(WARNING: This book contains graphic descriptions of body horror, blood, gore, violence, and trauma based heavily on real-life medicine. Additionally, there is occasional profanity, alcohol, and drug use at various points. This is not a story for the faint-hearted, pursue it at your own risk!)

When a deadly plague arises in a metropolitan desert trading post called Ash, a healer is summoned by the city's oligarchical ruling class to uncover its cause and nature. The healer, Appo Ilonnorot, is an intelligent and highly skilled practitioner of the burgeoning field of medicine, though he is challenged both by the almost supernatural nature of the plague and the town's absence of medical literacy. With the help of Jere, a laconic mercenary with a mysterious past, Appo is forced to navigate local politics, ancient superstitions, and even the harsh desert environment in order to contain the plague before it becomes an epidemic.

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Author's Note: This is a slow-burn fantasy story I have been writing on and off for about two and a half years. While there are magic and supernatural elements throughout, much of this story is inspired by actual historical medicine, in a foreign world where development is somewhere between Sumerian and Roman times.

I predict about two-thirds of it is completed, but who's to say? I plan to drop 1k-1.5k words four times a week until part one is completely posted, then will probably slow down to a chapter or two a week so I can catch up with the end of the story. It all depends on whether there's an audience for this or not!

Hope you all enjoy! -B