(Click for links to previous chapters.) The family is meeting for supper in one of the larger chambers on the first level of the keep, since the Great Hall is filled with construction. I don’t know where everyone else is eating; the steward can worry about that, but I have to go find Alan when … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 70

(Click for links to previous chapters.) “What is a Mage? What is a Royal Mage suppose to do? Did you talk him into this?” Alan is pacing around Mynar’s library asking questions which are mostly being ignored while I tell Mynar and Jes what has happened. Father hadn’t shared with them either. “You should make … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 69

(Click for links to previous chapters) We are tired and dusty as we ride through Misthold’s main gate just after twilight, our prisoner still tied in one of the supply carts despite four more escape attempts. Gregor and the battalion will escort him to the city prison; he isn’t coming inside the castle, much less … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 68

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) Taver reluctantly concedes we won’t travel any farther today, and has camp set up while I call a conclave of the village. I take my seat on the rock wall favored by Nalor, and wait for them to come to me. They collectively caused this problem and they … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 67

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) Taver moves us out early in the morning. “There will be no more delays,” he announces. No one argues with him, but I can’t tell if it is because they agree, or because they aren’t sure his temper has cooled. It looks to be a pleasant ride, the … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 66

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) I lean against a tree, eating lunch, and mostly listening to Lord Taver expertly spinning an elaborate lie. Only mostly listening because Alan is sitting beside me drinking tea and looking wistfully toward the saddlebags holding the salvaged pages from the three grimoires, pages packed in herbs and … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 65

(Click for links to previous chapters.) “We were unable to find any raw jewels among Orsin’s possessions,” Conners tells Anaslov. I am lurking in the shadows of Taver’s office, as is Taver. Anaslov does not deserve the honor of meeting the Wielder. And we do not want to show any interest in his silent companion. … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 64

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) I wake to the smell of incense. It is way too early in the morning for incense—for anything except cuddling back up in bed. But there is incense, and I am curious and wide awake. I slip out the door, not wanting to wake anyone who is still … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 63

(Click for links to previous chapters.) I look sternly at the mass of misery displayed in ragged lines across the archery field. They are bleary eyed and most likely have pounding heads and angry wives or mothers or both in the surrounding crowd waiting for my verdict. For I am giving the verdict, not Conners. … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 62

(Click for links to previous chapters.) Taver, Conners and Gregor decide to ignore the grimoires—or maybe decide to let Alan and the priests deal with the grimoires—and go back to planning whatever martial thing is on the top of Taver’s list. Alan and two of the priests head back to the workroom, all three looking … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 61