Split (1)

train · 9.05k rows

text stringlengths 1.73k 3.83k
the right response, for the serving women smiled, glancing at each other. Two took her hands, moving much more respectfully now than when they’d first rushed her from the carriage. Siri strode with them, train rustling behind her, and the other women stayed behind. Siri turned, and the women curtsied to her one at a ti...
Chapter 7 The door shut behind her. A large fire growled in a hearth to her left, bringing a shifting orange light to the large room. The black walls seemed to draw in and absorb the illumination, making deep shadows at the edges of the room. Siri stood quietly in her ornate velvet dress, heart thumping, brow sweating....
than other, lesser men. He was Returned. In and of itself, being Returned wasn’t a sin. After all, Returned came in Idris, too. The Hallandren people, however, kept the Returned alive, feeding them on the souls of peasants, tearing away the Breath of hundreds of people each year... Don’t think of that, Siri told hersel...
a host of other luxuries that—to Lightsong—were simply commonplace. He watched the fireworks with mild interest. The firemasters stood in a nervous cluster near his position. Beside them were a troop of minstrels that Lightsong had called for, but hadn’t yet asked to perform. While there were always entertainers in the...
back, enjoying the fireworks. However, he was soon distracted by the approach of someone else. Or, rather, one very important someone else leading a group of far less important someone elses. Lightsong sipped his drink again. The newcomer was beautiful. She was a goddess, after all. Glossy black hair, pale skin, lushly...
it is expected to be?” “My dear,” he said, “haven’t you known me long enough to realize that my tongue, of all things, rarely does what it is expected to do?” Blushweaver smiled as the fireworks went off again. Within the auras of two gods, the sparks’ colors grew quite powerful indeed. On the far side, some sparks fel...
then retire?” “Alas,” Lightsong said. “I still must decline. I am far too lazy.” “Too lazy for sex?” Blushweaver asked, rolling back onto her side and regarding him. “I’m really quite indolent. A poor example of a god, as I keep telling my high priest. Nobody seems to listen to me, so I fear that I must continue to be ...
and seize power in Hallandren. He had protected the kingdom with his armies, yet had shattered the kingdom as well by driving the royals into the highlands. Now they were back. Or, at least, one of them was. “This is a dangerous day, Lightsong,” Blushweaver said quietly. “What happens if that woman bears a child who is...
then dismissed the firemasters with words of praise. As the minstrels began to play, he tried to empty his mind of both Blushweaver’s ominous words and the visions of war that had plagued his dreams. He failed on both counts. Annotations for Chapter 7 Eight Annotations for Chapter 8 Siri groaned, rolling over. Her back...
of the entire arrangement. But it hadn’t happened last night. She smiled, yawning, then she climbed up into the bed and curled up under the covers, drifting off. ~ The next time she woke was a great deal more pleasant than the previous one had been. Siri stretched, and then noticed something. Her dress, which she’d lef...
and matching blouse. As Siri pointed, the serving women stood, some putting away the unchosen outfits, others walking over to carefully remove Siri’s shift. In a few minutes, Siri was dressed. She was embarrassed to find that— while the clothing fit her perfectly—the blouse was designed to reveal her midriff. Still, it...
chuckled. “Oh, Colors no! My lady, this is the Court of Gods! You’ll find plenty to occupy you. Each day, performers are allowed to enter the court and display their talents for their deities. You may have any of these brought to you for a private performance.” “Ah,” Siri said. “Can I, maybe, go horseback riding?” Blue...
not.” “Then where?” Siri asked. “Vessel,” Bluefingers said. “In a way, this entire palace is yours. I don’t see why you’d need specific rooms. Ask to eat, and your servants will set up a table. If you wish to rest, they will bring you a couch or a chair. Seek entertainment, and they will fetch performers for you.” Sudd...
wall. Some rooms were larger than others. Some had windows to the outside, while others were in the middle of the palace. Each was a different color, yet it was still difficult to tell the difference between them. Endless rooms, pristine with their decorations following a single color’s theme. Soon, she was hopelessly ...
bold plan. Vivenna could hardly believe that she’d come up with it. Still, of the many things her tutors had taught her, one was foremost in her mind: A leader was someone who acted. Nobody else was going to help Siri, and so it was up to Vivenna. She knew that she was inexperienced. She hoped that her awareness of tha...
recently, he’d been out in the forests, watching the Hallandren border or guarding one of the northern passes. “Parlin?” she said as he approached, carefully keeping the annoyance out of her voice and her hair. “What is that on your head?” “A hat,” he said, characteristically terse. It wasn’t that Parlin was rude; it j...
