So, as the next book is moving along, its main story is really coming together in my mind and in one of my handy Moleskine notebooks. Being that it is the first tale of the legendary queen and conqueror Elizabeth, I want it to be as close to perfection as it can be. It’s also evolving into something darker than I initially intended, as some other minor story ideas are working their way into this one’s larger narrative.
This story is also one that will have a major impact on the Barbarians of the Storm saga, as a whole. A lot of long-standing mysteries will be revealed and the larger plan for the series will take a more definitive shape. It will also directly address and build off of some of the major reveals that came towards the end of Fenrik 1984, a Side Quest book but also one that is very important to the deeper lore.
I’m actually really excited for this story and I want to take my time with it. I’m enjoying the preparation and the stuff that I’ve written already. I feel weirdly connected to it like I did the primarily story in Eyes in All Shadows. I guess that’s a good thing, as that is still my favorite singular tale that I’ve written, thus far. While Erzulyn isn’t in this story, it strangely feels like a spiritual successor to her origin.
Anyway, there are other stories that will also be written for this book, and I’m also pretty motivated to tell those as well. However, the majority of my focus, right now, is on the novella length Elizabeth story.
As always, I will give updates about the book’s progress on this Substack.