'Put him on ice'

'I regret that all of these attempts to resolve the situation were rejected by the students'

'Yes‚ there was monsters in the wood that night'

'It's some fucking science sh*t'

The footage is from a 2018 viaduct collapse in the country

Unlike the Bragg trial‚ all of these cases have real life ramifications

Storr was also considering Illinois and John Calipari's Arkansas

'Extremely happy'

Movies &; TV The Spiderwick Chronicles The Spiderwick Chronicles Showrunner Dishes on a New Character‚ Easter Eggs‚ &; More Showrunner Aron Eli Coliette talks about the series’ new character‚ the inspiration for the Spiderwick estate‚ and more. By Vanessa Armstrong | Published on April 18‚ 2024 Credit: Roku Comment 0 Share New Share Credit: Roku The Spiderwick Chronicles is set to premiere on the Roku Channel in mere days‚ and the series based on the popular books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black makes some changes and additions to the original material while remaining true to its source (in no small part because DiTerlizzi and Black worked closely on the project). I had the chance to talk with showrunner Aron Eli Coliette in the lead up to the premiere of the show‚ including how he initially passed on the project but came back to it during the pandemic. “This felt like a show that was an opportunity to talk about what teenagers are really going through‚ their mental health journeys‚ their neurodiversity journeys‚ and an opportunity to not only talk about it‚ but to destigmatize it‚” he told me. Read on for our full discussion‚ which includes how the addition of a certain character came to be (it involves a Mean Girls reference)‚ where one can find Easter eggs while watching‚ and what word was the thematic inspiration for the Spiderwick estate. Credit: Roku This interview has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity. I know you’ve worked on a lot of adaptations in the past‚ such as Daybreak and Lock &; Key. What attracted you specifically to doing this adaptation of The Spiderwick Chronicles&;#63; I make a joke that I have a very specific niche‚ which is families who move to Victorian mansions and find out that magic exists. And when they initially approached me about Spiderwick‚ I was like‚ “I think I’ve done this before. I think I’m good.” I initially said no. Because I was like‚ “I told the story. I’m good‚ thanks.” But then some very wise people at Paramount asked me to read it again. And my four-year anniversary of working on this project was last week. So when I reread it‚ this was very early on in the pandemic‚ and looking at Jared’s struggles with mental health‚ his being the “bad kid‚” his anxiety‚ his depression‚ everything that’s in the DNA of the story really started speaking to me‚ especially because I was watching my own kids go through their mental health journeys‚ of feeling so isolated. They’d close their doors. They didn’t want to talk about it. And this felt like a show that was an opportunity to talk about what teenagers are really going through‚ their mental health journeys‚ their neurodiversity journeys‚ and an opportunity to not only talk about it‚ but to destigmatize it. I think there’s a lot of shame that comes with these emotions and we want them to go away. We don’t want to be depressed. We don’t want to be anxious. But the truth is it’s part of our emotional set. And this was a show that could juxtapose those real-life issues against this extraordinary world and talk about something that’s really relevant right now both to kids and to adults. Credit: Roku In terms of the adaptation‚ I know Calliope is a new character [played by Alyvia Alyn Lind]. Can you talk a little bit about the genesis of that character and the decision to add her to the show&;#63; Yeah‚ absolutely. First of all‚ I mean‚ Alyvia is amazing. And if you ever if you watched Daybreak‚ you know why I cast her in this—I would just cast her and everything. She’s amazing. So in early discussions with [Spiderwick authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black]‚ we know our Mulgarath had to be quite different than in the books or the movie because we needed to make sure it wasn’t an onslaught on the Spiderwick estate. He wasn’t a brute force ogre—our ogre had to be manipulative and had to worm his way into their lives. And he needed somebody to talk to‚ he needed this sidekick. And so in creating a sidekick‚ Calliope immediately came to mind just as a moody teenage kid who could also work her way inside the Grace family. I think what was fantastic about it was we had all these amazing discussions about what kind of creature she would be. Because initially I was like‚ “Oh‚ she’s a goblin-like‚ like the Redcap in the book and in the movie. Let’s make her a Redcap. And Tony and Holly were like‚ “No&;#33; She can’t be a goblin—goblins are little creatures. They’re smaller. They’re fiercer. They’re more like really angry dogs. And that’s not what this character is.”  