The Unexpected Traveler Project

The Unexpected Traveler is the working title of my latest fantasy book. Peter stumbles across a magic sword belonging to an elf stranded in our world for five long years. A frantic attempt to help the elf Rainier back into his own world results in both Peter and his irresponsible roommate Matt coming through the portal as well. In the five years Rainier, the second son of the High King, was away, everything has changed. King Randinier is dead and Prince Rainier’s brother, Ranfolger, is now king. The peace that governed the land has been shattered in the Tax Wars. The book chronicles the adventures Peter and Rainier must traverse to set the High Kingdom in order, involving all seven sentient creatures created by the seven gods: elves, sprites, dwarves, faeries, gnomes, eagles, and, yes, dragons. Pitted against them are the conspirators: senior elves who wanted back the power that Rainier’s grandfather, the fabled King Rainden, had worked so hard to contain. With the inept Ranfolger on the throne, these old men have slaughtered thousands in their quest for ultimate control. Read of deep friendships, loyalty, tragedy, treason, intrigue, murder, battles, and magic. The Master of the Orgon Library, a refuge for humans, speaks to Peter:

“Peter,” he said, bringing his focus back to me, his eyes intense, “the forces of good are like a candle on a dark, windy night: a tiny light, easily extinguished. Once blown out, it can be hard to relight. It seems as though evil can never be conquered, only contained. I’m afraid we must constantly start again.”

Sink into this fat, juicy fantasy novel and travel with Peter, Rainier, Matt, many others, and, above all, two swords: Royal and Dag, both carrying more magic than has ever been seen before.

Drawings

I’m posting the drawings as they are completed. My art is with words, and my wife’s art is with drawing and painting—see her own website here. She’s creating a drawing per chapter. Several are already available. See them at these posts:

• The magic sword
• Entrance to the Jolly Judy Mine
• Drogo the Dragon
• The ruins of the Malgon Castle
• A dungeon cell in Malgon Castle
• Sheep safely grazing in meadow near town of Eagle’s Nest

Maps

From the moment I met Brett Pfister, I was completely enchanted with his work. He’s now hard at work converting my hand-drawn maps into art. Brett’s own website is here. The maps (somewhat reduced resolution) are posted for your viewing pleasure at these posts:

• Sample map, showing part of northwestern Dakut near city of Corhorn

Targeting a February, 2012, Release on Kindle

The book will soon be available on Kindle, attractively priced at $2.99. The color maps, the drawings, and the hieroglyphics of Elvish, Faerie, Spritish, Gnomish, and Dwarvish are all embedded. The book will contain links back to this site for higher resolution maps.