unwelcome. If she hadn't come to me, I would have gone after her. Just a few hours before, Raine used the Saghred to destroy six fully formed Magh'Sceadu. Sarad Nukpana tried to take her from me in The Ruins; and as a healer, I knew that she was in no condition to defend herself. She was exhausted from what she'd just done, so I told her to take Piaras and go. Four of my Guardians followed them at a distance. Their orders were to see them safely to where they were going and then report her location to me.

They followed her and Piaras to the docks, and saw them rowed out to Phaelan Benares's flagship. Being on that ship would have protected her from nearly everyone else, but not from Sarad Nukpana. If I knew where she was, Nukpana had to know or would soon find out. I couldn't risk Nukpana capturing her. If Raine hadn't come to me in a Sending that night, I would have had been forced to go get her myself. I had enough Guardians to force my way onto the Fortune, but I was only going to do it as a last resort. I needed Raine's cooperation. (smiles slightly) And I didn't think tossing her over my shoulder and carrying her off that ship was the best way to get it. Parts of me were still hurting from what she gave me the last time I laid hands on her.

So when Raine came to me later that night, I didn't know it was her. The last thing I expected her to be able to do was a Sending. I knew someone in my bedroom. I was awake, but whoever was there didn't know it yet, and I was going to keep it that way until I was ready for them. I rolled over like I was just stretching, getting into a better position to jump out of that bed and onto my visitor. My hand was under the pillow, holding a dagger laced with enough magic to slice through skin and shield. I opened my eyes just enough to make sure I tackled my target right the first time.

That's when I saw Raine standing there. She had done a Sending through three layers of my best shields and she was as solid as if she were actually standing there. I knew only two mages who could manifest that well. From her nearly panicked expression, she had no idea of what she had just done or how she'd done it. I left the dagger under my pillow and slowly sat up. She was scared enough; I wasn't about to add to it. (smiles) Though I think she might have dealt better with the dagger than the fact that I was only wearing a sheet. But I had a job to do. I needed answers, and I knew that she had them. I asked and she answered--for the most part. An evasive lady, Mistress Benares. Then she had some pointed questions of her own, and demanded answers. (grins) I found out enough. She didn't know Sarad Nukpana and she had no idea what she'd gotten herself into.

The only light was from the lamp on my bedside table, but it was enough for me to see her sitting in that chair--scared but stubbornly determined to not to be. Whatever danger she was in, she was going to face it head on, and deal with it herself. When she let me see the beacon, I was standing close enough to touch the beacon--and her. I didn't know how small she was. The top of her head would have fit under my chin. And when those wide grey eyes looked up at me, all I wanted to do was put my arms around her. Holding her would have been worth the risk of getting kneed in the nuts again. I had to virtually force myself to step away from her. If I couldn't hold her, I could at least protect her. Protective custody would keep her close to me and safe. (smiles) Naturally, she said no. She wasn't going to give in. But I wasn't about to give up.

For your reading enjoyment, tomorrow through Friday will be another outtake scene from MLTF.

Editor or Agent Feedback -- The Movie

My agent sent this to her authors last week, and it's so hysterical that I just had to share. Nothing like starting a Monday morning with a laugh & snort.

WARNING: If you're drinking coffee/tea/carbonated beverage, swallow it before viewing the clip.

Disclaimer: The agent/editor in this clip is NOTHING like my simply marvelous agent and editor. ; )

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zo1XFz0kac0

Since Mychael still has questions to answer, I'll continue to post his responses throughout this week. Next Monday, I'll announce a new Character-of-the-Week to take your questions.

Take care!
Lisa

Mychael Eiliesor answers your questions, Part 1

Due to Mychael's demanding schedule, he was only able to answer two of your MANY questions. He'll be answering the others throughout the coming week or so.

Don't forget that tomorrow (Sunday) is the beginning of the Cross-Blog Scavenger Hunt. In addition to the Mychael Q&A, today's blog also consists of an invitation to join in the hunt. There are some really cool prizes for the winner. For rules and clues, go to The Toasted Scimitar (see the link in the list to the right). One of the clues you need is in the paragraph you just read.

On to the interview. . .

In Chapter 15 (page 207) of MLTF, Tam told Raine that you had once helped him out of a "sticky situation." And you added that Tam had once assisted you with a "minor nconvenience." Can you elaborate, or has the statute of limitations not expired on either incident? ; )

(Mychael smiles slightly) He would call it that--typical goblin understatement. Tam arrived on the Isle of Mid as the prime suspect in the murder of his wife, a duchess from the Mal'Salin family. He may have been the prime suspect in Regor, but in my jurisdiction, he was innocent until proven guilty. The Isle of Mid is politically neutral, and anyone arriving here can request political asylum, which Tam wisely did the moment he set foot on Mid's docks. That asylum can only be revoked if evidence is presented in court that clearly demonstrates the guilt of the accused. The goblin ambassador produced the signed statements of several "witnesses." This did nothing to sway either myself or my magistrates. One, these witnesses were all relatives of the deceased and enemies of the accused; and two, such testimony is only admissible in person, and Tam's accusers refused to come to Mid to formally file charges. Documents are easily forged, and testimony can be coerced or embellished. Due to a lack of legally admissible evidence, my duty as the senior law officer on Mid was to refuse to turn Tam over to the authorities at the goblin embassy for extradition.

I knew Tam was innocent--at least of the murder of his wife. As a spellsinger, I can use my voice to compel a person to speak the truth. Tam is dangerously gifted in the arts and could have refused my questioning, but he didn't. He did not kill his wife.

What about the "minor inconvenience" that Tam assisted you with?

