TECHNICALLY On Time!

6/20/2016

EDIT: There's one important typo in today's story that I missed. Sorry! Simon says brothers when he should only say brother. There's just one. If you've read the story, you'll see what I mean.
I'm just putting this out there for the purposes of clarification, so people don't think that Alin has a secret brother out there somewhere. He doesn't.

I told you June's short story would go out on the 21st, and technically it did! With two whole minutes to spare!

Look how truthful I am!

This month's story is a Traveler's Gate story called Steel Diplomacy, involving some characters you probably didn't know existed: a half-human nation to the north of the Badari Desert. They haven't had much contact with Damasca in the past few hundred years, but recent events have them...investigating.

Enjoy!

...and look for the next short story in about a week (July 1st)!

-Will

58 Comments

Ravi link

6/21/2016 09:40:02 pm

Whoo! This was awesome, I like how we're getting a bit of chronology with these. I can't wait for the next one.

P.S. Uprooted was great too.

Ravi link

6/21/2016 09:41:36 pm

My bad I meant Unsouled!! I also read Naomi Novak's Uprooted this weeks so my brain was confused. Sorry!!!! Do know that I still like you better ;)

Will link

6/21/2016 09:45:26 pm

You know, I honestly just assumed you were on your phone and Autocorrect got its filthy digital hands on the word "Unsouled."

Though usually it corrects to Unsoiled, so I thought Uprooted was kind of weird. Now it's all coming together, like the pieces of a magical puzzle.

Glad you're enjoying the stories! Next week's won't be Traveler's Gate (largely because I need some time to plan out the next TG book, so I make sure I don't step on my own toes with these stories), though I doubt this will be the last TG short story before the beginning of the Traveler's Blade Trilogy. Stay tuned!

Ravi

6/21/2016 09:54:44 pm

That sounds intriguing! I always like seeing new work, which keeps an author sharp in my opinion!

And thank you for your understanding about my mistake. If only I were so profound to warrant a magical puzzle. :D

Scott

6/21/2016 10:34:42 pm

That was fantastic! When you called this world setting Amalgam, obviously the Territories are a clear reason...but is there more than just that? The island areas in a previous short story didn't have as much of a culture difference as the Tamerians, but how large and wide-ranging is this world?

Since the Tamerians clearly recognize Travelers and Territories, I am looking forward to learning how they have that knowledge but evidently no interaction. Or, finding out if the Territories are large enough that Tamerians and Damascus haven't met in either reality.

Scott

6/22/2016 07:48:40 am

Damascans, rather. I blame a late night for missing the auto-correct.

Also, I am really curious based on the last two stories that featured Simon...has he gained the iron scroll, or is he still getting by solely on Nye essence and advice from the Daughters of the Wind? Has he learned to call wind not just to sharpen his blade, but also to blunt it if desired?

Will link

6/22/2016 10:03:48 am

Can't tell you. I'd have to kill you.

Scott

6/22/2016 10:28:49 am

"That does put a damper on our relationship."

Will link

6/22/2016 11:20:10 am

If only we had a wheelbarrow, THAT would be something...

James

6/22/2016 02:46:38 am

Loved the short story, I also get a warm glow and a smile whenever someone underestimates Simon. I like that your expanding the story can't wait to see what happens in the next trilogy

Will link

6/22/2016 10:04:26 am

Well, he's getting more and more well-known, so savor it now. Eventually people are going to OVERestimate him.

Jeremiah

6/22/2016 04:55:58 am

Interesting how there are those who are descended from inhabitants of territories. I will be very interested to see how that came about

Will link

6/22/2016 10:05:58 am

You know, I've actually planned that aspect for a while. There are intelligent non-human inhabitants of many Territories, and sometimes humans get transformed into demihuman beings bound to a Territory, so it kind of makes sense that there would be some overlap. A little interbreeding, a little mutation, and you have people with golden skin and a third eye.

Jessiah

6/25/2016 12:38:58 am

Ah ! That makes so much sense now lol wasn't sure incarnations who got stuck in there Territories could have kids still ! Thats answers that question !

