Special Fiction Feature: “The Whoremaster of Pald”
Zed runs a friendly, profitable business in Pald’s foreign quarter — kept that way by his seeming willingness to avoid conflict at all costs. But beneath this carefully constructed cowardly exterior beats the heart of a shrewd businessman, one who will go to any lengths to protect both his business and his employees. But he’ll need every resource at his disposal when he finds himself up against an unknown opponent who wants him dead… an opponent with very powerful allies, and deadly Lisk stitch magic at his fingertips.
Harry James Connolly’s “The Whoremaster of Pald,” praised for “vivid prose strongly reminiscent of Jack Vance” (Tangent Online), was one of the most popular and acclaimed tales in Black Gate‘s second issue. Now we are proud to present it online, complete in its entirety, with the original art and sketches by Chris Pepper. If you enjoy it, be sure to read Connolly’s second tale of swordplay and magic in the decaying city of Pald, “Another Man’s Burden,” in the Winter 2002 issue of Black Gate!