One prayer answered

The man did not trust her completely; she could hear the dismissal in his words. It felt awkward to simply leave Junia in the care of a stranger, but it was obvious that the little girl felt he was trustworthy. So she said farewell to Junia and her new guardian, quickly turning to melt once more into the teaming crowd.

All alone. Again. Even all the times she had spent in solitude in the forest at home had never produced such feelings of isolation. Suddenly, as people pushed past her, she felt as though the air was being sucked out of her lungs. What had at first seemed like an adventure, now foretold of imminent failure. The great city of Parsaena was beginning to feel less like freedom and more like a cage.

------------------------------------

Read Chapter 6 of 'Daelia'! Please leave comments!

On the road again

Well, there is nothing to stay for now, she thought as she turned to gaze at the bakery, now empty with widows boarded shut. Finneas had left the week before, having used the money from his paintings to purchase a mule that would carry his supplies and remaining artwork back to his family in Wainden. Something about the artist reminded her of a tale her mother Lydia had once told her; a story from the scriptures. She shook her head, Poor Finneas, I hope he finds what he’s looking for.
Gathering up her courage, along with her bundle, quiver, and bow, Daelia turned south and began to walk. She did not know where she was going, but felt certain she would know when she got there.

Finally, Chapter 5 of Daelia is available for reading!

Okay, honest this was not what I had planned. Gidryon simply had other ideas from the moment he first opened his mouth. Oh well. Sorry about the violence, please remember Aiden is now involved in a war. And he's starting to turn, but it will take some time. Let me know if you can tell.

AIDEN CHAPTER 5 ~ STRANGE ENCOUNTER

“So you have come,” Gidryon said in a humbled voice.

“Excuse me?” I questioned totally confused.

“You have come,” he repeated his words quite calmly.

“I didn’t know you were expecting me,” I finally said.

A very law rumble came from inside him. I can only guess he was laughing.

“I have been waiting for you for a long time,” he replied.

I stared at him not exactly sure what I was supposed to reply to this. I waited silently for a moment, but nothing startling to say came to mind. Mistaken identity was all I could think of, but I should use it to my advantage now.

“Well, I’m here now,” I said with a smile.

“Are you ready then?”

“Ready?” I asked, surprised.

“To do your deed? You did come to kill me, did you not?” He said it as if it was the most ordinary thing in the world, but I stared at him in shock. His words only barley registering.

“How…” I tried to ask.

Direction

Arthus

“Where are we going?” Katraina asked.

“I was just wondering the same thing,” I commented. Sitting down on my spread blankets, I calmly regarded Wren. “So, where are we headed?”

“That depends on Katraina.”

“On me?” Katraina paused briefly from turning the spit to frown at Wren.

Now began the lies. I had seen it often enough among the hunters to know that they would use any means necessary to get their prey. I couldn’t really expect that this strange woman would be any different. Frowning into the fire, I waited for the tale I was to support.

“I am seeking your brother and I need whatever information you can give me.”

I raised my eyebrows and regarded Wren in surprise. This was a new tactic. Then I glanced at Katraina to see how she was going to respond. Her narrow shoulders stiffened and she didn’t meet Wren’s steady gaze. “So you can catch him and bring him back to his death for a bounty?” she asked.

Chapter Five of Wren's tale by Rachel Rossano

Intermission

Aquila thought you might like to know that she will be taking an intermission as there are some revisions needing to be made that cannot possibly wait until she has been completed once through. She thanks you for your patience as she does not know how long it will take, but encourages you to check back often.