A Measure of Knowledge Update

After reviewing the master file a couple of more times and driving Jaye, my lovely formatter, a bit wonky with my anal tendencies, I uploaded the correct version of A Measure of Knowledge on Amazon this afternoon.

Before anyone gets too excited--

1) Please check the "Look Inside" feature! If the Table of Contents do not have ALL the chapters linked, it's the old version! It can take Amazon a couple of hours to three days to load the new version.

THE CORRECT VERSION IS LIVE ON AMAZON!

2) If you already purchased the ebook on Amazon, I've still got to send them the request to push the new version through to you. Even after I send the e-mail to Amazon (I have to go through the incorrect version to flag every issue for them), it can be a week or so before I hear from them.

If you plan on purchasing A Measure of Knowledge from a store other than Amazon, rest assured that they do have the correct version. As always, I will update links on the series page as I get word from each retail site that the book is live.

Once again I apologize for my screw up. I shall endeavor not to upload files the week of a family funeral in the future. In my effort not to disappoint you all, I still managed to do so.

Bad Suzan!

EMERGENCY NOTICE!!

In the chaos of my father-in-law's death a week ago and dealing with everything, I accidentally uploaded an unedited version of A Measure of Knowledge to Amazon.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE return your pre-ordered book and get your money back.

Then on the contact page, send me your e-mail address, and I will make sure you get the correct copy free-of-charge.

I sincerely apologize for my screw-up!

[Edit to add: The corrected version has been uploaded to all retailers!]

A Measure of Knowledge - Chapter 5

I apologize for not posting the new chapter yesterday. I've got two books coming out in ten days.

And DH and his eldest sister had to make the tough decision to move my father-in-law to hospice today.

So it's been a little difficult around Casa Harden lately. If I fail to post, I'm probably up to my neck in other deeds. Like rushing through unpacking the remaining boxes from the move still sitting in our living room so we can temporarily store FIL's apartment furniture.

On the other hand, I hope you all have a glorious Cinco de Mayo or Revenge of the 5th, whichever holiday you celebrate. Here's your last sneak peek before A Measure of Knowledge drops on the 15th.

------------------------------

When the final peal of the bells died, the five of us joined hands. Both Shi Hua and Quan’s hands were clammy to the touch. In any other circumstance, I would have teased the ambassador about his nervousness, but I couldn’t this time. Not with his family’s lives at stake.

Luc and I gently fed energy into the young Jing priestess. Talbert and Quan focused on their desire to speak with Reverend Father Biming. Shi Hua launched her thread of magic westward.

The main problem was the Reverend Father was a quicksilver like Talbert. Someone who essentially was undetectable by those of us with mental talents. If the Reverend Father wasn’t deliberately listening for Shi Hua, she wouldn’t be able to communicate with him. Our unspoken hope was the demon attack meant he was listening for her.

Assuming the demons hadn’t killed him.

Shi Hua? The masculine silent voice wasn’t Biming. Nor was it Brother Jian of Light. From the feeling of two beings in one mind, he was a Wildling.

Fa? she asked. Are you all right? Is Mei Wen alive? She said there was a demon attack in Chengzhou. Where’s Reverend Father Biming?

Just a moment, Fa said. The link still existed, but his attention was split. After a breathless moment, he returned. I sent one of my wardens to fetch the Reverend Father. He assigned me to listen for you.

Brother Fa, Prince Po is with me, Shi Hua said. As are Chief Justice Anthea and High Brothers Luc and Talbert.

Your Highness, Honored Seats. I hope you don’t mind, but Reverend Father Biming was adamant that he speak with you tonight. He will be here momentarily. The Jing priest hesitated a moment. I can say a healer was already at the home Temple of Balance. The last report indicated Justice Mei Wen is alive. His worry filtered through the link despite the young priest’s best efforts. Shi Hua had told me that she, Mei Wen, Jian, and Fa had been close when they were novices in the Jing Capital.

How many justices did you lose, Brother Fa? I asked. What assistance can Issura render?

As to your first question, I do not know. Clergy and wardens are still searching Balance, m’lady. The young priest’s weariness tugged on our link and I poured more of my own resources into Shi Hua. As for your second, the Reverend Father can answer that question better than I can.

The smooth essence of Reverend Father Biming entered our link. Sister Shi Hua, are you all right? I was told you were in contact with Justice Mei Wen when the demons attacked Balance.

I’m fine, Reverend Father, she reported. Chief Justice Anthea absorbed the brunt of Justice Mei Wen’s pain.

Can we drop the titles for now, Biming? I said. We have a multitude of questions, and I don’t want to wear out Shi Hua more than necessary.

I understand, Anthea, but may I please speak with Prince Po privately first? Biming said.

My brother and his sons are dead, aren’t they? The tsunami of Quan’s grief drowned all of us for a moment.

The empress as well, Your Highness. I am so sorry. Biming’s love and affection for his prince swirled around us all.

How? I bit out.

One of the imperial concubines was replaced by a skinwalker. Biming’s simple statement tore at me. When I first learned Shi Hua was Temple, she asked me how I was able to see demons. My strange sight that allowed me to see demons and skinwalkers resulted from an accident when I tried to bestow human sight on myself in my efforts to escape service to Balance. Shi Hua had hoped to replicate my spell, but according to my own Reverend Mother, all efforts to duplicate my accident had failed.

If I understood what I’d done wrong, I could have reproduced my eyesight in someone else. The emperor’s little boys wouldn’t be—

Anthea! Luc snapped. You can wallow in guilt later.

My apologies. I struggled to breathe evenly. From the anxiety irritating my nerves, I would need to visit High Sister Mya of Child before I would be able to sleep tonight. Both she and High Brother Ben of Vintner had been adamant that I couldn’t rely on soma tears for sleep.

You must come home, Po, Biming said. You are now the crown prince. The heads of the Temples know I’m speaking with you. We will keep the peace until you return.

How bad is your situation? Talbert asked.

Biming gave a stark recitation of what he and the other Temple heads had pieced together over the last two candlemarks. The actual attacks matched Quan’s analysis of quick, surgical strikes at the human institutions the demons considered their chief opposition. At the extent of the losses, I feared the almond pastries I’d eaten would make a reappearance.