Jim

6/23/2016 04:19:56 am

love the story, but quick question, is the earthbound really that powerful, that just facing three of them simon needs to use the mask to overwhelm them -> since 1 valinhall = 2 dozen normal travelers, doesn't that make 1 earthbound = 5~6 normal travelers? and Sharanan brought 48 of them, that practically can take over a kingdom. Also the hierarchy of the Tamerian is really interesting, really love to know more about it~

Will link

6/23/2016 08:54:56 am

Well, it's hard to break a fight down to a pure math problem.

In a short battle, Valinhall can beat virtually any number of Travelers from another Territory, because Valinhall is effectively immune to their powers and doesn't give them time to summon anything. Also, Simon has superstrength and none of the other Territories give that (except Elysia, but that one's rare).

So now he's facing three fighters who DO have superstrength, just like he does, and they don't have to spend time summoning anything either. Plus, they're tougher and harder to kill than most Travelers.

AND they're a diplomatic envoy, so you notice Simon goes out of his way to not kill them. That's harder than killing them.

AND he's actually facing a fourth person as well, with unknown Traveler powers, who only didn't act because he was stunned for a few seconds as the fight commenced.

AND he's winning the fight without the mask, but he decides to use it in order to finish it quickly without killing anyone.

So that was my thought process. It depends on favorable conditions. An Earthbound warrior would lose to a Traveler who had time to set up, prepare, and summon whatever, but would defeat a Traveler caught by surprise.

John

6/23/2016 12:07:19 pm

It seems like the key point there is that Simon did not want to kill them, or perhaps not even permanently injure them in any way.

Otherwise, he could have just used speed and strength to cut off all four heads (or other body parts if he wanted to maim rather than kill) before they even knew what was happening, right?

Will link

6/23/2016 12:41:19 pm

Not quite THAT one-sided, but yes, he'd have won with relative ease.

John

6/24/2016 03:34:43 pm

Super speed is a HUGE advantage in a fight if your opponents don't also have it, and you have a very sharp sword (and are willing to cut off their body parts).

On the TV show "The Flash", the writers frequently make the Flash act really stupidly (that, and an extreme aversion to hurting people), because otherwise he would defeat his opponents in a millisecond and the show would only be a few minutes long instead of an hour.

Will link

6/27/2016 03:10:03 pm

That drives me CRAZY on The Flash whenever he fights someone without superpowers. Like, he's running faster than a bullet, but he punches someone and they don't go down?

Anyway, I say that about Simon because A.) who says the Earthbound don't have superspeed? B.) Sharanan might get his act together any second and cast some CC on Simon, crippling or reducing his superspeed.

All other things being equal, yes, Simon would have gone through the Tamerian envoy like a wood chipper.

John

6/27/2016 06:55:07 pm

Sharanan getting his act together "any second" would not help much if Simon took him out in a fraction of a second.

As for Earthbound not having super speed, it seems like Sharanan would have thought about that if they did. Granted, Simon did not know what Sharanan was thinking, but that would be all the more reason for him not to risk it, and just take them out in a fraction of a second with super speed and strength.

Will link

6/27/2016 07:19:33 pm

I like that you have a strong opinion on this! It shows that you care, which is always cool for me to see.

I'm just relating Simon's reasoning to you, since you didn't get to see the scene from his perspective. Did he have more up his sleeve? Absolutely he did, but so did the Tamerians. They didn't even consider this a real fight at first, just a rude guard they were going to be rid of.

In a real, all-out fight in which they're both giving it everything they've got, Simon would still have won, but it wouldn't necessarily have been that easy.

Trent Gibson

1/7/2024 04:17:45 pm

So glad I found this thread all these years later. Just read this part of the book and was thinking the same thing. Ie Simon has only used the mask for incarnation level threats previously. Love your work Will!

James Johnson

6/23/2016 06:37:39 pm

Another great story. I don't see how you breath with all of these projects going on simultaneously.

Will link

6/27/2016 03:10:37 pm

I don't, James. I'll breathe when I'm dead.

...wait.

Warren

6/24/2016 08:18:44 am

Hi Will

I haven't received a copy. The last story I have is April's and the last email is House of Blades is free this week!

Thanks :)

Devin

6/24/2016 04:50:14 pm

I would check your blocker just in case, because his early e-mails I believe had issues. Maybe just re-sign up for his e-mails and see if that works.

Will link

6/27/2016 03:13:16 pm

Hey Warren,

Devin is as wrong as he is handsome. The issue is with email providers (usually Gmail) automatically blocking mailing lists because of racism. Some emails get through fine; some are blocked.

