Artifacts and Desperation

Aspeth Honori, daughter of a once-mighty holder, is desperate. Her father's gambling has left their ancestral hold defenseless, their magical artifacts sold or dead. With the threat of rival holders looming and her family's lives at stake, Aspeth resolves to save them herself. She dreams of joining the Royal Artifactual Guild, the only path to acquiring the powerful relics needed to restore her family's fortunes. But the guild is a men's world, and Aspeth, clever and determined, must disguise her identity and intentions as she flees her home, accompanied by her loyal maid Gwenna and her beloved, fat orange cat, Squeaker. The journey to Vastwarren, the city built atop the ruins of Old Prell, is fraught with anxiety, hope, and the weight of her family's legacy.

Fleeing Honori Hold

Disguised as "Sparrow," Aspeth and Gwenna arrive in the grimy, bustling city of Vastwarren. The city is a chaotic blend of poverty, danger, and opportunity, its streets teeming with thieves, adventurers, and magical beings. Aspeth's noble upbringing clashes with the city's roughness, but her resolve hardens. She and Gwenna, now "Wren," seek lodging and prepare for the guild's annual recruitment. Aspeth's dreams are shadowed by the reality of her family's vulnerability and the knowledge that failure means not just personal disgrace, but the destruction of everyone she loves. The city's indifference is a stark contrast to her sheltered past, but it steels her for the trials ahead.

Guild of Men

At the Royal Artifactual Guild's recruitment, Aspeth is met with ridicule and outright rejection. The guild, steeped in tradition and sexism, refuses to admit women, dismissing her skills and determination. Publicly humiliated, Aspeth's anger and despair threaten to overwhelm her, but Gwenna's loyalty and their shared outsider status become a source of strength. The encounter exposes the entrenched misogyny of the guild and the uphill battle Aspeth faces—not just to save her family, but to claim her own worth in a world that refuses to see it. The sting of rejection only sharpens her resolve to find another way in.

The Minotaur's Bargain

In her search for a loophole, Aspeth encounters Hawk, a formidable Taurian (minotaur) and guild instructor. Hawk is gruff, honorable, and burdened by his own debts and obligations to the guild. He is also facing the imminent Conquest Moon, a magical event that drives Taurians into an uncontrollable rut. Aspeth proposes a marriage of convenience: she will be his wife and chaperone, allowing her to join the guild as his apprentice, and in return, she will help him through his rut. Their bargain is transactional, but beneath it simmers a mutual curiosity and the promise of something more.

Marriage of Convenience

Their hasty marriage is both a solution and a complication. Aspeth, practical and unromantic about her virtue, sees the union as a means to an end. Hawk, wary of emotional entanglement, agrees out of necessity. Their partnership is tested by the guild's skepticism, the scrutiny of their peers, and the looming threat of Hawk's rut. Yet, as they navigate the awkwardness of their new roles—teacher and student, husband and wife—an unexpected intimacy begins to grow. The marriage, meant to be a shield, becomes a crucible for trust, vulnerability, and desire.

Training and Trials

Training is brutal: physical drills, weapons practice, and endless obstacles designed to weed out the weak. Aspeth struggles with her lack of physical prowess and the constant threat of failure. The Five, a motley crew of outcasts and dreamers, bond through adversity, forging friendships that become their true strength. The guild's indifference and the city's dangers only deepen their reliance on one another.

Magpie's Shadow

Magpie's brilliance is eclipsed by her addiction and bitterness. Her neglect and erratic behavior jeopardize the Five's chances, and her past heartbreak at the hands of a holder's heir haunts her. Hawk shoulders the burden of leadership, pushing the team to their limits while trying to protect Magpie's legacy. The Five's loyalty is tested as they confront the reality that their mentor may be their greatest liability. Aspeth's childhood admiration for Magpie is shattered, replaced by a sobering understanding of the cost of survival in a world that devours its own.

The Five Formed

Despite setbacks, the Five coalesce into a true team. Each member brings unique strengths: Gwenna's practicality, Lark's bravado, Mereden's quiet resilience, and Kipp's silent competence. Secrets are shared—Aspeth's true identity, Gwenna's theft of an artifact, Mereden's noble lineage—and a pact is formed. Their friendship becomes a sanctuary against the guild's hostility and the betrayals to come. Together, they face the labyrinthine tunnels of Old Prell, the ever-present threat of ratlings and cave-ins, and the knowledge that only by trusting each other can they hope to survive.

Rut and Rivalries

As the Conquest Moon approaches, Hawk's control frays, his need for Aspeth intensifying. Their marriage, once a convenience, becomes charged with longing and fear. Meanwhile, Barnabus, Aspeth's former fiancé and a ruthless title-hunter, arrives in Vastwarren, intent on seizing Honori Hold and exposing Aspeth's secrets. He manipulates the guild, bribes Magpie, and sets deadly traps. Aspeth is forced to confront her past, her vulnerability, and the limits of her own power. The Five are caught in a web of rivalries, both personal and political, as the city's tensions reach a breaking point.

Dowsing for Hope

Desperate for a breakthrough, the Five use a dowsing rod—activated by Gwenna's latent Prellian blood—to search for artifacts. The rod leads them to a hidden chamber, where they discover a pair of ancient rings with mysterious powers. The find is both a blessing and a curse: it offers a chance to save Honori Hold, but also draws the attention of Barnabus and Magpie, who conspire to steal it. The Five's unity is tested as they weigh loyalty against survival, and Aspeth faces the moral cost of tomb-robbing for the greater good.

Betrayal in the Tunnels

Lured into the tunnels by promises of a secret artifact, the Five are trapped by Magpie's treachery and Barnabus's greed. A magical barrier seals them in, and an explosion collapses the tunnel, leaving them buried alive. Magpie's betrayal is devastating, shattering the last illusions of safety and mentorship. As the Five struggle to survive, Aspeth must confront the consequences of her choices and the reality that no one is coming to save them—except themselves.

Collapse and Survival

Trapped in darkness, injured and running out of air, the Five rely on each other's ingenuity and courage. Kipp's resourcefulness, Gwenna's dowsing, and Aspeth's leadership guide them through the labyrinth. They face starvation, ratlings, and the psychological toll of entombment. The discovery of a crypt and the second ring offers hope, but also forces Aspeth to confront the ethics of grave-robbing. Their ordeal becomes a crucible, forging unbreakable bonds and revealing the true cost of survival.

The Crypt's Secret

In the crypt, Aspeth finds the mate to the artifact ring—a symbol of love and protection, capable of creating an impenetrable mist wall. The rings, meant for a Prellian couple, become both salvation and burden. Aspeth's decision to take them is fraught with guilt and necessity. The Five debate the morality of their actions, but ultimately choose survival and loyalty over abstract ideals. The rings become a testament to the sacrifices made for family, friendship, and the hope of a future.

Conquest Moon Unleashed

As the Conquest Moon rises, Hawk is consumed by rut, his instincts driving him to find and claim Aspeth. His love and need for her override all else, and he tears through the tunnels, rescuing the Five from the crypt. The reunion is both a rescue and a reckoning, as Hawk and Aspeth are locked together in a days-long frenzy of passion and vulnerability. Their bond, forged in adversity, becomes unbreakable, and the lines between convenience and love are irrevocably blurred.

Love in the Ruins

In the aftermath, Aspeth and Hawk confront the truth of their feelings. Their marriage, once a shield, is now a sanctuary. They confess their love, share their fears, and dream of a future together. The Five, battered but alive, face the consequences of their actions. The crypt's secrets are revealed, and the rings are confiscated by the guild. Aspeth's hopes of saving her family seem dashed, but the bonds forged in the ruins endure. Love, not artifacts, becomes the true treasure.

Judgment and Justice

The Five are put on trial before the king and the guild. Magpie is stripped of her rank, Barnabus is punished, and Aspeth is exiled from the guild. Her dreams of artifact-hunting are over, and her family's fate is out of her hands. Yet, in the ashes of defeat, new possibilities emerge. Hawk is promoted to guild master, and Aspeth's friends are given a second chance. The king's justice is imperfect, but it opens the door to a different kind of future.

