The Bloodbaths
The Bloodbaths is the first book of Steve Libbey's new Aqua Pura Trilogy, a sword and sandal fantasy featuring a plumber on an epic quest to win back his beloved. Mercedes Lackey says: "Steve Libbey gives the 'sword-and-sandal' epic a kick in the tunic and propels it into the gestalt of the 21st century, with an everyman hero whose brains triumph over brawn."Crixus Oraan is a water artesan, an engineer who builds aqueducts and piping for bathhouses and mansions in the empire of Rond (which bears a resemblance to our own Roman Empire). His guild has entrusted him with a large sum of gold to establish a branch in the up-and-coming coastal town of Restia. In a misguided effort to win enough gold to buy a lavish house for his new fiancé Kharrina, he loses the guild's gold in a card game.A shady sea captain present at the game-and possibly responsible for fleecing him-offers to sneak him off to the wild and mysterious continent of Minq. Afraid to lose his status in society for his crime, he agrees, hoping to gain back the gold he lost and compensate the guild back in Rond.In this first volume in the bold new Aqua Pura Trilogy, Crixus finds employment with the Lamiae of Nistru, a cruel society where those at the top bathe in the lifeblood of those on the bottom. Will his conscience allow him to finish the job?By turns dark, comedic, erotic and thrilling, The Bloodbaths is a book that transcends genre to stand on its own.This podcast is read by SWC's own Veronica Giguere.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 20 minutes
- Episodes
- 38
- Years Active
- 2007
Chapter 38: Rescue - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: His rescue attempt a failure, Crixus, Madraig and Sheirra flee Nistru as the peasant rebellion is cruelly suppressed.
Chapter 37: Possessions - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Crixus and Madraig confront Lord Staal to rescue Barida.
Chapter 36: Quarry - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Crixus and Pahhim are saved from the ghosts of the Lamiae by an old friend... or enemy.
Chapter 35: Rebellion - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Crixus and Pahhim escape execution through the ancient caverns beneath the castle as the uprising begins.
Chapter 34: Poison - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: As the Emperor unveils the restored Imperial fountain, the rebels make their move.
Chapter 33: Dice - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: The leaders of the peasant rebellion appeal to Crixus' guilty conscience for help.
Chapter 32: Maps - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Crixus' apprehensions mount as he completes work on the castle.
Chapter 31: Swordplay - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Staal gives Crixus fencing lessons, but the real lesson is far bloodier.
Chapter 30: Underground - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Death awaits in the tunnels of the old aqueduct.
Chapter 29: Nistru - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Crixus takes his assistants out to survey the old aqueduct.
Chapter 28: Lady Beryyal - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Crixus visits Lady Beryyal in the course of repairing the castle's bloodbaths.
Chapter 27: Promises - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Hired by the Emperor to restore the plumbing, Crixus must now set Barida's expectations.
Chapter 26: Promenade - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: At the Emperor's Ball, Crixus makes a mess in the bathroom.
Chapter 25: Prisoners - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Crixus and Barida assess their situation.
Chapter 24: Charts - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Lord Staal welcomes Crixus as a friend and gives him Barida for a chambermaid.
Chapter 23: The Doctor - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Dr. Sempri helps Crixus recover from his first audience with a Lamia lord.
Chapter 22: Lord Staal - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: At last, Crixus stands - or rather, crawls - before Lord Staal.
Chapter 21: Audience - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: And waits. And waits. And waits.
Chapter 20: Doors - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Having gained entrance to Castle Nistru, Crixus waits to be summoned.
Chapter 19: The Mountains of Nistru - The Bloodbaths
-In this episode: Crixus gets his first view of Nistru.