You kidnap the King of a large country and hold him for ransom. You are shocked when you receive twice what you asked for from them with a single note reading: 'Twice the amount to make sure he never comes back' Shaya kicked back from the kitchen table and sauntered over to the front door, …
The friendly maid appeared at the door of the summer house a short time later with two bowls, one of water and one of a finely chopped mix of meat, grains and vegetables. The maid nodded at it. “Orders of Mother Eulogia for the gryphonling, we’re to provide it every night.” A boy of about …
I spent the morning in the garden, my roses were overdue for a bit of a trim, and while weeds weren’t plentiful, it was always better to act early rather than late. Of course, with that kind of job, only half my time was spent outside. The other half was spent dealing with the ‘harvest’. …
You are a small god, with very little power or influence. But you are happy, and take care of your few worshippers as much as you are able. An extraordinarily powerful being stumbles bloodied into your sacred place, and cries “Sanctuary.” Jaeshra was sweeping the forecourt of her temple. It was a task far beneath …
The gryphonling blindly stretched its head forward and bumped its beak into her clenched fingers. It squeaked again and scrabbled its legs. She cautiously unfurled her hand and smoothed a tentative fingertip over its feathered head. Mother Eulogia’s hands appeared, one covering the gryphonling’s body and furled wings, the other using a damp cloth to …
Conversational maxims – quality, quantity, relevance and clarity – violate at least one in each exchange. Not sure I managed to stick to this exercise from the 100 Day Challenge but I had fun... A merry-looking older man, blue eyes twinkling under grimy brows, plonked himself on the bench facing Alec and Nathan. Alec leaned …
Delauney wove through the lunchtime crowds, dodging tourists and unimpressed locals. One more block. One more block and she’d be at David’s office building. Then she’d be safe. She glanced at reflections in shop windows as she passed. The man was still following her. Was definitely following her. It wasn’t a coincidence, he was too …
She could hardly say ‘no’, so after a long morning of fierce concentration and smug looks from Dani, she set out with Miklos and the three children. They wound their way through the Old Town, murmurs and stares following behind. Toni pouted. “Why are all the people looking at us?” Before either adult could reply, …
The day dawned bright and cool and I gave myself the morning off. I had an appointment in the afternoon and decided any but the most pressing chores could wait until tomorrow. And there would be chores, not the least the annoyance of having used up almost my entire stock of rosemary and sandalwood candles …
Lord Danbury walked out of the room, and Anna could hear him speaking in the hallway. He was answered by their footman, and another male voice she didn't recognise. Probably the steward; Seb wasn't going to get another chance to climb out a window, at least not until he got to whatever country house was …
The DNA of Stories 