Everyone of the Jing home Temples and their schools of philosophy had casualties. Of course, Light was more heavily targeted, but Balance and Death were as well. Which meant somehow the demons who survived the Battle of Tandor managed to get word to the other demons in our world before our own Crown Princess Chiara and the Issuran army hunted them down and killed them.

The School of the Dragon and the Phoenix suffered the most casualties. According to Quan, they were an offshoot based on the more esoteric teachings of Balance and Light. His own father had been a master of the school and its representative in the imperial court until he was struck with a scourge designed to resemble the disease known as the Child’s curse.

The teams of clergy and talents who acted as the imperial family’s personal bodyguards had been killed by the skinwalker, as had a number of the imperial harem. The skinwalker killed as many of the civilian troops guarding the imperial palace as it could before a cook warded it in one of the kitchens until Temple assistance arrived and ended the threat.

All the guilds were ignored by the demons except for the Healers Guild. One master, a journeyman, and a handful of apprentices survived at their headquarters, but in the demons’ focus on the main guild house, they missed the personnel who’d taken up residency at the Temples to assist with the multitude of babes the breeding edict had produced.

I wondered if the demons targeted the Healers Guild because it spawned off from the Temple of Death. Balance was the only one of the Twelve Temples that didn’t have a guild cleave off from the order over the last century.

The demons also ignored the nobles. If Jing were like Issura, the nobles had few of their members with any talents. Our enemies needed to take out the Temples, the guilds, and the schools of philosophy. Everyone else could be eaten at their leisure.

Quan let out an audible sigh before he said silently, It’s the midwinter, and Issura has been beset with storms since the solstice.

We may not be able to get you a weather sorcerer, but we can petition the duke for a weather oracle, Talbert said.

If Anthea and I ask, the duke may be willing to loan us Captain Titus and the Mars Tranquilus, Luc added. She’s a nimble ship with an excellent crew, and no offense, Quan, but she can handle a winter storm better than your ship can.

Quan chuckled, but the effort sounded forced. You have no argument from me on that score.

In the morning and if it’s all right with you, Quan, Shi Hua and I can contact Queen Teodora, report Jing’s situation, and petition for additional aid, I said.

If it’s all right with you, Anthea, I’d like to be involved in that conversation, he replied.

The renegade’s spies are expecting you to go back to Jing, Talbert said. There’s going to be ambushes along the way.

In the middle of the Peaceful Sea? I said.

Yes, my dear Anthea, Quan mocked. They are called pirates.

We have to assume they will strike before you leave Issura, Luc said. I strongly suggest you stay here for your own safety.

I concur, sir, Shi Hua said.

No comment, Anthea? Quan teased.

Only if you say no to a common sense precaution, I replied. You already know those from Thief will not be as direct even though they agree with me. Biming’s laughter pealed like a bell through my mind. It sounded like he needed the emotional release.

We’ll discuss our preparations further tomorrow at the same time, Biming said. I’ll send Jian and Fa with a Temple group I trust to meet you in Ryuku. Is that acceptable, Shi Hua?

The sister had come to Issura as Quan’s bodyguard. It said much that Biming trusted her to get their new emperor back to Chengzhou safely.

Yes, sir, she replied without hesitation. It hadn’t registered yet that her new assignment meant leaving her son Chao behind, possibly never seeing him again. In all my jealousy over the other Light and Balance clergy given permission to bear children, the thought of leaving my child behind hadn’t occurred to me.

Mya never called me self-centered during our talks involving my emotional repair work. She should have. Maybe I would have understood sooner.

Be careful, Biming, I said. Renegades may still be hiding in and around Chengzhou.

We will, Anthea. Weariness filled his mental voice even though it was fairly early in the day for Jing, but a demon attack will exhaust everyone when the initial adrenaline charge fades.

Shi Hua dissolved the link with Biming and Fa. She blinked a few times to reorient herself. “Shall I inform your concubine to have your concubine order the embassy household to pack, Your Highness?”

Quan nodded absently as he played with the beads on his moustache. “Wait.” He gestured sharply. “Hers and her son’s belongings. Sufficient clothes and weapons to sustain me during the voyage. Have Mistress Yin Li select four guards to accompany us. No more, no less. Tell her about—” He choked on the word while he did his best to be the world leader he thought he should be. “—about the imperial family, but neither of you are to say anything to anyone else. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness.” She nodded.

“It’s going to be difficult to keep this news quiet, Po,” I said softly. “Not with the clergy from all Twelve Temples present tonight when the demons attacked Chengzhou.”

“I trust the seats of Orrin to keep their silence and to ask those of their Temples to do the same.” He flashed me a brief smile. “At least until I can leave Orrin.”

“I’ll ride up to the duke’s estate.” Luc grabbed his crutches and stood.

“Tonight? I thought I was the one with the lack of manners,” I teased.

“Luc’s right.” Talbert pushed to his feet as well. “We need to work fast to get the new emperor out of Issura alive. I’ll inform the other seats of what’s happening.”

“What about me?” I was a little nonplussed the two high brothers had taken the jobs I would have preferred.

“You and I will put together a list of requirements I may need from your Teodora,” Quan answered. “We both need to be prepared for tomorrow morning. Would you mind if the chief justice and I use your dining room for a little while longer, High Brother?”

Luc nodded. “Our facilities are at your disposal, Your Highness. And I’ll have Edberth brew you two some more tea.”

Quan was correct. We did need to be prepared for speaking with the queen. But what puzzled me was the surprising lack of jealousy from Luc for once over me spending time alone with the future emperor of Jing.

Maybe Luc was simply happy Quan would soon be out of his hair.

In my case, I simply didn’t like change, and I’d had far too much of it over the last two winters.

And some instinct deep in my spirit said Balance wasn’t done flinging more challenges at me than She already had.

Soccer Moms and Other Updates

Apocalypse? Not Now! and Pestilence in Pumpkin Spice are going through their final tweaks with my formatter. I swear it doesn't matter how many eyes I have on a manuscript. Invariably, I will find a typo or five when I go through the e-book and print files. So, Jaye is slipping the final corrections in, and the Kickstarter backers will have their e-book copies before the end of the month.

In the meantime, I'm working hard to finish up A Measure of Knowledge. I'll have one more sample chapter to post next week. I know how I'm ending the book now. It leads into a one-off, Invasion!, which you can skip if you don't think it adds to the Justice mythos. Or get your library to purchase a copy and borrow it, so you can check it out before buying it yourself.

