In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Pietas is still imprisoned inside a steel and copper stasis tube. He uses the word “never” seven times. Freedom lies straight ahead. If–a big if–his captors release him. It opens with Six speaking.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 20

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

Never

“Pietas! Can you hear me? I hope you can hear me. We’re coming in. The planet is dead ahead. It’s Sempervia. We’re there! We land today. The strobes you’re seeing–if you can still see–those are alerts. We’re landing!”

Joy and terror flooded Pietas in equal measure. Joy in the hope this repugnant nightmare might soon end. Terror he’d be marooned on this detestable world but never released, never found. They’d leave him to spend eternity alone in a hellish existence of eternal night.

No! No. He would be free. He would. Freedom was his birthright. He had not suffered this long to be denied freedom now.

Every part of his body hurt. Every finger, every toe, every tooth. Every eyelash.

Hunger no longer ravaged him. Did he even have a stomach anymore? In an earlier stage of hunger, it must have eaten itself. That pain had stopped long ago, and moved to every extremity.

Thirst, however, thirst haunted him, a creature from nightmares.

Once he got out of this pod, he’d throw himself into a river and drink it dry. Wait, instead, he’d drink some of it, and then let the river soak into his bones. He’d never go thirsty. Never be dirty.

And he would eat. It would be good to have food. Any food would do. Once he found food, he’d stuff his face full. He’d stop being picky. Whatever there was, it would be good enough. He’d never refuse food. He’d break bread with his family every chance he got.

The thought of family made his heart hurt. He’d hug Dessy, wrap both arms around his mother, and never let her go. He’d even hug his father.

And Six. He’d spend time with Six.

They would fish, as Six had promised. They’d sit by a river, cast lines, kick back on the bank, and watch clouds roll by. He hadn’t gone fishing since he was a boy. Fishing with Six at his side sounded like heaven.

It was true that Six had threatened the sole person Pietas could not and would not lose. Yes, Six had helped capture him. But that had been duty, and hadn’t Six proven his mettle and his true heart a hundred times since?

A klaxon sounded. The ship must be going into port.

—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Pietas is on the planet surface, and he’s out of the stasis pod, but he’s now trapped within his own semi-lifeless body. He has no movement anywhere. He’s paralyzed.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 22

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

No Movement Yet

The cool bath refreshed. Pietas tried to see his reflection in the water, but Six tossed a rock, creating ripples.

“Trust me, Ultra. You’re not ready to see yourself yet.” He brought out a metal box and opened it. “Plain soap. Scrap of cloth. You’ll be clean before you know it.” Six lathered the soap and gently scrubbed Pietas’s face.

His body was sinew and bones, dark everywhere. It would take many baths to soak off the embedded grime. After Six bathed him, Pietas rested on the blanket. Six dried him, and worked his uncooperative arms and legs into the clothes.

Mortifying to be so helpless. He hadn’t been this useless since he was an infant.

The ordeal of movement and cold exhausted him. He dozed, and woke to find himself clothed, dry, and warm.

“Ready for a manicure?” Six used the knife to pare the claws on Pietas’s hands and feet. As he had on board the ship, he passed the time with tales.

How many were fanciful stories, and how many true? Pietas doubted he would ever know. It didn’t matter. He could rest his throat, and learn more about this ghost. The thought that he no longer gathered intel in order to kill him was unsettling at first. How long since he’d listened to someone without thinking how he could use the information to his advantage? Since he’d listened to enjoy a story?

This time, in the clear, clean air, when Six told a bawdy story, Pietas laughed aloud.

Six grinned at him, threw back his head, and laughed along.

The ghost cleaned up the area. He put the bar of soap back in its box, and withdrew a metal comb. “This comb is also a magnet, and it’s strong, but it’s not getting through that rat’s nest. I can take care of it, if you don’t mind a haircut with a blade.”

The last haircut he’d had, at Dessy’s hand, had been with a blade. Then, he’d thought he would trust no one else near his neck with a sharp weapon. For Six, he did not hesitate. “Please.”

