Oathsworn: The Nameless | Chapter 28: Breather

30th March 2322, Inverness

“Well, that was exciting,” Rowan remarked as she held the door open for Ainsel. “Although if I’d known we’d be back so soon, I’d have gotten the good coffee in for you.”

Ainsel didn’t respond, drifting over to the sofa and flopping down in one blank, glassy-eyed motion. Rowan winced as she connected with the cushion; there wasn’t much in the way of meat on her, so she must have felt the dodgy springs in that thing, surely? But she just fell over onto her side and curled up into a ball, carefully angling herself so the afternoon sun coming in the window was at her back. Rowan cleared her throat slightly awkwardly.

“Can I… get you anything?” One eye cracked slightly, and Ainsel squinted over at her.

“Painkillers.” Shit!

“Migraine! Right, yeah. Of course. Hang tight.”

If migraines were as bad as Ainsel was making out, then the ride on the bike probably hadn’t been a lot of fun this time. Not that it would have been a lot of fun last time, with the giant, death-cloud-emitting dogs from places unspeakable doing their level best to kill them both.

Enjoy this excerpt? Want to read more? Well, you're in luck! I've made not only this chapter, but every chapter so far of Oathsworn: The Nameless completely FREE to read for the next SEVEN DAYS (until 08 November 2026 00:00 GMT). After that, access will revert back to a £1 per month membership, with the option to pay a little more if you'd like to help this artist starve a little less.

So, if you've wanted to have a little read of it, but been put off by the paywall, then now's your chance to have a look at what I've been doing: