The Jester: Episode Index
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The Jester is a clean YA fantasy novella about a young man with many interests and skills who yearns to discover what he does best. First, however, he must figure out who stole the king’s dagger, and along the way, he experiences adventure, entertainment, and perhaps a wee bit of romance!
The story is complete, and all episodes are now available to read for free. Each episode runs from 1,500 to 2,000 words, more or less. Each episode also includes 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 06/02/25
Episodes
(Episode Number. Chapter “Scene” - Summary)
Prologue “Margonne’s Dagger” - King Lorens II surprises his children and a few of their cousins in a place they are not supposed to be. Later, a thief steals through the darkened palace.
Homecoming “At Loose Ends” - Mardans returns to Palisade after a year with an acting troupe to seek his mother's counsel.
Brothers (1) “A Big Favor” - Mardans and King Alfons meet clandestinely in a private room at an inn.
Brother (2) “Clowning Around” - Mardans meets with Alfons and Lirens to brainstorm how to investigate the theft.
Troupes and Troops (1) “Back With the Troupe” - Mardans visits his friends in the entertainment troupe.
Troupes and Troops (2) “A Trip to Blayne” - Mardans travels to Blayne with Lirens' company and rides into unexpected trouble.
Blayne (1) “King’s Man” - Mardans takes on the role of king's Inspector of Entertainments to call on Dinae at her new place of business.
Blayne (2) “Damsel in Distress” - Mardans finds out the owner of Bardelbee's Review is withholding her pay, and she wants out.
Blayne (3) “Contract Details” - Mardans questions Bardelbee about his contract with Dinae.
Blayne (4) “The Work of Heroes” - Mardans sets his plan to free Dinae from Bardelbee into motion.
Blayne (5) “Getaway” - With a little help from a new friend, Mardans sneaks Dinae out of Bardelbee's Review to safety and then does his civic duty.
Final Preparations (1) “Care to Dance?” - Mardans explains his commission to Dinae and Aran.
Final Preparations (2) “Bridgeton” - Mardans, Dinae, and Aran arrive in Bridgeton. Mardans and Lirens exchange news.
The Palace (1) “Joining the Guard” - Mardans arrives in Palisade and reports to the captain of the palace guard.
The Palace (2) “The Prince’s Rooms” - Mardans inspects Lirens' rooms for planted, incriminating evidence.
Performance (1) “Grand Arrival” - Mardans and Dinae arrive in Palisade in the Jester's Wagon to great acclaim.
Performance (2) “Command Performance” - Dance and Red perform before the royal family in the palace, both insulting and captivating the audience.
Dead Ends (1) “Stalled Investigation” - Mardans seeks out Tiena's expertise about how to proceed in his investigation.
Dead Ends (2) “A Rough Morning” - A serving girl's body is found draped over Alfons' throne, and Mardans is called to investigate her death.
Interviews (1) “The Dowager Queen” - Following his sole clue, Mardans interviews the Dowager Queen and her pretty lady-in-waiting about the victim.
Interviews (2) “The Grieving Mother” - Mardans interviews the victim's mother and her best friend.
Cat and Mouse (1) “A Trap Set” - Mardans plans a trap for the murderer and starts a manhunt for the outsider at the servants' party.
Cat and Mouse (2) “A Challenge Issued” - Dance and Red perform before the king's relatives, giving them an unforgettable performance.
Revolting Developments (1) “Never Trust a Drunk Jester” - Dance feigns drunkenness to eavesdrop in the palace's common dining hall.
Revolting Developments (2) “Seeing Red” - Dinae crosses paths with Désira Tilanta at a dress shop.
Unexpected Help (1) “Contagious Despair” - While Mardans despairs over Dinae's abduction, an unexpected invitation offers help.
Unexpected Help (2) “The Prophetess” - Mardans and his brothers meet and speak to the Prophetess, who reveals many things.
Foes Foreign and Domestic (1) “Traitorous Connections” - Mardans, Lirens, and Tiena consider how to free Dinae from her captors and surmise who they might be.
Foes Foreign and Domestic (2) “Red Rescue” - Mardans and Aran set out to rescue Dinae from her kidnappers.
Houses Santinetta (1) “Dinner Party” - Mardans and his closest family and friends convene for dinner at the Santinetta mansion.
Houses Santinetta (2) “Fight Night” - Spear leads a raid against the Third-Level house and finds Prince Lirens waiting.
Heartstrings (1) “Keen Disappointment” - Mardans and Lirens get little from the guards; Amandes apologizes to Alfons.
Heartstrings (2) “Hidden Treasure” - Mardans and Liandra take a walk along Palisade's west wall.
Hide and Seek (1) “The Steward-Heir” - Mardans and Lirens have a frank discussion with Amancuse, the Steward-Heir.
Hide and Seek (2) “If Walls Could Talk” - Mardans and Lirens visit the home of Prytan Verus and speak with his wife, Adel.
Hide and Seek (3) “Breaking News” - Désira flees Palisade, and Lirens gives chase. Mardans and Tiena mull how to find Formosis.
Hide and Seek (4) “Wise Women” - Mardans and Liandra visit the Prophetess to discuss finding Formosis and give her some welcome news.
Hide and Seek (5) - “Riding into the Sunset” - Lirens and company pursue Désira over the western plains.
More Than a Jester (1) - “Conversation With a King” - Mardans and Alfons discuss the investigation into Formosis' whereabouts.
More Than a Jester (2) - “The Hiding Place” - Mardans, Rayan, Nekhar, and Aran seek out Formosis' hiding place.
More Than a Jester (3) - “Confrontation” - Mardans comes to and seeks to escape, only to stumble into the lair of his nemesis.
Epilogue - “Hope” - Alfons revels in the harmony of House Ankara while another plots to upset it.
Bonus Episode - “An Untimely Death” - Mardans comforts Bodnar after his father’s death.
Like The Jester? Try The Beacon, the heroic story of Mardans’ son, Adonis, and his crew of adventurers, who have never faced a crisis quite like this.
The Beacon: Episode Index
The Beacon is a clean YA fantasy novella about a kingdom in crisis. What people see as massive “waves,” “bubbles,” or “distortions” are traveling across the land, inciting acts of foolishness, selfis…
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