Ancient Norse / East

A young man born into the crew of a raiding long-ship is pulled from the coast of Norway into a war over a drowned god's shrine, where oath, blood-debt, and a king's betrayal decide whether he sails home as a thrall or a jarl.

A water-clock keeper in Tang Chang'an finds the palace's seven jars dripping to a false hour, and traces the error to a recast spout, a forged almanac, and a poisoned secretary. To prove the clock was moved, she must risk the only work she has ever been allowed to hold.