Hi everyone, Mod R here.
I have a Klaus snippet for you today, the long-awaited reveal of what he needed to tell Maud when he came to her at end of Sweep of the Blade.
It’s also an incentive for us. Remember that bit about the Barsas in Sweep of the Heart?
“The Barsas stopped in front of us. Their leader, an old white-haired male, stepped forward and raised his arms.
Andrews, Ilona. Sweep of the Heart, The Innkeeper Chronicles 5. NYLA 2022. Kindle edition, page 401
Here we go.
“Barsa! Barsa, barsa, barsa. Barsa.” Each word was accompanied by arm-waving and finger-pointing.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sean said. “Is that all they say?” “Yep. Hush, I’m trying to concentrate.”
“Barsa. Barsa, barsa.”
The leader nodded sagely.”
There’s a certain Barsa-esque (Barsumial?) tendency sometimes with the Book Devouring Horde, where we can get a bit fixated on “when’s the next book, next book, next book, next book”. Klaus is here to placate us away from that, as only an Arbitrator can.
Let’s be fluffy, not Barsumials!
We’ve had an Innkeeper book just a year ago. The next one is not yet on the schedule, so there are no official dates or updates, but there will be a continuation to the series, we will find out what happened to their parents, see Helen, witness Ripper Cushions—the whole Orro banquet.
House Andrews are hard at work on projects; we’re currently getting Roman chapters every Friday; the Sweep of the Heart release from Graphic Audio is coming to us this week and I’ll have an exclusive sample just for the Horde tomorrow. We are beloved. We just have to be a bit p*tient and chill our bosoms.
“I will explain everything,” Klaus said. “But right now we have more pressing matters to discuss.”
Oh no, you don’t. “What could be more pressing than you becoming an Arbitrator?” Maud crossed her arms on her chest. “Have you told Dina? She thinks you might be dead.”
“I have perfectly valid reasons for how I’ve handled things.”
“Valid?”
Arland gently touched her shoulder. “Perhaps we can hear the reason behind this unexpected visit?”
Argh. She waved her hand. “Go ahead.”
Klaus leaned against the table, half-perching on it. The memory punched Maud, knocking her mentally off balance. He used to sit just like this, when they were both teenagers, in their parents’ inn. It was at once nostalgic because here he was, alive and well; sad because Mom and dad were still missing; and infuriating because right now, on Earth, Dina was worried sick about him.
“Thank you,” Arland said.
“Have you set a date?”
“Three months from now,” she told him. “It will be a small, family affair.”
“I suggest you postpone it,” Klaus said.
“Why? For how long?” she asked.
“A few years?” Klaus said. “A decade would be best.”
“And why would we do that?”
“You’ve made enemies,” he said.
“Be more specific,” she snapped.
“Do you remember a monster, a long time ago, at the inn? He chased you when you were a toddler?”
“Mukama.” Arland bared his fangs.
“You told him? Good. This will make things simpler. I can’t explain the details right now, but things are connected. You, Dina, the corrupted ad-hal, and the mukama. All of it is part of one complicated whole. Should you have your wedding now, it will be invaded. There are forces out there that wish to prevent your union. The safest, most prudent thing, is to wait until all of the preparations are complete. If you give me a decade…”
“Let me understand this,” Arland said, his face dark. “You are saying that if we were to have our wedding, the remnants of the mukama may invade the planet to stop it?”
“In essence, yes,” Klaus said.
A predatory light sparked in Arland’s eyes.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” she asked.
Arland nodded. “We do have to postpone.”
“I’m glad you see the wisdom—” Klaus started.
“We need to go bigger,” she said.
“Oh yes.” Arland grinned, displaying his fangs. “Much bigger. We’ll need to invite everyone. We should be ready in 10 months or so.”
Klaus stared at them.
“We should tell your mother about the invasion,” Maud said. “Lady Ilemina would love this.”
“Oh, she will be overjoyed.” Arland clapped his massive hand on Klaus’ shoulder. “Thank you for this delightful news, my future in-law. You bring the best tidings. We shall have the grandest wedding in Krahr’s history. We will invite everyone.”
Maud grinned and swiped a quick kiss on Arland’s lips. “I can’t wait.”
Hehe, Arland has come a long way from “When I get married, I fully intend to pass all preparations on to someone else.“ I think we just discovered how to get vampire men interested in wedding preparations: promise them a monster invasion!
This is great! Thanks for the snippet.
YES! The most fantabulous of snippets! Thank you!
Ohhh boy…with an eye roll for fun…
Been a brutally hard start to the new year for me, so I can’t thank you enough for posting this snippet for Maud & Arland are my faves. I LOVE how totally in sync they are here. It’s going to be an epic wedding indeed.
Did George recruit Klaus? I can’t remember.
The other way around 🙂 . Klaus signed on George, and we see the scene at the beginning of Sweep in Peace, Innkeeper 2.
*rubs hands together* I think this is exactly the reaction Klaus wanted.
Oh I LOVE this – made even easier now that Gertrude Hunt has opened a door to Daesyn! Hahaha chaos and intergalactic wedding related hijinks ensue….