And I was like‚ “I’m not fighting for it to be a goblin. But what can it be&;#63;” And having Tony and Holly work so intimately on the show was such an amazing resource. I think I know a little bit about creatures but I know nothing in comparison to these two. And Holly said‚ “What if she’s a Fetch&;#63;” And my first instinct is‚ “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I have no idea what a Fetch is. You have got to explain this to me because my only point of reference is Mean Girls.” She went on to explain and provided the most amazing images. It’s a portent of death. It is somebody who feeds on death and sees death coming and so therefore‚ it can take on the appearance of somebody who is either about to die or has recently died. And I was like‚ “This is amazing‚ what a fantastic character.” And she showed these images of people with their faces flipping around. So it’s something mechanical and organic simultaneously‚ that I just fell in love with. She can use glamour spells‚ but she’s also the emo kid because she’s the portent of death. She is that kid who was way into The Cure‚ way into My Chemical Romance. And what Alyvia brought is‚ yes‚ this is a creature who is hundreds of years old but can still feel that angst of being a teenager. We always like to say that she’s the loneliest teenager in the world. She’s the loneliest creature in the world because everybody is afraid of death. Credit: Roku I love the portrayal of the Spiderwick house. Can you talk a little bit about the process of creating the house and imbuing it with the vibe you wanted to have for the show&;#63; Absolutely. First of all‚ we had an amazing production designer‚ Elena Albanese. I’m so lucky that we had her for the show—she is just an artist. The first thing was‚ Tony and Holly have a description in the book that the house looks like shacks built on shacks built on shacks‚ and we really wanted to run with that. This was a house that went through very different periods of architecture‚ based on Arthur Spiderwick and what creatures he was working with and dealing with at the time. So you have the initial Victorian mansion in the center‚ and then you have all these little shacks built on shacks‚ houses built on houses—this what the fairies built; this is what the elves help them build. So all of the magical influences are just teeming inside this house and I wanted to make it both whimsical‚ and Holly’s favorite word‚ which is now my favorite word‚ is numinous. I want to make it feel like yes‚ it could exist‚ but there is wonder inside it. There are two things that I want to bring up about it. One is‚ you also don’t want to judge [the mother] Helen‚ played by Joy Bryant who was just so wonderful. You don’t want to judge her for bringing them to a decrepit house‚ right&;#63; So it had to be a house that felt scary‚ that felt decrepit but also felt like we’re not judging her for living there. And we want them to explore all the aspects of this house. The other thing that just speaks to how genius [the production designer Elena Albanese] is and how much I just adore working with her‚ is she put hidden fairies and there’s all these Easter eggs all over that house. There are fairies hidden in the wallpaper. There are fairies hidden in the windows. Every frame that you look at‚ there’s something to discover‚ and there’s something to find within every shot of that house‚ which is what we want to happen. We want not only our characters to be exploring this house‚ but we want the audience to be exploring it simultaneously. You can explore the Spiderwick estate yourself when The Spiderwick Chronicles premieres on The Roku Channel on April 19‚ 2024. [end-mark] The post &;lt;i&;gt;The Spiderwick Chronicles&;lt;/i&;gt; Showrunner Dishes on a New Character‚ Easter Eggs‚ &; More appeared first on Reactor.

