Lives of Bitter Rain

Angilly is twelve, the child of Pal soldiers posted in occupied Jarokir. She has no idea that a run of accidents and questionable choices is about to carry her into Outreach, the diplomatic arm of the Palleseen.

The Palleseen are Tyrant Philosophers who have sworn to bring 'Perfection' and 'Correctness' to an imperfect world, one city and one kingdom at a time. Their legions follow, but Outreach arrives first, like rain before a storm.

Outreach works with words where an army of five thousand would fail. Its task is to turn enemies into friends and to urge the oppressed to rise against the priests, necromancers and despots who rule them.

This novella belongs to the Tyrant Philosopher series and is a prequel to the third novel, Days of Shattered Faith.

Angilly's path runs from Jarrokir through Bracinta, Cazarkand and Lemas to the Holy Regalate of Stouk and finally Usmai. Along the way she learns what her nation's success costs in compromises and lost chances, and that the rain will always fall bitter.