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The Art of Deception
A Fantasy Short Story by Stephanie Burgis
Subgenres & Tropes:
- Romantic Fantasy,
- Sword and Sorcery,
- Magical Libraries,
- Banter
This book is for you if you're into...
- Swordfighting with a side of witty banter
- Duos forced to team up by secrets and danger
- Short fantasy bursts packed with twists
Niko Hrabanic was once a famous swordsman. But after a scandal-laden departure from his last job at a royal court, he's now hiding out in a rural inn, making himself useful to his attractive landlady in all sorts of ways that don't actually involve paying rent...
...until a summons from the mysterious and dangerous White Library shakes up his life all over again. His landlady, it turns out, has secrets of her own. Now Hrabanic and Julia will have to confront both of their pasts - and if they're going to have any hope of survival, they'll need both Hrabanic's sword arm and Julia's magical training.
It's time for them to become experts at the art of deception.
The Art of Deception is a 12,400-word novelette full of swordfighting, banter, and a twisty plot. It was originally published in the 2015 anthology INSERT TITLE HERE, ed. Tehani Wessely (FableCroft Press).
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Yours, Wickedly
2025
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