Divine Inspiration: A Drakkan Chronicles Story

by Rye Sobo

Ferrin Alsahar is a storyteller, a student of illusion magic at the Imperial University, and a loyal friend with spectacularly poor judgment. When his best friend Dem confesses that his artwork has lost its soul, Ferrin knows exactly how to fix it. According to legend, any artist who glimpses the Eristal Virgins during their sacred moonlit bathing ritual receives divine inspiration from the goddess of creativity herself.
The plan is simple: sneak into the Temple District after dark, scale the wall of the Temple of Erista, catch a glimpse of divine beauty, and slip away before anyone notices. Armed with a crudely copied map, a grappling hook, and absolute confidence in his abilities, Ferrin convinces the reluctant Dem that nothing could possibly go wrong.
Everything goes wrong.
Within moments, the friends realize they've climbed the wrong wall and witnessed something they desperately wish they hadn't. Now they're running for their lives through labyrinthine streets, pursued by outraged priests who want them arrested for trespassing and blasphemy.
Ferrin attempts to talk their way out using his training in illusion magic. But each new lie creates three new problems, and each temple they stumble into takes offense at their presence for reasons they don't understand until it's too late.
As the night spirals into chaos, Ferrin and Dem inadvertently spark theological disputes between rival priesthoods, accidentally offend multiple religious orders, and somehow unite warring factions of the Temple District-in the worst possible way. Before dawn, their panicked flight through sacred spaces escalates into a city-wide.
Some nights, even the best illusions can't save you from the truth.
Divine Inspiration is a humorous fantasy novella set in the richly detailed world of The Drakkan Chronicles, combining elaborate worldbuilding with escalating comedic disaster.

ebook

Published December 1, 2025

About the author

Rye has been a fan of the fantasy genre for pretty much his entire life. Books, films, and video games with new and exciting worlds always captured Rye's attention. While other children listened to nursery rhymes, Rye's mother used to read Tolkien. (seriously!)
Rye was a multi-award-winning broadcast and online journalist covering everything from high profile crimes to local politics. (Occasionally, in the same story.) After a decade in news, Rye went back to school and earned an MBA, then an MFA in creative writing.
Rye now lives in Mississippi, the land of storytellers, with his partner and their dog.