However, I think Invasion! will be funny as heck, so I hope you'll check it out anyway.

If you don't like Invasion!, blame it on DH. It's all his fault for asking what would happen if Anthea and Sam Ridgeway ever met.

A Measure of Knowledge - Chapter 4

Recently, a reader asked me point blank whether Sister Shi Hua would survive until the end of the Justice series.

I want to say I do my best to avoid the Bury Your Gays trope for the sake of the trope. That doesn't mean people aren't going to die, because let's face it, these folks are in a war whether they like it or not. People die in wars.

But to answer the reader's question since I'm sure others have the same question, yes, Shi Hua survives. That doesn't mean she won't have to make more compromises regarding her sexuality along the way though.

And if any of this discussion is surprising or shocking to you, you might want to reread the first seven books.

---------------------

We retreated to the Temple of Light so Shi Hua had a chance to rest in her own bed before we attempted to contact Biming. I sent Gina and Elizabeth back to Balance along my winnings from tonight’s Mill tournament.

My fellow justice joked she would keep the bag of money. To which, her future chief warden threatened to resign because she couldn’t work with a dishonest justice. Neither of them realized I planned to buy farewell gifts for both of them before they left Orrin. In fact, I’d already placed the orders with the smiths under contract with our Temple.

As for the rest of my winnings, I just hoped I’d live long enough to figure out what to do with the money. I was so used to the order of Balance taking care of my immediate needs. It hadn’t occurred to me to spend anything. Well, beyond my basic stipend with which I bought treats on Bakers Street.

Balance help me, I hadn’t even been able to do that for the past year. Not with the rash of attempts on my life since I was sentenced to the Balance seat of Orrin. My chief warden put his foot down when it came to me even thinking about leaving Balance without an escort. With closing the tunnels beneath Orrin, I couldn’t even sneak out any more.

Meanwhile, the ambassador had a lively…discussion with Sisters Yin Li and Shi Hua in their own language I made an effort to ignore until I heard my name. Quan finally took Shi Hua’s side and sent Yin Li back to the embassy with the suggestion her son Yin Shang needed her more than Shi Hua did. Yin Li was obviously not happy about his decision, but she bowed deeply before she mounted her horse and left with two of the Jing guards.

While Shi Hua retreated to her bedchamber, Talbert, Ambassador Quan, and I joined Luc in his private dining room. Neither the Jing guards nor our wardens were pleased about being excluded in this discussion, but after tonight’s events, I needed a break from their constant worry rubbing against my mental shields. It was worse than a poorly fitted boot chaffing my heel.

“Po?” I said gently after I removed my cloak and gloves and took my chair. “Is there anything we can do for you?”

He blinked and looked at me from across the table. “I’ve never had the chance to see my nephews.” Out of everything he might have said, family sentiment would not have been my first guess.

“The layers of guards around the imperial palace—” Luc started.

“From what Shi Hua and Anthea describe, this attack was planned.” The ambassador waved his hand. “Maybe years in advance. Quick surgical knife strikes at all the Temple leadership at the same moment. It stands to reason those same targeted attacks hit at our guilds, our schools of philosophy, the nobility, and yes, even the imperial family.”

He closed his eyes. An expression of sheer agony crossed his visage. “I never wanted the throne. Yet, my greatest fear may be coming true.”

“We don’t know what’s happening exactly,” I said.

“I don’t want to be forced back home,” Quan said. “Not this way.”

“Sometimes, we have no choice in our duties,” Luc murmured.

Before I could chide Luc for his insensitivity, his evening assistant Edberth entered with a tray. More Jing black tea from the scent. It was rapidly becoming the only thing to get me through my day. Or in this case, my nights.

Quan wasn’t the only one who feared the news from his homeland. Until I knew the fate of my fellow justice, I would have difficulty sleeping. Nightmares of my own experiences with demons would make sure of that.

“We can plan based on the possible scenarios we face.” Talbert met each of our gazes. “I’m not trying to be morbid. We can expect the best, but we must prepare for the worst.”

Luc chuckled. “That should be your Temple’s motto.”

“The best case scenario is the Temples rally, and they and the schools work with the imperial army to deflect the invasion in Chengzhou.” Quan murmured his thanks to Edberth when the former Light head of household handed the ambassador a cup of tea on a saucer.

“The worst case scenario is the Temple of Death triggered their last resort spells, and the nation of Jing no longer exists,” I said bitterly.

“The Jing Temples of Balance and Death are aware of the techniques you and Chief Justice Elizabeth developed in Tandor, aren’t they?” Edberth continued pouring tea as if we weren’t talking about the potential destruction of the entire Old Continent. Thankfully, he didn’t mention that our idea cost the lives of the surviving Tandoran Death clergy and our own High Sister Bertrice.

Luc looked as surprised at Edberth joining the conversation as I felt.

“Yes, they know,” I said.

“Then trust them to protect the civilians as best they can.” Edberth handed me a cup of tea. “It’s no secret the rest of the world thinks the queens and Temples of Albion and Eire failed, but they saved as many of our ancestors as they could before they activated the last resort spells.”

He continued pouring as if he were discussing the weather. “Not even the Jing clergy would do so without due consideration. I pray matters in your empire do not go so badly they must consider such a drastic course of action, Your Highness. Have faith Light and Knowledge will help them find a way to defeat the demons.”

Those were the most words I’d ever heard Edberth speak at one time. Not even when he served my maternal grandfather Kam as head of household here at the Temple of Light had Edberth been so vocal.

“Wise words, Edberth.” A ghost of a smile crossed Luc’s face as he accepted his own cup of tea. “It’s a pity you decided to cut back on your duties.”

“It was time for Istaqa to take his place within the Temple, High Brother.” Edberth inclined his head. “Shall I prepare any food for you and your guests, sir?” He made a point of looking at me.

I held up my left hand. “No, thank you. I am too worried to eat.”

“What?” Quan mockingly exclaimed. “A day has come where the chief justice of Orrin is, dare I say it, full?”

“You didn’t see the size of the bowl of mashed vegetables she ate at Thief earlier tonight,” Talbert teased. “You’re older now, Anthea. You keep eating the way you do, and you’ll end up as round as Kam.”

