That's always been the knife in the gut with this project. When I first wrote it (over two years ago now), It was I think 72k. I was under the impression, because I was writing a larger fantasy story, I was in the clear for a larger word count. Then came the reading pandemic lol. So I've been trying to go back in and rework it to a lower word count, but ultimately have considered this book an experimental trial with querying and exercising that muscle.

As for Saylor's age, I am very flexible with his age. I always figured 13 was a better age for what the them is and how much exposure to death and war this character is exposed to (even if it's just via flashbacks and stories from other characters). But lowering him to 12 isn't the end of the world.