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The Freebooters #2
Plankholder: Noose & Gallows I
Epic fantasy. Grimdark, and elements of Dark Fantasy. Romance and occasional spice. Deep characters and long plot arcs. Mercenaries. Welcome to the Freebooters.
Plankholder is the gripping second installment in the Freebooters series and the twelfth entry in the sweeping Espa Chronicle.
This chapter delves deeper into the world of the Freebooters, a legendary millennia-old mercenary company renowned for their unorthodox strategies and unshakable bonds of loyalty.
Follow the rise of Jael, once dismissed as “Piss,” now carving a name for himself as the protégé of the legendary swordsman Eruch, the Twilight Blade. Alongside him stands Danni Singlehand, a one-armed thief with an indomitable spirit, as they unravel the mysteries of an ancient tomb.
Meanwhile, Urskine, the gruff yet noble captain, grapples with the weight of leadership and age, while Tonkes, a former able man, begins to find his voice in the hierarchy. At the heart of it all is Varilla, the enigmatic witch of the wastes turned Archmagus, balancing her powerful magic and her role as a mother raising children in the Freebooters’ unpredictable world.
Blending epic fantasy, high-stakes adventure, political intrigue, and heartfelt romance, Plankholder is a thrilling exploration of camaraderie, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose through the eyes of mercenaries who dare to dream of something more.
Plankholder is the gripping second installment in the Freebooters series and the twelfth entry in the sweeping Espa Chronicle.
This chapter delves deeper into the world of the Freebooters, a legendary millennia-old mercenary company renowned for their unorthodox strategies and unshakable bonds of loyalty.
Follow the rise of Jael, once dismissed as “Piss,” now carving a name for himself as the protégé of the legendary swordsman Eruch, the Twilight Blade. Alongside him stands Danni Singlehand, a one-armed thief with an indomitable spirit, as they unravel the mysteries of an ancient tomb.
Meanwhile, Urskine, the gruff yet noble captain, grapples with the weight of leadership and age, while Tonkes, a former able man, begins to find his voice in the hierarchy. At the heart of it all is Varilla, the enigmatic witch of the wastes turned Archmagus, balancing her powerful magic and her role as a mother raising children in the Freebooters’ unpredictable world.
Blending epic fantasy, high-stakes adventure, political intrigue, and heartfelt romance, Plankholder is a thrilling exploration of camaraderie, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose through the eyes of mercenaries who dare to dream of something more.
551 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2024
About the author
Kerry Stinnet
48 books101 followersI started writing back in 2006, and under my real name I have several traditionally published nonfiction works. I took the leap onto eBooks in 2017. I write for fun, and to put my kids through college. If you like epic fantasy, elements of low, romantic, high, dark, grimdark fantasy, and rich world building, I think my writing has something to offer! I hope people will enjoy my stories. This is 100% a pseudonym, and I don't want my real life to intersect with my writing. The two are *very* separate.
--The World of the Thinlands—
This is my Low Fantasy, Grimdark world that is characterized by one main race, with a few smaller more mysterious races, magic that is rare and not understood, nations that rise and fall as Kings and Queens die in wars that ravage the land. In this world I also write more in 1st POV, and it can be a little spicier, and bloodier. This is my preferred world to write in post 2025. The main work of this world is The Ashfyre Quintet, five longform epic fantasy books that serve as the foundation for the world, weighing in at 1.5 million words. By 2028 I plan to have around a dozen books released in this world.
--The World of Espa--
This is my High Fantasy world that is characterized by multiple races, magic that is interwoven into everyday life, sword and sorcery, thousands of years of history spanning multiple nations. In this world I write predominantly in 3rd POV, and all of the series are interlocking and build upon each other. The first series of this world is The Espa Chronicle, and the largest series of this world is The Freebooters which details the lives of a mercenary company. There are 30 books as of 2025 in the World of Espa.
All of my work is available on Amazon KDP and you can also find me on Royal Road!
--The World of the Thinlands—
This is my Low Fantasy, Grimdark world that is characterized by one main race, with a few smaller more mysterious races, magic that is rare and not understood, nations that rise and fall as Kings and Queens die in wars that ravage the land. In this world I also write more in 1st POV, and it can be a little spicier, and bloodier. This is my preferred world to write in post 2025. The main work of this world is The Ashfyre Quintet, five longform epic fantasy books that serve as the foundation for the world, weighing in at 1.5 million words. By 2028 I plan to have around a dozen books released in this world.
--The World of Espa--
This is my High Fantasy world that is characterized by multiple races, magic that is interwoven into everyday life, sword and sorcery, thousands of years of history spanning multiple nations. In this world I write predominantly in 3rd POV, and all of the series are interlocking and build upon each other. The first series of this world is The Espa Chronicle, and the largest series of this world is The Freebooters which details the lives of a mercenary company. There are 30 books as of 2025 in the World of Espa.
All of my work is available on Amazon KDP and you can also find me on Royal Road!
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 14, 2025
I really enjoyed the follow up to the witch and the blade story really picks up. Great ensemble cast memorable characters. Highly recommend.
May 16, 2025
This is a dense boy! I throughly enjoyed it and reminded me of the Black Company.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews