Starting on a new story

 All this mucking about with Midjourney has coaxed the Muse out of hiding and I've started a new book - my first bit of serious writing in at least six months.

My favourite stories to write are history, mystery, and a splash of romance and this one fits the mould. 

Dragon Island, off shore from the fishing village of Portosinta, was a known base of notorious Yrmak pirate Drarkghon back in the days when the space trading routes were closer to Santa Bella. But that was hundreds of years ago. The pirate is long gone but his legend lives on. The story goes he left a treasure on the island but despite treasure hunters, archaeologists, and historians - both Human and Yrmak - combing every inch of the place nothing has ever been found.

Jill Beersohn is an academic with expert knowledge of Yrmak culture in this part of the known galaxy. She reluctantly becomes involved in the search for Drarkghon's treasure due to family circumstances. An old flame, Dan Bishop, turns up unexpectedly and together they find a CLUE.

And that's all I'll tell you right now - except they're going on an ADVENTURE.

In the meantime, here are a few visuals.

Dragon Island

It's surrounded by cliffs with only one way into the lagoon in the middle. You probably guessed how it got its name - 'Drarkghon' doesn't mean dragon but it sounds like it. The island is riddled with caves.

The remains of an Yrmak temple still exist on Dragon Island but it has been thoroughly explored, including with radar systems.

Maybe we can find a clue down here

If there is a treasure to be found, it's sure to include items like this ceremonial carved box. Yrmaks prize green stone. This box would have been coveted.

If they do find treasure, Jill and Dan will still have some competition from Yrmaks. Yrmak warriors are not to be underestimated.

Meanwhile, I'm planning on one thousand words per day. I doubt this will be finished before next year - but you never know. The working title is "The Dragon's Hoard"- but that might change because I don't want people to think it's a shifter story.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers,

Greta