It's a little-known fact that a core part of the school curriculum for young elementals is a solid grounding in human fairytales and myths. Our local head teacher does not wish their students to accept these stories, and their depictions of both humans and fae, uncritically, so made a trade with me. Their side of …
My latest traveller came the other way, up the mountain, rather than down. Most going in that direction pass my home early enough that they don't care to stop. The pass is ahead, beckoning with the promise of a crest and a downhill run by evening if they keep going. It's true too, they will …
Nathaniel Gracen, Imperial Prime Minister, hoped he looked calm as he walked down the endless corridor to the Dowager Empress’s apartments. Her Imperial Majesty did not have favourites among her grandchildren, except when she did, and everyone knew she saw a great deal of herself in Princess Isabella. Who was about to be married and …
Eleanor had thought bread baking was hard work, it was nothing on the laundry. Items were dunked into a tub and thoroughly wetted, which made them ten times heavier than they’d been mere minutes before. The water was nearly hot enough to scald, and the soap used felt like it was removing the skin from …
It had been years since Tommaso had spent time in the Imperial Archive. Sure, he’d walked through the main doors any number of times, but he hadn’t been further than the main reading room, where he’d lurked awkwardly behind whichever Imperial prince or princess he was guarding that day as they ordered a copy of …
Today was a foraging day. The garden was well in hand, the bees content, and the Holmeshallow Farm children both away on school camps (for which I think their teachers should be given medals, and a week away at the most relaxing country spa you can find). My foraging basket sits by the back door, …
Maggie’s eyes seemed to see more than Eleanor was saying, but the older woman’s reply was all business. “Nora’s a good name, simple and sensible without being boring. If you’ve a mind to learn a little more about spinning and weaving before making that informed decision of yours, have Sarah point you in the direction …
It's been unseasonably warm this week and someone (or something) has been using my garden sprinklers to cool off. I'd not normally be bothered but whoever it is as no concept of moderation and has all but drowned the herb beds, not to mention leaving the hydrangeas wet, in the full glare of the sun. …
They set off into the early morning light, and Eleanor got her first look at the place she was now expected to call home. Sarah and Matthew’s cottage, much like her father’s place in town, sat on the edge of an open space, with other cottages nearby. It was much smaller than the market square, …
It’s been unusually quiet since Archer moved down to the village, only a merchant family, regular visitors and well-known to Her Majesty, so I’ll not spend the time or ink until they have a story to share. They did give my direction to my latest visitor though. She encountered them near the head of the …
The DNA of Stories 