Speaker Chronicles
Book 1:
Ground
Born with the magic to contend with Dragons, Ryn was raised to be a Dragonspeaker, a diplomat of sorts. The Guardian of the City trained her in the art of negotiating with dragons through conversation and sword. But that was years ago. She fled when her brother seized power.
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A decade later Ryn discovers that a local military officer (Cole Cypress) possesses rare magic that might make him the lost heir to the throne and the only person capable of lifting the sickness that has fallen over the land.
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Together with their friends they set out to confront the Regent Vezda (Ryn's murderous older brother), heal the land, and free the people who have lived in fear and famine for decades.
If you are a sucker for redemption stories filled with found families, overcoming evil with the power of friendship, gardens, and of course dragons, then this book is for you!
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Status
April, 2026
This Manuscript is currently 63K words long (200+ pages). I got it back from my writing partner and editor in January of 2024, then set it aside for 2 years to develop other projects. Guided by her comments, I am annotating the draft over the next three weeks before heading to the Investive Retreat (Where I hope to dictate the annotated draft). I am very excited about the progress I have been able to make on this book, especially in the last 8 months. I will post another update soon! If all goes according to plan, I'd like to independently publish this book in 2027.
Cole
He was out of the town, but not yet to the river when he heard something large moving in the shadows. Cole slowed his steps, and searched under the trees. There was a person carrying a small light.
He let the slim shadow get closer. Being in the Regent’s Arm for 23 of his 30 years had made him perceptive for worse threats than this. He turned his path around a large tree, then crouched, unsheathing his dagger in one fluid motion. Setting his ambush was the easy part.
The man didn’t notice Cole’s hiding place until it was too late. Cole slid behind him, placing his free hand against the guy’s mouth, suppressing a startled shout. Cole, grappled him with his free hand and pressed the butt of his dagger against the guy’s soft abdomen.
His follower had dropped the light, immersing them in darkness, so it took a moment for Cole to feel the point of a blade resting against his own ribs.
Dammit.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Cole said. “I’m going to give you a chance to explain why you are out here tonight.”
Cole turned the dagger over and rested the point against his pursuer’s shirt.
“Do you understand?”
The guy mumbled an angry affirmative against Cole’s palm. Cole took his hand away, but did not release his hold, or loosen his grip on the blade.
“I’m bringing supplies to someone, you idiot.” The voice was feminine and familiar. “Well, I was until you knocked everything out of my hands.”
“Dressmaker.”
“Officer Cypress.”
“Cole.”
“Are you going to let me go now that you know I’m not following you?”
“Still not sure about you to be honest.” He released her but knew better than to drop his guard. “Being a familiar woman does not automatically disqualify you as a threat.”
“Thank you.”