Most locals would dismiss the folklore entirely, except that once a year—on the Day of Peace—the pilgrimages commence. People travel from as far away as Gaspard, from Winterville, Otterburn, Lorraine, and Soldier’s Pond, all over the free territories—and they bring gifts. For three days and nights, they camp outside the cottage in Rosemere, hoping to meet the Huntress and He Whose Colors Will Not Fade. Once a year, these two tell the tale in their own words, not Morrow’s, to those who care to listen.
Because these two believed their actions mattered, because the Huntress chose peace, forgave her enemy, and laid down her knives, the territories changed forever. That is the lesson of ultimate courage, taught by Tegan of the Staff, who devotes her life to learning in honor of a sacrifice made so very long ago. This is the story written in the bones, and that homage will continue as long as the world turns, until it loses its ragged edge, and new heroes arise.
But those are other stories.
Author’s Note
This book required extensive research on what a ground war would be like, set in conditions similar to the American Civil War. I read endless articles on provender, weapons, field medicine, survival rates, and privations unrelated to actual combat. For Tegan’s role, I learned about herbs, primitive remedies, and a vast number of ailments. I now know what a chilblain is and that it’s literally possible to walk your boots to leather tatters. Some of the data didn’t make it into the story because it didn’t fit Deuce’s point of view, but it was fascinating.
For more information, try these sites: www.civilwarhome.com/strategyandtactics.htm and www.historynet.com/civil-war-soldier. The following books are excellent too: Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James McPherson, American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War by Bruce Catton, and for military buffs, I recommend The Twentieth Maine: A Classic Story of Joshua Chamberlain and His Volunteer Regiment by John J. Pullen. War isn’t glorious, however, and I tried to convey that in Horde. There’s a reason Deuce is ready for peace.
Town names in the territories are taken from actual settlements in present-day Maine and Canada, but their locations have been shifted to suit certain catastrophic events. I chose these familiar names to lend the land a certain verisimilitude, which roots readers in reality as I created a new world for them to explore. For those who are curious, the action takes place between present-day Maine, New Brunswick, and Quebec, though the topography has definitely changed over the centuries. If you use Google Maps, type in “Cabano, Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, QC, Canada” to get an idea where they started out in Salvation. All the towns are arrayed from there. Marching west as they did, you’d reach Soldier’s Pond, whereas Gaspard lies to the east.
I promised you’d have all the answers about the Freaks by the end of the saga, and I think I covered everything, but if you still have questions, feel free to e-mail me.
This is how the world ends … and begins again. Thanks for sticking with me, and I hope you enjoyed the ride.
Acknowledgments
Here’s where I mention all the people who have helped along the way, starting with Laura Bradford, who believed I could pull this off. She’s never once told me I’m crazy (though I clearly am), and for that, I’m sincerely appreciative. Thanks for everything.
Next, there are the wonderful folks at Feiwel & Friends: Liz Szabla, Jean Feiwel, Anna Roberto, Ksenia Winnicki, Rich Deas, Kate Lied, sales, marketing, PR, and the rest of the stupendous staff. Finishing the trilogy has been pure joy. It’s rare that I can say I look forward to copyedits, but I adore working with Anne Heausler, whose efforts are peerless. All told, this team creates the most beautiful books and I’m so proud to partner with them.
Now I send a thank you to my early readers: Karen Alderman, Sarah Fine, Majda Čolak, Robin LaFevers, Rae Carson, and Veronica Rossi. That’s a seriously star-studded beta group, and if there’s anything wrong with Horde, blame me, not them. Their advice was awesome.
Thanks to the Loop That Shall Not Be Named, though I may not look directly at you, lest I go blind from your glory. You’re my dearest friends, and I love you more than pancakes and racing frogs. Thanks for your support while I went quietly insane and tried not to gibber on the Internet.
Much gratitude to my phenomenal proofreader, Fedora Chen. She always makes my work shinier.
Thanks to my fabulous family, who put up with all kinds of crap. It can’t be easy to live with a workaholic who forgets what day it is, but you fill my real world with sparkly unicorns, rainbows, and puppies. Mostly puppies.
Finally, thanks to my readers; you’ve taken my books to your hearts and for that, I will always keep you in mine. Don’t forget to write.