“My previous seat didn’t exercise like his beloved granddaughter does,” Edberth said. “You have nothing to fear, Chief Justice. And I believe we still have some almond pastries.”

“Thank you, Edberth,” I said graciously. Istaqa’s obsessive behavior as head of household was starting to make sense. However, there was no real reason to compare himself with Edberth. Nor did the former head of household interfere with Istaqa’s duties. It was simply convenient to keep Edberth on staff in case Luc needed assistance in the middle of the night.

With a start, I realized this was the first time guilt didn’t plague me over the loss of Luc’s left foot.

Edberth smiled at me and left the dining room.

I waited until the door closed behind him before I glared at Talbert. “I may eat like Kam, but I don’t drink wine by the barrel like he did.”

“Which is a good thing,” Luc said dryly. “The Orrin Light accounts show an excess for the first time in years, which is yet another reason Brother Garbhan was sent to spy on me.”

I cocked my head. “Reverend Father Farrell is complaining because you’re not spending enough on wine?”

“More like Lord Aleister is complaining his revenues are down, and the Pana Valley Temple of Vintner reported the losses to their home Temple,” Talbot commented.

“I don’t suppose Light could order extra barrels and trade them, could you?” I asked.

“I suppose I could give them to Talbert for gaming prizes if you would prefer wine to gold,” Luc teased.

“I like the gold.” I shook my head. “Besides, a portion of my winnings will go toward assisting Elizabeth in setting up the new Anacapa Temple of Balance.”

“That should be the responsibility of your home Temple.” Quan frowned. “Surely, your Reverend Mother doesn’t expect you and the Orrin Temple to provide the supplies and coin—”

I held up both hands. “Calm down, Ambassador. I’m using it for gifts I was planning to purchase for Elizabeth and Gina anyway. I can now amend the order with Govind for some additional ornamentation.”

At a knock on the door, Luc automatically reached for his crutches. I couldn’t blame him. My fingers wrapped around the hilt of my dagger, and knives sprang from sheaths hidden beneath Talbert’s sleeves and into his hands.

Warden Tadhg opened the door, and Edberth entered with the tray of pastries he’d promised. Both he and the warden studiously ignored all of us, including Quan, sheathing our weapons.

“Thank you so much, Edberth,” I said as I reached for one. I frowned as I noticed every single pastry had a bite torn out. I looked up at Luc’s evening assistant.

His face heated. “I’m sorry, Chief Justice. All the wardens and the Ambassador’s guards insisted on checking the food.”

Luc rubbed his forehead while Talbert and Quan chuckled. I merely shook my head in weary resignation and bit into the almond pastry. “This tastes like Deborah’s recipe,” I said around the mouthful.

Edberth smiled gently. “Gifting me with a few of Deborah’s recipes was the compromise High Brother Kam and Chief Justice Thalia came to when he tried to hire Deborah away from Balance.”

I swallowed the suddenly hard lump of dough. “Please tell me you are jesting.”

“I would never make light when it comes to a Temple’s kitchen staff, m’lady.” Edberth turned to Luc. “Do you need a fresh pot of tea, High Brother?”

“Yes, please, and an extra cup for Sister Shi Hua,” Luc responded.

Edberth bowed and retreated from the room once again.

I held up the almond pastry. “I have half a mind to spit in Little Bear’s porridge tomorrow morning.”

“They’re only trying to protect us,” Luc said as he reached for a pastry before passing the platter to Talbert.

“No, they didn’t have the manners to ask for some themselves,” I muttered.

“I’ve warned my own wardens to be careful about any refreshment offered,” Talbert said. He passed the platter to Quan, who held up his hand in polite refusal.

We were all quiet as we slowly consumed our treats and sipped our tea. The silence was preferable to acknowledging the uncomfortable truths we faced.

I was licking the last crumb from my thumb when there was another knock on the dining room door. This time, only the men grabbed their weapons. I grabbed another pastry.

Shi Hua entered followed by Edberth with a fresh pot of tea and an extra cup and plate.

Luc opened his mouth, but Shi Hua held up her right index finger.

“With all due respect, High Brother, don’t say a word.” Her finger made sharp slashing motion. “Just don’t.”

“Chao?” I guessed.

She groaned and sat down next to me. “I swear my son knows as soon as I walk into my chambers. Mateqai had put him down to sleep a half candlemark before we returned.”

A trill of part amusement, part resignation, and part sadness from Luc tickled my mind. The Issuran Temple of Light didn’t allow women in their order, though many other nations did. It had been an adjustment for everyone in Orrin to have a priestess of Light, especially for Luc’s staff. On the other hand, the priests and wardens quickly learned to take her seriously, especially when it came to unarmed combat in the practice yard.

Then the breeding edict came down from the home Temples last spring. Having a woman in the Temple had been bad enough. Having a baby like Chao caused more chaos than a demon incursion.

At least, the home Temple of Light hadn’t insisted Luc try to sire another child after the loss of his and Sister Claudia of Love unborn son. It had taken much counseling from Child for Luc and Claudia to deal with their grief. And even more counseling for me since my birth mother murdered the babe in an effort to fuel a demon spell to destroy the city of Orrin.

“Warden Mateqai missed his calling.” I pulled the platter closer to Shi Hua.

She selected one of the pastries, stared at it, and examined the remaining treats. “Why do they all have bites missing?”

“Overprotective wardens,” Talbert, Luc, and I said at the same time.

Edberth set the cup of tea he poured for Shi Hua in front of her. “I’ll bring your eggs and cheese once you finished with your attempt to contact Jing.” He bowed and left again.

“Are you all right, Sister?” Concern was an expression I’d never seen Quan wear, but he was obviously worried about Shi Hua.

She fixed him with a glare. “When you have children, and they poop and spit up on you and never let you sleep, then we will talk, Your Excellency.”

Quan’s left eyebrow rose, but she continued glaring at him. She was hardly a quiet, demure woman. However, she rarely snapped at anyone the way she had tonight.

Luc wouldn’t correct her in front of members of other Temples. Talbert hid a slight smile behind his cup. And technically, I couldn’t reprimand her since I was not her Temple seat. However, I could use one of High Sister Mya’s techniques she used on me after a demon grimoire nearly drove me mad.

I laid my hand on her arm. “We’re all scared of what might be happening in Chengzhou, none more than you and Po. However, lashing out at each other isn’t going to help your friends and family.”

