A Note From Castle Carbonek

[merlinscribe]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am alive and well. My daily life has actually changed very little, but I am keenly aware of friends and family who do not have my options. Stay safe, everyone.

—James

Comments

Book 3 of Dragon Prophecy

[(Anonymous)]

Heyla James, is book 3 going to be released soon? Its an awfully long time since book 2 and you said you weren't going to do what the Game of Thrones author did making his readers wait years. Guess that hasn't happened. Any hints of a completion date????????????????

Re: Book 3 of Dragon Prophecy

[merlinscribe]

You know, I read a rumor on the internet the other day that I had only written three chapters of DP3. [insert hollow mocking laugh here] I currently have about 175,000 words of manuscript--a mere 50,000 words more than Tor is expecting--and I have about another 10-15K to go to wrap things--which means I will turn the book in this year then it's up to Tor. I'm currently doing an "untangle continuity" pass through the book before I flesh out the outline I've made of the ending. Which means more of bits like this:
* * *

He watched as Garmund hesitated over his sword and reached for his whip instead. He urged his palfrey toward Harwing and raised his hand to strike. Harwing raised his hand and cast Fetch. The whip flew from Garmund's hand to Harwing's.

"I am Lightborn, trained in the Sanctuary of the Star, member of the Warhunt, and disinclined to deal with your posturing. You do not wish to offend me. I am Hamphuliadiel Astromancer's envoy to the Western Shore, and without me you do not have heat, light, water, or defense from the Beastlings, who—may I remind you?—have overrun the West. If you can tell me there's a better place to make camp within a halfmark's ride, I will be willing to go there, but I doubt you can. Further, I need this time to see to your destriers, so if you will be so good as to tell me what you did with the Quieting charms, I can begin."

Over Garmund's shoulder he could see Alleth heading toward the destriers, with Belfarna behind him. Alleth was carrying the destrier's bridle and Belfarna the saddle.

"I will kill you in your sleep," Garmund rumbled, his face turning dark with rage.

"Did I mention I rode with the Warhunt?" Harwing said. "What do you imagine that is? If you were a true and real komen I would ask where I faced you in battle, but I know the answer to that already. Now. The charms, please. Or I bespell you and send you back to the Sanctuary stripped naked and tied backwards on your horse."

Garmund dismounted from his palfrey and took a step toward Harwing. Harwing did not move. He cast a complex series of spells—they had crafted such spell-series' for entertainment during their Sanctuary training and oh how long ago that all seemed now—and Garmund's dagger slipped gracefully from its sheath to hover above Harwing's outstretched palm, spinning slowly end-over-end. "Lightborn," Harwing repeated. "I call no one my master. Not even Hamphuliadiel."