The knife sawed through his wet hair faster than Pietas’s dagger. And didn’t that tell a story all by itself?

—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Six learns what “evince” means to an empath. (Naro is the Ultra’s language. Etymis is the common galactic language, based on Terran English.)

30 Days of Chaos: Day 24

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

Evince? Sorry not sorry.

“You evince no sorrow whatsoever.”

Six speared him with a dark look. “Evince? That some Naro swear word?”

“It’s standard Etymis everyone speaks, ghost. It means to express. Empaths read the emotions that others evince.”

“Fine. I don’t evince any sorrow. Not one bit sorry about not taking on such a harebrained mission. Look what happened to the last one I accepted.” He threaded the fish onto a long stick. “I might be dead, but I’m an animated dead, thank you. I intend to stay that way.”

Pietas shut his eyes, jaws clenched. If he could heal faster by focusing anger, he’d have shot straight to good-as-new.

While Six worked on a second fish, Pietas considered what other tacks to try. The ghost was all about duty. “I’m accustomed to obedience from my men.”

Six’s mouth twisted into a wry grin. “Two things I’m starting to regret right now.” He did not continue.

Pietas prompted him. “Such as?”

“One, that I didn’t go AWOL when I heard about the mission to capture you.”

Curiosity won over, and he broke the silence. “And the second?”

“That you got your voice back.”
—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Support Bringer of Chaos

How? By joining my Thunderclap or Headtalker campaigns.
For Thunderclap click here: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/40531-chaos-is-coming
#ChaosIsComing Create chaos and you create opportunity. Pietas; BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #Amreading http://thndr.me/kyeSr9
—
For Headtalker click here: https://headtalker.com/campaigns/chaos-is-coming/
#ChaosIsComing In battle, chaos is a good thing. Especially among the enemy. BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #AmReading https://hdtk.co/LeBAh
—
Review the book or host it on your blog. Sign up here http://bit.ly/1SDr9nj

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Six expects an apology after being treated like a servant…and a human in a previous scene. This is not the first (or last) time Pietas refers to Six as an infuriating human.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 25

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

Infuriating Human!

Six wandered away from the camp, and came back with an armful of small twigs. He stooped, and began laying them on the fire. The smoke rose, and the heat began sizzling the fish. He sat, feeding the fire.

The scent drifted to Pietas, making his stomach clench with hunger. His mouth watered. He had not smelled food in over a year, and his senses were starved for the meal, and for the experience of the texture and taste. Hot, flaky fish against his tongue. Licking the smoky liquid from his fingers, sucking the juices into his throat.

E surient!

“Now that’s a phrase I recognize.” Six pivoted toward him.

Pietas hadn’t realized he’d spoken aloud. “Pardon?”

“That sounded like ‘I’m hungry’ in Naro.”

“You speak Naro?” As a rule, Ultras reserved their language for use among themselves. Though based on the human language Latin, it had many words Latin didn’t. What humans didn’t know they couldn’t use against you.

“I know a few words.” Six broke a twig and tossed it into the flames. “Enough to know you’re hungry. You want some?” He turned the fish. Its juices hissed over the fire.

“It smells amazing.”

“Sure thing. I didn’t realize you’d be ready to apologize so soon.”

“Apolo– what? Since when does an Ultra apologize to a human? And for what?”

“Oh, I think we both know the answer to that question.” Six quirked an eyebrow, as if waiting for an answer.

Pietas refused to grace that with a reply.

“Fine.” Six shrugged. “More for me.” He swiped a finger along a cooked portion of the fish, and tasted it. “Oh, this is delicious. You don’t know what you’re missing.”

Infuriating human!

The fish sizzled, releasing a tantalizing smell. Pietas’s stomach growled.

Six shot him a glance, but said nothing. He pulled one off the fire and tested the fish against his tongue. “Perfect temperature.” He bit into it, and then waved the fish toward Pietas. “You should taste this! Tender, flaky, moist. Never had fish good as this. Purest water you can imagine to swim in. Not a bit of pollution on the planet.” He bit into the filet, and moaned as if in rapture.

