[Tales From the World of the Noble Dead Saga 16] • Nameless · Bones of the Earth I-III

Contains the previously released novellas Karras the Kitten and Karras the Cat plus the new Karras the Nameless.

Karras the Kitten

Karras is not a typical Rughìr’thai’âch, “Earth-Born,” or dwarf. In serving his family of seatraders, he has taken on too many human ways. No wonder that in “barter” for marriage with the fiery and dour Skirra—“Sliver”—of the fallen family of Yêarclág, that he has bungled the deal for years. Dismissed again by her, his heart's wounds get salted with the unwanted assistance of a blustery clan-kin—Fiáh’our, the great “Hammer-Stag.”

The old warrior has a notion of what Karras needs. To Fiáh’our, honorable barter for love and marriage is akin to one battle after another. Only the way of their people’s warriors can see Karras to victory… over himself, first of all.

May their people’s eternal ancestors, the Bäynæ, watch over them—especially to keep them from each other’s throats.

Karras the Cat

Fiáh’our is honorbound to take Karras as an apprentice and force his young clan-kin to learn the ways of their warriors. Poor Fiáh’our has no idea what he is in for.

Karras has no intention of doing more than is necessary to fulfill his unwilling apprenticeship. Worse, he is pitifully unsuited to his new calling and still suffers unrequite love for Skirra.

Fiáh’our has an inkling about why Skirra rejected Karras and believes he can make his new apprentice worthy of her. On the northern frontier, where he goes each summer for good service, a threat to the villagers has returned. The longer Fiáh’our delays in training with Karras, the greater his guilt for not defending those in need. And failure in one or both might paid in lives.

Karras the Nameless

A year of suffering, service, and sacrifice has passed, and a harsh winter encroaches. On the eastern frontier, Fiáh’our, Karras, Gän’gehtin, and a few allies defend a small village from the growing menace of the sluggin’an —goblins. Losses mount on both sides, and neither victory nor retreat seem possible. It is the worst horror for a champion, and Fiáh’our has more worries than this.

He once lost an apprenctice long ago and worries he may lose another. Karras has served well but has yet to understand the truth of “stone” that most dwarves never know. If he does, it will come in the worst way. Faced with an unwinnable war, must Fiáh’our choose between ending it and guarding his new apprentice?

Karras still mourns failure with Skirra. Though his need of her has changed, has he changed enough? Even so, not all dangers come from an enemy. Some are much closer; others come from within. If he survives, will he sacrifice what is necessary to be with Skirra? Even so, it may not be enough.