{"id":149,"date":"2012-07-16T09:36:06","date_gmt":"2012-07-16T13:36:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=149"},"modified":"2012-07-20T08:24:31","modified_gmt":"2012-07-20T12:24:31","slug":"zervakan-free-fantasy-novel-chapter-28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/?p=149","title":{"rendered":"ZERVAKAN – Free Fantasy Novel – Chapter 28"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\"\"<\/a>
Cover by TJ Lomas.<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
\nI’m posting a chapter from my latest fantasy novel for free every Monday and Friday (click Zervakan<\/a> above for a synopsis and to start from the beginning). It’s in a “pre-published state,” meaning you might find the occasional spelling\/grammar mistake. If you do, please leave a comment below or email me at robsteiner01 [at] gmail [dot] com.<\/p>\n

If you’re uncomfortable getting something for nothing, you can hit the PayPal Donate<\/a> button in the Tip Jar section to the right. If you donate more than $3, I’ll send you a non-DRM ebook once the book is published (summer 2012). If you donate more than $20, I’ll send you a printed copy.<\/p>\n

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy it!<\/em>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ZERVAKAN<\/h1>\n

by Rob Steiner<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chapter 28<\/h2>\n

Karak wondered again why he was still alive.<\/p>\n

After getting knocked out in Silek\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hallway\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe welt on the back of his head throbbed with unholy glee\u00e2\u20ac\u201dhe had awoken in a lavishly decorated bedroom that could have been in the Speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Palace.\u00c2\u00a0 Ornate lamps shined on ornately carved tables next to ornately carved chairs.\u00c2\u00a0 Exquisite paintings and tapestries hung on the walls.\u00c2\u00a0 He had awoken on a four-post bed with lace curtains, crisply ironed blankets, and silk pillow cases.<\/p>\n

The one window in the room, however, was bricked over.\u00c2\u00a0 The one door had three bolt locks, all locked from the outside.\u00c2\u00a0 If this was a prison cell, it was the classiest cell Karak had ever seen, and he had occupied his share over the years.<\/p>\n

Despite the pain in his head and the dizziness whenever he sat up, Karak made himself walk the room to search for clues as to where he was.\u00c2\u00a0 He never heard of such a room when he was in Silek\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Swornmen, so it must not have been in one of Silek\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s homes.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe the room belonged to Crane.\u00c2\u00a0 This brought an involuntary shudder, which angered Karak.\u00c2\u00a0 He would not let that man\u00e2\u20ac\u201dor whatever he was\u00e2\u20ac\u201dscare him again.\u00c2\u00a0 Never.<\/p>\n

Karak didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know how much time had passed since he was taken, nor how much had passed since he awakened in this room.\u00c2\u00a0 It felt like hours, but Karak knew that men deprived of a view of the outside lost track of time.\u00c2\u00a0 He tried not to think about time, and instead focused on what he would do when someone eventually walked through that locked door.\u00c2\u00a0 They wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have put him in a prison made for a king if they did not plan on at least feeding him, or letting him visit the water closet.\u00c2\u00a0 Someone would come, and Karak would be ready.<\/p>\n

But more hours passed\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhat felt like hours\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand nobody came.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak knew what they were doing.\u00c2\u00a0 They were letting him think.\u00c2\u00a0 It was a tactic he used himself to sweat a man he was about to interrogate.\u00c2\u00a0 Give most men plenty of time to think about all the horrible things his captors could do to him, and he would break at the slightest pressure.\u00c2\u00a0 It worked most of the time.<\/p>\n

But either his captors were ignorant of Karak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s knowledge, or they had something else in mind.\u00c2\u00a0 First, when you are about to interrogate someone, you do not put your prisoner in a comfortable room\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyou keep him in the darkest, foulest dungeon cell you can find.\u00c2\u00a0 Second, you have to know your prisoner\u00e2\u20ac\u201dif he is the kind of man who does not break through delay, then you might as well start questioning him right away.<\/p>\n

Karak paced the room.\u00c2\u00a0 He counted how many steps it took to get from one end to the other.\u00c2\u00a0 Fifteen paces long by ten paces wide.\u00c2\u00a0 Quite a large room for a prison cell.\u00c2\u00a0 The walls were papered white with light green stripes.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak picked at a corner of the paper to find plaster beneath.\u00c2\u00a0 He used one of the unlit lamps to chip away at the plaster to find red brick beneath.\u00c2\u00a0 At the one \u00e2\u20ac\u0153window\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in the room, he put his ear to the brick, but could not hear anything beyond.\u00c2\u00a0 The brick was cool to the touch, so it might have meant the room was underground.\u00c2\u00a0 Or it could mean the day outside was cold.<\/p>\n