A New Heir

Aspeth learns that her father has remarried, legitimizing a new heir and freeing her from the burdens of inheritance. Liatta, her father's cunning new wife, takes control of Honori Hold's finances, ensuring its survival. Aspeth is no longer responsible for saving her family, and for the first time, her future is her own. The reversal is bittersweet, but it allows her to choose her own path—and her own happiness.

Sparrow's True Calling

Though barred from the guild, Aspeth is offered a position as an archivist, her expertise in Prellian language and artifacts finally recognized. She will study, preserve, and interpret the treasures of Old Prell, working alongside Hawk and returning each night to his arms. The Five remain her chosen family, and together they look to a future shaped not by duty or desperation, but by love, friendship, and the freedom to write their own stories.

Characters

Aspeth Honori

Aspeth is the daughter of a once-great holder, raised in privilege but haunted by loneliness and her father's neglect. Her intelligence and passion for Prellian history set her apart, but her naivety and longing for connection make her vulnerable. Driven by desperation to save her family, she disguises herself to join the male-dominated guild, enduring humiliation and betrayal. Her journey is one of self-discovery: from dutiful daughter to outcast, from transactional wife to beloved partner. Aspeth's greatest strength is her capacity for love and loyalty—to her friends, her cat, and ultimately to Hawk. Her arc is a testament to resilience, the courage to defy expectations, and the power of chosen family.

Hawk (Wallach)

Hawk is a Taurian (minotaur) guild instructor, marked by physical strength and emotional restraint. Scarred by past trauma and indebted to the guild, he is both protector and outsider. The looming Conquest Moon threatens his control, making his need for Aspeth both a danger and a salvation. Hawk's gruff exterior hides a deep well of vulnerability and longing for acceptance. His marriage to Aspeth, born of necessity, becomes a crucible for trust and intimacy. Through her, he learns to embrace his desires and his worth. Hawk's journey is one of breaking free from duty and shame, and daring to claim happiness.

Gwenna (Wren)

Gwenna is Aspeth's childhood maid and closest friend, her anchor in a world of uncertainty. Grounded and resourceful, Gwenna's sharp tongue masks a deep well of affection and protectiveness. Her willingness to risk everything for Aspeth—and to steal when necessary—reveals her moral complexity. Gwenna's arc is one of self-assertion: from servant to equal, from follower to co-conspirator. Her latent Prellian blood makes her the key to the Five's greatest discovery, and her friendship is the bedrock of Aspeth's survival.

Lark

Lark is Magpie's niece, a former performer with a penchant for trouble and a heart of gold. Her bravado masks insecurities, and her loyalty to her aunt is both a strength and a vulnerability. Lark's humor and courage galvanize the Five, and her budding romance with Mereden adds depth to her character. She is the team's shield—both literally and figuratively—always ready to defend her friends, even at great personal cost.

Mereden

Mereden is a noblewoman turned convent escapee, seeking purpose beyond the confines of her family's expectations. Her faith is both a comfort and a source of inner conflict, as she grapples with the morality of tomb-robbing and survival. Mereden's healing skills and emotional intelligence make her indispensable to the Five. Her relationship with Lark is a quiet act of defiance and self-acceptance, and her arc is one of claiming agency in a world that would silence her.

Kipp

Kipp is a slitherskin, the first of his kind to join the guild. His quiet competence, agility, and unique perspective make him invaluable to the Five. Kipp communicates through gestures and actions, his loyalty and bravery speaking louder than words. His journey is one of breaking barriers and forging new paths, both for himself and for those who follow.

Magpie (Mary Turner)

Once the guild's greatest artificer, Magpie is now a cautionary tale—a woman undone by heartbreak, addiction, and the guild's misogyny. Her mentorship is both a gift and a curse to the Five, her brilliance eclipsed by her bitterness. Magpie's betrayal is devastating, but her final act—ensuring Hawk's promotion—redeems her in part. She is a tragic figure, a warning of what happens when a system devours its own.

Barnabus Chatworth

Barnabus is Aspeth's former fiancé, a title-hunter whose charm masks ruthless ambition. His arrival in Vastwarren sets the central conflict in motion, as he schemes to seize Honori Hold and destroy Aspeth's reputation. Barnabus's willingness to betray, blackmail, and endanger others reveals the rot at the heart of the holder class. He is both a personal and systemic antagonist, embodying the dangers of unchecked privilege.

