Imp of the week - Hobs

I've created a number of strange creatures for the Impcatcher novels. For the next few weeks I'm going to post a few pages from Garkosio's Guide to Imps, which is the most widely used reference book in Tal's world. This is Tal's copy, with his annotations in blue!

As always, comments welcomed!

SFFS 28/11/15 Impcatcher

  This is my snippet this week for SFFSat. SFFSat is a place where a number of authors post snippets from their written works, and give the opportunity for comments, support and encouragement. Please also explore the other blogs that are part of this set - you can find the information here.

Today's snippet is from Impcatcher, which is now on sale on Amazon for the Kindle and in paperback, and DriveThru in pdf format. The general epub version is at Lulu.

A new section this week. Tal is returning home...

I had turned into Trollmarsh Street without really thinking what I was doing. It was virtually dark, now. I would really appreciate it when the new street lights were turned on. Some areas were black as Rorsdack's heart.

I stopped short outside the cheap bakery on the corner. The single illuminated light inside my shop shone through the cheap glass panes in black lead that made up my window, and gave just enough light to reveal a welcoming committee. Three men were standing outside the shop. Lurking, to use the technical term. Lying in wait. Iron bars and a vicious looking piece of wood with a long nail in it.

No, not three men. Two men and an orc. Gustav.

   Next week we find out what is going to happen.

As always, comments welcomed!

SFFS 21/11/2015 Impcatcher

 This is my snippet this week for SFFSat. SFFSat is a place where a number of authors post snippets from their written works, and give the opportunity for comments, support and encouragement. Please also explore the other blogs that are part of this set - you can find the information here.

 

Today's snippet is from Impcatcher, which is now on sale on Amazon for the Kindle and in paperback, and DriveThru in pdf format. The general epub version is at Lulu.

This snippet carries on from last week's extract. Tal has just summoned an imp of his own, and has offered the imp his immortal soul...

Hulberlok looked at me with unmitigated contempt. “Come off it, mage. You don't really think any demon's interested in that sort of gibberish. Your soul isn't going to fill my belly or give me any kind of currency.”

I laughed. “All right. How about my eternal gratitude... and as much of my blood as you can find on the floor.”

“Not even from a vein? You cheapskate.”

I shrugged slightly. “That's the deal.”

“I thought you were an honourable man, mage.”

I laughed aloud. “What gave you that idea, imp?”

As always, comments welcomed!

SFFS 14/11/2015 Impcatcher

  This is my snippet this week for SFFSat. SFFSat is a place where a number of authors post snippets from their written works, and give the opportunity for comments, support and encouragement. Please also explore the other blogs that are part of this set - you can find the information here.
 

 Today's snippet is from Impcatcher, which is now on sale on Amazon for the Kindle and in paperback, and DriveThru in pdf format. The general epub version is at Lulu.

This snippet carries on from last week's extract. Tal has just summoned an imp of his own.


 

The shape that stepped through the portal was eighteen inches high, glowing a pallid blue. Two tall, thin crystal horns, a hooked nose, cloven hooves, long, thin arms, and a pair of golden eyes. A naked male demon with smooth, rippling metallic skin. Not a pretty sight.

“Not you again” it said in a disgusted tone of voice.

“Hello, Hulberlok” I said quietly. “Nice to see you, too.”

It turned, looking back at the way home. I murmured two more syllables, and the gateway closed with an audible snick. The room was dark again, the hell-glare gone. The small demon sighed, and then stalked to the edge of the circle. 

“Price?” the imp asked simply.

I looked at him levelly, trying to keep a straight face. “I can offer you my immortal soul...”

Hulberlok looked at me with unmitigated contempt.

As always, comments welcomed!

SFFS 7/11/2015 Impcatcher

 This is my snippet this week for SFFSat. SFFSat is a place where a number of authors post snippets from their written works, and give the opportunity for comments, support and encouragement. Please also explore the other blogs that are part of this set - you can find the information here.
 

 Today's snippet is from Impcatcher, which is now on sale on Amazon for the Kindle and in paperback, and DriveThru in pdf format. The general epub version is at Lulu.

A new section, today. Tal is summoning an imp of his own.

 

The words flowed off my tongue smoothly and crisply, each syllable precise and word-perfect. Getting this sort of thing wrong is not conducive to your health. I won't write the words down – such things have power, and you don't want to mess with that sort of energy.

The glare was bright enough to illuminate every corner of the shop, shadows black and red and shimmering with the sudden flare of heat. Anyone looking at the windows who had a modicum of knowledge would know what I was doing. I just had to hope there was no one around. 

The portal, a half-disc on its side facing me in the midst of the binding circle, showed a vision of hell. One particular hell, anyway. A realm of blue steel and jagged edges, the ground a patchwork of blades and spines, as though a cart-load of daggers had been tipped out across a newly-ploughed field. The sky was red, roiling fire, and there was nothing that looked remotely like the plants or growths of our own world. The creatures of this realm are born of far harder matter. This is Varuch. Not a nice place to visit.

I spoke one more word. A name.

Next week I'll reveal what Tal is summoning.
As always, comments welcomed!