(Click her for links to prior chapters.) The ball was a great success. Mother tells the Steward to inform the staff how pleased she is with their efforts, and father adds his thanks, so everyone is in a good mood.  Even Jes has volunteered that dancing is interesting.  My ladies have offered private lessons, and … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 34

(Click for links to previous chapters.) I would have expected the castle staff  to feel slightly put upon at the need to arrange a ball in the middle of digging out from a blizzard.  I should have known better, they clearly regarded it as an opportunity to show how very good they are. Everyone is … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 33

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) Mynar and Alan are still buried in the library, sleeping when they can’t stay awake any longer and eating when one of the castle staff puts food in front of them.  I think they are crazy, and I would tell them so, if I thought I could get … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 32

(Click here for links to other chapters.) Jes comes in, interrupting us.  “The king wants you Adava.  An outland ship is sailing up the river, flying a flag of truce.”  Unusual. We receive their delegation in court, father wearing his crown, and me wearing light armor and the Sword.  Jes is there wearing the armor … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 31–part 2

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) I preside alone at the evening meal; father and mother dine cozily before her solar fire. We are nearing the end of the meal before Mynar, Jes and Alan return.  They are wet, and cold, and happy.  The unknown language has been identified, but they won’t tell me … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 31-part 1

(Click her for links to previous chapters.) Slowly the bodies are burned and the damage from the attack repaired.  The soldiers keep watch in case the raiders regroup and try again. “I don’t really think they will,” Taver explains to me and Jes late one afternoon.  “They counted on the Sword being dormant, and on … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 30-part 2

(Click here for links to prior chapters.) I sit huddled in my bed, freezing even though the room is warm.  I can’t sleep without nightmares, the Sorcerer’s head rolling across cobblestones.  I don’t regret killing him, more of our men would have died if I hadn’t killed him, but the dreams won’t stop.  He is … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 30-part 1

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) One of  Taver’s couriers arrives, calling me back to the Lower Gate.  They are still battering our gate, but are attempting the walls now, also.   And so we end up right back where we started, on top of the walls.  I discover I can use the Sword to … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 29-part 2

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) “You shouldn’t be the one who always takes the risks.”  Mynar is being permitted to ‘protect’ the Keep.  Provided he and his guards don’t go beyond the inner wall.  Father and Mother are in her tower, surrounded by the full contingent of both of their guards, and my … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 29-part 1

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) “Two days until the full moon.”  I look out over the snow whitened city landscape from the tower window.  Mynar ignores me, ignores the Sword, ignores the shifting noises our guards make from the stairs below.  From our higher window I can see Jes on the inner wall, … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 28