Knave of Yes
I’ve posted before about my completed novel, Knave of Yes, but I don’t think I’ve ever posted any excerpts. Here, in honor of Boskone, the first couple hundred words:
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I was proclaiming revolution in Kalida Market when they came for me, the King’s war wizard in a plume of fire and Count Withn bearing my death sentence in his hand. As the crowd ran screaming from the guardsmen’s swords and Lord Helm’s flame, Lord Withn unfurled the black-ribboned parchment and began to read. In the rolling voice in which he announced hangings, burnings, and harvest festivals, he said, “Owen Barker, called the Jest, you are condemned in the King’s name, charged with inciting riot and with treason in words and deeds. King Mollow has decreed the penalty of death.”
Lord Helm’s voice was a shuddering rumble. “I have come to see you do not cheat the gallows, Jest. You have evaded Lord Withn’s guards before, but you will not escape me.” The Count and all his guardsmen looked small beside him; he was huge, a foot taller than even I stand, and twice my weight. Fire licked up and down his body.
I sidled over to a fruitseller’s cart. “Evade? Escape? You mistake me entirely,” I said, palming a handful of limes. “On the contrary, I’ve been waiting half the day to sing you my new song.” I began to juggle the limes.
