Dwarf Tales — David Payne

Vampires were a problem in Florencetown as far as the Hue and Cry were concerned, not in the usual blood sucking way but rather in the manner of their financial dealings with humans. It was a matter beyond the wit and ability of the Hue and Cry's werewolves whose agenda was inhibited by their constant quest for the next meal. That is probably why the Magister of the Hue and Cry had to get outside help in the form of Seagrum the Dwarf. Seagrum was a renowned mercenary and bounty hunter with a penchant for the macabre and for shady business deals but he was recognised as a problem solver when it came to vampires. Unfortunately he was fiendishly expensive and the Magister couldn't really afford to pay him but that was where Jonas the Strangler came in. For his part, Seagrum was developing a liking for a young witch called Persephone and this little distraction was at risk of putting him off his game. Of course the Mayor of Florencetown also had an agenda that was not necessarily in accord with the Magister of the Hue and Cry. Here was a conflict in the making and it would only take the misinterpretation of a simple word 'fair' to ignite this volatile little world. The Dwarf Tales novels are set within the parochial world of Florencetown, a trading port in the Xandrian City states. This is the first tale, an edgy fantasy about the political intrigues of provincial life, insatiable werewolf hunger and a dwarf of significant stature who bestrode his world like a colossus. The next tale, The Head Gardener - a gruesome tale of gardening, will be available early in the New Year with previews on www.dwarftales.co.uk.