You can avoid this problem forever by adding <[email protected]> to your Contacts list. That way, your provider knows that my emails are friends, not food.

As for the story you missed, shoot me an email at <[email protected]> (or just use one of the many Contact Me buttons scattered around the site) and ask for whatever story you're missing! I'll be happy to send it to you.

Kevin

6/24/2016 05:55:18 pm

You are a tease my friend. Nothing but a tease. Haha. Painfully short, and enjoyable as always. Can't wait for the next release.

Will link

6/27/2016 03:13:48 pm

I tease you because you like it, Kevin.

#NotSexual

Other Kevin

6/30/2016 10:57:30 am

Will, I read unsouled in 6 hours. It was really good. Its REALLY REALLY short. But if you're putting 2-3 out a year you'll totally be forgiven for being a tease.

Jessiah

6/25/2016 12:35:49 am

WOW Finally! we get to see ppl from the rest of the world !!!!!! O____O ah fangasm over lol. Apparently they have humans[?] from other planets on there nameless world ? Interesting ... i wonder how can they not have met them in the territories if these people use the same or similar powers ? Are they stuck in completely different parts of the territories ? And i find it funny how they don't believe in Vallpnhal boy are they in for a surprise ! And hmm interesting that he thought Ragnarus was in Tartarus i wonder why he got that idea ?

Will link

6/27/2016 03:18:44 pm

Humans from other planets - Close, but not directly. They're either descendants from humanoid beings in Territories, or the descendants of native humans that were changed by Territories.

How have they not met - I expect to explain this fully in the next book, but just in case I don't, here's an abbreviated explanation. The Territories are big, and Tameria keeps Damasca out. Also, there has been SOME contact, just not much and mostly unofficial.

They don't believe in Valinhall - Yes, they are very much in for a surprise.

Ragnarus was in Tartarus - Because people come out of Tartarus with treasures all the time, so they believe that the "ignorant" people of Damasca were tricked by Tartarus Travelers who happened to find a bunch of cool weapons. Same thing with Valinhall.

Glad you enjoyed it, Jessiah! I'm looking forward to going outside Damasca in the next few books, which should be pretty neat!

Jessie

7/1/2016 01:28:24 am

Ragnarus WAS in Tartarus! O___O ... hmmm that ...actually makes sense weapons and armor in a vault and Tartarus is just like that but then how the heck did it escape The Tartarus dimension? Maybe an Elysian traveller/incarnation tore it out ? ah i figured the territories would be massive since they're basically fractions of entire planets or universes[?] since each pocket dimension seems to have its own law of physics that differs wildly from the regular un-named world and even other territories although some rules seems to over lap but most of them are different .

Will link

7/2/2016 09:17:04 am

No, Jessie, sorry about that! Ragnarus was never in Tartarus. They simply believed it was.

I see how my phrasing could confuse you, though.

Jordan

6/25/2016 11:26:45 pm

Aaaaaargh. I keep forgetting to sign up for the list. If i sign up roght now do i get copies of the previous stories?

Jordan

6/25/2016 11:41:11 pm

Alright, I lied, I am already on the list, but my email has been marking you as spam. I saved the most recent story from automated deletion. Amy way I can get the rest?

Will link

6/27/2016 03:19:40 pm

Aha! You can stop this from happening by adding <[email protected]> to your Contacts list.

And I'm happy to send you the other stories! Email me (using one of the many Contact Me links around this site) and I'll send you the ones you're missing!

Mike

6/26/2016 05:38:15 pm

Hey Will,

I just subscribed to the mailing list. Can you please help me with the June short story? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

Mike

Will link

6/27/2016 03:20:13 pm

Absolutely, Mike! Send me an email asking for it, and I'll reply with the stories attached!

Mike

6/27/2016 05:07:55 pm

Done!! Thanks again!!

Harlequin

6/28/2016 01:01:14 am

Really enjoyed the short story this time. Please note that i have a bad habit of speculating wildly!!

I remember when reading the previous books - always being interested when the characters would mention that Baradii Desert, and the people who live there. There was little mention of them, except that they existed, and that Indirial could speak their language (did i remember that right?).

Found myself wondering how these foreigners traveled to the Damascan Kingdom? Through the desert or through Lyrial or one of the other territories? Interesting how the prince refers to Seven stones, some sort of Religion or Ancestor Worship?