But, admittedly, commerce hadn’t been particularly robust in Idris lately. Reluctantly, she closed her eyes and—using the shawl to hide the transformation—changed her hair from grey to brown. If there were other Idrians in town, it was unlikely that she would stand out. Trying to act like an old woman would be more sus...
Vivenna—she who had always been perfect? Nobody wondered when she’d asked for food and supplies, explaining that she wanted to make emergency kits. Nobody questioned when she’d proposed an expedition to the higher reaches to gather important roots, an excuse to disguise the first few weeks of her disappearance. Parlin ...
her stupor. “Weren’t you just here?” “Yeah,” Parlin said, eyes a little glazed over. “Wow again.” Vivenna shook her head. “Let’s go to the restaurant.” Parlin nodded. “This way.” Vivenna followed him, annoyed. This was Hallandren—she shouldn’t be awed by it. She should be disgusted. Yet she was so overwhelmed that it w...
even reckless, but it was important. Calm once again, she put the shawl back down and waited while Parlin chose a dish—a seafood stew—and the innkeeper walked away. “Now what?” Parlin asked. “We wait,” Vivenna said. “In my letter, I told Lemex to check the restaurant each day at noon. We will sit here until he arrives....
Large of girth, this man had a cudgel strapped to his back. A colorful bird was sitting on the end of it. “I’m Denth,” the first man said, taking her hand and shaking it. “That’s Tonk Fah.” “Pleased,” Tonk Fah said, taking her hand once Denth was through with it. “Unfortunately, Princess,” Denth said, “we’re here to ki...
He and his men have been paid, and I am confident he will stay true to us for the duration of his contract. I offer proof of authenticity by virtue of this password: bluemask. The writing was in Lemex’s hand. More than that, he had given the proper password. Not “bluemask”—that was misdirection. The true password was u...
quietly. “You are excused.” The woman bowed and left. Now it is time to be a princess, Vivenna thought, rising and leaning over Lemex’s bed. “Lemex,” she said. “I need you to pass on your knowledge. How do I contact your spy networks? Where are the other Idris agents in the city? What are the passcodes that will get th...
spry despite my age. I...” He blinked, eyes unfocusing. “Oh, Austre,” he whispered. “I’ve damned myself. I’ve gained notoriety through abusing the souls of others. And now I’m dying.” “Lemex!” Vivenna said. “Don’t think about that now. Names! I need names and passcodes. Don’t leave me alone!” “Damned,” he whispered. “S...
Breath the way it is,” Denth said. “I only need one, and it’s functioning just fine. Keeps me alive, doesn’t draw attention to me, and sits there waiting to be sold if I need it.” Vivenna glanced at Parlin. But...no, she couldn’t force the Breath on him. She turned back to Denth. “What kind of things does your agreemen...
priest—high priest of the God King—would have been tall even without the elaborate miter on his head. With it, he seemed to tower over her almost like one of the Returned. Well, a spindly, obnoxious, disdainful Returned. “An exception?” he asked with his leisurely Hallandren accent. “No, I do not think that will be pos...
so many costumes, even if they were identical save for color. She knew that she shouldn’t let herself get annoyed with the priests. They already didn’t seem to like her, and getting snappish wouldn’t help. It was just that the last few days had been so dull. Trapped in the palace, unable to leave, unable to find anyone...
her any indication that he wanted more. He simply let her kneel, those eyes of his watching and dissecting her. That was the sum total of their marriage. The servants finished putting out her dinner then lined up by the wall. It was getting late—almost time for her nightly bathing. I’ll have to eat quickly, she thought...
