"The Water Blade" by Phil Ælse

Rychel, last survivor of a destroyed squad, is given a second chance, but has to lead his new comrades to the front line. 

Tull, a legion auxiliary, is desperate to earn enough cash to get out of the back end of beyond. 

Together they must form a shaky alliance to stem an army of undines, and prevent a powerful shaman from unleashing a dangerous power.
 

Abalone - A continent cut off from the rest of the known world. Fragments of the nations of the races of humanity found themselves cut off from their homelands by an impenetrable wall of mist that rose from the surrounding ocean, almost overnight. Forced to coexist with the minor and major races of the land, some nations fought to retain their old identity and maintain their links to a severed past. Others force a path to a new future, often through the lands and lives of their neighbours.

For those who like their high-fantasy with a twist of realism, quirky characters and brutal action (but low gore), why not delve in to the world of Abalone, where human expansion meets resourceful elemental indigenes and a hidden history laden with danger. Suitable for YA readers upwards, anyone interested in fantasy RPGs and games.

"The Water Blade" by Phil Ælse will be free in ebook format on June 19th to 23rd 2026 as part of Arcane Tomes 'Summer Solstice Sale'.

About the Author 

Phil Ælse is from Derbyshire UK, a life long player of tabletop wargames and role-play games, and an avid reader of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Gothic Horror. Forced to work after leaving school, he has been a cook, cleaner, shopkeeper, teacher and HVAC design engineer. Semi-retirement and a move to Portugal has finally allowed him to get round to finishing some of the books and games he’s been working on for decades. 

Phil can be contacted at mace.games.uk@gmail.com