She slumped in her chair. The pastry fell from her right hand, hit the edge of the table, and broke into multiple crumbs before hitting the hardwood floor.

I should have frozen time and rescued the treat. I couldn’t bear the loss of an almond pastry.

“You’re right, Lady Justice,” Shi Hua murmured. “My apologies for my behavior, Your Excellency, High Brothers.”

The Temple bells started tolling. Third Evening. Time to learn the truth.

If they could.

A Measure of Knowledge - Chapter 3

Here's the unedited version of Chapter 3, A Meassure of Knowledge.

----------------

Talbert magically amplified his voice. “All junior clergy are to return to your Temples immediately.”

There was a great deal of grumbling among our subordinates, but I understood their resentment of being left out during major discussions. Elizabeth, the former chief justice of Tandor and the soon-to-be chief justice of the newly formed Duchy of Anacapa, whispered to Yanaba and Erato.

I stood and added, “Your seats will inform you of our additional findings. But considering this is a foreign ally, please allow us the discretion of diplomacy before you all get your hackles up over being excluded.”

Most of the clergy weren’t sure whether to be insulted until my justices and half of the Wildlings laughed. That seemed to ease everyone else’s minds.

Quan approached me. “Findings?”

I lowered my voice. “Let the sanctuary clear first. Then, we’ll explain everything.”

##

It took nearly a quarter of a candlemark for the visiting clergy and their wardens to gather and don winter cloaks. At the same time, Thief’s staff cleared tables and brought in steaming pots of black Jing and Meca bean teas.

Yin Li stayed as well on the pretense of the ambassador’s trusted advisor. She wasn’t simply an Imperial concubine. Known to only a few in the room, Yin Li was a priestess of Love, Quan’s personal bodyguard, and Shi Hua’s aunt. As fierce of a fighter as the young Love priestess was, I knew I never wanted to face Yin Li in battle, but I’d definitely want her on my side.

The chief wardens who had not attended this evening’s entertainment were alerted. Since Elizabeth remained at our impromptu convocation as a courtesy to a visiting seat, my own chief warden Little Bear brought his second Gina. She had accepted Elizabeth’s offer to become her chief warden when she moved to the islands this spring, so it only made sense for Gina to assume some of those responsibilities.

There had been a time when all wardens had been excluded from a convocation of the Temple seats. However, with the spate of demon attacks over the course of the last year and a half, it seemed unwise not to include those who were responsible for Temple security. Knowledge was essential to preparedness as Little Bear constantly pointed out to me.

Once Cedar Grove and Shi Hua returned to the Thief’s sanctuary and the household staff departed, Talbot warded the huge room. I sat with the statue of Thief to my back and pulled my hood as forward as I could to keep from squinting at heat from the fires.

Han took the seat to my left and muttered, “You should have been in Conflict, Anthea.”

“Why is that?” I asked softly.

“You’re the only one besides me, Jax, and Talbert who keeps their back covered and sits where they can keep an eye on the doors and windows.”

I chuckled. “I’m afraid that’s sheer experience, my friend.”

It could have been worse. Elizabeth sat between Leocadia and Mya because she still had problems being around men after the tortures the skinwalkers who had taken over Tandor had put her through for a year. I couldn’t imagine being so damaged I couldn’t sit between Han and Quan as I did now.

Shi Hua and I related each of our impressions during the brief contact with Justice Mei Wen. Cedar Grove had blocked the emotional response from Mei Wen, and Shi Hua was able to recall a little more than I had. Flashbangs detonated in the streets. The amplified voices of officers of the imperial armies giving orders. The whoosh of thousands of arrows launched at the same moment.

Quan took the news without comment. He wore a solemn mien as he played with the gold beads that decorated the ends of his long moustache. Finally, he exhaled and said, “I believe Brother Jian of Light is our backup if we cannot contact Reverend Father Biming at Third Evening local time.”

“And Brother Fa after him.” Shi Hua sounded so damn tired. I could understand why. Exhaustion tugged at my eyelids, and I didn’t have nearly the contact with Justice Mei Wen that Shi Hua did.

“Are they both in Chengwu?” Luc asked. Shi Hua shook her head. “No.” She glanced at the ambassador, but he showed no reaction, so her attention returned to Luc. “When I was assigned to the ambassador, Reverend Father Biming made sure my additional contacts were in three different Temples and assigned to three different cities. Justice Mei Wen was appointed as the emperor’s legal advisor five years ago, which is why she is also in Chengzou.

“It’s the middle of winter.” High Brother Ben of Vintner rubbed his chin. “With this year’s storms, we may not get conventional word until next spring.”

Han snorted. “It was a year before we learned of the takeover of our own sister city of Tandor. What makes you think we’ll learn what happened in Chengzou before a demon army sails into our harbor?”

Leave it to the high brother of Conflict to give voice to my own fears.

I cleared my throat. “If all else fails, Sister Shi Hua, would you be able to contact your mother?”

She looked at me uncertainly. “I could, but she’s a farmer.”

“Certainly there’s a Temple in your home village?” Leave it to Luc to ascertain where I was going with my questions.

“Of course, but—”

“This may be the advantage of me learning the Jing language,” I said. “If the ambassador, High Brother Luc, and I join the link with you, your mother, and the priest or priestess she trusts in your village—”

“We could tax her abilities,” Quan protested.

“She’s stronger than you give her credit for,” I retorted.

“She just gave birth.” Quan glared at me.

“Four weeks ago,” Shi Hua snapped as she abruptly stood. “I’m fully healed.”

Cedar Grove rose, too, laid a hand on Shi Hua’s shoulder, and whispered in the Jing priestess’s ear. Slowly, both women sat again, though Shi Hua gave the ambassador a rather murderous look.

“Anthea and I can boost Shi Hua’s resources,” Luc said. “And you’re the highest ranking Jing official we have to prove our identities.”

Yin Li cleared her throat. “With all due respect to you, Ambassador, and you, High Brother, it might be better if I participate instead. I personally know the Love sisters in Yintze.”

“All of this is moot if we can contact Reverend Father Biming tonight.” Talbert sat with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped together. The pose showed just how worried he was.

But then, so was I.