fulfill. Ah, see, now it’s time. Enjoy your evening, Vessel.” With that, he pushed open the door, placed a hand on her back, and guided her into the room. At the last moment, he moved his head up next to hers. “You should watch yourself, child,” he whispered. “Not all here in the palace is as it seems.” Siri frowned, t...
to come to any conclusions. That only left her feeling more annoyed. Vivenna would have figured it out. Vivenna probably would have known instinctively why the God King hadn’t chosen to sleep with her. She would have fixed it the first night. But Siri was incompetent. She tried so hard to do as Vivenna would have—to be...
simply walked to the door. He tapped quietly, and it opened for him, servants waiting on the other side. He stepped out and the door closed. Siri waited tensely. No soldiers came to arrest her; no priests came to chastise her. Eventually, she just walked over to the bed and burrowed into its covers, savoring the warmth...
carry the message. Such a crowd, waiting to see me, Lightsong thought. What will it take to convince the people that I’m useless? What would it take to get them to stop coming to him? After five years of petitions, he honestly wasn’t certain if he could take another five. The newest petitioner approached his throne. Sh...
Just like absorbing the Breath of a new person every week. A small price to pay... The door opened and a figure stepped in. Lightsong didn’t turn. “What do they want of me, Llarimar?” he demanded. “Do they really think I’ll do it? Lightsong, the selfish? Do they really think I’d give my life for one of them?” Llarimar ...
the sea beyond. He had no desire, despite what he sometimes said, to leave his comfortable home in the court. He was not a man of jungles; he was a man of parties. But sometimes he wished that he could at least want to be something else. Blushweaver’s words still weighed upon him. You’ll have to stand for something eve...
meant to stay. We extend their lives, giving them extra time to bless us. But they’re really only supposed to remain alive as long as it takes them to do what they need to.” “Need to?” Lightsong said. “That seems rather vague.” Llarimar shrugged. “Returned have...goals. Objectives which are their own. You knew of yours...
like a monument above the other court structures. “What do you think of her?” “The new queen?” Llarimar asked. “I haven’t met her, Your Grace. She won’t be presented for another few days.” “Not the person. The implications.” Llarimar glanced at him. “Your Grace. That smells of an interest in politics!” “Blah blah, yes,...
as if she’d accomplished something. She smiled, opening her eyes, and let her hair change to a determined golden yellow. It was time to stop being afraid. Annotations for Chapter 12 Thirteen Annotations for Chapter 13 “I’ll give it away,” Vivenna said firmly. She sat with the mercenaries in Lemex’s home. It was the day...
but I don’t see why you couldn’t just leave the Breath there.” Awakening. Taking the souls of men and using them to create unliving monstrosities. Somehow, Vivenna felt that Austre would find that an even greater sin than simply bearing the Breath. She sighed, shaking her head. The problem with the Breath was, in a way...
Denth’s speech, she found it hard to have faith in the motives and altruism of a pair of men who fought for money. However, they hadn’t taken advantage of Lemex’s sickness, and they had stayed around even after they could have robbed the place and left while she was asleep. “All right,” she said. “How much is left on y...
better to have outside muscle, rather than inside loyalists, protecting him.” Vivenna fell silent. It was still hard to imagine the thoughtful, clever, and passionate man represented in Lemex’s letters as a thief. Yet it was also hard to imagine Lemex holding as much Breath as he obviously had. But embezzling? Stealing...
and files. figure out what old Lemex was up to.” “He won’t care much,” Tonk Fah said, standing. “Being dead and all.” Vivenna shivered. She still wished she’d been able to see that Lemex got a proper Idrian burial, rather than sending him off to the Hallandren charnel house. Having a pair of toughs search his belonging...
heard so much about. Plus, he’d be there at the presentation. The only times she’d been able to see the God King had been during their nightly staring matches, when he was shrouded in shadow. Today, she would at last see him in the light. She smiled, inspecting herself in a large mirror. The servants had done her hair ...