Karak had counted the bricks in the window for the fifth time\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthere were sixty-eight\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhen the bolts clicked on the door.\u00c2\u00a0 He got up from the bed and stood in the center of the room, ready to face standing whoever came through that door.<\/p>\n

But he was disappointed when a young blond girl, barely in her teen years, carried in a tray with a covered plate, a pitcher, and a glass.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak caught a glimpse of the narrow, red-bricked, torch-lit hallway beyond the door before one of Silek\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Swornmen\u00e2\u20ac\u201da bald, dark-skinned man from the deserts south of the Kingdoms\u00e2\u20ac\u201dshut the door behind the girl.\u00c2\u00a0 She kept her eyes low and did not look at Karak.\u00c2\u00a0 She set the tray on one of the lamp-lit tables next to the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153window.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 There were no utensils on the tray.<\/p>\n

She turned and hurried to the door.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is your name, miss?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Karak asked.<\/p>\n

She ignored him.\u00c2\u00a0 The girl tapped on the door, and the dark Swornman outside opened it, let her out, and shut it again without looking at Karak.<\/p>\n

Karak frowned, and then turned to the tray of food.\u00c2\u00a0 He paused, despite his rumbling stomach, but decided that a poisoned meal was unlikely.\u00c2\u00a0 If they had wanted to kill him, they had had ample opportunity.\u00c2\u00a0 He lifted the plate cover.<\/p>\n

And then dropped it.<\/p>\n

The plate was piled high with bloody human eyeballs, all with blue irises.\u00c2\u00a0 Each one swiveled around to meet Karak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s horrified stare.\u00c2\u00a0 He backed away, but the gruesome gaze of the eyes on the plate followed him.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak shut his eyes tightly for a moment, then reopened them.<\/p>\n

The eyeballs were still there, watching him.\u00c2\u00a0 They made sickeningly wet noises as they followed his movements.<\/p>\n

He leaned his back against the corner of the room farthest from the tray and forced himself to stared back at it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The clicking of the bolts in the door awakened Karak, and he sat up straight.\u00c2\u00a0 He stood in the center of the room when the final bolt released and the door opened.<\/p>\n

Three Swornmen strode in and stopped in front of Karak, staring at him as if he were a bug they wanted to smash under foot.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak ignored them, and trained his gaze on Silek, who entered the room with his usual swagger, like a High King from the Kingdoms.\u00c2\u00a0 Behind Silek walked Crane, his black-wood cane clicking on the stone floor.\u00c2\u00a0 He now wore a red suit with a black shirt, red gloves, and a red tri-corner hat.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak thought Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s suits grew more garish each time he saw the witchman.<\/p>\n

Crane sniffed the air above the covered plate.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No appetite, Mr. Frost?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak kept his face even, but Crane gave him a knowing smile, showing a mouth full of straight teeth that seemed too numerous for a normal man.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry for all this, lad,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Silek said, his arms folded across his broad chest.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You gave me no choice, what with you sneaking into my home.\u00c2\u00a0 You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re lucky I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have you killed outright.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you kill me outright?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Silek opened his mouth, but then a confused look crossed his face, as if he<\/em> did not know why Karak was still alive.\u00c2\u00a0 Apprentice or no apprentice, when someone tries to kill an Overlord, it was instant death.\u00c2\u00a0 No pause for explanations or final words.\u00c2\u00a0 Silek cast a furtive glance at Crane.\u00c2\u00a0 Crane continued to stare at Karak with that same repugnant grin.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Huh,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Karak said.\u00c2\u00a0 He nodded toward Crane, but kept his gaze locked with Silek\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what kind of deal you made with this…man, but nothing good will come of it for you.\u00c2\u00a0 Are you listening to me, old man?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The Swornmen in front of Karak shifted their stances menacingly.\u00c2\u00a0 Silek turned his gaze back to Karak and snarled, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know what your problem is, Karak?\u00c2\u00a0 You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a bloody arrogant snit who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s risen too far, too fast.\u00c2\u00a0 You always have been, and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s made you a lot of enemies.\u00c2\u00a0 I was in my thirties by the time I had my first lordship.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak shrugged.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not my fault I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m smarter than you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Silek sneered.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Kill him.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 The Swornmen in front of Karak drew their pistols.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Crane said in an even tone, but one that seemed to reverberate in the room.\u00c2\u00a0 The Swornmen stopped drawing, though they looked confused as to why.\u00c2\u00a0 All three returned their pistols to their holsters, and then crossed their arms, their eyes staring vacantly past Karak and at the bricked window.<\/p>\n

