Hi {{ first_name | Friend }},
This last June, I stood outside Warwick Castle next to a longbowman and stared up at the massive structure. The curtain walls rose forty to fifty feet high. The great tower soared even higher—one hundred and twenty feet. But it wasn’t just the walls.
The moat. Holy schnitzel, folks, the MOAT.
On one side of the castle, the River Avon provided a barrier. On the other, a dry moat stretched forty to sixty feet wide and twenty to thirty feet deep. Standing at the bottom, you’d be staring up at seventy feet of steep turf and vertical stone. That’s like staring up at a six-story building—with armed soldiers waiting at the top.
My only thought was: good night, what kind of madman would assault these defenses?
The answer, of course, is almost no one. Medieval sieges were usually about starving the defenders out, not storming the gates in a blaze of glory. Unless you had a trebuchet—which I also saw demonstrated that day.
It was the kind of moment that makes a writer’s brain spark. Assassin, the fourth book in my Drovers series, is set in the capital city of Broniss, which bristles with towers and walls of its own. Standing there at Warwick, I realized: no sane army would attack such walls directly. Which is why the High King of Osson has other dark plans.
Of course, Warwick had more than just military lessons. There was a falconry show where hawks, vultures, eagles, and even a condor soared just above our heads. Here’s a tip. If you go, sit on the benches, not under the tree. The benches are where you get the most flyovers.
There was a dungeon tour that turned into a hilarious series of skits, complete with a plague doctor and a judge who convicted one of us.
And afterward, we went into the city to a Thai place called The Giggling Squid (yes, that’s really its name). The food was amazing.
It was a glorious day, and it reminded me that some of the best research often comes from first-hand experience. Although some things—like being pierced through with a sword—I’m happy to leave to my imagination.
I’m back at the desk now, hard at work on Assassin. It’s turning into a terrific ride, and I can’t wait to share more soon.
A shout-out to all those who shared their animal stories: Leigh, David, Kevin, Robert, Steve, and Marianne. They were delightful—all worthy to be included in a tale. And thanks to the rest of you who gave me your first names and responded with hearty support.
Here’s to Ferran, Sura, and Lagash—will they foil the traitor’s plot and stop the hashida’s creature, or will Ferran and the others fail and find all their dreams dashed to pieces?
You’ll soon be able to find out.
Sincerely,
John
P.S. I’ll probably be back in the UK and parts of Europe next year. If you’ve visited a castle there, which one should I see? Hit reply and let me know—it just might go on my itinerary. And if there’s a must-see castle outside Europe, I’d love to hear that too.
P.P.S. If you want me to stop calling you Friend, hit reply and tell me your glorious name.