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Beth Ball, Fantasy Author

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The Shadow’s Embrace: An Age of Azuria Story

July 24, 2021

Quindythias Tells All!

A freshly spun story awaits you in the dungeons of Nocturne…if you dare.

Below, you’ll find an exclusive short story for members of my reading community, the Story Enclave. (A scoop Cerdris would be proud of! [Our gossip columnist from Story Magic.])

Spoiler alert! This story is for Age of Azuria fans who have already read Hadvarian Heist, book two in the series.

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“The Shadow’s Embrace”

Following the events of Hadvarian Heist, stories began to circulate among the nobles of Linolynn as to what exactly transpired in the dungeons of Nocturne.

We all know that there’s more than one version of any story. And, truer still, that sometimes what “actually” happened needs a tweak here and there to come closer to how said situation actually felt. (A measure that makes for better stories, I’m certain you’ll agree.)

It was with these thoughts swirling around his clever, active mind that Quindythias Darkstrider tilted his head to the side, studying his eager audience down a perfectly curved, walnut-hued nose. He blinked long, black eyelashes and sighed.

“You don’t gain the prowess that I possess without facing a great deal of darkness which, of course, I have in my extensive adventuring experience,” the elf began. “But I’m sure you already know all about that. Why else would you be here, eager for my newest, most daring tale yet?” His dark eyes flashed. “I call it ‘The Shadow’s Embrace.'”

Because of course, when shadows rise, a true hero has but one choice: To embrace the shadows within.

A short story perfect for fans of the Age of Azuria series who have read Hadvarian Heist and would like to uncover Quindythias’s account of what happened in Nocturne’s dungeons. Or what, upon reflection, probably happened, more or less.

For more context around Quindythias’s unique account, read the first four chapters of Amber Queen and then “The Shadow’s Embrace.” Get your novel preview here!

Then, follow the link at the end of the preview or click here for your exclusive short story!


New to the world of Azuria? The adventure begins with Buried Heroes, book one in the Age of Azuria series!

And, if you join our special reading community below, you’ll receive an ebook copy of Aurora, the prequel novella for the series!

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Filed Under: Azuria, Short Stories Tagged With: Age of Azuria, Short Stories

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