
A lone mercenary known only as the Blue Warrior roams the desolate world of Ulna, his reputation forged by daring raids and a single‑ship assault on a hostile fleet. When an ancient Shamon priest offers a hefty sum to slay a mysterious woman—rumored to be the storm‑goddess Xaymar—Haral hesitates, his curiosity warring with his appetite for wealth and blood. The priest’s desperate pleas and the promise of riches pull him toward a task that feels more like a curse than a commission.
The story unfolds in smoky taverns and crumbling ruins, where the veil of myth shrouds a deity whose very presence bends wind and lightning. As Haral confronts the uneasy truth behind the priest’s request, he must decide whether his ambition can coexist with the moral weight of killing a being of such power. The opening sets a tense, atmospheric stage, inviting listeners to question what drives a warrior when the line between heroism and madness blurs.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (147K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2021-07-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1915–1992
Best known for practical, no-nonsense advice on storytelling, this American writer built a career across pulp fiction, novels, and teaching. His work still speaks to aspiring authors who want clear tools for writing stronger fiction.
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