Gifts of Many Kinds

Few cities can match the splendour of Oerba, the home of the Dia. It stands at the foot of the Yun Mountains, upon the very edges of the broad plains that share its name. For more than one thousand years, the Dia have made their homes there. It is not the oldest of the cities built by the clans, but it is arguably the most famous.

Despite the fearsome reputation of their closest allies, the Yun, the Dia have no great love of battle. Instead they prefer to be scholars, artificers, merchants, healers, and mages. The Dia will fight if they must – and fight well – but they prefer books and tools to swords and spears. Indeed the Great Library of Oerba is the envy of the world, much to the amusement of the Yun, who prefer the unforgiving slopes of their mountains to vast chambers filled with books and scrolls.

The merchants of the Dia are a common sight in many lands. They are known to drive a hard bargain, but they keep their oaths, and they are always generous to those they consider friends. On their travels, they are seldom alone. Many a Yun warrior has honed their skills and earned fame and friendship on the road with a Dia merchant.

The walls of Oerba are considered one of the greatest treasures of the clans, for they are made using materials and processes known only to the Dia. Despite their age, the stones still fit so closely together that not even the blade of a knife can slip between them. The walls are also reinforced with powerful spells. In fact, the entire plain is subject to the whims of Oerba's mages, for countless monuments have been built to help carry their power beyond the walls of the city.

At the height of the War of Transgression, the Cocoon Empire attacked Oerba three times. Twice, the armies of Cocoon were destroyed before reaching the city. On the first such occasion, the forces of the Yun clan caught them by surprise. But the second time, the mages of Oerba put their monuments to work. They tore the skies and rained fire down upon the armies of Cocoon for three days until not a single soldier remained alive. The third attempt was made by one of the largest armies that Cocoon ever assembled.

The army included some of the Empire's most powerful mages, so they were able to fight their way through the magic of Oera to assail the city's walls directly. The Yun held the walls for more than a month despite the overwhelming numbers of the enemy. But as their forces dwindled, the situation grew desperate. That was when the mages and artificers of Oerba unleashed the weapon they had been preparing in secret.

The Dia had crafted golems of stone and steel, warriors that knew neither weariness nor fear. The skill and power of every mage and artificer was needed to animate and control the army of golems, but they served their purpose. They broke the siege, and the forces of Cocoon fled. But the strain proved too much for many. More than half the mages and artificers involved perished from exhaustion, and those that remained took years to recover.

But the Dia kept the golems. Now, they stand sentry on every street corner and along the walls – ready in case there is need of them again. The golems that are often used today to carry large burdens and do simple tasks are cousins to these ancient warriors, simple and weak enough that they do not overly tax the magic of those who operate them.

Apart from Oerba, the Dia have many other smaller settlements. Most of these are on the plains, but they do maintain a number of trading outposts in distant lands. Indeed, Dia merchants can be found even in lands as far as Wutai and Nibelheim. More recently, however, the Dia have turned their attentions to Bodhum. The great city by the sea offers marketplaces eager for their goods – and marketplaces full of many things that the Dia desire.

X X X

Lightning woke slowly, something that she was not accustomed to. Her years of service to the city had taught her the importance of rising early and swiftly. She was often assigned command over the dawn watch and the dusk watch, two of the busiest times in the day, for the gates of the city opened at dawn and shut at dusk. But not today – she had asked Amodar to move her duties to a different time of the day.

Amodar had agreed and given her an amused smile. Undoubtedly, he knew her reason for making her request. And that reason lay pressed against her, one arm flung around her, her front pressed to Lightning's back.

Fang sighed and pulled Lightning more tightly into her embrace as she murmured something in the language of her clan. Lightning's lips twitched. She had learned Fang's language quickly, but the other woman continued to tease her about how formally Lightning managed to speak one of the most informal tongues in the world. Right now, Fang was complaining about the time and urging her to stay in bed.

"I have stayed in bed long enough." Lightning smiled faintly as she eased herself out of Fang's arms. "I have to bathe. Besides, it is already close to noon. I must take over the watch soon."

Fang opened her eyes and gave Lightning another one of those playful smiles that Lightning loved so much. "True, you have stayed in bed – but not nearly long enough, and you did not sleep long."

"And whose fault is that?" Lightning put on a mock scowl. "I wished only to sleep, but you would not let me."

"That is true." Fang stretched, and Lightning stared, for the blanket had fallen away and Fang was naked. "Let me make it up to you then. I can help you wash." She snickered. "I will need something happy to remember the next time that one of Vanille's experiments gets out of hand."

