To Stream an Ocean

Quakes spread from the ocean floor. A small matter compared to corruption among the gifted, empty royal coffers, and regicide. Long live the new king.

Ambassador Danivid, the deceased king's brother, is recalled from Dirklan Province to take on the role he never wanted. The kingdom's shifting beliefs make it all the harder. Machines have reduced the need for the streaming and forming gifts that people once relied on. A new constitution has redefined the role of the monarchy and the guilds. Yet, amid rising prosperity, something is going terribly wrong. What had the previous king discovered before his sudden death?

As the crown is placed on Danivid's head, a quake shakes the capital city-as ominous as the realization that his brother was murdered. An attempt on his life follows. Corruption, theft, and murder plague the kingdom. Quakes continue, and volcanic plumes roil the ocean. Danivid is the only streamer who pays attention. What a kingdom to be saddled with!

A neighboring country has gone silent and now provides a steady flow of a supposedly harmless drug, which is anything but. Danivid sends an ambassador to investigate. She is warmly welcomed, and the neighbor's ambassador, Trellian, is appointed to accompany her home. Yet someone is determined to kill them en route. They survive only because Trellian is no ordinary ambassador.

In Danivid's palace, Trellian discovers a plot more devious than simple murder of the king. As they close in on suspects, the volcano and ocean rise to fulfill their warnings. No former or streamer is prepared-except King Danivid. But how can one man stream an entire ocean and survive? Especially when some don't want him to live.

To Stream an Ocean is the third novel in the ARTS OF SUBSTANCE trilogy. These stories merge the excitement of epic fantasy with the camaraderie of cozy fantasy. Each stand-alone novel explores one of the world's three substance gifts: forming, wind weaving, and streaming. With every ability comes risk. The gifts are neither easy nor safe. Who has the courage and wit to use their gift well? And at what cost?