The Beacon: Episode Index

Begin Reading Here

The Beacon is a clean fantasy novella about a kingdom in crisis. People are reporting strange, massive “waves” or “bubbles” traveling across the land, inciting acts of foolishness, selfishness, and pure evil. The king calls on his problem-solver, Adonis Santinetta, and his crew to investigate the phenomenon and restore tranquility to Margonne. Meanwhile, signs of rebellion begin to trouble the kingdom, raising the specter of civil war.

All episodes are free to read, and new episodes are released weekly unless life intervenes. Each episode runs from 1,500 to 2,000 words, more or less. Most episodes also include an insider’s note or two from the author. (NB: Some minor editing of episodes—spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc.—may occur post-publication.)

I hope you enjoy it!

---

This document serves as a Table of Contents for the serially produced novella.

Updated 06/20/25

Episodes

(Episode Number. Chapter “Scene” - Summary)

1. Prologue (1) “The Singing Tinker” - Traveling to Shipton, Pietro the Singing Tinker encounters what looks like a rolling wave.

2. Prologue (2) “Making Her Move” - Tabitta Chelson tries to distract Jase Renbow, who has taken his wrath out on some cornstalks.

3. Prologue (3) “The Fire Inspector” - Morgun Pyke, Shipton's Fire Inspector, stokes a private rage against those who flout fire-safety rules.

4. Prologue (4) “Sticky Fingers” - Genial shopkeeper Sullevan Mooney presides over the chaos that ensues when a rippling distortion passes through his store.

5. Prologue (5) “No Chopped Liver” - Young Creg Boxtur uses his ax to get the mayor's attention.

   Part One - The Periphery

6. Palisade (1) “Marching Orders” - King Lorens III instructs Adonis Santinetta to investigate the waves of evil rolling through the kingdom.

7. Palisade (2) “Old Hatreds Never Die” - Adon visits Grania's Orphanage, where they discuss Satele and his upcoming trip to the Corner.

8. Palisade (3) “The Prophetess” - Adon discusses the waves of evil and Leitani relations with the Prophetess.

9. Palisade (4) “Fish With a Side of Ale” - Adon finds a pub to his liking and notifies his crew to prepare for a trip to The Corner.

10. The Corner (1) “Adon’s Crew” - As Adon and his crew prepare to leave Palisade, they receive an unexpected addition to their number.

11. The Corner (2) “The Road West” - Adon's crew and Genubah strike out from Bridgeton, suspicions running high.

12. The Corner (3) “Frontier Town” - Adon and his crew reach The Corner, a remote frontier town, to find it is far from what they expected.

13. The Corner (4) “Orphans” - Adon's crew meets Mat and Mia Oldham, teenage orphans trying to survive on their parents' homestead.

14. The Corner (5) “The Oldham Legacy” - Adon's crew learns more about the Oldhams, and Mat must make a weighty decision.

15. Excursion (1) “Departure” - The crew, with Mat and Mia, set off for Palisade only to discover insurgent activity on the way.

16. Excursion (2) “Investigation” - The crew searches for evidence of what happened at the station and discovers some hidden information.

17. Excursion (3) “Confrontation” - Armed horsemen ride into the coach station and confront Adon's crew.

18. Excursion (4) “Arrival” - Adon's crew returns to Palisade to report their findings, and Mat and Mia receive an unexpected welcome.

19. Casus Belli (1) “A Royal Briefing” - Palace servants give Mia the royal treatment before she and Mat meet with the king.

20. Casus Belli (2) “Royal Reports” - Adon gives Mat and Mia a palace tour, and new information about the emanations comes to light.

21. Casus Belli (3) “The Royal College” - Adon, Thesis, and the Oldham siblings visit the Royal College—and it doesn’t go well.

22. Casus Belli (4) “The Royal Guard” - King Lorens’ son, Prince Carlonne, rides into danger with his new platoon.

23. Casus Belli (5) “The Royal Muster” - King Lorens meets with his advisors to plan the upcoming clash with the Leitani rebels.

    Part Two - The Center

24. Blayne (1) “Mission: Crucial” - Adon's crew leaves Palisade with a new mission, a military escort, and a surprise addition.

25. Blayne (2) “Road Rage” - Near the Blayne Garrison, Adon's company encounters an emanation, and Mat is put to the test.

26. Blayne (3) “Butcher’s Bill” - In the aftermath of the garrison's emanation-incited melee, Adon finally receives some good news.

27. Blayne (4) “Into the Storm” - Adon’s crew enters Blayne and discovers the enemy is already there.

28. Blayne (5) “Break Out” - Adon's crew must flee from Blayne before the Leitani army arrives, and Sir Lyle Manton gives them a chance.

29. Thorne (1) “Paths Forward” - After its mad dash from Blayne, Adon's company debriefs and tries to sort out its route to Essela.

30. Thorne (2) “The Army Moves” - King Lorens chafes at the army's delay but receives the people's support and important news.

31. Thorne (3) “Brodgar” - Adon and his crew catch Duke Borgond Thorne up on the sudden outbreak of war in his duchy.

32. Thorne (4) “The River Road” - Adon's company strikes out for Essela, finding that their screen of trees is a two-edged sword.

33. Thorne (5) “At the Highwater” - King Lorens arrives just south of Blayne and formulates his battle plan with his marshals.

34. The Wedge (1) “Riverside Camp” - The company's pleasant camp turns into a battleground when a Leitani raiding party attacks.

35. The Wedge (2) “Assault at the Ford” - King Lorens plans and executes his attack on the Leitan force guarding the Highwater ford.

36. The Wedge (3) “Feint at the Bridge” - Marshal Paydon Telsiora attacks the Blayne bridge in coordination with the king's battle plan.

37. The Wedge (4) “Under Cover of Trees” - Adon’s company enters forested uplands that conceal them but also hide their Leitani pursuers.

38. The Wedge (5) “The Perfect Battlefield” - King Lorens and his marshals find the battlefield before Blayne's walls to their liking.

39. Dragon’s Teeth (1) “The Old Man” - Adon and company meet old Toby Whitehair, a trapper and guide, who offers to help them.

40. Dragon’s Teeth (2) “Before Blayne’s Wall” - King Lorens and his aide, Captain Haviland, attempt to understand the rebels' inactivity.

41. Dragon’s Teeth (3) “Into the Highlands” - Adon and Gamila spar with Toby, their new guide, as the company begins its ride into the highlands around Essela.

42. Dragon’s Teeth (4) “The Battle of Blayne” - Lorens orders his army to assault the rebel forces, while Marshal Vash acts independently.
    
    
    

    ---

The Jester is the story of Mardans Santinetta, a young man of extraordinary talents who, even so, struggles to discover his place. But that is when the kingdom calls for his aid. 

If you enjoy what you read on this Substack, please consider buying me a cup of coffee!