Also its interesting that the Tamerians did not believe the tales of Ragnarus, considering that their descended from creatures from Elysia - who supposedly sealed it until Leah's ancestor tracked down a portal to it and found a way in. (presumably the one that permanently opens in the Capitol).

That means you can assume that whatever faction who arranged all the 8 territories and Elysia's ancient incarnations to incarnate 3 centruies ago, and supported Leah's ancestor in rebeling against Elysian Rule and reaching out to Ragnarus may or may not be associated with the Tamerians. But on the other hand, the Tamerians are descended from Elysians, and the incarnation of Avernus did say that at the time she was coached into incarnating by people she believed to be Elysian travelers. And the prince did say it had been hundreds of years since anyone bothered to pay attention of Damasca, so back than Tamerians may have still had a huge influence there.

At any rate whether it was the Tamerians or some other unknown party, having all the territories incarnations essentially sealed under Damasca, and the seals being powered by the lives of Damascan people instead of their own must have played an even larger benefit than it benefited Leah's ancestors in building a nation (remembering what Leah discussed with the Avernus incarnation).

Also I found it interesting that the 8 territories are so much larger than i assumed!! If all the territories are shards of former worlds that have become attached to the unnamed world, I wonder just how much larger the shards are that make up those territories compared to Valinhall, Elysia, and Ragnarus. I mean it sounds like they are at least continent sized or bigger , but Elysia is basically just a city and terrain around it, Ragnarus's core part is a vault and the rest has not been described, and Valinhall was a bunch of tiny shards bound together originally by Valin's Will alone.

Its no wonder the Ragnarus founder creating those demonic sealing Trees to solve the incarnation problem - those territories are so huge in comparison to Ragnarus that stealing their energy to grow Ragnarus or more Ragnarus weapons must have been almost too appealing. I mean the travelers of Ragnarus are essentially Merchants, demonic weapon merchants whose goal is to make profit with their devilish deals. All weapons and powers, are bought and paid for by sacrifices.

And no wonder that the Nye are so interested in Simon collecting artifacts of the other territories to bind to Valinhall. Valinhall is so small that they plunder to grow quicker. (which reminds me, I do hope we see more of the trials Simon faces in the house :) and I want to see him explore the house more and maybe travel a few other territories(like maybe helping Leah explore Ragnarus or some tombs in Lyrial).

Also i had a thought that the reason that Valinhall, Elysia, and Ragnarus are so strong is that - because they are smaller shards their Founders and travelers have been able to more thoroughly and clearly define the powers of the territory and impose their wills on it...or at any rate those territories are more efficient in how they use the territories power, so the travelers are able to do more with less...though at any rate it probably has something to do with the nature of the territories as well.

Also had a thought that depending on the territory shards size they may not all cover the same regions of the unnamed world, so there may even be continents or nations on the unnamed world who contain some of the 11 territroies we know of plus others we don't. Or even that in some regions of the world a seperate shard of the destroyed worlds that formed the territories may exist. So a seperate alternate zone of Naraka not directly connected to the shard of Naraka Damascans are familiar with.

Anyways I'm sure the Tamerians are going to be in for some culture shock when they enter Elysia, I mean unlike the culture that Tamerian Prince is from the Elysians of different districts do not really serve one another in a caste system. That Prince sure is going to struggle, its no wonder Simon gave them information so readily!! ;)

~Harlequin

Will link

6/28/2016 07:53:02 am

Glad you enjoyed it, Harlequin!

You know, about the House trials, I'm conflicted about how much room-challenging I should show. If I were writing Traveler's Gate all over again, I would make it a longer series than just three books, and I would show every time he challenges a room, instead of skipping so many of them.

That said, I didn't do that. And now he has all the common Valinhall powers, meaning he's challenged much of the known House already. Now I don't want him to challenge TOO many more rooms, because then he has too many powers. Plus, while he's spending time in the House, the plot is passing him by outside.

In City of Light, I responded to this problem by having him challenge only one room, but people seem to want more than that. It's a pickle.

Nikk

6/29/2016 11:01:11 am

I feel the same. I want to read about Simon challenging all the rooms and getting cool powers. But not TOO many, then he'd have too many powers... maybe a flash-back to when he got a certain power can solve this? Or maybe he challenges a room and fails, and will try again? I like that idea too, that despite Simon having cool powers, there are still some rooms/challenges he can't overcome (Yet!)