It was hardly minor or a mere inconvenience, but the fewer who knew what Tam had done to help me and the city watch, the safer he would be. After being cleared of murder charges (at least on the Isle of Mid), Tam thought it prudent to remain on the island for a while. Considering his circumstances--and the persistence of his accusers--I thought it was a good idea. I knew all about Tam's former position in the goblin court. He was the chief shaman to the queen, which basically meant that he was her magical enforcer--and a dark mage.

The practice of black magic is illegal on the Isle of Mid, but that doesn't prevent mages from experimenting in basement laboratories behind locked and warded doors. If they are caught, they'll be arrested, tried, and if convicted, they will be executed. The punishment is harsh, but it has to be. As paladin, I'm responsible for the safety of thousands of students, mages and citizens on this island. No one, or no thing will endanger the people I'm sworn to protect. Black magic practitioners can summon demons, conjure plagues--in short, they can hurt a lot of innocent people if they're so inclined.

Mid is home to the highest seat of magical learning--the Conclave college. All of our faculty are mages, and the vast majority of them want nothing more than to teach, share their knowledge and do research. But some only want more power. They don't care where it comes from, or what they have to do to get it. And where there's power, there's the temptation to use it to its fullest extent, regardless of the consequences.

An anonymous tip claimed that one of our faculty members had engaged in human sacrifice to increase the power of his conjurings. No name was given. But the tipster said that the mage had killed once and was going to kill again at the next new moon. Tam wanted to help me catch that mage. While I knew (and had the proof) that Tam was innocent, others just saw a goblin grand shaman who had outwitted local law enforcement, had gotten away with murder, and was rumored to be the darkest of mages. To help our cause, Tam did nothing to deny those rumors; in fact, he quietly fed them, earning the "friendship" of several of our top suspects. Just before the new moon, a student was reported missing. By then, Tam knew the mages well enough to give me a name of his prime suspect. We raided a house the mage kept on the outskirts of the city, rescued the student who was about to be sacrificed, and arrested the mage--all thanks to the bravery and resourcefulness of a goblin many still consider to be a murderer.

Join the hunt! Win prizes!

Happy Friday, everybody!

I'll be busy interviewing Mychael Eiliesor today and posting his answers to your questions tomorrow, so today's blog consists of an invitation to join a Cross-Blog Scavenger Hunt. There are some really cool prizes for the winner, so get your weekend off to a great start and join in the fun! For rules and clues, go to The Toasted Scimitar (see the link in the list to the right).

One of the clues you need is in the paragraph you just read. Have fun and come back tomorrow when Mychael answers your questions.

Updates, announcements, and other stuff

What I'm reading this week:

• The Bible: This week I finally made it into the New Testament. Yea! The Bible is in continuous rotation on my reading list. I finish it, then I turn right back around and start at the beginning again.
  
• Moonshine by Rob Thurman: I'm about 30 pages from the end and will finish that this week. It's a new series by a fresh, exciting, and supremely snarky voice in fantasy. Nightlife was the first book, Moonshine the second, and Madhouse will be out in the spring of 2008. A link to Robyn's site is in the list to the right.
  
• Bitterwood by James Maxey: I did the signing/reading/discussion at B&N with him on Tuesday night. Great guy, wonderful book. See his link to the right for more information.
  

Still no pics yet from the booksigning. They're in the camera, we just can't get them out yet. Can't quite locate the cable to get them from the camera to my computer. Searching feverishly. Will find the cable.

I've gotten some really in-depth and personal questions for Mychael -- and some of them are just downright juicy. I can't wait to hear what he has to say on Saturday. But don't let that stop you from sending yours in. You have until tomorrow.

I'd hoped to be able to post the cover and back cover promo copy for Armed & Magical today, but a few more folks up in New York need to put their stamp of approval on it first. So I'll have to wait just a little longer -- but I can tell you that the copy department at Penguin Group did their usual awesome job. I can't wait to share those.

And as to the cover for Armed & Magical -- it's official. The cover artist once again will be the fabulously talented Aleta Rafton. I can't wait to see what she does this time. Whenever I open that PDF, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning.

Lisa

My first booksigning & reading

Sorry I'm so late blogging today, but we had a signifiant computer problem for the first part of the day. It's all cleared up now -- I think.

Last night was my very first booksigning/reading/discussion. I was a little nervous about it since I'd never done one before, but I had a blast! It was so much fun. The event was at my local Barnes & Noble, and I was doing the event with another local fantasy author, James Maxey. See his name in the LINKS list to the right. His novel, Bitterwood, is fabulous -- go get it now!

I talked about MLTF and read a scene from Chapter 1, then James did the same with Bitterwood. Then came the questions from the audience. They really got into it and asked some great ones. James and I had fun playing off of each other's answers, the audience laughed, had a great time, and bought a lot of books. Success! James and I are thinking about taking our act on the road. ; )

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the fabulous folks at the Cary, NC, Barnes & Noble: Linda Maloof (their community events coordinator) who booked the event and made all the arrangements, and kudos to Buck and TJ who ran the event last night. You guys are awesome!

We'll definitely be doing another signing when our next books hit the shelves. Plenty of people took pics, but I don't have any of them quite yet. As soon as I get 'em, I'll post 'em.

Don't forget to send your questions for Mychael. He'll be answering them this Saturday.

Query letter for MLTF -- Analysis

Today's topic is the query letter I wrote for MLTF (then called Thief of Souls) in an attempt to get the attention of super-agent Kristin Nelson. If you go to Kristin's blog (see the link to "Agent Kristin" in the list to the right), she goes through a couple of her clients' query letters bit-by-bit, commenting on what it was about the letter that got her attention. It's eye-opening and I think it'd be helpful to those of you about to begin submitting your work. My letter for MLTF is one that Kristin reviews. Just scroll down in her blog until you reach "Agent Kristin's Queries: The Inside Scoop." (It's on the links list on the right.)

Since I'm now one of her clients, Kristin obviously liked my letter. She requested a partial of the manuscript, then the complete manuscript, then she offered me representation. Yea!!!! Today, I'm doing something similar to what Kristin did in her blog with my query letter, except I'm dissecting it from my point of view -- why I wrote what I wrote in an attempt to get Kristin to want to see more of MLTF. Here it is:

Dear Ms. Nelson,

I made sure I got her name right. And for a female agent, "Ms." is the safe way to go. If the agent's first name is one that could either be male or female (such as "Chris"), do your homework and find out which one. Your effort will be appreciated. Big word of caution here: If you're submitting multiple queries (and don't we all), you'll be using a similar letter for each agent -- DO NOT FORGET to change the name in the salutation with each letter. I obsessively checked to make sure I'd done this before I hit send, or sealed that envelope. And if you're snail-mailing, make sure the name on the letter matches the name on the envelope.

I read on Publishers Marketplace that you're interested in female-oriented fantasy. I think that Thief of Souls, the first novel in my fantasy detective series, might interest you.

I did my homework and discovered that Kristin was actively looking for female-oriented fantasy. I've heard this is a major source of query letter irritation for agents -- most of them state clearly on their websites what kind of work they represent. If an agent says they're only looking for military or thrillers, don't send them a romance.

What if you suddenly have a largely unknown, potentially unlimited power? What if that power just might eat your soul for breakfast, lunch and dinner? What if every magical mobster and sicko sorcerer in town wants that power? And what if you can't get rid of it?

I found out later that Kristin doesn't like a question in the opening lines of the meat of the query, and I gave her four. Oooops, my bad. Though there was no way I could have known that going in. But I felt that the questions summed up my story and attempted to get the agent to put themselves in Raine's situation. I also used terms like "magical mobster" and "sicko sorcerer" to hint that this isn't your normal fantasy adventure. I'm going for the fun factor, and setting the tone for the plot summary to follow.

That's Raine Benares' problem. She's a Seeker--a finder of things lost and people missing. Most of what she's hired to find doesn't get lost by itself. It has help. Dependable help. Help she can depend on to use blades or bolts or magical means to keep what they went to all the trouble to get. When her sometime partner steals an amulet from a local necromancer, Raine ends up with the amulet and the trouble that's hot on its heels. What looks like a plain silver disk turns out to be a lodestone to an ancient soul-stealing stone, a stone that seemingly every magical mobster in the city wants--as well as a few heavy-hitters from out-of-town: goblins of the Khrynsani Order, their sadistic high priest, Guardians of the Conclave of Sorcerers, the goblin king and his renegade brother, and an elven spellsinger of dubious motives. People Raine doesn't want to have notice her, let alone have to outrun or outwit. She likes attention as much as the next girl, but this is the kind she can do without.

Again I briefly summed up just the core of the action, and I did it using the fun, light tone of the book. It's not easy, but it's vital that you be able to sum up your work in a tight, concise paragraph.

Then there's what the amulet is doing to her. New and improved magical abilities sound good in theory, but Raine thinks her soul is a little much to pay for resume enhancement. And when she tries to take the amulet off, the amulet tries to take her out. Soon Raine starts to wonder if her spells, steel and street smarts will keep her alive long enough to find a way to get rid of the amulet before it, or anyone else, gets rid of her. And the worst part? She isn't even getting paid. It's enough to make a girl consider a career change.

This paragraph is the payoff -- what the problem is and where the conflict comes into play. And again I stayed with the casual, fun and almost modern tone of the book, letting the agent know what kind of book they'd be getting if they requested a partial or full.

Thief of Souls is my first novel. I'm an editor at an advertising agency, with prior experience in corporate communications and marketing.

I had no previous publication experience, no contest wins, no nothing. So I said plainly that it was my first novel. I didn't apologize for it or try to hide it. Kristin also wanted to know a little bit about me, so I stuck with my professional writing experience. I didn't want to clutter my letter with anything that would detract from my book.

I'd be glad to send you my complete manuscript for your review. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

I asked for what I wanted (to send her the manuscript). At this point, and in my opinion, I felt it would be premature to mention "representation." And always thank the agent for taking the time to read your letter. They're swamped, and a "thank you" is not only polite, it's appreciated. And I closed by saying that I looked forward to hearing from her soon. No pressure, no pleading, just that I'm looking forward to hearing from you, and that "soon" would be nice. ; )

Regards,

Lisa S. Shearin

I hope that's helpful to those of you who are about to start submitting your work. And as always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to email or respond to the blog.

L.

Blog topic preview for this week

First of all, thank you for your questions for Raine. Judging from all the emails I got, I think everyone's enjoying hearing the characters of MLTF reveal more about themselves -- and dish the dirt about other characters. ; )

The Character-of-the-Week for this week is Mychael Eiliesor. Now's your chance to see if you can get him to tell you what goes on behind that cool and proper paladin exterior. Send me your questions throughout this week, and Mychael will be answering them on Saturday.

Since I was busting my tail this weekend on a project I hope to be able to tell you about soon, today is "blog lite." But one of this week's topics will be the query letter I wrote for MLTF in an attempt to get the attention of superagent Kristin Nelson. She liked my letter, requested a partial of the manuscript, then the complete manuscript, then she offered representation. Yea!!!! If you go to Kristin's blog (see the link to "Agent Kristin" in the list to the right), she goes through a couple of her clients' query letters part-by-part, commenting what it was about the letter that got her attention. My letter for MLTF (then called Thief of Souls) is one of them. Just scroll down in her blog until you reach "Agent Kristin's Queries: The Inside Scoop." (It's on the links list on the right.)

I'm going to so something similar with my query letter, except I'll pick it apart from my point of view -- why I wrote what I wrote in an attempt to get Kristin to want to see more of MLTF.

Tomorrow night from 7-8 at the Barnes & Noble in Cary, NC, I'll be having my FIRST EVER booksigning & reading. Public speaking -- yikes! Seriously, I'm looking forward to it. I'll be doing the signing with James Maxey, author of Bitterwood (a fantasy adventure of the epic battle between humans and dragons). I'm reading it now, and it's awesome (and the cover simply rocks). Pop over to Amazon and check it out. I'll be sure to let you guys know how the signing went (and how nervous I was), and post pics for your enjoyment -- or amusement. ; )

Try to have yourselves a great Monday!
Lisa

Raine answers your questions

As promised, today Raine is here to answer your questions -- you've all sent some great ones. But before she gets started, here's something else you might be interested in: Recently, the fabulous fantasy author Diana Pharaoh Francis asked me to do an interview on her blog. It was a lot of fun. If you'd like to read it, just go to her website and click on "My Blog."

Here's Raine and your questions:

You apparently have two intriguing suitors in your life. Bad boy Tam, who seems to have a one-track mind where you're concerned. And now, good guy Mychael, who also has a one-track mind where you're concerned, but a very different track--the amulet. (At least, so far.) Can you tell us a little more about your history with Tam? (Since you were already well acquainted when the story opened.) How did you meet? Where did you meet? How long have you known him? (Details, I want details.)

(Laughs) Like I could have forgotten how I met Tam. He arrived in Mermeia two years ago and promptly turned the Goblin District on its collective pointed ear. Tam was a primaru, or shaman of the royal blood. People talk, and I knew people who loved to talk and lived to tell. The juicier, the better. I managed to dig up that Primaru Tamnais Nathrach was the ex-chief shaman of the soon-to-be-assassinated goblin queen, and a supposedly grieving husband of a recently murdered noble wife. Rumor had that Tam leaving the goblin court and his wife's murder were connected. He stepped off of that ship as a goblin of wealth and influence. Tam bought the palazzo of an aristocratic, but impoverished Mermeian family, and turned it into Sirens--the most notorious nightclub and gambling parlor in the city. Some people said he bought the palazzo, others said he won it in a card game with the Mermeian family's stupid young heir. A few whispered that he'd all but stolen it using blackmail or black magic.

Knowing Tam back then, I would have believed any combination of any of the above. Our first face-to-face meeting happened when a cash-strapped noble was working his way though his wife's jewelry to support his gambling habit. The wife hired me to find her grandmother's favorite ring. I tailed the ring--and her husband--right to Sirens' high-stakes card table. I'd heard that Tam Nathrach was a scoundrel and an opportunist, but he was also a savvy
businessman. He didn't have me tossed in the canal behind the club for disrupting the game, and he personally returned the lady's ring. He said then it was good public relations. He told me later that he did it to impress me. He didn't have to bother. Being a Benares, I've always been attracted to rogues. Kind of like a moth to flame. Most times I have the good sense to steer clear, but with Tam I've come close to getting my wings singed more than once. (chuckles)
Though if I'm not careful, one of these days I'm going to get myself fried.

There's also something I've been wondering about since finishing MLTF. What was going through your mind during that blockbuster goodbye kiss from Tam? And where was Mychael when that happened? Did he hear the commotion from the ship hands? And how did he react, or didn't he? I thought I felt the stirrings of a rivalry beginning the two at the costume ball. What's your take and how are you going to handle things going forward? (If that's going to be addressed in the next book, I can wait for the sequel. I think.)

(smiles) Now there was a good-bye a girl could remember. I think I can safely say that I've never been slammed against a mainmast and kissed quite like that before. I guess Tam wanted to make sure I wouldn't forget him. No chance of that. By the way, Mychael was on his ship securing the Saghred, so he didn't see (or hear) what happened. (snorts) I'm not gonna to tell him.

Has Raine ever refused any marriage proposals? How has a cute girl like her managed to stay single?

I've had a couple of the usual ale-induced "marry-me-you-goddess" proposals in taverns over the years, but I've only had one that was serious. No ale was involved. I was young (and apparently stupid, or at least naive), I was in love, so I accepted his proposal--then I found out what he really did for a living. There are some lines I just won't cross. Lisa knows all about him, so I'll let her tell you more about him later.

Hey, Raine, do you ever think about settling down and having elflings?
Occasionally. But after my close call with what would have been a really bad marriage (see above answer), I've shied away from elflings for now. But if the right man came along, I'd be willing to change my mind. ; )

Bye for now,
Raine Benares

Drop by on Monday when I'll announce the next Character-of-the-Week.

Have a great weekend!
Lisa

MLTF outtakes -- Alix & Parry (Part 5 of 5)

Today concludes the chapter I began posting on Monday. It features Alix and Parry who are referred to in MLTF, but never seen. Alix is Raine's best friend, and Parry is a Conclave emissary and Alix's lover. If you want to read the entire chapter in one sitting, just scroll back to Monday's blog and work your way up.

And you still have today to send me your questions for Raine. She'll answer them here tomorrow. By the way, some of the questions to Raine have been about Tam. ; )

Preface to the Alix & Parry chapter: The following chapter (had it remained in the final version of MLTF) would have taken place immediately after Chapter 7 (which ends on page 109 of the final book). In the old Chapter 7, Janek Tawl asks Raine about a receipt he found in a box in Nigel Nicabar's bedroom. The box contained an elaborate and obscenely expensive mage robe. The receipt was from Alix Toril's shop. The date on the receipt was on the day that Nigel disappeared. Here's Part 5 of 5 -- enjoy!

I took a sharp right turn away from Parry's chosen topic, especially the naked part. "Garadin said you've done work directly for Archmagus Justinius Valerian."

"I have."

"He said you might be able to shed some light on one of his Guardians for me."

"Probably. Which one?"

"Mychael Eiliesor."

Parry just stood there, lips pressed tightly together. The smile he was stifling simply detoured to his eyes. My own expression told him I was not amused.

"You had a run-in with the Paladin?" he asked.

"That would be the Guardian," Alix clarified for me.

"So I gathered. You know him?"

A tiny smile creased Alix's lips. "He commissioned a set of spellsinger robes from me two years ago. That was one set of measurements I didn't mind taking. I almost took them twice, just for fun, but thought that might be a tad obvious."

"You didn't tell me," Parry objected.

Alix reached up and patted him fondly on the cheek. "Before our time, love. I'm certain you've had more than your share of those."

Parry wisely chose not to answer.

"I heard he was in town," she continued. "I thought it was for the goblin king's masked ball, though."

"Justinius had to send a representative," Parry said, "just to be polite. But the old man wasn't feeling polite enough to come himself."

"Doesn't have a soft spot for the Mal'Salins?" I asked.

Parry chuckled. "Justinius doesn't have soft spots for anyone."

I neglected to mention Tarsilia's recent revelation about the Archmage's soft spots. Parry was the last person who needed to know that. Though I had to hand it to Justinius. After what I'd seen last night, who better to send to a Mal'Salin party than Conclave Guardians? I'd never met Archmagus Valerian, but I had to admire his sense of the appropriate.

"Well, it looks like Mychael Eiliesor got bored last night and went out looking to right some wrongs," I said.

Parry grinned. "That sounds like him."

"So, do you know him or not?"

The grin grew. "Our paths have crossed."

I had a sinking feeling I knew where this was going. "Exactly how does he know you?"

"Professionally."

"Yours or his?"

"Mostly his."

Suspicion confirmed. "Then it's safe to say he would remember you."

Parry chuckled. "Yeah, he would."

Equally unfortunate was that I could now say the same for myself.

"What do you need from him?" Parry asked.

"Leaving me alone would be a good start."

"A lot of people who run into our paladin feel the same way--at least those of us who know him on a professional basis. If that's what you're hoping for, don't expect to get your wish."

"What I was hoping was that you knew him on an honorable, professional level, and could speak to him for me, but I should have known that would be too much to ask."

"Yes, you should have," Alix agreed.

Parry shot us both a look. "Disorderly isn't a serious offense. And I was only drunk for two of those charges, for the other I was just disorderly." He thought for a moment. "Well, there were those two mage duels, but since I wasn't the one doing the challenging, I was never convicted." His smile turned smug. "Neither were my challengers, but then they weren't in any condition after the duel to say much, let alone come to court."

Drunk. Disorderly. Drunk and disorderly. And dueling using sorcery probably while drunk. I might as well start packing for Mid now. Just find Mychael Eiliesor's doorstep, show up there, and get it over with. If Parry was the kind of mage Eiliesor dealt with on a daily basis, I really couldn't blame his strike-first-ask-questions-later approach to law enforcement.

"Eiliesor is strictly by the book," Parry continued. "Me, there are some rules that I don't break. Others are merely guidelines for genteel living. But then I've never been much for genteel."

"I'm well aware of your character," I said. "I need to know more about his."

"You don't get to be Guardian Paladin with a less than spotless reputation," Alix told me.

"Nothing's spotless if you look hard enough."

"How hard do you need to look?" Parry asked.

"I have something he wants, and I won't give it to him."

Alix laughed. "The story of every woman's life. Does he know that you have it?"

I nodded. "And we were face-to-face when he found out, so he has a pretty good idea of what I look like. Asking around and putting a name with my face won't be hard."

Alix's mouth slipped into a suggestive grin. "Have you considered just letting him catch you?"

Mychael Eiliesor may be nice to look at, but I was sure the Conclave dungeons were not. I looked her square in the eye. "No."

"You don't have nearly enough fun."

Tam's words came back to me. "So I've been told."

"Eiliesor's a Guardian," Parry said. "The best. He's going to find you sooner or later."

I was going to do everything I could to make that as later as possible.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow when Raine will answer your questions. You'l find out more about Raine -- and Tam. ; ) If you have a question you want to ask her, send it to me today.

MLTF outtakes -- Alix & Parry (Part 4 of 5)

The chapter I'm posting this week started on Monday and will conclude tomorrow. It features Alix and Parry who are referred to in MLTF, but never seen. Alix is Raine's best friend, and Parry is a Conclave emissary and Alix's lover.

And you still have until tomorrow to send me your questions for Raine. She'll answer your questions here on Saturday.

Preface to the Alix & Parry chapter: The following chapter (had it remained in the final version of MLTF) would have taken place immediately after Chapter 7 (which ends on page 109 of the final book). In the old Chapter 7, Janek Tawl asks Raine about a receipt he found in a box in Nigel Nicabar's bedroom. The box contained an elaborate and obscenely expensive mage robe. The receipt was from Alix Toril's shop. The date on the receipt was on the day that Nigel disappeared. Here's Part 4 of 5 -- enjoy!

"Sorry about that," I told Alix.

"About what?"

"About not being able to warn you."

"What's to warn about? I just made the robes. I may occasionally feel like killing a client, but I have yet to actually do it." She looked momentarily concerned. "He doesn't think I had anything to do with Nigel's death, does he?"

"No," I assured her. "Nigel gave someone else plenty of motive. And that's just one candidate. Like you said, the people wanting to get their hands around Nigel's neck makes for a long line."

