Lyra took a deep breath. “A glorious tale, Emir, and masterfully told, I worry though, that recounting it to Prince Altair will pull his attention to people and places who would rather stay unnoticed.” The old man shrugged. “It’s old news now, and never was a secret, I daresay you could find varying reports of …
He began. “I am old and tired now, but many years ago, when the sun and the moon were young, and skipped through the daytime sky, hand-in-hand, I was as reckless an adventurer as any you wish to name. “My family are from the northern oasis, the pendant in the Emerald Chain, we call it, …
Her first duty of the day was to tend to the three adventurers from the Battlements, except, when she entered the room, she found the middle bed empty. The Southern healer was already there, assembling bandages, water and poultices. He followed her gaze and shook his head sadly. “His soul was taken by the Moon …
She woke the next morning with her feet still miserable. She struggled to walk more than a few steps. Yet another apology was sent to Anissa at the Sanctuary, and Lyra resigned herself to a day of boredom and worry. Maryam brought her breakfast and collected the sky dress for cleaning. Dressmaker Nadira had apparently …
She looked Lyra over and gave a single nod that somehow managed to combine approval, relief, and commiseration. She set the box on the bed and opened the lid. Folded inside was the dress. Or more accurately, a fine linen under-gown, an over-gown in silk lighter than a breeze, shoes and a belt. Lyra shed …
The following morning, she sent a message to the Sanctuary, with her apologies, she couldn’t assist that day. After consulting with Maryam, the red dress, now more blotched than ever, was removed, never to be discussed again. She had a feeling the housekeeper had sent it to the guild of dyers with a polite note, …
As the one friend scurried out of the door, and the other looked confused, but settled happily enough when handed wine, Khalik hissed. “They don’t know the Prince is coming, it’s a surprise, don’t spoil it.” It wasn’t going to be her doing the spoiling but obedient to his request, she kept quiet as the …
Khalik sat for a moment, then bounced out of his seat, rubbing his hands together. “I’ll invite him for tomorrow! Tell Maryam to cook the best dishes and find something to wear.” Lyra rolled her eyes. “He said next week. If you invite him tomorrow, he’ll think you’re too stupid to understand time. Besides, he’s …
“Lyra, where are you? Come here, we have a visitor.” Lyra looked up from her book and wondered if she could get away with snuffing the lamps in her room and pretending to be asleep. Khalik sounded drunk, again, and the friends he brought home were distasteful even when sober. Her door rattled, then bounced …
The DNA of Stories 