Jaya hurried along the colonnade. It bordered the training yard and she was in no mood for propositions. Halfway, she paused. The place was quiet. It was never quiet. She slipped into the shadow of a column and looked. There were people there. Still and silent, watching one man. He was worth watching, moving through …
Lady West-Wind was disguised, she liked disguises, although she was wondering if this one had been a poor choice. She was walking the evernight streets of the walled city in the form of a middle-aged woman. Someone people would assume had a child at home, only one, more was too expensive and besides, there was …
Prompt using Story Engine cards: An impostor wants to follow a path leading to a gilded court but they will have to break a personal rule. The setting is a growing swamp with carnivorous plants. Within it is a clearing shaped by mining activity, where a secret society is said to be gathering. Jestin swore …
Delauney reached for the figurine, then froze. Someone was coming. Someone in a hurry. She grabbed the statuette and bundled it into the cloth she’d pulled from her bag. Stuffing it away and hoping she’d done enough to protect it, she slid into the shadows by the fireplace. Just in time, the door to the …
The clock chimed out. The two watchers on the roof leaned forward to watch. “There she is, right on time. You’d think they’d do a bit of forward planning. Scarper at half eleven or so. That way they can get at least most of the way home in a half-dignified fashion.” “Did you spread the …
Ari considered the dress laid out, ready for her to be dressed in. Unfortunately, she was not the empty-headed, obedient little doll her mother wished her to be. She dismissed it with a wave and a grimace and turned to her wardrobe. The maid, a devoted sycophant of her mother protested. Ari froze her with …
It was a good thing it didn’t rain that night. The cauldron had done more damage than I’d thought on its way down, and Cernunnos found he had neither sufficient wood, nor time, to fix things before the sun went down. I waved him off with thanks and the promise of a good breakfast the …
Another of the Steering the Craft exercises... Mellisande sat in the arbour of the castle’s rose garden, pretending to work on a delicate piece of embroidery. In truth, she was watching her guard. Why she was under the direct protection of one of the castle commander’s most trusted deputies was a question she dearly wanted …
Marie drew in closer to Justin’s side as they approached the farmhouse. He squeezed her hand but said nothing. The door opened before they reached the garden area surrounding the house. A stern-faced older man stepped out onto the porch area in front and silently watched their approach. Justin stopped at the base of the …
I’d stocked up quite a bit on my last market trip. I’d even taken the portal to the Capital for a few odds and ends. I needed to stay put for a while. It could be a little while; it could be a long while. We were due a double rainbow and I don’t like …
The DNA of Stories 