[John Carroll]

The second book of my series. It will be called "Anilyia".

I have written 77,000 words so far and have another 5 chapters to write. I need to edit it a few times, so it probably won't be published til April.

It's high fantasy with unusual characters.

An Excerpt: (unedited, I apologize if there's any mistakes)

The companions were friendly toward the forest so the feeling was welcoming. Round globe lights hung from various trees, casting a glow during the night. He had asked one of the Druids how they were lit. The Druid told him that a specific type of nectar, which attracted glowflies, was placed inside. More of that nectar was added every evening and the glowflies would spend the entire night on their feast, lighting the city in the process. Between the thickness of the forest and the clouds above, it was dim enough for some of the globes to give off a soft light.
Tathan smiled and sighed as he propped his elbows on the table and rested his chin in the palms of his hands. Liselle looked at him, smiling as well. “You look relaxed, cousin. It’s a nice look on you, if rare.”
He grinned and shrugged. “I am relaxed at the moment. It’s nice being able to slow down for a while. I wouldn’t want to do it all the time, but it’s nice for now.”
“And you Sir Danth; are you relaxed?” Liselle asked. Vevin’s arm was around her shoulders and she was resting her head against his chest.
Sir Danth was sitting at the end of the table with his arms folded. He was leaning the chair back on the rear two legs, using his metal boot to balance against the underside of the table. When Liselle asked the question, he shrugged. “I don’t know, Milady. My emotions aren’t as strong as they were when I was alive. It is hard to tell if I am relaxed or not.”
It was a cryptic answer that caused the rest of them to consider the idea in silence. Tathan had no idea what it must feel like to exist for so long. The only one who might know was Vevin.
The dark knight continued, “I find myself staring into space without really thinking about anything. I am not on edge, but cannot say that I am relaxed either. Sometimes I wonder if I am anything.” He let out a great sigh. Sorrow rang hollowly through his voice. “I feel much better since I have been travelling with you, but a large part of me still feels alone. I am not human anymore, nor am I any other race. It would be useless for me to love as I cannot enjoy the touch that comes with it.”
“That’s very depressing, Sir Knight,” Tathan said after a moment’s pause.
“I rather thought so myself,” he replied cheerfully; a sudden change of tone. “I do dark moods very well. Always have, really.” Sir Danth chuckled. “The ladies seemed to like it, finding my moodiness attractive.”
“Ah, yes,” Tathan said sitting up. “They really do like a man when he’s morose. I found that when I frown and stare into the distance as though thinking dark thoughts, a lady will pay close attention to me and try especially hard to make me happy,” he said with a corner of his mouth twisted in a grin.
Sir Danth let the front legs of his chair fall to the ground and leaned forward. “Yes! That is exactly right! Women love a dark, moody man and go to extra lengths to make him happy. I found many of the ladies at court vied for my attention.”
“It’s also a good way to get a back or shoulder massage. They want to work out the tension,” Tathan said with a finger raised and a grin.
“Are you two serious?” Liselle asked indignantly. “You really act moody to get women to pay more attention to you?
They both turned to look at her without the slightest hint of shame in their body language. Sir Danth answered, “Well, being moody isn’t really an act. I am dark by nature. It’s just that I’ve noticed it has certain advantages.”
“Exactly,” Tathan agreed with a gesture towards the knight. “Just like him, I really do have dark thoughts. They do call me ‘Tathan of the Shadows’ after all.”
“Well said,” Sir Danth told him with an approving nod.
Tathan nodded back appreciatively. “Thank you and to you as well.”
Liselle twisted to look at Vevin. “And do you also act moody to get my attention, dearest?”
Vevin was very good at sensing danger Tathan noticed. The blue fire beginning to form in Liselle’s eyes probably gave him a clue. The dragon responded quickly to the question. “No, darling. I am almost always happy, especially when I’m with you.” There was a big grin on his face. Liselle looked at him suspiciously through lowered eyebrows.
“Well said to you, Master Vevin,” the knight responded with approval. “Perhaps a bit cowardly, but well said nonetheless.”
Tathan burst into laughter. Liselle’s head whipped around to Sir Danth. She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips dangerously. The fire in her eyes was bright. The knight had no regard for peril. Meanwhile, Vevin looked upward in an expression of innocence.
“It was a very good response and I truly believe he’s happy when he’s around me just as I am with him,” she replied petulantly. When Tathan laughed even harder, Liselle sat forward and asked, “How do you know that women don’t act moody to attract men towards them as well?”
Without hesitation, Sir Danth replied, “Because when women act moody, men run the other way.”