Born to the Blade

Series · 2 books · 2018

Books in series

Arrivals

2018

This is the 1st episode in the first season of Born to the Blade, an 11-episode serial from Serial Box. This episode written by Michael R. Underwood. For centuries the Warders' Circle on the neutral islands of Twaa-Fei has given the countries of the sky a way to avoid war, settling their disputes through formal, magical duels. But the Circle's ability to maintain peace is fading: the Mertikan Empire is preparing for conquest and the trade nation of Quloo is sinking, stripped of the aerstone that keeps both ships and island a-sky. When upstart Kris Denn tries to win their island a seat in the Warder’s Circle and colonial subject Oda no Michiko discovers that her conquered nation's past is not what she's been told, they upset the balance of power. The storm they bring will bind all the peoples of the sky together…or tear them apart.

#1.3

Baby Shower

2018

This is the third episode in the first season of Born to the Blade, an eleven-episode serial from Serial Box. This episode is written by Cassandra Khaw. In the Warder's Circle of Twaa-Fei, the truth is a game, and nothing can be taken at face value. Not even friendship. Warder Ojo Kante and aspiring warder Kris Denn strike an alliance that surprises them both with its swiftness and magnitude, while Ojo's gregarious nephew Adechike plies a bond with the young Kris. Junior Warder Bellona Avitus is trying to emerge from the shadow of her cruel superior, the Mertikan empire's Warder Lavinia Junius, by throwing a baby shower for Warder Penelope Krykos. Penelope, a fierce battlemistress, has little interest in the gaudy affair, but she too will seek advantage where it is offered. And Lavinia's junior, Cassia, welcomes home her exuberantly boastful lover, Anton, another quick friend for Kris. Meanwhile, the Warders and their juniors are all furiously working schemes, and Oda no Michiko is feeling more torn than ever between her imperial duty and the demands of her ancestor, the Golden Lord, slain by Lavinia's own hand.

Authors

Michael R. Underwood

Author · 13 books

Support Mike's writing at https://www.patreon.com/michaelrunder... Mike's books include: Genrenauts - a r/Fantasy Stabby Award-finalist science fiction adventure series in novellas. A group of storytellers travel between dimensions to the worlds where genres live to fix broken stories. Starts with The Shootout Solution. Collections available: Genrenauts - The Complete Season One The Ree Reyes urban fantasy series (Geekomancy, Celebromancy, Attack the Geek, Hexomancy) about magicians who channel the power of popular culture. Starts with Geekomancy. Born to the Blade, a political action fantasy about duelist diplomats vying for their nation's interests in a world on the brink of war. Co-written with Marie Brennan, Malka Older, and Cassandra Khaw for Serial Box Publishing. Collections available: Born to the Blade Season One. Shield and Crocus, a superheroes-meets-epic fantasy novel where an aging revolutionary makes a deal with his most deadly foe to turn the tide of a fifty-year-long fight to free his city. The Younger Gods, a supernatural thriller starring the white-sheep member of a family of demon-worshippers as he tries to stop his big sister from ending the world. Mike started telling stories when he learned to talk and hasn't seen a reason to stop yet. He grew up playing video games, CCGs, RPGs, and many other delightful games with acronyms. As a teenager, the friendly local game store was his home away from home, and the site of his apprenticeship in geekdom. Mike earned a B.A. in Creative Mythology and in East Asian Studies from Indiana University, and a M.A. in Folklore Studies from the University of Oregon. Basically, destined to be a novelist. He is also a graduate of the 2007 Clarion West Writers Workshop. Properly equipped with lots of ways to develop story ideas, Mike has been a barista, a bear builder, a sales representative, and the North American Sales & Marketing Manager for Angry Robot Books. Mike lives with his wife and their dog in Baltimore, MD.

Cassandra Khaw

Author · 25 books

Cassandra Khaw is an award-winning game writer. Their recent novella Nothing but Blackened Teeth was a British Fantasy, World Fantasy, Shirley Jackson, and Bram Stoker Award finalist. Their debut collection Breakable Things is now out.