Or maybe someone else is challenging a room and Simon gives them advice/flashes back to when he challenged that room? Maybe something rips a power out of him and he has to re-challenge a room?

Scott

6/29/2016 11:12:23 am

Not wanting him to have too many powers makes sense - excessive power creep makes a series boring. I'm still hopeful that we'll see him earn some rooms that no other Valinhall Traveler (except presumably Valin himself) has managed to successfully challenge yet. Maybe even a completely new room to the House...

Aside from that, what about doing some of the room challenges as short stories so that people can get their fix (and backstory) but they don't take up room in the book?

Will link

7/1/2016 06:01:10 pm

I was wondering about that, Scott. When I first thought of these monthly short stories, I envisioned writing Simon going through the different rooms he's already completed. I might still do that.

Nikk, I agree with you. He'll be challenging a new room, of course, but I can see him walking newer Travelers through rooms he's completed.

scott pike

6/28/2016 06:00:55 pm

Loved the new short story and its hints about the future. I'm really interested to learn more of how humans with the blood of beings from the territories came about.

Will link

7/1/2016 06:02:31 pm

Thanks, Scott! Glad you enjoyed it! I'm looking forward to exploring the rest of the Traveler's Gate world...s.

Juan

6/28/2016 08:24:40 pm

Is there a way I can get a hold of the other mailing-list stories. I signed up on the list again, but I missed most of them.

I'm re-reading Unsouled.

Patrick

6/28/2016 08:44:25 pm

I second Juan. Due to the vagaries and evils of email providers I have missed many short stories and would love to catch up.

Also related any chance of the short stories being published in a collection on kindle? I would totally leap at a chance to give you money for them, said leaping of course not at all being related to me having them in an easy to access format. Not at all.

P.S. Unsouled was great. You Mr.Wight have the distinct pleasure of being one of the few authors who I have read, enjoyed, and then reread every book they have ever published.

Will link

7/1/2016 06:05:16 pm

Hey guys!

If you're signed up for the mailing list but not getting the story, it's almost certainly because your email provider is blocking my messages. Add <[email protected]> to your Contacts, and they'll get through.

As for the old stories, just send me an email! Use the Contact links anywhere around the site, and I'll respond with the stories.

Nathan

6/28/2016 09:02:36 pm

So I'm sure I'm just being dumb but could someone point me to the short story? Or is it something that only goes out via email?

Nikk

6/29/2016 10:56:46 am

The Short Story only goes out by email. You would need to join the Mailing List. The signup is up above, right below the 'Archives' list and 'Categories' list. It is worth it to join the Mailing List!

Will link

7/1/2016 06:06:22 pm

Nikk's right, Nathan!

And if you send me an email letting me know, I'd be happy to send you whatever stories you've missed. Enjoy!

Jim

7/9/2016 02:05:07 am

So here are the things that motivate me for waking up every morning: the release date for soul smith and the traveler's blade

love your stories will, can't wait to see Lindon becomes absurdly powerful, maybe more powerful than the judges~
And I miss simon and valin
Do you have a solid release date for the books? just wondering

BTW I don't get how can elders from Heaven's Glory keep talking about honor and self respect while they poisoned the Sword Sage to rob him....isn't that kind of hypocritical?

Will link

7/9/2016 07:56:42 pm

Please do keep waking up in the morning, Jim. I don't want to have to explain a rash of sleep-deaths all over the world as "I Didn't Give People A Release Date" Syndrome.

1.) Someday, his power level will indeed be absurd.
2.) Simon's in the short stories! Valin's not, though. Maybe I should start doing the Valin prequel as a series of short stories instead of a novel...
3.) I don't have a solid release date for anything, ever.
4.) Yes, it's very hypocritical. But people can justify doing a lot of terrible things when they want something bad enough.

Tom

7/20/2016 02:31:01 am

Is there any chance you will sell the collection of short stories at some point? Wouldn't mind having hte lot of them in an easy to reach bundle

Will link

7/28/2016 10:50:40 am

I'm still considering that, Tom. Part of the problem is that I plan on writing short stories in many different universes, including possibly ones that don't have novels for them (yet). I like having the room to try new things, but that makes them hard to sell on Kindle as a bundle.

In which we ramble on.
And by we, I mean me.