Lightning's shoulders shook with mirth. Fang was right to be worried. The dinner the previous night had been a raucous affair, filled with songs, stories, and merriment. Vanille appeared to have found a kindred spirit in Rikku, and the pair had talked all night while drinking far more than was wise. Fang had seen Vanille safely to her rooms before walking with Lightning back to her abode.

"I fear the city will not long stand if your sister persuades Rikku to participate in her experiments." Lightning donned a robe and tossed one over to Fang. Then she sought out her bathing chamber. As much as she disliked keeping servants – she preferred seeing to her own needs – her position as a captain of the city made that impossible. Her attendants were filling the bath, and one of them looked up at her approach.

"Shall we assist you this morning, my lady?"

"No," Lightning said quietly. "I will see to myself."

Or perhaps not – for no sooner had the servant left than Fang entered. Lightning undressed and sank into the hot water. It wasn't long before Fang joined her, the dark-haired woman taking a few moments to study the scented oils and soaps arrayed around the bath.

"Serah insists upon expanding my collection of soaps and oils." Lightning made a face. "I already know what kind I like. I see no reason to buy more."

Fang chuckled and removed her robe so she could join Lightning in the bath. "Your sister may be a healer, Lightning, but she is more bossy than an old, cranky general."

"She is, though do not tell her that I said that." Lightning paused. "How much longer will you be staying?" They had enough time to talk a little, but they might have to rush their ablutions if they wanted to indulge in other, more enjoyable, things as well. Besides, this was important. Vanille and Fang's visits could vary greatly in length. The longest had been almost three months, but the shortest had been only a week. She hoped this visit would be one of the longer ones.

Fang rubbed Lightning's calf with her foot. "At least a month, I think, perhaps longer now that Vanille has finally managed to get her hands on a master artificer. I can only pray to the gods she does not abduct the poor girl, or worse, somehow convince Rikku to come with us back to Oerba. Who knows what horrors those two will create?"

Lightning laughed. Everyone knew of the famous golems of Oerba, legendary soldiers that had lain still and silent for centuries. Vanille had once tried to replicate them, and the resulting disaster had almost completely destroyed Vanille's workshop. "Then I am glad that we still have much time." She handed Fang a cloth and turned. "You said you would make it up to me – wash my back."

"Of course, I would hate to break a promise, and it would not do to refuse the orders of a captain of the city."

"A mere captain only?" Lightning glanced over her shoulder. "Am I not your captain?"

Fang pressed a kiss to Lightning's shoulder. "You are indeed my captain – if not on the battlefield, then in all other things." Fang's right hand wandered from Lightning's back to trail across her side. "And your front needs washing too, I think. I would hate to miss a spot."

X X X

Fang wandered through the marketplace. It was always hard to part with Lightning, but it helped to know that she would see her later in the day. She pursed her lips. She usually preferred to show her care for others through her deeds. After all, she was a Yun, and her people were quite practical at heart.

But she was not without some romance in her soul. Gifts were another way of showing love, and that was why she was here. She'd already organised for Rikku to make a gift for Vanille, but Lightning was another matter. In the past, she'd gotten Lightning weapons, but she wanted to do something different this time. And Lightning had weapons and armour enough now. The only weapons that might show the true depths of Fang's esteem for the other woman could not be bought in a mere marketplace, even one in the finer quarter of the city as this one was, they would have to come from the forges of the Yun.

Perhaps something softer would do. Lightning was a woman, deeply feminine, although she hid that side of herself from those under her command. But she would treasure such a gift from Fang, one of the few people she allowed to see that side of her. Hopefully, Fang would find a gift worthy of her captain.

Fang dismissed most of her ideas quickly. Lightning did not need or want more perfume, and she could hardly get Lightning one of those silly, frivolous hats that the noblewomen of Cocoon so loved. But then something caught her eye, and she stopped in front of the store of a clothing merchant.

As she stepped inside, he came forward to greet her. She saw at once that he was from Wutai, and then her eyes went again to the fine silk robes on display. Her brows furrowed in concentration, and she reached out to handle the material.

Wutai was not the only nation to produce silk, but theirs was by far the best. The silk between her fingertips felt like liquid moonlight, cool and smooth and utterly without flaw. The robe itself was of the traditional style, cinched about the waist by an elaborately tied strip of material. It was a rich scarlet with white cherry blossoms spread across it.