And thank you House Andrews for indulging the BDH!
LOVE their response to threat. Go team! How could Klaus even think he could ask them to wait years to get married?
Or is he thinking slyly, to make them take these invaders on? House Andrews you are the best!
„Valid reasons“ muahaha, valid reasons will not save Klaus.
Loved the snippet, thank you very much! 2024 will be a great year!
just laughed out loud, this is so Arland & Maud. lol
Uuuuuu
I love the care we get.
And Uuuuuuuuuu
💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃
I’m laughing so much I’m nearly throwing up!🤣🤣🤣🤣
And now that Dinas inn has opened a door on this planet, can Dina host their wedding?
Thank you House Andrews for this delightful snippet. I look forward to the book when you get around to writing it.
Since you’ve mentioned upcoming books … is there another Hidden Legacy novel on the plan at this point, or is that still a long way off?
Hi Debbie,
The Hidden Legacy series has come to an end. There are no spinoff series in the works at the moment. House Andrews talked about the possibility of writing one, but decided against it.
That doesn’t mean there will never be one- they may eventually change their mind, like they did with more Kate POV books. But nothing was promised and nothing is guaranteed at the moment.
The series has just ended, as series are bound to do sometime. The story is complete.
That was AWESOME.
WE know that we of the BDH are not the most patient when we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all that comes from House Andrews. I am hopeful that it is not any of your devoted BDH that make it difficult and send hurtful or pushy messages.
However, I can wait as long as the Great and Powerful House Andrews needs me to wait after that tidbit. And since I am in Northwest Ohio, it will be easy to Freeze my t*$ts until it arrives.
I suppose the Skirmish at the at the last wedding was warm up! Practice makes perfect. We must wait to see how this all plays out, so exciting, I can’t wait to see how this all comes together…..Yipee!
I share the opinion that Klaus likely predicted and desired the response to his suggestion of postponing the wedding for a decade.
I wonder if he swore an oath as an Arbitrator to facilitate diplomatic resolution over armed conflict so he had to be very careful about not directly inciting or advocating a vampire/makama war.
While I have no idea what the Arbitrator oath would be, I would imagine that they might not be so feared if they always tried to avoid conflict? But, who (besides IA) knows? 🤷♀️
such a great snippet 😂 Klaus must have known that would be the reaction. bahahhaha tell a space vampire warrior to avoid something because of a battle, they’d definitely run over to see if they can battle the best.
Not to mention the enemy of the entire Vampire race is the Mukama… remember they ate the children of the Vampires… and that is something that did NOT go unpunished.
Oh my god!!!! I too cannot wait. But I will wait like a good member of the horde should.
Thank you for this glorious snippet!!
Okay I haven’t even read the snippet because I need to say that Barsumial is the best word ever. Say it out loud, my friends! It just sounds so cool and rolls off the tongue so beautifully.
Barsa!
When I heard Barsumial I got a mind picture of Meerkats popping heads up from their ground burrows and merping like they do. Its very very cute.
Yeah, seriously, a decade? Klaus had to know how that would fly with almost any engaged couple, let alone one that lives for swordplay. It’s like people who put up a sign saying “SPEED LIMIT 5MPH”. Nobody can comply with that, and most won’t even make the effort.
Love it! The Bigger the better!
Look, I’m going to be p*tient and w*it p*tiently for any and all House Andrews releases to happen at their appointed times…
…but just know, inside I’m all “Barsa! Barsa, barsa-barsa-barsa, barsa, barsa-barsa, baaaaarsaaaah!” But I’ll keep it inside. I just wanted you to know that.
👍👍 yes! me too
You said it beautifully, thanks
(snicker) Obviously Klaus has been away too long and has forgotten who his sisters are.
Also, every time I read “Barsa!” I heard, “Groot!” or sometimes “(unwritable wookie words)!
That is hysterical and will require a lot of work on the part of the Andrews. I will wait patiently knowing there is a real treat ahead. In the mean time Iceill enjoy the other offerings
OMG I loved this snippet. It has me so excited. I love how happy they are that an invasion will happen. ^_^ Klaus is probably thinking my sister is crazy.
Oh I love it! Thank you, thank you! I’m with Arland and Maud, go big!!!
I will be patient! I will!
Have to admit, Klaus is a bit of a dick. Oh, I am sure he is out there saving galaxies. But he is also selfish. Not that we aren’t all selfish in different ways – we totally are – but I dislike this particular type where they disappear and reappear and where the only things of import are their things. Yes, of course he doesn’t want his sister to die, has probably come out of some weird hiding to share this warning, it might just save their lives blah blah blah. But dude, wake up your emotions a bit and remember that life is something actively lived, you cannot only live in fear and worry and have that dictate everything.
How odd to feel this strongly towards him :p
Ilona always says we bring our own 50% to whatever we read 🙂
Based on the Arbitrator’s we’ve seen so far, they definitely are sought out for a particular personality type. The “no one knows why I’m doing what I’m doing, because I’m 15 moves ahead and way too smart for my own good”. They are forbidden by the Arbitrator contract to contact their home planet for the first 20 years, so that might go some ways towards explaining why Dina didn’t hear from him.