"Were you one of them?" she asked me.

"I was lucky. I didn't even know the man."

Alix looked confused. "Then why were you. . .?" she gestured vaguely in the direction Janek had gone.

"Janek was questioning Nigel's neighbors, I was in the neighborhood, so he wanted to talk to me."

"Did he have a reason to?"

"A reason to what?"

"Want to talk to you?"

Alix knew me far too well. That, and she was guarding my rooms last night, and saw first-hand who else wanted to chat with me. I was sure an explanation from me wouldn't be unwelcome.

I grinned. "Not that he knew at the time."

"He knows now?"

"Some, not all. Enough to want to offer me protection, though."

"Did you take him up on it?"

I shook my head. "I didn't take Garadin or Markus up on it, so I didn't see any reason for Janek to be the lucky winner."

"That's why you weren't home last night to deal with your own mess," came a deep voice from behind me.

Not only did Parry Arne look like he had just rolled out of bed, he had the look of a man who wanted to get back there and resume what he had been doing--and the something that he had been doing had nothing to do with sleep. He towered over me by a good foot, and every time I saw him, his height, build, and mane of pale blond hair reminded me of a Myloran sea raider. I couldn't help but think that Parry should be wearing leather and furs, and not the midnight blue silks Alix had made for him. He nuzzled Alix's neck, then turned sky blue eyes on me.

"I had enough of a mess where I was," I told him. "By the way, I really appreciate you helping Tarsilia and Piaras."

"Glad to do it," he said. "You had a bigger mess than Khrynsani on your doorstep?"

I nodded. "And getting bigger all the time."

"How much bigger?"

"Conclave Guardians bigger."

Parry managed to smile and wince at the same time. "That could be nasty. Congratulations, girl. I always knew you had it in you."

My expression spoke volumes. "I've had a bad night, and my morning's not getting any better."

"Khrynsani and Guardians aren't the worst you could do," Parry told me. "I've had worse."

"I'm sure you have."

"Try waking up naked, chained to a stake, and smelling smoke--with a hangover. Now that's a bad morning."

The truly scary thing about Parry was that regardless of how outlandish the claim, they all turned out to be true.

Come back tomorrow for the conclusion of the Alix & Parry chapter. And be sure to visit on Saturday when Raine answers your questions. (I've gotten some really good ones so far.)

MLTF outtakes -- Alix & Parry (Part 3 of 5)

Recently, the fabulous fantasy author Diana Pharaoh Francis asked me to do an interview on her blog. I jumped at the chance. She posted it last night. Just go to her website and click on "My Blog."

The chapter I'm posting this week is a big one, so I started on Monday. It's in five parts and will run to the end of this week. It features Alix and Parry who are referred to in MLTF, but never seen. Alix is Raine's best friend, and Parry is a Conclave emissary and Alix's lover.

And you still have until Friday to send me your questions for Raine. She'll answer your questions here this weekend.

Preface to the Alix & Parry chapter: The following chapter (had it remained in the final version of MLTF) would have taken place immediately after Chapter 7 (which ends on page 109 of the final book). In the old Chapter 7, Janek Tawl asks Raine about a receipt he found in a box in Nigel Nicabar's bedroom. The box contained an elaborate and obscenely expensive mage robe. The receipt was from Alix Toril's shop. The date on the receipt was on the day that Nigel disappeared. Here's Part 3 of 5 -- enjoy!

Alix descended the stairs in no particular hurry, and extended her hand to Janek, favoring him with a warm smile. He took her hand and bowed over it. While everyone was still playing nice, I made the introductions.

Eleta arrived with tea for Alix and Janek.

"To what do I owe the honor of your visit, Watcher Tawl?" Alix asked.

"I was hoping you could answer a few questions about a client of yours."

"Of course. Which one?"

"Nigelius Nicabar. I'd like to know about his most recent purchase."

Alix's expression resembled someone who had just swallowed a bug. "Nachtmagus Nicabar's most recent commission was the only custom work I have ever done for him."

"I take it he wasn't a regular client."

"No."

"May I ask why?"

"Nachtmagus Nicabar is repulsive, Watcher Tawl. I've worked hard to build my business to the level where I can be selective with whom I work. A set of custom robes like the ones I made for the nachtmagus require working very closely with the client. I never intend to work that closely with him again."

"Yet you did this time."

"Only as a favor to an old friend. Gerald Aurillac usually does the nachtmagus' custom designs. He's been ill for the past few weeks, and asked if I would help with some of his clients. Nachtmagus Nicabar was one of them."

"You have a problem with necromancers?"

"No, just that one."

"There's a lot of that going around," I told her. "Nigel turned up dead this morning."

"Really?"

"You don't seem surprised," Janek said.

"Are you?" she asked, without missing a beat. "No one liked him, and I would imagine many more actually hated him enough to want him dead. Some of them enough to do the job themselves."

"Do you know who wanted to kill Nigel this week?"

Alix laughed. "I doubt if you have time to wade through that list, Watcher Tawl."

"We found a set of new robes in Nicabar's bedroom, with the receipt still in the box." Janek handed her the receipt. "That's a hefty price to pay for robes."

Alix's lips curled into a smile. "That's the receipt for the final payment. There were three such payments."

Janek almost choked on his tea. "Three?"

The smile broadened. "I do quality work, Watcher Tawl."

"So I understand. But three times this?"

"I did charge an extra fee for the inconvenience of having to work with Nachtmagus Nicabar."

"Taking his measurements alone would be worth that," I said.

"If I would have had to have taken his measurements, I would have charged five times the amount on that receipt," Alix told me. "Fortunately I could work from the last measurements Gerald took."

"That was lucky," I said.

"Yes, it was."

