Two young men travel separate paths toward their destinies. As one claws his way out of the deep hell that is his life toward something better, the other spirals down from the heights of luxury toward madness. Will the two young men persevere long enough to realize their dreams? Or will insanity drag them into the depths of despair?
The tiniest of things can ruin even the best of plans. Musician George Tavlakis and his Rovani partner and slave, Yeraki, are getting ready to launch a summer concert tour of Europe.
Yes, physics. And a wedding. George Tavlakis is attending college part time so that his Rovani, Yeraki, can actually earn a degree (in music, of course, but also in physics).
The Rels are up to something. Astrogator Cai and Captain Nick Steele must race against time to discover where the alien Rels are going in such numbers.
He’s charming, in a muscle-bound kind of way. Reflection-of-Ice is a vranyxi with a problem: she’s old enough to take a mate, but she doesn’t like any of the bachelor vranyxia she’s met.
Chain discipline is a good and necessary thing for a slave. To chain or not to chain is the question that occupies George’s thoughts as he tries to survive the danger his slave has unwittingly placed him in.
This is his family; this is his temple; this is his God. High Priest S’Rak has mostly recovered from the wing fungus, but he has to repair the damage done to the temple before he can return to Koilatha.
Sometimes, the bait fights back. With their ship disguised as a tramp freighter, Captain Nick Steele, Astrogator Cai and the crew of Laughing Owl serve as bait to catch a pirate preying on the ships traveling the silk road.
So, you think you’re in love with an Astrogator. To what lengths will the Guild go to separate Nick from their Astrogator? What price is Nick willing to pay to keep Cai? What will Cai give up to keep Nick?
The night cannot contain him and the day cannot refuse him. When Rak sees an opportunity for some payback, will he take it or will he wait for the situation to become more secure first?
Gossip is proof of faster than light travel. When war breaks out, the Laughing Owl is sent on a mission to discover, if they can, the system of origin of their mysterious rolling adversary.
Together, or not at all. While Prince Jethain defends Koilatha from the Lythadi invaders and the delegation of dark servants make their position very clear to King and Council, High Priest S’Rak and Captain Jisten remain captives of Chancellor Virien.
The colonists all report seeing the same thing—Santa Claus. As Christmas approaches, will the crew of the Laughing Owl solve the mystery of the hallucinogenic Santa or will the man prove to be real by delivering presents in the dead of night?
To love another is worth the risk of burning out one’s mind. As their ship spirals into the dark heart of Tarasch, will Nick ever overcome Cai’s objections to their mutual attraction?
Give your heart to something greater than yourself. What is done to your body is not important. Stay true to what you really love, and the rest will sort itself out. – S’Rak
Plots within plots and barbarians, too. Two young boys fly south to rescue their father. A barbarian army rolls north like a plague of locusts. Babies are born and plots are hatched, and woe is he who stands still, for events seek to overwhelm them all. Will love prevail against impossible odds?
Peace is the short span of time between wars. Captain Jisten and High Priest S’Rak flee north. It is past time for Jisten to claim his lands formally and S’Rak’s advancing pregnancy can no longer be hidden. The dark servants are traveling, too—two separate teams work to reach S’Rak before the Koilathan crown can claim him, one to defend him physically and one to defend him legally.
As the danger increases, so do the rewards. V-Tach, the victorious co-winner of the Kentucky Derby, is set to face his rival Taifu in the rematch called the Preakness Stakes.
A choice between two bad options is still a choice. The Therrai healers are summoned to try to heal Captain Jisten, who was nearly killed in the battle with the chaos mage.
I am what I am in the form that I am. Pat, a repressed púcca, is enjoying his career as a top jockey. He rides for his father, a sorcerer and notable breeder and trainer of top thoroughbreds.
Never piss off a goddess. With the dark servant S’Tyll on the mend, High Priest S’Rak and Captain Jisten think they have all the time in the world to hunt the slave trainer Hasaviz and punish him for his crimes.
Grilled minstrel with a side of fried spy. The slavers are moving against High Priest S’Rak and Captain Jisten to make them pay for the destruction of Wethmir House.
Heart’s blood on a white knife. The high priest’s husband is on a rampage. A skilled assassin, S’Tyll has made it his mission to take revenge on behalf of his spouse.