"May I help you?" the merchant asked. His eyes took in the bracers she wore and the symbols woven into her sari. He bowed deeply. The people of Wutai revered warriors, and her clothing marked her as one of the finest in her clan. "I have never had a dragon rider in my store before."

"Well, there is one here now." Fang gave him a warm smile. The merchant himself wore a simpler, more functional robe adorned with the great water serpent that the people of Wutai worshipped. Vanille found that fascinating, but Bahamut found it almost insulting. Fang could almost read her dragon's mind. Water? Bah – water was for the weak. Fire was for the strong. "This robe, can you tell me more about it?"

And so the merchant provided an impressive – but suitably mysterious – account of the labours required to make the robe. It all sounded very time consuming and complicated, but Fang could understand that. Things of fine quality required time to make. One of the elders of her clan had a similar robe, given to her in the days of her youth as a reward for saving the life of a Wutai noblewoman. Decades had passed since then, and the robe remained as colourful as ever.

"You have others like this? I wish to see them."

The merchant produced more robes, and Fang found one that she liked. It was the same blue as her sari, the colour of the summer sky over the mountains of the Yun, and it was covered in silver flowers – roses, she realised. Her lips curved up. A fitting flower, for Lightning had always reminded her of a rose: beautiful to look upon, but apt to make you bleed if you handled her without careful thought. As for the colour, well, Fang was possessive. It would be nice to see Lightning wearing the colours of her clan.

"This robe," Fang said. "Can it be adjusted?"

"Yes, but I will need to take measurements."

Fang shook her head. This was going to be a surprise, and she knew all of Lighting's measurements already, not only from hands-on experience but also from all the times she'd been present when Serah bullied her sister into dressing better. "I can tell you what changes you have to make."

X X X

Fang's next destination was the harbour. It was a fine day, and she took a moment to savour the sounds and smell of the sea. She might have been born in the mountains, but the ocean had its charms. But she was not here merely for pleasure. She had business of her own to attend to.

On occasion, great beasts would swim in the waters off the coast. These beasts were said to sing under the water and to emerge from time to time to breathe air. The fishermen here caught several a year, mindful of the times in the past when they had taken too many and the beasts had not returned for many years. Fang's presence offered them a rare opportunity: in exchange for a share of the profits, Fang would help them catch their prey swiftly and easily. Then they could turn their attention to catching other rare delicacies.

"Hail, Lady Rider," the captain of the ship cried as she approached. "It is good to see you. I trust your stay in our city has been good so far."

"Yes," Fang replied. "It has. But I fear there will be hardly a coin left here once my sister is done with her trading."

"Hah! You speak truly. The Dia are cunning merchants, and your sister is one of the most cunning." The captain beckoned with one hand. "We're ready to cast off, are you ready to come aboard?"

"I am." Fang boarded the ship. "You can cast off. I will call for Bahamut once we clear the harbour."

They set off, making good time out of the harbour as the captain and his crew brought their skill to bear. As they sailed, Fang watched the waves go by, marvelling at how easily the ship cut through the water. There was a strong wind at their back, and the sun was shining. The smell of salt filled her nostrils, and the crashing of the waves filled her ears.

As they cleared the harbour, they signalled to the watchtowers and walls, and Fang gave a sharp whistle and flared her magic. Even at this distance, Bahamut would sense her summons and come.

The great dragon took wing and swept in from the city, a black and purple leviathan even bigger than the ship. Fang rarely saw him from this angle – she was almost always up on his back – and he was truly magnificent. He looked like a storm cloud split by purple bolts of lightning. He cast his shadow over the ship as he passed, and his wings beat the air with the force of a whirlwind.

"We can spot the whales for you," Fang said. "Then we can go on the hunt. Last time, you were able to carry two alongside the boat with the aid of magic. Two should be more than enough."

Fang whistled, and Bahamut dove into the ocean. He sank deep beneath the waves and then shot back to the surface. He idled on the surface and paddled with his wings, claws, and tail. The dragon was a living island, a mass of black scales. Not even the ocean could quench the fire within him, and a chortle from the dragon sent up a spray of steam. "I will send a signal when we spot the whales."

Fang leapt off the ship into the water. Bahamut reached out with one claw and then put her upon his back. She secured herself in place and grinned as he dove beneath the waves. Deep beneath the surface, he turned, gathering himself for a moment before he drove upward with all the strength he possessed. He burst out of the water amidst a towering spray, and his wings unfurled to catch the air. The sheer speed of their ascent drove the water from his scales, and Fang let loose a wild cry.

