The Road to the Crown

By Stephen D. Sullivan

In Musteland, the life of the middle class just went from bad to worse.

Mayor Longstride is looking to raise his station in life, and he doesn't care who he steps on to get there. Dwarves, guild members, teachers ... all are mere fodder for his political ambitions. And Longstride's friends the Anthra brothers are standing by with all the money he needs to make his dreams of wealth and power a reality -- and a nightmare for the people under his heel.

Is there anything working folk can do to stop Longstride's political juggernaut? Sushawna of the Weaver's guild is determined not to give up, no matter what. While life remains, hope still grows in Musteland.

Inspired by current events, "The Road to the Crown" delves into the quiet moments that shape the life of an average worker caught between the epic battles usually chronicled in fantasy literature. The story is set in the Blue Kingdoms fantasy world created by award-winning authors Jean Rabe and Stephen D. Sullivan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen D. Sullivan
• Release date: May 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465796264

Stephen D. Sullivan

Stephen D. Sullivan has written more than 50 books across many genres: fantasy, SF, horror, detective, movie adaptations, and more. Readers the world over enjoy his fast-moving prose style and hard-hitting action sequences. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2016 Scribe Award for his horror-comedy novel, Manos: The Hands of Fate.Not sure where to start? Try these:NEW! Manos: Talons of FateBEST SELLER: Manos: The Hands of Fate (2016 Scribe Award Winner)HORROR & MONSTERS: Daikaiju AttackFANTASY: Tournament of Death novelsSCIENCE FICTION: Heart of Steam & RustADULT: Elf Erotica (Elf Princess on Mars)OVERVIEW: Martian Knights & Other TalesThere are plenty of others to choose from, too. (Including some books from other authors published by Steve's Company, Walkabout Publishing.)Browse! Buy! Enjoy!

Book preview

THE ROAD TO THE CROWN

Stephen D. Sullivan

• Walkabout Publishing •

Smashwords edition.

© 2011 Stephen D. Sullivan

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the vendor of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. (I’m a real person trying to make a living, not some faceless mega-corporation!)

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Walkabout Publishing

S.D.Studios

P.O.Box 151

Kansasville, WI 53139

www.walkaboutpublishing.com

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, scanning, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the author.

Special thanks to my first readers – Kiff, Paul, Edward, Doug, Matt, & the Alliterates. You improved this story immeasurably. Thanks.

Cover art & design © 2011 Stephen D. Sullivan.

Get a free wallpaper of this and other stories at www.stephendsullivan.com!

CONTENTS

THE ROAD TO THE CROWN

Samples of Other Stories

Ares Zone-A

Monster Shark

Crash of the Titans

Ghosts of 9/11

About the Story

About the Author

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For our Teachers.

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THE ROAD TO THE CROWN

Stephen D. Sullivan

These dwarves are the source of the problem, Mayor Longstride of Musteville proclaimed. His boots thumped ominously as he stalked the creaky wooden planks of the town hall stage, but he smiled and gazed sympathetically at the crowd, fixing his clear blue eyes on each citizen he passed. "Because their guild controls the mines, they have no competition. Therefore, they can charge all of us—even our children—inflated prices for their goods."

A rumble of general agreement came from the assembled crowd, but Sushawna, head of the Weaver’s Guild, felt slightly ill. In mid-winter, the hall was somehow oppressively hot and chilly at the same time. A vague smell of mold and uncleanliness hung in the air, as well as the odor of bodies too long cooped up, too long unwashed. Su pulled her green wool cloak tighter around her body and dipped her nose to sniff at the dandelion pinned to her lapel. Carefully cultivated in a box by the window at home, the flower smelled like springtime.

Who here is happy with the price of the coal for their hearths? Longstride continued. His garments rustled furiously as he paced. The sound reminded Su of a weasel trapped in a box, trying to get out.