walking beside his god. “I’m not fond of rain.” “So you have often noted, Your Grace.” “I’m a god,” Lightsong said. “Shouldn’t I have power over the weather? How can it rain if I don’t want it to?” “There are currently twenty–five gods in the court, Your Grace. Perhaps there are more who desire rain than those who don’...
on the arena ﬂoor, yet far enough back to remain stately—were the boxes. Ornately carved in stone, they were large enough to hold a god’s entire entourage. Lightsong could see that several of his colleagues had arrived, marked by the colorful canopies that sat above their boxes. Lifeblesser was there, as was Mercystar....
universe, then?” “What else would I do?” “Fight it,” Blushweaver said. She narrowed her eyes, absently reaching to take one of the grapes from Lightsong’s hand. “fight with everything, force the universe to bow to you instead.” “That’s a charming concept, Blushweaver. But I believe that the universe and I are in slight...
week. “Huh,” he said to himself. “Her period of isolation is over, then?” “You really should pay more attention, Lightsong.” He shrugged. “Time tends to pass you by more quickly when you take no notice of it, my dear. In that, it’s remarkably similar to most women I know.” With that, he accepted a handful of nuts, then...
chair. She stood, frowning. She was finally free of the palace. And yet it appeared she was going to have to sit above everyone else. Even the other gods—whom she assumed were in the other canopied boxes—were far away and separated from her by walls. How is it that they can make me feel alone, even when surrounded by h...
group of large palaces. She hesitated, and small groups of people passed through on either side of her, though there wasn’t much of a crowd. Denth had been right; it had been easy for her to get into the court. The priests at the gate had waved Vivenna through without even asking her identity. They had even let Parlin ...
“Goats, then?” he said finally. Vivenna sighed, and they joined the small procession walking across the grass toward a large structure outside the circle of palaces. She’d been worried about standing out—after all, she still wore her simple Idrian dress, with its high neck, practical fabric, and muted colors. She was b...
just Awakeners with more power; it was like they had only a single Breath, but that Breath was so immensely powerful that it single–handedly propelled them to the upper Heightenings. The god entered the arena through the open gateway. As she watched him, Vivenna’s sense of awe dissipated. There was an arrogance in this...
they wished with her. What I’m doing is right, Vivenna thought with growing determination. Coming to Hallandren was the best thing to do. Lemex might be dead, but I have to press onward. I have to find a way. I have to save my sister. “Vivenna?” Parlin said. “Hum?” Vivenna asked, distracted. “Why is everyone starting t...
King had such a strong aura that he could draw color even from something colorless. Blushweaver glanced up at Lightsong. “Why do we kneel?” Lightsong asked. “That’s our king!” Blushweaver hissed. “Drop down, fool.” “What will happen if I don’t?” Lightsong said. “They can’t execute me. I’m a god.” “You could hurt our ca...
glancing to the side as a figure walked up the steps toward her box. It was Bluefingers—hands stained with ink, characteristically scribbling away on a ledger even as he entered her pavilion. He glanced up at the God King, nodded to himself, then made another annotation on his ledger. “I see that His Immortal Majesty i...
to his ledgers. He wasn’t the easiest man with whom to have a conversation. “But how do you explain the God King’s radiance?” “BioChroma,” Bluefingers said, still scribbling, not sounding at all annoyed by her questions. He was obviously a man accustomed to dealing with interruption. “The rest of the Returned don’t ben...
who had then ended the Manywar through diplomacy. The stories said that Kalad’s armies were still out there, somewhere. Waiting to sweep down and destroy again. She knew that story was just a legend told by hearthlight, but it still gave her shivers to consider. Regardless, Peacegiver had seized control and stopped the...
her that the man’s eyes were still on her. Now that she realized it, she understood that his eyes on her were probably what had made her so uncomfortable in the first place. The tutors spoke of this, she thought as she and Parlin made their way to one of the stone exit passages. Life sense, the ability to tell when the...
for the assembly. However, Lightsong had never seen the discussion become so explicit and extreme. Sanctions had been discussed. Blockades. Even some military pressure. But war? Nobody had said the word yet, but they all knew what the priests were discussing. He could not dispel the images from his dreams—visions of de...
the eldest daughter? Those of us who thought to be careful even studied the second daughter, the one they’ve made a monk. But the youngest? Nobody gave her half a thought.” And so the Idrians send a random element into court, Lightsong thought. One that upsets plans and conniving that our politicians have been working ...
shufﬂed uncomfortably, then glanced at one of her companions. That woman rushed away. A few moments later, the servant returned with Treledees. Siri frowned slightly. She did not like speaking with the man. “Yes, Vessel?” the tall man said, eyeing her with his usual air of disdain. She swallowed, refusing to be intimid...