“Let’s take this one step at a time,” I said. “We’ll try to contact Biming tonight. If we can’t, then we send messages concerning the situation to Queen Teodora, the Matriarch of the Diné, and the King of Cant at first morning. They can alert their own distance speakers and triangulate until we get an answer from Chengzhou.”

Surprisingly, the other Temple seats agreed to my idea. They also agreed to retreat to their own Temples with my promise to give them an answer about whether tonight’s efforts were successful or not. In turn, I asked them to pray to their own deities for our success.

When they left, Quan looked at me and shook his head. “I never thought I’d see you ask your colleagues to pray for their deities to intercede on your behalf.”

I chuckled as I donned my winter cloak. “I hope the other Eleven take pit on me. I know damn well Balance won’t answer my prayers.”

What a Kickstarter Ride!

The Soccer Moms of the Apocalypse campaign on Kickstarter ended last night with 237 backers pledging $7,639. Yep, that $7K more than my original goal of $600!

For everybody who contributed, THANK YOU SO MUCH! (Yes, I'm shouting. I've also been happy dancing around the house.)

I've had to place orders for additional amounts of physical reward items. I assumed 50-100 backers based on my mailing list and social media reach. My initial planning didn't take into account all the additional backers from Brandon Sanderson's promotion of my Kickstarter. I've already been in contact with one of the backers who pledged for the "Name a Character" package. I need to contact the other two folks this afternoon.

So far things are running fairly smoothly. My biggest worry is we'll have another paper shortage when it comes time to print the trade paperbacks.

For those of you who want to purchase Soccer Moms of the Apocalypse, I've started entering the pre-order information on the retail websites. I'll update the Soccer Moms series page as links go live.

In the meantime, I need to write, write, write as I wait for my packages to arrive!

Next week, I'll go back to my regular format--posting sample chapters from A Measure of Knowledge.

Until then, take care and stay safe!

Status Report - April 2022

Things have been a little crazy at Casa Harden during March. The highly successful Kickstarter campaign for Soccer Moms of the Apocalypse was the highlight.

However, my FIL fell in his apartment on the date of the official launch. Broken hip, broken hand, and nasty cut on his forehead were followed by surgery on the hip and a nasty antibiotic-resistant staph infection. To top off the issues, the staff at the rehab center rushed him to the ER when his heart enzymes went wonky. Twice. Needless to say, the situation has put a crimp in both mine and DH's work schedule.

What does that all mean?

Things are still on track for Soccer Moms, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it remains that way. The slippage came with A Measure of Knowledge. I could finish it in time for its original April 15th release date, but editing and formatting would be haphazard at best.

So, to make sure everything is done properly, I moved the release date back to May 15th. I apologize to everyone who pre-ordered the book, but I want to make sure you get a quality product.

In the meantime, there's two days left on the Kickstarter, and there's lots of new stretch goal rewards!

Thank you, everyone, for your generosity and your patience.

A Measure of Knowledge - Chapter 2

I will (*fingers crossed*) have some huge news in a few days! So, here's the next chapter of A Measure of Knowledge to tide you over until then.

---------------------
This was one of those times when I truly would have traded all my other gifts granted by the Twelve for the ability to distance speak in order to know what was happening in Jing. Together, Jeremy and I helped Shi Hua upright and to a chair.

High Mother Leocadia brought a cup of water for the distraught Light priestess. “Should we summon a healer?”

“No, and shield your thoughts. All of you,” Shi Hua snapped. “I need some breathing room.”

It wasn’t like the Jing woman to lose her temper, but only then did I realize how close our fellow clergy were crowding around us. The energy of their worry for her and concern about Justice Mei Wen’s warning was enough to set my own teeth on edge.

“You heard Sister Shi Hua,” High Brother Talbert said. “Everyone take a chair or a bench while we sort this out.”

Murmurs filled the room. With the mention of demons, unease filtered past many minds despite Shi Hua’s pointed request for the clergy shield their thoughts. But everyone did as Talbert asked except for the twelve Temple seats and Brother Jeremy. He fed his own energy into Shi Hua.

The rapid crimson throb of the blood vessels in her neck slowly dulled to her orangish-red hue now she was no longer subjected to Justice Mei Wen’s pain. However, she continued to rub her abdomen.

“Anthea, you should sit down, too.” Talbert pulled a second chair closer to Shi Hua. “We don’t need you passing out either.”

High Brother Han of Conflict firmly grasped my left elbow and shuffled me to the second chair. I had the impression he would have picked me up as one would a recalcitrant child if I had refused. Truth be told, my own knees were shaky from the intensity of the link with Shi Hua’s friend.

Once seated, I said, “Justice Mei Wen was definitely attacked by a demon.”

Talbert folded his arms over his chest. “Is she still alive?”

I looked at Shi Hua.

“I don’t know,” she murmured. Hot, red drops trickled down her cheeks.

“Who else can we contact in Chengzhou for confirmation of the attack?” I asked.

“Are you saying she lied?” Fury reddened Shi Hua’s skin to the point I could no longer see her tears.

“No, I’m terrified she’s dead, and we may have just lost Jing.” I looked up at Talbert. “Could you please send someone to the Jing embassy? Ambassador Quan should be informed.”

He turned and barked the order to his chief warden, Sabine. As I expected, she exited to the rear of the sanctuary. A horse would be much quicker, and Sabine was smart enough to take another warden or three with her to the embassy district. The Jing guards would take a squad of Temple wardens more seriously than a single messenger.

I took Shi Hua’s left hand in both of my own. “What about Reverend Father Biming?”

She shook head and wiped her cheeks with her free hand. “We weren’t supposed to speak until Third Evening on First Day. Things have been so quite lately with the fierce winters across the Northern Hemisphere—”

“That may be exactly what the demons were waiting for,” Han said.

“Are you saying we’ve been lackadaisical?” High Brother Jax of Wildling snapped.

“No,” High Sister Mya of Child said. She stood very close to Talbert, their robes touching, which allowed him to shield her with his quicksilver talents. It said how bad the emotions and thoughts were leaking from the junior clergy. No wonder Shi Hua lost her temper earlier.

“It’s simply human nature to relax when a supposed threat doesn’t materialize,” Mya continued. “Not even the creatures of the forests and mountains cannot maintain such vigilance indefinitely.”

“Neither the emperor or the Temple heads in Jing would simply let a demon army enter the capital,” Shi Hua said angrily.

