And for the amusement of my writing friends. The contest requires a synopsis of the novel for the next step. This should be 500-800 words. I tried to write this according to online descriptions of how to write a synopsis, and was unable to get below 900 words.

So, I decided to write the synopsis as Bard would tell his story.

Presto, just 600 words.

Now, I know that Bard is just a figment in my head, but he knows how to tell a story. More important, when I was thinking from Bard's point of view, the egotist left out everything that wasn't about him.

I submitted Bard's version of the story, and to my surprise, got to the last round - submit your novel! Two stories enter, one story leaves.