"Did Nicabar mention why he needed Rheskilian court robes?" Janek asked.

"He bragged about a commission he had received directly from King Dunican himself," Alix replied. "He said he had performed an invaluable service and was being repaid with a position at court. He wanted the robes before he left for Dragalon in two weeks."

"Did he say what kind of invaluable service?" Janek asked. His outward expression hadn't changed, but I knew Alix had just struck a big chord.

Rulers seemed to like having a dangerous sorcerer at their right hand--rather like having a big dog.

"He didn't say, and I didn't ask, because I didn't care," Alix said.

"And since it was Nigel, you probably didn't want to know," I added.

"That, too."

"If you remember anything you think might be helpful, would you contact me?" Janek asked.

"Of course."

"Then I won't keep you any longer." He looked at me for a long moment. "Raine, can I count on you to do the same?"

I nodded, though I was more than confused by his behavior. Just as he was getting somewhere, he was leaving.

"As soon as I can," I said, trying unsuccessfully to read some other meaning into his question.

He considered that for a moment, then nodded and left. I waited until the shop door had closed behind him.

Come back tomorrow for Alix & Parry -- Part 4 of 5.

MLTF outtakes -- Alix & Parry (Part 2 of 5)

The chapter I'm posting this week is a big one, so I started yesterday. It's in five parts and will be running all week. It features Alix and Parry who are referred to in MLTF, but never seen. Alix is Raine's best friend, and Parry is a Conclave emissary and Alix's lover.

Yesterday, I also started my blog's Character-of-the-Week feature. Each Monday I'll post who the character is, and throughout the week, you send me your questions for that character. Either respond to a blog during the week with your questions, or email me at lisa@lisashearin.com. The character will be answering your questions throughout the weekend.

The character in the question hot seat this week is Raine. What questions do you have for her?

Preface to the Alix & Parry chapter: The following chapter (had it remained in the final version of MLTF) would have taken place immediately after Chapter 7 (which ends on page 109 of the final book). In the old Chapter 7, Janek Tawl asks Raine about a receipt he found in a box in Nigel Nicabar's bedroom. The box contained an elaborate and obscenely expensive mage robe. The receipt was from Alix Toril's shop. The date on the receipt was on the day that Nigel disappeared. Here's Part 2 of 5 -- enjoy!

A tiny Caesolian woman, Adrienne's sharp eyes and nimble fingers were responsible for some of the finest embroidery worn by some of the wealthiest, but not necessarily most talented, mages on Mid. Alix's designs didn't come cheap, and Adrienne's spider-fine needlework was only affordable to a select few. She smiled when she saw me.

"Good morning, Raine." She favored Janek with an inquiring look.

"Adrienne, this is Chief Watcher Janek Tawl. He has a few questions for Alix. Is she in?"

"Yes, but she's still upstairs." Her delicate features curled into a knowing smile. "A friend of hers is in town this week. I suspect they were out rather late last night. Come in."

That would be Parry. Adrienne's tone implied that neither one of them had made it out of bed yet, which could very well be the case, but not for the reason she thought. I kept that theory to myself. I'd rather Janek didn't know about my nighttime visitors just yet. And if Alix's tardiness was due to fatigue of another sort, Adrienne knew all about her boss' dalliance with a certain Conclave emissary. Janek didn't need to.

The shop itself was small. As most of Alix's work was custom, only a select few garments and sample fabrics were out for show. The work area and fitting rooms in the back of the shop took up the lion's share of the space. The few robes on display looked more like costumes than robes meant for working. Most designers had some of their most flamboyant designs out for the goblin king's masked ball, and Alix was no exception.

"I'll let her know you're here," Adrienne said, brushing past me on her way to the back stairs and Alix's apartment. "Can I have Eleta get you a cup of tea while you wait?" she called back over her shoulder.

More tea was the last thing I needed. "No, thank you. Janek?"

The watcher was intently studying a rack of rare Pengorian silks on display in the front window. They flowed like melted jewels over the rack into an artful pool atop a length of black velvet. The amethyst silk in particular bore more than a passing resemblance to the material of Nigel's robes. And if it was Pengorian silk, it was one of the most expensive fabrics in Alix's shop or any other on Heron Row.

"Janek." I called again.

"What?"

"Do you want some tea?"

"Yes." He turned back to the silks.

I could tell he was resisting the temptation to climb into the front window for a closer look.

Adrienne nodded and vanished into the back. I walked over to Janek.

"This looks familiar," he said.

"Probably Pengorian silk. I think the going rate is around five tenari a yard."

Janek whistled. "That's a fortnight's wages for me."

I nodded. "It's expensive. Not to mention hard work to make--and that's just for the worms."

"So you're an expert on silk, too?"

"No, just friends with Alix. She's the fabric expert. In my line of work, all I ever need to know is how to get blood stains out of it."

"Put that knowledge to use often?"

"More often than I'd like."

"Had a big laundry bill recently?"

"No."

Again, not a lie. What clothes I didn't have to throw out after last night, I'd be cleaning myself.

"You might want to be careful who you ask questions like that," I told him. "It's kind of personal. Someone who doesn't know you all that well might think you're strange."

"I'm not strange, I'm a watcher."

"Like I said, people might think you're strange."

"You brought up the subject of blood, not me."

He had me there.

I spotted Alix at the top of the front stairs about the same time she saw me. She looked like she had just gotten out of bed. Some people wore disheveled well. Alix was one of them. She was also the best walking advertisement for her own work. Her pale blonde hair fell over a bronze velvet robe lined with apricot silk. Beneath it was a linen gown of the palest blush. The design of both garments were simple, the cut perfection, and the only ornamentation was Alix herself. Judging from Janek's stunned expression, she didn't need anything else.

