(Click her for links to previous chapters.) The weather continues cold, but the snow is light, not adding much to the accumulation and sometimes the sky is almost completely blue.  We enjoy it, but know it won’t last; the norm is four or five blizzards throughout the winter. Father has a frustrating meeting with the … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 38-part 1

(Click for links to previous chapters.) We are meeting in mother’s solar again, just the family, her ladies sent away.  This is too important to risk them overhearing even a few stray words.  Mynar tends the fire, Jes makes sure the doors are firmly closed, and I pour wine.  Mother has finished her list of … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 37

(Click here for links to previous chapters.) Father has a semi-circle of chairs set before one of the fires in the great hall, with a small table before the one intended for Sister Mays.  The chest and cloth are already on the table, and Jes and I go to bring up the disk when we … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 36

(Click for links to previous chapters.) I waken in the middle of the night, reaching for the Sword before I realize the howling is just wind. “Storm,” my Sword reassures me.  Another blizzard has blown in during the night. My brother and Alan are going to be frustrated.  I turn over and go back to … Continue reading Spire: Chapter 35

(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