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  • Excerpt: The Demon of Hagermarsh by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus

Today I am so pleased to welcome Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus to Joyfully Jay. Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus have come to share an exclusive excerpt from their latest release, The Demon of Hagermarsh (which we reviewed here). Please join me in giving them a big welcome!

 

Excerpt

Lost in thoughts, Yaden didn’t notice Colin’s approach until he appeared at his elbow. Colin looked as tired and bedraggled as the rest of the militia, but he had a shy smile that Yaden found very hard to ignore.

“So. What did you think of our heroic efforts?”

“You showed that bag of sticks who’s boss,” Yaden replied dutifully, even though he had noticed Colin making sure to stay in the back the whole time. Definitely not a fighter, but that didn’t diminish his worth in Yaden’s eyes at all. Fighters were a chick a dozen. Bakers, on the other hand…

Colin chuckled. “Yeah, we did.” He rubbed his hands against each other and blew into them to warm them up a little. “So I was wondering… It’s keesel crab season. There’s lots of them on the cliffs right now and I’ll be heading out to collect some, if the rain lets up one of these days. Would you like to come join me?”

Darios’ words came back into his mind, unbidden. Yes, that sounded awfully close to Colin flirting with him. He might just be trying to be civil, but with his warm smile, that didn’t seem likely. ‘Gathering crabs’ could well be local code for something a lot more personal.

“I have no idea…” The words were out of Yaden’s mouth before his mind could stop them. “I mean, I have never collected crabs before in my life, and I have no idea what you do with them.”

There. That sounded like a credible, safe answer, right?

“I cook them,” Colin explained, glossing over Yaden’s insecurity with another of those smiles. “They are great when you marinade them for a day. Uhm…” He scratched his neck under the wide brim of his hat. “Would you maybe like to come over for dinner when I make them?”

Now that definitely sounded like a date. Yaden had never been asked out before so wasn’t a particular expert in the matter. So there was a chance this was Colin looking to be friends, but it was a very slim chance. He pondered the situation for a moment. He was here on a mission and Colin was a distraction. But when Colin smiled at him he felt warm and happy in a special way he had never experienced before. And it wasn’t like this mission required his constant attention. He just needed to keep his eyes open and wait for a clue. Maybe Colin would even drop that clue if they spend more time together and talked. At least Colin did talk and Yaden could ask questions without appearing like he was being suspiciously nosy. In the end it was his stomach which made the decision for him. After all, Colin was good at making food.

“Do they taste as great as your bread?”

Colin’s smile widened to a grin. “I’m not sure. But if they turn out horrible, I have lots of bread to make up for it.”

“Alright, so, yes.” Yaden smiled back at him, feeling silly for how much he suddenly looked forward to it. “Do you already have a plan when we will be going?”

“I would like to go in the afternoon, when there is enough light to see the little buggers. Once it’s not raining, as I said. Will that be alright with Master Darios?”

Yaden nodded. After all, it wasn’t as if they were swamped with customers.

“So, we wait for a reasonably clear day, and I’ll come over in the afternoon and pick you up?”

“Okay, yes. Sounds like a plan to me.”


We hope you enjoyed your time in the Virasana Empire.

Yaden’s adventures continue in Book #2 The Windmines of Bora Bora

You can find more information about the Virasana Empire at www.virasanapedia.fandom.com

For more information about our books, visit us at www.Brackhaus.com



Blurb

“The Emperor cares for each and every one of his subjects.”

Many consider the catchphrase of the imperial Lotus Knights to be nothing more but well-polished propaganda, but for Yaden, it is a way of life.

A young Lotus Knight himself, his first mission in service of the Emperor sends him to the remote village of Hagermarsh, a suspiciously friendly place on a planet known for its inhospitable people. But how to uncover a demonist coven when nothing bad ever happens?

Getting to know the villagers only complicates things – the motherly fishmonger surely isn’t a demonist. Nor the gruff leader of the local militia. And definitely not the cute baker from across the street.

Or are they?

Come discover a dazzling, hopeful universe of knights and monsters, of psions, aliens and ancient deities! The Demon of Hagermarsh is the first book of ‘Sir Yaden’, an epic SF saga of grand adventure, romance, bromance and family, set in the multi-faceted Virasana Empire. It is a romantic adventure and can be read as a standalone.

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Bio

We are Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus, a couple currently living our happily ever after in the very heart of Germany, under the stern but loving surveillance of our cat.

Both of us are voracious but picky readers, we love telling stories and drinking tea, good food and the occasional violent movie. Together, we write novels of adventure and romance, hoping to share a little of our happiness with our readers.

Beryll: An artist by heart, Beryll was writing stories even before she knew what letters were. As easily inspired as she is frustrated, her own work is never good enough (in her eyes). A perfectionist in the best and worst sense of the word at the same time and the driving creative force of our duo.

Osiris: An entertainer and craftsman in his approach to writing, Osiris is the down-to-earth, practical part of our duo. Broadly interested in almost every subject and skill, with a sunny mood and caring personality, he strives to bring the human nature into focus of each of his stories.