We’ll have to see if more of Klaus’ motives are revealed.
Announcer voice: “Will Klaus’s motives be revealed? Will Arland, Maud, and House Krahr get their video of the invasion? Will Dina and Sean be notified of all of this? Tune in next time for the Innkeeper news on this station.”
***Cue the dramatic music***
OOOh! what all this portends is simply yummy! Maybe as good as Orro’s feast ❤❤
He-he-he-he-he!
Serves Klaus right for not thinking his sisters would change and grow up without him there.
Going to be very, very interesting!
Ohh, so good to see Maud and Arland again. I can just picture the look on Klaus’ face. A sort of disbelief, followed by, “What have I unleashed?”
Love all the books… will devour them all in any order they come out in… so grateful for the snippets!!
This snippet was *EVERYTHING.*
We truly are beloved. 😂
Oooooh! I just reread this. Is Dina going to loan Orro to Arland and Maud for the wedding banquet? Will it be described in mouth watering detail?
Presents from HA!!! 😍 Thank you!
Yeah, Klaus needs to learn to adapt. I’m looking forward to him figuring out the connection between Daesyn and Dina’s parents’ inn. Also, the growth in Dina’s skills should blow him away – figuratively.
And I wonder about Helen and the Inn on Daesyn.. can she manipulate it in a dire situation? To protect children from Mukama like beings such as hunted her, can she hold open the portal to Gertrude Hunt?? In a pinch? will we see the insect folk Maud honored at the banquet, will we see our beloved fox like merchants? The werewolf mercenaries? The Suncats who have not appeared for the most part but we know some survived their planetary disaster just like the Auul did? Oh, The Horde!!! oooh, will we see the space chickens and yes, yes the juvenile sphinx?!!! So many great characters to pop in and visit and lend aid to the fighting!! Maud and Arland, Sean and Dina…please go big, bigger, biggest!!!
Thank you, thank you for Klaus’s snippet. Another question answered and I liked Maud and Arland’s response.
Also love the yarn and sweater pattern, if only I could knit.
THIS IS EPIC!
Thank you so very much for this snippet. I can’t tell you how much I needed this smile.
I’m so stoked about this development. The imagineering of House Andrews is stellar. The Innkeeper series is best series I’ve read bar none. Believe me I am a voracious reader.
Y’all just provide the best entertainment in the middle of a day full of not fun tasks. Thank you!!!
Bwahahaha this is glorious!! Can‘t wait!
This snippet is the thing I didn’t know I needed today. Thank you for making my day just a bit brighter.
Hee hee hee…only Maud and Arland. I can’t wait!
You have no idea how much of an Arland/Maud shipper I am. I just hope we’ll get to attend this wedding, whenever it may be, cause damn 😀 I’ll prepare popcorn for the entire Horde.
fabUlous!
looking forward to the epic battle. it’s going to be a reunion with the vampires & Dina’s many connections – horde, Adira, the Dominion, the crafty merchants…..
at least we got Roman to tide as over 😉
Thanks Mod R & HA
💃💃😍OMG!! Epic Ripper Cushions on the way!
Thanks HA for this.
Have to w*t!! Have to!!
I feel like when this comes out that we’ll get to see Maud’s old house’s comeuppance! I’ve been waiting to see how she totally cuts them down! I’m guessing that Ilemina (Sorry if I misspelled it!) will delight/assist in it too. 🥳
+1!
What did Klaus say to make Arland say Thank you?
Be more specific! We got enemies on enemies. lol
He brought news of the Mukama 🙂 . There are no enemies like them, not for the vampires, and especially the esteemed House Krahr:
“[The Mukama] were a predatory species,” Maud said.
“They didn’t want the planet. They wanted the vampires themselves, particularly the children. The adults were used as the workforce and the children as a food source. The Mukama found children to be tender and delicious.”
Nuan Cee grimaced.
“The vampires retreated to their castles. Reducing castles to rubble would have destroyed all of the lovely meat inside, so the Mukama had to commit to ground assault. It was discovered that the Mukama didn’t do well in narrow enclosed spaces. They were an aerial species. They hunted from above. It was also found that the Mukama’s mass stun weapons didn’t work against a vampire in armor. It was a long war.”
[…]
Maud swirled her wine in her glass and smiled. “Nobody has ever met a Mukama.”
“No,” Nuan Cee admitted.
“But here we are, enjoying the fresh air of their home world.”
Nuan Cee startled.
“House Krahr was one of the original greater houses,” Maud told him. “They were entrusted with the planet of Daesyn to make sure no Mukama ever breathed its air again.”
Andrews, Ilona. Sweep of the Blade, The Innkeeper Chronicles volume 4. NYLA 2019. Kindle edition, page 102.
that’s Amazing!
love it huge wedding because of an invasion.
10 years that’s like a guaranteed challenge gauntlet thrown down