Epées et brumes (Le Cycle des Épées. 3)

The mix of genres gives the world a unique flavor, but I'm curious if this was a conscious choice or evolved during writing.

While I loved the world-building, some parts felt slower than others — was that intentional to build suspense or just the story's flow?

The mist feels like a character itself, embodying mystery and danger. I'm interested in whether this was inspired by any specific folklore or personal idea.