Squire Gary Noble explores the dungeon levels beneath Clastermackle Castle.

Squire Simon Cressing listening to a 'Battle Mix' to get him in the right frame of mind for combat.

Sir Roger Cottingley partakes of a pre-battle snack.

"Sean emerged, prepared for war, swinging his sword & playing to the crowd."

Blind-Stan,  Maiden, Isabelle , Rowntree & Dent of the Plague prepare for a Rage.

"Slick removed his jacket altogether, parading his tattooed torso back and forth like a proud peacock."

Shrub enjoys a roll-up while guarding the Plague's banner.

"Spider’s guitar was a shabby instrument, but in the hands of this talented rogue it sounded as if it were forged of gold."

"The journal had become a constant companion to Lord Clastermackle since its discovery. He clutched rather than held it."

"It seemed from Michael’s expression that trapped pressure could well blow the hat off his head."

"She was peering intently into the glass ball, but it soon became apparent  that Madame Dorothy Jones was merely checking eye make-up in its warped reflection."

"Mad Old Jack burst into full pelt,  his cloak catching on a fence rod to be  pulled away, leaving Michael  dumbstruck by the naked apparition bounding closer."

"Old, heirless, & alone, Mr Plunder continued his solitary duty, hoping that perhaps the secret he'd spent his whole life guarding might die with him."

"Engines set the atmosphere abuzz. Headlamps sliced the darkness, projecting a rim of light that illuminated graffiti unreadable at speed. A tumbling echo  bounced off the tunnel's walls."

"Jasper's hand stretched forward & Gary, eyeing it accusingly, squirmed to avoid crackling fingertips which closed around his wrist ."

"The sorceress extended an arm. Nerve endings tingled & Sean fought the impulse for his body to obey."

"Dead faces pressed & smeared themselves against shields, gurning, taunting while bone ended fingers scratched & scraped."

“There!” Abigail yelled over the deep rumble, indicating a lone fighter guarding a fallen colleague up ahead. Isabelle kicked off, always just ahead of the stampede."

“A magical suit of armour & a key to summon an army of shadows? All sounds a bit Lord of the Rings to me.” Simon said.

"Abigail was up & running & noticed other creatures, an overspill of hideous warriors, roving about, slashing tents, smashing chairs, tables & whatever else there was."

The House of Alderford emblem.

The Plague emblem.

Knights of the Surf emblem.

The Unseen Door

“Well, at least he left you your smile.” Slick hissed, & there dropped the badge torn from Maiden’s jacket yesterday at dawn".

The Plague - character visualisation sketch.

Isabelle of The Plague - character visualisation sketch.

Spider & Slick of The Plague - character visualisation sketch.

Rowntree of The Plague - character visualisation sketch.

Dent of The Plague - character visualisation sketch.

Snipe of The Plague - character visualisation sketch.

Early cover designs.