In a land of constant snow and ice, men band together in the clockwork cities—marvelous constructions of steam-powered warmth and intricate metalwork. Safe within their walls, it is said that only the best and brightest become students of the Crystal College. Nandor is neither the best nor the brightest. He is a man most people would insult. Born homeless, mostly jobless, poor, and somewhat uncouth, it seems he is destined to live in the gutters. Yet against all odds, he has managed to become a student—an untamed barbarian among the civilized high-born lads and lasses. Question is, can he overcome his hardships, graduate, and become the man he knows he is meant to be? His fellow students would rather duel him than help. The headmasters and teachers like him little better. As the old saying goes: “Perhaps college life just isn’t for everyone in the clockwork cities.” \*Clockwork Ice is a Novella to Morphic Ice 1 The Clockwork War. It is about the youth of Nandor.

A nomadic warrior. A mystic student. A deranged Jack-Bot. Can they stop the Clockwork War? For thousands of years the world has been a frozen wasteland where the strong rule. Men depend on the power of steam and metalwork to fight back the constant cold and daunting monsters. Civilization is on the brink of starvation, so when an unexpected patch of fertile land erupts between the clockwork cities, a war over resources is inevitable. Nandor, a nomadic warrior from the wildlands, believes he has a plan that will ensure peace. Most call him mad, though his imposing figure might stop them from saying so to his face. Through hushed voices, they say he’s a delusional fool. But he might be just the kind of fool they need. An impulsive mystic girl reluctantly joins him on his quest, as well as a mangy mutt, and a psychopathic Jack-Bot tormented by its human soul. Duels of fire, clashes of swords, and an uncertain battle await them. For who can stop a war when the scent of blood is already in the air?

The alliance between the three clockwork cities has been betrayed. Nandor, the only man brokering for peace, is thought dead after his duel against Lord Viken. The city of Froj is in chaos, and people are on the verge of starvation. Looters, vagrants, and lowlifes of all sorts are rampant. Only Nixie, a lone mystic student from the Crystal College, has any hope of saving it. But can she find Nandor? Is he even still alive? Why is there a trail of bodies everywhere she looks? And most importantly, if Nandor is still alive, is he the same man? Or have his wounds, trials and failures changed him…

Goblins are gathering in massive swarms of hundreds of thousands. Nandor is the official advisor to Lady Mikja in the upcoming invasion, but he has other tasks as well. As a new headmaster at the Crystal College, he must learn how to teach unwilling students, and acquire loyal followers and apprentices in a place he has long learned to hate. When a mysterious black drake begins to torment the green forest valley, new troubles arise as well, and Nandor is the only man qualified to hunt it down. But can the drake be killed? Can the goblins be stopped? Will the clockwork cities ever find peace? Slowly, Nandor begins to suspect that a much fouler monster than anything he could have imagined is responsible for the recent chaos plaguing the Crystal South. A conspiracy of death.