As they entered the city, Alec dropped back to ride beside the coach. Mellisande opened the window next to her and narrowed her eyes at him. "You've done it again haven't you?" "What?" "Changed into a guard captain." Alec frowned and looked down at himself. "It wasn't intentional. It just seems a better way to …
They started with the fabric stalls and Millie was soon overwhelmed by choices - colour, fabric, pattern - how was she ever going to settle on something and make it all fit? Everything was so lovely, but her room was only so big and she loved its light and airy feel. Too much stuff would …
He led her to an open area of floor in the middle of the room, leaving her briefly to open the library doors wide. “So we can hear the music, it’s a bit difficult to dance without it.” “Where is the ballroom?” “There’s a back entrance to it just across the passage.” He returned just …
Leila swallowed hard and tried to breathe. There was no other way. She tried to find a smile for the Captain; the woman was risking her ship in doing this, after all. Captain Saros shook her head. “Make no mistake, these next two days are going to be bad. But it’s only two days. Your …
The group retreated into their own thoughts until Mellisande broke the silence. "Tell me, is the Princess housed in the same apartment suite as the ambassador?" Lucas answered. "More accurately, the ambassador has moved into the Princess's suite. He would normally be at the Embassy in the City." Mellisande nodded thoughtfully. "And does the 'Stromsmere …
Weaving through the castle corridors, Anaria hoped she hadn’t misremembered the cook’s directions but, after what seemed like forever, she came a large set of doors, carved with books and scrolls. She caught her breath, pushed down the fizz of exuberance and carefully pulled on one of the doors. It swung open easily and she …
She said. “Well I’m here now.” And looked pointedly at the stall’s sign, listing the juices available. Timothy bent a little to peer at her face. “What’s wrong? Who upset you?” She gave him a withering look. “You might have been worried, I don’t know. Your friend thought it was funny to get me lost …
This was inspired by a group chat about Tolkien's house coming up for sale. One of the group members wrote the message below, and it prompted an idea... I wonder if Tolkien haunts it. Like you could leave your book half written and at night his ghost could come and write more of it for …
Anaria’s reaction to the news of her castle assignment was much as Sarah had predicted. After being reassured she wouldn’t be on view or required to do anything other than the simplest food preparation she sighed. “Martha’s going to love having yet another thing to be superior about.” “You might want to point out you’re …
"How many others know who he is?" Lucas asked. "As in his likely rank?" "Yes." Alec replied. "Aunt Aurelia probably has a fair inkling but won't mention it. Nathan knows he's not a run-of-the-mill Stromsmere child and is determinedly refusing to know any more. Mellisande and Nora obviously know his likely country of origin but …
The DNA of Stories 