Alix's cool blue eyes passed over the watcher. Her expression didn't change, but I'm certain a few select words crossed her mind. I think I even saw her mouth one of her favorites. If Janek noticed, he didn't let on. I imagine in his line of work, he was used to less than enthusiastic receptions.

Come back tomorrow for Alix & Parry -- Part 3 of 5.

MLTF outtakes -- Alix & Parry (Part 1 of 5)

I know I said I wasn't going to blog today, with it being the Labor Day holiday here in the U.S., but the chapter I'm posting this week is a big one. It's in five parts and will be running all week. It features Alix and Parry who are referred to in MLTF, but never seen. Alix is Raine's best friend, and Parry is a Conclave emissary and Alix's lover.

Also, today starts my blog's Character-of-the-Week feature. Each Monday I'll post who the character is, and throughout the week, you send me your questions for that character. Either respond to a blog during the week with your questions, or email me at lisa@lisashearin.com. The character will be available to answer your questions beginning on Friday and throughout the weekend, if needed to get all the questions answered.

The character in the question hot seat this week is Raine. What questions do you have for her?

Preface to the Alix & Parry chapter: The following chapter (had it remained in the final version of MLTF) would have taken place immediately after Chapter 7 (which ends on page 109 of the final book). In the old Chapter 7, Janek Tawl asks Raine about a receipt he found in a box in Nigel Nicabar's bedroom. The box contained an elaborate and obscenely expensive mage robe. The receipt was from Alix Toril's shop. The date on the receipt was on the day that Nigel disappeared. Here's Part 1 of 5 -- enjoy!

Janek wanted to ask Alix some questions. Since I had a few for her myself--and even more for Parry--I thought I'd tag along.

Janek also wanted a cup of coffee. I knew what was coming next. He liked his coffee black. He was in the minority. Coffee wasn't a drink in Mermeia; it was a social event. Some of the city's coffee and teahouses were better for seeing, others were best for being seen. Some were small and quiet, while others were large and noisy. The most popular weren't necessarily the best in quality. The best-known were on The Cobbles--Mermeia's central market square. Pedestrian traffic was heavy, so business was good.

And where there were coffee and teahouses, there were booksellers. While wealthier sorcerers and mages often had their own libraries, they always seemed to want more. Either for actual study, or for show to impress potential clients. So while many charlatans were illiterate, that didn't stop them from buying books. Not to mention a lot of business was done and sorcerers hired over a cup of coffee or in the stacks.

After a wait, Janek finally got his cup of coffee. He had what he wanted, but he didn't look happy. I had heard what was coming next so often, I could have saved him the breath and said it myself. It was always the same. He complained all the way to Alix's shop.

"Where can an honest, working man go to get a cup of good, strong coffee that costs less than a day's wages? And I don't want anything with it, or on it, or in it. I just want coffee. Doesn't anyone drink coffee black anymore?"

Janek stepped aside to allow a mage to pass. She acknowledged his gallantry with the barest nod, and continued her progress down Heron Row, glancing neither left nor right, nothing and no one mattering except her destination. I hoped she wasn't bound for Alix's shop.

Robe designers and tailors in Mermeia did a booming business. On the Isle of Mid, robes were strictly regulated--fabric, design, embroidery--so that a Conclave mage was immediately recognized as such. I'd heard that the Seat of Twelve made that law to help justify and reward an expensive and grueling Conclave education. To me it sounded more like graduate so you have to spend most of your money on fancy robes. It also sounded like a couple of the archmages on the Seat of Twelve had relatives in the silk business.

We didn't do things that way in Mermeia. Local sorcerers were free to indulge their fashion tastes, or lack thereof, any way they wanted. If they could afford to dress like a Conclave mage, and could act like a Conclave mage, a gifted Mermeian sorcerer could often command a Conclave mage's fee. Most of those doing the hiring didn't care that they weren't getting the genuine article, only that their social circle or business associates believed the deception. Sorcerers in the District knew that chances were, the gaudier the robes, the less talented the wearer. But as long as clients continued to expect extravagant robes, a good portion of a mediocre sorcerer's income went directly his or her tailor.

The most fashionable shops were just off The Cobbles on Heron Row. Alix's shop was one of them. In my opinion, Alix was easily the most talented robe designer in the city. More than a few Conclave mages on Mid shared my opinion. Alix had done very well for herself.

It was early afternoon, and normally there would be customers in Alix's shop either for fittings or consultations, but as Janek and I crossed Heron Row, I saw Alix's head seamstress Adrienne just now opening for the day. Normally that would be odd, but normally, Alix hadn't been up most of the night convincing Khrynsani shamans to spend their evening elsewhere. There were no customers waiting. Alix must have cleared her calendar. That was good. Most everyone in the Sorcerers District knew Janek, and absolutely everyone knew of Nigel, whether they would admit it or not. But it might be better for Alix's business not to be linked too closely to either one. Then again, notoriety might be good for business. As long as it didn't darken their own doorsteps, there was nothing people loved more than a good scandal.

(Come back tomorrow for Alix & Parry, Part 2 of 5. )

NEW blog feature: Character-of-the-Week Q&A

Okay, start thinking of questions you'd like to ask the characters of MLTF!

Starting this Monday, I'll be hosting a weekly Character Question & Answer session where the characters from MLTF will be available to answer your questions. I'll announce which character is going to be in the "hot seat" on Mondays, accept questions all week, then have the character answer them on Friday and on through the weekend if necessary. Just email me at lisa@lisashearin.com or respond to any of my blogs during the week to submit your questions.

Of course the character can't give away any plots from future books. Though that won't be a problem for Tam; being elusive is what goblins do best. ; )

Have a great weekend!
Lisa