Dawn Trouble

By Bowen Gillings

Rom and Drood are at it again--off to save a backwater village from imminent doom. This time, the two aging heroes may have bitten off more than they can chew when they find doom is exactly what's coming, in the form of an unstoppable mass of roiling, rippling evil. Now, it will take every ounce of their wits, skill, and luck--plus a bit of help from on high--to survive the night, destroy the monster, and get back in time for a pint.

 

Dawn Trouble is the original Rom and Drood story, though it's not their origin story. First published in the 2021 anthology Fresh Starts, this tale introduced the world to a pair of tired adventurers and their damnable reputation. They are an homage to the long traditon of heroic duos in fantasy literature, from Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser to Locke and Jean to Atticus and Oberon. Rom and Drood have seen it all, done it all, and tried to avoid it all their entire careers, to no avail. Trouble continues to find them.

 

I hope you enjoy Dawn Trouble and look to read more of their exploits in future releases.

 

- Bowen

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bowen Gillings
• Release date: Sep 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215429907

Bowen Gillings

Bowen Gillings is an award-winning author writing to bring the world more fun. He is an active member of Pikes Peak Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and the League of Utah Writers. An Army veteran with a Masters of Education and five martial arts black belt certifications, he loves travel, cooking, trekking rugged trails, and a fine adult beverage. He lives in Colorado with his wife, daughter, and odd dog.

Book preview

Dawn Trouble

Bowen Gillings

Published by Bowen Gillings, 2022.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

DAWN TROUBLE

First edition. September 6, 2022.

Copyright © 2022 Bowen Gillings.

ISBN: 979-8215429907

Written by Bowen Gillings.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Dawn Trouble

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Further Reading: A Night to Remember

Also By Bowen Gillings

About the Author

To the editorial team at Pikes Peak Writers that first put this tale in print: Kathie, Jamie, Jenny Kate, and a special nod to Lou, who went out of his way to share his love for my dysfunctional dynamic duo.

Dawn Trouble

It never bodes well to face death before breakfast, said Drood, rubbing warmth back into his arms and stepping over a patch of prickly pear. That’s what my pappy always said.

Rom trudged beside him, big and stalwart and pale under the desert moon. I thought your pappy always said, ‘Church is no place for a man.’

He did say that, replied Drood.

Rom steered around some spiny redthorn scrub. And, ‘A penny saved won’t buy much.’

Yep. Sounds like him. Drood plopped onto a flat boulder, leaning his bow beside him. I think he also said something about ‘A wise man knows when it’s time to hang up his spurs and move to a warm beach.’

Rom stopped, scanning the night around them. He thumbed the pommel of his sheathed sword. Well, seeing as how neither of us ever earned his spurs—

You know what I mean, said Drood, rummaging through one of his many pouches.

"I