Forthright .'s Blog

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the wary one.

151
Raised by Wolves

Illusions helped the Elderboughs to be less obvious, but they still took side roads and back alleys to enter the urban enclave. “Smells like coffee,” remarked Coop.

“The Nightspangles run a coffee shop,” explained Torloo.

Shilah whined, “Reaver...

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one who’s thinking ahead.

150
Bellwether

The campus had a historic feel to it—brick and marble and lawns with huge trees.

Ninook asked, “Have you given any thought to college?”

“Me? Umm… not really. I’ve always learned everything I need to know at home.”

“Bellwether is op...

Found in the Wild. This is the best time of year for finding new pajamas, since all the stores are bringing in tons of holiday coziness. Scanning through options at our local Walmart had me doing a double-take. Boy, do these look familiar.

Not exactly the same, but close enough to count. If you want ’em, too, best nab a pair in your size before the holiday rush. ::twinkle::

ART: cropped from a fun piece called “Hold Him Down” by FoxOfTwilight

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the ones taking a quick break.

149
Wayside Rest

Coop’s whole life revolved around home—loving it, taking care of it, being there for his family. Traveling to Wardenclave was like… this whole new epoch. Embarking on a second adventure in the middle of the first? Wild.

“Is Fletching ...

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one with sharp ears.

148
Word Travels Fast

Coop startled when Shilah suddenly appeared before him, seizing him by the shoulders. Unsure what was going on, he said, “Hi again. Something up?”

“You’re leaving?” Darting a wary look at the Elderboughs, he quietly demanded, “Are they...

Sketch Peek. While most of my behind-the-scenes posts about Folk-Spelled (and the upcoming Else-Moored) can be found over on my Patreon, I don’t mind sharing a few peeks here on my blog. This is an early sketch of Arty, a student at the Academy of Mages. He’s a street artist and a skater boi and a friend indeed to out-of-towner Enzo, who’s his next-door neighbor.

Series illustrator Mart Lett and I are already working on a new set of cast portraits to help with promotion in 2026. If you d...

It’s a Drop. Swing by Patreon. “Sipping at Happiness” is dropping in mere minutes! They add a little pomp and circumstance. Listen & chat. It’s pretty fun.

Over Here >>

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the ones with limits.

147
Pending Approval

Coop was on enough pins and needles to weave a pine needle basket, one of the camp crafts he’d attempted.

Finally, Ninook returned.  

“What did my dad say?” Coop blurted.

“I spoke with Charles at length, and so long as we return to W...

“Sipping at Happiness” is the latest in a series of Amaranthine Outtakes: moments that fit in and around or soon after the more official moments in the Saga & Songs … and Interludes. This scene is a moment between the Smythe Brothers, written as a companion to the recently revealed artwork by Mart Lett. It’s pretty short, just 10 minutes, but it has been narrated by Travis Baldree. ::starry eyes::

The story snippet drops on November 1. You can purchase it in my shop on Patreon and queue u...

Claimer: I do hereby claim all rights and responsibility for the characters in a certain boy’s adventures because the Amaranthine Saga & Songs are mine. Please continue to indulge the lot of us, especially the one with duties.

146
Resemblance

Torloo eagerly explained, “This is my eldest brother, Naroo-soh.”

“You may call me Roo-nii, the same as Torloo.”

This new brother definitely took after their mom. Coop didn’t look like his dad either, but resemblance wasn’t always about hair ...