Flint

'The Old Hound waits in her stall, forelimbs folded, eyes deep and sad. Strings of glass jewels glimmer and clash. A flower-scent rises from the incense tripod. "Best," she groans. "Best wares."'

'Someone has despoiled the stump of a granary with graffiti. "KHANATE SWINE", they have daubed on the wall. "HORSE LUMPERS" "SHIP CROWS" "FOX BITERS" "ARSE-FISH". Many of the sentiments are obscure, but few seem positive, and there is definitely a zoological theme.'

'The surface of a mirror-dark pool trembles. The shadows beneath the trees bend and quiver. The forest shakes. Blood drips from the branches. Salamanders slink hissing from the grass. Tiger-heads break the pool's surface. "War," a voice cries. "War!"'

We're opening the Elder Continent to visitors for the first time. See the story-haunted port of Apis Meet. Visit the hundred-tongued city of Caution. Mount an expedition into the Bleeding Forest, where bee-stings kill with melancholy; and discover whether the pretender-god called the Thief-of-Faces still lies bound in its Prison of Flint...

Flint is a special Christmas treat: a two-part Truly Exceptional Story. Part I opened in October, and Part II is live now. It's the single largest piece of content ever released in Fallen London, and it may be the last bit of FL content I write - Paul now refuses to leave me alone in a room with a keyboard, since I have proven completely incapable of staying within content budget.

Subscribing to Exceptional Friendship will give you access to Parts I and II. Subscribers had early access to the first part of the story in November. If you've been supporting us since November, thank you very much! We hope you've enjoyed it.