—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Support Bringer of Chaos

How? By joining my Thunderclap or Headtalker campaigns.
For Thunderclap click here: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/40531-chaos-is-coming
#ChaosIsComing Create chaos and you create opportunity. Pietas; BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #Amreading http://thndr.me/kyeSr9
—
For Headtalker click here: https://headtalker.com/campaigns/chaos-is-coming/
#ChaosIsComing In battle, chaos is a good thing. Especially among the enemy. BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #AmReading https://hdtk.co/LeBAh
—
Review the book or host it on your blog. Sign up here http://bit.ly/1SDr9nj

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Pietas refused to apologize to Six and insisted he needs no help from the human. Unable to feed himself, Pietas has become dehydrated. He’s relapsed and lost the inability to speak. Six does not realize it yet.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 26

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

Tantrum

Pietas woke to the smell of fish cooking. He tried, but could no longer turn his head. A body-deep lethargy stole his breath, and he lacked energy to cough, or speak. His stomach cramped from hunger.

If his people found him, they would make this ghost pay for–

No. No.

Pietas had given his word he would not allow his people to harm Six. Though the ghost had let him starve, Pietas would keep his word. His honor set him apart from humans, who broke their oaths with complete disregard for the sanctity of vows.

If Ultras encountered Six while the ghost was out hunting, he could be killed. If the others came here, Pietas lacked the strength to tell them anything.

Why wouldn’t this ghost unbend his stubborn neck and listen to reason. Humans are impossible!

“Excuse me?” Six, squatting beside the fire, pivoted on one foot. “Did you say humans are impossible? Try dealing with the king of the Ultras.”

Pietas had not spoken aloud. His throat had closed so much it hurt to breathe. The ghost had heard his thoughts.

Could Six be telepathic? Or perhaps when angry, Pietas overcame his inability to reach others. It would explain how Six had known Pietas was awake aboard ship, and his comment about Naro the day before. Six was not the single person to whom he could mind-speak. Surely not.

He tried reaching out. Six!

The ghost stood at once, and came over to him. With alarm in his eyes, he dropped to one knee. Bending over him, Six lifted one of Pietas’s eyelids. “You stubborn, pig-headed Ultra. You’re dehydrated.” He left, and came back with a steel cup. “Drink this.” He held it for him.

Water cascaded through Pietas’s mouth and across his tongue. His teeth stopped sticking to the inside of his mouth.

“Look, I’m sorry, Pietas. I shouldn’t have done that to you. Considering what you’ve been through, that was wrong. I’m sorry. I will never do that again. From now on, you don’t ever have to ask me for anything, you got that? I’ll be here.” Six helped him sit up. “I know you like being right, but you don’t have to be right all the time.”

Pietas rested against him. “Not…right. Perfect.”

“Man. Nobody’s perfect. Not even you.” He held the water for him. “You’re worse than a kid having a tantrum.”

Before he could react to the insult, the words sparked a long-ignored memory.

He was nine, and learning one of many languages his father insisted he master. The work was easy, which bored him. He much preferred a challenge. That night, his father came to check on him. Pietas was eager to show him what he’d learned. Mahikos held an extended discussion with him in the language.

“Good enough. Language is one of your strengths. You must learn to speak as many as possible. Begin another.” Mahikos left the room without further comment.

Having spent days memorizing the hundreds of verb forms of the language and how to use them, the sparse praise irritated.

Pietas kicked the table leg. With his superior strength, the leg broke. The table canted over, dumping everything onto the floor. Liquid spilled on scattering papers. Glass broke. He cut himself picking it up, and popped the injured finger into his mouth.

His mother entered, took in the damage, and came over to examine his hand.

“It doesn’t hurt.” He pulled it away from her.

“Tell me what happened.” When he told her, she cupped his chin in her hand, and kissed his brow. “Pietas.” She sat beside him, and drew him into her arms. “Son, when someone has a tantrum, people always gets hurt. More often than not, it’s the person who threw the tantrum. You were born to be a leader. Train yourself to think before you act. Always set an example. If your soldiers you see you out of control, they will be. You can never afford to indulge your temper.” She kissed his brow. “You were born to rule. You must be above pettiness and anger.”