"Higher!" she growled. "Higher where your keen eyes and mine can see far."

Fang used a spell to enhance her vision and peered down at the ocean. From this high up, it was only a matter of time before they spotted the whales. And sure enough, her dragon's keen eyes soon picked out a dozen of the beasts surfacing for ait to the south. She fired off a burst of magic to guide the captain and his crew and then hung back to watch the hunt.

The whales were magnificent creatures, and Fang felt a pang of sadness as the captain brought his ship around to isolate one of them so that the beast could be slain with spear and spell. It reminded her of the time she'd tracked a wolf deep into the mountains. It had been a splendid creature, sleek and powerful, and slaying it had brought her equal parts joy and sadness. She'd prayed for the spirit of that wolf, and now she prayed for the spirits of the whales they would take.

Certain that the captain had everything under control, she and Bahamut went after the rest of the pod. The dragon banked sharply and then dove into the ocean. He sliced through the surface of the water and seized a whale in his claws. The whale struggled in his grasp, and the dragon lurched up toward the surface before he drove one claw deep into its side

It was a mortal wound, and the whale let loose a keening wail. Blood spilled into the water, and the dragon roared. The ship could have this one, bringing their hunt to an end, but Bahamut was hungry. He wanted one more for himself. With another roar, he dove back beneath the waves.

Within a matter of moments, he had grabbed hold of another whale. The beast writhed and fought, but the dragon would not be denied. Bahamut swam up toward the surface and then took to the air. His destination was a small island several miles away. The dragon hurled the whale onto the shore and lunged forward to bury his teeth into its throat. A savage twist of his head all but ripped the whale's lower jaw off. The whale twitched violently, its blood scattered all over the beach, and then went still.

Fang swallowed thickly. Despite his size, it was sometimes very easy to forget exactly what Bahamut was. He was fiercely loyal to her and gentle with her and those she loved. But he was also a dragon, a beast of fire and fury. Killing a whale quickly required the work of at least two skilled mages and several men with specially made spears. Bahamut had ripped two whales to shreds in what felt like seconds.

The dragon ate his fill noisily and messily, his teeth and the scales on his head and neck splattered with gore. She could feel his contentment as he leaned back to give a happy trill. In some ways he was almost like a child crooning over some sweet treat, and she ran one hand up and down his back.

"Easy there," Fang said. "You don't have to eat so fast. Nobody is going to try and steal your food."

Bahamut turned to look at her. There was an accusatory gleam in his eyes.

"Really? You think I'm going to steal your food?" Fang laughed. "Even if I wanted to steal your food, how much do you think I could take? I could eat my own weight in whale meat, and you'd never even notice it was gone."

The dragon shrugged as if to acknowledge the truth to her words.

"Still, I am a little hungry." Fang grinned. "So while I'm not going to steal your food, I will ask if you want to share it with me."

Her dragon considered the whale carcass for a moment and then carved off a slab of it for her. Fang chuckled. The slab was bigger than she was. Oh well, she could always save some for the others back at the villa.

"Good boy." Fang patted Bahamut on the back. "We'll head back once you're done eating."

Bahamut finished his meal, and they washed off in the sea. Then they took to the air with the slab of whale meat strapped onto his back. The captain and his crew had brought both whales on board and were busy processing them as they headed back to the harbour. They could finish the task when they docked, but it was best to get as much done as possible before they landed.

Fang didn't bother to get off Bahamut as they soared over the harbour. She knew the captain well. He wouldn't cheat her. However, she made sure to wave as she passed the ship, flying low so that captain and his crew could see her. They waved back, the decks covered with blood and an assortment of whale parts.

She knew Bahamut. Her dragon usually liked to have a nap after a big meal. The moment they landed in the field set aside for him, he curled up and tucked his head under his wings. Fang took a second or two to think about it before she sprawled out on his back. It was a nice day, and it had been a while since she'd napped with him.

Lightning found them like that later in the afternoon. Fang had a tendency to snore when she slept on Bahamut, but it was impossible to hear her over the rhythmic thunder that was Bahamut doing some snoring of his own. The captain chuckled. Some of her guards were not too fond of the noise, but none of them were foolish enough to try and tell a dragon that it should stop snoring.

X X X

The next two weeks passed by far too quickly for Lightning's liking. No matter how much time she spent with Fang each day, it never seemed to be enough. But it would have to be enough. Eventually, Fang would have to leave, and Lightning would have to rely on memories of their time together to sustain her until Fang returned.

