The Blood Tribute: The Grimshade Chronicles, #2

By Chuck Anderson

In a world where ancient evils and cataclysmic magic threaten to consume all, three harrowing tales unfold. A mother's desperate quest to save her child from a curse's cruelty. A battle-hardened mercenary forced to confront the depths of his bloodstained soul. A fellowship of outcasts fighting to end a plague's necromantic blight. Brace yourself for a descent into realms where hope is a flickering ember, dread lurks at every turn, and grim sacrifices come hand in hand with hard-fought triumphs. Steel your resolve and journey into the darkest reaches of the human spirit in this visceral, uncompromising collection of grimdark fantasy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mead Hall Media
• Release date: May 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224469673

Chuck Anderson

Chuck Anderson is an author and artist based in Colorado. Chuck can often be found trail-running through the stunning Colorado landscape when he's not crafting imaginative tales or creating artwork. An avid outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys camping in the majestic Rocky Mountains with his trusty little trailer. Chuck's love for the natural beauty of his home state infuses his creative work with a strong sense of place and adventure.

Book preview

The Blood Tribute

Morva's screams pierced the air, a primal cry of pain and exhaustion. The midwife, a wizened old woman with hands as tough as leather, held Morva's hand and whispered words of encouragement.

The village of Sarkaven had endured the Eternal Curse for centuries, a blight on their existence that they could never escape. Each year, they were forced to sacrifice a child to the Black Gorge, an ancient evil that lurked in the shadows of their lives. The elders believed this was the only way to save the monster and keep their village safe.

Morva had already lost her first child, a daughter, to the curse. Now, she had given birth to a son, Cravan. He was a healthy baby with a head full of dark hair and eyes as blue as the sky. Morva held him close, her heart swelling with love for this tiny life she had brought into the world.

The elders of Sarkaven gathered in the village square, their faces grim and their eyes downcast. They knew what had to be done, but it didn't make it any easier. The lottery was about to begin, and one child would be chosen as the latest blood tribute.

Morva's heart pounded in her chest as the elders cast their lots. She clutched Cravan to her chest, his tiny body warm and alive against her. She prayed to the gods,