“Father is always angry.”

“Do you want to be no better than your father?”

—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Support Bringer of Chaos

How? By joining my Thunderclap or Headtalker campaigns.
For Thunderclap click here: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/40531-chaos-is-coming
#ChaosIsComing Create chaos and you create opportunity. Pietas; BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #Amreading http://thndr.me/kyeSr9
—
For Headtalker click here: https://headtalker.com/campaigns/chaos-is-coming/
#ChaosIsComing In battle, chaos is a good thing. Especially among the enemy. BRINGER OF CHAOS #SciFi #AmReading https://hdtk.co/LeBAh
—
Review the book or host it on your blog. Sign up here http://bit.ly/1SDr9nj

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, fans of the Tarthian Empire series will recognize the origin of Peril. Pain and death have an intimate place there–and here.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 21

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for another giveaway at the end of this post.

Pain and death

Pietas must have fallen asleep, because he woke with a start. He took quick stock of himself and his surroundings. Black parachute cloth arched above him, flapping in a gentle breeze. The rain had stopped, and there was sun. A few scattered clouds. Still no movement in his extremities. Limited movement in his neck. No feeling anywhere. He tried speaking. Not even a croak.

Under the same stretch of cloth, Six sat cross-legged, thumbing through a notebook. He glanced up, and set the notes aside. “You look better. You ready for water?”

Without waiting for a reply, Six brought him a tube, and held it while Pietas sipped.

“Good job. You didn’t choke this time. You look less shrunken. Let’s get some food in you and then we’ll both clean up.” He brought out another tube, broke off the cap, and held it for him. “Slow and steady. There we go. Good job.” He propped an elbow on one thigh, and held the tube while Pietas sipped the nutrient. “You had multiple fractures from the fall, but your bones set fine all by themselves. Your face was bad when I opened the pod. Nose all squished and off to the side. Jaw broken. Cheekbones crushed. Skull fractured. When you looked up at me…” He gave a long whistle. “All I saw was blackened skin against the black background of the pod, and two huge turquoise eyes staring.” He brushed away a glimmer of tears.

Were those tears…for him? Humans cried because of him. Not for him.

“Man, Pietas. I can’t believe how fast you’re healing. All your bones are where they belong. I wish I healed like you do.”

Pietas had wondered what it would be like to feel pain for more than a few minutes. To feel pain that didn’t end.

The pod had shown him that.

Was that what it felt like to be human? He’d learned long ago they feared pain. Would do anything to avoid it. To avoid death. Threaten torture and most humans caved. Most surrendered anything they knew as soon as they saw the first tool of torture. Some managed to withhold until they were injured. Most talked. Not all, but enough to make it worthwhile. He used torture if it shortened the wait for information, but never to be cruel. He had no compunctions about killing, but unless they threatened him or his mission, he had let humans live.

He wouldn’t do that anymore. From now on, he’d make them beg for death.

On him, torture had no effect.

Pietas had taught himself, disciplined himself never to fear pain. To welcome it. Invite it. Embrace it. Make pain and death a regular part of his life. Whatever frightened him, he ran toward. Pain was joy. He conquered it. Made it his lover. Made it his own. Absorbed it into himself.

When you fear nothing, nothing is a threat.

Now? Did he fear pain now? Pietas mulled that. Well, he no longer had to wonder about pain that didn’t end. He’d experienced it.

Conquered it.

Did he want to repeat it?

He finished the food, and took a long, satisfying breath of clean air.

Not if he could avoid it. But dying every day for a year would be a good exercise for his soldiers. If you survived that kind of peril, you’d survive anything. And no threat the enemy brought would be worse than what he could do to them.

He’d have to give that some serious thought. Maybe train them that way, one soldier at a time. Teach them to embrace death the way he did. An army of soldiers like that…the galaxy could not stop.

—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp

Giveaway – Free Download

Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It’s fun! https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf