The Horlock Chronicles

After a fight gone wrong, Brandon Horlock falls through a portal to another world. Listen in as he tells us how he got here. How he persevered through a life of crime, betrayal, and torture. How he saw everything he dreamed of fall away. Brandon’s spent most of his life in the shadows -- picking pockets, slipping past guards, and dodging the fists of his abusive father. After his mother’s death, the streets of the Danese District became home. His family? Two equally scrappy friends. His mentor? Not quite. More like a boss -- a pawnshop owner with one foot in the criminal underworld. It’s not a good life. But it’s theirs. So when a high-risk job promises enough gold to finally escape the slums, Brandon takes the chance. The target? A luxury train full of the realm’s future rulers. The job? Rough up a noble heir and steal whatever isn’t nailed down. Easy money. Until it all goes sideways. The fists fly. Magic flares. And Brandon ends up on the wrong side of a prodigy mage from the most powerful House in the realm. Worse still, he uncovers a secret that was never meant for someone like him. Because magic? It doesn’t just belong to the elite. Now, on a world not his own, Brandon is out of his depth, low on options, and hunted by people who play a far deadlier game than he’s ever known. But if the streets taught him anything, it’s how to adapt. And he’s not done yet. Expect: A gritty, morally ambiguous fantasy Criminal intrigue and shadowy deals Violence and betrayal A slow-burning journey of transformation and rebellion The prologue is in third person but the next chapters are in first. Why? Because I'm an idiot. I'll eventually do something about it but take this as a warning.