BLOOD AND OATH

Palmgod 2 stories

Story Notes

Summary

This collection brings together five stories connected by the themes of oath and blood—promises made, loyalties tested, inheritances claimed, and the unseen bonds that shape the lives of individuals, families, and communities. These stories are part of a much larger body of work. Over time, I wrote more than forty stories inspired by the myths, folklore, histories, and experiences that surrounded me while growing up. From that collection, I selected fifteen favorites, and from those fifteen, these five naturally belonged together because of their shared themes and atmosphere. While each story stands on its own, they were never intended to be the final destination. Rather, they are the foundations of larger narratives that I plan to expand in the future. In many ways, these stories are the bones of worlds yet to be fully explored—the first glimpse of characters, traditions, conflicts, and mysteries that will continue to grow with time. As I began developing a broader West African noir series, I realized that one of the most important challenges would be introducing new readers to the richness and complexity of African mythology, folklore, and storytelling traditions. This collection serves as part of that introduction. Through these stories, I invite readers into worlds shaped by ancient beliefs, sacred obligations, supernatural encounters, family legacies, and the enduring power of stories passed from one generation to the next. Some of the myths and ideas presented here are inspired by traditions found across West Africa, while others are entirely fictional. Together, they reflect my fascination with the stories that shaped my imagination and my desire to explore them through a darker, more reflective lens. These are not complete maps of the worlds to come. They are doorways. The stories collected here mark the beginning of a larger journey—one that will continue to explore the places where myth, memory, blood, and oath meet.