Silek rounded on Crane.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How dare you\u00e2\u20ac\u201d?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shut up,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Crane said.\u00c2\u00a0 Then one of his red gloved hands shot out across the room, as it had in the silo, and tore out Silek\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s throat.\u00c2\u00a0 Silek stared wide-eyed at Crane, gurgling his last breath, blood from the wound spurting onto the Swornmen, who continued staring at the window.\u00c2\u00a0 Silek fell to the ground face first.\u00c2\u00a0 Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand came back to him holding chunks of gore, which he let drop to the stone floor with a sickening slap.<\/p>\n

Crane shook his head.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can see why you wanted to kill the man.\u00c2\u00a0 And he accuses you<\/em> of arrogance?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak felt frozen in place, unable to move, only able to stare at Silek\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dead eyes as blood poured from his throat.\u00c2\u00a0 Silek\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Swornmen did not move.<\/p>\n

Crane pulled the chair out from the table, then sat down and crossed his legs as if having afternoon tea.\u00c2\u00a0 He leaned his cane against the table, pulled his bloody glove off, and dropped it on the tray.\u00c2\u00a0 He poured the contents from the pitcher into the cup next to it, lifted it to his lips and sipped.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now then,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Crane said, one hand on his crossed knees and the other holding the cup.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It has come to my attention that\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00c2\u00a0 Wait, forgive me.\u00c2\u00a0 Gentlemen?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The three Swornmen turned at once to face Crane.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Please dispose of Mr. Silek\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body, kill all the people in this house, and then kindly put a bullet in your heads.\u00c2\u00a0 Thank you, gentlemen.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice had that same reverberation as when he told the Swornmen not to kill Karak earlier.\u00c2\u00a0 Like vile whispers that surrounded his words before and after he spoke them.\u00c2\u00a0 It made Karak clench his teeth.<\/p>\n

Without a word, two of the Swornmen bent down over Silek\u00e2\u20ac\u201done grabbing his ankles and the other lifting him from the shoulders\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand carried the dead Overlord out of the room, blood still dripping from his throat.\u00c2\u00a0 The dark-skinned Swornman drew his pistol and followed the other two through the open door, turning to the right.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak could hear their shuffling footsteps get more distant until a door slammed at the end of the hall, and then silence.<\/p>\n

For a brief moment, Karak wondered if he could make it through that door and into the dark corridor before Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arms caught him.\u00c2\u00a0 Crane watched him with a bemusement, as if daring him to try.<\/p>\n

When Karak did not move, Crane continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where was I…?\u00c2\u00a0 Oh, yes.\u00c2\u00a0 It has come to my attention\u00e2\u20ac\u201dor rather my employer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s attention\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthat you possess something we need.\u00c2\u00a0 We are willing to pay handsomely for it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak managed to make his voice work.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What could I have that you would want?\u00c2\u00a0 I have nothing thanks to you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Crane clicked his tongue.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you still bitter about that incident at the silo?\u00c2\u00a0 All right, I apologize for killing your men.\u00c2\u00a0 Is that what you want to hear?\u00c2\u00a0 If I had known who you were, I would not have acted so rashly.\u00c2\u00a0 Besides, you should be honored that I went through all this trouble to find you again.\u00c2\u00a0 Do you know how hard it was to turn Silek against you?\u00c2\u00a0 The man may be arrogant, but he does have a strong will.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

A thin smile played at the corner of Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Although you did provoke me somewhat when you shot me in the face.\u00c2\u00a0 I suppose you could say I, um, lost my head after that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth became unnaturally large as he issued a high-pitched, screeching laugh that could have shattered mirrors and windows.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak winced from the ghastly sound.<\/p>\n

When Crane noticed that Karak was not laughing with him, he said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, come now, that was funny.\u00c2\u00a0 Laugh!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak simply stared at Crane.\u00c2\u00a0 Humor was the last thing on his mind at the moment.<\/p>\n

Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s smile disappeared.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I said laugh<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The strange reverberation filled the air again, and Karak was horrified to find himself laughing uncontrollably.\u00c2\u00a0 He could not stop.\u00c2\u00a0 Tears streamed down his face and he felt as if his lungs would explode from the laughter, but it kept coming.<\/p>\n

After what felt like minutes of excruciating laughter, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s enough,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d reverberated through the room, and Karak fell to his knees gasping for air.<\/p>\n