But this was the life they'd chosen. She was a captain of the city's guard, and Fang was a dragon rider of the Yun. Lightning had to stay in her city, and Fang could not stay away from her people for long. That they had any time together at all was something for them to celebrate, not mourn.

Yet Fang was not the only thing that occupied Lightning's mind. Apart from all her normal duties, Lightning was also expecting a guest, a very special guest. He was due to arrive around noon, and the guards manning the watchtowers had already sighted a group of riders that might include him.

Lightning left the walls and waited in a large courtyard at the centre of one of the barracks. At her orders, the courtyard had been emptied, and the guards there had all been sent out on patrols. She was alone – until two dozen riders drew rein at the other end of the courtyard. They were dressed plainly, but their bearing gave them away.

These men were trained soldiers, amongst the finest in the Empire. Their leader stepped forward and pushed back his hood so that he could study the courtyard and its surroundings more easily. A pulse of magic rushed past as he confirmed that all was well. Lightning frowned faintly. She had given her word that they would be alone. It was almost insulting that she hadn't been taken at her word.

Then again, Rygdea always had been thorough when it came to his duties. She'd met him several times before when she'd been one of Amodar's bodyguards. He was a captain in the Emperor's Guard, General Raines's second-in-command. And his presence meant that there had to be a member of the royal family present.

Another one of the riders dismounted and stepped forward. The others immediately fell into formation around him. He pushed back the hood of his cloak. The rider was still only a boy, although it would not be long now before he became a man. He wore no symbols of his lineage, but Lightning recognised him easily enough. She'd been introduced to him during Amodar's last visit to Eden.

"Did we keep you waiting long?" Rygdea asked.

"No," Lightning replied. "You are exactly on time – as always."

Rygdea grinned. "General Raines accepts nothing less."

"I know." Lightning's gaze went to the boy. "Welcome to Bodhum, Your Highness. I hope that your journey went well."

"Thank you, captain." Crown Prince Hope paused and gave her an uncertain smile before he continued. "But I would prefer it if you could simply call me Hope. I have come here to learn, and I don't think I can do that properly if everybody is worrying about my title. I want to be just another new recruit – I want to succeed or fail on my own merit. I cannot be the Crown Prince during my stay here."

Lightning met Hope's gaze evenly. He had started off uncertain, but his voice had grown firm toward the end. His words were his own, not merely some script he had been told to adhere to. A boy he might still be, but she could see now why his father had sent him here. He wanted to become a man, but more than that, he wanted to become a man worthy of succeeding his father.

"There is a saying," Lightning said. "That a sword does not care who it cuts upon the battlefield. A king and a pauper are both just flesh." Her lips curled ever so slightly. "Nor do books care who learns their contents."

Her words were daring, but she wanted to see how the prince read them. The prince grinned and shot a sidelong glance at Rygdea. The older man was biting back a chuckle.

"I have heard those saying, though the captain here insists that it very much matter whether a sword strikes down a pauper or a prince." Hope nodded at Lightning. "I've been told that you will be one of my instructors."

"I shall. But before we can start your lessons, General Amodar has asked to speak with you."

"Of course, captain. Lead the way."

As they walked toward Amodar's office, Lightning spoke softly with Rygdea. The prince didn't seem to mind, content to let his eyes wander over everything. From what she had heard, Hope had spent almost his entire life in Eden. Everything here would seem new and interesting to him, even the barracks.

"Will you and the others be staying?" Lightning asked Rygdea.

"Yes," the captain replied. "But we'll be keeping out of sight." He shook his head in fond exasperation. "The prince would prefer it that way. He wants to do this properly."

Lightning cast another glance at Hope. Rygdea did not give his loyalty easily, but it was unbreakable once given. For the prince to have earned it spoke well of him. "And I suppose that the delights of my fair city have nothing to do with your staying either?"

A hint of a smile crossed Rygdea's lips. "Perhaps they do."

They reached Amodar's office, and Hope went inside to talk with the general while the others remained outside. There were things to discuss that were for Hope's ears alone. Besides, he was in no danger from the general – Amodar was one of his father's oldest friends.

"Tell me about the prince," Lightning said as they waited. "And speak honestly. I would know what sort of person I must teach."

"Have no fear, the prince has given me leave to speak freely." Rygdea paused, oddly thoughtful for a man who preferred actions to words. "The prince wants very much to be a good ruler, an emperor worthy of the Empire. But I fear he may struggle to reach that goal. The emperor and empress both love him very much. He is also their only son and heir. Thus he has been kept sheltered, a bird wishing for freedom trapped in a gilded cage. It took weeks to convince his parents to let him come, and even then he had to ask your general for assistance.