Excerpts Epic Fantasy Read an Excerpt From James Logan’s The Silverblood Promise An epic fantasy debut set in a city of traders and thieves‚ monsters and murderers. By James Logan | Published on April 18‚ 2024 Comment 0 Share New Share We’re thrilled to share an excerpt from The Silverblood Promise by James Logan‚ an epic fantasy debut publishing with Tor Books on May 28th. Lukan Gardova is a cardsharp‚ academy dropout‚ and—thanks to a duel that ended badly—the disgraced heir to an ancient noble house. His days consist of cheap wine‚ rigged card games‚ and wondering how he might win back the life he threw away.When Lukan discovers that his estranged father has been murdered in strange circumstances‚ he finds fresh purpose. Deprived of his chance to make amends for his mistakes‚ he vows to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death.His search for answers leads him to Saphrona‚ fabled city of merchant princes‚ where anything can be bought if one has the coin. Lukan only seeks the truth‚ but instead he finds danger and secrets in every shadow.For in Saphrona‚ everything has a price—and the price of truth is the deadliest of all. A sharp rap at his cabin door jolted Lukan from sleep. “Go away‚” he said—or tried to say. His tongue was gummed to the top of his mouth. He worked it free‚ grimacing at the sour aftertaste. Another rum-filled night. There had been plenty of those during the second week of his voyage. The ship’s captain—a jovial bear of a man by the name of Graziano Grabulli—had taken to inviting Lukan to his cabin each night for a glass or two (or several) of rum. Like most men from the Talassian Isles‚ he liked to talk‚ mostly about himself and his various exploits and escapades— of which there were many. Lukan felt inclined to believe some of them (such as the captain’s encounter with a black shark; the man had the teeth marks on his forearm to prove it) but was sure that others (like his claim to have seen the fabled ghost ship the Pride of Prince Relair) were little more than tall tales. Still‚ a lack of truthfulness was to be expected from a man who had—courtesy of the Tamberlin Trading Company—a brand on his left wrist that marked him out as a former pirate. Fortunately Grabulli was even more generous with his rum than he was with his lies. A second knock at the door‚ slower and more deliberate. “Piss off‚” Lukan shouted. He shifted in his hammock‚ not enjoying the way his stomach lurched. An ache was slowly building at his temples. The door creaked open. Lady’s mercy. He opened his eyes‚ squinting against the sunlight that poured in through the solitary porthole‚ illuminating the tiny cabin that had been his home for the past two weeks. Grabulli had promised him quarters fit for a king‚ but the cabin was barely fit for the rats that lurked in its corners. Lukan had seen bigger broom cupboards. Cleaner ones too. He blinked at the figure standing in the doorway‚ recognizing the slight figure of the ship’s cabin girl. “Thought I told you to get lost‚” he said. The girl shrugged and made an I didn’t hear you gesture. “Yeah‚ you did. You might be mute‚ but I know you’re not deaf.” The girl ignored him and moved to his dresser‚ which along with a stool was the cabin’s only furniture. She picked up a dagger that Lukan had won from one of the crew‚ in the early days of the voyage before they had started refusing to play with him‚ and turned it over in her hands‚ staring at the garnet set in its pommel. “Put that down.” The girl obliged‚ placing the dagger back down on the dresser with exaggerated care. “You’ve got some nerve‚ kid‚ I’ll give you that. What the hells do you want&;#63;” The girl made a shape with her hands: thumbs pressed together‚ fingers steepled. Captain. “Grabulli&;#63; What about him&;#63;” She pointed at Lukan—you—and formed a beak with her right hand‚ opening and closing it. Talk. “What‚ now&;#63;” Lukan winced as he rubbed a thumb against his right temple; his headache was growing worse‚ and the girl wasn’t helping. “Tell him I’ll be up in a bit… it’s too damned early.” The girl traced a circle in the air‚ then held up nine fingers. Ninth hour of the day. Buy the Book The Silverblood Promise James Logan Buy Book The