Dragonslayers Saga

The

“Fairy tales do not tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children that dragons can be killed.” --G.K. Chesterton

BK 3: Chapter Fifteen: Harper Creek

The sun soared high over Alikon as the Dragonslayers caught their first glimpse of Harper Creek. Glistening snow melted on barn roofs,...

Andrew M. Trauger

Jan 2525 min read

BK 3: Chapter Fourteen: The Test

In the dim illumination of a tallow candle angled lazily in a brass holder, Sir Reginald Hunt slumped over his dining table with a glass...

Andrew M. Trauger

Dec 14, 202420 min read

BK 3: Chapter Thirteen: Gravity

As the Animithe accompanied the villagers back to Elinwyche, Cora’s thoughts drifted to Elric. Not only had he ascended Equine Hill, but...

Andrew M. Trauger

Nov 29, 202425 min read

BK 3: Chapter Twelve: Odhasaim

The next day began with a reheated pot of stew. Around a crackling fireplace, the Dragonslayers ate in silence. Moffe sat by the front...

Andrew M. Trauger

Nov 19, 202423 min read

BK 3: Chapter Eleven: Kiyla and Elric

Nightfall enveloped Kiyla in a blanket of chilled darkness. The country lane east of Edgewood diminished to a single trail, one that...

Andrew M. Trauger

Oct 27, 202422 min read

Moffe Stattalonn

Moffett Cornelius Stattalonn is a master reeve, given the title Warden of the Cerion Forest. As an accomplished woodsman, tracker, and...

Andrew M. Trauger

Sep 20, 20242 min read

BK 3: Chapter Ten: Equine Hill

Moffe stepped out of the stable, extended an arm, and released a low whistle into the chilly night air. A red-shouldered hawk descended...

Andrew M. Trauger

Aug 31, 202422 min read

BK 3: Chapter Nine: Elinwyche

Moffe led the Dragonslayers along a narrow trail through the lightly forested low hills near the Maz Nabor. Most of the deciduous trees...

Andrew M. Trauger

Aug 20, 202420 min read

BK 3: Chapter Eight: Focus Comes with Clarity

In the northern plains of Alikon, biting winds enveloped the land as The Deepening reinforced a bitter cold descending from Elandra on...

Andrew M. Trauger

Jul 11, 202419 min read

BK 3: Chapter Seven: The Mission Begins

Fog hovered near the ground, a light and wispy blanket of white that drifted on a cool breeze across Moffe’s feet. Surrounded by the...

Andrew M. Trauger

Jul 8, 202427 min read

What's in a Name?

The title "Scarlet Trails" was one of my wife's many invaluable suggestions. I remember stopping her one day with the open-ended and...

Andrew M. Trauger

Mar 23, 20241 min read

BK 3: Chapter Six: Changing Direction

Fighting a military conflict as a member of the Sentinel League had frequently filled Elric’s imagination. But if he was dead, why was...

Andrew M. Trauger

Dec 16, 202322 min read

BK 3: Chapter Five: Parallel Worlds

Across a wide, meandering river valley flanked by rugged, snow-capped mountains, the bodies of countless fallen soldiers lay scattered...

Andrew M. Trauger

Nov 24, 202320 min read

BK 3: Chapter Four: The Brack

Morning dawned crisp and clear with a chill breeze blowing from the north across the narrowing shorelines of The Deepening. Cora stood...

Andrew M. Trauger

Sep 4, 202330 min read

BK 3: Chapter Three: Answering the Call

The highway between the town of Westmeade and the free city of Cer Cannaid passed through the fertile soil of northern Alikon—the grain...

Andrew M. Trauger

May 21, 202315 min read

BK 3: Chapter Two: Things Best Left Undisturbed

Montpeleón deCorté normally enjoyed the Brewer’s Consortium. He liked to mill about, blending with the visitors as well as the...

Andrew M. Trauger

Jan 22, 202319 min read

BK 3: Chapter One: Decisions

The wonders of The Deepening were both legendary and fearsome, captured in the name many sailors gave it: “The Cradle of Storms.” Rumors...

Andrew M. Trauger

Jan 3, 202319 min read

Kiyla Muroe

Introduced late in Book Two: Scarlet Trails as a connection to the Alliance underworld of Cer Cannaid, Kiyla became an important ally to...

Andrew M. Trauger

Dec 30, 20222 min read

Cora O'Banion: Book Three

Reveling in their recent glowing success, Cora tidies up her final days with the Kotting family and prepares to relocate to Cer Cannaid...

Andrew M. Trauger

Dec 18, 20221 min read

Prologue to Book Three

In days of yore when Kreth was young and shadow cloaked the land, Foul Vaeroloth, the terrible, conceived on blist’ring sands A five-fold...

Andrew M. Trauger

Dec 17, 20226 min read