I didn’t hurt the God King, to make certain things went according to plan. Being naked before her husband was bad enough. To be so exposed before men like Treledees—men who saw her not as a woman, but as an annoyance—felt even worse, somehow. She found herself slouching, arms wrapping around her chest and its revealing...
difficult to believe, since she’d been raised in a palace—or she was a quite a good actress. He frowned inwardly. The woman’s arrival should have put an end to the discussions of war, but instead she had only exacerbated them. He kept his eyes open, for he feared the images of destruction he would see ﬂashing inside hi...
Blushweaver was right. I probably shouldn’t have come. “All right,” the queen said, hair suddenly turning red as she threw her hands up in the air. “What is going on here?” He hesitated. “Your Majesty?” “Are you making fun of me?” “Probably.” “But you’re supposed to be a god!” she said, leaning back, staring up at the ...
walked back toward Lemex’s house, dissecting the argument she’d heard at the Court of Gods. Her tutors had instructed her that discussions in the Court Assembly didn’t always lead to action; just because they talked of war didn’t mean it would happen. This discussion, however, seemed to mean more. It was too passionate...
the proximity. She laid a hand on Parlin’s arm, preparing to bolt. Denth pushed the broken door open, sticking his head out. “Oh,” he said. “It’s you.” “What happened?” she asked. “Were you attacked?” Denth glanced at the door and chuckled to himself. “Nah,” he said, pushing the door open and waving her in. Through the...
“You...gave it to me,” she said. “You could have taken it and spent it!” “Actually, we did,” Denth said. “Took about ten bits for lunch. Should be here any minute.” Vivenna met his eyes. “Now there’s what I’m talking about, eh, Tonks?” Denth said, glancing down at the larger man. “If I’d been, say, a butler, would she ...
friend, I must admit a weakness in myself. I will never be able to send Vivenna to be a hostage in that dragon’s nest of a city. To send her would be to kill her, and I cannot do that. Even though I know it would be best for Idris if I did. I’m not yet sure what I will do. I will not send her, for I love her too much. ...
where some of Lemex’s money came from,” she said. “Idris and Hallandren will soon go to war. Because of this threat, my father gave much greater resources to Lemex than I’d realized. He sent enough money for Lemex to buy fifty Breaths, allowing him to enter the court and report on its proceedings. Obviously, my father ...
can contact them. There are a few other leads I think we can look into, things Lemex didn’t explain completely, but which I might be able to figure out.” “And...you can handle something like this?” Vivenna asked. “You just said it wouldn’t be easy.” Denth shrugged. “Won’t be. But if you haven’t realized it yet, this ki...
particularly when they had threats attached to them. Tonight, she would go into the king’s bedchamber, sit down on the ﬂoor, and refuse to strip. She’d confront the God King. He didn’t want her. Well, she was tired of being ogled every night. She intended to explain all this to him in no uncertain terms. If he wanted t...
to Vivenna, so she’d just done the opposite of what was expected of her. Her defiance had worked in the past. Or had it? Her father had been perpetually angry at her, and Vivenna had always treated her like a child. The city’s people had loved her, but sufferingly. No, Siri thought suddenly. No, I can’t go back to that...
was a proper amount of time. Then she stopped sharply, let out a final moan, and fell back onto the bed. All was still. She glanced up, eyeing the God King. Some of his emotional mask had softened, and he displayed a very human look of confusion. She almost laughed out loud at how perplexed he seemed. She just met his ...
