The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep is a fantasy novel describing the adventures of Colter Halfspear as he becomes a man and an initiate of magical powers. Sometime later I woke as Pascalli brushed dust from my clothes and armor.  My bones ached.  My hands and neck felt raw, and breathing was painful and difficult. “You’ve bruised your chest somehow,” said Pascalli.  “I didn’t get all of the details of what happened in there.  You’ve been asleep for nearly an hour.” “Are we safe?” I asked. “You did... Read Full Story

The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep is a fantasy novel describing the adventures of Colter Halfspear as he becomes a man and an initiate of magical powers. I freely admit that I was not prepared for that confrontation.  I had steeled myself to face the kind of horror that would spawn the grotesque lizard creatures and that would consort with demons of the sort we had fought all along the way, but I was not prepared to face her beauty and majesty. No hint of the previous struggle touched her face.  ... Read Full Story

The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep is a fantasy novel describing the adventures of Colter Halfspear as he becomes a man and an initiate of magical powers. I didn’t realize how much our journey had taken out of me until I sat down on the chill stone floor in the darkness of that little room.  The tension of constant vigilance and the repeated attacks had taken a toll of exhaustion.  After only a few minutes I felt stiff, and I drifted into a dreamless sleep.  Pascalli woke me after a time and asked... Read Full Story

The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep is a fantasy novel describing the adventures of Colter Halfspear as he becomes a man and an initiate of magical powers. Knowing that a person has a key is one thing.  Knowing what the key goes to is something else.  Perhaps most important, however, is the will to use it for its intended purpose knowing full well the consequences. I held no illusions that facing Asmordreda would be a simple affair.  Pascalli’s grim demeanor served as ample warning to the serious n... Read Full Story

The drip of red on black canvas. Not dye now, it slowly falls. Wonder at the hands, hurt or nothing, just the crimson ebb. The painted dark square of life toils endlessly to receive the scarlet flow. Tears would cover pain, mingle with and purify, but there is no peace-white drop. The hand is crushed. Dark red flows endlessly. Now rushing, bright red spatters, canvas scatters, hopes fly. Boiling up now, clear drops bring relief, lightning flashes, cold silence streaks. Passion ends in tainted... Read Full Story

Sandy walls built high to protect the onslaught of wrecked senses. Psychotic waves restless in the night Do little to help the granite shield. Open the gate.  No!  The portal is shut. Feelings lash out and are crushed By iron whips of self consciousness. Alone. Not alone.  Not single, not complete. The sandy walls wish to fall, Threaten privacy, but are held. Fear bars the way, cold impdiments To continuity. Alone. Beaten down, the foundation Lingers still to haunt the one Who made them fall.... Read Full Story

The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep is a fantasy novel describing the adventures of Colter Halfspear as he becomes a man and an initiate of magical powers. Time seemed to stand still in the study.  We ate, we rested, we slept, and we searched, but we had no way to mark the passage of days or hours. During this time I discovered that Davmandius had created Golgaron as a sort of weapon practice machine, but that the statue grew in intelligence and ability over the winters until he had a life of his o... Read Full Story

My pen and soul as I sit are open to the world and you. They say I should not be so. People are wrong. My pen has never failed. It will not now.  It takes my mind to you. I go home, or come back. You are nowhere. My pen will fill the pit. But even the words can not Replenish what is gone.  You are gone, but I am not alone. I will go on. My pen goes on. It will guide me, it always has.  When next I see you my pen too will have left. We will be one. Read Full Story

Suddenly there came a thought As I sat, guided by a silent ray, To go, to share, to help and pray, I felt full of desire, To shine for the world, But I knew I could not rise. My inner shell is too tight, As I sit, still like a brick and listen. Sparkling insights dance and glisten, Along the length of my soul. The spark calls to me. But no, I must stay instead. And give my light in drops, Tiny but effective, To burn away the loss, Of those who need, or hurt, or want, Who pass, unseen, unheard... Read Full Story

The Cleansing of Darnuth Keep is a fantasy novel describing the adventures of Colter Halfspear as he becomes a man and an initiate of magical powers. I was rather nervous about what we might find, and also somewhat let down.  The room was essentially a library.  Shelves lined the walls, packed with neatly arranged books.  My first thought was that Pascalli would have me reading them for the next hundred winters whether I felt inclined or not.  There was a sturdy table and two padded chairs.  ... Read Full Story