Crane stooped down in front of Karak.\u00c2\u00a0 He touched a cold, clammy hand to Karak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chin and gently lifted it so that Karak was staring into Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s milky eyes.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That was your first lesson, Mr. Frost.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 His voice was quiet, almost soothing.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You cannot fight me.\u00c2\u00a0 Do you understand?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak jerked his chin away from Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cold hand.\u00c2\u00a0 He used one of the bed posts to drag himself to his feet.\u00c2\u00a0 He stood there swaying, but kept his balance.<\/p>\n

Crane chuckled, and clapped his hands at Karak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s effort.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why I like you so much, Mr. Frost.\u00c2\u00a0 You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a survivor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Crane sat down in the chair again.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now then, about that thing you have that I need.\u00c2\u00a0 You see, you might be someone very important to the plans of my employer.\u00c2\u00a0 Have you ever heard of the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcZervakan?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak shook his head.<\/p>\n

Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nose wrinkled.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Vile creature.\u00c2\u00a0 Makes me look as kind and innocent as the serving girl who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about to die.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Two shots rang out from down the hall, both within seconds of each other.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak dug his fingernails into the wood of the bed post.<\/p>\n

Crane continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This Zervakan has the potential to destroy the world.\u00c2\u00a0 Now my employer may use harsh methods at times, but he has always strived for peace with his adversaries.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What does this have to do with me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Karak asked.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You, my friend, might be my employer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s champion.\u00c2\u00a0 The man destined to destroy the Zervakan.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

This time Karak chuckled of his own will.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And why would I fight for your employer?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Crane looked at Karak as if he had just said the sun was green.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because that is what you were born to do.\u00c2\u00a0 But of course, you may not<\/em> be my employer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s champion.\u00c2\u00a0 And that is the thing with which I need your help to determine.\u00c2\u00a0 Please, sit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak thought about ignoring Crane for a moment, but he had no wish for Crane to use that voice again to compel him to sit down.\u00c2\u00a0 If Karak had to sit, it would be under his own power.\u00c2\u00a0 He pulled the chair out from the table and sat down facing Crane.<\/p>\n

Crane smiled, his large mouth again showing too many teeth.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153My first question: what did you see when you took the cover off your food plate this morning?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak glanced at the covered plate to his right, next to the flickering lamp.\u00c2\u00a0 His stomach rumbled from hunger, but felt nauseous at the same time when he thought of the staring eyes on the plate.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There were…there were eyes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Karak said.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153All looking at me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Crane stared at Karak intently, those milky eyes never wavering.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Interesting.\u00c2\u00a0 Would you like to see what is on the plate now?\u00c2\u00a0 I would imagine you are rather hungry, yes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak grimaced, but said nothing.<\/p>\n

Crane reached over to the plate and pulled the cover off.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak flinched, but when he glanced at the plate, he saw a lamb chop cooked rare like he always ate it, accompanied by several spears of buttered asparagus, and a large chunk of black bread.\u00c2\u00a0 Karak smelled the seasoning on the lamb, and the butter on the asparagus.\u00c2\u00a0 His stomach growled again.<\/p>\n

Crane smiled.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks a bit more appetizing now, does it not?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Karak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first thought was that Crane had somehow switched the plates.\u00c2\u00a0 But with all he had seen Crane do, he knew that turning a plate full of bloody eyes into a lamb dinner was probably not out of Crane\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s power.\u00c2\u00a0 The only thing Karak wondered was which one was the illusion\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe plate of eyes or the lamb dinner.<\/p>\n

Crane began to applaud softly.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Congratulations, Mr. Frost.\u00c2\u00a0 You have passed the first test.\u00c2\u00a0 You can see<\/em>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153See what?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 What was this monster talking about?<\/em><\/p>\n

Gun shots rang out from somewhere above them.\u00c2\u00a0 It seemed to be a pitched battle.<\/p>\n

Crane ignored the shots.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The greatest power in the universe,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Crane said in a quiet tone of respect.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You should be honored.\u00c2\u00a0 Only a select few can see it.\u00c2\u00a0 And only a chosen few from the select can tap into it.\u00c2\u00a0 Which leads us to the second test.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The shots suddenly stopped.\u00c2\u00a0 A few moments later, three more shots went off at virtually the same moment, and then all was silent.<\/p>\n

Crane listened a moment longer.\u00c2\u00a0 When there were no more sounds, he seemed satisfied.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time for us to go.\u00c2\u00a0 Care to meet my employer, Mr. Frost?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cover by TJ Lomas. I’m posting a chapter from my latest fantasy novel for free every Monday and Friday (click Zervakan above for a synopsis and to start from the beginning). It’s in a “pre-published state,” meaning you might find the occasional spelling\/grammar mistake. If you do, please leave a comment below or email me […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,28,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-free-stuff","category-novels","category-zervakan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=149"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robsteinerauthor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}