(Click for links to previous chapters.) Several days pass slowly. Mynar keeps talking history with Murr, and ignoring his hints about the chest. I send out barbers to the mercenaries, supposedly to clean them up as befits Alan’s dignity (yes, Alan did laugh himself silly when I warned him of my lie), but really to … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 90

(Click for links to previous chapters.) I think about slamming the door to father’s library as I leave, but don’t because he wants to annoy me, and I’m not about to let him know he has succeeded.  After two or three grandchildren he will probably get over me marrying a magic-user—no matter what we name … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 89

(Click for links to previous chapters.) Of course Mynar isn’t going to invite a stranger into his library, among his books. Daver just reconfigures one of the lesser state rooms for the meeting with Murr; he didn’t even have to think about my problem, which made me wonder if he had done similar in the … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 88

(Click for links to previous chapters.) Alan, Mynar, Jes and Lej are all huddled in Mynar’s library, searching grimoires, lore, and histories for any rumor of animal sacrifice in spells, so it falls to me to show Hunk the village, and make him and his group our offer. “We can live in the houses?” Not … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 87

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) “He has many who serve him because they want the power he gives them, but there are others who are forced, because they already have power he wants to control, or because he wants to use them as he used my sons, forcing muteness on them to protect … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 86

(Click for links to previous chapters.) Since Murr’s request for an audience has to wend its way through multiple levels of protocols, I have plenty of time to update father and Mynar on what Tmal has reported and what we have subsequently found out. “I should probably talk to him.” Mynar and I both ignore … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 85

(Click for links to previous chapters.) At least Celeste’s message puts an end to the argument—or more likely just causes a pause in the argument—as father, Mynar and I try to decide what to do, especially since we can’t offer a rational explanation as to why we are doing anything. “We should light the Spires—at … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 84

(Click for links to previous chapters.) I gently pull Tmal from the edge of the arguing mass and urge him into a quiet corner. I ignore the raised voices; they had yelled in the council meeting, yelled in the hallway, and are still yelling over dinner in the great hall. They will probably be yelling … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 83

(Click for links to previous chapters.) The Betrothal Ball meets everyone’s expectations, which is saying a lot. The fall air is crisp, making the bonfires in the streets comfortable, and the whole castle is decorated to celebrate the fall harvest. But best of all, I can dance with Alan as much as I want. My … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 82