Tales of the Forest Series by Blaine D. Arden

"Your Path is muddy, Kelnaht, but don't think avoiding the puddles will make it easier to travel." Kelnaht, a cloud elf, is a truth seeker caught between love and faith when a murder committed ten days before Solstice reveals an illicit affair between two tree elves he desires more than he can admit. Kelnaht's former lover Ianys once betrayed him, and the shunned forester Taruif is not allowed to talk to anyone but the guide, their spiritual pathfinder... more"Your Path is muddy, Kelnaht, but don't think avoiding the puddles will make it easier to travel." Kelnaht, a cloud elf, is a truth seeker caught between love and faith when a murder committed ten days before Solstice reveals an illicit affair between two tree elves he desires more than he can admit. Kelnaht's former lover Ianys once betrayed him, and the shunned forester Taruif is not allowed to talk to anyone but the guide, their spiritual pathfinder. When Taruif turns out to be the only witness to the crime, Kelnaht must suppress his forbidden feelings or face the ire of the elders. Ianys is terrified the tribe will blame Taruif for the crime, and despite their painful history, Kelnaht tries to keep his impulsive ex-lover from sacrificing his freedom for an impossible love. If Taruif and Ianys’ affair becomes known, Ianys will lose his daughter. Kelnaht finds himself yearning to claim both Taruif and Ianys at the coming Solstice and turns to the guide, who gives him only cryptic advice. It is up to Kelnaht to prove Taruif’s innocence and find a path free of puddles and mud for all three of them. ___________________________ This is the second revised/re-edited edition of The Forester less

Veld, tree elf and Forester, fell in love with mute baker Oren, also a tree elf, when he first set eyes on him two turns ago, but Healer Haram, Oren's vowed, made it clear that he had no intention of sharing Oren with Veld. Now, with Oren in mourning after Haram is killed, Veld is torn between Haram's unwillingness to share and his desire to make Oren his. But when Haram's death turns out not to be quite the accident it seemed to be, Veld is drawn into the investigation... moreVeld, tree elf and Forester, fell in love with mute baker Oren, also a tree elf, when he first set eyes on him two turns ago, but Healer Haram, Oren's vowed, made it clear that he had no intention of sharing Oren with Veld. Now, with Oren in mourning after Haram is killed, Veld is torn between Haram's unwillingness to share and his desire to make Oren his. But when Haram's death turns out not to be quite the accident it seemed to be, Veld is drawn into the investigation. At the same time, others appear to claim Oren's independence, and Veld is forced to face his insecurities or risk losing Oren... previously published in the "Carved in Flesh" Anthology Includes a bonus vignette "Tales of the Forest" books are all set in the same world, but can be read as standalone stories. less

The Guide mentioned puddles, but I envisioned lakes, deep treacherous lakes, and I was drowning. One turn has passed, another Solstice is just around the corner, and having an illicit affair with not one but two lovers—smith Ianys and shunned forester Taruif—is taking its toll on truth seeker Kelnaht. A stripling has gone missing from the tribe, and heavy rainfall hides all traces of his whereabouts... moreThe Guide mentioned puddles, but I envisioned lakes, deep treacherous lakes, and I was drowning. One turn has passed, another Solstice is just around the corner, and having an illicit affair with not one but two lovers—smith Ianys and shunned forester Taruif—is taking its toll on truth seeker Kelnaht. A stripling has gone missing from the tribe, and heavy rainfall hides all traces of his whereabouts. With days creeping by without a lead, it's hard to keep the tribe's spirits up, more so when Kelnaht's own future depends on the elders. Taruif has been shunned for almost twenty turns, but now that a possible forester's apprentice is coming of age, the elders consider reducing his sentence. Taruif could be set free. In gaining one lover, Kelnaht may lose another. Ianys seems to be pulling away from them both. He doesn't want to hinder Taruif's happiness while an old promise keeps Ianys from loving Kelnaht openly. But Taruif needs Kelnaht and Ianys' support more than ever. If they lose faith in each other, the puddles in their paths will swallow them all. ___________________________ This is the second revised/re-edited edition of Lost and Found. less

Following his principles will break two hearts. Forester Veld loses a piece of himself to mute baker Oren when they first meet, but Oren is vowed to Haram. When Haram is killed, Veld denies his heart to respect the mourning period. It’s the right thing to do. During Haram’s funeral, Oren proudly bares the brands that show the nature of their love; Haram owned him, heart and body. The elves pity Oren and think he’s broken... moreFollowing his principles will break two hearts. Forester Veld loses a piece of himself to mute baker Oren when they first meet, but Oren is vowed to Haram. When Haram is killed, Veld denies his heart to respect the mourning period. It’s the right thing to do. During Haram’s funeral, Oren proudly bares the brands that show the nature of their love; Haram owned him, heart and body. The elves pity Oren and think he’s broken. Veld has no intention of dishonouring Haram’s memory, but his death may not have been an accident. Only a forester can learn what the trees have seen. However, Oren’s independence is threatened, and if Veld does not offer what Oren needs, Oren may never be his to claim. ___________________________ Tales of the Forest stories can be read in any order wordcount: 17,700 NOTE: This is the second revised/re-edited edition of Oren's Right, and includes an extra bonus scene. It was previously published by Storm Moon Press. less

Can love last when one won’t leave, and the other can’t stay?Fear of moving farther away from his family had cost Eer the love of his life, but now, after twenty-five turns, Kat has returned…with a son, and Eer’s feelings resurface as if it had been only yesterday since they’d first kissed.But any hope Eer has of rekindling their love seems doomed to fail when a murderer’s taste for revenge forces Kat to choose between endangering their family or running… and leaving Eer behind, again... moreCan love last when one won’t leave, and the other can’t stay?Fear of moving farther away from his family had cost Eer the love of his life, but now, after twenty-five turns, Kat has returned…with a son, and Eer’s feelings resurface as if it had been only yesterday since they’d first kissed.But any hope Eer has of rekindling their love seems doomed to fail when a murderer’s taste for revenge forces Kat to choose between endangering their family or running… and leaving Eer behind, again.___________________________wordcount: 31,600 wordsTALES OF THE FOREST is an ongoing series of standalone stories linked by a forest world.Content warnings are available in the book's front matter and on the author's website. less