Author’s Note:

The story is finally done. Here is your chance to bitch and complain as much as you’d like. What did you like, what did you dislike, and what did you downright hate?

The story went through a lot of changes. The basis for it was originally the short story Phoenix, styled as Alban’s diary and confession for the guilt he bore through the centuries.

One thing that I hope is evident throughout the story is Grothanin’s growth as a character.

I think the main part of the story that was added without meaning to was the stuff about Vishiro Cambello the Great Beast. Originally he was just going to be used as the patron deity of the Crows to show how they viewed other, wingless, people as their inferiors. I started thinking about him more and wanted to add more information about him and his accomplishments. It also made me think of a post-Behemoth story about the Blood God’s Crusade.

Near the end I killed off several characters. Some were planned, others were accidental. Soth Maore was always intended to die, as was the deaths of Jormungander Weltmeer and Mjolnir Mittilagart. Sebas, who for some reason never warranted a last name, died accidentally and I didn’t realize it for about three paragraphs. Azamon’s and Skollhati’s deaths were also planned, though Gullinkambi Dammerung’s was incidental from his involvement in destroying his Clan. He thought that by forcing his people into a life or death situation they would either rise to the occasion, or they wouldn’t.

Right now my current list of stories to work on is Nomad, a SciFi story, finally getting back to Behemoth, doing a shorter story, and then the Blood God will have his reign! It’s hard not to develop a god-complex when writing fantasy.

Okay. The stories I’ve worked on so far are Behemoth, Phoenix, Gathering of Sins, Behemoth, Phoenix Wars. I think I’m going to take a break from Cernon and fantasy in general to work on a Science Fiction story I’ve been thinking about called Nomad. Unfortunately, another break will occur that has nothing to do with changing genres. I’m going to be gone from April 1st to mid-May and won’t have computer access until I get back. When I get back I will try to catch up on all updates I have missed, though it might take me a while. I’m lazy, so add on another two weeks.

Also, if everyone who read Phoenix Wars would please inform me, I'd love to buy them a cookie for the ego-boost.