“Your Grace, to do that would be to pretend that you’re not a god. I do not believe that’s a good precedent for your high priest to set.” “It’s the truth,” Lightsong whispered. “I’m no god.” Again, there was no sign of annoyance or anger from Llarimar. He just leaned down. “Please don’t say such things, Your Grace. Eve...
nothing. “Who was I?” Lightsong asked. “A good man, you claim. What was it about me that made me a good man?” “I can say nothing, Your Grace.” “You’ve already said something,” Lightsong said, raising a finger. “You might as well go on. No turning back.” “I’ve said too much already.” “Come on,” Lightsong said. “Just a l...
looked at and rejected cheaper sections of town. She didn’t want to live in a place where she was afraid to go out at night, particularly since she worried that her Breath might make her a target. She trailed down the stairs, the mercenaries following. The house had three stories—a small upper story with sleeping chamb...
idea that if he could convince enough of the other workers to give him their Breath, he might be able to use the power to start a revolt against the overseers. Became enough of a hero to the people in the outer ﬂower plantations that he actually drew the attention of the Court of Gods.” “Never truly had a chance of sta...
Burn away the stuff they intended to use for the war, and they’ll be more hesitant to attack. It’ll buy your people more time.” Vivenna swallowed. “Your plans are a bit more...violent than I had anticipated.” The mercenaries shared a look. “You see,” Denth said. “This is where we get our bad reputation. People hire us ...
thought. “What?” she said. “Some kind of joke? Did you paint that man grey? What’s going on?” “Move it, you rock on legs,” a voice said from behind the Lifeless. The creature walked into the room, carrying a couple of canvas bags over its shoulders. As it entered, it revealed a shorter woman standing behind. Thick thro...
bag, then Jewels pointed toward the corner. It walked over and stood there, patiently waiting for further orders. “Here,” Jewels said to the other two, untying the final large bag. “You wanted these.” She turned it on its side, exposing glittering metal shining within. Denth smiled, rising. He kicked Tonk Fah back awak...
and BioChroma. Or you can send us away. But if you reject us because of our sins, aren’t you being ostentatious? Don’t the five Visions say something about that?” Vivenna frowned. How does he know so much about Austrism? “I’ll think about it,” she said. “Why did Jewels bring all those swords?” “We’ll need weapons,” Den...
a joke on his part.” Vivenna frowned. Black-handled sword. Silver sheath. The man at the arena? “Who are we talking about?” Jewels shot her an annoyed look, but Denth just shrugged. “Old...friend of ours.” “He’s bad trouble,” Tonk Fah said, walking up. “Tax tends to leave a lot of bodies in his wake. Has strange motiva...
on the marble, her discarded dress her only comfort. Ever since she’d grown daring enough to climb into the bed the previous week, she’d slept well each night, comfortable and warm. And not once had she been touched by the God King. It was a nice arrangement. The priests—apparently satisfied that she was doing her wife...
a child. If you want to know more than that, read your histories. Honestly, I would think that you’d have come to all this a little more prepared.” And with that, the little man left. Siri shook her head, then sighed and pushed open the door and entered the God King’s chamber. She closed the door, then eyed the God Kin...
that she was safe, comfortable. She shouldn’t have to go through this. Not again! I can’t do it! I can’t! I— The God King pulled something out from underneath his shirt, then let the garment drape back down. Siri sat, breath coming in gasps, slowly realizing that he was making no further moves toward her. She calmed he...
done to you.” The God King studied her, then slowly seated himself again. He held himself back far enough that they were not touching, and she did not reach for him again. However, he did carefully—almost reverently—put his book back down on the bed. He opened to the first page again, then looked at her, his eyes plead...
