Preface - The Thief’s Tale -

Wade deep into the murky events that set the The Thief's Tale afloat. The kingdom of Acara has weathered its share of turbulence, and the future forecast is promising anything but sunny skies. A storm is brewing. A storm that will shake the foundations of the kingdom. Perhaps even shatter them. What is this impending tempest? Is there any hope for sunny days on the horizon? Find out in this episode: The Preface of The Thief's Tale.

This is the audio version of The Thief's Tale, the first book in the Acaran Legends series. Read to you by the author Meena Mason.  

Here's a wee tidbit of the story (not found in the preface):

There were eight of them all together: some brandishing clubs, others unarmed. All of them were eyeing her as if she were the last delicious meatball that had the audacity to roll off their plate. Generally — as with most people in a situation like this — Kessa would’ve been terrified. Right now, though, she was furious; furious enough to rip apart anything antagonistic. Fury left no room for fear or even reality. Invincibility, thy name was Kessa! With a roar as forceful as any lioness, Kessa challenged her aggressors, sizing up which antelope would taste the finest.

Eight pairs of eyes widened in disbelief. Edgy shuffling accompanied looks of uncertainty. This was their ambush. They didn’t expect this tiny, lone girl to be so fearsome. Ordinarily, citizens steered clear of their territory. What did she know that they didn’t?

Turning toward the burliest man in the group, Kessa charged. Armed with a huge spiked club, he was a massive brute, easily three times her size, and yet this didn’t stop her from attacking him first. This further surprised everyone, including the brute, who, not expecting a direct attack, was slow to react. He lifted his club just as Kessa slid right through his legs. Popping up behind him, she grabbed a singularly large spike on the end of the club, which the big lug had swung over his head preparing to hammer it down on her. Kessa was lifted off the ground as he yanked with all his might, trying to throw her forward. She waited for the perfect trajectory and let go. Once free, the club flew forward at an alarming rate, smacking into his right leg, one spike shearing his pant leg and slicing the skin beneath. The brute screamed like a little girl and crooked over, grasping his now bleeding leg. Standing there like the embodiment of trouble, Kessa assessed the rest of the men and grinned cheekily. They stared at her in shock which quickly transmuted into fury. Not unlike a pack of spotted hyenas, complete with wild whoops and cackles, they charged the lioness.