(Click here for links to other chapters.) “Go over this one more time.”  Mynar is sketching a rough genealogy on a scrap of paper. “Master Bard Dekker was the first cousin of Wills, who is Desee’s father.” “And Klys is her brother?”  Mynar draws a few more lines as he talks. “No.  Klys is Desee’s … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 10

(Click here for links to other chapters.) I wake late, just in time for lunch.  Mynar is alone at the head table. “Father is eating with mother today,” he tells me without my asking.  I relax, surprising myself because I had not realized how tense I was, how afraid that father's headaches had returned.  “No … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 9

(Click here for links to other chapters.) Demon stench, blackened circle, and body pieces litter one of the minor city squares. “You would think they would learn,” I complain to the priest following me.  He just sighs and lights incense to begin his spiritual cleaning.  His order espouses extreme unworldliness to the point of giving … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 8

(Click here for links to other chapters.) I go to the kitchen, my guards clattering behind, to collect the chief cook’s doting disapproval, my cup of coco and a plate of small cakes.  Since they have icing, I grab some napkins too.  All part of my plan to convince everyone that life is back to … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 7

(Click here for links to other chapters.) I go to my rooms, keeping my Sergeant with me after he does his ‘searching for assassins’ routine.  Luckily my senior sergeant Bevin is the sergeant on duty, so I don’t have to do much explaining. I tell my ladies to go walk in the gardens.  I trust … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 6

(Note:  Click here to go to chapter one ) Turns out, it was that easy, Lord Ekal tells us, as we meet at the alcove that is turning into our war room.  It is a good place to talk, a niche in the great outer wall of the keep, there originally to provide arrow slits.  … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 5

(Click here for links to other chapters.) I breakfast early, awake because I cannot sleep.  I expect to find only castle staff at such an hour, but Mynar is here also, looking as well rested as I feel. We sit alone at the high table eating in silence. Mynar finally speaks, “I have given orders … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 4

(Click here for links to other chapters.) I am barely out of the hall before one of mother’s women calls to me; mother has sent her to summon me to her bower.  I nod, and start for the stairs at a pace the court lady cannot match in her heavy skirts.  Not being forced into … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 3 — conclusion

(Click here for links to other chapters.) Mynar and I stand at the top of the stairs leading to the front door of the Keep, clearly visible to the crowds lining the side streets. Both of us are arrayed in rich clothes and jewels, awaiting father’s arrival.  It is part of our duty—the people provide … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 3 — part 1

(Click here for links to other chapters.) I go down to the vault.  After three days of arguing with Mynar, I need the quiet. We had discretely made sure that none of the female guards were red-heads (an easy task since there aren’t many of them, and red-heads are rare in Abalem), and made plans … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 2