It has taken well over twenty years to arrive at this page. I am grateful to these dear and amazing people for helping me along the path.
My parents, Kenneth and Diana Koep. Stan, Jo Lynn and Mel. Bob, Bobbi, Bean and Nic, Eric and Laurie Wilson (Olive and Ondo), Scott Clarkson (caw minle—for your love of this story and helping me to sharpen it) and Dani, Prue and Jude, Mark Rakes (Markr), Cristopher Lucas (Captain), Cary Beare (Belzaare), Tami and Barb Clarkson, Tom Brunner, David and Lisa VanHersett, Steve Gibbs, Jeff Hagman, Joe and Sara Linch, Andrea Brockmeyer, Margaret Hurlocker, Mary Starkey, Dan Spaulding, Jason Williamson (Bag Man), Michael Roberts, Monte Thompson, Harvey Pepper, Tyler Davis, Elizabeth Stokes, Adam Graves, Toby Reynolds, Karolyn Rogers, Calvin (Vincale), Majorie and Brynn Langley, Michelle, Kyler and Taryn John, Blair Williams, Anthony Nelson, Paul and Shannon Irwin, Greg and Jillian Rowley, Glenn Case, Russ Abrams, Dennis Davaz, Jane Mauser and Rory Mcleod, Darin Schaffer, Neal Plazas, Daryl Lewis (The Magic of an Ordinary Man). Manito (climbing pyramids and then moving to the Azores), The Heren Sindaril and The Rubbish. All at the Cd’A Arts and Culture Alliance, The 315 Greenbriar Inn, The Well Read Moose, Elkins Resort and The Iron Horse. Lisa Koep and Geri and Walter Perkins.
It was a privilege to have drafts of this book red-inked and pencil-scratched by two exacting and thoughtful editors. Thank you to Professor Michael Herzog for listening to me talk about this story for the better part of two decades, and for continuing to teach me how to write it. And to Allison McCready (Luminaare)—who has been there for all three—thank you for your incredible eye, tireless imagination and your nurturing spirit for the story and all those that live inside it.
I offer my deepest gratitude to Mark Lax, Andreas John and all at Will Dreamly Arts Publishing for their love, support and enthusiasm (and countless other inspirations and memories) over the course of this journey. Here’s to the adventures to come.
To Sheree Jerome (Deliavu) for the joy and light you have brought to my world—what wonders ahead.
And to my son Michael Scott (Lemthia) for the endless stream of questions, the sword fights in between paragraphs and the patience you’ve shown your dear old Dad.
thia alyoth thave ni tunefore
