by Kevin Hearne
Part of The Iron Druid Chronicles, book 10.1
First published 2025
Bath time becomes storytelling time when Oberon the Irish wolfhound settles into the tub with his Boston terrier companion Starbuck. The clever canine demands tales from his human Atticus, the Iron Druid who has lived for centuries and witnessed history unfold. Atticus obliges with twelve stories spanning the ages. He recounts encounters with historical figures like astronomer Johannes Kepler, mountaineer Junko Tabei, scientist Michael Faraday, and blues legend Robert Johnson. The tales range from sacking Rome alongside Visigoth King Alaric to pondering art with sculptor Auguste Rodin. One story fulfills an ancient prophecy about a Triple Nonfat Double Bacon Five-Cheese Mocha and a nearsighted man in white who creates a liquid paradox. As Oberon and Starbuck listen from their sudsy perch, these adventures reveal the rich tapestry of experiences that come with immortal life. The stories blend historical fact with supernatural adventure, showing how an ancient druid navigates human civilization across the centuries while maintaining his connection to both the mortal and magical worlds.
Genres: short-stories, historical-fiction, fantasy, supernatural
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, slice-of-life
Setting: Rome
Period: Centuries
121 pages · Kindle Edition · Horned Lark Press