About Scarlet and the White Wolf, Book One
Written by Kirby Crow
129 pages / 69000 words
ISBN: 1-933389-80-X
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, paperback
Scarlet of Lysia is an honest peddler, a young merchant traveling the wild, undefended roads to support his aging parents. Liall, called the Wolf of Omara, is the handsome, world-weary chieftain of a tribe of bandits blocking a mountain road that Scarlet needs to cross. When Liall jokingly demands a carnal toll for the privilege, Scarlet refuses and an inventive battle of wills ensues, with disastrous results.
Scarlet is convinced that Liall is a worthless, immoral rogue, but when the hostile countryside explodes into violence and Liall unexpectedly fights to save the lives of Scarlet's family, Scarlet is forced to admit that the Wolf is not the worst ally he could have, but what price will proud Scarlet ultimately have to pay for Liall's friendship?
Review
CB Potts, editor of the upcoming Play Ball, writes: Damn Kirby Crow. Now I've got another series of books to read that I won't be able to live without.
In the tradition of Jacqueline Carey, Crow has woven an amazing world out of whole cloth, peopled it with irresistable characters, spun up an fascinating examination of what makes us good, whole, people and what forces us to give up that which we love the most.
Scarlet is a peddlar, a rarity among his kind. He's not content with hearth and home, taking instead to the open road. When he returns to his homeland, he learns that a brand of brigands has taken control of the most profitable pass out of town.
Liall, leader of the bandits, has offered him passage -- for a price. And the price isn't great, really, except that it will cost Scarlet everything.
In a genre where a leads to b leads to c in an understandable fashion, Crow ensures that you'll never know what's going to come next. There are twists upon turns, mysteries hinted at, sub-plots starting to blossom…engaging, enthralling, and damnably short. Now we have to wait for another book. I'm not at all pleased about this, you know.
Sample
''Well!'' Liall slapped his hands together and turned to look down on Scarlet. ''The toll has risen for you again, redbird.'' He was smiling broadly.
Peysho gave them both an arch look and muttered an order to the Kasiri hanging about. They scattered and Peysho trudged toward a round red tent on a raised wooden pavilion, balancing crockery on his arms with little grace. It was the largest and richest tent in the camp, and Scarlet suspected it was Liall's own dwelling.
Though Scarlet had no fondness for Peysho, he was dismayed when the man was gone because it left him alone with Liall.
''I admire your resourcefulness,'' Liall said as he plucked a hay straw from Scarlet's hair. ''But I fear I cannot reward it.'' He put the end of the straw in his mouth and chewed it thoughtfully as Scarlet stood there embarrassed and uncertain what to do next. ''However, since you are so determined, I will offer you another bargain: stay with me tonight and you will have free passage for a full turning of the year.''
''No.''
''You are so swift to refuse,'' Liall complained. ''Am I that ugly?''
Scarlet clamped his lips shut. No, you're that handsome. It was truth, but it was his truth, not to be forced out of him.
''Very well.'' Liall crushed the straw and cast it aside. ''If you will not be moved by desire, perhaps I can trust in the natural parsimony of Byzans. Stay the night and I will pay you a hundred sellivar.''
Scarlet's first reaction was to gape at him. Not only had he already been told no twice, but... one night worth a hundred silver coins? A full year's pay? The man was clearly mad. ''You have no sense!''
''You value yourself too cheaply, pretty one.''
His face went hot. ''Scarlet,'' he announced in defense. ''My name is Scarlet.''
Liall tilted his head back. ''A fair name for a fair lad, and it suits you, if I understand the meaning. Tell me, Scarlet; do you lie awake at night dreaming up these tricks?''
''If I did, I would succeed better.''
Liall laughed. ''You wrong me to think me less clever.''