"Still, I think you shall be pleased to have him as a student. The prince is a clever boy, if given perhaps too much to thinking rather than doing. But perhaps that is not his fault. As I have said, his parents have sheltered him. He will do his best, I think, in any task that you give him, and he has promised me that he will not shirk from hard work as though it were beneath him. Yes, he will make a good student."

"You believe in him," Lightning said quietly. "Why?"

"Through long years of battle I have learned to read the hearts of men," Rygdea said. "And the prince has a good one. Weak muscles can be made strong by hard labour and ignorance can be driven back by wisdom, but an honest heart, one that can rule fairly and with mercy, is not something that can be taught. We are fortunate that the prince has such a heart. That is why, as the years of his manhood draw near, it is so important that we help him attain everything else he requires to rule well."

"Your words are wise," Lightning replied. "And in the days to come, I will find out for myself what kind of man the prince wishes to be. I shall be his tutor in matters of combat."

"And a fine tutor you will be," Rygdea said. "All that I have heard says that your are uncompromising and stern in the training of your guards, but they love you for it and would follow you anywhere. More than that, you expect nothing less than the very of yourself, and that is a fine thing for a prince to learn."

"I hope the prince is ready." Lightning turned back toward the door as Amodar opened it and asked them to enter. "For his training will begin tomorrow.

X X X

Author's Notes

As always, I neither own Final Fantasy, nor am I making any money off of this.

This chapter has a bit of everything. There's some good, old-fashioned Lightning and Fang goodness at the start. I think you can learn a lot about a couple from how they act in private, especially during moments like waking up. And trust Fang to be able to bring out the more laid-back side of Lightning.

Fang also got to show off her romantic side in this chapter although I suppose some people would consider sparring romantic. This chapter also gave me the chance to show Bahamut for what he truly is. In the previous chapters, the dragon has seemed more like an overgrown dog than a dragon in temperament. Here, he displays a little bit of the savagery that makes him so dangerous by, quite frankly, butchering a pair of whales. But don't worry – no actual whales were harmed during the writing of this chapter.

And then there's Hope. I'm glad that he's finally made his appearance. I think he and Lightning have always had a close friendship. He looks up to her a lot, and that is likely to be the same here. Of course, things are a little different here. He is the crown prince of the Empire whereas Lightning is only a captain. Still, he's willing to learn – and Lightning is more than happy to teach.

Also, I have some very big news. My newest original story, Durendal, is now available on Amazon! It runs to ~80,000 words, making it the first novel-length original story that I've made available to the public! It's a coming-of-age story and a Western with elements of science fiction. If you've enjoyed my other stories, I know you'll love this one. You can find links to it in my profile (along with links to a longer preview). Here's the blurb:

Twelve-year-old Billy Winchester's got a feeling that the war made Duren a monster, but maybe he and his sister can make him a man again.

Billy's always dreamed of leaving Sahara VII, a backwater mining planet, for some adventure. But with the galaxy still reeling from decades of war, and an older sister desperate to hang onto the only family she's got left, he's not having much luck.

Then he meets Duren, and suddenly adventure's right on his doorstep.

The rugged stranger from another planet is everything Billy wishes he could be. When his sister hires Duren to help at their diner, Billy does his best to make him a part of their family. Trouble is, Duren's got a past, and it's the worst sort of bloody. To Billy though, he's just a man, and a good one at that.

But danger's never far on a planet like Sahara VII.

A cruel mining magnate, Stratton sets his eyes on Billy's sister, and he won't take no for an answer. When Stratton kidnaps her, Billy's going to need the man Duren used to be, the man he hoped Billy would never have to see.

But Stratton isn't stupid, and he isn't alone. He knows Duren is coming for him, and there are people who've been waiting a long time for Duren to show himself. Duren won't have to beat just Stratton and his men – he'll have to stand toe-to-toe with the vengeful ghosts of his past while keeping Billy clear of the crossfire. Billy's finally got his adventure, but it might cost him the only family he's ever known.

And finally, last but not least, my original short story The Last Huntress will be available for free on Amazon this Sunday 23rd March (Pacific Standard Time). If you enjoy fantasy with a healthy dose of atmosphere and action, I'm sure you love it. You can find a link to it in my profile (and a blurb), and I'll be posting a link at the top of my profile on the day.

As always, I appreciate feedback. Reviews and comments are welcome.