Lord Corin Honori

Aspeth's father is a cautionary figure—a man who squanders his legacy and endangers his people through weakness and vice. His remarriage and the legitimization of a new heir free Aspeth from the burdens of inheritance, but also underscore the indifference of those in power. Corin's arc is one of abdication, his failures both a source of pain and liberation for his daughter.

Squeaker

Squeaker is more than a pet—she is Aspeth's emotional anchor, a symbol of unconditional love and comfort. Her presence throughout the story offers moments of levity, warmth, and grounding. Squeaker's survival and happiness mirror Aspeth's own journey toward belonging and self-acceptance.

Plot Devices

Marriage of Convenience

The marriage between Aspeth and Hawk is initially a pragmatic solution to institutional barriers—she needs a chaperone to join the guild, he needs a partner for the Conquest Moon. This device allows for the exploration of gender roles, power dynamics, and the slow burn of intimacy. As their relationship deepens, the marriage becomes a crucible for vulnerability, trust, and love, subverting the trope by making convenience the gateway to genuine connection.

The Five and Found Family

The formation of the Five—Aspeth, Gwenna, Lark, Mereden, and Kipp—serves as a microcosm of resistance against the guild's exclusionary practices. Their diverse backgrounds and shared outsider status create a found family, a recurring motif that underscores the importance of chosen bonds over blood or status. The Five's unity is tested by betrayal, danger, and moral dilemmas, but ultimately becomes their greatest strength.

Artifact as MacGuffin

The search for powerful artifacts—especially the paired rings—propels the narrative, serving as both a literal and symbolic quest. The rings represent hope, salvation, and the ethical cost of survival. Their discovery forces Aspeth and the Five to confront the morality of tomb-robbing, the weight of legacy, and the price of ambition. The rings' ultimate confiscation by the guild is a subversion of the expected reward, emphasizing the story's critique of institutional power.

Betrayal and Institutional Corruption

The betrayals by Magpie and Barnabus expose the rot at the heart of both the guild and the holder class. These plot twists are foreshadowed by Magpie's decline and Barnabus's manipulations, and their impact is heightened by the Five's vulnerability. The collapse in the tunnels, engineered by those meant to protect, becomes a metaphor for the dangers of misplaced trust and the necessity of self-reliance.

The Conquest Moon and Rut

The Conquest Moon, which drives Taurians into uncontrollable rut, is both a source of tension and a catalyst for intimacy. It externalizes Hawk's internal struggle between control and desire, and forces Aspeth to confront her own fears and needs. The rut scenes are both erotic and emotionally charged, serving as a turning point in their relationship and a metaphor for surrendering to vulnerability.

Reversal of Fortune

Aspeth's journey is marked by repeated reversals: from heiress to outcast, from guild hopeful to exile, from transactional wife to beloved partner. Each loss—of status, family, or dreams—becomes an opportunity for self-discovery and freedom. The narrative structure mirrors this, with setbacks leading to unexpected new beginnings, and the ultimate reward being not power or artifacts, but love and belonging.

Analysis

Bull Moon Rising is a subversive, emotionally rich fantasy that interrogates the intersection of gender, power, and survival in a world built on the ruins of the past. Ruby Dixon crafts a narrative that is both a love letter to found family and a sharp critique of institutional rot—whether in the guild, the nobility, or the very act of artifact-hunting itself. The novel's heart lies in Aspeth's journey from dutiful daughter to self-possessed woman, and in the slow, tender unraveling of her marriage to Hawk. Their relationship, forged in necessity, becomes a space for healing, desire, and mutual respect, challenging the transactional logic of their world. The story's willingness to confront the ethics of tomb-robbing, the cost of ambition, and the failures of those in power gives it a modern resonance, echoing contemporary debates about legacy, privilege, and the meaning of home. Ultimately, Bull Moon Rising is a celebration of resilience, the courage to claim one's own story, and the transformative power of love and friendship in the face of a world determined to deny both.

Last updated: March 4, 2026