Sneak Peek: Wandering Monsters 2! (Patreon)

Things are moving right along on WM 2. The rough is finished, I'm starting revisions now, and I already have the primary cover art in hand (and it's gorgeous!).

This book takes us to a camp of orcs and goblin folk, where we learn lots more about culture and social practices!

The map came without fuss or favors owed in return. Shady Tooth carried her own simple brush and ink in her pouch, though the former was worn out and the latter running low. The first obstacle to her task came from the lack of paper or parchment in the camp, a need resolved with the back side of one of the wanted posters Teryn had collected in her travels.

Only one other difficulty remained as Shady Tooth quickly copied the map of the area. He loomed over her with a torch in hand to provide light, watching as she worked on a flat rock between several tents. “You copy fast,” said Ruck.

She grunted without looking up.

“Words, too.” The brawny bugbear tilted his head when she didn’t respond. “You can read?”

“Yes.”

“Hm. You fight well. Better than my crew.”

“Yes.” She was almost done. The map was only a simple matter of landmarks.

“Do you want me?” asked Ruck.

“No.”

He grunted. Pursed his lips. Thought. “Should I ask again later?”

“No.”

Another grunt. A nod. “My boys will want to know the same.”

“None of them. No conditions. Here,” she said, handing back the original map. “Thanks.”

He let out a final grunt. Creases in the map let Ruck fold it easily with one hand. “I’ll let them know,” he said, and walked off into the night.

A rustle of canvas drew Shady Tooth’s attention to the closest tent. Teryn poked her head out from the open flap, having risen only to her hands and knees with a frown. “It’s that simple for you?” she hissed. “For bugbears?”

“What?” Shady Tooth blinked.

“Romance. Men. Mating.” She waved her hand in Ruck’s direction. “That.”

“What do you mean?”

“They just ask if you’re interested and you say no and they go away?” Teryn pressed.

Shady Tooth shrugged. “Yes.”

“And he doesn’t throw a tantrum or start rumors about you or get sullen and pissy whenever you’re around?”

“That’s what it’s like for humans? How do you even stand each other long enough to breed?”

At a loss for words, Teryn let out a far more emotive grunt than any of Ruck’s as she pulled back inside the tent. Silhouetted by the light of the candles within, Shady Tooth saw Teryn fling herself into her bedroll.

Another silhouette rose as Scars sat up. “Didn’t you grow up sheltered and—”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Teryn complained into her makeshift pillow.

“Do you need us to hunt down and kill someone for you?”

“…maybe,” came her muffled reply. “Several.”