Silverblood Promise James Logan Buy this book from: AmazonBarnes and NobleiBooksIndieBoundTarget “Yeah‚ well that’s early for me.” She made a cutting gesture. Now. Lukan swore under his breath. “Fine‚ have it your way. Tell the bastard—uh‚ tell the captain—that I’ll be up shortly.” The girl nodded and turned back to the dresser‚ a smile playing across her lips. Lukan raised a finger. “Don’t you even think about—” She snatched the dagger and darted through the door. “You cheeky little…” Lukan managed to get one foot out of the hammock‚ only for his left leg to get tangled up as he tried to lunge forward. The room flipped and suddenly he was lying on his back‚ the hammock swinging above him as the patter of the girl’s feet disappeared down the passage. He tried to rise‚ only to abandon the attempt when the rum in his stomach gurgled a warning that it was considering making a swift‚ explosive exit. With a groan‚ Lukan sank back down to the floor and closed his eyes. Grabulli could wait a little longer. * * * “Ah‚ friend Lekaan&;#33;” Grabulli called from where he stood at the Sunfish’s prow‚ butchering the pronunciation of Lukan’s name in his usual fashion. The captain was unmistakable in the red velvet coat that he claimed had been a gift from some prince or other‚ though Lukan suspected—judging by the faded stains and poor quality of the lacework—he’d actually picked it up at a flea market in some far-flung port. “So good of you to join us. A beautiful day‚ no&;#63;” Perhaps‚ if you’re not hungover. As it was‚ the sun was a little too bright‚ the blue sky a little too vibrant. Still‚ the breeze that slapped at Lukan and ruffled his hair was proving effective at driving away his headache. He gave a lazy wave in response and picked his way across the deck‚ doing his best to avoid the crew as they hauled on ropes and called to each other in their peculiar singsong dialect that seemed comprised almost entirely of insults. The sailors of the Sunfish were a creative bunch when it came to invective‚ as they’d demonstrated when Lukan fleeced them at cards. He glanced around but didn’t see any sign of the cabin girl. No doubt she would reappear later—without the dagger‚ of course. Not that it matters‚ Lukan thought as he climbed the steps to the prow. Damned garnet was fake anyway… “The morning’s sun to you‚ friend Lekaan‚” Grabulli said‚ grinning through his black snarl of a beard. “And the evening’s stars for yourself‚” Lukan replied‚ completing the traditional Talassian greeting as he joined the older man at the railing. He still wasn’t sure when it was that he’d revealed his true identity to Grabulli—no doubt it had been during one of their late-night drinking sessions‚ the rum loosening his tongue and lowering his guard. Perhaps that’s what Grabulli had intended all along‚ his own tall tales merely serving as cover while the liquor did its work. Or maybe all the liquor is making me paranoid. “You seem thoughtful‚” Grabulli said‚ slapping the back of his left hand against Lukan’s chest. “And even paler than usual.” He frowned. “You are well‚ yes&;#63;” “I’m fine.” “Come‚ tell me what’s on your mind.” I’ve told you too much already. “I’m just wondering what’s so important that you woke me up at this ungodly hour.” The captain grinned and gestured at the horizon. “See for yourself.” Lukan shielded his eyes against the sun and squinted at the expanse of ocean. Not just ocean‚ he realized—in the distance were the dark shapes of mountains. “Land‚ friend Lekaan&;#33;” Grabulli clapped Lukan’s shoulder. “We’ll dock in Saphrona within the hour. And we’ve arrived two days ahead of schedule‚ just as I promised you.” “You said three days.” “I must beg your forgiveness‚ but I said two.” “You said three and then banged the bottle of rum on the table three times‚ just in case I didn’t quite get your point. And then shouted it again when I didn’t look convinced.” “Two days‚ three days… ” Grabulli puffed out his cheeks and shrugged. “What does it matter&;#63; There’s hardly any difference‚ no&;#63;” Lukan smiled as he imagined the captain taking the same approach with customs officials. No wonder the Tamberlin Trading Company left their mark on him. “You‚” he said‚ turning his gaze back