The SongForge series is set in a Japanese style fantasy setting, where the half-Dragon Drakes rule the world in a feudal, warrior centric culture. Humans have been forced into a slave role where even their lives are subject to a Drake’s will. The SongForge series focuses on the lives of two extraordinary human slaves, Aerik and Annah, who between them seem destined to bring great change to their world – for good or ill.

Aerik is a simple farm slave with no real ambition other than to stay alive and go drinking at a secret slave bar with his brother and his friends. That is, until one day when events conspire to throw everything he has ever known into chaos and challenges him to take a leap of faith, or give in and abandon everything.

When Annah is bought by renowned warrior and honoured Forger, Kelkh Ironbound, she had hoped for nothing more than a quiet house to keep and a master who wasn’t too cruel to her. But instead, she was given the chance at a life few slaves ever experienced, and in doing so may find the chance to awaken powers that few even know existed – and fewer still would want to.

The SongForge series is based very loosely on Japanese Samurai and ninja stories. The Drakes are heavily influenced by the Samurai warrior code of honour, while the human slaves are based around certain rumours and stories of ninja’s acting as urban guerrillas. I based as much as I could (or as much as would fit in the story) on historical fact, but I also strayed from that when it suited my purposes.

Things such as bent nail climbing claws and hook and sling weapons were pretty close to fact (although the hook and sling was more of a scythe and chain). Also, the concept of ninja using everyday items to fight with because they were banned from carrying true “weapons” has been referenced in several books I read. The nunchaku, for instance, were originally created as rice flails and were adapted for fighting later. I also tried to use proper tactics where I could, such as luring Samurai into enclosed spaces so their long bladed weapons would get entangled in walls or rooves or anything that happened to be close at hand.

So I ask you to forgive me if I strayed too far from fact – I tried where I could, but in the end I just wanted it to be an entertaining read.

James Beckingham