Empty Dagger Hand: Novel and Side Stories — Dusk Peterson

Dolan is a quiet young man who spends his days working as a scribe. So why does he carry a hidden dagger?When Dolan's hidden life turns to disaster, he must make his way through a warring world of many enemies and few allies. Figuring out which men are his allies will take time, and not much time is left.As an empire crumbles and civilization is threatened, Dolan must use all his wits to survive, for only he can bring to safety the greatest treasure in the Three Lands.OCTOBER 2025 EDITION CONTENTS1: The End. Suddenly, everything is different.2: Sea of Storms. A new life may be a short life, without protection.3: Landfall. An unknown shore presents unknown problems.4: Snowfall. Can a young man of peace find a role within an army?5: Intent. The greatest mystery in the Great Peninsula is this: Who is the notorious Lieutenant of the Home Division Patrol?6: Foothills. Dark times require drastic measures.7: Lone. A lone man must change the course of war . . . or so it seems.8: Break. The path to honor is often far from clear.9: The Beginning. The end is near. The stakes are high. His commander isn't listening.Side story: Ambitious. A tatter-clothed lad on the battle-practice ground delivers a dilemma to a subcaptain on the rise.Side story: Unwanted. When a young man seeks to change his life from the horrible pattern he appears destined to follow, he discovers that a god-man sees more than mortal men do.Side story: The New Guard. An interview for honorable work goes awry when danger descends upon the Land of Koretia. Now Koretia faces its worst crisis in decades. Amidst the mayhem, who is likely to care about the struggles of a despised ditch-digger?Side story: Alms. When a reformed lawbreaker impulsively sets out to help an old colleague, he sees danger ahead. He does not yet realize that his very spirit lies in peril, depending on the choice he is about to make.Side story: Loyal Revenge. His loyalty and his wickedness have come into conflict with each other.Side story: Bard of Pain. In the battle-weary lands of the Great Peninsula, only one fate is worse than being taken prisoner by the Lieutenant: being taken prisoner if you are the Lieutenant.