Dearest Reader, thank you for reading Seven Brothers Blessed, the final installment in the Lore of Penrua Series. While it was a smaller story in scope than the others, I hope you found it worth the read!

This story was inspired by a folk song called "Hind Etin," specifically the version sung by Jim Moray on his album Skulk. The poem that starts the novel is my interpretation of the folk song, including an element that (from what I can tell) appears only in Mr. Moray's version: the burning of the woodland. I highly encourage you to listen to the song and, if you like it, to purchase the album—this is one of many amazing songs by this artist.

https://youtu.be/NYKdf4aYX7U

Mr. Moray's song was my first introduction to Hind Etin, which is one of a famous set of folk songs recorded in a collection known as the Child Ballads. I knew I wanted to write a novel based on this story, and Seven Brothers percolated in my mind for a while, but I couldn't quite bring the concept to fruition until I realized that I could simply plop the concept into the world of Arc. Uachi had some traveling to do, after all, and it was possible for him to meet a mysterious stranger in a crowded alehouse...

If the concept of folk songs fleshed out into stories intrigues you, please check out my short story collection, The Unquiet Grave. There, I've drawn from other ballads to create short stories, and I plan to keep writing them now and then as inspiration strikes. Warning, though: the content of these songs is often pretty rough.

Otherwise, in the unlikely event that you're in need of something else to read, I welcome you to check out some of my other work! 

FOR A LAUGH...Check out True Love and Necromancy, a story about a sorcerer who stumbles into a mission to raise the dead.

FOR A CRY...Try Adrift, a dark retelling of The Little Mermaid, complete with tragic romance.

FOR A THRILL...Brace yourself for The Butcher of Pepper Hill, a branching path story that allows you to choose how your adventure will end.

FOR A ROMP THROUGH SPACE...Check out Fast Cars and Intergalactic Speed Dating, which is about as logical as it seems from the title.

AND FOR ANOTHER FANTASY TALE...Consider Song of Ashes, the story of a young woman who survives a brush with death, only to go up against even more impossible odds by challenging an actual goddess.

Once again, thank you from the very bottom of my scribbler's heart for reading. Your support means more to me than I can put into words. If I could offer you just a moment of reading pleasure in exchange for the joy you offered me with your votes and comments, it's all worth it. 

Be so very, very well,

xx Mina