to the horizon‚ “are a scoundrel.” Grabulli barked a laugh. “Now that is something I can agree with&;#33;” * * * As the Sunfish’s captain prowled the deck‚ barking orders to his crew as they began final preparations for making port‚ Lukan remained at the prow and watched the distant mountains draw closer. A half hour passed before he finally caught sight of Saphrona’s famous Phaeron landmark. The tower rose from the sea in the middle of Saphrona’s bay‚ a dark edifice constructed from the mysterious black material that the Phaeron had used in all their architecture. As the Sunfish drew closer‚ Lukan had to crane his neck to take in the tower’s full height‚ which must have exceeded two hundred feet. Its surfaces seemed smooth as glass‚ save for the uppermost stories‚ which had splayed outward like black‚ broken fingers‚ as if something within had exploded. “The Ebon Hand‚” Lukan murmured. “It’s more impressive than I imagined.” “Best behave yourself in Saphrona‚ friend Lekaan.” Grabulli spat over the railing. “You don’t want to end up in that place.” “What do you mean&;#63;” The captain pointed. “See for yourself.” As the Sunfish sailed past the tower‚ Lukan saw several rowing boats bobbing beside a ramshackle wooden jetty. Two figures in uniforms of black trimmed with silver were dragging a third figure between them—a man in a rough-spun tunic‚ his hands bound. He struggled as they climbed a flight of steps that rose from the end of the jetty‚ leading to an arched doorway. The man threw back his head‚ mouth wide‚ but his scream didn’t reach the Sunfish as he was dragged inside the tower. Lukan’s gaze moved to the banner that hung above the entrance‚ crossed silver keys on a black background. “Whose symbol is that&;#63;” he asked. “The Saphronan Inquisition‚” Grabulli replied‚ his expression darkening. “Protectors of law and order in this fair city‚ or so they would have you believe.” He spat over the side again. “You do not want to tangle with them‚ friend Lekaan.” “I don’t plan to. So they use the Ebon Hand as a prison&;#63;” “Just so. And a nasty one it is‚ too. The stories I’ve heard… ” The Talassian shook his head. “Anyway‚” he continued‚ his grin returning as he gestured to the approaching city. “Behold the Jewel of the South‚ the Mother of Cities&;#33;” Lukan turned his attention back to Saphrona. The city sprawled across the crescent-shaped bay and the foothills of the mountains beyond‚ a hazy tapestry of red-tiled roofs and countless bronze domes gleaming in the morning sunlight. Grabulli pointed to the largest dome‚ near the center of the city. “The Lady’s House‚” he said‚ adopting a tone of mock reverence. “Where the Lady of Seven Shadows judges us all.” He belched. “If you believe that sort of thing.” “You’re not one of the faithful‚ then&;#63; Color me shocked.” “I believe in the strength of steel‚ friend Lekaan&;#33; In the color of courage‚ in the—” “Language of lies&;#63;” Grabulli punched his arm‚ a little harder than necessary. “Just so&;#33; You’re a smart boy.” Lukan winced as the liquor in his stomach churned another warning. Not so smart. “What’s that place&;#63;” he asked‚ pointing to a grand‚ turreted building that crowned a promontory at the eastern end of the bay‚ looming imposingly over the city. “That’s the ducal palace atop Borja’s Bluff‚” the captain replied. “But the Duke rules Saphrona in name only. You see those towers&;#63;” He pointed to seven stone towers rising from the foothills of the mountains behind the city. “They belong to the Silken Septet—the most powerful merchant princes. The Septet dominate the Gilded Council‚ which is the true political power in Saphrona.” “So I’ve read‚” Lukan replied‚ recalling Velleras Gellame’s Gentleman’s Guide to Saphrona. He’d managed to read nearly two-thirds of the booklet before hurling it across his cabin after one flowery metaphor too many‚ and had no intention of picking it up again. Grabulli was still talking‚ but Lukan wasn’t listening‚ staring instead at Saphrona’s sprawling expanse. Somewhere in there lay the answer to the question of who‚ or what‚ Zandrusa was. And why my father wrote that name in his own blood. “You have gone quiet‚ friend Lekaan‚” Grabulli said‚ scratching at his