Teasers have returned!  Here is an excerpt from The Merchant of Nevra Coil.  Called Everthorne, this is the northern Sister City and sits in a very difficult region.  A briar forest to the south, icy expanses to the east, swamplands to the west, and a craggy shore to the north.  Yet, it sits in a comfortable weather zone.  It has a lot of trouble though, which you’ll get to see more of in the book.

Cover art by Jason Pedersen

A dark tunnel covers the last mile of the briar forest, the damp path leading under the immense fortress that acts as the government building for Everthorne. The adventurers emerge to the sight of icy hills to the east and the glow of a murky swamp to the west, which is both beautiful and disorienting. As they walk along the poorly paved streets, the champions expect to be hit by a blast of cold or a wall of heat. Instead, they are greeted by pleasant weather as they are led by a white-tailed calico named Jani, the friendly girl dressed in the gold shirt of a city greeter. With her glittering top and well-pressed pants, their cheery guide stands in alarming contrast to the drab appearance of Everthorne. Most of the buildings are two-story structures with bare walls of hardened mud and crudely thatched rooftops. Symbols and numbers are painted above the wooden doors to identify the place as a business or residence. Within minutes, the citizens are timidly approaching the familiar figures and extending their cherished toys to be touched. Unlike the mob in Gods’ Voice, the people act with a sense of calm reverence and child-like awe. The loudest noise that they make is a barely audible thank you before they return to their daily life.

When the adventurers reach the simple docks, Jani brings them to a four-story restaurant that has been decorated with flags from around the world. Bringing them inside, the young calico waves to the bartender who points upstairs. The champions are softly cheered as they walk through the busy public bar and take the simple stairs. Following their guide, they climb to the top floor where they find a single room with a finely crafted table and matching chairs waiting for them. Two suits of recently polished armor flank the doorway and banners of red silk run along the rafters. The windows are wide open on the ocean side, giving the adventurers a clear view of the craggy bay and splashing mermaids. It is a beautiful and comfortable room, which the champions sense is a rarity in Everthorne.

“The Pillars will send for you when they have gathered at the fortress,” Jani announces while bowing at the waist. She hands out menus and lingers at Nyx before turning to reveal a battered figurine of the channeler that was hidden beneath her long shirt. “Please relax and order whatever you want. I’d recommend any of the seafood because the merfolk catch it fresh every morning. For drinks, we have a wide selection of ales and wines.”

“I take it each greeter works for specific businesses,” Delvin casually mentions as he examines one of the suits of armor. He catches the smell of tobacco from the visor and wonders if the helmet has been thoroughly cleaned or only made to look nice. “You guide visitors to the inns and restaurants that hired you. That’s actually a pretty smart tactic. I’ll have crab legs and whatever Dwarven ale your bartender keeps hidden in the back. A cup of coffee too if you happen to have any.”

“Fizzle have apples!” the drite shouts from the rafters.

The others gradually give their orders, everyone staring at Nyx in surprise when she requests an expensive lobster. It takes a few extra minutes to help Dariana decide on her meal, it being centuries since she has had seafood. By the time they finish, the champions have put their gear on the hooks found around the room and left their boots below the open window. The young calico continues to stand expectantly in the doorway, clutching the menus to her chest. Sari notices the growing disappointment on Jani’s face and snatches a diamond sphere out of Timoran’s pocket. She flips the sparkling orb to the girl who catches it and stares at it with wonder in her amber eyes. The calico starts to hand the money back to the gypsy, but she pauses when she realizes everyone is staring at her.

“You’ve never seen one of those before?” Luke asks, hiding his surprise.

“I’ve seen plenty of them, sir,” Jani answers, blushing at the blunt question. The black tufts of hair on her ears flick while her matching tail wraps around her leg. “I . . . I’ve never had one of my own before. I get paid in silver, room, and board like most guides. Diamond spheres are special. I don’t even know what to do with it.”

“Save it or spend it,” Sari says before giving the stunned calico a hug. “Just remember that it’s your money and nobody can tell you what to do with it.”

“Thank you so much,” the girl whispers as a few tears roll onto her whiskers. Her eyes fall on the table where seven boxes have been placed. “I almost forgot. The Pillars sent a gift for each of you. They were chosen after speaking with Lady Kellia. Some of our leaders saw which of us became your guide and sent these ahead. I hope all of you like them.”