“No one is saying they would,” Brother Jeremy murmured soothingly. “Everyone is upset, and they shouldn’t conjecture the status of Chengzhou before we have more information.” He looked up and glared at everyone surrounding the mother of his child.

“It’s better Shi Hua’s doesn’t try right now anyway,” Luc said. “If she were to do so, it could split the attention of the person while they are fighting for their life.”

“And that may be the critical moment where the tide of the battle is turned,” I added.

“So, what would you have us do, Anthea?” High Sister Mariana of Knowledge glared at me. “Nothing?”

Mariana and I were barely civil to each other after I called her out for shirking her duties last summer. She wasn’t a renegade or evil per se, just lazy and self-centered. And her laziness and self-centered behavior had cost lives in Orrin.

I bit my tongue before I said any of the thoughts about her racing through my mind. “No, But I’m not putting Sister Shi Hua’s sanity or life at risk until we consult with Ambassador Quan. He was gracious enough to petition the Jing Temple of Light on our behalf to allow Sister Shi Hua to supplement our own Temple after we lost so many of our own brothers to the renegades. I don’t wish to throw away either her life or our diplomatic relationship with Jing out of fear.”

My answer was obviously not the one Mariana was expecting from the way she shrunk back at my withering logic. She met the eyes of each our fellow seats, but she found no support.

Jeremy looked up at Luc from where the younger priest crouched next to Shi Hua. “Why don’t Garbhan and I take the sister back to our Temple for some rest?”

“No,” Shi Hua spat. “Chief Warden Sabine will bring the ambassador here, so I will wait for him. Here.”

Even I was taken aback by Shi Hua’s blatant insubordination. This behavior was not like her at all, which meant the short contact with Justice Mei Wen had shaken her far more than I’d realized.

Thank Balance, Cedar Grove approached their little group before Luc could open his mouth to reprimand the young Light priestess. “Shi Hua, would you please accompany me to my chambers while we wait for the ambassador? I have some private questions for you if you don’t mind.” She made a point of patting her own growing belly.

The Thief priestess’s attempted distraction didn’t fool anyone, but Shi Hua pushed to her feet. She pointedly looked at Jeremy and said, “I’d be glad to answer your questions concerning my experience birthing a child. Alone.”

Cedar Grove shot a look at Garbhan and shook her head. Both priests had the appearance of dejected suitors, which in a way, they were. The two women headed toward the doorway leading to the Thief clergy’s private rooms.

“What did I do?” Garbhan whined.

“You had the misfortune of being blessed with a penis,” I said.

A few of the people around us did a poor job of hiding their snickers.

“Anthea.” There was a warning in Luc’s voice. “You are not helping matters.”

“Someone had to lighten the mood.” I sighed and took the cup High Brother Xander of Death handed to me. The sweet taste of Pana red wine took the edge off my own nerves. “The rest of you didn’t feel what happened to Justice Mei Wen.”

“What did happen, Anthea?” High Brother Jax asked.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on the memory of the link. “The Jing justice is blind—”

“As a proper justice should be,” High Father Jerrod of Father scoffed.

I ignored his nasty comment and continued, “—so I have no visual clues. The Temple bells were ringing the demon alarm code.” I focused on the tolling Mei Wen heard, trying to identify each Temple. “Balance. Conflict. Mother, Father, Light.”

My limbs trembled as my mind replayed the slight, but intense, contact. “The Reverend Mother of Balance is shouting orders. Steel against stone. Shouts of pain. Mei Wen’s own warden is cut down. She slips and lands on marble flooring. Warm, sticky, copper-tasting. It’s her warden’s blood. Another human is dragging her away from the fighting. The rancid taste of demon magic. Fire across her belly—”

At the intense pain, my eyes flew open. I half-expected to see my own entrails spilling into my lap.

“It’s all right, Anthea.” Luc’s warm grip on my hands was far more reassuring than his words. “You’re here with me in Orrin.”

I gulped air. My face was wet from the other justice’s pain. “It feels like it was a concerted attack on all twelve of the home Temples in Chengzhou. The Justice wasn’t in contact with Shi Hua long enough for the alarms to cycle through, but if five were ringing at the same time—”

“It’s best to assume the demons struck all twelve at the same time,” Talbert said.

“Separate the imperial forces from the Temples, and the Temples from each other.” Han nodded. “Sound strategy.”

“What about Jing’s philosophical schools?” Leocadia folded her hands inside the sleeves of her robes, probably so the rest of the clergy couldn’t see them shaking. “Surely, they would aid both the emperor and the Temples.”

“Emperor Bao Chengwu already has executed any member of the School of Sorcery he can find after they sided with the renegades,” Luc said darkly. “While all the schools deal talent to some extent, I doubt the emperor has much faith in any of them, especially since his own father was a member of the School of Sorcery.

“You are correct in that regard, High Brother,” a familiar voice rang out behind me.

I turned to find Ambassador Quan stride into the sanctuary of Thief. He was accompanied by four of his own guards and his alleged concubine Yin Li, as well as the wardens led by Sabine.

“Our emperor only keeps his own father alive out of paternal courtesy.” Quan approached me and cocked his head. “What trouble have you stirred up this time, my dear Chief Justice?”

A Measure of Knowledge - Chapter 1

Book 9 of the Justice series, A Measure of Knowledge, is trundling along quite pleasantly despite being relegated to whatever end-of-the-day writing time I have left after working on Soccer Moms of Apocalypse. Quite honestly, the next three books of Anthea and Luc's adventures will be their own trilogy now that Queen Teodora is assured of the pair's loyalty to the human race.

Which is what the whole side trip to Dine was all about in A Hand of Father.

Anyway, here's an rough taste of an unedited draft of the first chapter.

-------------------------

Chill rains had settled over the city of Orrin after the Winter Solstice, and everyone who didn’t have to be out in the drizzles and downpours stayed close to their fireplaces and braziers. Those same storms had halted ship traffic in and out of our harbor, and the fierce waves made it too dangerous for the fishers to launch their smaller boats. That left repairs and crafts to occupy idle hands until the weather broke.

I found myself with four justices in residence where there had only been me at Orrin’s Temple of Balance last winter. Justice Erato and Brother Wolf Run, who currently rode circuit in the east side of the Duchy of Orrin, had come to my Temple to resupply in the late fall, but early and deep snows in the foothills forced them to retreat and spend the season here rather than Mountain Gate as they’d planned.