Live with the destruction he creates. Although it was dark, Vasher’s life sense was strong. He could just faintly feel the grass growing below and knew how far away it was. With more Breath, he might even have been able to sense the lichen growing on the palace stones. He knelt down, laying one hand on his trouser leg ...
palaces of inﬂuential gods like Blushweaver and Stillmark. But he had also said that the palace of a lesser god—like Giftbeacon or Peaceyearning—wouldn’t work for Vasher’s purpose. Instead, Vasher sought out the home of Mercystar, a Returned known for her involvement in politics, yet who wasn’t all that inﬂuential. Her...
to see if he had been spotted. I really am better than a shirt. I would have killed them. Look, they’re still breathing. Stupid shirt. That was the point, Vasher thought. Corpses cause more trouble than men who get knocked out. I could knock people out, Nightblood said immediately. Vasher shook his head, ducking into t...
from me. That’s not right. You cannot tempt the hearts of men who are pure, Nightblood. No matter how much he explained that concept, it seemed beyond the sword’s ability to comprehend. Vasher moved quickly, dashing down the hallway. He had only a little farther to go, but there were already cries of alarm and calls fo...
palaces were only supposed to be one story. He smiled. What if this tunnel doesn’t have another way out? Nightblood asked as Vasher dropped into the hole, trusting his Awakened clothing to absorb the fall. Then you’ll probably get to kill a lot of people, Vasher thought. However, his information had been good so far. H...
sides, making notations and keeping track of the score so that the gods wouldn’t have to. Tarachin was a complex game, played only by the wealthy. Lightsong had never bothered to learn the rules. He found it more amusing to play when he had no idea what he was doing. It was his throw next. He stood up, selecting one of...
off,” Truthcall said. Lightsong said nothing. In his opinion, it revealed an inherent ﬂaw in the game that the one who knew least about it tended to do the best. He doubted, however, that the others would take it that way. All three were very dedicated to their sport, and they played every week. There was blessed littl...
sent her if she was really that inexperienced.” “She’s Idrian,” Truthcall said dismissively. “Their most important city has fewer people than a small T’Telir neighborhood. They barely understand the concept of politics, I’ll warrant. They are more used to talking to sheep than humans.” Weatherlove nodded. “Even if she’...
grass. Lightsong walked the other direction on the springy lawn, not even waiting for his priests to erect a canopy to shade him from the afternoon sun. He still worried that if he tried to help, he’d just make things worse. But then there were the dreams. War and violence. Over and over again, he saw the fall of T’Tel...
not?” The little man—he called himself Fob—shrugged. “You tell a wild tale, mercenary.” “You know me, Fob. When have I lied to you?” “Whenever you’ve been paid to do it,” Fob said with a snort. “I’ve just never been able to catch you.” Tonk Fah chuckled, reaching for another mussel. It slipped free of the shell as he b...
war.” “You don’t think that old royal up in the highlands would send his daughter for nothing?” Tonk Fah said. “War. It’s the only thing that would call for such desperation.” “Your sister,” Fob said, eyeing Vivenna. “They sent the younger one into the court. Why?” “The king’s plans are his own, Fob,” Denth said. Fob l...
Jewels if you can have it.” Vivenna opened her mouth to complain, but thought better of it. Denth obviously didn’t like interfering with Jewels or her work. Vivenna would simply have to make a point of it later, once they were in a more private location. Instead, she just eyed Clod. He was dressed in simple clothing. G...
warning you, Princess. This is more dangerous than it seems. Don’t let the simple meetings over food throw you off. In any other city, we’d be meeting in lairs, gambling parlors, or alleyways. Best to keep moving.” They settled down, and as if they hadn’t just come from their second lunch of the day, Denth and Tonk Fah...
bribe men like Grable. What she had just given away wasn’t even a real bribe—it was simply “grease money,” as Denth put it. “Now,” Denth said, “the carts we’re talking about—” “Wait,” Grable said. “Let’s see the hair first.” Vivenna sighed, moving to put up the shawl. “No shawl,” Grable said. “No tricks. The men in thi...
Denth nodded toward the doorway. Vivenna stood nervously, then let Tonk Fah pull her through the room. The guards stood with their hands on their swords, but nobody attacked. “It’s a pity we couldn’t do business,” Grable said, sighing. “I hope you’ll think of me for future dealings.” Denth finally turned away, joining ...
to Tonk Fah. “Grab him, search him, and we’ll talk somewhere else.” ~ The “somewhere else” turned out to be a ragged dump of a building in a poor section of town about fifteen minutes from the restaurant. Vivenna found the slums of T’Telir to be very interesting, on an intellectual level at least. Even here, there was ...

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.