Early Access for Members Only: Release Schedule

We want to make sure everyone has a chance to catch up with the trio in the Chapters between Chapters. Here is how you can read this entry:

• Member Preview (Patreon): Starting March 1, 2026, all Patreon members will have early access to the full text and cover image.
• Public Release: On March 15, the chapter will move to the main site as a permanent addition to our Free Chapters section.

New Release: Chapter 017 — The First Run

“Coin running is real work. It is also a way people get pushed around… You handle nothing alone.” — Anna (Orra-Kai)

In this pivotal “Chapter between Chapters,” the world of the Market Ward expands through the eyes of its smallest professional. From the hushed corners of Emera’s tavern to the high-stakes navigation of city traffic, The First Run explores the weight of a first job and the quiet evolution of Anna’s role as Orra-Kai.

Product Highlights

• The Orra-Kai’s First Commission: Witness Anna transition from a figure of mystery to a mentor as she grants ten-year-old Ulla her first official message run.
• An Earthly Artifact: Get a rare glimpse of Anna in her “comfortable clothes”—a gray “East Bay, Maine” hoodie from across the portal.
• The Mechanics of the Run: Learn the “small rules” of coin running: the confirmation of the message, the two-coin payment system, and the hazards of a busy Market Ward.
• Atmospheric World-Building: Experience the sensory details of Klebber’s shop—roasted spices, dried herbs, and the “sour tang of old fish” in the streets.

Character Spotlight: Ulla

Ulla represents the grit of the city’s youth. Armed with nothing but two warm coins and a message held “on her tongue,” she navigates a world of “boots on planks” and “damp wool”. Her success marks the beginning of a new network for the Orra-Kai.

“Fear keeps you careful. Just keep walking through it.”