black beard. “You are lost for words‚ I think.” “It’s an impressive sight‚” Lukan admitted. Velleras Gellame claimed that Saphrona was the greatest center of commerce in the Old Empire‚ and‚ while the buffoon had written his treatise nearly fifty years prior‚ the number of vessels crowding the waters of the bay suggested his claim still rang true. As they drew closer to the city’s docks‚ Lukan saw trade ships from various cities of the Old Empire—Deladrin‚ where he himself had sailed from‚ Tamberlin‚ and even distant Korslakov. There were also dhows from the Southern Queendoms‚ most of which bore the flag of Zar-Ghosa‚ three silver circles on a pale blue background. He even caught a glimpse of a sleek‚ crimson-sailed vessel from one of the ports of the Mourning Sea‚ its black‚ lacquered hull bearing intricate carvings. Countless flags and banners rippled in the breeze as gulls wheeled overhead. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many ships‚” Lukan said. “I have‚” Grabulli replied nonchalantly. “Though half of them were on fire. Including my own.” He shrugged. “No doubt most of these are here for the celebrations. Just like us‚ eh&;#63;” “What celebrations&;#63;” The man threw him a sharp look. “The Grand Restoration‚ of course.” His dark eyes narrowed at Lukan’s blank expression. “The symbolic exchange of the Silver Spear… Truly‚ you don’t know of what I speak&;#63;” Lukan grinned. “I don’t have a clue.” “Then what brings you to Saphrona‚ friend Lekaan&;#63;” “Personal business‚” he replied‚ determined not to give anything else away. “But I never say no to a good knees-up. What are we celebrating&;#63;” “You surely know of the great war between Saphrona and Zar-Ghosa‚ yes&;#63;” “Uh‚ vaguely  ” “A naval conflict like nothing the world has ever seen&;#33;” the captain continued‚ quickly warming to his subject. “Hundreds of ships destroyed‚ thousands of gallant sailors lost on both sides&;#33; And then‚ during what promised to be the decisive battle—” “The Corsair Lord of the Shattered Isles arrived with his fleet‚ hoping to kill two enemies with one stone‚” Lukan said‚ recalling one of the few lectures he’d bothered attending at the Academy. “And so the Saphronans and Zar-Ghosans joined forces to defeat the corsairs. An act that ended the war.” “And forged a newfound peace between the cities that has lasted forty years‚” Grabulli finished‚ making a sweeping gesture. “A grand story‚ don’t you think&;#63;” “Very‚” Lukan agreed. “And so these celebrations…  they’re to mark the anniversary of the war’s end&;#63;” “Just so. And to mark the renewal of friendship between the cities.” “Right. You said something about a spear&;#63;” “The Silver Spear&;#33;” Grabulli’s eyes lit up. “A Phaeron weapon of savage beauty that once belonged to the Corsair Lord himself‚ and which he wielded in the final battle. The Zar-Ghosan admiral is said to have offered the spear to his Saphronan counterpart at the battle’s end as a gesture of comradeship‚ and so the two cities have exchanged it every decade since‚ when they renew their vow of peace. This time it’s Saphrona’s turn to host the celebration‚ hence…” He gestured to the multitude of ships in the bay. “So the spear is handed over‚ someone makes a speech‚ and then everyone gets drunk&;#63;” “Just so‚ friend Lekaan&;#33; The ceremony is in a few days. Enough time for you to conclude your business and join the party‚ eh&;#63;” “Perhaps.” Grabulli coughed into his fist. “Ah‚ speaking of business…” He turned and snapped his fingers. The Sunfish’s quartermaster joined them at the railing‚ the jaunty angle of her three-cornered hat completely at odds with the scowl on her face. She held a sack‚ the bottom of which was stained with what could have been wine‚ but Lukan suspected was something else entirely. Two other crew members—hulking brutes who looked like they’d seen their fair share of tavern fights—stood behind her‚ eyes alert‚ postures tense. As if expecting trouble. “What’s this‚ Grabulli&;#63;” Lukan asked warily‚ wishing he’d buckled his sword on before staggering out of his cabin. “We need to discuss the matter of payment‚ friend Lekaan. As you can see‚ I have delivered you to Saphrona‚ safe and sound.” “You’ll