A Hired Blade: An Everlands Cycle Novella

A sellsword's bargain.

A burgeoning desire.

A future balanced on the point of a blade.

Sellsword Des is travelling alone in a dry and dusty southern land, after a spectacular bust up with her best friend. She's running low on coin, so when former client Karina offers her a job leading her caravan's security through brigand country, it feels like a gift.

Des has done the route before, but she isn't sure about leading solo. She recommends Karina hire Cap, a rugged old mercenary, to head up the crew. Maybe she'll even learn a thing or two about how to lead, in between the delightful distraction of Karina's flirtations and keeping the marauders at bay.

As they head off on their long trip across Rescalin, though, the wheels start to come off Des's plan. The crew is drinking too much, even on duty, and Cap is dismissive of the dangers she identifies. Des worries she's made the wrong call by putting Cap as the lead, and Karina is in her ear, wanting her to take over.

As brigands close in, will Des back the merc she put in charge? Or will she take over - and risk the caravan's safety resting on her blade alone?

If you enjoy badass, sword-wieldling women, an Australian-inspired setting, sapphic fantasy, and untrustworthy mercenaries, pick up A Hired Blade today, and join Des on her journey.

Author: J. C. Rycroft
Publisher: Battlewarrior Press
Published: 03/21/2023
Pages: 92
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.23lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.24d
ISBN: 9780645622812

About the Author
Rycroft, J. C.: - JC Rycroft is an emerging author of fantasy novels. Their work draws on high and epic fantasy tropes, mixed with a dollop of queer romance, humour and wit, flawed but fabulous feminist heroes and diverse-in-all-the-ways characters, liberally sprinkled with philosophical concepts brought to life. She loves bringing together the apparent contradictions: high theory and silly humour, profound theoretical concerns with a rollicking good story, and ordinary people with unexpected demands to heroism that somehow only they can answer.

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