However, our visitors were not bored. The bonding of the city’s clergy over the difficulties of the last year had led to spending our free time together on the long, dark nights. Each Temple took turns hosting games, story telling, and music except on Rest Day. We’d gather after First Evening, and a competition of a different sort had broken out among our head cooks and chefs over the quality and variety of dishes served.

On this Sixth Day, we were gathered in the sanctuary of the Temple of Thief for a Mill tournament. Quite simply, wagering on games of skill and chance was His domain. Therefore, there was never any question that a great deal of betting would occur any time we assembled at Thief.

The spiced roasts of beef and venison filled the air of the Temple with a hearty aroma. Dried cranberries imported from the eastern side of the Northern Long Continent flavored the extravagantly expensive wheat bread. Turnips and potatoes were boiled and mashed together before butter, milk, and black pepper were added. Instead of Pana Valley wine, Thief’s cook served Kemet-style beer from an inn in Nastine. The yeasty drink complimented the meat and vegetables’ savory taste.

Since the Temple of Thief did not have an eternal flame before the statue of the god they represented, the architects compensated by building two large fireplaces on the northern and southern walls of their main sanctuary. Oil lamps with reflectors hung from the ceiling. Unfortunately, they all made a vast amount of heat, which meant I spent most of the night squinting against their uncomfortable pink glares. Only the obsidian statue of Thief Himself remained cool enough not to bother my odd eyesight.

My head of household Sivan watched Baby Kosumi so my junior justice Yanaba could attend the festivities. I rather suspected it was my assistant’s way of suggesting she and my chief warden make their relationship more permanent with a babe of their own.

The pleasant thing about Mill was everyone from Balance could play, too. Talbert made a point of creating game pieces of two different types of material so my sister justices could study the board by touch.

I was the odd one, a justice who had vision, though my perception was different from other sighted humans. I perceived differences due to relative heat exuded by the things, people, and animals around me. Therefore, I could actually see the game set and the pieces clearly.

“Your move, Anthea.” Sister Cedar Grove smirked at me from across our table.

That was the other thing I loved about our gatherings. We agreed to drop all titles for the duration of our entertainments. It was freeing not to have to worry about etiquette and status for a few candlemarks.

It also helped that none of us wore Temple robes to these gatherings. Cedar Grove wore a skirt and a loose tunic to keep her growing belly warm. I wore a velvet dress, also for warmth and not fashion. The garment had been made by an Orrin seamstress named Jaci. She wanted to gift it to me for saving her family from being eaten by two wechuges. I insisted on paying for the dress. In the end, we agreed I would pay for the material and thread, and Jaci could spend her free time as she wished.

“I am aware, thank you, Cedar Grove.” I growled as I stared at the board. Mill was less complicated than chess, but it still required a certain amount of strategy. It didn’t help that this was the last game. As the two finalists, Cedar Grove and I were tied at two games apiece. The winner would take the tournament and the prize gold.

As I said before, no games could be played at Thief without some gambling involved.

The staff of Thief paused in their removal empty dishes from the serving table and watched the game. The crowd of clergy pressed closer and murmured among themselves. Secondary betting among the clergy, staff, and wardens impinged on my awareness. I saw the trap Cedar Grove was about to spring. The question was finding a way out.

Or maybe I was looking at the problem from the wrong perspective. Maybe I needed to go around. I slid the copper peg into the hole.

Cedar Grove’s breath came out in a whoosh.

“Are you all right, my love?” Garbhan’s hand was on her shoulder.

She frowned at the board trying to figure out my plan. Both of her palms rubbed her swollen belly. “I would be if our daughter would stop kicking my lungs.”

“Do you concede?” I smirked at her.

She snorted. “To you? Never!” Still, the Thief priestess took her time, which set off another round of wagering among our peers. She took the space I’d expected, and I made my next move.

Her face fell. She had only two moves left. One where she would lose the match and one where she would tie. Cedar Grove had too much pride to deliberately lose.

So did I.

Pandemonium exploded as we inserted our last pegs into their squares. No one was expecting us to tie. The brothers and sisters of Thief were laughing as they took the gambling proceeds to dais at the foot of the statue of Thief in order to count them.

Cedar Grove and I stood and bowed to each other. I stretched my arms over my head, and arched my back to pull out the knots. Garbhan guided her over to the food table. He’d become rather overprotective of the priestess since he’d seeded her womb. I’m sure it was difficult not to form an attachment when bringing a new life into the world.

My thoughts dragged my attention to Luc, the High Brother of Light. He stood next to the seat of Thief Talbert, and they both grinned like fools. I realized why. After the Temple of Thief took its cut and the prize gold was split between Cedar Grove and me, the remaining coins were being divided between the two high brothers.

I stalked over to them. “What is going on here?”

“Collecting on our bets,” Luc said innocently.

“Y-you bet I would lose?” I’d never thought of myself as being that egotistic, but his judgement of my skill hurt.

He leaned on his left crutch and cupped my cheek. “I know you. And I knew you wouldn’t lose.”

Confusion rippled through me. “B-but—”

“Balance in all things, Anthea,” Talbert teased. “You of all people should know that.”

“You bet that we would tie?” I shook my head at their foolishness. Or wisdom, depending out one’s point of view. “You two are—”

“Brilliant?” Luc offered.

“Ingenious?” Talbert said.

“Pains in my backside,” I retorted.

Shi Hua’s screams interrupted our byplay. Jeremy cradled the Light priestess as she collapsed to the marble floor of the sanctuary.

I raced over, knelt next to Shi Hua, and tried to absorb her pain. Fire ripped through my belly as if sharp claws had gutted me. Breathe with me, Shi Hua. What’s wrong?

It took several moments for the young woman’s agony to recede. At first, I feared a complication from childbirth though she’d delivered little Chao nearly four weeks ago. But it wasn’t her pain I was feeling. It was someone else’s. Someone who couldn’t see her attacker. Someone who had either passed out or died from her injuries. But before she did, I felt the distinctive rasp of demon magic.

“Mei Wen!” Shi Hua gasped between her words and tears. “She tried to—tried to warn me. A demon army has invaded Chengzhou.”