“The Elect Stories” is back! After a pause to catch up on our paperback releases, brand new chapters are coming to Amazon Books, starting with chapter 8, “Belief and Understanding, or, The Swordbearers’ Quandry”. Much like you do after a favorite streaming series returns, we’re sure you’ll need to refresh your memory before plunging ahead. Since bingeing your way through the past seven chapters may require a tad more time than you choose to commit, we’ve made this handy dandy list of the chapters that directly touch on the events of #8. Even just reading these few paragraphs will drop you right back into the world of Palm, Timriel and company without missing a step. Please be forewarned, though, if you’ve not read the previous chapters, there just might be a few spoilers below. So, read at your own risk.
Chapter 1: “Purpose, or, The Swordbearer’s Lament”
Obviously, this first episode introduces the entire world and story, but, in particular it sets up the relationship between Palm and Timriel and provides the terrible incident that incites Palm’s hunt for the Devil of Black Water and begins the Quest of the Elect.
Chapter 4: “Negotiation, or, The Various and Sundry Businesses of Mister Jonathan Guess”
While Jonny Guess’ mind may not be “all there,” his worst memories certainly are, and they include his first meeting with Palm, who enlists Guess’ aid in his hunt for the murderous Devil.
Chapter 5: “Argument, or, The Raising of the Elect”
This chapter, set in the “present” some twenty years after Palm’s quest, introduces young Arden Clarkson and his father, the Bascha toll collector called November. Chapter 8 opens with a scene that continues the voyage of Arden and November, fleeing their village following See Yesidreel’s killing of a Bascha officer. Of the four chapters mentioned here, this is the least necessary to your catch up, so long as you recall Arden, November and See’s unexpected journey.
Chapter 7: “Blood and Thunder, or The Sun Sets on the Murder Spree of the Villainous Cheksaw Gang”
Though bookended by the present tense story of Gelgarth Arbekka’s journey to Vessena in search of the traitorous Jonny Guess, the body of chapter seven told a tale of Gelgarth’s days with the Riders of the Wyrn, focusing on their last ride, hunting down Rusk Cheksaw and his gang of murderers and horse thieves. That hunt would take Gelgarth and the Riders all the way to the Free City of Vessena, where they would encounter the Devil of Black Water, as well as the swordbearers, Palm and Timriel. Our latest chapter picks up immediately where this chapter leaves off.
Still find that you’ve got more reading time? No problem! You’ve likely noticed by now that each of our chapters begins with a brief page entitled, “Previously in The Elect Stories” that should help you jump back in. Just know that however you do it, we are surely glad to have you back!
