pursued

“We followed a girl in here,” he said. “We want to know where she went. Out of our way, would you?”

A dangerous glint in Taerith’s blue eyes warned the men that trouble had found them. “I think not,” he said.

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Chapter Twenty-Four of Taerith has been posted. Come, read, comment... and my thanks.

Just in time to help

The moment I stepped out into the sunlight, Svhen rode into the courtyard in a deafening clatter of horse hooves. “Lions…in the northern meadow. We can’t hold them off.”

My chest constricted. Kat was out there with them.

“Where?”

I turned to find Wren had come to the stable door and was already leading her horse out into the open. I knew I would lose valuable time just in running for my bow and quiver; so, when Svhen opened his mouth to question her presence, I didn’t wait for him to start. “Tell her, Svhen, and then wait for me,” I ordered, already ducking into the stable for my weapons. Thankfully, Svhen obeyed.

Chapter II of Wren Romany's tale is up and read for reading. Enjoy!

on the run

Adrenaline carried her as far as the village and abruptly failed to hold her up. Mirian stumbled and nearly fell in the doorway of an inn. The streets were busy and no one paid her much mind, but she could hear hoofbeats―riders coming―Borden’s men tracking her down. She pulled her shawl over her head, low so that she sat almost cowled as her eyes searched the street for danger.

They were there. Riders, three of them. Whether they were mercenaries or no she couldn’t tell, but she forced her eyes down until their shadows fell across her. They stopped.

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Chapter Twenty-Three of Taerith has been posted. Come, read, comment.

winter's end

“Please, Mirian,” one of the servants said. “Mistress Grey’s orders...”

“Let go of me!” Mirian insisted. She tore herself away from them. She rushed up the stairs, knees nearly buckling, tripping herself. Terror drove her, grew with every breath she took. She nearly collided with one of the serving women, who was carrying an armload of rags from the landing to Lilia’s room. The door stood slightly ajar.

A baby was crying.

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Chapter Twenty-Two of Taerith is up. Read, comment. Many thanks :).

Continuing the saga...

Aquila has found herself in turmoil over her father-in-laws mysterious appearance. To find out what happens, read chapter 9!

things are changing

They rode down the wide street of Esktown. So close to home, now, and the people were gaunt—even worse than they had been in the north, for Annar’s taxes had struck harder here—and they watched the returning warriors with hunger in their eyes.

Five men stood in the road, arms folded. Borden reigned in his horse and regarded them, frowning.

Jonas rode to his side and drew his sword.

“Will you bow before your prince?” he asked.

“No,” said the biggest of the men. Borden reached for his sword without a word. Before his fingers could tighten on the hilt, the man dropped to one knee in the snow-packed earth.

“But I will bow before my king.” The man raised his eyes and his hands together. “Yours, Lord Borden, as far as you will take us.”

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Chapter Twenty-One of Taerith has been posted. Thank you in advance for your comments, and of course for your readership!

Attention Taerith readers!

Readers of Taerith may be interested to know that I'll be publishing a novel of mine within the month, both as a free ebook and as a "real" book for purchase. It's called Worlds Unseen and is the first of a fantasy trilogy.

I'm using a few back pages in the book to promote other work, including our Romany Epistles. One whole page will be devoted to Taerith and makes use of many of your quotes. I've posted them here, so have a look!

reckoning

The old giant threw his torch into the fire pit, and it blazed to life, flames licking up around the iron bars and blackening the stone—not for the first time, nor for the last, under the waning moon. The light of the ancient altar drew Taerith’s eyes away from the sky, and suddenly he found himself cut loose. He stretched his arms and fingers in wonderment as the crowd around him began to pick up a new strain in their chant—a high, keening song, frightening and frightened.

He knew—he felt—that he was about to die. It was a death song they sang. He had no weapon, nothing with which to face it, and so he turned to meet death wherever it would come.

But something else came instead.

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Chapter 20 of Taerith has been posted. As always, I live for your comments. Thank you!

Finally!

At last, a new chapter of Daelia is up for commenting! Sorry it has taken me so long to finish it; it's not very long and far from perfect. Please read Chapter 13 and make lots of comments :)

desperate attempts notwithstanding...

...one can't always post chapters on time. My apologies for the lateness of Taerith Chapter 20--if it isn't up by tomorrow, you may throw things.

Chapter VIII

“How could you have been expecting me?”

Jayr turned back towards him and met his eyes with a penetrating gaze.

“What do you know about prophecy?”

“Nothing more then old wives’ tales.”

Jayr stared into his eyes deeply for a moment longer before turning away.

“Then, I think, perhaps those questions should remain unanswered.”

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Chapter Eight of Arnan is up. Rough, but there. Come, stay a while, drink a cup of tea- just make sure to let me know what you think.