get your seven silvers. I gave you my word.” “Yes‚ well…” The captain grinned wide‚ gold tooth flashing. “The price just went up.” “We agreed on seven silvers‚” Lukan replied‚ his tone hardening. “We shook on seven silvers‚ though of course I should have known that means little to a pirate.” One of the sailors stepped forward‚ only to freeze as Grabulli raised a hand. “We also agreed‚” the captain said‚ “that you would keep your hands off the cargo in my hold. And yet‚ just the other day‚ Sandria here noticed that a crate had been tampered with‚ and that it seemed to contain a little less tobacco than when we left Deladrin.” “A lot less‚” the quartermaster put in‚ speaking around her scowl. “So you see‚” Grabulli continued‚ spreading his hands‚ “we have something of a problem.” “No problem‚” Lukan replied‚ with a sigh. He’d snuck into the hold in search of a bottle of something‚ anything that was better than the coarse rum he’d been drinking. Instead he’d found a cache of Purple Dragon‚ premium Parvan pipeweed‚ and… well. One cheeky smoke had turned into several dozen. “What can I say&;#63;” he continued‚ offering Grabulli a rueful smile. “I guess I just fancied a taste of home.” The captain frowned. “You said you were from a town near Deladrin.” “Ah…” “You stole from us‚” Sandria hissed‚ her scowl deepening. “Lady’s mercy‚ you’re pirates.” “Careful‚ friend Lekaan‚” Grabulli warned‚ with no trace of his usual humor. “All right‚” Lukan said‚ raising his hands. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken the pipeweed. Let me make amends. I’ll pay for the amount I took.” “Fourteen silvers.” Lukan blinked. “I… What&;#63;” “Fourteen silvers‚” the captain repeated. “The price of your voyage just doubled‚ friend Lekaan.” “I don’t have that sort of money.” “We both know that’s not true.” “Been spying on me in my cabin‚ Grabulli&;#63;” The man’s grin returned‚ flashing gold. “There’s no secrets aboard my ship.” “And if I refuse to pay&;#63;” “We’ll toss you over the side. Nothing personal‚ of course.” “Of course.” Lukan glanced at the distant waterfront. Not so distant now… “Doesn’t seem too bad‚” he said‚ with more bravado than he felt. “I can swim that.” “You think‚ eh&;#63;” Grabulli snapped his fingers again. Sandria reached into her sack and pulled out a hunk of raw meat‚ blood oozing between her fingers. She stepped up to the rail and hurled it out across the water. The meat struck the waves with barely a splash. A moment later a mottled‚ sandy-colored snout broke the surface‚ and Lukan caught a glimpse of a black eye and a grinning maw of needlelike teeth‚ ringed by a peculiar‚ loose fold of skin that almost had the appearance of a mane. The creature disappeared back beneath the waves‚ taking the meat with it. “Lion shark‚” Grabulli said‚ a glint in his eye. “The bay is full of them. Must be the guts from the fisheries that attracts them‚ though no doubt the Kindred sometimes throw them a tastier morsel.” “The Kindred&;#63;” “The criminal underworld of Saphrona.” Grabulli clapped Lukan on the back. “You still fancy a swim‚ friend Lekaan&;#63;” “Not as much as I fancy keeping all my limbs.” “Ha&;#33; Then fourteen silvers seems like a fair price for that privilege‚ no&;#63;” “Fine‚” Lukan said‚ meeting the captain’s gaze. “Fourteen silvers and you forget all about me. If anyone asks the name of the passenger you picked up in Deladrin‚ you tell them he was called… Dubois. Bastien Dubois.” He held out his hand. “Do we have a deal&;#63;” “I don’t know‚ friend Lekaan‚” Grabulli mused‚ tugging at his black beard. “I am renowned for my long memory.” “Enough bullshit‚” Lukan replied‚ with far more conviction than he felt. “If you try to screw me any further I’ll take my chances with the sharks.” Grabulli and Sandria exchanged a look. One of the brutes behind them cracked his tattooed knuckles. For a moment Lukan thought he’d pushed it too far. Then Grabulli laughed and seized his hand‚ crushing it in an iron grip as he shook vigorously. “Welcome to Saphrona‚ Master Dubois.” Excerpted from The Silverblood Promise‚ copyright © 2024 by James Logan. The post Read an Excerpt From James Logan’s &;lt;i&;gt;The Silverblood Promise&;lt;/i&;gt; appeared first on Reactor.